Podcast Summary: Acontece que no es poco | “Nos están engañando”

Podcast: Todo Concostrina — Cadena SER
Host: Nieves Concostrina
Date: 11 July 2024
Theme: Denouncing systematic religious frauds and myths, with Nieves Concostrina’s irreverent historical lens.

Overview

In this season finale, Nieves Concostrina and her co-host revisit some of the “greatest hits” of historical and institutional deceptions perpetrated by the Christian Church, centering on the recurring theme: “Nos están engañando” (“We are being deceived”). Concostrina’s signature sharp wit and critical perspective dissect the way monumental lies and myths have been cultivated and perpetuated by religious authorities for centuries—often to the benefit of their own power and financial gain.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to the Theme

• Season’s End: The episode is framed as a “summary of blunders” focusing particularly on “the multinational Christian company” (01:08).
• Main Thread: The motif is the systematic deception: “Tantas mentiras fabricadas para sentar el negocio del tal Dios en la tierra” (01:17).
  • Many lies fabricated to establish God’s business on earth.

2. On the Belief in Monumental Lies

• Concostrina emphasizes the power of institutionalized deception:

  “Es increíble cómo puede instalarse una monumental mentira en las mentes de las gentes, pese a que esté demostrado el fraude moral de los que manejan el negocio y la estafa económica que les permite seguir viviendo a costa de los demás.” (01:50)

  • It’s incredible how such monumental lies take root even when the moral fraud and economic scam are clear.

3. The Case of Pío XII: Science Ignored, Farce Exposed

• Anecdote of Pope Pius XII’s embalming debacle, caused by following biblical embalming practice instead of science, leading to literal bodily explosion:

  “El papa nazi Pío XII […] explotó por la aplicación de una pésima técnica de embalsamamiento. Eso es lo que pasó.” (02:45)

  • This becomes a symbol for literal consequences of scriptural myths.

• Biting Irony:

  “Nos alegramos de la explosión por nazi.” (02:57)

  • Concostrina layers irreverence with historical critique.

• The Vatican’s hypocrisy highlighted by contrast with its fierce moral stance against Rafaella Carrá in the 1970s for showing her navel on TV (03:00–03:40).

4. Biblical Myths vs. Scientific Truths & Institutional Hypocrisy

• Mockery of the biblical geocentrism:

  “No intentes en casa hacer nada de lo que dice en la novela. Ni salva a nadie, ni se crean los cuentitos que recoge.” (05:03)

• References Copernicus and how the Church fiercely opposed scientific realities:

  “¿Va a venir un científico, un observador y un tío con estudios a decirle a un cura si la Tierra es o no el centro del universo?” (05:21)

5. On Religious Marketing and the Afterlife

• Concostrina declares that the banking on the afterlife is the business model of every faith:

  “Ni el Islam, ni el judaísmo, ni el cristianismo, ni el budismo, ni el mormonismo tendrían un solo cliente si no se creyeran que después de morirse se van a otra parte. Esa es la clave.” (07:21)

• The Book of Mormon musical is cited as a prime satire of religious salesmanship (06:02–07:21).

6. The Language of Fear: Control Through Terror

• The use of hell and suffering to extract devotion and money from followers:

  “En todas las sectas usan el mismo—es aterrorizar, mantener acojonada a la clientela con el infierno, porque así le sacan los cuartos.” (07:35)

• Semana Santa and the “nazarenos” are exposed as a parade of suffering, originating from much darker, discipline-based rituals (08:29–10:21):

  “Lo que son en realidad su nombre es disciplinantes, encapuchados, azotados, porque es gente que tenía gustito por la sangre, los látigos y el dolor.” (08:45)

7. The Greatest Fraud: The Donation of Constantine

• Discussion of the fabricated “Donation of Constantine”—a forged decree granting papal authority over much of Italy and the West, which justified centuries of power and wealth for the Vatican:

  “Para mí, bueno, yo lo califico como el mayor y más rentable fraude de la historia de la humanidad, no de la cristiandad, de la humanidad.” (10:47)

  • Concostrina walks through the concocted story of Constantine’s cure and mass “donation.” (10:47–12:19)

8. Spain’s Copycat Miracle: The ‘Bones’ of Santiago

• Spain’s own highly lucrative religious fabrication, the “discovery” of the bones of apostle Santiago (St. James):

  “Fue el segundo mayor y más rentable fraude de la historia de la humanidad.” (12:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On crafted deception:

  “Tantas mentiras fabricadas para sentar el negocio del tal Dios en la tierra.” (01:17) — Nieves Concostrina

• On the hypocrisy of moral outrage:

  "El Vaticano preocupado, ya ves, por el ombligo de las mujeres cuando tienen la empresa repleta de pedófilos, violadores de niños, los canallas. Por eso está bien que de vez en cuando un Papa explote.” (03:39) — Nieves Concostrina

• Core business of religions:

  “Esa es la clave de todo. [...] No se olviden de pagar para llegar al cielo, de donde tampoco ha vuelto nadie para decir que también es mentira.” (07:21, 08:17) — Nieves Concostrina

• On the “Donation of Constantine”:

  “La posesión de Roma y todos los territorios que tuvieron y tienen los papas se justifica por una donación de Constantino que nunca hizo Constantino, que nunca tuvo lepra, al que no bautizó el Papa Silvestre, pero que un obispo se inventó siglos después.” (12:20) — Nieves Concostrina

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:32] — Explanation of the “greatest hits” theme and focus on Church scams
• [01:47] — Title & theme framing: “Nos están engañando”
• [02:45] — Story of Pope Pius XII’s embalming disaster
• [03:00–03:40] — Vatican campaign against Rafaella Carrá
• [05:13] — Mockery of Church opposition to science: Copernicus and geocentrism
• [06:02–07:21] — Satire of religious proselytizing, “The Book of Mormon”
• [07:35] — Mechanisms of control: hell and afterlife fears
• [08:29–10:21] — Origins and meaning of “nazarenos” and religious self-punishment
• [10:47–12:19] — Detailed narrative of the (faked) “Donation of Constantine”
• [12:20] — Spanish example: The bones of Santiago as a manufactured relic
• [13:04] — Closing remarks and season wrap-up

Tone & Style

Nieves Concostrina maintains her signature blend of humor, irreverence, and acerbic critique. The episode is rich in historical anecdotes, biting irony, and unfiltered language, delivering serious historical revelations through accessible, entertaining, and provocative commentary. Even the co-host’s interjections reinforce the cheeky, skeptical spirit—this is not a neutral or reverent history podcast.

In Summary

This episode is a trenchant, entertaining, and scathing dissection of some of the most persistent and lucrative religious frauds and myths of Western history—using humor and sharp critique to encourage skepticism and historical awareness. Whether debunking papal embalming ceremonies or the fabricated origins of religious power in Europe, Concostrina’s message is clear: question institutional stories, especially when they’re so good at filling church coffers.