Laity Square Laity Square Laity Square laitysquare@gmail.com A podcast exploring the intersection of faith, culture and politics through the eyes of a lay Canadian Christian. New episodes every week (or two). Featured as a Top 50 Canadian Christian Podcast on Feedspot. A podcast exploring the intersection of faith, culture and politics through the eyes of a lay Canadian Christian. New episodes every week (or two). Featured as a Top 50 Canadian Christian Podcast on Feedspot. en-ca https://laitysquare.org/ no Christianity, faith, culture, politics, Canada, public matters, policy, worldview The Religion of Marxism no In this episode we explore the relationship between Marxism and religion. What exactly did Marx mean with his infamous “opium of the people” quote? How were his thoughts related to scientism and the problem of evil? And how did an atheist ideology spawn one of the worst religions ever to ravage humanity?

Episode transcript

]]> Sun, 13 Mar 2022 19:01:49 -0400 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/the-religion-of-marxism/ 9:05 full 4cd879bb6e8f The Joke’s on You no In this episode, we explore the mechanics of humor. How does it work? Why is it effective in political and social commentary? And how do some scholars see the same patterns at work in the Gospel?

Episode transcript

Articles and books referenced in this episode:

]]> Sun, 27 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/the-jokes-on-you/ 8:49 full eaa001bc2a46 Non-Technical Issues no In this episode, we discuss the relationship between technology and reality. Should we set limits to technology? How do we choose them? And is it legitimate to declare that a problem is technical just because we uncover a technical solution?

Episode transcript

]]> Sun, 30 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/non-technical-issues/ 11:10 full 5bd4ccc270c8 News Round-Up (January 2022) no In this episode, we discuss the Age of Omicron, the James Webb Space Telescope, and utilitarianism and the decline of Christianity.

Episode transcript

Links:

CBC - “Move over Hubble: Why the James Webb Space Telescope is such a big deal”

The Verge - “NASA successfully deploys complex sunshield on James Webb Space Telescope”

Statistics Canada study - “Religiosity in Canada and its evolution from 1985 to 2019”

Global News Report - “‘Gone by 2040’: Why some religions are declining in Canada faster than ever”

]]> Sun, 16 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/news-january-2022/ 12:17 full 342921408b29 It's a Wrap! no This is 2021’s year-in-review episode, where we talk about relevant news, reading books, and ideas for the year ahead.

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Links referenced in this episode:

]]> Sun, 19 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/its-a-wrap/ 10:55 full 60582e155aea One Year In no This is our anniversary episode, and I look back on the show one year later, and comment on The Most Reluctant Convert, the recent CS Lewis biopic, on the occasion of his own birthday and death anniversaries.

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]]> Sun, 21 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/one-year-in/ 11:45 full 9bdae5c534e4 In Good Conscience no In this episode, we analyze the idea of conscience. What is its origin? How does it relate to our morality? And what is the importance of laws and government protecting it?

Episode transcript

]]> Sun, 14 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/in-good-conscience/ 11:51 full 3cd8906da1d5 Just War Theory no In this episode, we look at just war theory. Is war ever justified? What grounds the ethical criteria to enter and conduct war? And how does this fit with Christianity’s individual conduct codes and the idea of pacifism?

Episode transcript

]]> Sun, 07 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/just-war-theory/ 10:09 full 20368e623034 Uni, Multi, Sim, Meta no In this episode, we explore alternatives to the concept of universe. What is the philosophy behind the multiverse, metaverse, and simulation theory? Does science play any role in them? And how do we frame these concepts in a biblical world?

Episode transcript

]]> Sun, 24 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/uni-multi-sim-meta/ 15:09 full 77cc5a782c1c Fighting for Real no In this episode, we discuss the fight for reality. Why do societies lose their shared definition of truth? How does this complicate conversations? And how can we think intentionally about this?

Episode transcript

]]> Sun, 17 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/fighting-for-real/ 12:22 full 73dae409f65e The Myth of Progress no In this episode we discuss the myth of progress. Is civilization a linear, cumulative, and irreversible progression? How does this fit in the liberal versus conservative spectrum? And what role, if any, does Christianity have in this idea?

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]]> Tue, 05 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/the-myth-of-progress/ 16:07 full ed783271c294 Church and State (And You and Me) no In this episode, we discuss the relationship between religion and public life. What is the separation of church and state? How is it legally established and supported? And how do we think through the related foundational concept of freedom of religion?

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]]> Sun, 26 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/church-state-you-me/ 14:32 full 0ede4309eceb Repositioning Science no In this episode, we seek to reposition science. How and why did science lose its authority in society? How does this manifest in present day themes? And how do we reposition it in our daily interactions?

