Sunday, December 18, 2016

ANGRY ANGRY ATHEISTS

Matt and Corinne are joined by special guest Aaron Fox as they discuss religion in government, changing hearts and minds on Facebook, the app "Atheos" and raising children in a secular home.

http://skepticsquaredpodcast.blogspot.com/2016/12/e41-angry-angry-atheists.html

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

MITTENS JR

Matt and Corinne discuss presidential candidate Evan McMullin (who?), a peaceful protest against the women's World Championship in chess, bigots shaking hands with karma, Christians sending children straight to heaven, the Mormon church attempting to score points with gays, and Donald Trump vs Lucille Bluth.

http://skepticsquaredpodcast.blogspot.com/2016/10/e40-mittens-jr.html

Monday, October 24, 2016

TERMS AND CONDITIONS MAY APPLY

The following video of Mormon Apostle Elder D. Todd Christofferson (there's a lofty self-made title for you) was shared on my Facebook feed:


It's great that Mormon church leaders are trying to use more inclusive language, as they do in this video. I have a few issues, though...

First, actions speak louder than words. The church talks a good game, but it doesn't have the best track record among gays, blacks and women. 

Second, Mr. Christofferson mentions that a segment of the population that leaves the church does so because they don't feel accepted or welcome in the church. I am sure such people do exist, but in my experience, feelings of alienation come as a result of deeper issues and doubts--not because Mormons aren't "friendly" enough. John Dehlin has studied this and his work shows that "being offended" or "not having a friend" in church are among the least common reasons people leave Mormonism. 

Third, the idea that Mormons welcome diversity is tenuous and conditional. What they really mean is that they welcome all to adopt their culture and religion. This is demonstrated by their massive missionary efforts, through which they send tens of thousands of young adults (most of whom are straight out of high school) with the sole purpose of convincing everyone on earth that their world view is incomplete and flawed and that Mormonism is infinitely better. A large part of culture is derived from the predominant religions in the region. Which means that even though some people who have joined Mormonism have been able to assimilate some aspects of their culture (i.e. Polynesians), the roots of their culture of origin must be gutted and abandoned before they can truly accept Mormonism ("Thou shalt have no other gods before me"). 

When I hear Mormon leaders talk about diversity, what I really hear is a fleeting hope that enough non-white people will join the church so that they can be taken seriously as a major world religion. An ambitious task for a religion boasting less than 1% of the global population.

Monday, September 26, 2016

Monday, August 29, 2016

CRAZY GOD SANDWICH

Matt and Corinne discuss an anti-gay bakery's "gift" to LGBT groups in Oregon, a mass resignation among Norwegian Catholics, a Pew Research survey on why people leave religion, Burkini's in France, crazy people killing for god, self-medicating depression with the Bible, and Carl's Jr. offending Mormons with soft-core commercials.

http://skepticsquaredpodcast.blogspot.com/2016/08/e38-crazy-god-sandwich.html

Monday, August 15, 2016

MORMON RUMSPRINGA

Matt and Corinne share their recent experience at both a Mormon Mass Resignation and a missionary-led tour of a Mormon historical site. They also discuss a Mormon trolling Penthouse, a prophecy about church growth in Russia, expectations for returned missionaries, Mormons getting married young, and a faithful Mormon's perspective on apostates. 

http://skepticsquaredpodcast.blogspot.com/2016/08/e37-mormon-rumspringa.html

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

BETTER OFF DEAD

Matt and Corinne discuss video games offending Hindus, Planned Parenthood offending Mormons, "Visiting Teaching" and women's roles in the Church, Mormon humanitarian efforts, why Mormons are so hot and bothered by abortion (including a theological argument in favor of abortion!), and the futility of Temple Work.

http://skepticsquaredpodcast.blogspot.com/2016/08/e36-better-off-dead.html

Monday, July 18, 2016

GOD'S ARMY

Matt and Corinne share their ExMormon perspective as they review the independent Mormon film "God's Army."

Monday, July 11, 2016

PREPARE TO BE WOO-ED

Matt and Corinne share their recent experience in the New Age Woo capital of the south west, Sedona Arizona! They also discuss Vid Angel, naughty Exmo parents, and Vladimir Putin's rage against the Mormons.

http://skepticsquaredpodcast.blogspot.com/2016/07/e34-prepare-to-be-woo-ed.html

Monday, June 27, 2016

IRRADIATED CARBONATED PEE

Matt and Corinne conduct a totally scientific test on caffeinated/non-caffeinated soda, and discuss Mormon dietary restrictions, excommunicated Mormon historians, hate-mongering Pastors, youth suicide rates in Utah and maintaining a respectful relationship with believers.

http://skepticsquaredpodcast.blogspot.com/2016/06/e33-irradiated-carbonated-pee.html

Monday, June 13, 2016

TAPIRS AND INDIANS

Matt and Corinne discuss the essay "Book of Mormon and DNA Studies" and counter responses to anti-scientific apologetic claims that the Book of Mormon is a totally legit historical record.

http://skepticsquaredpodcast.blogspot.com/2016/06/e32-tapirs-and-indians.html

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

UTAH PRIDE FESTIVAL

Corinne and Matt share their experience at the recent Utah Pride Festival, talk about satanists trolling bigots, indoctrination and homophobia and the "New Prop 8."

http://skepticsquaredpodcast.blogspot.com/2016/06/e31-utah-pride-festival.html

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

GERMY PINOGRAPHY

Matt and Corinne discuss a snarky anti-Mormon ad on Craig's List, a Mormon musician's response to Tyler Glenn's video "Trash," lots of local news on pornography and sexuality, a Mormon video teaching parents how to talk with children about pornography, and how the Religious Right completely misunderstands transgender issues.

http://skepticsquaredpodcast.blogspot.com/2016/05/e30-germy-pinography.html

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

KETCHUP AND LIQUOR

Matt and Corinne interview Aaron Fox, covering such topics as religious pressure within Alcoholics Anonymous, arguments for god, living in Utah as a non-believer, and, of course, ketchup.

