Podcast appearances and mentions of John W Loftus

Author and activist John W. Loftus has published an article based on his 2021 book "God & Horrendus Suffering." He gave me permission to share his ideas with you.

Show NotesJosh Parikh is an old friend of ours having contributed to our Discussion Groups over many years as a Christian Apologist who has always thought deeply about the issues and maintained intellectual integrity. He has been on a journey, especially having engaged with Biblical scholarship. This has overlapped with his time at Oxford University and continued since graduating. Like many, he has remained a Christian and has moved in a ‘progressive' direction. Josh recently gave a talk “A Tumultuous Period in Apologetics?” to the “Unbelievable Christian and Skeptic Discussion Group” in London, and we were eager to have him share that material on the show. Josh sees a crisis not just in the scandals such as with Ravi Zacharias but at a root conflict between the aims of apologetics in conservative Christianity and the commitments involved in genuine scholarship. We had so much to talk about that we will need 2 shows to benefit fully from Josh's wisdom. Links:We strongly recommended this podcast: “The Rise & Fall of Mars Hill” Randal Rauser books in conversation with atheists:“God or Godless?: One Atheist. One Christian. Twenty Controversial Questions.” by John W. Loftus and Randal Rauser 2013“An Atheist and a Christian Walk into a Bar: Talking about God, the Universe, and Everything” by Randal Rauser and Justin Schieber 2019 Josh recommends: “The Death and Resurrection of the Beloved Son – the Transformation of Child Sacrifice and Christianity: The Transformation of Child Sacrifice in Judaism and Christianity” 1995 by Jon D Levenson YouTube clips :The film Andrew mentioned - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLbDSxTUuIoThe apologist who previously was hot on resolving contradictions -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk1cPnnz-Go Doubts Aloud Links:Please give feedback and ask questions using: doubtsaloud@gmail.com Join the Facebook Group discussions:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1023280847835278/ Meet us all in person again at the monthly “Unbelievable Christian and Skeptic Discussion Group” in central London, see:https://www.meetup.com/Unbelievable-Christian-and-Skeptic-Discussion-Group-London

We mark the anniversary of the January 6 insurrection by hearing FFRF attorney Andrew Seidel describe the Christian Nationalism of the rioters. Representative Don Beyer (VA) explains why he is a member of the Congressional Freethought Caucus and we hear Representative Jamie Raskin (MD) stressing the need to talk about fascism. Then we talk with former evangelical minister and Christian apologist, John W. Loftus, about his new anthology God and Horrendous Suffering.

We mark the anniversary of the January 6 insurrection by hearing FFRF attorney Andrew Seidel describe the Christian Nationalism of the rioters. Representative Don Beyer (VA) explains why he is a member of the Congressional Freethought Caucus and we hear Representative Jamie Raskin (MD) stressing the need to talk about fascism. Then we talk with former evangelical minister and Christian apologist, John W. Loftus, about his new anthology God and Horrendous Suffering.

Interview with Author John W. Loftus. He has written and been involved with several books about religion:The Christian Delusion: Why Faith FailsUnapologetic: Why Philosophy of Religion Must EndThe Outsider Test for FaithChristianity in the Light of ScienceWhy I Became an Atheistand several more......Investing Skeptically: Tactual investing, Death of Mutual funds, survivorship bias.

Atheist scholar, author, and former minister John W. Loftus shares his story of de-conversion from religious faith and presents arguments for assuming an outsider perspective toward one's ideology.

Interview with John W. Loftus. We discuss his newest book " The Case Against Miracles". John and several other writers explains why Miracles likely do not happen.John has several other books on religion:- Unapologetic- Christianity in the light of science- How to defend the christian faith: Advice from an Atheist- Christianity is NOT Great- God or Godless?- The Outsider Test for Faith- Why I became an Atheist- The end of Christianity- The Christian DelusionInvesting Skeptically: ESG investing.

John W. Loftus is editor of the new anthology, "The Case Against Miracles." Loftus joins Seth Andrews to define "miracle," and to talk about why claims of miracles fail at every level.The book is available now at https://amzn.to/2qG7CPs

John Loftus is an Atheist and author of several books on leaving religion including The Christian Delusion, The End of Christianity, Why I BecameJohn W. Loftus – Naked Diner Ep 158 was first posted on August 26, 2019 at 11:58 am.©2016 "ZXH Creative". Use of this feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this article in your feed reader, then the site is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact me at zxhcreative@gmail.com

Author John W. Loftus earned MA, MDiv, and ThM degrees in philosophy of religion, the last of which was under William Lane Craig. John also studied in a PhD program at Marquette University. He is the author of several books including "The Case Against Miracles"

Encore release July 12, 2018. Encore release April 4, 2017. Originally posted July 1, 2010.

