209 - Ruth Reck

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna interviews Ruth Reck, a social media content creator who documents her visits to faith-based attractions and religious sites alongside her wife. The discussion centers on Reck’s experiences exploring young-earth creationist locations—such as the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum—as well as evangelical megachurches. Reck shares her motivations for visiting these sites, driven by a curiosity about human psychology, concerns regarding the rise of Christian nationalism, and a desire to document the way religious narratives are packaged and commercialized. Throughout the conversation, Pinna and Reck reflect on the stark contrasts between literalist biblical interpretations and scientific consensus, the emotional and sensory tactics used to engage believers, the pervasive commercialization within these environments, and the broader social implications of indoctrination versus open, respectful dialogue across different belief systems. https://www.youtube.com/@ruthreckmedia