Episode 14 is the first part of our interview with guest Kerry Jackson, X96 radio DJ, atheist, and host of the Geekshow podcast. In this part we discuss atheism in Utah, Kerry’s experiences as a youth growing up in Salem, Utah, and even his run-in with cancer and how that affected his beliefs and his career.

Part 2 covers Jesus’s triumphal entry on the back of two donkeys, what is now known as “the fig tree incident,” Jesus’s trial, crucifixion, death, and resurrection, and also the little-known and not remembered Zombie Apocalypse of 33 AD.

Also, Skunk Dicks, iTunes reviews, and lots of random blather.

EDIT: Here is a link to the Shirley Phelps-Roper interview mentioned in the podcast, which I do not recommend to anyone who values their brain.

And we’ve arrived at our critique of the book of Matthew, or as we like to call it here, “the gospel according to some anonymous Greek-speaking Gentile.” Is it the most Jewy of the gospels? Does it “complement” Mark or contradict it? Is its nativity story reliable? Did Jesus really descend from David?

All these questions answered and more in the latest blasphemilicious episode of Irreligiosophy.

Part 2 of our hard-hitting investigative report on the Witch Craze arrives with instructions on how to become a witch, what the great Sabbats like Walpurgisnacht entailed, actual transcripts from witch trials, as well as a few letters from actual witches. Matt comes prepared this week with in depth research on the Salem Witch Trials.

Also, Skunk Dicks and iTunes reviews all around.

In the first of a two-part episode on the Witch Craze, we discuss how the entire known world went crazy for two hundred years and either burned at the stake or hanged between 50,000 and 80,000 women. We talk about the events leading up to the Witch Craze, why it happened when it did, and why it took the form it did. We also go over the Malleus Maleficarum, the most influential witch hunting manual there was.

Also, Skunk Dicks and iTunes reviews.

So no podcast today, that’s the bad news. We recorded about 45 minutes yesterday but couldn’t continue due to technical difficulties. The good news is that I have another day off tomorrow, and I’ve done so much research we should be able to get 2 episodes out of it. Look for the new episode on July 3rd.

In the meantime, enjoy these witchcraft-related pictures.

We now embark upon a critique of the four gospels, beginning with Mark, the first one written. Matt and I discuss a little background history and context, then launch right into the content (or lack thereof) of the good news itself. How does Mark compare against the other synoptics? Where is he edited and why? What strange healings and miracle stories do we get in the earliest written account of Jesus? What about that strange story of the herd of pigs or the fig tree? Find out in this episode.

Also, more skunk dicks and iTunes reviews. And here is a link to the youtube video mentioned in the podcast: Jesus and the pigs.

So Cognitive Dissonance hit their 100th episode and forced me to be on their show again under threat of anal harm. I thought hard about that, then decided to do it anyway because these guys are a hoot.

Part II of our look into the bowels of Mormon fundamentalism has arrived. In this episode, we examine Lorin Woolley’s expanded 1929 statement on the events surrounding John Taylor’s 1886 revelation, with lots more details about the visit by Jesus and Joseph Smith, complete with glowing faces and levitation this time around. We also discuss the various Short Creek raids against the polygamous community on Arizona’s Utah border, culminating in the infamous 1953 Short Creek raid that made nationwide news.

Also, this week’s skunk dick leaky sphincter dumb little bastard is revealed.

So here’s a quick look at future episode plans, which of course may change at any time. After we wrap up the Mormon Fundies next episode, I’m going to try to do an episode each on the four gospels, taking them on their own to see what each author had in mind to say about Yeshua, and especially what Luke and Matthew changed from their copies of Mark and why, and how John differs from the synoptics. In between these episodes I’d like to do one about the witch craze/Malleus Maleficarum and maybe logical fallacies.

Let me know what you think, and maybe leave some more topic suggestions in the comments. Perhaps the rise of the religious right, an anthropologic topic for Matt to spearhead, or the evolution of the genetic code? A recap of the mythicist argument? The Mountain Meadows Massacre for those who didn’t catch the Church of Awesome podcast on the subject?