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The Atheist Experience

The Atheist Experience

By: The Atheist Community of Austin
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About this listen

 The Atheist Experience is a weekly show in Austin, Texas geared at a non-atheist and atheist audience. The Atheist Experience is produced by the Atheist Community of Austin.

The Atheist Community of Austin is organized as a nonprofit educational corporation to develop and support the atheist community, to provide opportunities for socializing and friendship, to promote secular viewpoints, to encourage positive atheist culture, to defend the first amendment principle of state-church separation, to oppose discrimination against atheists and to work with other organizations in pursuit of common goals.

We define atheism as the lack of belief in gods. This definition also encompasses what most people call agnosticism.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.®2024 The Atheist Community of Austin Economics Management Management & Leadership Spirituality
Episodes
  • The Atheist Experience 29.49 with Forrest Valkai and Jim Barrows

    The Atheist Experience 29.49 with Forrest Valkai and Jim Barrows
    Dec 8 2025
    In today’s episode of The Atheist Experience, hosts Forrest Valkai and Jim Barrows tackle the dangerous rise of Christian nationalism and its alignment with fascism, explore the limits of biblical morality, and examine the overwhelming evidence for evolution and geology.

    Lucy Spina in TX, ACA chair, details the Rainbow Rights Roadshow drive with Equality Texas, aiding LGBTQ+ resource deserts. Hosts stress "no strings attached" secular community support needed against current political threats. Is this grassroots outreach vital?

    G-Man (nudibranchs jumping sea slugs) argues atheists lack objective morality, asserting God is the source of all good. Hosts challenge this as Divine Command Theory, making God the subjective arbiter. They critique God's immorality, citing the Flood and slavery. Does God's omnipotence and omniscience make him culpable for all sin?

    Ujay in SD, a deconstructing agnostic, asks for a scientific explanation of evolution and dating methods. Forrest refutes the creationist claim that evolution begets racism, explaining it is Social Darwinism. He details radioisotope half-lives and Hubble's constant for dating the Earth and Universe. Can overwhelming evidence cure religious skepticism?


    Hannah argues research on morphogenesis (Michael Levin) suggests evidence against materialism, supporting a platonic space of information. The hosts warn against using this gap as evidence for the supernatural. They challenge the assertion as an Argument From Ignorance, noting that complexity does not equal magic. Is Platonism a justifiable conclusion from current unknowns?

    Thank you all so much for tuning in. Please support your local atheist and civil rights organizations, as they are needed now more than ever.


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.
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    1 hr and 43 mins
  • The Atheist Experience 29.48 with Godless Engineer and Jmike

    The Atheist Experience 29.48 with Godless Engineer and Jmike
    Dec 1 2025
    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.
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    1 hr and 23 mins
  • The Atheist Experience 29.47 with Justin and Richard Gilliver

    The Atheist Experience 29.47 with Justin and Richard Gilliver
    Nov 24 2025
    In today’s episode of The Atheist Experience, hosts Justin (Deconstruction Zone) and Richard Gilliver seek evidence for God, diving into philosophical arguments, biblical contradictions, and the flaws in theological defenses. The hosts challenge callers to step up their game, urging them to drop the evasions and present solid justification for their faith.

    Joe in OR, an atheist, asks how to debate various denominations about unfalsifiable claims without being antagonistic. Richard stresses the importance of gaining experience and being humble enough to say "I don't know" rather than risking incorrect biblical arguments. The hosts agree that avoiding errors maintains trust for future dialogue. Is experience the only way to refine the subtle skills needed for secular discourse?

    Jim in MO, an agnostic, presents Homer Simpson's classic rebuttal to Pascal’s Wager. The argument fails because it ignores all other gods, potentially sending the wagerer to an Islamic or Greek Hell instead of the Christian one. The hosts agree this standard counter-apologetic is effective for exposing theological hypocrisy. Why do theists assume everyone defaults to the Christian god concept?

    Adam in NC, an agnostic, asks why Stephen was martyred for the same ideas Paul later preached, noting that Paul was at Stephen's execution. Justin explains Paul’s ministry focused on Gentiles outside Jewish strongholds, minimizing conflict with elites. Adam also questions Paul’s conversion story due to contradictory accounts in Acts. Do internal biblical contradictions undermine Paul as a reliable source?

    Good Question in WA contends atheists incorrectly concede that all morality is subjective, arguing objective morals are based on objective causes. Justin pushes back, arguing that morals are mind-dependent; if all minds ceased to exist, so would morals. Objective means and measures for adhering to a subjective framework do not make the framework itself objective. Why insist on transcendental objective morality if the system relies on conscious receivers?

    Patrick in FL claims atheism is nihilism and just another faith, as atheists cannot define what evidence for God would be. Richard challenges Patrick on why he uses a different name every week and dismisses his assertion that he neither believes nor disbelieves as dishonest. The hosts demand Patrick present evidence for his God-belief, which he fails to produce before the call is abruptly ended. Why do some theists conflate atheism with nihilism?

    The Supreme Leader in CO asks, hypothetically, if God's existence (the first mover) was proven, why atheists wouldn't follow him, citing his tyrannical nature. Justin focuses on failed biblical prophecies, demonstrating how quotes are taken out of context (e.g., Isaiah 7's "virgin birth"). Richard applauds the caller’s maturity for listening to the context. Does belief in a God compel moral submission to that God?

    Thank you for tuning in this week! We will see you next time!

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.
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    1 hr and 30 mins
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