Atheist Roundtable

Of all the apologetics I hear, the teleological argument, or the argument from design, was the one that used to convince me the most.  I would look at the universe and be in awe of its size, majesty, and wonder.  It really is an amazing universe! I used to think this was so impressive.  This universe must have been designed.  Look at all the things that look like they've been designed!  And even though we know my thoughts on this eventually changed, why did this flimsy argument hold my attention for so long? I want to talk about why apologetics work, and why I used to be convinced.  Spoiler:  I know realize it is nonsense.  

Ever heard this, "But my religion makes me happy.  Trying to be more like jesus makes me a better person.  Why would I want to give that up?"  I know you have.  I'll not deny any of this.  Religion CAN make you happy.  People who get better by trying to emulate jesus often DO get better.  How could something do this much good, and still be bad? Let's look at why religion makes people happy.  Can trying to be more like Harry Potter be just as effective?  Is religion doing this, or is it something else? Religion trys to be awesome, but it can't beat the awesomeness of this show! 

I don't have a topic, but when has that stopped a show.  Let's hang out together and just talk about whatever comes to mind.  This is a stream of conscience show, and tonight, it will be even more off the cuff than normal.

The great and glorious Craig Well, author of the Blasphemous Bible, returns to the Roundtable to announce the official release of his book.  The Blasphenous Bible is a line-by-line re-write of the King James Bible, with a fresh, satirical, satacastic, and delightfull tone.  He has taken possibly the hardest book to read, and made it enjoyable. The Blasphemous Bible is available NOW for pre-order!  Get your copt reserved NOW!! Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TheBlasphemousBible/ 8th House Publishing:  http://www.8thhousepublishing.com/books/non-fiction/blasphemous-bible Order the book!!:  http://www.8thhousepublishing.com/8thHouseStore/non-fiction/the-blasphemous-bible-by-craig-wells.html  

It's not a religion, it's a relationship.  We've heard that before.  Does that mean that when we leave religion behind, we have to break up with god?  And when our parents, friends, and relatives still want to hang out with the ex, that can make for a very weird holiday weekend.   Let's compare breaking up and losing god. It will be more awesome than getting dumped.

I think some of the most difficult beliefs we apostates have to leave behind are those concerning the afterlife.  Hell terrifies people for decades after one becomes an atheist.  The loss of heaven can be mourned like the loss of a close relative.   So what's the atheist to do with this?  If heaven leaves us, are we without hope?  I think NOT!  I think the only heaven worth wanting is the one we have been charged to create here, in the real world.  Now. Let's make the awesomesauce we want to see.

I'm listening to a preacher dude.  He wants to explain why god put the serpent in the garden.  I can't wait to hear what he has to say. Atheists will be familiar with all manner of rebuttals to this story.  From talking snakes to trees that should be metaphors, this story has more holes than a colander.  So when the preacher dude says restrictions grant freedom, I guess I should not be surprised. Join me for all the fun and awesomeness!!

Are you an anti-theist?  Are you anti-theism?  Is there a difference?  Does it matter?  I think there is a difference, and it does matter.   Let's talk about the definitions of these terms, what it means to assign these labels to ourselves and how we can make things better.   The awesome is on!

I needed to find a new religion, since my old Catholic one wasn't going to cut it anymore.  But which one?  How can I choose?  What ever shall I believe?  Let's get back into my deconversion story and pick up where we left off. Spoiler Alert:  I end up an atheist!  :)   Let's keep the awesomesauce flowing!!

It's been quite a while since I talked about my deconversion story.  I think it's time to go over that again.  It begins way back when I was going to a private, Catholic, high school... Take a journey with me down memory lane, as I re-visit my religious roots, and how I went from a staunch believer, to the unabashed atheist I am today.   Together, we are all more awesome than alone.  Let's be awesome together!

Every once in a while, someone will ask me what would convince me that god exists.  I guess I nomally respond, "I don't know", and while that's true, I sometimes think I should have a more in depth answer.  This is my long answer. My New Year's resolution is to get back to a regular schedule in podcasting.  Let's have lots of awesome in 2018!

