The Michael Shermer Show The Current State of Atheism and Separation of Church and State
Dan Barker, a former evangelical preacher turned prominent atheist and co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, delves into the intricate issues of church-state separation. He discusses the influence of Catholicism on Supreme Court rulings, legal challenges in public education, and the rise of Christian nationalism. Barker introduces his philosophical concept of 'Contraduction,' exploring how beliefs can reverse in meaning. The conversation also touches on morality, free will, and the complexities surrounding the existence of God.
01:27:40
Lawsuits Against Louisiana and Oklahoma
- Dan Barker's organization, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), is suing Louisiana and Oklahoma.
- These states aim to place the Ten Commandments and Trump Bibles in public school classrooms.
Shifting Supreme Court Stance
- The Supreme Court's approach to separation of church and state has shifted.
- They've moved from the Lemon Test to a "history test" or coercion standard.
Supreme Court Religious Influences
- The Supreme Court's religious leanings are influenced by a mix of beliefs.
- It's not just Catholicism, but also evangelical Protestantism and conservative Catholicism, contributing to a rise in Christian nationalism.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Church-State Dynamics in Modern America
01:47 • 14min
Engaging with Freedom From Religion Foundation on Church-State Issues
16:10 • 2min
Navigating Morality and Faith
18:00 • 17min
The Enlightenment's Influence on Belief and Reasoning
34:36 • 2min
Exploring the Concept of Contradiction and Perception
36:07 • 4min
Rethinking Perspective and Existence
40:33 • 25min
The Roots of Altruism and Moral Philosophy
01:05:17 • 20min
A Critical Perspective on Heaven and Existential Reflections
01:25:15 • 2min
My Name is Stardust
Bailey Harris
Douglas Harris
Richard Dawkins
This book, written by a father-daughter duo and illustrated by Natalie Malan, explains how everything in our solar system, including humans, is made of stardust. It aims to get children excited about science and their connection to the cosmos. The book includes a foreword by Richard Dawkins and a glossary of scientific terms at the back.
Killers of the Flower Moon
Eric Roth
A non-fiction book by David Grann, adapted into a film.
Contraduction
The Hidden Fallacy that Inverts Reality
Dan Barker
In 'Contraduction: The Hidden Fallacy that Inverts Reality,' Dan Barker delves into the concept of 'contraduction,' a term he coined to describe a specific type of logical fallacy. This fallacy involves inverting reality, often seen in debates where the burden of proof is shifted or where arguments are presented in a way that distorts the actual issue. Barker, drawing from his extensive experience in debating religious and secular topics, provides examples and analyses to help readers understand and identify this fallacy. The book is aimed at enhancing critical thinking and logical argumentation skills, particularly in the context of religious and philosophical discussions.
The fallacy of fine-tuning
Why the Universe Is Not Designed for Us
Victor Stenger
In this book, Victor Stenger challenges the idea of cosmic fine-tuning, arguing that the universe's laws and constants can be explained by natural principles rather than requiring a designer or the existence of a multiverse. He contends that symmetry laws and other basic principles are sufficient to derive the basic laws of the universe, making fine-tuning unnecessary. Stenger also addresses various criticisms and alternative explanations, including the multiverse hypothesis and intelligent design arguments.
Would You Kill The Fat Man The Trolley Problem And What Your Answer Tells Us About Right And Wrong
David Edmonds
In this book, David Edmonds delves into the Trolley Problem, a famous philosophical thought experiment that raises questions about morality, utilitarianism, and the nature of right and wrong. The book examines why people often have different moral intuitions when faced with similar scenarios, such as diverting a trolley to kill one person versus pushing a man off a bridge to save five lives. Edmonds discusses the implications of these intuitions for ethical theories and our understanding of moral decision-making.
Opus
Gareth Gore
Gareth Gore's "Opus" investigates Opus Dei, a secretive Catholic organization, revealing its financial dealings, recruitment tactics, and influence on politics. The book details allegations of abuse, human trafficking, and the organization's use of dark money. Gore exposes the organization's complex structure, highlighting the roles of numeraries and supernumeraries, and their methods of control and manipulation. The book raises questions about the boundaries between devotion and coercion within the organization and its impact on American politics. It's a critical examination of Opus Dei's power and influence.
