Blessed Are the Binary Breakers
Religion & Spirituality
The spiritual landscape of nineteenth-century rural Russia blended native traditions and beliefs with Christianity; this is the world in which Black Book, an independent video game produced by Russian studio Morteshka, is set.
In this episode, Avery shares some of what Black Book taught them about this syncretism of belief (without spoiling the game, don't worry!). Then, they bring in Leslie Feinberg's 1996 text Transgender Warriors to discuss similar tensions between indigenous and Christian traditions in medieval Western Europe. What happened to other gods and spirits after the rise of Christianity? How did sorcerers like Black Book's young woman protagonist navigate this spiritual blend as they either helped or cursed the peasants who both revered and feared them for their knowledge? What's all this got to do with trans folk?
Read along with the episode transcript here.
_______
Talking Points:
(0:00 - 3:50) Introducing Black Book: playing as Vasilisa, a young sorceress in a world where people believe both in Christian and pagan teachings
(3:51 - 10:50) Gods become demons; old rituals take on Christian elements; icons & feast days blend Christian & pagan traditions
(10:51 - 13:16) Sorcerers and knowers — both revered and feared; tension between them and Christian priests
(13:17 - 21:01) Moving westward and back in time to Feudal Europe: similar tension between Christianity and native religions; transgender expression targeted
(21:02 - end) Wrapping up
_______
Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows at www.rockcandyrecordings.com.
This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/binarybreakers/messageAsh Wednesday, Saint Valentine & Amatonormativity, Isaiah 6
Poems for Palestine — Christmas joy must birth solidarity
Emma Cieslik's Queer and Catholic Oral History Project
From rejection to radical welcome: Isaiah 56 through a trans lens
Embodying Authenticity with Jayne X Praxis: Sex, Sigils, & Sacred Clowning
Our Pride is Not a Sin — A Queer & Disabled Christian Lens
Queer Sermon on Matthew 25's Queer Christ, the Outcast King
Stopping Cop City: Água's Story
Stopping Cop City: Shining Oak's Story
Stopping Cop City: Tov's Story
Stopping Cop City: Coal's Story
Stopping Cop City: Siihasin's Story
Hoping against Hope: What keeps us going in troubled times
Uprooting Bitterness, Planting Trans Joy
Our Lady of Disgrace: a queer Christmas story
Embracing “Messy” with K Kriesel — a chaplain & textile artist who blends Catholicism, Wicca, & queerness
"The Good Kind of Weird" — Ynza Morgan Star: Genderqueer, Pagan, & so much more!
Joseph and the Amazing Original Neuroqueer Pride Flag (Crossposted)
Refuting TERF/anti-trans rhetoric with Leslie Feinberg
Leslie Feinberg on Trans Liberation & Solidarity
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Hello Heaven Podcast
Devoted To Prayer
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
The Bible Recap
BardsFM