Oh the Humanity!

I explore a PBS show We Believe in Dinosaurs. Oh, and by the way, I saw a funny cartoon recently in which a couple of dinosaurs were surviving the flood via a mountaintop, and saw the ark heading off in the distance. One of them asked, "Oh, was that today?!" --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

I discuss a couple of chapters. And play electric bass too! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

Momentum - I discuss the Texans EPIC meltdown against the Chiefs, 1/12/2020. This one’s going in the history books. Then how does momentum factor into the Jesus movement? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

I’m a heretic! Watch out! Sponsor: Also try this link http://bit.ly/prime-color and not http://bit.ly/prime-colors Both work, but prime color goes straight to the Prime page. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

I’m looking forward to 2020 as I discuss an encounter I had with a business associate who launched into a presentation about Mormonism. Did not see that coming. By the way, I mention a Network Marketing and religious come on saying "the plan, the plan!" comparing it to a 70s TV show. I found it: Fantasy Island. "Roarke was known for his white suit and cultured demeanor, and was initially accompanied by an energetic sidekick, Tattoo, played by Hervé Villechaize. Tattoo would run up the main bell tower to ring the bell and shout "Ze plane! Ze plane!" to announce the arrival of a new set of guests at the beginning of each episode." When he said Ze plane, it did sound like the plan, the plan. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

I discuss a chapter called What the Hell? And one called I Agree. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

I discuss what a spiritual memoir is, and why book isn’t one thank God. And a bit about how a respected author lost two jobs for suggesting that the resurrection of saints was an apocalyptic symbol. The shock heard round the world after he said that! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

Ok I’m working my way out of the church, since, we’ll, since I don’t believe in God anymore. But what about all my friends? Am I gonna be sad? Oh and I play some live upright bass later in this episode. That makes me happy. Hopefully you too. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

I’m actually playing my bass during this episode. That’s a first. And discussing one of the first chapters I wrote on this journey towards non-belief. Also, a correction. In this episode I mentioned Bill Goddard, but the name I meant was Bill Gothard, and yes we did hop in a bus and drive to Fort Worth (from Iowa!) to listen to him and his teachings about burning all your rock-n-roll CDs and other deep-state Christian stuff. https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2018/10/24/the-disturbing-legacy-of-bill-gothard-says-a-lot-about-todays-christian-right/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

Today I bring a variety of things, including a bit from comedian Nick Thune, of of Bellevue Community College's notable alumni. I also discuss the word Apocalypticist as a handy six syllable word you might find useful in trivia games. It also describes Jesus and many of his contemporaries. I also mention the prayer life of Nancy Pelosi. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

I discuss witchcraft, oh my. That is, that it used to be part of the law as of the 17th century. I then go on to read over 2 chapters from my book: Catfished? and Mack the Guru. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

A bit of reading on this Thanksgiving Day 2019. Plus a couple of jokes

I discuss why Christian comedians aren't very funny, and then discuss the topic of evil. (The show with the good child actors is called Emergence.) Correction: I mention Dave Warnock appearing on the Grateful Atheist, but no, it's called the Graceful Atheist. https://youtu.be/w_prmxWrWMg --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

I am just reminded of the famous Nietzsche quote “God is dead,” and what a clamor that caused. But I was not thinking about that when I came up with the title of this chapter. I discuss Necromancy, and the instance of a pastor "talking to Jesus" live in front of thousands of people, as if he's still alive. Later I discuss a chapter I wrote about the life of Paul which I called DePaul. Paul's voice, or whoever wrote that stuff, makes up the majority of the New Testament, so much so that it could really be called the Church of Paul. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

In this episode I discuss 2 chapters from my book. 1. Fake News 2. Oh God I love Rock n' Roll --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