I get to talk to Criag Wells, the author of The Blasphemous Bible.  The book isn't even out yet, and I got to interview him!!  I don't think I've ever had a more enjoyable interview than this one.  Craig is just such an awesome guy.  I can't imagine anyone I would rather have write a satirical version of the bible than Craig!   I love Craig's sense of humor.  His wit and style make me salivate at the idea of getting his book.  Join me in getting to know the guy who is going to put your most treasured book in your hands... one day. Awesomesauce!! http://www.8thhousepublishing.com/authors/craig-wells  

I've had a few conversations with people who disagree with me.  Believers, anti-vaxers, etc.  I've even had arguments with other atheists on things like last week's topic.  Often, it's easy to allow these conversations to become nothing but shouting contests, but does that really help? I'm beginning to think about tactics.  I still think there is a place for loud, adversarial arguments, but does every disagreement need to escalate to this?  I think we might make more headway with a different strategy. So let's talk strategy.  When do we chose diplomacy over diatribe?   The awesome is strong in all who listen.

I think the question, "Does god exist?" isn an answerable question.  Thus, I'm a gnostic atheist.  Yes, I'm taking some license with the term "gnostic", but I think this is acceptable.   What are your thoughts on being a gnostic atheist?  Do you think you could defend such a position? I'm making a comeback, and I'm doing it NOW! Join me and help create the awesomesauce!! https://www.facebook.com/AtheistRoundtable/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/522453927891457/

So sorry for the technical difficulties last week.  I think I've got it now.    This is what freethought freestyle should have been.

Kelsey and William join me again for another round at the Roundtable.  We didn't have a topic, but we sure covered a lot of ground.  From atheism vs agnosticism to cults vs. religions, we tackle it all, without a script to hold us back! Enjoy.

This week, William joins me again.  This time, we talk about the commandments in the bible.  We talk about the commandments we like, and the ones we'd like to have seen in the bible, but are sadly missing. It's a fun conversation about one of the best known portions of the good book, that isn't all that good.

This is part 2 of my interview with Gleb Tsipursky.  Thank you to Gleb for sharing his insights into why post-truth politics is here, and what we can do about it.  Please don't let this interview end without you going to the pro-truth pledge and signing up.  We need your support!! http://intentionalinsights.org/ gleb@intentionalinsights.org/ https://www.protruthpledge.org/

I get to talk to the one and only Gleb Tspursky, who is on a mission to make things better in a post-truth world.  We talk about what post truth is, how it works and what we can do about it. Gleb is amazing.  His passion is unequalled and his knowledge is unsurpassed.  I just loved this interview so much, it hurt to have to chop it into parts. Part 2 will air Tuesday at 11:00pm. http://intentionalinsights.org/ https://www.protruthpledge.org/ gleb@intentionalinsights.org/  

My friends Kelsey and William talk about those first things believers say to us, and how we respond.  It was a great time, even though the internet was not cooperating with us. The awesome is so awesome.

In a new format, the Atheist Roundtable is back!  Now, with more of a roundtable format.  Tonight, Kelsey joins me to discuss morals and ethics in atheism, and I bring a story about the separation of church and state. Join in the fun!  The awesome is overflowing!

I've talked about the evidence for god a lot.  And I've talked about how I don't find these arguments convincing.  Tonight, I'll talk about why I am not convinced and perhaps what it would take to convince me. I want to go over a few things I used to find convincing, and why I changed my mind.  How can something that once convinced me that god was real fail to do so now? Plus, your calls. It's just plain awesome.

Recently, I listened to an eposode of the Thinking Atheist podcast.  Seth was doing an interview with some Christian radio hosts.  More than once, the Christian hosts asked Seth what evidence would it take for him to be a believer again.  While I thought Seth handled the question well, this question comes up often, so I thought I'd give it a shot. Plus, I want to talk about some of the reasons why I find the evidence I've seen presented for the existence of god so unconvincing.   Plus your calls.  It's so awesome to be back!!

I got the idea for this show from my friend, Frank, who tweets at @Atheism_Tweets.  He told me to listen to the last caller on a recent episode of the Atheist Expirience.  The caller, Dana, told a heartbreaking story about her sister.  On her deathbed, Dana's sister calls to tell Dana she will go to hell for being an atheist. I talk a lot on this show about the atheist community.  The hosts of the show did a good job of trying to surround the caller with support and love.  I'm glad Dana was able to find some suport and help. But she shouldn't have to.  And so I want to talk about hell, the fear it causes, and why all superstitions about the afterlife are harmful. Plus your calls. We bring the awesome!!