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]]> Sun, 12 Sep 2021 15:19:21 -0400 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/repositioning-science/ 15:51 full 63a68d93ba49 A Brief Theology of Work no In this episode, we discuss a theology of work. Is work a virtue or a punishment? What’s the end game for increased productivity and shorter work weeks? Is there a biblical angle to all this? Let’s work it out!

Episode transcript

]]> Sun, 05 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/a-brief-theology-of-work/ 13:12 full b746701ad421 Be Nice, Get Help, Go to Heaven? no In this episode, we look at Moralistic Therapeutic Deism. What is it? How is it different than true Christianity? And how does it reinforce the need to deeply understand our beliefs?

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]]> Sun, 15 Aug 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/be-nice-get-help-go-to-heaven/ 11:34 full 6ddbfabd8f1c As Good as It Gets? no Is this world as we know it the best of all possible worlds? What is the role of evil in this assessment? And is the verdict clearly split along theistic lines?

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]]> Sun, 08 Aug 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/as-good-as-it-gets/ 12:27 full c4a09dac53e5 Life Beyond Earth no In this episode, we discuss extraterrestrial life. Why do we care so much about it? What does this teach us about philosophy, science, and the origin of life? And what would confirming alien life mean for Christianity?

Episode transcript

]]> Sun, 25 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/life-beyond-earth/ 11:38 full 3888f268ad8e The Matter of Meaning no In this episode, we look at the essence of meaning. What is meaning? How does it relate to language and reality? And how do we explain the power of language even when the message isn’t true or just?

Episode transcript

]]> Sun, 18 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/the-matter-of-meaning/ 11:19 full e84639426eb3 It Says... It Means... no We look at ways to arrive at the meaning of a text. What is the role of the author, the text, its context, and the reader, in determining meaning? How does shifting focus between them change our interpretation of the text? What are the implications for laws and societies?

Episode transcript

]]> Sun, 11 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/it-says-it-means/ 15:12 full f69ab588158a In Spirit and Letter no We visit the basic but relevant concept of the spirit of the law vs the letter of the law. Why are gaps introduced between a rule’s intent and its articulation? What does this tell us about the lawmaking process, and about our own integrity and motivation as individual actors? And how do we apply this to contemporary issues?

Episode transcript

]]> Sun, 04 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/in-spirit-and-letter/ 13:43 full ac060efbd74b Kingdom and Monarchy no It’s Victoria Day weekend in Canada, and we reflect on the concepts of monarchy and kingdom. What is the role of monarchies today? What does the Bible say about various forms of government? And as the modern notion of monarchy declines, is the idea of God’s kingdom still relevant?

Episode transcript

]]> Mon, 24 May 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/kingdom-and-monarchy/ 10:50 full 3dd3de8d1d60 News Round-Up (May 2021) no This is our May news round-up, and we analyse the COVID-19 vaccine ramp up in Canada, and Epicurious’s ban on beef.

Episode resources:

“Vaccines and the Christian Worldview: Principles for Christian Thinking in the Context of COVID”

Original Epicurious Announcement on Dropping Beef

Additional Epicurious FAQ

Episode transcript

]]> Mon, 10 May 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/news-may-2021/ 11:23 full e786a93d710d Toe Which Line? no In this episode we discuss success and compromise. What does it mean to succeed? Can it be done without compromising? And how do rigorous and deeply held worldviews interact with flexible and relative issues?

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]]> Mon, 03 May 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/toe-which-line/ 16:39 full b0862bed20d2 News Round-Up - Mid-April 2021 no This is your mid-April news round-up. We discuss Prince Philip’s death, Bill C-233 on sex-selective abortion, and the impending federal budget.

Episode transcript

]]> Mon, 19 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/news-april/ 11:36 full 4bbe6db0afb5 Naturally no In this episode, we explore the definition of nature. What exactly does this word mean? Where do these meanings come from? And how do they shape our policies and interactions with it?

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]]> Mon, 12 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/naturally/ 15:07 full e22303f5a582 It's a Miracle! (Part 2) no In this episode, we discuss the resurrection of Jesus. Do we have the right historical record? Is it trustworthy and credible? What do we do with the facts and the evidence around it?

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]]> Mon, 29 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/its-a-miracle-part-2/ 17:56 full 0486b1b35b6f It's a Miracle! (Part 1) no In this episode, we discuss miracles. What are they? How have philosophers thought about them? Can they still happen today?

