The Atheist Experience

In today’s Atheist Experience, Justin and Jim Barrows dissect the flimsy foundations of faith, critique the peculiar "design" of the human body, and explore the logical leaps required to uphold belief in the face of scientific understanding. They challenge callers on everything from deconstruction guilt and family relationships to questionable links between Kabbalah and quantum physics.Mary Cate in NC is working through deconstruction and feels guilty, missing her religious community. The hosts suggest building new secular communities and emphasize that maintaining family relationships without endorsing beliefs is not dishonest. What steps can one take to navigate these complex social dynamics?Ben in KS, an agnostic, questions if science’s inability to explain "spirituality" or deeper layers of existence leaves room for God, citing particle-wave duality. Hosts challenge him to define which God and argue that naturalistic explanations, supported by Occam's Razor, remain the most coherent approach. If a God is added, how does one explain that God's grounding?Daisy in WA asks if dogmatic religions can be disproven, unlike deism. Justin and Jim provide numerous examples of internal contradictions within the Bible and the Quran, highlighting scientific errors and failed prophecies. How do these internal inconsistencies challenge the claims of divine inspiration?Hannah claims that modern physics, specifically the concept of ten dimensions and the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, provides evidence for Kabbalah and an unknowable Godhead. The hosts dismiss these as coincidental numerical matches and misrepresentations of scientific principles without testable evidence. Why do such parallels, without supporting evidence, often amount to pareidolia?Benji, a theist, discusses the point of converting atheists if worship is subjective and brings up the "terra fallacy" regarding insufficient evidence. The hosts clarify the distinction between belief and worship, stating that objective evidence of God's existence would be compelling, unlike failed prophecies. What kind of evidence would be universally convincing for existence, but not necessarily for worship?Jim in MO asks if free will truly exists with an omniscient, omnipotent God. Justin and Jim explain that while omniscience alone doesn't negate free will, combining it with omnipotence creates a problem of predetermination and the problem of evil. Does God's ultimate power mean our choices are merely part of a divine plan?Thank you for joining us this week! We will see you next time!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.

In today’s thought-provoking episode of The Atheist Experience, Forrest Valkai and Deconstruction Zone Justin dive into the persistence of bad arguments, the misinterpretation of scientific findings, and the profound impact of beliefs on personal and societal well-being.Rook in NY posits that belief in God isn't inherently bad, suggesting that in a "perfect world," individuals could hold such beliefs privately without negative consequences. Justin and Forrest counter that religious beliefs inevitably influence behavior and policy, citing historical examples of religiously motivated oppression and arguing that even private beliefs can hinder personal growth and societal progress, as beliefs don't stay in a vacuum. Rook ultimately acknowledges his point's shortcomings upon deeper scrutiny. What are the broader implications of beliefs that remain unchallenged?Simone in United Kingdom presents a syllogism, arguing that if thoughts are part of reality and we think God exists, then God exists as part of that reality. The hosts challenge this, asking if imagining a creature means it truly exists, and if this is a genuine reason for belief or a fear of hell. Simone reveals she is still in the early stages of deconstructing her Christian upbringing and has more questions than answers. How does one navigate a deconstruction journey when fundamental beliefs are questioned?Brisbane in AZ questions satanic atheism, claiming an AI overview suggests it promotes self-indulgence and a rejection of altruism. Forest refutes this by reading the Satanic Temple’s actual tenets, which include compassion and justice, and critiques Brisbane's reliance on inaccurate AI summaries over primary sources. The discussion highlights the dangers of trusting AI for complex information and the importance of critical thinking in evaluating belief systems. What role should AI play in informing one's understanding of complex philosophical or religious concepts?Robert in GA challenges the hosts on Jesus's fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and asserts that the complexity of life necessitates a creator, claiming the Big Bang violates thermodynamics. Justin explains how Robert's cited prophecies are taken out of context and not messianic, while Forest refutes the scientific claims, pointing to evolution and the accurate understanding of thermodynamics. The hosts urge Robert to engage with actual scientific and biblical scholarship rather than relying on misinformed arguments. How do individuals overcome ingrained misinformation when seeking truth?Hindu in India argues that consciousness, rather than emerging from the brain, is an ultimate reality of the universe, aligning with the Vedic concept of Brahman. Justin and Forest press for empirical evidence, pointing to how brain modifications alter personality, contradicting the idea of consciousness as an external driver. The hosts emphasize that materialism offers an evidence-based framework for consciousness, while idealism often relies on presuppositions. What scientific breakthroughs would truly bridge the gap between materialist and idealist views of consciousness?Robin in FL shares a family claim that a "spark of life" at conception, supposedly visible during horse breeding, proves the existence of a soul. Justin and Forest clarify that this "spark" is a scientific observation of zinc release during fertilization, not a visible soul, often misinterpreted from studies on mice. They question the logical extensions of this argument, such as mice having souls, and the implications for asexual reproduction. How do scientific findings become distorted and adopted into religious or spiritual narratives?Chris in KS raises the question of circular reasoning in Old Testament prophecies applied to Jesus, particularly Isaiah 7. Justin affirms this circularity, explaining that such prophecies often require secondary interpretations not supported by their original context, challenging the criteria for true prophecy. Forest then discusses gender, distinguishing it from sex as a fluid, socially constructed spectrum not bound by a binary, and encourages self-reflection for deeper understanding. How can an individual reconcile deeply held religious beliefs with evolving scientific and social understandings?Thank you so much Richard for being here thank you Forest and thank you crew we'll see you again next week uh same time same place 5:30 uh Eastern time 4:30 Central time bye!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.

