Religiously Literate

Religiously Literate
  • 5.0 (6)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE

Religiously Literate explores how religion and spirituality shape our lives in ways we often overlook—from politics and health to identity and community. Through stories, expert interviews, and global perspectives, we unpack how faith and belief continue to influence the modern world. Whether you're deeply religious, spiritual but not religious, or just curious, this podcast offers accessible, thought-provoking conversations about why religion still matters.

  1. 15. What is Jainism? - The Radical Religion of Nonviolence

    05/21/2025

    15. What is Jainism? - The Radical Religion of Nonviolence

    2.5 What is Jainism? Topics discussed in this episode: History of Jainism - 2:03Five Great Vows Do nor harm any living thing.Speak the truth.Do not steal.Be chaste.Renounce all possessions. Terminology: Jiva (soul): essence of every living thing, eternal and conscious Kevala: omniscience, absolute knowledge of reality; enlightenment that terminates samsara Digambara: one of the main Jain sects; characterized by monastic practice of nudity Shvetambara: larger of the two main Jain sects; characterized by monastic practice of wearing white Jina: "conqueror" or one who has overcome samsara Tirthankara: a "bridge builder" or "maker of the ford"; one who has crossed over from the captivity of samsara to the world of enlightenment and freedom from rebirth Resources for further research: Jain Center of America virtual toursVaughn, Lewis. Anthology of world religions: sacred texts and contemporary perspectives. Oxford University Press, 2017.Partridge, Christopher, and Tim Dowley. A Brief Introduction to Jainism and Sikhism. 1st ed. Vol. 5 of Brief Introductions to World Religions. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Fortress Press, 2019. Gough, Ellen. “Jainism: An Introduction - By Jeffery D. Long.” Religious Studies Review 36, no. 1 (2010): 97.Follow us on our Patreon!

    36 min
  2. 14. Is Basketball Religious? - Muscular Christianity, the YMCA, and the University of Kansas Jayhawks

    03/04/2025

    14. Is Basketball Religious? - Muscular Christianity, the YMCA, and the University of Kansas Jayhawks

    With so many religions in the world it can be hard to keep up with what everyone believes. Religiously Literate is here to help! Join Jay and Ryan on this episode as we learn about the religious origins of basketball, the man who invented it, and the movement that inspired him. SHOW NOTES: KU Origins: Naismith’s Rules: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8z1Al87sCg KU History and Traditions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdMxn0fvRHE&list=PLt5CYCjV3zLs83dg7VT-BeKBWopx3aoI5 First game of basketball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiJJIacdF-E  https://union.ku.edu/rules Naismith recording: https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/exhibits/show/naismith150/collections/radio-interview  https://www.artofmanliness.com/ https://strenuouslife.co/ Putney, Clifford. Muscular Christianity: Manhood and sports in protestant America, 1880-1920. Harvard University Press, 2009. Rains, Rob. James Naismith: The man who invented basketball. Temple University Press, 2011.Harvard Naismith, James. The James Naismith Reader: Basketball in His Own Words. U of Nebraska Press, 2021.

    1h 7m
  3. 13. What is the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster? - Faith, Satire, and the Boundaries of Religion

    12/10/2024

    13. What is the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster? - Faith, Satire, and the Boundaries of Religion

    With so many religions in the world it can be hard to keep up with  what everyone believes. Religiously Literate is here to help! Join Jay and Ryan on this episode as we learn about The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. In this episode we give a general overview of The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Is it a mocking of religion or an actual religious tradition? Find out in this episode. SHOW NOTES: Church website: ⁠https://www.spaghettimonster.org/⁠  Creation story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ7SBii4JKA Eight "I'd Rather You Didn'ts": https://flyingspaghettimonster.wikia.org/wiki/The_Eight_I%27d_Really_Rather_You_Didn%27ts https://wrldrels.org/2016/10/08/church-of-the-flying-spaghetti-monster/

    26 min
  4. 12. What is Christianity? - A Deep Dive into the World's Largest Religion

