Francesca Stavrakopoulou - RHLSTP

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Christ, the Child Killer
Richard is a the Corn Exchange in Exeter, a town famous for the the most comical suicide bomb of all time. And Richard is talking religion with Biblical scholar, Professor Francesca Stavrakopoulou.
They try to ascertain who wrote the Bible, what `Jesus got up to in the bits that didn’t make it into the book, whether anyone in the Bible actually existed, whether gods have genitalia, if God was married, why Eve was Adam’s second wife, whether being a woman or an atheist is a bigger handicap for a Biblical scholar and why St Paul had the wrong idea about sex during the Apocalypse. Plus the logistics of Noah’s Ark and the craziest bits in the Bible.
Check out Francesca’s book “God: An Anatomy”, fully illustrated. Yup, even that bit.

[@markncl100]

Richard, you've bloody well done it again! You've interviewed somebody who is so darn interesting that it's sent me searching KZbin for every video they're in! I watch you for lighthearted, humorous, fluffy and slightly interesting content. Then out of nowhere you present these interesting, thoughtful and thought-provoking guests, who require hours of intense study. If I didn't find them quite so thrilling, I would actually be annoyed!! Great video my friend.

[@simonlake_]

This was great. Really enjoy the occasional change of gear from having comedians on, especially when the guests are as engaging and knowledgeable as Francesca was. Genuinely brightened up an otherwise dull winter evening.

[@bobgreen320]

One of the best RHLSTPs for ages! pls have Francesca on again

[@tony1kenobi468]

She was brilliant, off to amazon to order her book!

[@versioncity1]

I've such a crush a crush on Francesca. I guess i really have to accept I'm middle aged now that I fancy academic historians.

[@TheCAPTAINDESTROYER]

Haha me too 😂

[@bengreen171]

As someone who watches an unhealthy amount of American Apologists, this was a very refreshing bath of academic reason and witty deconstruction of Biblical tropes. We are so lucky in Britain to not live in an environment where this stuff is taken literally.

[@rationalsceptic7634]

ben green So you are an Atheist/Agnostic...so why bash Carrier..she agrees with him!

[@bengreen171]

@@rationalsceptic7634 Because I think there are better people out there making better arguments. I'm happy to call myself an atheist btw, - I don't see much value in going by the perhaps more accurate philosophical agnostic position. I don't know what she believes, and it's been a while since I've looked at Carrier's stuff. All I'm saying is that some of his positions are fringe to say the least, and I've seen some compelling criticism of the conclusions he attempts to make using some unparsimonious and erroneous interpretations. The one thing I can say for sure, is that going on what she said on this podcast, she doesn't agree with the claim that Jesus did not exist. I want to be right for the right reasons.

[@mizotter]

Jealous in Midwest USA

[@bengreen171]

@@mizotter hang in there. We're thinking of you.

[@grayintheuk8021]

Francesca is a fantastic breath of fresh air - thanks for this

[@Natura1Wyrm]

What a brilliant guest. Intelligent, informed, and funny with it. A shame there aren't more people like her on telly for young uns to look up to, instead of the numpties coming out of low end reality shows.

[@adamdickson1404]

Fascinating talk, shedding light on history's most enduring work of fiction.

[@mamesmck5236]

I would absolutely love to see her as a guest again.

[@MannieGregg]

I LOVE Francesca. Excited to get her book this year!!

[@krisbest6405]

I love her lifes mission. Genius .

[@NeoDragoN7676]

28:13 the audible gasp! Brilliant lol! I do love comedians on here but i love stuff like this too, funny AND interesting :) not to say comedians aren't interesting too of course...

[@dahemac]

I nearly popped when I saw the name of the guest. So glad to see this interview.

[@helixzin]

This is by far my favourite episode.. I'd go far enough to call it RHbestaP

[@marcavus1]

This is a trip!

[@KevinCullen]

Too short! Could listen to these two for hours

[@hanumaniam]

Languorous Sunday Torpor is the best description I've heard in a long time. Hats off! 🎩

[@Travis_Kemp]

wow, one of the most fascinating interviews i've ever heard. i studied Theology for one year, 30 years ago. i wish my professors were more like her, i might have stuck to it. lol

[@richardjulio5745]

She is the best, amazing

[@LiquidSpiral]

She’s my favourite person - Exeter was my second choice of uni, and I sometimes regret not going just because of her

[@suburbanview]

JUST BRILLIANT!

[@terrybuttkins]

Pre ordered 'An Anatomy of God' today. I do believe it was delayed after this interview. I set a reminder ever since hearing this to check.

[@Mimeniia]

Omg that Professor is simply gorgeous!

[@TheBassHeavy]

Brilliant guest! I'm looking forward to this one!

[@Life-Glug]

Great guest. Thanks, Rich

[@AVAILABLEABILITY-gu4kq]

Francesca Stavrakopoulou the woman who has everything!!

[@VaughanMcCue]

Even a spare set of concrete-reinforced plywood teeth.

[@crestvilla711]

Is Asherah the same as Astaroth or Astarte?

[@TheMunt2000]

Loved it. Fantastic guest funny as duck.

