PODCAST · religion
REALigion
by Rabbi Eric Linder & Rev. Joel L. Tolbert
Hi! We are Rabbi Eric Linder and Reverend Joel Tolbert. We became colleagues and friends in 2012 when we both found ourselves serving congregations near Athens, GA. We were founding members of an area Interfaith group that grew from seven to over sixty clergy. Today, we live in different states but come together here to discuss faith, God, religion, entertainment, and tech. We'll dive into the social, cultural, political, and topical too. We have quick minds, sharp tongues, and good hearts, and we hope you enjoy being a part of these conversations!
Episodes
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Live Episode from Athentic Brewing in Athens GA
Season 5, Episode 14 - LIVE episode from Athentic Brewing What are your hopes for the future of congregations given younger folks are skeptical and dismissive of religion? What do you think religion gets really wrong, consistently? How are we supposed to handle holy texts? What is Christian...
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Season Finale - Is American Christianity Still a Religion?
Season 5, Episode 13 - Season Finale - Is American Christianity Still a Religion? Israel and Judaism are more than a religion. We learned a few episodes ago, they are also identity markers, without the expectation of faith. Is Christianity in America still a religion, or is it falling into an...
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Passover, Protests, and Post-Evangelicals
Season 5, Episode 12 - Passover, Protests, and Post-Evangelicals Here after Passover, what was it like for a Jewish community to celebrate in the shadows of the Israel/Hamas war? Why are American college campuses using camping, protests, and occasionally violence to resist violence? After Brett's...
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Special Guest: Brett Terpstra
Season 5, Episode 11 - Special Guest: Brett Terpstra Certain faith communities hurt their people in the name of God with their inconsistent theology and hypocritical beliefs. One way to get healthy is to deconvert and deconstruct your true self beyond the harms of your former religion and/or…
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Listener Question: What do Jews believe?
Season 5, Episode 10 - What do Jews believe? What do Jews believe? Do they expect a messiah? What qualities will that person have? What is the purpose of a messiah? Will the messiah come from government, military, a school or synagogue, poverty, inside or beyond Israel? Is there a reward for...
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Tikkun Olam, Repair the World
Season 5, Episode 09 - Tikkun Olam, Repair the World Tikkun Olam means something like "repair the world." Can a person be Jewish or Christian without working to repair the world? Is that the same as social justice? How do we move people's hearts and actions in line with God's justice? Do we...
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Zion and Zionism... Again
Season 5, Episode 08 - Zion and Zionism, Again Does every Jew have to be a Zionist? Is Zionism a belief, a hope, a goal? How do Jewish and Christian definitions and use of Zion/Zionism differ? Is there a scriptural Zion, and if so, how does it differ from modern meanings? Do we aim too low when…
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A Better Evangelical
Season 5, Episode 07 - Reclaiming Evangelical The term "evangelical" is being used by media and many pundits and polling agencies. The greek term means "good news" but most of what evangelicals believe, say, and do doesn't sound very good. Could we reclaim the term in a way that sounds more like...
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Angels and Demons (NOT the book/movie)
Season 5, Episode 06 - Angels and Demons (NOT the Book/Movie) Who are the angels and demons in scripture? What role do they play in Judaism and in Christianity? Do we have to believe in these middle beings in order to believe in God? Did God create them, or did we imagine them to fill the gap...
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Discord because of Religion
Season 5, Episode 05 - Discord and Disagreement because of Religion Would the world be better off without religion? Religion is often the source of anger, hatred, violence rather than wholeness, love, and peace. Is religion the reason we fight, or just a tool we use to fight? Does faithful...
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The Ten Commandments
Season 5, Episode 04 - The Ten Commandments Why does these ten commandments end up carved in stone and put in courthouses? What was their intention? Do we even know what they are today? Do we know what they mean, what they really mean? What would America, or the world, look like if we really...
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Sacrifice for Importance or Urgency
Season 5, Episode 03 - Sacrifice What is so important, or urgent, that we need to sacrifice something else? Is sacrifice a requirement of God? Does it change God or us or both? Is sacrifice still needed in religion? Resources mentioned or supporting this episode: Eisenhower Decision Matrix...
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Excommunication - Who? How? Why? (Listener Question)
Season 5, Episode 02 - Excommunication Rabbi Eric and Rev. Joel answer a listener question... What is excommunication like in Judaism and Christianity? Who gets to decide who is in or out? Who has that power? The question is complicated, but we try to layout being in or out of: a) the religion as…
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We’re Back, Israel and Palestine
Season 5, Episode 01 - We're Back, Israel/Palestine Rabbi Eric and Rev. Joel come back in 2024 to reflect on the HAMAS attack of Israeli citizens in Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories, and the response of Israel against HAMAS and Palestinian citizens in the Gaza Strip. What is the...
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Season 4 Recap and Reflection
Season 4, Episode 12 - The final episode of Season 4: What have we learned over these 4 seasons? Why did we start this podcast and what do we hope from its future? We remember the Jan 6 and the Tree of Life catastrophes, and wonder how big moments like these connect religion and faith to our…
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Listener Question - Why are Christians at peace through difficulties?
