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The Atheist Experience

The Atheist Experience

By: The Atheist Community of Austin
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 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 29.25 with Jmike and Seth Andrews @TheThinkingAtheist (With Special Guest Godless Engineer)

    The Atheist Experience 29.25 with Jmike and Seth Andrews @TheThinkingAtheist (With Special Guest Godless Engineer)
    Jun 23 2025
    Welcome to The Atheist Experience 29.25 with Jmike and Seth Andrews @TheThinkingAtheist and Special Guest, Godless Engineer! This week, your hosts dive into some thought-provoking discussions about morality, belief, and the challenges of open dialogue.

    This episode kicks off with a powerful monologue about the very nature of good and evil, challenging the idea that everything, even atrocities, could be justified as part of a "greater good" or a consequence of free will. The segment questions the coherence of concepts like sin and atonement if all events are ultimately part of a divine plan. Guest host Seth Andrews then shares insights into his background and experience, including a look back at his past as a Christian radio broadcaster. He also reflects on the importance of extending grace to those with differing beliefs, advocating against demeaning or superior attitudes towards religious individuals.

    Drew from California calls in to discuss the challenges of managing temper and emotions when engaging with people who hold opposing views. The conversation explores a specific incident where a friend, despite knowing Drew's skeptical stance, sent him astrology content, leading to a breakdown in communication and a feeling of disrespect. The hosts and caller delve into the dynamics of setting and respecting personal boundaries in conversations about deeply held beliefs.

    Jim from Missouri raises questions about the resurrection story, presenting arguments that it is a complete fabrication. He challenges the traditional biblical narrative of Jesus's burial, positing that crucified individuals were typically left unburied or thrown into mass graves, rather than being placed in tombs. The discussion extends to the broader lack of contemporary historical evidence for Jesus's existence and the reliability of biblical accounts when proving biblical claims.

    A theist caller, Shabbaz, asks where atheists get their morals and why they often seem disrespectful or condescending. Seth answers the first part by explaining evolved ethics and pro-social behaviors as a basis for morality. The conversation then delves into Shabbaz's reasons for believing in Allah, including a "falsification test" from the Quran and supposed "scientific miracles" related to bees and honey. The hosts challenge these claims, questioning the criteria for such tests and highlighting historical knowledge that predates the Quran regarding honey and bee behavior. The discussion also unpacks why some atheists might express frustration or disrespect in such conversations, often stemming from repeated, vague arguments.

    Finally, John from New Hampshire calls in to discuss the historical existence of Jesus, prompting a nuanced conversation about what kind of evidence is sought for such claims. The hosts and caller explore the idea of a "minimal historical Jesus" and the challenges of relying on common names or biblical accounts for historical proof. The call culminates with the hosts sharing their own "pause moments" – instances where their beliefs were genuinely challenged, leading to deeper inquiry and a strengthening of their skeptical positions, including Jmike's pivotal experience with Flat Earth theory.

    Thank you for watching and listening to The Atheist Experience!

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.
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    1 hr and 56 mins
  • The Atheist Experience 29.24 with Secular Rarity and Godless Engineer

    The Atheist Experience 29.24 with Secular Rarity and Godless Engineer
    Jun 16 2025
    2 hrs and 2 mins
  • The Atheist Experience 29.23 with Forrest Valkai and ObjectivelyDan

    The Atheist Experience 29.23 with Forrest Valkai and ObjectivelyDan
    Jun 9 2025
    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/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.
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    1 hr and 51 mins

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