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What Bends the Moral Arc, Religion or Science? And the Hasidic Soulsters of Zusha
July 10, 2015
Arch-skeptic Michael Shermer on the secular roots of moral progress. An ex-Hasid on losing faith and leaving Orthodoxy. And we're in the studio with the soulful Hasidic melodies of Zusha.
Macmillan Publishers
Arch-Skeptic Michael Shermer on the Roots of Moral Progess July 10, 2015
Michael Shermer is one of the world’s most articulate debunkers of all things supernatural: from ghost sightings and ESP to the entire concept of religion. This week, he shares his new book on the origins of moral progress, which he argues is firmly rooted in science and empiricism. And he tells us the strange story of a dead radio coming to life that shook his famous skepticism to the core.

Michael Shermer, author of The Moral Arc: How Science and Reason Lead Humanity toward Truth, Justice, and Freedom

Shulem Deen on Losing Faith and Leaving Orthodoxy July 10, 2015
If you’ve ever had a crisis of faith, felt like an outsider, or found yourself making up for years of lost time, you’ll probably identify with Shulem Deen’s story. The 40-year-old writer spent his formative years in the Skever community of New Square, NY, one of the most insular Hasidic sects in America. He talked to our associate producer, Libby Boulter, about his painful realization that he could no longer believe in God.

Shulem Deen, author of All Who Go Do Not Return: A Memoir
credit: Zusha
In the Studio with the Hasidic Soulsters of Zusha July 10, 2015
Following in the footsteps of Matisyahu, the Brooklyn-based members of Zusha infuse their music with soulful niggun (nee-goon): the wordless Jewish melodies sung in synagogue and around the Shabbat table. Their mix of Hasidic mysticism and folk-rock harmonies has launched their debut EP to the top ten of Billboard’s world music chart. They joined us from the Radio Foundation studios for a special in-studio performance.

Zusha: Elisha Mendl Mlotek, Zachariah “Juke” Goldshmiedt and Shlomo Ari Gaisin
, joined by Max Jacob and Oliver Hill