Talk Heathen

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Forrest Valkai and Objectively Dan, sort through calls of AI, logical fallacies, and apocalyptic dream interpretations. No circular arguments made today!Chidumebi in PA asks how to combat religious students that insist on AI reliance to justify the Bible. It is important to teach children how to search and explain why there is bias behind some of the input. These models are designed for good output, not accuracy. Be sure they understand what material they will need to know as a requirement, regardless of their personal beliefs or use of AI language models. What is the student supposed to do if they end up in a career they do not know how to do as a result of their reliance on AI?Mike in SC, thinks that AI can replace atheists but not theists because it can do anything atheists can do by using less resources. What is your understanding of the massive centers needed to support AI? If the soul is a factor, how do you explain an AI video that turns people to Christ? It is odd that you believe the actions of human beings that are atheists can be reduced down to a chat box. If dogs don’t have souls, is it cool that we just replace all dogs with AI? Our lives are more than just a sum of our labor and we find this conclusion dehumanizing. Herman in Canada has massive observations of “things begotting things” so therefore there must be a creator. It is important to point out that energy has not been created. What created the actual creator of the universe? How do you know that the reality of physics was exactly the same just before the big bang? If everything is contingent on something, what would a world that was not created look like?Luc, a Catholic in Canada, explains his different perception in the prime mover argument and that is that rules need rulemakers. Why are the rules of nature excluded from this argument? We do not need to provide evidence for not believing in something. What evidence do you have that everything needs a rule maker? Of these two things, which is the more reliable pathway to truth; evidence or faith? Why is it good enough for you when the Catholic Church says something? We are not expected to just believe a thing because a teacher told us to; we must do the work/tests, and experiments to learn this stuff.Prophet Daniel from Australia, believes there is one god for the entirety of existence and the interpretation of dreams made in the Book of Daniel prove his existence. How do you think this story has been adapted to meet the events that actually transpired? Why would this book be a reliable source when Daniel speaks with a dragon?Jamie the Blind Limey, our backup host joins to close out the show and offer some post thoughts on some of the calls. Thank you for joining us this week and we will see you next time!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Forrest Valkai and Doctor Ben tackle several fun issues. Jack in Canada asks the hosts about the problem of evil. If god made the rules, why would he choose to cause suffering when he is powerful enough not to? Why did god choose something that causes suffering? If your god is in charge of everything, why does he not fix childhood poverty? You are more moral than your god. Max in Russia wants to help but is unable to donate. Every action helps no matter how small and we appreciate you. Doctors without Borders must work legal negotiations before being able to enter a country. Mike in SC has a perception that atheists and theists are doing the same thing because atheists say god is evil, and theists say god is good. Is a bi-sexual trans man better off in hell? Why is it okay that someone is sent to Hell for being gay? What if another god says it is a sin to be heterosexual? Why is it okay for Christians to kick people out of their family for being queer? Imagine what it feels like to be told that because of this monster in the sky who treats you differently for being gay,  you deserve to be tortured forever. How is the lesson someone learns from the loss of the baby worth the baby’s life? Is freewill more important to god than protecting children? Kelvin in FL asks if the existence of transgender people goes against the societal push of deconstructing gender norms. Dr. Ben explains that the trans community is not about adapting femininity or masculinity, and how the trans community leans into gender abolitionism. There is societal pressure put on trans people to perform to those stereotypes. Forrest discusses how sex and gender are different, and how things in the 1400s that were considered manly are not manly today. Vic in TX believes in a creator, but does not believe in the New Testament or Jesus. How is the Bible considered to be morally good? Is it morally good to stone your children if they disobey? Why should this be accepted as an instruction manual when it instructs how to own and beat slaves? Jackie in MS wants us to dig into a bunch of philosophers to promote Christian values. What do you have to say about these values being carcinogenic to human minds? How does the function of an idea speak to the morality of an idea? What is one example where consciousness is independent of matter?Nate in NY discusses his deconstruction before the last caller, Kevin in MA, brings the hosts into a discussion about sexual dimorphism. Thank you for calling in this week! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.