In this episode I discuss Franklin Graham criticizing people who have stepped away from the faith. I then summarize a few chapters of my upcoming book Oh the Humanity!: You're not even 50 - discusses an article that asks if Jesus lived a longer life than is widely known based on a verse in which some disciples said to him "You're not even 50." What's Your Spiritual Gift - I discuss the irony of claiming the gift of discernment while also being a Christian. The two don't fit together.   Look Ma No Hands - discusses pastor analogies. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

Hello folks. Today I meandered around speaking of Billy Graham, a chapter called Don't Deny the Tithe (about giving money to the church even while totally in debt to credit cards and the IRS), and finally the "Is There a God?" question, which is a better one than "do you believe in God?" --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

I noticed that many of the songs we played in church today centered around a theme of people being in shame, hopeless, and in chains. Then I realized it was because the sermon topic was Acts 26, discussing Paul in chains making his case with King Agrippa and Festus. Agrippa considered what Paul had to say, but Festus was like "dude, you're bat crazy." I then discuss a Table of Contents I recently compiled for my book, Oh The Humanity. It's not published officially, but you can contact me and buy it if you want. It's a 1,200 page pdf file right now LOL, although there's a page break after each chapter, so some of those pages are blank. It's about 420 pages long if it were in a hard copy. By the way, the word I couldn't think of while recording this was ambition. On the one hand humans are being described as being completely covered in shame, in guilt, in a tomb as it were, and more or less like zombies. My point is that no, human beings can be ambitious and recover from hard times with the help of friends. With a little pride and ambition too and learning from others. Jesus isn't a way out for you, since he died like all other human beings have. But learning from other people, especially those who have lived since the world was discovered to be round, is the right option if you are struggling. And if you're not struggling, consider helping others, with no secret religious agenda. Just because it's the right thing to do and you want to experience the happiness of helping people.. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

I tried something new today - an impromptu episode based on a few topics, and not on a chapter from my writings. I discuss being here now. What I mean is, as opposed to after I die, people like to say, well, he's going to a better place, he's still with us, etc. My point is, that as a non believer now, I don't feel I'll still be around somewhere participating from afar, in tomorrowland. But I'm here now. Let's meet, let's jam on music, let's write, create. I go on to discuss 2 other topics: Amber Guyger being told she's forgiven and handed a Bible, before they carted her off to jail for 10 years. And the other one was the Kentucky Governor and his state-sponsored Bring your Bible to School Day video. By the way, this improv style approach seems to take longer and Anchor cut me off at 30 minutes. I guess there was a limit I was unaware of, so even though I wasn't done yet, the episode stops right at 30 min. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

This episode features me reading a chapter written early on in my progression away from believing in God. I discuss a car accident a friend had that could've been way worse, but fortunately my friend survived. But then, everyone began saying God stepped into that situation because it wasn't his time to go. I disagree with that and surmise that physics took over, and my friend was very fortunate indeed, but no thanks to God (who doesn't exist anyway of course). --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

Yes that's the title of an old hymn, and when you hear the title, you think good things, right? Those faithful men! (What about the women?) But in this episode I call into question the honesty of faith, and discuss the consequences, and discuss The Clergy Project which helps transition people out of their "faith" into a life with no supernatural divinity. Just human beings like you and me. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

This episode addresses how distractions have been used since the dawning of Christianity to take our eyes off of the core question: Is there really a God? Or more accurately, distractions have taken our eyes off of the fact that the God-factor is a made up story, but if we introduce enough side topics to keep the discussion going, such as gender equality, or homosexuals in the priesthood, we'll forget what the original topic was: that there is no God anyway. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

I ask why it's considered honorable to declare truth about there being a God, but not to declare otherwise, and why or how such declarations can be made in the first place. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

I review one of my earlier chapters where I object to the following question: “I asked an atheist once if he really truly believed that there was no God, and so therefore there was no morality and no absolute right or wrong or overarching purpose to life.” I object, because as human beings we can be moral and respectful and loving with each other without depending on religious scripts, in my opinion. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

