Sacred Realms: What if? Speculative Fiction and Futurism

Sacred Realms: What if? Speculative Fiction and Futurism

Author: Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone May 12, 2023 Duration: 1:11:44
In this fourth episode of Sacred Realms, Rabbis Andrew and Lindsey talk about What if? Speculative Fiction and Futurism.We begin with what is now called She’lah / The Question of the Week: “What favorite realm of yours would you like to see one thousand years in the future?”Then on to what we have been watching or reading lately, with Rabbi Andrew talking about the shows The Mandalorian: Season 3 and The Hunters, and Rabbi Lindsey talking about graphic novel series Monstress.Then we delve into this episode’s main topic, inspired by Israel’s 75th Independence Day: Is Theodor Herzl’s utopian novel Altneuland a work of Futurism, Speculative Fiction or something else all together?Lastly, we pull out some material from the Genzia, with Rabbi Andrew talking about Orson Scott Card’s series The Seventh Son and The Memories of Earth.We did have a delightfully digressive conversion in the middle of all this about The Rational, Mystical and Psychedelic in Jewish Thought, which we put into some bonus material as well. If that interests you, go and check that out.You contact us with any questions, comments or suggestions at sacredrealmspodcast@gmail.comSegments of this episode:
  • Introduction (0:00)
  • She’elah / The Question of the Week (1:21)
  • What we have been reading/watching lately (6:35)
  • Our Main Topic: Altneuland (22:18)
  • From the Geniza (1:00)
  • Conclusion (1:10)
You can read the full text of Altneuland here.Here is a link to The Jew in the Modern WorldHere is a link to The Zionist IdeaHere is al link to The Making of Modern Zionism

Hosted by Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone, Sacred Realms: Exploring the Nexus of Religion, Spirituality, Science Fiction and Fantasy ventures into the rich territory where ancient questions meet speculative futures and magical worlds. Each conversation moves beyond simple analysis to consider how the myths, technologies, and moral dilemmas found in genre storytelling reflect and challenge our deepest spiritual intuitions. You’ll hear discussions that might connect the themes of a classic novel to mystical traditions, or examine how a contemporary film series grapples with concepts of prophecy, free will, and the divine. This isn't about finding easy answers, but rather about appreciating the complex dialogue between belief and imagination. The podcast provides a unique space where the language of scripture and the visions of science fiction are seen as complementary ways of exploring human purpose, ethics, and wonder. By engaging with these stories, we find new lenses for our own spiritual journeys and the timeless puzzles of existence. Join Andrew for thoughtful, often surprising explorations that reveal how the realms of the sacred and the speculative are intimately and profoundly connected.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 20

Sacred Realms: Exploring the Nexus of Religion, Spirituality, Science Fiction and Fantasy
Podcast Episodes
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