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]]> Mon, 22 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/its-a-miracle-part-1/ 16:23 full 3daed66c165c Episode the Thirteenth no This is Episode 13, and we talk about superstition. Why is this prevalent across cultures and eras? Is it an innocent amusement, or a dangerous belief? And how, if at all, are religion and superstition related?

Episode transcript

]]> Mon, 15 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/episode-the-thirteenth/ 14:10 full 3607270c9eb6 The Problem of Evil no In this episode we look at the Problem of Evil. Is it logically sound to conclude there’s no God because there is evil? How do we think through this problem? And what does it seem to tell us about ourselves?

Episode transcript

]]> Mon, 08 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/the-problem-of-evil/ 13:57 full 359d74d6be7e Whose Right Is It Anyway? no In this episode, we discuss how basic rights are guaranteed and evolved, specifically in the context of Bill C-7. Why did a Quebec court impose a deadline on federal Parliament? Is there such a thing as a right to die with dignity? And what are the trade-offs between elected and appointed powers when it comes to rights?

Episode transcript

]]> Mon, 01 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/whose-right-is-it-anyway/ 17:23 full 2b1813ca952a Good on What Grounds? no In this episode, we reflect on the grounding problem of ethics. On which foundation does our sense of right and wrong rest? How does the choice of that foundation impact public government? And on a personal level, if Christianity is a solid foundation, does it automatically confer moral superiority to those who adopt it?

Episode transcript

]]> Mon, 22 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/good-on-what-grounds/ 17:41 full f7e2a560af92 Morality, Customs, Laws and Hume's Law no In this episode, we study Hume’s Law. Is it logically sound to extrapolate prescriptions from descriptions? How does this manifest in our worldviews and daily interactions? And what does it tell us about the relationship between morality, customs and laws?

Episode transcript

]]> Mon, 08 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/morality-customs-laws-and-humes-law/ 16:05 full c7a4f178644d Discerning Facts From Opinion no In this episode, we look at the concept of falsifiability. What is it? How can it help us tell apart facts from opinions? And how can we use this to drive better conversations?

Episode transcript

]]> Mon, 01 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/discerning-facts-from-opinion/ 13:48 full 76323a83de5b An Unfinished Conversation no In this episode, we reflect on the recent transition of power in the US, the attention to the events leading to it, and how the crucial conversation of national unity is being left unfinished.

Episode transcript

]]> Mon, 25 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/an-unfinished-conversation/ 13:55 full 06b95278c0d2 Souls, Sparks and Purpose no We review Pixar’s latest movie, Soul. How does Disney get away with discussing the soul in popular media? How does its spiritual world compare to the Christian worldview? And what about its conclusions regarding purpose in this world? Listen through the end for a special gift today!

Episode transcript

]]> Mon, 18 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/souls-sparks-and-purpose/ 16:10 full d4e39f0a56ec The Great Reset no In this episode, we dissect the Great Reset. No conspiracies, no rumours – just facts. What exactly is the World Economic Forum proposing? How will it impact Canada’s federal budget and politics? And why is it conjuring so many dystopian ideas?

Episode transcript

]]> Mon, 11 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/the-great-reset/ 20:18 full 1967d3a68799 Christmas Isn't in the Culture no In our Christmas episode, we explore the presence, or the absence, of Christmas in the culture. What are the holidays about when life crashes to a halt? What does that mean for Christmas? We offer four things we can all practice this holiday season.

Episode transcript

]]> Mon, 14 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/christmas-isnt-in-the-culture/ 16:59 full 33e4d0ab7ec2 2020 in (The) Books no In our “year in review” episode, we look at books that help us shape and deepen our understanding of contemporary philosophical issues. Specifically, we highlight “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist” (Geisler/Turek, 2004), “Post-Christian: A Guide to Contemporary Thought and Culture” (Veith Jr., 2020), and “A God of Many Understandings: The Gospel and Theology of Religions” (Miles, 2010)

Episode transcript

]]> Mon, 07 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/2020-in-the-books/ 20:37 full 9ea6d65e2a85 What's in a Conspiracy? no In this episode, we explore the phenomenon of conspiracy theories. How do they draw in people who are otherwise sensible? Is there a biblical viewpoint on this topic? How can we have better conversations with conspiracy theorists?

Episode transcript

]]> Mon, 30 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/whats-in-a-conspiracy/ 15:23 full 63baab6b63e9 Laying the Foundation no In this episode, we lay the foundation for the square. How do you expose Christian worldviews to a world increasingly lacking biblical context? Other worldviews make it into public discourse by disguising as science or reason. What do you do about this?

Episode transcript

]]> Mon, 23 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0000 https://laitysquare.org/podcast/laying-the-foundation/ 17:23 full b75898fab379