In this episode i gloss over a couple of different chapters from my unpublished book. The first discusses how Christians seem to be experts at suffering, and I have an idea as to why. I also mention briefly another chapter Oops, Try Again, a phrase from the shell game. I discuss Christians and finances. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

In the 7th chapter I wrote, I explored what people are free to write and say as a Christian person. Does it encourage others? Lift them up? Better their lives? What could a person write who doesn't believe in God anymore? Who is that going to help? I wrote on anyway for the sake of being honest with myself. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

A brand new chapter is coming! Although it's as yet unfinished, it's close enough for jazz. I heard from a friend about how it's OK to alter your positions over time between agnosticism and atheism and pure faith etc. I appreciated that feedback, and was inspired to explore this topic of doubt by looking into the phrase Benefit of the Doubt, defined as: “a concession that a person or statement must be regarded as correct or justified, if the contrary has not been proven.” And that leads to having to prove a negative, that there is no God. Well well, there's so much here to be considered. I welcome all comments. Try clicking on Leave a Voice Message, and also please consider becoming a sponsor of this podcast. Since I'm not quite using my real name, I can't share amongst my friends, and depend on people like you who appreciate and consider this topic as valuable. Enjoy. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

OK, in this dangerous chapter I venture into the sacred "Jesus for the kids" topic. Adults may or may not believe, but it's for the kids! We need to keep them safe. And so, instead of Art camp, or Golf camp, there's VBS! Vacation Bible School. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

Is it safe to come out and speak openly that there's no God? Who will be offended? And yes, that is the classic line from "Marathon Man" and is relevant to my current situation. Is it indeed safe to go tell it on the mountain that there is no God? I then mention a film I saw in which Muslim women should expect to be groped if walking down the street without a male companion, or not wearing proper Muslim attire. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

In this quick one-off recording (not based on a chapter from my book at all), I challenge these two gentlemen to debate me as to why they still believe in God. Klavan was a well known atheist and now is not? How did he arrive at that? Shapiro was offended by someone's suggestion that he clearly had not done his homework on the subject. I'd say in his life he's dome more homework than most. But how do you get there to belief in God? And why? How does a great debater (Ben) and philosopher (Andrew) end up right back in the camp of a belief in a 3-letter word, or a 7-letter one, or a one-letter word not to be spoken out loud. Whatever. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

Before I happened upon Anchor, I recorded a couple of episodes in Garage Band and felt like they're worthy of including into this new Anchor pod by way of import. Share / Export podcast to disc, and then we get an m4a file. I didn't select mono though, but at 3.3 MB it's not too large I don't think. In this episode I touch on maybe 8 or 9 chapter titles such as: Have I been Catfished and SYOTOS. This episode serves as an introductory talk, take 2 :) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

Rather than always going back to 2015 when I started writing this monstrous project, I decided that today why not read from the most recent chapters I've written? The latest is called The Original Extremists, and just before that was The Blind Leading the Blind? That latest chapter ponders why such over the top language was used to describe God and Hell, and then considers attending a Creative Writing class with that assignment. The Blind chapter discusses leading a person out of one major religion right into another one. Whoops! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

A friend wants to talk with me about something very important. Well, surprise! He wanted to share with me about being a Mormon. In our discussion it came to light that I didn't believe in God, so he argued that I must be retarded. His words, not mine. In this episode I discuss that and the chapter that came about as a result: Book of Moroni, which is an actual book title in the Book of Mormon. (Not the Broadway play.) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

In this episode, Richard reads from the 8th chapter of his book which compares the story of Lazarus to Texas Hold 'em. He also notices how rapidly the story of Hands Up Don't Shoot traveled across America and wonders, did something similar happen back in the time of Jesus? He also confesses publicly that he no longer believes in God after 30 years as a born again believer, and 20 years as a professional Christian musician. He also explains the story of how he began writing every morning about this for over two years as a way to work things out, since writing is his way of understanding his own thoughts. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support