I want to start a rumor about a place in Minnesota where the people know salvation not by confession or creed but by tomatoes and dirt and the light of the sun and the rhythms of the moon. I want to tell you a story about a village where people of all ages live in relationship with each other, and with the earth and with the river and with the trees. But before you can understand the story of this Village, first I need to tell you about the Gospel of Everything.
https://minnesotaecovillage.org
Khalid is an educator, advocate, and community organizer and a convert to the religion of Islam.
In this conversation we talk about his spiritual path as a person of mixed racial heritage in a Christian-dominant culture who wound up finding and embracing Islam as his religion and way of life. We explore some of the theological similarities and differences between Christianity and Islam and talk about role of Islam as a counter to white supremacy in America. Khalid also explains the work he does as founder and president of Pillars of the Community, an organization dedicated to helping those affected by the criminal justice system in Southeast San Diego.
Khalid is open, funny, honest, heartfelt, and passionate. He gives a unique perspective on the beliefs and experience of being Muslim in America, and challenges us to confront the systemic injustices of policing and incarceration that are accepted as normal in our society today.
Connect with Pillars of the Community:
Website: potcsd.org
Instagram: @potcsd
Twitter: @potc619
In this episode I talk with Jarrod K. Anderson about nature, death, and the universe. Jarrod is a storyteller, poet, and creator of the wildly popular nature podcast The Cryptonaturalist.
I found Jarrod through his online poems and his book Field Guide to the Haunted Forest (which is worth purchasing for the title alone.) The language he uses to make meaning in a meaningless universe resonates deeply with me. I consider him a kindred soul.
In this winding conversation we talk about creativity, being raised agnostic, approaching the Bible through the lenses of literature / trauma, human brains, contemplating death, the afterlife and eternity, human tribalism, the mysteries of interstellar consciousness, the biological function of cleverness, learning to live with depression, finding community outside religion, and learning to be quiet with the trees.
Jarod on Twitter: @JarodAnderson + @CryptoNature
Jarod on Instagram: @Cryptonaturalist
Jarod's Website: jarodkanderson.com
Jarod's Podcast: The Cryptonaturalist
Jarod's Book: Field Guide to the Haunted Forest
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Support the Show: micahjmurray.substack.com
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When I was a good Christian, I spent a lot of time thinking and talking about my worldview. It was an important part of identity-formation in my Evangelical faith communities. In this episode we revisit the idea of worldview, and talk about the evolution I have experienced as I have sought what is real.
We begin with excerpts out of my own Personal Statement of Faith (from when I was a good Christian) before diving into an exploration of what it means to orient my life toward the universe through religious naturalism today.
(tw: includes a lot of fundamentalist doctrine and mentions of abuse.)
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Get Existential Happy Hour merch @ ExistentialHappyHour.com
Support / Subscribe @ micahjmurray.substack.com
Connect on Instagram @existentialhappyhour + @micahjmurray