Season 4, Episode 11 - Listener Question! from a Jewish listener: "A friend is going through a really rough time with cancer, and I'm really amazed, impressed at the peace that my friend has because of her faith, and her belief in God's plans and God's will. I don't know any Jews like that. Why,...
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Fear, Awe, Reverence of God
Season 4, Episode 10 - This week, the loaded words are Fear, Awe, Reverence of God. If God is good, then why does scripture imagine fear as our response? What does the presence of God do to us? Which of these reactions are justified and wise, or immature and inappropriate? If we really know the...
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Holy, Profane, Sacred, Sacrilegious
Season 4, Episode 9 - This week, the loaded words are Holy and Profane, Sacred and Sacrilegious. Is it beautifully holy or inappropriately sacrilegious for a Christian to put a Jewish Mezuzah on their door? Does our religious identity define which beliefs and practices are holy or profane,...
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Imago Dei, Original sin, Garden of Eden, Paradise
Season 4, Episode 8 - This week, the loaded phrases are Imago Dei (image of God), "original sin", the Garden of Eden, and paradise. What does it mean that humanity is created by God in the "image" of God? If we are created in God's image, how does sin/evil enter into the world? The doctrine of...
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Spiritual NOT Religious, the NONEs, Anti-Institutional
Season 4, Episode 7 - This week, the loaded phrase is "Spiritual, NOT Religious." Why are generations laying down the religious communities, beliefs, practices, and disciples of their ancestors? What do people need from religion? Did we stop providing it, or did the needs change? What kind of...
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Money, Prosperity, Tithes, Offerings
Season 4, Episode 6 - This week, the loaded terms are money, mammon, tithe, and offering. What is the property gospel? Why do some Christians follow it, instead of Jesus? Does Judaism have an equivalent? Should clergy know what people give? Can't service and time replace our need to give money?...
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Prayer, Worship, Ritual, Tradition, Sacrament
Season 4, Episode 5 - This week, the loaded terms are prayer, worship, ritual, tradition, and sacrament. What do these words mean across our different faith communities? Do we define them, use them, and practice them similarly or differently? A Wikipedia Table of Denominations and Scarments...
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Being Clergy, Roles, Authorities, Expectations
Season 4, Episode 4 - This week... After a little about the "National Day of Hate" in Athens, GA, with anti-semitic pamphlets begin distributed (UGH) and a quick review of Philoxenia, love of the stranger, often translated as hospitality, as opposed to xenophobia, fear of the stranger... we dive...
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Christians, Christianity, and Identity
Season 4, Episode 3 - This weeks loaded terms are... Christian, Jews for Jesus, Messianic Jews, plus a few tidbits about how Jewish and Christian identity are different and unique but overlap. Wow, all that in one episode? __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to:...
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Israel, Jew, Hebrew, Semite
Season 4, Episode 2 - This weeks loaded terms are... Israel, Jew, Hebrew, and Semite. Each of these words has a scriptural and historical root, but those meanings get lost in today's discourse. How can we all be more careful with these terms, more sensitive to the people they represent, and call...
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Season 4 Introduction
Season 4, Episode 1 - We are BACK, and in this episode, we preview the selected topics for Season 4. And of course, we leave room for YOU, the listeners out there, to make suggestions for episode topics. So please, send us an email or DM with your suggestions! __________ Send feedback, show…
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Season 3 Recap
Season 3, Episode 15 - This season, Eric and Joel bring one (fairly) current topic each and wonder together what our response to these issues might be from our perspectives of faith. A season recap, reflecting on where we've been, what we've discussed and learned, and why we keep gathering and...
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Communal Freedom, Faith Work
Season 3, Episode 14 - This season, Eric and Joel bring one (fairly) current topic each and wonder together what our response to these issues might be from our perspectives of faith. Eric's issue - After the Uvalde shooting, do we have too much freedom? Are we using our personal freedom (rights?)...
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B’nai Mitzvah, Killing Journalists
Season 3, Episode 13 - This season, Eric and Joel bring one (fairly) current topic each and wonder together what our response to these issues might be from our perspectives of faith. Eric's issue - Adults in Eric's congregation just went through a b'mai mitzvah, or an adult ceremony of joining…
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3 Characteristics of Community, Sesquicentennial
Season 3, Episode 12 - This season, Eric and Joel bring one (fairly) current topic each and wonder together what our response to these issues might be from our perspectives of faith. Joel's issue - A top executive at a brewery in NC discussed three key character traits needed in all who come...