    03/07/2022

    12. What is Christianity? - A Deep Dive into the World's Largest Religion

    With so many religions in the world it can be hard to keep up with  what everyone believes. Religiously Literate is here to help! Join Jay and Ryan on this episode as we learn about the last of the Abrahamic faiths, Christianity. In this episode we give a general overview of Christianity, including the history, beliefs, and practices shared by many Christians regardless of denomination. SHOW NOTES: Key Terms: Apostolic succession: the belief that bishops and priests represent an uninterrupted lineage dating back to the apostles of Jesus "The Word": This refers to a whole lot of different things that include, but are not always, readings directly from the Bible. Includes scriptural readings, hymns, prayers, and sermons/homilies given by clergy members and primarily serves as a mechanism for teaching about Jesus’ life and Christian beliefs. Baptism: This is the primary means through which someone becomes incorporated into the “Body of Christ” or Christian community and is meant to be a celebratory public recognition of belief in and commitment to Jesus Christ as the Son of God (can also be baptized in recognition of the whole Trinity). Communion: The sharing of bread and wine or grape juice among Christians. Meant to be a recognition of Jesus’ sacrifice through his death on the cross and resurrection. Christmas: Annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Typically celebrated on December 25th, but varies by tradition. Lent: 40-day period of Christian fasting preceding Easter. Commemorating Jesus' 40-day fast in the desert. Epiphany: Festival commemorating the arrival of the three Magi (wise men) after the birth of Jesus. Advent: Roughly month-long period preceding Christmas celebrated as a time of anticipation leading up to the birth of Christ. Fat (Shrove) Tuesday: Final day commemorating the period between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday. Palm Sunday: Festival commemorating the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem before his death. Celebrated the Sunday before Easter. Easter: Holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Ash Wednesday: Day of prayer and fasting commemorating the beginning of Lent. Maundy Thursday: The day during Holy Week commemorating the Washing of the Feet and the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. Good Friday: Holiday commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. Pentecost: Festival that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles and followers of Jesus Christ. Ascension: Holiday commemorating the departure of Christ from earth after his resurrection. Glossolalia: Speaking in tongues Trinity Sunday: First Sunday after Pentecost celebrating the Christian belief in the Trinity Trinity: The Trinity is the belief in God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit Synoptic gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke (meaning they “see each other,” from the Greek synopsis) Timeline of Jesus' life: https://www.everlastingstrength.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Life-of-Jesus-Timeline-Tabloid-11x17.jpg?x57201  Sources: McGrath, Alister E. Christianity: an introduction. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. Vaughn, Lewis. Anthology of World Religions: Sacred Texts and Contemporary Perspectives. (2017)  Oxford University Press: New York.

    1h 12m

  5. 02/22/2022

    11. What is Shinto? - Kami, Rituals, and Japanese Culture

    With so many religions in the world it can be hard to keep up with  what everyone believes. Religiously Literate is here to help! Join Jay  and Ryan on this episode as we learn about one of Japan's major religious traditions. In this episode, we discuss Shinto, including an overview of history, general beliefs, practices, and its significance with Japanese nationalism. SHOW NOTES: Key terms: Kami: “divine powers of the cosmos in the form of deities, features of nature, and exceptional humans (emperors and ancestors, for example)” Kojiki: Record of Ancient Matters, central Shinto text Nihongi (Nihon shoki): Chronicles of Japan, central Shinto text Izanami and Izanagi: Male and female kami revered for the creation of the Japanese archipelago Amaterasu: sun goddess, associated with the imperial family and the Shrine at Ise Jinja: dwelling places of the kami, otherwise known as shrines Torri: red, arbor-like structures found at Shinto shrines Shimenawa: rope often made with rice straw, demarcating sacred spaces Shide: lightning bolt shaped paper often hung on shimenawa Shrine Shinto: The most prevalent kind, includes practices at shrines to demonstrate “faith” in kami Lived/Popular/Folk Shinto: Everyday practices of people that reflect faith/belief in kami; includes a lot of regional variation and overlap with bigger Shinto practices State Shinto: Started in the nineteenth century, declared Shinto as state religion; gave rise to some nationalistic beliefs; established the emperor as a “living kami” and direct descendent of Amaterasu Matsuri: Shinto festivals https://artsandculture.google.com/streetview/itsukushima-shinto-shrine/6QE34GxKVEkyTQ?sv_lng=132.3184711655607&sv_lat=34.29696387465894&sv_h=324.19&sv_p=5.060000000000002&sv_pid=0PDJMeu0ov36Joqinhu6KA&sv_z=1 Shinto by Helen Hardacre A new history of Shinto by John Breen and Mark Teeuwen. Shinto, a short history by Inoue Nobutaka (editor), Itō Satoshi, Endō Jun and Mori Mizue ; translated and adapted by Mark Teeuwen and John Breen. Vaughn, Lewis. Anthology of World Religions: Sacred Texts and Contemporary Perspectives. (2017)  Oxford University Press: New York. Music used in this episode includes “City of Jewels” by Destiny & Time as well as Ishikari Lore by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100192)

    1h 1m
  6. 10. Religious Locations to Visit in Israel - A Travel Guide to the Holy Land

    01/06/2020

    10. Religious Locations to Visit in Israel - A Travel Guide to the Holy Land

    With so many religions in the world it can be hard to keep up with  what everyone believes. Religiously Literate is here to help! Join Jay  and Ryan on this episode as we learn about one of the most influential regions in world history. In the final to our first season, we'll travel around Israel talking about 10 religious sites important to many traditions that originate in the Middle East, including some we've covered this season and some that will be covered in seasons to come! Ten Religious Sites to Visit in Israel 1. The Dome of the Rock 2. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre 3. The Wailing Wall 4. The Church of the Nativity 5. The Dead Sea 6. Masada 7.  Cave of the Patriarchs 8. Bahji 9. Capernaum 10. Jericho Map of Religious Sites in Jerusalem https://www.planetware.com/i/map/ISR/old-city-jerusalem-map.jpg Map of Religious Sites in Israel https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/915kkTT7QEL.jpg

