Pastor With No Answers: The MIXTAPE Era

EP30 - Can There Be Objective Morality Without a God?

Joey Svendsen

[appearing on this episode: Joey Svendsen and guest, Amanda Udis-Kessler]

Amanda Udis-Kessler PhD. wrote a book on ethics, Abundant Lives: A Progressive Christian Ethic of FlourishingThis book sets out to invite sociologically informed engagement in human well-being, based on Jesus’ command to love God and our neighbors.  Talking through many facets of its content, Joey and Dr. Amanda discuss whether the resurrection of Jesus is an essential belief of Christian faith, if objective morality can exist without God and whether or not ignorance excuses one's actions from being immoral.  And if ignorance isn't an excuse for humans, should other animal species also be considered immoral for the violence acted upon one another and other species [out of ignorance]?

Amanda Udis-Kessler (PhD, sociology, Boston College; certificate, Iliff School of Theology) is the author of Queer Inclusion in the United Methodist Church (Routledge, 2008), Abundant Lives: A Progressive Christian Ethic of Flourishing (Pilgrim, 2024) and Cultural Processes of Inequality: A Sociological Perspective (Anthem, 2024). She has essays, chapters, and other materials in an additional 13 books. Amanda’s liturgical materials are available at several compilation websites in the US, UK, and Australia.

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Theme Song and Intro Music: Stoy Prioleau (aka: Riggy Rock): Apple Music
Closing and intro music by Derek Minor.

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Host and producer, Joey Svendsen also hosts and produces other podcasts. Here's one, coming more from the church world:
Seacoast Church's Things You Won't Hear on Sunday Podcast

Other podcasts affiliated with co-hosts of PWNA:
Jed's Church & Other Drugs
Matt's The Great Deconstruction


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