Mormons Double Down
Summary
Frank and Dan discuss a study linking Christian nationalism to lower cognitive ability, alongside news that the Supreme Court declined to hear a case regarding mandatory firefighter vaccinations. They also cover a Satanic Temple member’s provocative prayer at an Iowa city council meeting, rising hate crimes in the UK, and Pope Leo’s call for compassion toward divorced Catholics. The episode concludes with the death of televangelist Jim Bakker and a listener’s story about childhood indoctrination.
Topics discussed
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Show intro and host introductions
Preview of topics: Mormon gambling and news
Study on Christian nationalism and cognitive ability
Predictors of Christian nationalism: education vs. cognition
Methodology: vocabulary tests and intuitive thinking
Defining Christian nationalism via school prayer views
Critique of study and lack of nuance in believers
Cynical leaders and the cognitive deficit argument
Joke about Pete Hegseth and naval punishments
Supreme Court news introduction
Ninth Circuit case: Peterson v. Snohomish Fire
Ruling on religious exemption for vaccine mandate
Discussion on drawing lines for religious accommodations
Identity markers and the 'stupidity' assertion
News: Iowa city council prayer controversy
Context of the city council invocation practice
Former council member's satanic-style prayer
Mayor's 30-second silence to 'lift the curse'
Suggestion for a satanic counter-prayer
First Amendment implications of religious invocations
Psychological impact of perceived curses
Global context: rise in hate crimes
UK Home Office data on religious hate crimes
Severity levels and nature of anti-Muslim crimes
Psychological damage of sustained harassment
National anger and post-election numbing
Silencing of dissent and social pressure
Catholic bishops' meeting on family teachings
Rules on communion for remarried Catholics
Pope Leo's suggestion on remarriage
Reference to Amoris Laetitia document
Reaction to Pope's compassionate stance
News: Death of Jim Bakker
Heritage USA timeshare fraud details
Math of the timeshare overbooking scheme
Consequences for timeshare buyers
Bakker's prison sentence and excuses
Post-prison ministry and new scams
Discussion on scam artists and belief
Jessica Hahn scandal and Jerry Falwell
Falwell's water slide incident
Closing remarks and contact info
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Listener mail: Planned Parenthood protest
Listener mail: Childhood protest experience
Listener mail: Misconceptions about PP services
Listener mail: Leaving church and returning as patient
Listener mail: Punch card joke
Listener mail: Noah's Ark toy realization
Listener mail: DoD religious designations
Listener mail: Military chaplain access issues
Listener mail: Basic training religious duties
Listener mail: Addiction support and chaplains
Listener mail: Dog tags and humanist chaplains
Listener mail: South African military service
Listener mail: Apartheid era military disadvantages
Listener mail: Punishment for non-believers
Patreon support and top donor shoutout
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Mormon Tabernacle Choir performance critique
Choir's recent slow and long performances
Name change to Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square
Todd Christofferson's general conference talk
Discussion on prediction markets as gambling
Mormon stance on gambling morality
Hosts' views on gambling addiction
Betting on the Second Coming
Joke about betting against the rapture
Guide to recovering from bad predictions
Host bets on the Pope and White Sox
BYU vs Notre Dame: Mormon vs Catholic God
Legality of gambling in Utah
Distinction between tickets and online betting
Mormons doubling down on anti-gambling message
Young Mormon culture and boundary testing
Realignment with conservative fuddy-duddy values
Mormon dude-bro culture and alcohol use
Anecdote about Mormon leadership parties
Secret handshake and identifying the crowd
Discussion on current First Presidency members
Closing remarks and call to action
Credits and sign-off
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