Fun with the popes. Some of the most colorful popes in history and their crimes and other sins. Including one pope who dug up the previous popes after he had been dead for some time to put him on trial for his crimes, according to the new pope. Many others have the same interesting past.

Also, raising your kids in a religious world. Whether it's worth exposing them now as children to religion, or to let them make their own decision later on when they are adult.

Plenty of mistakes to listen for, too. Still trying to figure all this out. Don't let it keep you from the interesting topic.

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The Absurd Laws of Ancient Texts

Welcome to the podcast that dares to ask: "Who wrote these rules, and were they having a laugh?" Join us as we dive headfirst into the most bizarre, outdated, and downright ridiculous laws from religious texts that somehow made it into the "divine guidebook."

Ever wondered why mixing fabrics is apparently a cosmic crime? Curious about the death penalty for wearing polyester-cotton blends? We've got you covered! From the Old Testament's oddly specific rules about haircuts and shellfish to papal decrees that banned everything from chess to showering, we're serving up religious absurdity with a side of serious side-eye.

Each episode, we'll explore gems like:

• Why God apparently has strong opinions about your shrimp cocktail
• The Vatican's historic ban on forks (yes, forks)
• Biblical fashion police: Why your mixed-fiber jeans are sending you straight to hell
• Pope Gregory IX's crusade against cats (spoiler: it didn't end well)
• The cosmic importance of not boiling a goat in its mother's milk
• Why medieval popes thought bathing was basically devil worship

Whether it's ancient Israelites getting worked up about beard trimming or medieval popes declaring war on musical instruments, we're here to laugh at humanity's most creative attempts to control behavior through divine bureaucracy.

Warning: This podcast contains excessive eye-rolling, uncontrollable laughter, and may cause you to question why anyone thought these rules were a good idea. Side effects may include existential crisis and an overwhelming urge to eat bacon cheeseburgers while wearing a polyester shirt.

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