Atheist Roundtable

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!!

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!!

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!!

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.