    47 min
  7. 9. What is Judaism? - Religion, Culture, and a Way of Life

    12/31/2019

    9. What is Judaism? - Religion, Culture, and a Way of Life

    With so many religions in the world it can be hard to keep up with  what everyone believes. Religiously Literate is here to help! Join Jay  and Ryan on this episode as we learn about one of the most influential religions in world history. In this episode, we discuss Judaism, including an overview of history, general beliefs, rituals, and holidays. SHOW NOTES:  Key terms: Rabbi: Jewish clerical leader Mohel: Jew trained to carry out circumcision of Jewish boys Tanakh: Hebrew Bible composed of three parts (Torah, Ketuvim, and Nevi'im) Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy Ketuvim (The Prophets): Joshua, Judges, I Samuel, II Samuel, I Kings, II Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi Nevi'im (The Writings): Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, I Chronicles, II Chronicles Mishnah: interpretations and applications of the laws Talmud: authoritative writings that consist of the Mishnah and the Gemara Mitzvot: Commandments followed by Jews Bar/Bat Mitzvah: coming of age ceremony for Jewish boys/girls Chuppah: wedding canopy Ketubah: Jewish wedding contract Shiva: week long mourning period for Jewish first-degree relatives Rosh Hashanah: Jewish New Year Yom Kippur: Day of Atonement Hanukah: Festival of Lights Passover: Jewish holiday commemorating the exodus from Egypt Seder: ritualized meal on Passover that helps explain the Exodus story Aggadah: text recited with the seder to explain the Exodus story Kosher: "fit to eat," also refers to Jewish dietary laws Bar Mitzvah video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsS0K8FjKLA Temple that may have held he Ark of the Covenant discovered: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7810225/Biblical-home-Ark-Covenant-discovered-Israel.html Cohn-Sherbok, Lavinia, and Dan Cohn-Sherbok. Judaism: A Short History. Reissued. Oxford: Oneworld, 1999. Vaughn, Lewis. Anthology of World Religions: Sacred Texts and Contemporary Perspectives. (2017)  Oxford University Press: New York. Music used in this episode includes “City of Jewels” by Destiny & Time as well as from https://filmmusic.io, "Lachaim" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

    1h 8m
  8. 8. What is the Bahá’í Faith? - Unity, Progressive Revelation, and a Global Religion

    11/20/2019

    8. What is the Bahá’í Faith? - Unity, Progressive Revelation, and a Global Religion

    SHOW NOTES: Key terms: Bahá’í: follower of the Bahá’í faith, a follower of the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh Bahá’u’lláh: founder of the Bahá’í faith Kitab i Aqdas (The Most Holy Book): scripture written by Bahá’u’lláh The Tablet of Carmel: scripture written by Bahá’u’lláh Kitab i ‘Ahd (The Book of the Covenant): Last Will and Testament of Bahá’u’lláh World Religions and Spirituality Project: The Baha’i Faith https://wrldrels.org/2016/10/08/bahai-faith/ Baha’i history map: https://external-preview.redd.it/QPApxEl2MqTcvbgyPQVuACn4qrKVHyvkGVqdfjCMHvg.jpg?width=960&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=5bb991d79d027a8a87fd1dd25e32a8cc6eb67ba7 Baha’i Obligatory Prayers: https://www.bahai.org/documents/bahaullah/obligatory-prayers Baha’i Obligatory prayers: https://www.bahai.org/documents/bahaullah/obligatory-prayers Baha’i World Centre and Garden video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxesOz6rRlw Roots of the Baha’i Faith (two parts): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmAC7PYiK_k&vl=en https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHrBlTL5tf8 Administrative structure diagram: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/df/Present-bahai-administration.jpg Calligraphy of the Greatest Name: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/Greatest_Name.svg/150px-Greatest_Name.svg.png Baha’i Ringstone symbol: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/Bahai_Ringstone_Symbol.pdf/page1-220px-Bahai_Ringstone_Symbol.pdf.jpg Keene, James J. "Baha'i World Faith: Redefinition of Religion." Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 6, no. 2 (1967): 221-35. doi:10.2307/1384048. Smith, Peter. An Introduction to the Bahai Faith. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008. Warburg, Margit. Bahaʼi. Salt Lake City, UT: Signature Books, 2003. Worthington, Frances. 2012. Bahá'í Basics : A Guide to the Beliefs, Practices, and History of the Bahá'í Faith. Wilmette, IL: Baha'i Publishing. Music used in this episode includes “City of Jewels” by Destiny & Time

    1h 8m
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Religiously Literate explores how religion and spirituality shape our lives in ways we often overlook—from politics and health to identity and community. Through stories, expert interviews, and global perspectives, we unpack how faith and belief continue to influence the modern world. Whether you're deeply religious, spiritual but not religious, or just curious, this podcast offers accessible, thought-provoking conversations about why religion still matters.

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  • Creator
    Religiously Literate
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Religiously Literate
  • Show Website
    Religiously Literate