John W. Loftus earned M.A. and M.Div. degrees in theology and philosophy from Lincoln Christian Seminary. He then attended Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and received a Th.M. degree in philosophy of religion. Before leaving the church, he had ministries in Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana, and taught at several Christian and secular colleges. The author of Why I Became an Atheist: A Former Preacher Rejects Christianity and The Outsider Test for Faith: How to Know Which Religion Is True,Loftus is also the editor of The Christian Delusion: Why Faith Fails; The End of Christianity; and Christianity Is Not Great: How Faith Fails. Check out more from John W. Loftus at: http://debunkingchristianity.blogspot.com/

Saturday 4/15/16 1pm ET/12pm CTRL/7am MTN/6am Pac Call in and listen and ask questions or share comments at 1-347-934-0379 or online at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/healingxoutreach/2017/04/15/debate-is-the-resurrection-of-jesus-history-or-mythology-albrecht-vs-loftus You can also listen via Six screens telenetwork at (712) 432-8710 When prompted dial 9925. Have a comment would like to talk with us press *1 to unmute yourself or by video suite at: http://www.sixscreensofthewatchtower.com/telenetwork/telenetwork-directions.php Atheist John W. Loftus is a prolific author of several books such as: Why I Became an Atheist: A Former Preacher Rejects Christianity, The Christian Delusion: Why Faith Fails, Christianity Is Not Great: How Faith Fails, and How to Defend the Christian Faith: Advice from an Atheist among many others. He is the founder of the website, http://debunkingchristianity.blogspot.com/. He earned two master's degrees at Lincoln Christian University and at Trinity Evangelical DivinityUniversity under William Lane Craig. He is an accomplished debater.  Catholic Apologist William Albrecht is also an accomplished debater who has a B.A. in theology and is a member of the Catholic Legate. You can find out more about him at: http://catholic legate.com/ and http://www.youtube.com/gnrhead 

Interview with John W. Loftus. He is the author of "Unapologetic: Why Philosophy of Religion Must End" and several other books on religion. He argues that public universities must stop teaching philosophy of religion. Investing Skeptically: The new fiduciary rule. Will it take place, will it be delayed, what is it?

Saturday 12/17/16 1pm ET/12pm CTRL/7am MTN/6am Pac Call in and listen and ask questions or share comments at 1-347-934-0379 or online at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/healingxoutreach/2016/12/17/btr-the-virgin-birth-debate-atheist-john-loftus-vs-catholic-william-albrecht You can also listen via Six screens telenetwork at (712) 432-8710 When prompted dial 9925. Have a comment would like to talk with us press *1 to unmute yourself or by video suite at: http://www.sixscreensofthewatchtower.com/telenetwork/telenetwork-directions.php Atheist John W. Loftus is a prolific author of several books such as: Why I Became an Atheist: A Former Preacher Rejects Christianity, The Christian Delusion: Why Faith Fails, Christianity Is Not Great: How Faith Fails, and How to Defend the Christian Faith: Advice from an Atheist among many others. He is the founder of the website, http://debunkingchristianity.blogspot.com/. He earned two master's degrees at Lincoln Christian University and at Trinity Evangelical DivinityUniversity under William Lane Craig. He is an accomplished debater.  Catholic Apologist William Albrecht is also an accomplished debater who has a B.A. in theology and is a member of the Catholic Legate. You can find out more about him at: http://catholic-legate.com/, http://www.youtube.com/gnrhead and http://www.godtube.com/catholic/

