Talk Heathen 07.09 03-05-2023 with Richard Gilliver and Nikki Beat the Cult

In today’s episode of the Talk Heathen, Richard Gilliver and Nikki (Beat The Cult) wrestle with everything from Volvos containing hell to objective morality.First caller is Anonymous from the USA who proposes that the universe might be god. Nikki asks the caller how god is defined before technical issues ended the call. Branson in NC sees the Western world as interpreting spiritual practices literally and because it is so symbolic, many have turned away from these teachings. What is the purpose of using the word, “spiritual”, and how is it defined? It is important to understand the difference between colloquial theories and scientific theories. Why use religious symbols instead of science? Is symbolism an accurate representation of the universe? It helps to look at the academic work around symbolism rather than esoteric books.Jeff in OH rules out natural causes in the world before having a reason to believe in supernatural causes. How would one detect the supernatural? If there is no interaction with the natural world, then why do we accept it?Wesley in WV describes hell as seven years on earth, the lake of fire is a bunch of nuclear bombs because scripture describes it as a fire folding within itself and says he has seen this as a nuclear device in a Volvo. This is a show where we talk to people about what they believe and why they believe. It is not a show where people tell us what to believe. Wesley in MA reminds us that the idea of a loving god creating a place where we burn forever makes no sense. Some people think it makes sense because they believe god is justified in harming people if they do not continue to pray and please their god. The issue is Christians do not read the Bible; some may be afraid of the questions this will generate. Atheists want Christians to read the Bible and read the whole thing. Rick in Canada brings up how fossils form within days after Mt. St. Helens erupted, so the Christians and Atheists must meet in the middle when it comes to belief in the global flood. Where is the evidence for this flood? How do you think a global flood physically happened? Where is all this water now? Is it possible there are biological reasons for mental health issues? When mainstream science does not support your belief, where do you get your information from? Pick up some geological journals, search them for past events, and come back with that information using the actual science. Jeffrey in GA has decided that well being is a terrible way to base subjective morality. It is not an individual that decides this but society as a whole. Well being is not considered the same thing by everybody. Thank you everyone! We appreciate the essential workers and the viewers!

Om Podcasten

Talk Heathen is a weekly call-in television show in Austin, Texas geared toward long-form and on-going dialogue with theists & atheists about religion, theism, & secularism. Call 1-512-991-9242 every Sunday from 1-2pm CDT. Talk Heathen is produced by the Atheist Community of Austin.The Atheist Community of Austin is organized as a nonprofit educational corporation to develop & support the atheist community, to provide opportunities for socializing & friendship, to promote secular viewpoints, to encourage positive atheist culture, to defend the first amendment principle of government-religion separation, to oppose discrimination against atheists & to work with other organizations in pursuit of common goals.