#56: Mary-Jane Rubenstein - Our Understanding of God and Why it Matters (even for atheists)

GOD.

This word terrifies a lot of young people in the west. It’s certainly a loaded word in Ireland and the UK. This word angers, frustrates, and often generates a response of eye-rolling when it’s mentioned. And with good reason. The monotheistic idea of God that is oh so common around these parts has not stopped Wars, famines, corruption, or heinous immoral acts by those who are apparently closest to or working in the name of this God. Professor of Religion, science in society, feminist, gender and sexuality studies at Weslyn University, Mary Jane Rubinstein is keenly aware of this. Her work encourages us to contemplate redefining what God could be and what that could mean for society and how we interact with the world. What if we saw God disentangled from religious dogma and corruption? There’s so much in this hour and I’m guessing if you clicked play you’re open to hearing a discussion about God that you might not have heard before, so enjoy and please let us know what you think! Mary-Jane was sincerely one of Jim’s favourite guests and We’ve linked more information about her work in the show notes. Thanks for listening!

https://mrubenstein.faculty.wesleyan.edu