Ep 43 - Dune: The Use and Abuse of Religion

The prophesied Dune episode has arrived! Along for the ride across the sands of Arrakis are Ivan Wolfe and Michael Haycock. Our intrepid panel dissects the film's themes—from the perils of messiah complexes and the seductive power of politics to the manipulation mastery of the Bene Gesserit and the very nature of prophecy itself. We also look at how the book adapts the complexities of the original novel's twisting plots within plots. The spice must flow!

00:00 Introducing the Panel

01:37 Best Books

10:13 Main Discussion of Dune

21:33 The Dangers of Messiahs

31:36 The Unbelievability of Long-Term Conspiracies

35:23 Religious Fundamentalism and Its Causes

40:03 Navigating Prophecy, Signs, and Destiny

47:23 Ratings Segment

56:34 Final Thoughts

https://youtu.be/kIaR1UPSzyA

Our Ratings: Content: Terrestrial Artistic Merit: 5 popcorn balls Gospel Connections: 4 apricots

Best Books:

Carl - Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson; Superman: Camelot Falls

Liz - Three Body Problem (Netflix); Matched by Ally Condie

Michael - Way Below the Angels by Craig Harline; Nurturing Doubt by Elmer Miller

Ivan - Vengeance Is Mine: The Mountain Meadows Massacre and Its Aftermath by Richard E. Turley and Barbara Jones Brown; Convicting the Mormons: The Mountain Meadows Massacre in American Culture by Janiece Johnson

Links:

Reactor Mag: Dune: Part Two Asks Questions That the Original Never Dared

Big Think: The Messianic Movements that Inspired “Dune”

National Catholic Reporter: 'Dune: Part Two" confronts religious fundamentalism

Find Us:

Carl - Twitter: @CarlCranney

Liz - lizbusby.com

Ivan - Times & Seasons

Audio editing by Liz Busby

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