I've changed my thinking since I was a believer.  Before, penance was something I did to make up for sin.  It was a way to show my desire to heal a broken relationship with the god I thought was real.  Now that I no longer believe, what does the concept of penance hold for me? I want to talk about how the idea of penance has evolved for me.  I think it's especially important in light of recent political events.  Now more than ever, we need more voices to be heard. Plus, your calls. Making the awesome saucy again.

I recently listened to the debate between Matt Slick and David Smalley.  The topic was the morality of the god of the Old Testament, but since the topic dealt with morality, I already knew what Matt Slick would say.  He's been saying it for years.  Perhaps you'll be surprised to find I agree with just as much of what Slick said as I do with what Smalley said.  I actually think they are both right, and also they are both wrong.  I think the difference is so subtle, it's hard to find.  I'll try to suss it out tonight. Plus your calls. The awesome is legion.

I've been a secular wedding officiant for a while now.  I've done a couple of weddings, even one for a christian couple.  Sometimes, people ask what the importance of getting married is for the atheist. I've been married for 18 years.  I'll tell you why I'm married, why I think the atheists I've married wanted it, and why it's important.   Plus I got a couple other things on my mind.   Do you have something on your mnd?  Call and be part of the awesomeness!!

"You can't reason someone out of a position they did not reson themselves into."  Or so the saying goes.  You've heard it over and over from your atheist friends.  Well, I disagree. Not entirely.  I don't think religion is a position one uses reason to reach.  But at the same time, I also don't think that means people who have faith are unreasonable people.  I just think they hold ideas to be true for bad reasons. I'll give my perspective on how reason and logic work when we land on beliefs, and how they help us when those beliefs need to be challenged. Plus your calls. Let the awesomness begin.

It's hard to find a conversation with a christian believer that does not involve the bible at some point.  Sooner or later you will have some quote thrown at you.  I find it less interesting in what the quote says, and more intersting what the choice of quote tells me about the person who chose it. We all know people cherry pick the bible, but what are the cherries?  When two people go to this book and come away with such varying views, it says less about the book than it does the pickers of the cheries. Plus, a brief conversation I had on Facebook this week.  Very brief. Look!!  The awesomeness comes two weeks in a row!!

I think it's about time I talked about this election.  I don't do a lot of politics, but I think this election is crazy enough to talk about it some.  While this may not have much to do woth atheism, it's what's been on my mind lately. I hear so much from people who are skeptical about our candidates.  And with good reason.  But is that a good enough reason to stay home or vote for a third party? I'll give my thoughts tonight. Got 2 cents?  Call and give 'em! Oh, the awesomeness!!

When I talk to believers, one of the "good things" religion is supposed to do is create a social network of people.  It is supposed to bring people together and make families of strangers.  It does this by allowing people to get to know each other quickly and in a friendly way.  But is religion really good at this?  What about beer? Sure I think people who share an imaginary friend can find other things in common and quickly bond, but I think the same thing can happen over beer and barbeque.  And which scenario is preferable?  Which is the one that makes better bonds? Do you have an opinion?  Call in and share it!! The awesome returns!!

June 4, 2016 was the second Reason Rally in Washington DC.  It was so awesome to be there!!  I got to hug so many of my friends, meet so many new friends, and just hang out with some of the most amazing people on the planet!!   But not everyone at the Reason Rally was there to support reason.  Some Christian protesters showed up, too.  They were forced to hang out on the sidelines, making them the literal side show at the Rally. I took a moment to stop by.  I had a recorder on me.  This is what happened. I'm afraid this episode will NOT be my triumphant come-back to podcasting regularly.  My wife is still going through chemo, and that is going to take another month or so.  I want to thank all my listeners for all their patience and support in this time!!  YOU ARE ALL THE SOURCE OF AWESOME SAUCE!!

We always hear from so many of the same atheists.  How about a new one?  This is Robert Burks.  Just a guy.  A fellow free-thinker and someone who wants to do more in the atheist movement.  He's a new voice in atheism, and I am honored to host his first podcast interview. Robert and I talk about his deconversion, and I throw a few of the questions every theist asks at him.  I think Robert's answers are as good as any. The awesomeness will not be denied!!