Ep 077: Jamil | Muslim-Christian Ponders Prayer | Street Epistemology San Antonio, Texas 23 September 2015 More details about this talk below. Twitter: https://twitter.com/magnabosco Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magnabosco210 Playlist of Street Epistemology: http://tinyurl.com/PL-AM-ST-EPS Playlist of SE Breakdown Tutorials: http://tinyurl.com/PL-AM-SE-BD-TUTORIALS Playlist of Secular Exchanges: http://tinyurl.com/PL-AM-SEC-EXCH Playlist of Interviews & Presentations: http://tinyurl.com/PL-AM-ST-TALKS Playlist of Bails & Fails: http://tinyurl.com/PL-AM-SE-BANDF Want to Learn More About Street Epistemology? Read the Book: Peter Boghossian: 'A Manual for Creating Atheists' http://tinyurl.com/SE-PB-AMFCA Jamil was raised by a Muslim father and Christian mother with competing teachings, which may explain why accepts neither one. He did, however, still believe in a God with 100 percent confidence, largely because of prayer. I was tempted to tell Jamil that he was a walking Outsider Test for Faith (read the book by John W. Loftus), but that may have just confused things, and wasn't really helpful to the conversation at the time. After approximately 11 minutes of friendly talk with an sincere focus on the efficacy of prayer, Jamil decided that 60 percent would be a more honest position for his confidence in his God belief. Music provided by Chet Hovatter. Mistakes: It was nearly 100F at the time and I was eager to take a break, but I regret not giving Jamil a few more seconds of reflection at the end of the talk after he lowered his confidence to the 60% mark. I should have also offered him a word of encouragement for being so honest and at the very least asked if he wanted to keep talking. Please let me know if you notice any mistakes so that I can address them here for self-improvement. Video captured using Go-Pro Video edited using PowerDirector The views addressed here are mine and mine alone, and are not necessarily views shared by members of my family and friends. Twitter: https://twitter.com/magnabosco Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magnabosco210

Ep 053: Street Epistemology Tutorial 1 | Faith & Evidence San Antonio, TX 2 October 2014 Twitter: https://twitter.com/magnabosco Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magnabosco210 In this video, I walk through my encounter with Paul, with the goal of providing an overview on how to conduct Street Epistemology, as explained in Dr. Peter Boghossian's book, 'A Manual for Creating Atheists'. It is also my hope that this video inspires YOU to conduct similar conversations with people who hold supernatural beliefs and help them analyze the methodology they used to arrive at those positions in either face-to-face, verbal, or written form. Playlist of Street Epistemology: http://tinyurl.com/PL-AM-ST-EPS Playlist of SE Breakdown Tutorials: http://tinyurl.com/PL-AM-SE-BD-TUTORIALS Playlist of Secular Exchanges: http://tinyurl.com/PL-AM-SEC-EXCH Playlist of Interviews & Presentations: http://tinyurl.com/PL-AM-ST-INT-PRE Playlist of Bails & Fails: http://tinyurl.com/PL-AM-SE-BANDF Want to Learn More About Street Epistemology? Read the Book: Peter Boghossian: 'A Manual for Creating Atheists' http://tinyurl.com/SE-PB-AMFCA Initial Paul Interview: http://youtu.be/cpCgHoolXZ4 Resources: Peter Boghossian: 'A Manual for Creating Atheists' http://tinyurl.com/SE-PB-AMFCA John W. Loftus: 'The Outsider Test for Faith: How to Know Which Religion Is True' http://tinyurl.com/SE-JL-TOTFF Victor J Stenger: 'God: The Failed Hypothesis. How Science Shows That God Does Not Exist' http://tinyurl.com/SE-VS-GTFH Josh McDowell: 'The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict' Music provided by Chet Hovatter. Mistakes: Please let me know if you notice any mistakes so that I can address them here for self-improvement. Video captured using Go-Pro Video edited using PowerDirector The views addressed here are mine and mine alone, and are not necessarily views shared by members of my family and friends. Twitter: https://twitter.com/magnabosco Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magnabosco210

Ep 045: Jamil | Muslim-Christian Ponders Prayer | Street Epistemology San Antonio, Texas 23 September 2015 More details about this talk below. Twitter: https://twitter.com/magnabosco Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magnabosco210 Playlist of Street Epistemology: http://tinyurl.com/PL-AM-ST-EPS Playlist of SE Breakdown Tutorials: http://tinyurl.com/PL-AM-SE-BD-TUTORIALS Playlist of Secular Exchanges: http://tinyurl.com/PL-AM-SEC-EXCH Playlist of Interviews & Presentations: http://tinyurl.com/PL-AM-ST-TALKS Playlist of Bails & Fails: http://tinyurl.com/PL-AM-SE-BANDF Playlist of Interventions Broadcast Live: http://tinyurl.com/PL-AM-SE-LIVE Want to Learn More About Street Epistemology? Read the Book: Peter Boghossian: 'A Manual for Creating Atheists' http://tinyurl.com/SE-PB-AMFCA Jamil was raised by a Muslim father and Christian mother with competing teachings, which may explain why accepts neither one. He did, however, still believe in a God with 100 percent confidence, largely because of prayer. I was tempted to tell Jamil that he was a walking Outsider Test for Faith (read the book by John W. Loftus), but that may have just confused things, and wasn't really helpful to the conversation at the time. After approximately 11 minutes of friendly talk with an sincere focus on the efficacy of prayer, Jamil decided that 60 percent would be a more honest position for his confidence in his God belief. Mistakes: It was nearly 100F at the time and I was eager to take a break, but I regret not giving Jamil a few more seconds of reflection at the end of the talk after he lowered his confidence to the 60% mark. I should have also offered him a word of encouragement for being so honest and at the very least asked if he wanted to keep talking. Please let me know if you notice any mistakes so that I can address them here for self-improvement. Video captured using Go-Pro Video edited using PowerDirector The views addressed here are mine and mine alone, and are not necessarily views shared by members of my family and friends. Twitter: https://twitter.com/magnabosco Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magnabosco210

