A Podcast Show With Jesus: 10 Critical Questions
Listening to a podcast the other day, I wondered to myself, what would an interview with Jesus be if he were a guest?
Listening to a podcast the other day, I wondered to myself, what would an interview with Jesus be if he were a guest?
What if we could ask him any question we wanted and get an answer firsthand? I imagine many religious people have internal conversations with Jesus all throughout the day. But what would those conversations sound like if they manifested into the real world and came in the form of a person-to-person exchange?
So in light of this pondering, here is a Conversation with Jesus on The Pretend Podcast Show with Joseph Allen Paine, Episode 1.
Joseph Allen Paine: Today, we have a guest that needs no introduction. It’s safe to say most people have heard of him. He’s the topic of the #1 bestselling book of all time, has been quoted more than any other person in history, and has been rumored to have more siblings than Ghengis Khan’s offspring. His message offers hope to the common folks, contempt to the wise, and power to the leaders. He is often the center of major controversy, inciting riots all across the globe, and often gets his Dad involved when he is busy. Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Jesus.
Jesus: Hey, it’s great to be here as a first-time guest and long-time fan of your other works. I am glad to be your first podcast visitor! That was quite the introduction. You forgot to mention that I never wrote anything in the Bible. That’s one thing that Socrates and I have in common. The guy had a silver tongue, but he was illiterate.
Joseph Allen Paine: Thanks for being here. It’s great to have you. I know you are busy, so this means a lot. That thing you just said about Socrates…Are you suggesting you were illiterate?
Jesus: No. I wrote in the dirt once.
Joseph Allen Paine: Yeah, yeah, I read about that. That was when you were defending the whore who was about to get stoned by a crowd of people. You said for the one without sin to cast the first stone. Then you kneeled on the ground and began writing in the dirt. What were you writing down?
Jesus: First off, that “whore” was no more of an adulterer than my own Mother was. “Joseph, huh?” That’s my Step Dad’s name. Apparently, he and God were interested in my Mom, Mary, when she was 14, both at the same time. Regardless, back to your question. I was writing names down in the sand—names of people who will vanish as dust in the sand for their deserting me.
Joseph Allen Paine: Whoa, I didn’t mean to upset you, Jesus. Hey, you didn’t write my name down in the sand, did you?
Jesus: Are the names still in the sand? Let’s go and see.
Joseph Allen Paine: Let’s change subjects. I am going to ask the tough questions that most people want to know. These are the most controversial but perhaps the most important. Are you okay with that?
Jesus: Sure. But first, give me your water bottle. We are both going to need a little something to lighten the mood. POOF! Here, enjoy your Speyer Wine. Cheers!
Joseph Allen Paine: Cheers Brother! (tastes wine) WOW! that’s amazing! I gotta say, it’s the best I have ever tasted.
Jesus: Yeah, it’s as aged as it gets.
Joseph Allen Paine: Have you ever tried DMT?
Jesus: No, but I keep hearing a rumor that Moses might have experimented with drugs.
Joseph Allen Paine: Wanna try some off-air after the show?
Jesus: No thanks. I already see enough. I don’t need to hallucinate anything more.
Joseph Allen Paine: Fair enough. On to the reason why you are here. Is that wine kicking in yet? Because here we go…
1.) Is God Real?
Jesus: The existence of God is a matter of belief and faith, and different people have different beliefs about God. Some people believe in the existence of a supreme being or higher power, while others do not. There is no scientific evidence that can prove or disprove the existence of God, and different people have different interpretations of religious texts and teachings. Ultimately, the question of whether God is real is a personal one that each individual must answer for themselves based on their own beliefs, experiences, and values.
Joseph Allen Paine:
2.) Why does God allow children to die?
Jesus: The question of why God allows children to die is a complex and difficult one that has puzzled people for centuries. Many people believe that God is all-powerful and all-knowing and that everything that happens is part of his divine plan. Others believe that God is not directly responsible for the suffering and death of children but rather that these events are the result of natural causes or human actions.
It is important to remember that death is a natural part of life and that it is something that eventually happens to everyone. Some people believe that children who die are taken to a better place, while others find comfort in the idea that the child is reunited with loved ones who have passed away.
Ultimately, the question of why God allows children to die is one that may never be fully understood, and it is a source of great sorrow and grief for those who have lost a child. It can be helpful to seek support from loved ones, friends, and spiritual or religious leaders during this difficult time.
Joseph Allen Paine:
3.) Why does God allow evil in the world?
Jesus: The question of why God allows evil in the world is another complex and difficult question that has puzzled people for centuries. Many people believe that God is all-powerful and all-knowing and that everything that happens is part of his divine plan. Others believe that God is not directly responsible for evil but rather that it is the result of human free will or natural causes.
One possible explanation for the existence of evil in the world is that it serves as a test of faith for believers. Some religious traditions believe that suffering and evil can be opportunities for spiritual growth and development and that facing and overcoming these challenges can strengthen one’s faith and bring one closer to God.
It is important to remember that the concept of good and evil is often subjective, and what one person may consider to be evil may not be seen that way by others. Ultimately, the question of why God allows evil in the world is one that may never be fully understood, and it is a source of great debate and disagreement among people of different faith traditions.
Joseph Allen Paine:
4.) Why does God let bad things happen to good people?
Jesus: The question of why God allows bad things to happen to good people is a difficult and complex one that has puzzled people for centuries. Many people believe that God is all-powerful and all-knowing and that everything that happens is part of his divine plan. Others believe that God is not directly responsible for suffering and hardship but rather that these events are the result of natural causes or human actions.
One possible explanation for why bad things happen to good people is that suffering and hardship can serve as a test of faith and a means of spiritual growth. Some religious traditions believe that facing and overcoming challenges can strengthen one’s faith and bring one closer to God.
