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Checking In On The "Drunk Ex-Pastors" (Podcast 14)

Jason (Stellman) and Christian had a re-hash of their discussion about what exactly constitutes "indoctrination." I still believe that the negative connotation it carries (which Christian takes as the real definition) is wrong. I would grant that some conceptions of "Christianity" are simply fideism, that is, claims without reason, with no basis in reason, as naked appeals to authority or the threat of punishment. But Christian should simply say that. That is, it does not follow that rejecting a set of beliefs proposed because the reason to believe is "because I said so" requires the rejection of anything that purports to be supernatural (agnosticism/atheism). All that is to say, I'm looking forward to more of Christian explaining his story.

Jason basically made that exact point in the first 15 minutes or so, and brilliantly, at that.

I agree with Jason on almost every point usually, but I have a growing appreciation of Christian. Frankly, it had been hard to imagine that someone who is not crazy or stupid could be on the "Left" (as both of these guys are). He would probably say the same of me.

I could have a beer with Obama, if I ignored everything substantive about him or his policies. And actually, that's pretty much what Obama has asked America to do. He's gotten an assist from the media, and from crazy people, who truly despise him. Obama can point to them and quasi-convincingly believe that everyone who opposes him is insane. That's a fairly easy move for a narcissist. Just sayin.'
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Christian said…
Jason, there is a real definition of indoctrination. It's not just me "taking it as the real definition." Here is the definition from Merriam-Webster: "to teach (someone) to fully accept the ideas, opinions, and beliefs of a particular group and to not consider other ideas, opinions, and beliefs." You'll find similar definitions in every dictionary. The transliteration of the word is not the definition of the word.

And, hey, Jason S. and I actually agree on quite a bit, so you'll eventually agree with me too! ;)
9:45 PM
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