The Atheist Experience

By: The Atheist Community of Austin
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  • Summary

  • 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
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Episodes
  • The Atheist Experience 28.41 with Armin Navabi and Jim Barrows 2024-10-13

    The Atheist Experience 28.41 with Armin Navabi and Jim Barrows 2024-10-13
    Oct 14 2024
    1 hr and 49 mins
  • The Atheist Experience 28.40 with Forrest Valkai and Dr. Ben

    The Atheist Experience 28.40 with Forrest Valkai and Dr. Ben
    Oct 7 2024
    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/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.
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    2 hrs and 20 mins
  • The Atheist Experience 28.39 With Secular Rarity and Jmike

    The Atheist Experience 28.39 With Secular Rarity and Jmike
    Sep 30 2024
    In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Secular Rarity(SR) and JMike sort through a variety of callers before being joined be Scott Dickie to wrap it up.

    Jackie in MS misgendered Dr. Ben on Talk Heathen and then refused to issue a proper apology so he was dropped! Be a man, Jackie and do the right thing if you want to play with us.

    Olivia in TX has questions about the Bible being true and how things she was told would come true when she was a kid are true now. How did you independently verify this if you have not read the Bible? The book alone making a claim is not sufficient. How are the things that have come true now any different than how they were hundreds of years ago? At what point do you trust the things people are telling you? Why is the church telling you the Bible is true, a reason to accept it?

    Caleb in OH asks the hosts how they have come to the conclusion that there is no god. JMike explains how there are no minds that can exist, and how the commitments that need to be taken on for theism are massive, and therefore not simple. SR confirms that is his position as well. The evidence available leads us to a conclusion that leads to a belief of something being likely to be true. Probability may be interesting, but has no bearing on whether something is true or not. What is the reasoning that you have come to your conclusion about the universe being designed? Does god have free will to create other constants? Why not add more gods?

    Johan in FL is a pantheist instead of an atheist because for the ethical reason that words have power and atheists tend to play on the word, “god”. What does god/goddess mean to you? What are you adding to the word, “universe” that we don’t share? What does the philosophy of mind stuff have to do with this? Why is there a moral imperative to believe something that supports well being?

    Polo in PA wants to talk about secular humanism and how he wants to start a new religion that does more interfaith with other religions who see themselves as humanist organizations. The word “religion” can connote a set of rituals and dogma that may not work for many humanist organizations.

    Alexander in the UK has gradually stepped away from the Christian religion and is curious why some smart people are still so involved. Scott reminds us how smart people can be excellent at justifying what they believe and compartmentalization. There are people that have great arguing skills. None of us properly adhere to the correct methodology 100% of the time.

    Dee in IA thinks the hosts missed the mark by not having a stronger acknowledgement when speaking with Olivia. What she got out of Olivia was fear and understands her not reading the Bible. Dee was also in a charismatic cult that took decades to claw out of. We always want to do better and not discount the emotions entirely. Your criticism and suggestion is well taken. Thank you for tuning in this week!

    Question of the week is: If you want to get banned from Bible Study, which Bible story should you pick?


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.
    Show more Show less
    2 hrs and 7 mins

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Profile Image for Zack

Fantastic show

The people of the atheist experience have helped me question and think about my beliefs for over a year now thank you guys so much.

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Profile Image for Joyous N

Ive never heard the perspective of an atheist until i heard this show

so glad this podcast is made, honestly i miss matthew dillahunty. but its still a very worthwhile listen. keep it up!

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I love this show

Matt and his team make so much sense and wakes you up to reality and facts.

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A new favorite podcast!

I love that these guys don't use kid gloves on a subject that usually demands religious exceptions. Keep up the good work!

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Profile Image for flossy_lala

Frustrating to listen to

As an atheist, I often find the responses given by the host to be missing the heart of the questions presented; and giving responses that are so convoluted they seem to veer off into the stratosphere. I can't seem to get through more than a few minutes before I have to turn it off because it's so frustrating to listen to. Gave the 2 stars merely because I support anyone out there promoting atheism.

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