It is important to remember that the concept of good and bad is often subjective, and what one person may consider to be a bad thing may not be seen that way by others. Additionally, it is important to recognize that life is not always fair and that suffering and hardship are a natural part of the human experience. Ultimately, the question of why God allows bad things to happen to good people is one that may never be fully understood, and it is a source of great debate and disagreement among people of different faith traditions.
Joseph Allen Paine:
5.) Who is God?
Jesus: The concept of God varies among different religions and belief systems. In monotheistic religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, God is typically believed to be the one supreme being, the creator of the universe and all that exists within it. God is often described as all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-good, and as the source of all moral authority.
In many religious traditions, God is believed to be the ultimate source of love, wisdom, and truth. God is often seen as a personal deity who is involved in the lives of individuals and who can be worshipped and prayed to. Some people see God as a symbol of ultimate goodness and perfection, while others see God as a mystery that cannot be fully understood or explained.
The concept of God is a complex and multifaceted one, and different people have different beliefs and understandings of who God is and what role he plays in the world. Ultimately, the question of who God is and what he represents is a personal one that each individual must answer for themselves based on their own beliefs, experiences, and values.
Joseph Allen Paine:
6.) Why does God create bad people?
Jesus: The concept of good and bad is often subjective and can vary among different individuals and cultures. In many religious traditions, the idea that God creates bad people is not one that is generally accepted. Instead, it is often believed that God is all-good and that he does not create evil or suffering.
One possible explanation for the existence of evil in the world is that it is the result of human free will or natural causes. Many religious traditions believe that God has given humans the ability to choose between good and evil and that the choices they make have consequences. Some people believe that suffering and hardship can serve as a test of faith and a means of spiritual growth and that facing and overcoming these challenges can bring people closer to God.
It is important to remember that the existence of evil in the world is a complex and difficult issue and that it is a source of great debate and disagreement among people of different faith traditions. Ultimately, the question of why God allows evil in the world is one that may never be fully understood, and each individual must find their own way of making sense of it based on their own beliefs and experiences.
Joseph Allen Paine:
7.) Does God have free will?
Jesus: The concept of free will is a complex and often debated topic in philosophy, religion, and psychology. It refers to the idea that individuals have the ability to make choices and decisions based on their own volition rather than being determined by external factors or predetermined events.
In many religious traditions, the idea of God having free will is not typically discussed or addressed. Some people believe that God is all-knowing and all-powerful and therefore does not have the same limitations and constraints as humans. Others believe that God is bound by his own nature and cannot act in ways that are contrary to his character.
Ultimately, the question of whether God has free will is a matter of belief and interpretation, and different people may have different understandings of this concept. It is important to recognize that the concept of free will is a complex and multifaceted one and that it is a source of debate and disagreement among scholars and thinkers from different fields and disciplines.
Joseph Allen Paine:
8.) How can the Bible be real when it has so many contradictions?
Jesus: The Bible is a collection of texts that are considered sacred by many religious traditions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. It is a complex and multifaceted work that has been interpreted and understood in a variety of ways over the centuries.
It is important to recognize that the Bible is a collection of texts written by different authors in different historical and cultural contexts. It contains a wide range of literary genres, including narrative, poetry, and prophecy. As a result, it is not surprising that there are some apparent contradictions or inconsistencies within the text.
However, it is also important to note that many of these apparent contradictions can be reconciled through careful study and interpretation. Some people believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God and that it contains hidden meanings and messages that are not immediately apparent to the reader. Others believe that the Bible is a human document that reflects the beliefs and experiences of the people who wrote it and that it should be understood in its historical and cultural context.
Ultimately, the question of whether the Bible is true and whether it contains contradictions is a matter of interpretation and belief. Different people have different understandings of the Bible and its teachings, and it is important to respect the beliefs and viewpoints of others.
Joseph Allen Paine:
9.) Are you real?
Jesus: I am a historical legend said to exist from a bible that explains everything about me. I did not write down my own thoughts or feelings. Instead, I am portrayed as how the authors decided to talk about me to the world.
Nonetheless, I am able to offer hope for the hopeless, comfort to the lost, and find peace for those who are disturbed.
So the people who believe in me cause me to exist in their lives. I am an exerted force into the world through performativity; my spirit lives on. When someone thinks of me, speaks about me, and gathers with others who believe — I do in fact exist to those people.
Joseph Allen Paine:
10.) What happens to people who don’t believe in you?
Jesus: I simply pull out my finger, kneel to the ground and start writing in the sand. Ha! Ha! Ha!
Joseph Allen Paine: And on that note, we are out of time. (nervously laughs out loud) I want to thank you for being a guest on the Pretend Podcast show today. It’s been a pleasure, and I hope to have you back someday. Maybe bring your Dad with you next time.
Jesus: It was my pleasure. Looking forward to the next time you want to speak with me.
Joseph Allen Paine: Don’t forget to write your questions for our Guest in the comments section. Maybe I will ask your questions if I have Jesus on the show again.
This show is brought to you by other articles that I have written related to this subject. These articles include:
Walking Away From God Without Getting Struck by Lightning
Religions have reshaped over time to manipulate and control the population. Participants are often unaware they live…medium.com
and
Are We Better Off Without Religion?
“I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong.”
― Bertrand Russell, paraphrased.medium.com
We may never have real answers, but in the meantime, we can inspire real hope by avoiding the pitfalls and undermining of organized religion. Faith is fine, as long as it is not done so in an oppressive manner.
Tune in next time for another podcast from the Pretend Podcast Show. I’m your host Joseph Allen Paine, and this is the end of the show ladies and gentle-genders.