Saturday, May 7, 2016

Monday, May 2, 2016

DROP THE MIC

Matt and Corinne discuss Mormon leaders being jerks, a new anti-Mormon music video by Tyler Glenn of Neon Trees, the Kangaroo Court of Jeremy Runnells, international transgender issues, baptism rates of the Mormon Church, and Hustler Magazine's hilarious response to Utah's "porn epidemic."

http://skepticsquaredpodcast.blogspot.com/2016/05/e27-drop-mic.html

Monday, April 18, 2016

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

BACK THAT CLIP UP

Matt and Corinne talk about a YouTube clip "Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?," Bart Erhman's book "How Jesus Became God," and an article "All the Things the Bible Wants to Execute You For."

Monday, March 21, 2016

CRISP HIGH FIVE

Matt and Corinne discuss "4 Things Anti-Mormons Don't Want You to Know," "17 Lies We Need to Stop Teaching Girls About Sex," and the so-called "epidemic" of porn in Utah.

The show is also available on iTunes (please subscribe and rate us!). You can email us at skepticsquaredpodcast@gmail.com and check out our blog at www.skepticsquaredpodcast.blogspot.com.

http://skepticsquaredpodcast.blogspot.com/2016/03/e23-crisp-high-five.html

Monday, March 14, 2016

PAIN IN THE BUTT

Corinne and Matt discuss the spirit of god making people do stupid things, medically unnecessary hoops for legal abortions, a Sabbath day bucket list, extreme punishments for pedophiles, and 15 things ExMormons are tired of hearing.

Monday, March 7, 2016

WITH APOLOGIES TO APOLOGISTS

Matt and Corinne discuss a Mormon apologist response to atheists who disregard personal revelation, an article on some of Joseph Smith's manipulative tactics on women, a Mormon's story of falling away and recommitting to the Church, and whether or not one can choose to believe.

http://skepticsquaredpodcast.blogspot.com/2016/03/e21-with-apologies-to-apologists.html

Monday, February 22, 2016

BETTER CALL GOD

Matt and Corinne talk about the Mormon Church meddling in local politics, miracle claims, Glenn Beck's apocalyptic reasons to vote for Ted Cruz, and an Ensign article on the Book of Mormon being totally legit.

http://skepticsquaredpodcast.blogspot.com/2016/02/e19-better-call-god.html

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

COURT OF LOVE

Matt and Corinne discuss the upcoming "Court of Love" for Jeremy Runnells, author of "Letter to a CES Director," which will likely result in excommunication from the Mormon Church. They also discuss Mormon Valentines, comments from Mormon Leaders on LGBT suicides, an article from Zelphontheshelf chastising church leaders, and an article on religious marriages.


http://skepticsquaredpodcast.blogspot.com/2016/02/e18-court-of-love.html

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

GOLD STANDARD

Corinne and Matt discuss cheesy Mormon memes, the Mormon Church's "Gold Standard" policy regarding child abuse, and Utah's latest public health crisis (Surprise! It's porn!).


http://skepticsquaredpodcast.blogspot.com/2016/02/e17-gold-standard.html

Monday, February 1, 2016

ZOMBIE MORMON MISSIONARIES

Corinne and Matt take on the Deseret News and the Mormon Newsroom on the issue of LGBT Mormons committing suicide. They also discuss "real revelations", Mormon end of the world mumbo-jumbo, and Zombie Mormon Missionaries.

http://skepticsquaredpodcast.blogspot.com/2016/01/e16-zombie-mormon-missionaries.html

Monday, January 25, 2016

GAY SUPER HEROES

Matt and Corinne discuss Gay Super Heroes, evidences for Mormonism, the health effects of leaving religion, the line between church and state, and some less savory aspects of Mormon culture.


http://skepticsquaredpodcast.blogspot.com/2016/01/e15-gay-super-heroes.html

Sunday, January 17, 2016

MERCY RULE

Corinne and Matt review the movie "Mercy Rule," covering such politically savvy topics as traditional family roles, evil Eco-lobbyists and "Big Government" stealing from hard working blue-collar Americans, god blessing Christians at the expense of others, and Kirk Cameron's self-sabotaging film career.


http://skepticsquaredpodcast.blogspot.com/2016/01/e14b-mercy-rule.html

Sunday, January 10, 2016

LUCKY 13

Special guest Megan joins Corinne and Matt once again to discuss superstitions of various cultures, including the sports world and Mormonism. Also, updates on LGBT issues and the health benefits of self-love.


http://skepticsquaredpodcast.blogspot.com/2016/01/e14-lucky-13.html

Monday, January 4, 2016

LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX

Matt and Corinne discuss the complicated relationship between Mormonism and sex, the science behind "porn addiction," the culture of body shaming in religion, and aggressive chivalry.