In today’s episode of Talk Heathen, Jimmy Jr. and Objectively Dan dismantle the tired propaganda linking atheism to communism! The hosts explore historical misconceptions, the "victim complex" of the religious right, and the distinct differences between economic theory and secular government. Is the fear of communism just a tool to preserve religious dominance in the West?Lisa in Canada asks if fundamentalist groups like Prager U deliberately conflate secularism with communism to manufacture a Christian persecution complex. Dan explains that branding a YouTube channel as a "University" is a propaganda tactic designed to confuse definitions and maintain the religious status quo. The hosts highlight how secularism actually protects religious freedom for everyone. Will unmasking these strategic misdefinitions help end the perceived war on Christianity?Anne in CA explores the definition of communism versus the Cold War authoritarianism she grew up with. Jimmy and Dan define dialectical materialism and the social contract, noting that true communism remains unrealized because political elites pervert the theory for power. They distinguish between socialized policies, like healthcare, and state ownership of production. Does understanding the nuances of political theory make the "communist" label less effective as a scare tactic?Thank you for joining us this week! We will see you next time!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.

In today’s episode of Talk Heathen, hosts Christy Powell and Sidney Davis Jr. examine the correlation between education and religiosity, questioning if universities are truly "atheist factories." They explore how exposure to diverse ideas and the accessibility of the internet challenge traditional faith bubbles and foster skepticism. Mark in Toronto disconnected before they could take his call, but asks if critical thinking inevitably results in atheism. The hosts suggest it ideally should but note that many trade traditional religion for nebulous spirituality. They discuss how practicing academic skills like citing sources can implicitly build reasoning that challenges faith. Is it enough to just learn the tools of research, or must one apply them specifically to theology?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.

Show notes upon receipt. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.

SHOW NOTESHello and welcome to Talk Heathen! This week, Doctor Ben and Jimmy Jr. are here to do Satan’s work!Solomon from CA, a former Jehova’s witness, has seen the recent decline of religion by younger generations and wants to know where our hosts see religion going in the future.Felix from GA is calling to argue that Christianity is actually a progressive religion. While it's nice that certain denominations or churches are adopting progressive messaging and stances, Christianity as a whole isn’t pushing the boundaries of progressive values. Is it really progressive, or just a means to survival?Cam from MI wants to know if pride month really is necessary outside of a historical remembrance context. As long as there is someone who thinks the world would be a better place if we went back to a time when queer people’s voices and needs in society were out of sight out of mind, then pride is absolutely necessary.Kathy from IL wants to discuss their experience visiting a Unitarian Universalist church and how different it is from every other more traditional church.Zabi from MI is a former theist and wants to discuss how their deconversion altered how friends and family view them.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.

Show notes upon receipt. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.

In today’s episode of Talk Heathen, hosts Jimmy Jr. and Scott Dickie open by discussing the hazards of reading the Bible, delve into complex philosophical arguments concerning contingency and prescriptive laws, and debate strategies for maintaining productive dialogue with theists who rely on defense mechanisms.Donald, a regular caller, attempts to prove universal laws (like non-contradiction) are prescriptive, arguing their necessity means they must exist outside the universe. Hosts Scott and Jimmy Jr. press him on the modal scope issue, asserting that logically necessary laws (things that *will* happen) are distinct from prescriptive laws (things that *must* happen due to enforcement/intent). Donald fails to show a detectable difference between these two forms of necessity. Can philosophical arguments alone bridge the gap between description and prescription?Lisa, a religious studies major, struggles to have productive dialogue because theists dismiss atheism as "God-hating" rather than disbelief. The hosts assert this is a deliberate tactic to demonize non-believers, protect dogma, and avoid critical questioning. Scott advises setting conversational boundaries early and asking the interlocutor to commit to a productive discussion, calling out deflections as face-saving psychological defense mechanisms. Should atheists try to engage people who are unwilling to be honest interlocutors?Thank you for joining us this week! We will see you next time! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.

Show notes upon receipt. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.

Show notes upon receipt.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.