Category: Debate and discussion

Part 2 with Jonathan

It is my belief, which I told Jonathan several times throughout the discussion, that he simply is not equipped for this type of discussion.

This is both the longest and the most infuriating conversation I’ve had with a Christian. It’s definitely what you might think of as ‘long form’. It is my belief, which I told Jonathan several times throughout the discussion, that he simply is not equipped for this type of discussion. I have advised him to learn the basics of his religion and to actually read his Bible.

In the second half he demonstrates his utter contempt for anyone who doesn’t agree with him, his dismissal of any notion of equal rights and just how much he deserves the rarely applied (but in this case very well deserved) label of ‘Christofascist’.

His misogyny, racism, homophobia and xenophobia are expressed with a smug pride that has to be seen to be believed.

If we give people like Jonathan an inch they’ll drag us all straight back to the bronze age!

Discussion with an Eastern Orthodox Christian

Atheism is not a belief system.

Meet Jonathan Stephan, an Eastern Orthodox Christian from America who has some very particular views on atheism and the utility of Christianity.

He promised me a ‘brawl’

My debate with a man who seems to be a cross between an animist and a deist.

About a week ago Aaron Fauth issued a challenge on Facebook

Aaron’s challenge

I was happy to accept the challenge, if only because I was intrigued by his complete misunderstanding of atheism and of atheists in general.

I invited him to join me in a discussion with the two basic conditions I always include:

  1. We both have the option to record it.
  2. We can both publish the video UNEDITED wherever we choose.

This video is the result of our recent online conversation. What’s your opinion? Did Aaron live up to his challenge?

Something instead of nothing

One of the silliest questions asked by theists: Can atheism explain why is there something rather than nothing?

An old mate of mine asked…
“Can atheism explain why there’s something rather than nothing?”
I was surprised because he’s a bright guy. One of the most intelligent lads in my old Grammar school as it happens. And yet his question was so ridiculously stupid I could hardly believe he’d asked it.
However, since it’s not uncommon for atheists of less intelligence than him to ask this same question I put my answer into a video so I won’t need to keep typing out the answer every time some theist presents the question as though it’s some sort of ‘gotcha’.
Spoiler alert… it isn’t.

Toxic MAGA Christianity

Do you think Bishop Budde’s sermon reflects true Christian values

Do you think Bishop Budde’s sermon reflects true Christian values or should she have refrained from asking the most powerful to have mercy for the powerless?

See for yourself and let me know in the comments. Watch her sermon here… https://youtu.be/xwwaEuDeqM8?si=69mVloI9pGWiP5Xb You can read the transcript here… https://www.stmarksrva.org/blog/a-sermon-given-by-the-rt-rev-mariann-budde/

Atheist epistemology?

I CAN ACCEPT SOMETHING THAT MAKES SENSE AND I CAN ACCEPT SOMETHING THAT EITHER HAS EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE OR WORKS IN PRACTICE.
I CANNOT BELIEVE SOMETHING THAT NEITHER MAKES SENSE NOR HAS EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE.

I was challenged in a FaceBook group recently to discuss a series of points pertaining to religion, atheism and the philosophical bases of each.

Unlike the majority of these requests, things like

“Give me scientific proof that you’re an atheist”

which are too ridiculous to bother making a video about but this one was different. This demonstrated an intelligent approach apparently genuine issues that my interlocutor actually seemed to be serious about – and not just another theist troll.

A creationist UK science teacher

Nick Cowan is a creationist who also understands the principles of science. He’s a retired UK chemistry teacher who also taught creationism to the same state school pupils in his A level general studies class. I asked him how this could possibly make sense. What followed was a passionate but genial conversation between two people who hold diametrically opposing views.

I’m on ‘The Unshaw podcast’!

My discussion about faith, atheism, mental health, evolution and nursing with Robert Shaw

The Unshaw podcast discusses faith, atheism, religiosity and a whole lot more besides. In this episode Robert Shaw (no, not THAT Robert Shaw) and I discuss mental health, faith and deconversion, politics and even evolutionary psychology.

Visit the Unshaw podcast and have a listen. Go on … you know you want to!