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.