Crossing Faiths

John and Elliott discuss Osama bin Laden's controversial 2002 "Letter to America" that recently resurfaced and went viral on TikTok. They debate the letter's authenticity and analyze it through various lenses - post-colonialism, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, generational reactions to 9/11 and the War on Terror. Touching on the oppressor-oppressed narrative prevalent today, they examine philosophical questions around justification of violence and the complex historical realities that often defy simple characterization. John recounts his Thanksgiving conversations around the Israeli-Palestinian issue and advocates for more nuance. In the end, they land on similar views - that no ideology justifies harming innocent civilians or disproportionate military responses that only perpetuate violence. They call for more ethical, practical solutions focused on human dignity and minimizing suffering on all sides. Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths).

A Christian and a Muslim talk religion and politics. This week, John and Elliot discuss Ayaan Hirsi Ali's essay, "Why I Am Now a Christian," in which the popular thought leader describes her transition from Muslim to atheist to Christian. This leads to a lively discussion on the appropriateness of the West's claim to what are popularly called "Western values." Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths).

This conversation covers a wide range of topics related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the roles of Hamas, Hezbollah, Jordan, Egypt, and Iran. Hot takes on Jordan Peterson and Ben Shapiro's perspectives, with cautions against holding views that are too simplistic. There is debate over the religious and territorial roots of the conflict, with mention of displaced European Jews and indigenous populations. The recent Hamas attack in Israel is discussed, with speculation about security lapses. Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths).

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths).

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths).

A conversation between John Pinna, a Muslim, and Father John Anderson, a Christian priest, discussing the current Israel-Palestine conflict sparked by recent Hamas rocket attacks and Israeli retaliation. John condemned Hamas' attacks on civilians as inconsistent with Islamic teachings. They discussed principles in Islam like human dignity, jihad, and protecting civilians in war. John argued Palestinian leadership and the broader Muslim community should clearly condemn Hamas as un-Islamic. They agreed peace will require creative solutions giving concessions to both sides. John advocated designating Jerusalem an international city and the UN securing it. The conversation aimed to clarify an Islamic perspective on the crisis. Special Guest: Father John Anderson.

Topics discussed in this conversation include: Overview of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, including its history, different churches/denominations, leadership structure with various patriarchs. They discuss the Great Schism between Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism in 1054. Persecution of Orthodox Christians, especially under communist regimes in 20th century. The situation with Orthodoxy in Ukraine, including the split between the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under Patriarch of Moscow and the new Orthodox Church of Ukraine backed by the Ecumenical Patriarch. How decisions are made in Orthodoxy, which is more decentralized than the centralized Roman Catholic church under the Pope. The role and authority of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. Challenges of reaching consensus among the different Orthodox churches and patriarchs. Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). Special Guest: Father John Anderson.

In this speculative conversation, the hosts cover a range of topics related to history, culture, religion, and society. They discuss the legacies of historical figures like Christopher Columbus and the complexities of European colonization in the Americas. This leads to a debate about the definition of "colonization" and whether opportunism is distinct from overt takeover. Other topics include the possibilities of lost civilizations and hidden archaeological discoveries, examining claims made in the documentary "Ancient Apocalypse." The co-hosts also analyze issues around controlling and shaping historical narratives, and the tendency for cultures to view themselves as more enlightened than previous eras. Touching on geopolitics, they talk about the challenges of imposing external values and systems of governance on countries like Afghanistan. The hosts reflect on themes of cultural relativism, the universal human desires for security and economic stability, and the complications inherent in cross-cultural engagement throughout history. Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths).

A Christian and a Muslim talk religion & politics. In this episode, we discuss transubstantiation, internal factions within Christianity and the question of primacy. Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths).

In this episode, John Pina and Elliot Toman discuss the nuances of cultural integration for Muslims in the Western World. Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths).

In this episode, John Pina, a Muslim and Elliot Toman, a Christian, put on their apologetic hats in a wide-ranging discussion that touches on multiple contentious points between their mutual faith traditions. Chapters: 00:00 Mutual Acceptance 08:10 Cognitive Dissonace 13:00 What is a Muslim, and who gets to say? 20:30 Textual Integrity 35:00 The Two Branches of Islam 43:20 Catholic Converts to Evangelicalism 50:40 The Problem of Authority Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths).

Chapters: 01:00 What we don't know. 02:18 Parfait me. 07:55 Are you as religious as you think you are? 14:15 The blurred lines between religion and politics. 22:24 The religious veneer of Conservatism. 27:00 The rise of radical Islam. 42:00 Parallels between Christian and Islamic conservatism. 44:30 The Jesus Movement. 54:20 The freedom to believe. Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths).

John Pina and Elliot Toman compare Evangelical Christian and Muslim ideas of The Rapture with a little help from Charlton Heston and Nicholas Cage's left behind. Forays into religious exclusivism, religiously motivated violence, martyrdom and charity. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 02:30 Khartoum 08:00 Left Behind 18:20 The Rapture 23:30 Fundamentalism 29:00 Who's In? Who's Out? 37:00 Religious Violence 52:30 Muslims Aiding the Christian Minority in Pakistan Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths).

John Pina and Elliot Toman discuss issues of faith and certainty in the context of Islam and Charismatic Evangelical Christianity. 00:00 Introduction 03:30 How We Met 06:30 Team Jesus 10:25 Invoking The Holy Ghost 18:00 This is The Way 24:00 Charismatic Christianity 30:00 Prayer Circle in the White House 40:00 The Problem of Authority 49:30 Beyond the Law 56:00 The Search for Certainty

John interviews Tim Bupp, a pastor of two local Evangelical Lutheran congregations. Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths).

Matt chats a bit about his parents experience in Fort Myers, FL following Hurrican Ian. John talks about what life is like for religious minorities in Iran.

This week, John and Matt discuss a survey suggesting that a growing number of Evangelicals no longer strictly hold to basic Evangelical doctrines. This leads them to ask—what is an Evangelical anyway, and how is the definition of "Evangelical" being shifted by the growth of Christian Nationalism? Episode Highlights: 12:45 - Basic Evangelical belief problem 23:00 The growth of Christian Nationalism 26:30 Islamic isolation after September 11, 2001 29:00 Nationalism summarized by Matt 34:00 Christianity sans martyrs 45:00 The Evangelical Test 51:00 What do they believe? Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths).

Matt and John chat about the Queen's funeral, a quick Ukraine update, and the ramifications of a fading Christian America. mh

John tells of his experience in Austria handling the legendary Spear of Destiny and the conversation just unravels from there...