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Triple Faith Violence, Christians on a Plane
Season 3, Episode 11 - This season, Eric and Joel bring one (fairly) current topic each and wonder together what our response to these issues might be from our perspectives of faith. Joel's issue - In 2022, Christian Holy Week, Jewish Passover, and Muslim Ramadan fall beside one another on the…
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Hit the Rock, Rejecting Church
Season 3, Episode 10 - This season, Eric and Joel bring one (fairly) current topic each and wonder together what our response to these issues might be from our perspectives of faith. Eric's issue - At the Oscars, Will Smith slapped Chris Rock. How do we process violence? Is there any…
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Universal Context, Good Religion
Season 3, Episode 9 - This season, Eric and Joel bring one (fairly) current topic each and wonder together what our response to these issues might be from our perspectives of faith. Joel's issue - Is the task of clergy, religion, theology to make the universal specific, or to stretch the specific...
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4,000 Weeks, Judging Freedom
Season 3, Episode 8 - This season, Eric and Joel bring one (fairly) current topic each, and wonder together what our response to these issues might be from our perspectives of faith. Eric's issue - Are we clear that our time is limited? When we consider our own finitude, does that depress us, or...
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Forgiveness Boundaries, Ethical Oil
Season 3, Episode 7 - This season, Eric and Joel bring one (fairly) current topic each, and wonder together what our response to these issues might be from our perspectives of faith. Eric's issue - What does forgiveness look like? When a leader makes a mistake, how are we supposed to hold them...
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Blocked Adoption, Priest Words
Season 3, Episode 6 - This season, Eric and Joel bring one (fairly) current topic each, and wonder together what our response to these issues might be from our perspectives of faith. Eric's issue - A Catholic priest is corrected and resigns for using "we baptize" instead of "I baptize" in the...
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Homeless Hope, Cancelling Art
Season 3, Episode 5 - This season, Eric and Joel bring one (fairly) current topic each, and wonder together what our response to these issues might be from our perspectives of faith. Eric's issue - Can we love the art and reject the artist? When we need to hold an artist or leader accountable, do...
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Secure Hospitality, Faithful Science
Season 3, Episode 4 - This season, Eric and Joel bring one (fairly) current topic each, and wonder together what our response to these issues might be from our perspectives of faith. Eric's issue - As religious people, what does safety mean under our theology? After the last hostage incident at a...
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COVID Politics, School Censorship
Season 3, Episode 3 - This season, Eric and Joel bring one (fairly) current topic each, and wonder together what our response to these issues might be from our perspectives of faith. Eric's issue - Administrators at a Georgia school censored a teacher's display of a child's artwork. Is a rainbow...
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Synagogue Hostages, Patriot Churches
Season 3, Episode 2 - This season, Eric and Joel bring one (fairly) current topic each, and wonder together what our response to these issues might be from our perspectives of faith. Eric's issue - After the hostage situation at a Texas synagogue, are we clearly supportive of one another across...
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Season 3 Begins
Season 3 begins! This season, Eric and Joel will bring one (fairly) current topic each, and wonder together what our response to these issues might be from our perspectives of faith. Eric's issue today - What's more important in a congregation... the congregational relationships regardless of…
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Season 2 Finale
Its our Season 2 Finale! We wrap up and reflect on our conversations around tough texts, and begin imagining Season 3, two hot topics. If you have topic ideas, send them to us by email or social media! __________ Show Notes: __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to:...
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Chosen for What
Description: __________ Show Notes: __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: [email protected] __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens...
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Zeal or Zealotry
Description: __________ Show Notes: __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: [email protected] __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens...
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Subjugation Exploration
Description: __________ Show Notes: __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: [email protected] __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens...
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Working Faith
Description: __________ Show Notes: __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: [email protected] __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens...
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Mid Evil
Description: __________ Show Notes: __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: [email protected] __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens...
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Righteous Strike
Description: __________ Show Notes: __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: [email protected] __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens...
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Sexuality
Description: __________ Show Notes: __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: [email protected] __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens...
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High Holidays
Description: __________ Show Notes: __________ Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to: [email protected] __________ How to follow Rabbi Eric Twitter @geekyrabbi Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Hi! We are Rabbi Eric Linder and Reverend Joel Tolbert. We became colleagues and friends in 2012 when we both found ourselves serving congregations near Athens, GA. We were founding members of an area Interfaith group that grew from seven to over sixty clergy. Today, we live in different states but come together here to discuss faith, God, religion, entertainment, and tech. We'll dive into the social, cultural, political, and topical too. We have quick minds, sharp tongues, and good hearts, and we hope you enjoy being a part of these conversations!
HOSTED BY
Rabbi Eric Linder & Rev. Joel L. Tolbert
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does REALigion have?
REALigion currently has 66 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is REALigion about?
Hi! We are Rabbi Eric Linder and Reverend Joel Tolbert. We became colleagues and friends in 2012 when we both found ourselves serving congregations near Athens, GA. We were founding members of an area Interfaith group that grew from seven to over sixty clergy. Today, we live in different states but...
How often does REALigion release new episodes?
REALigion has 66 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to REALigion?
You can listen to REALigion on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts REALigion?
REALigion is created and hosted by Rabbi Eric Linder & Rev. Joel L. Tolbert.
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