John W. Loftus is a former Church of Christ minister. Today, he's an atheist, author and activist. He joins Seth Andrews to talk about his journey.Video of this interview: https://youtu.be/C794qlswPzI

Join Dr. Carlos as he discusses how someone changes from christian to atheist with John Loftus. For about two decades John W. Loftus was a devout evangelical Christian, an ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and an ardent apologist for Christianity. With three degrees--in philosophy, theology, and philosophy of religion--he was adept at using rational argumentation to defend the faith. But over the years, doubts about the credibility of key Christian tenets began to creep into his thinking. By the late 1990s he experienced a full-blown crisis of faith.
In this honest appraisal of his journey from believer to atheist, the author carefully explains the experiences and the reasoning process that led him to reject religious belief. The original edition of this book was published in 2006 and reissued in 2008. Since that time, Loftus has received a good deal of critical feedback from Christians and skeptics alike. In this revised and expanded edition, the author addresses criticisms of the original, adds new argumentation and references, and refines his presentation. For every issue he succinctly summarizes the various points of view and provides references for further reading. In conclusion, he describes the implications of life without belief in God, some liberating, some sobering. 

This frank critique of Christian belief from a former insider will interest freethinkers as well as anyone with doubts about the claims of religion.About the AuthorJohn W. Loftus (Angola, IN) earned MA and MDiv degrees in theology and philosophy from Lincoln Christian Seminary under the guidance of Dr. James D. Strauss. He then attended Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he studied under Dr. William Lane Craig and received a ThM degree in philosophy of religion. Before leaving the church, he had ministries in Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana, and he taught at several Christian colleges. He is also the editor of The Christian Delusion: Why Faith Fails and The End of Christianity. In addition, he has an online blog at http://debunkingchristianity.blogspot.com.

John W. Loftus should be a Christian. He attended and graduated from Great Lakes Christian College, Lincoln Christian University, and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School where he learned under apologist William Lane Craig. But he’s spent the last several years debunking the faith. His books include Why I Rejected Christianity, Why I Became an Atheist, and The Outsider Test for Faith. His latest book is strangely called How to Defend the Christian Faith. I spoke with John about the worst argument Christian apologists use, how learning the Bible caused him to leave the faith, and whether rejecting Christianity is the same thing as becoming an atheist.

Timely news updates include FFRF’s reports to the IRS of illegal politicking by 501(c)(3) tax-exempt churches. We report some Bible Belt victories against blatant promotion of religion in public schools. Then Freethought Radio salutes artistic freethinkers born this week, including Schiller and Aaron Copeland. We interview former minister John W. Loftus about the last in his trilogy anthology, called “Christianity Is Not Great: How Faith Fails,” which is hot off the press!

CAMP QUEST DONATION LINK:  http://www.youcaring.com/nonprofits/2014-cqok-fundraising-drive/145726It's the most popular religion on earth.  But are its claims easily refuted, dismantled and debunked?  In this episode, we talk to John W. Loftus, a former minister and Christian educator.  A prolific speaker, author and blogger, Loftus speaks about his own journey out of faith and what he feels are effective ways to debunk Christianity.BLOG:Debunking Christianity: http://debunkingchristianity.blogspot.comBOOKS"Why I Became an Atheist: a Former Preacher Rejects Christianity"http://www.amazon.com/Why-Became-Atheist-Preacher-Christianity/dp/1616145773/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394131968&sr=1-2"The End of Christianity"http://www.amazon.com/End-Christianity-John-W-Loftus/dp/1616144130/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394131968&sr=1-3 

