Episode #359

[GodSlayer]

perhaps she's just a cowboy.

the simplist explanation is best.

[James]

And Jay, there's no reason to scream the name of the skeptic you quote like a banshee.  It was funny the first 358 times you did it, but enough is enough, mmm-kay?

It was funny the first 3 times, mildly amusing the next hundred or so, and now it's just cringe-worthy.  I think its time has passed, and I always wonder what first time listeners are possibly thinking when they hear that?!

[Silly Llama]

re minute 59

how do these groups get around mandatory education for ages 5-15 (or whatever it is) laws?

The USA has a pretty sorry habit of letting people miss education because facts disagree with their religion.  The Hisidic community could also just claim that they are homeschooling the children of their community.  Some states require that you still pass the standardized tests but those could be faked easily enough if you wanted to.

[Thorloar]

And Jay, there's no reason to scream the name of the skeptic you quote like a banshee.  It was funny the first 358 times you did it, but enough is enough, mmm-kay?

It was funny the first 3 times, mildly amusing the next hundred or so, and now it's just cringe-worthy.  I think its time has passed, and I always wonder what first time listeners are possibly thinking when they hear that?!

i liked it the first time i heard it. It gives it some personality. Don't be so uptight.

[amysrevenge]

Very good interview.  Liked this one a lot.

[beans]

Very interesting interview, I will have to put that book on my "to read" list.

FWIW in Australia 'partner' applies to heterosexual relationships too. It's used to designate when things are a little more serious than just 'boyfriend and girlfriend', but the couple hasn't become engaged or married.

[superdave]

I was impressed with Ms.  Feldman in that she has such a strong command of her own story.  She seems to really have not only thought a lot about her situation but the best way to communicate it. 

[Demosthenes]

Growing up in a Reform Jewish house we absolutely viewed many of the various Hasidic groups as cults. They are so insular that their beliefs and 'laws' bear little to no resemblance to the basics of Judaism.

Coming from an orthodox Jewish background and attending an orthodox Jewish school, Hasidic groups would never be viewed as cults.
A lot of the more remarkable dogma and sexism is incredibly easy to justify within the faith.

If anything Reform Judaism was looked down upon to a much greater extent as "not proper Judaism"

BTW loved the interview as well!