Believe in God? Call the show on Sundays 4:30pm-6:00pm CT: 1-512-991-9242 or use your computer 💻 http://tiny.cc/callaxp and tell us what you believe and why!We request pronouns as part of the call screening process on our shows, and we display the pronouns our callers provide. If you see a caller with no pronouns indicated, this is because they chose not to provide us with any, and we respect that decision.► Don't like commercials? Become a patron for ad-free content & more: https://www.patreon.com/theatheistexperience►Podcast versions of the show may be found at: https://www.spreaker.com/show/theatheistexperience► Atheist Experience merch can be found at: http://bit.ly/aenmerch► Become a YouTube member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCprs0DXUS-refN1i8FkQkdg/join► Join the ACA Fan Discord: https://tiny.cc/acadiscordVISIT THE ACA'S OFFICIAL WEB SITE http://www.atheist-community.org (The Atheist Community of Austin) TheAtheistExperience is the official channel of The Atheist Experience. "The Atheist Experience" is a trademark of the ACA. The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, or callers are their own and not necessarily representative of the Atheist Community of Austin.Opening Theme: Shelley Segal "Saved" http://www.shelleysegal.com/ Limited use license by Shelley Segal Copyright © 2011 Shelley Segal Copyright © 1997-2025 Atheist Community of Austin. All rights reserved.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.

Forrest Valkai, Secular Rarity, and The Cross Examiner, later joined by JMike and Objectively Dan, dive into complex discussions on the nature of evidence for God's existence, the reliability of personal experience in validating supernatural claims, and the logical coherence of philosophical arguments for a divine being. They confront callers with critical analysis, aiming to clarify the distinctions between belief, reason, and empirical reality.Orrick in Mexico argues atheism is fallacious, ignoring human experiences, citing a prayer-answered "blue line" guiding him. Hosts assert personal anecdotes are unreliable, suggesting natural explanations like the brain's problem-solving. How do we distinguish genuine divine intervention from subjective interpretation in stressful situations?cCaleb in "Wallaby Armpits" (WA), a Catholic, presents the argument that God is "existence itself" and the "unmoved mover," influenced by Thomas Aquinas. Hosts critique this philosophical approach as conflating concepts and lacking empirical basis, highlighting the need for real-world evidence. Can complex philosophical arguments for a necessary being truly lead to a specific, interacting God?Our Executive Producer Greg James asks the hosts some fun and insightful questions.Thank you for joining us this week! We will see you next time!Believe in God? Call the show on Sundays 4:30pm-6:00pm CT: 1-512-991-9242 or use your computer 💻 http://tiny.cc/callaxp and tell us what you believe and why!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Secular Rarity and JMike dive into various arguments for belief, including personal, historical, and philosophical claims, challenging callers to define their terms and defend their positions against logical scrutiny and internal contradictions. They also explore the practical applications of critical thinking in constructing a secular moral framework.Marianne in NJ calls in to present personal experience, scientific, and historical evidence for Christianity, focusing on the Bible's supposed singular narrative written over 1500 years by 40 writers. The hosts challenge this idea with the Documentary Hypothesis, noting the Bible's internal contradictions, and quickly identify her reasoning as circular. They question the utility of her "Google this" approach and dismiss her car crash analogy as not representative of the Gospels' discrepancies. Why does the God of the Bible continue to be described as loving when his actions are anything but?Sam in AZ initially seeks to discuss scientific and historic arguments for God, but quickly pivots to advocating for a "general theism" and then the ontological argument. The hosts challenge the coherence of arguing for a God about whom nothing is known, using a "bare designer" analogy to highlight the lack of predictive power in such a vague concept. They press him to provide a specific version of the ontological argument, which he struggles to articulate clearly. What distinguishes a "general theism" from other unsubstantiated claims?  Unable to actually carry on an intelligent conversation, Sam resorts to racial and anti-lgbtq+ slurs before rage quitting, but thanks to the magic of editing, you won’t hear the slurs! We did however leave in the hosts justified ridicule of this immature tactic.  You're welcome!Rich in CT questions the Council of Nicaea, believing it's where "the whole Jesus bullshit started" and wonders why it isn't discussed more. Hosts explain that while the Council does not inherently disprove Christianity, its historical context should invite skepticism. They note that many self-professed Christians are not knowledgeable on this history and recommend Bart Ehrman's work for deeper insight. Can historical skepticism lead to a more honest understanding of religious origins?Watcher in PA presents life, love, and goodness as evidence for God. Focusing on "God is love" from 1 Corinthians 13:4, the hosts construct a modus tollens argument, contrasting this definition of love with God's actions in the Bible, such as commanding the slaughter of innocent infants. They highlight the special pleading involved in Watcher's justification of such acts as "judgment," challenging him to admit the contradiction inherent in his definition of love. Does the Bible's portrayal of God align with any consistent definition of love?Lord in CA introduces his secular moral framework called "compression logic," which aims to ethically remove contradictions from systems by focusing on reducing suffering, recognizing all variables, preserving existence, and allowing mobility. The hosts question the foundational basis for these four moral pillars, discussing the long-standing debate between moral realism and anti-realism. They also push for a more precise definition of "collapse" in his framework, differentiating between tangible and conceptual failures, and suggest exploring the works of Immanuel Kant and constructivism. Can a moral framework truly avoid collapse if its foundational principles are not universally accepted or clearly defined?Thank you for joining us this week! We will see you next time!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.