With so many religions in the world, how can you tell which one is correct? John W. Loftus tackles this question in his new book, The Outsider Test for Faith: How to Know Which Religion Is True (Prometheus Books, 2013). In order to take on this perplexing question, John Loftus argues for a simple test called the Outsider Test for Faith, where believers – even if hypothetically – try to consider what their faith looks like to someone from the outside. There may be similar strands running through many religions, but there are also irreconcilable differences. It is easy for a Christian to explain why they do not believe in Vishnu, for example, and Loftus utilizes this approach to try to get believers to analyze their own faith as easily as they do others’. Loftus also deals with the Religious Dependency Thesis, which points out that what religion one holds is usually the result of where and to whom you were born. By applying the skepticism that many already have toward most gods, Loftus hopes that the OTF will aid those to let go of one more. Loftus’ blog can be found at here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With so many religions in the world, how can you tell which one is correct? John W. Loftus tackles this question in his new book, The Outsider Test for Faith: How to Know Which Religion Is True (Prometheus Books, 2013). In order to take on this perplexing question, John Loftus argues for a simple test called the Outsider Test for Faith, where believers – even if hypothetically – try to consider what their faith looks like to someone from the outside. There may be similar strands running through many religions, but there are also irreconcilable differences. It is easy for a Christian to explain why they do not believe in Vishnu, for example, and Loftus utilizes this approach to try to get believers to analyze their own faith as easily as they do others’. Loftus also deals with the Religious Dependency Thesis, which points out that what religion one holds is usually the result of where and to whom you were born. By applying the skepticism that many already have toward most gods, Loftus hopes that the OTF will aid those to let go of one more. Loftus’ blog can be found at here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With so many religions in the world, how can you tell which one is correct? John W. Loftus tackles this question in his new book, The Outsider Test for Faith: How to Know Which Religion Is True (Prometheus Books, 2013). In order to take on this perplexing question, John Loftus argues for a simple test called the Outsider Test for Faith, where believers – even if hypothetically – try to consider what their faith looks like to someone from the outside. There may be similar strands running through many religions, but there are also irreconcilable differences. It is easy for a Christian to explain why they do not believe in Vishnu, for example, and Loftus utilizes this approach to try to get believers to analyze their own faith as easily as they do others’. Loftus also deals with the Religious Dependency Thesis, which points out that what religion one holds is usually the result of where and to whom you were born. By applying the skepticism that many already have toward most gods, Loftus hopes that the OTF will aid those to let go of one more. Loftus’ blog can be found at here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host: Robert Price A couple of student hecklers once reproved Marlowe's Dr. Faustus: "Faustus! Plumb the depths of that which you profess!" Many evangelical Christians have buckled down to study apologetics or biblical studies in just that spirit—and wound up not professing any more! Their stories are often eerily similar yet always fascinating! And such a delver was Jaco Gericke. First he read the "safe" stuff, then the books they warned him not to read, and then everything else! Today Dr. Gericke is on the faculty of Humanities at North-West University in South Africa. He holds the Doctor of Letters degree in Semitic Languages and a Ph.D. in Old Testament with a specialization in Philosophy of Religion. He is the author of dozens of published papers and conference presentations. One of his essays, "Can God Exist if Yahweh Doesn't?" appears in the new John W. Loftus anthology, The End of Christianity from Prometheus Books. His quest is strikingly similar to that of Point of Inquiry host Robert M. Price, who interviews him here. You're welcome to come and compare notes.

John W. Loftus earned M.A. and M.Div. degrees in theology and philosophy from Lincoln Christian Seminary under the guidance of Dr. James D. Strauss. He then attended Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he studied under Dr. William Lane Craig and received a Th.M. degree in philosophy of religion. Before leaving the church, he had ministries in Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana, and taught at several Christian colleges. Today he still teaches as an adjunct instructor in philosophy at Kellogg Community College and has an online blog devoted to "debunking Christianity." His new book is Why I Became an Atheist: A Former Preacher Rejects Christianity. In this interview with D.J. Grothe, John Loftus discusses his background as an Evangelical Christian preacher and apologist and what led to his rejection of the faith, including both emotional loss and "lovelessness in the church," and also philosophical arguments and historical evidence that caused him to doubt. He critiques the Christian illusion of moral superiority. He challenges religion with what he calls the "outsider test." He explores whether logic and reason led to his atheism, or followed only after he adopted an atheistic point of view for emotional reasons. And he explains what he does believe in now that he no longer believes in Christianity or God, and the benefits he thinks this new worldview brings him.

Author of Why I Became an Atheist: A Former Preacher Rejects ChristianityJohn W. Loftus, a seminary-trained minister in the Restoration Movement of Churches, will talk about why, after earning a Master of Divinity degree and other theological degrees, he realized he could no longer believe in biblical claims. The hosts will also discuss the Freedom From Religion Foundation's newest lawsuit, filed this week in state court in Denver, suing Colorado Gov. Jim Ritter over his National Day of Prayer proclamations.