From the doctor's office in Indy, to a knock at my front door, I seem to be getting a lot of tracts these days.  Lots of people want to give me small pamphlets that tell me that I need saving. Let's talk about this form of "witnessing" and what I have to say about it. Plus, your calls. Guaranteed to be more awesome than a Chick Tract!!

I've had lots of conversations with believers.  Some were good apologists, others were just okay.  Who was the best aplogist I ever met?  Who made the arguments that I had the hardest time trying to refute?  Whose arguments drove me off the wall? It may surprise you to learn that while I was deconverting, I was the best apologist I knew.  I knew just how to argue with me.  I knew the reasons I believed, and I knew why I had doubts.   Today, those internal arguments serve as my starting point for many of my conversations with believers.   I'll explain why, and how I think this makes me better equiped today. Plus, your calls. Let the awesomeness flow!

My wife recently found out she had ovarian cancer.  Most people just offered support and kindness.  A few offered prayers.  How does an atheist react to that?  How SHOULD an atheist react to that?   I'll give my thoughts, as well as my real life reactions.  You may be surprised what did or did not happen. Plus, your calls. The awesomeness has returned!!

I've gone on record saying religion is a net evil.  That is, the good religion does is outwieghed by the bad.  So does that mean that I think if religion dissappeared things would be better?  The answer may surprise you. I'll talk about what I think would happen, what would not happen, and why.   This episode is a return to the rambling stream of thoughts this show does when it doesn't do interviews. So you could call in and give your two cents! Oh, the awesomeness!!

Trav Mamone is the host of the Bi Any Means podcast.  A humanist, bisexual, genderqueer, powerhouse of awesomeness, Trav brings such a wonderful, amazing voice to the podcasting world.  If you haven't found the treasure that is the Bi Any Means Podcast, do yourself a favor and give it a listen. Trav and I discuss their journey of self-discovery.  From diving into religion to swimming out, from always feeling like a square peg in a world of round holes, to the awesome person they are today.  Trav has a genuine quality about them that is just the best. http://www.bianymeans.com/ http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/bi-any-means-podcast https://www.facebook.com/bianymeanspodcast/ www.facebook.com/tmamone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAsK2Jbpc7c  

Women breastfeed.  It's a fact, and it shouldn't have to be shouded in taboo or under a banket.  At the 2nd Atheists of Facebook Online Convention, Ayla Braodnax presented on the Free the Nipple campaign, aimed at removing the taboo suurounding mothers feeding their children.   Somehow, we find ourselves in a society where it is okay to sell breasts, but not wear them.  What is up with that?!  Ayla talks about why we need to Free the Nipple and allow mothers to feed children when they are hungry, and not cater to the squeamish prudes that would attack a mother for doing what comes naturally for breasts. The awesomeness overflows!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu_37aJwROo

January 2, 2016 will be the Second Atheists of Facebook Online Convention.  Adam Collins is the man putting it all together.  The first convention was filled with amazing people, both new and veterans in the atheist movement.  Adam has even invited me to do a presentation in the upcoming event.  This is my first atheist presentation!! Adam is so awesome.  His passion for the movement, his humor and wit, along with his tireless efforts to make this movement something great make him the source of all awesome sauce. Mark your calendars!!  1/2/16!!

This is part 2 of my most awesome interview with Callie Wright.  In this episode, we dicuss everything from atheism to Star Trek and back.  Callie shows why she is an amazing person, and the kind of leader the atheist and LGBT community love. Then she closes my show with her show stopping style! If you don't know Callie, you don't know awesome sauce.

At ReasonCon, I was teamed up with an incredibly awesome partner for Skep-ardy.  Callie Wright is an amazing, wonderful, awesome leader of the LGBT rights movement AND the atheist movement.  To know Callie is to love Callie.  She is just so awesome. This is Part One of my interview with Callie.  She was kind enough to talk about being trans with me in the honest, frank, and kind manner for which she is so revered.  You cannot miss this!! I won't take calls, but this show will not spare the awesomeness.

The Thanksgiving holiday is over.  The things for which I am grateful are plentiful.  I'll talk about those things. Sometimes, people ask how the athest finds meaning or purpose in life.  I think this is backward.  It was when I lost religion that I found the meaning in life, and allthe things for which I am thankful today. Plus, your calls. I'm thankful for the awesome sauce!!

