A God We Could Believe In cover art

A God We Could Believe In

A God We Could Believe In

By: A frank and honest look at Christianity as we find it today.
Listen for free

About this listen

We're looking at the things the church says and does that are embarrassing, confusing or even downright offensive. Whether you're a lifelong churchgoer with the scars to prove it, or you've never entered a church and are just interested in the debate, this is a safe space for you.

agodwecouldbelievein.substack.comSimon Hall
Christianity Social Sciences Spirituality
Episodes
  • Do Christians just need a good wank?
    Feb 16 2026

    Content warning: This series covers issues of sexual relationships, abuse, gender and identity, so listener discretion is advised. Please look after yourselves.

    Now that the average age of marriage in western societies north of 30, is sexual purity really worth two decades of bottled up urges and internalised shame?

    If I never get married should I just pretend those bits aren't there? And what about whiplash of a culture that expects women to go from chaste and pure to innate pleasure seekers at the sound of an 'I do'?

    Coming up

    Our next Q&A episode is on Monday 2 March, so if you’d like to ask a question on anything you’ve heard from the podcast so far, then make sure you get your question to us by Friday 20 February to feature. Contact us via email, social media or our Substack page.

    Episode 8 – Two genders and a spectrum walk into a bar – is released on Monday 16 March. Few issues within christendom are more divisive than that of sexuality. Many mainstream, global churches are facing existential collapse while they try to reconcile progressive and traditionalist voices. While the battle rages, we examine the cultural and biblical claims that make up the debate and explore whether the church can embrace an inclusive view of sexuality and gender.

    About A God We Could Believe In:

    A frank and honest look at Christianity as we find it today. We’re examining the things the church says and does that are embarrassing, confusing or even downright offensive. In other religious contexts, your questions might be forbidden but not here. So whether you’re a lifelong churchgoer with the scars to prove it, or you’ve never entered a church and are just interested in the debate, this is a safe space for you.

    New episodes are released every other Monday.

    Support the project by sharing it widely and join our Substack community for bonus episodes and reflections at agodwecouldbelievein.substack.com

    Stay in touchEmail: agodwecouldbelievein@gmail.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/agodwecouldbelieveinInstagram: www.instagram.com/agodwecouldbelievein



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit agodwecouldbelievein.substack.com/subscribe
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Q&A: Why do abusers thrive in church?
    Feb 2 2026

    We’re responding to your questions on our latest episode, ‘Why do abusers thrive in church?’

    Content warning: This series covers issues of sexual relationships, abuse, gender and identity, so listener discretion is advised. Please look after yourselves.

    What does safeguarding look like in practice? What are the signs that a pastoral relationship has become abusive? And how should communities respond when allegations of abuse come to light?

    Coming up

    Episode 7 – Do Christians just need a good w**k? – is released on Monday 16 February. Now that the average age of marriage in western societies north of 30, is sexual purity really worth two decades of bottled up urges and internalised shame? Perhaps we all might be better off for enjoying a good shame-free w**k every now and then.

    The following Q&A is on Monday 2 March – make sure you get your questions to us by Friday 20 February to feature.

    Then on Thursday 12 March, we’re joined in person by Revd Dr Helen Paynter for a live event in Leeds on Christianity and the Far Right. Subscribe to our substack page or keep an eye on our socials for more information.

    About A God We Could Believe In:

    A frank and honest look at Christianity as we find it today. We're examining the things the church says and does that are embarrassing, confusing or even downright offensive. In other religious contexts, your questions might be forbidden but not here. So whether you're a lifelong churchgoer with the scars to prove it, or you've never entered a church and are just interested in the debate, this is a safe space for you.

    New episodes are released every other Monday.

    Support the project by sharing it widely and join our Substack community for bonus episodes and reflections at agodwecouldbelievein.substack.com

    Stay in touchEmail: agodwecouldbelievein@gmail.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/agodwecouldbelieveinInstagram: www.instagram.com/agodwecouldbelievein



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit agodwecouldbelievein.substack.com/subscribe
    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
  • Why do abusers thrive in church?
    Jan 19 2026

    Content warning: This series covers issues of sexual relationships, abuse, gender and identity, so listener discretion is advised. Please look after yourselves.

    We discuss how theology, patriarchy and Christian cultures conspire to create the conditions that silence victims and expedite redemption for abusers.

    What does this modelling say for abuse within our own relationships and has the theology of forgiveness become an accomplice? And what needs to change to make our churches safe spaces where abusers can’t hide in plain sight?

    Coming up

    Our next Q&A episode is on Monday 2 February, so if you’d like to ask a question on anything you’ve heard from the podcast so far, then make sure you get your question to us by Friday 23 January to feature. Contact us via email, social media or our Substack page.

    Episode 7 – Do Christians just need a good wank? – is released on Monday 16 February. Now that the average age of marriage in western societies north of 30, is sexual purity really worth two decades of bottled up urges and internalised shame? Perhaps we all might be better off for enjoying a good shame-free wank every now and then.

    About A God We Could Believe In:

    A frank and honest look at Christianity as we find it today. We’re examining the things the church says and does that are embarrassing, confusing or even downright offensive. In other religious contexts, your questions might be forbidden but not here. So whether you’re a lifelong churchgoer with the scars to prove it, or you’ve never entered a church and are just interested in the debate, this is a safe space for you.

    New episodes are released every other Monday.

    Support the project by sharing it widely and join our Substack community for bonus episodes and reflections at agodwecouldbelievein.substack.com

    Stay in touch

    Email: agodwecouldbelievein@gmail.com

    Facebook: www.facebook.com/agodwecouldbelievein

    Instagram: www.instagram.com/agodwecouldbelievein



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit agodwecouldbelievein.substack.com/subscribe
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 12 mins
No reviews yet