Episode 209: Why Don't Evangelical Sex Teachers Know What They Don't Know?
Oct 12, 2023
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The podcast discusses the phenomenon of evangelical echo chambers and the danger of accepting authority without question. They explore the Allegory of the Cave and resistance to new knowledge, touching on problematic perspectives on sex and the importance of addressing women's needs. The hosts also talk about the Dunning Kruger effect and arrogant lecturing on women's experiences in sex, and the problem of education within evangelicalism. They discuss the issue of evangelical sex teachers critiquing meta analysis despite not being qualified, and challenge the idea of faith without questioning. The chapter ends with a discussion on avoiding echo chambers and the importance of critical thinking.
Critical thinking and questioning are essential for personal and intellectual growth.
The dangers of ideological purity and the importance of embracing diverse perspectives.
Recognizing one's limitations and deferring to expert consensus rather than cherry-picking studies to support personal beliefs.
Deep dives
The Importance of Critical Thinking
In this episode, the hosts discuss the importance of critical thinking and the need to question and analyze information instead of blindly accepting it. They emphasize the role of education in promoting critical thinking skills and encourage listeners to go beyond surface-level acceptance of beliefs and ideas. They highlight the dangers of relying solely on authority figures and the need to develop independent thinking abilities.
Plato's Cave Allegory and Challenging the Status Quo
The hosts delve into Plato's Cave Allegory and its relevance in understanding knowledge and qualification. They explain the stages of knowledge explored in the allegory, from perceiving shadows to realizing the existence of a whole world beyond the cave. They discuss the resistance to leaving the comfort of the cave and how this can be applied to evangelicalism's aversion to questioning and seeking new perspectives. They challenge the idea of knowledge as dangerous and advocate for a more open-minded approach to understanding and learning.
The Quest for Ideological Purity and Extremism
The hosts explore the phenomenon of ideological purity within evangelicalism and its potential negative consequences. They critique the notion of clinging to rigid beliefs and rejecting dissenting views by highlighting examples such as unrealistic interpretations of scripture and outdated scientific claims. They discuss the harmful impact of dogmatism on the church's witness and the importance of embracing diverse perspectives for personal and intellectual growth. They call for a faith that embraces truth-seeking and acknowledges uncertainty, rather than a fear-driven quest for unwavering conformity.
Lack of qualifications in interpreting scientific studies
The podcast episode discusses the issue of individuals, such as Gary Thomas, who rely on studies and scientific data without having the necessary qualifications to interpret them accurately. The hosts emphasize the importance of recognizing one's limitations and deferring to expert consensus rather than cherry-picking studies to support personal beliefs. They use examples like an English and theology degree holder using scientific studies in an incorrect manner, and caution against using individual experts to override the consensus of the wider scientific community.
Echo chambers and the need for dialogue
The podcast highlights the dangers of echo chambers in perpetuating one's beliefs without critical examination. The hosts express concern that echo chambers hinder growth, understanding, and effective communication. They advocate for fostering open dialogue, even with those who hold different beliefs, in order to challenge and test one's own beliefs. They cite examples of distorted perspectives within Christianity and encourage a willingness to engage with diverse perspectives. They stress the importance of being open to dialogue, dismantling boundaries, and promoting mercy and community over exclusivity in order to align more closely with Jesus' teachings.
Links to things mentioned: Join our Patreon group for as little as $5 a month and be part of the most amazing place on the internet: https://patreon.com/baremarriage Join our email list so that you'll be notified when I'm in your area--and so you don't miss any of Rebecca's amazing round-ups: http://eepurl.com/z0VFn Kristin Kobes Du Mez' Twitter thread: https://twitter.com/kkdumez/status/1709746160120795295 Josh Howerton's sermon where the clip came from: https://subspla.sh/c7tmk53 (starting around timestamp 12:30) Last week's podcast with Terran Williams on changing his mind and the impact on his family: https://baremarriage.com/2023/10/terran-williams-sets-out-to-prove-complementarianism/ Tim Little's bio at Faith Baptist Theological Seminary: https://faith.edu/faculty/dr-tim-little/ Gary Thomas' article where he misunderstands modern neuroscience: https://garythomasbooks.substack.com/p/every-mans-battle-yes-and-every-womans Our podcast where Rebecca and Connor go over the meta-analysis on the differences between male and female brains: https://baremarriage.com/2021/09/pink-brains-blue-brains-gender-differences-neuroscience-podcast/ And the 2019 meta-analysis that we quoted from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6681749/ and the 2021 meta-analysis: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763421000804 Rachel Joy Welcher's review of Shannon Harris' memoir in Christianity Today: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/september-web-only/shannon-harris-woman-they-wanted-memoir-purity-culture.html Check out our new Biblical Manhood Merch! https://sheilawraygregoire.com/product-category/biblical-manhood/