When I say I'm "anti-theism", I mean I think theism is bad.  I think any good it does is outweighed by the bad.  But that doesn't mean I'm "anti-theist".  Theists are lovely people.  They just hold bad ideas. Now I realize it's hard to separate the people from the ideas.  But I think we are more effective when we do.  I think that by contrasting the amazing person with the vile beliefs, this helps people realize they are better than their religion. Plus, your calls. Let the awesomesause flow once again!!

TW:  rape.  This show will discuss rape culture and other sensitive topics. This past week, I posted a video I found from a friend of the show's wall.  The video is of a couple of toddlers.  One acts inappropriately, but the tag from the original post and the music editied into the clip suggest the people who originally posted it thought it was cute and adorable.  I did not. The comment section was incredible. Most agreed that the child behaved badly, and wondered why there was no parental interaction.  But there were a few that thought my post and comments were over the top and outrageous. I'm going to talk about the video, the reactions it got, the comments on the post and why this is important. Did you see the post?  You can call and give me your impression. All the awesomeness will be here.

This is part 2 of my interview with Dave Foda. This is the part you wanted to hear.  We dive straight into strong atheism, why Dave says there is no god, the evidence he has to back that up and so much more awesomeness. After pondering over Dave's argument against an intercessory god, I've concluded it is a stronger argument than my own.  I must define a very specific god:  the all-knowing, all-powerful, all-good, perfect, creator of the universe, with a message for humanity.  Not every chrisitan believes in this god.  But every believer believes whatever god there is, it interferes with the physical universe.  Dave needs no further definition of god other than "supernatural medler" to disprove it. This is the awesomenes you've been waithing for!! Dave on Facebook:  facebook.com/dave.foda Twitter:  twitter.com/davefoda Sneetle:  facebook.com/sneetle Atheist Survival Guide:  facebook.com/AtheistSurvival Guide

It was over a year ago when I first heard Dave Foda asserting strong atheism, that is the stance that god does not exist.  Dave finds the idea that he simply lacks a belief in a god does not accurately describe his atheism.  This is Part 1 of about an hour I spent with Dave exploring how he defends his position. Dave Foda onFacebook: facebook.com/dave.foda Dave Foda on Twitter: twitter.com/davefoda Sneetle on Facebook: facebook.com/sneetle Dave Foda and the crew at ASG: facebook.com/AtheistSurvivalGuide Support this show:  www.patreon.com/atheistroundtable

The last religious thing I ever did was I got my son circumcised.  It was weird then,  I wasn't an atheist yet, but I wasn't religious, either.  Still, my wife and I made the choice to have this done.  Was it wrong? By the time my daughter was born, we were anxious about the possibility of having another boy.  Would we get this one circumcised?  How wierd would it be to have one cut and one un-cut?  I guess lcuk had it that it was a decision we did not have to make. Since that moment 10 years ago, my views on this practice have evolved.  I'll give my take on how. Plus your calls. Awesomeness will be in excess!! Please support the show on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/atheistroundtable?ty=h

The first time I tried this show, the audio sucked.  The second time I couldn't login.  I'm doing this show again, damnit!! If this sounds crazy, why do believers reverse it on atheists?  Why do so mant think that it took some tragedy to make us atheists?  It seems so strange to say this way, why would it ever work in reverse? I think it is far more likely to work in reverse, actually.  I think this arguement is one more example of believers projecting their insecurities onto atheists. Plus your calls. Let's get this awesomeness on!

We've all heard the claim that atheists aren't believers because we've been hurt by a believer.  And we all know how crazy that accusation is. But could it work the other way? Have you ever heard of a believer encountering trauma and becoming "renewed" in the faith?  Are funerals places where evangelizing is rampant?  Could a person turn to faith in a crisis when they think they have nowhere else to turn? I'll give my take,  Plus your calls. Awesomeness in 5, 4, 3, 2, ...

You've all heard the conversation I had with Kurt from Gospel Billboards, but I haven't made any commentary yet.  This episode, I'll talk about why I called, and why I think these kinds of discussions are good. You can hear the whole conversation on YouTube here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFu5ZE05Y4c   Plus, your calls. Let the awesomeness flow.