The Da Vinci Code
Dan Brown
In 'The Da Vinci Code', Robert Langdon is called to the Louvre Museum in Paris after the murder of the curator, Jacques Saunière. Along with French cryptologist Sophie Neveu, Langdon embarks on a perilous journey to decipher cryptic clues hidden in the works of Leonardo da Vinci. The plot revolves around an alternative religious history, suggesting that Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene had a child, and their descendants are protected by the Priory of Sion. The novel is a blend of relentless adventure, scholarly intrigue, and cutting wit, with numerous twists and turns that keep the reader engaged until the astonishing conclusion.
The Brothers Karamazov
Larissa Volokhonsky
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Richard Pevear
Set in 19th-century Russia, 'The Brothers Karamazov' is a novel that delves into the lives of the Karamazov family, focusing on the three brothers—Dmitri, Ivan, and Alyosha—and their complex relationships with their father, Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov. The novel is a murder mystery, a courtroom drama, and an exploration of erotic rivalry, faith, doubt, and reason. It examines the human psyche, moral dilemmas, and the search for meaning in a world fraught with suffering and uncertainty. The story revolves around the murder of Fyodor Pavlovich and the subsequent trial of Dmitri, accused of the crime, while exploring deeper themes of Russian life, social and spiritual striving, and the clash between faith and reason[2][5][4].
Mere Christianity
C.S. Lewis
In 'Mere Christianity', C.S. Lewis argues for the existence of God and defends Christian theology. The book is divided into four parts: the first argues for the existence of God based on the 'law of human nature'; the second defends Christian theology, including the 'Liar, lunatic, or Lord' trilemma regarding Jesus Christ; the third explores Christian ethics, including the cardinal and theological virtues; and the fourth discusses the Christian conception of God, particularly the Holy Trinity. Lewis also addresses topics such as free will, morality, sexual ethics, and the institution of marriage. The book is known for its clear and logical presentation of Christian apologetics and has been praised for its straightforward and humorous writing style[1][2][4].
Purpose Driven Life
Rick Warren
In 'The Purpose Driven Life', Rick Warren guides readers through a personal 42-day spiritual journey to transform their understanding of life's purpose. The book addresses three fundamental questions: Why am I alive? Does my life matter? What on Earth am I here for? Warren emphasizes that real meaning and significance come from understanding and fulfilling God’s eternal purposes for each person. The book is divided into short chapters, each designed to be read as a daily devotional, and includes God's five purposes for life: to love God, to be part of His family, to become like Christ, to serve Him, and to tell others about Him[2][4][5].
Purpose Driven Life
Rick Warren
In 'The Purpose Driven Life', Rick Warren guides readers through a personal 42-day spiritual journey to transform their understanding of life's purpose. The book addresses three fundamental questions: Why am I alive? Does my life matter? What on Earth am I here for? Warren emphasizes that real meaning and significance come from understanding and fulfilling God’s eternal purposes for each person. The book is divided into short chapters, each designed to be read as a daily devotional, and includes God's five purposes for life: to love God, to be part of His family, to become like Christ, to serve Him, and to tell others about Him[2][4][5].
Determined
A Science of Life without Free Will
Robert Sapolsky
In this thought-provoking conversation, Dan Barker, a former evangelical preacher turned prominent atheist and co-president of the Freedom from Religion Foundation, explains the current state of separation of Church and State, the influence of Catholicism on the Supreme Court, and the ongoing debates surrounding public education and religious symbols.
Barker also discusses the legal challenges tackled by his organization, and introduces “Contraduction,” a new philosophical concept that reexamines how beliefs and arguments can reverse in order and meaning.
Plus, the moral implications of belief systems and the fine-tuning argument for the existence of God, the nature of nothingness, and free will.
Dan Barker is co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, co-host of Freethought Radio, and co-founder of The Clergy Project. He worked 19 years as an evangelical minister and is a member of the Lenape (Delaware) tribe of American Indians. His new book is Contraduction.