Is James the brother of Jesus? Is the virgin birth possible? And why do Catholics care what Mary and Joseph got up to after Jesus was born? In this dramatic and fast-paced episode, Alex and Katie start to get into one of the most heated discussions in all of Protestant/Catholic disputes- the perpetual virginity of Mary.

• James as the brother of Jesus: Wikipedia suggests this source from early-church in a discussion of who James is:https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/AnteNicene_Fathers/Volume_IX/Origen_on_Matthew/Origen%27s_Commentary_on_Matthew
• We discuss word "adelphos" in Greek. This link is the Strong's Concordance of all the times this word is used in the Bible, and how it is translated across different translations: https://biblehub.com/greek/80.htm
• Alex references the Wedding in Cana as evidence for references to Jesus's family: John 2:1-12. Alex particularly references verse 12. 
• We talk about how the translation of Matthew 1:25 differs in one word in many different translations. The dictionary concordance reference is here, along with the link to the verse itself: http://www.godrules.net/library/strongs2b/gre2193.htm  
• Were Mary and Joseph married or engaged? Jewish marriage ritual in the First Century: https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/bible-interpretation/were-mary-and-joseph-married-or-engaged-at-jesus-birth/?fbclid=IwAR3JhRe2MXnHrFYikgk6kCpJJ__u0zPQ35DC5TNpqjTYC1HVp-sG83EJsUA 
• Katie mentions "JD Heathers" when Alex calls John the Disciple JD. If you are unfamiliar, this is a reference to the movie and musical "Heathers," where the character JD (spoilers) blows up a school. Very different person than the disciple. 
• Katie references John 19:25 when Jesus says to John "John, this is your mother." 
• Marty, we gotta get back to the Bible" this is a very niche inside joke to a meme Alex and Katie made. The picture may not make it any clearer:

This was an intense episode, so you may have a lot to say. Go onto our twitter @religiouswarpod and tell us what you think! 

- Alex and Katie 
​Religious War the Podcast

Is there any true right way to pray? What do we gain and what are the struggles in different versions of prayer? Is God a celebrity listener to this podcast?


In this episode, Alex and Katie tackle praying as a group at their new church in London, what the church teaches about praying alone, and how Catholics often use prescribed prayers. 



References in this episode:

• Alex and Katie discuss Matthew 6 in regards to whether you should pray alone or in a group. 
  
• Alex ends the episode with a prayer from Ephesians 3, starting with verse 14. 
  

Are you a praying person? If so, how do you pray? If not, does it seem weird? These questions at more- discuss on our twitter @religiouswarpod. 

Thanks! 
Alex and Katie
​Religious War the Podcast

Babies, believers, and baptists (oh my). In this episode of Religious War, we dive into the phenomenon that is baptism. Why do we dip babies into water? Why do some churches wait until someone is older, and does it matter whether someone is baptised at all?
Katie explores her opinion on the famous “unbaptised babies go to purgatory” belief, Alex shares her experience going to many-a-Italian christenings, and we get a glimpse into why Alex’s brother’s baptism may have messed him up entirely. 
Some additional notes and references from this episode:
Biblical References:
John 1: 25-28: Alexandra points to an example of John the Baptist baptising. 
John 3: Jesus telling Nicodemus “you must be born again” 
More information about: 

• The biblical case for Dedication and Believer Baptism: This article is written by a church which supports believer baptism and is therefore argued in line with that: https://thelifebridgechurch.com/child-dedication-vs-baptism/
• Original Sin in the Catholic Church: The link below is the Vatican’s most recent official teachings in the Catechism of the Catholic Church surrounding original sin: See paragraph 338, linked here: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p1s2c1p7.htm
• The same document, with reference to the sacrament of baptism in the Catholic Church: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c1a1.htm  
• Baptism in different Protestant denominations: https://www.museeprotestant.org/en/notice/the-protestants-and-baptism-be-they-reformed-lutheran-or-evangelical-baptist/ 

What are your thoughts about baptism? If you were baptised, what does your baptism signify to you? Would you do it differently if you could? 

If you want to have any discussions related to this episode, start a twitter thread tagging @religiouswarpod! We'd love to hear what you think.

Thanks,
Alex and Katie
Religious War the Podcast

Religious War will come out on all streaming platforms fortnightly starting the 7th of October. Listen and want even more content? 

On the blog of this website, you'll find a post for each episode- full of links, references, extra resources, and maybe even some explanations for particularly niche inside jokes you may have missed. 

Are you excited to listen to upcoming episodes? Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, iTunes, or whatever platform you use! You can also follow us on social media @religiouswarpodcast for updates and extended content. 

Lastly, if you want to support Alex and Katie, the most helpful thing you can do is leave a review and rate of the show on iTunes. We will be eternally grateful! 

Thanks,
Alex and Katie
​Religious War the Podcast
​