Mormon Discussion By Bill Reel

Today Chris Bloxham sits down with Bill Reel for a little turn of the tables.  Bill is asked directly What his Mormonism looks like after having reconstructed it.  Bill tackles the tough questions and holds nothing back.  You want to meet Mormonism’s Historical Reality face to face and make it work, here’s one framework with […] The post 171: Special Episode – Bill Reel: Mormonism My Way appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Continuing our PERSPECTIVES series we sit down with former guest Brittney Hartley.  She has been one of the podcasts biggest supporters and has traveled the path of faith reconstruction.  She sits down with me and we chat about that transition and what that means for her beliefs today. If you live near the Boise Idaho […] The post 170: Perspectives: Brittney Hartley appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today we talk about a strange scripture.  John 16:7. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. This scripture always seemed odd till a few […] The post 169: The Inner Authority appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

With The Church releasing photos of the Seer Stone it seems to beg the question what really is at the root of our discomfort with this narrative.  For me the answer is obvious….. Treasure Digging and Folk Magic and the depth of the details of how all the characters involved are just that……. involved. We… Read More »168: Seer Stones, Folk Magic, and Alvin’s Hand The post 168: Seer Stones, Folk Magic, and Alvin’s Hand appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Can skeptics debunk faith healing and priesthood blessings as mere placebo effect?  What can people from strong faith and cultural backgrounds learn about their healing practices from scientific and secular sources? In this episode, guest host Jon Young discusses social and faithful healing practices, modern medicine, and how they relate to the placebo effect with cultural anthropologist and […] The post 167: Chelsea Sheilds: Faith Healing, Medicine, and the Placebo Effect in Mormonism appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today we revisit our episode from a short time ago, “Handshakes and Drawn Swords”.  We talk about the discussion that has ensued and rebuttals apologists have made that has come about because of it.  While apologists argue this perspective is absurd, I argue that it still has a seat at the table. Become a Premium Subscriber: Monthy:  $3 Yearly:  $25  $50  $100  $250Support […] The post 166: Handshakes and Drawn Swords II appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today Ryan Boothe sits down with me and we rehash the “Our Bad Days” episode to delve deeper into some of the emotion that was being shared.  Ryan is asking the questions today and he leads the conversation like a master interviewer.  We discuss my frustration and why I in part blame the church.  We… Read More »165: Revisiting Our Bad Days The post 165: Revisiting Our Bad Days appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today we sit down with LDS philosopher Blake Ostler.  His is the author of many books including his newest “Fire On The Horizon” Blake Ostler has published widely on Mormon philosophy in professional academic philosophy journals such as Religious Studies (Oxford, England), International Journal for the Philosophy of Religion (Netherlands), and Element: The Journal of… Read More »164: Blake Ostler: Wise Pearls The post 164: Blake Ostler: Wise Pearls appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today we sit down with Randal Wright and discuss his book “The Book Of Mormon Miracle: 25 Reasons to Believe”.  We talk about the miracle that is the Book of Mormon.  Bro. Wright gives plenty of reason to have faith and hold faithful ground. Randal A. Wright obtained a PhD in Family Studies from Brigham […] The post 163: Randal Wright: The Book of Mormon Miracle appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today Jon Young sits down with LDS politician A.J. Balukoff.  A.J. Balukoff was a Democratic candidate for Governor of Idaho in the 2014 elections.  In today’s episode Jon navigates between the world of LDS faith and politics. He hits on the following about being a Mormon Democrat – Abortion law and social solutions – Gay marriage […] The post 162: AJ Balukoff: Mormon Democrat appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today I sit down with Mormon Historian, D. Michael Quinn.  We talk about his excommunication, his still powerful belief in the Mormonism and the Restoration.  He explains his literal belief in Gold Plates, an angel Moroni, and in Joseph Smith as a actual prophet.  We also hit on Revelatory Walking Sticks, Magic in the Mormon World, […] The post 161: D Michael Quinn: Special Witness appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today I sit down with two great friends of mine: Suzette Smith and Chris Bloxham. We talk about the possibility of female ordination. What would it look like? Why is ordination important to some sisters in the Church? Would female ordination be the same as male ordination – or something different? We take a look […] The post 160: Female Ordination? appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today we sit down with Steven Garff, a listener to the podcast, and discuss why people leave the Church.  We examine the age old reasons and dismiss them one by one as unsatisfactory as a overarching explanation.  We then delve into a theory that does explain the whole and how it impacts the question of why […] The post 159: Steven Garff: Gottman’s Ratio appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

This is the audio from Religious speaker Jon Paulien.  This is his expounding on his ideas on the stages of faith.  The audio while not great quality is very informative and helpful.  My goal is is to support LDS who are deconstructing and then reconstructing their faith and this audio will be a help to […] The post Bonus: Stages of Faith: Paulien appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today we sit down with Tony Fieldson.  We discuss his paper “Compelling Reasons to Believe”  We discuss reasons like witnesses, prophecies, fruits, and of course a spiritual witnesses.  Looking for reasons to have faith…. then don’t miss this episode! http://testingmormonism.blogspot.com/ Become a Premium Subscriber: Monthy:  $3 Yearly:  $25  $50  $100  $250Support the podcast by purchasing from Amazon HERE. The post 158: Tony Fieldson: Compelling Reasons to Believe appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today we sit down with Community of Christ Assistant Pastor Seth Bryant.  We talk about the common faith tradition, the shift from the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to the Community of Christ (CoC).  We hit on the Priesthood, Women’s ordination, LGBT inclusiveness, their view of scripture, Mormon myths of the CoC, […] The post 157: Seth Bryant: Community of Christ appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today I want to talk about why I take the stance I do on the LGBT issue.  Why do I insist on a “Leading With Faith” effort to dissent with Church stances and cultural values?  Why can’t I just let this issue go and move on?  Today I explain and as often is the case […] The post 156: Why the pain must stop appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Today I sit down with Michael Reed, author of “Banishing the Cross: The Emergence of  a Mormon Taboo”.  We talk about How the cross was portrayed early in Church History, Why it becomes a problem, and Where are we at today.  We also hint at where we might be going. This issue is a microcosm […] The post 155: Michael Reed and The Symbol of the Cross appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

Why do I believe you ask? What keeps me in when I am aware of so many issues? Well besides my deep faith in the Savior and deep love and testimony of his gospel, I also have many other items in my bucket of faith. Today We talk about one of those. Today we talk […] The post 154: Apocalypse Of Adam appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.

        This is a direct link from LeadingLDS.com .  A friend of mine, Kurt Francom runs this enlightening podcast that strives to give resources to LDS leaders including the tools and insight they need to be better at their callings.  Please visit Kurt’s podcast and consider making this a regular part of your listening! […] The post 153: My Interviews on Faith Stages appeared first on Mormon Discussion by Bill Reel.