[@cmitchell6927]

What a fantastic guest

[@ronvanhee]

[@JonTeriini]

A great, fun chat

[@affalaffaa]

Never heard of her. More people like her, or her again, that I've never heard of please. She's really good in general.

[@joewakeford]

34:38 Time for your EXTREME closeup Francesca

[@DenisKelly]

this is great

[@claudiaxander]

I absolutely loved this , dont stop! Manna was magic mushrooms, which explains alot. Oh and Richard Carrier does the best job of rubbishing the existence of Jesus.

[@bengreen171]

Carrier is not a trustworthy academic - a lot of his mythicist stuff is not well sourced. The fact of the matter is that you don't need to claim that Jesus didn't exist to show that the Bible is an incoherent mess of myth and propaganda.

[@claudiaxander]

@@bengreen171 If you could point me in the direction of someone who can display what you claim to be true regarding Carriers faulty research that would be lovely, cheers. Also, judging by the prevalence of superstition threatening scientific progress, i don't feel it is ever a good idea to let up on the intellectual attack on ignorance no matter what angle one takes.

[@bengreen171]

@@claudiaxander I agree about holding up the bastions against ignorance - but we should always make sure our walls are reliable. It's no good using bad arguments to fight bad arguments. As for Carrier - I'm afraid I can't be specific, it's just what I've gathered while perusing the internet. Hang on though, something just came to mind- there's a blog by an Aussie bloke called Tim O'Neill - I can't for the life of me remember it's name, but he's an atheist who goes through common misconceptions about history and theism. I know he's been feuding with Carrier (Carrier is nothing if not litigious), so you should bear that in mind, but he makes some compelling points. I have no doubt that Carrier knows his stuff when it comes to biblical linguistics - but some of his more extreme claims are harder to justify. And he's a bit of a dick.I know it shouldn't affect people's feelings towards his work, but optics is optics, and his are bad.

[@rationalsceptic7634]

ben green Dr Richard Carrier BA,MA,MPhil,PhD..has revolutionised Ancient History and has tested his methods on Ivy League Professors who are now Agnostics,he has also challenged other Atheists..so please get your facts right...he has even caught William Lane Craig lying .. We have invented 5 million Gods and 5,000 Religions...God explains nothing...if Dr Carrier is a Crank,why do top Universities give him top Degrees...why is he peer reviewed in Top Journals,why do 90% of Ancient Historians agree with him as does Fran?? Acharya S- Exposing Christianity: kzbin.info/aero/PLE7a2nnRT4JfSvwoWbc6LiR3hN7sHL7J1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoPVomapaLVmhtk Tim O'Neil has no PhD in Ancient History...so hasn't remotely refuted the brilliant Carrier Forged Fiction: kzbin.info/aero/PL07mytsRvJtXU7xRWqXg1-CvCV1aazGCu

[@bengreen171]

@@rationalsceptic7634 Catching out WLC is no big deal, and I realise O'Neill hasn't got a PhD. My opening statement about Carrier was perhaps a little extreme, but I stand by my thoughts about him. I agree with about 90% of what he says - I just think, from the criticisms I've seen of him, that last 10% spoils the whole. Carrier's doctorate is in the history of ancient science, so nothing to do with Jesus, and the fact that O'Neill hasn't got a PhD in ancient history is not proof that he hasn't "remotely refuted" Carrier. That is bizarrely fallacious reasoning. You claim Fran agrees with him - on this showing it doesn't seem like she does, since she clearly had no problem with a historical Jesus. I'm not sure why you needed to point out that we invented loads of gods - that has nothing to do with whether or not Carrier is reliable. My issue is that you shouldn't make a rod for your own back. You don't need to refute christianity by appealing to a claim that is so much harder to back up than the more sensible one that Jesus was just some bloke.

[@brainunboxinghypnosis1986]

So many passages that could be analyzed here, needs a whole series. Judges 19-21. Never had an adequate explanation for how the story of the Levite concubine is in any way morally or spiritually edifying.

[@dennysigfalk4886]

Great interview!

[@SliceradioAu]

Richard Herring's Lager Soaked Terra-Australis Podcast - come on down

[@jacksimpson-rogers1069]

I first saw her on a panel that included a Jewish woman who was not stupid, and one of the stupidest professional Christians I've ever seen. The fourth member was Richard Dawkins, and Francesca obviously fascinated him!

[@andysawyer9949]

I remember that 🤗it was the big questions with Nicky Campbell. I remember the Christian being so condescending to Francesca.

[@MrGBS1972]

Another cracking listen.

[@muldoonmcsteny8015]

Very interesting guest, could have listened to that for hours. Such a Londoner though, equating sheep and cows everywhere to like being on safari haha. Reminds me of the first time I took some Uni mates back to Wales and they insisted on stopping the car so they could take some pictures of some sheep, I looked at them like they'd just arrived on a space ship, no sorry fellas you are going to be seeing a lot more of them this weekend.

[@devidaughter7782]

"writing became more important to authorizing power "(38:40)

[@psammiad]

If God doesn't like foreskins... why did he create them? Why did he create himself with a part that was impure?

[@Superfantastictop10]

He's testing our faith, just like he did by burying dinosaur bones everywhere. I imagine a dinosaur with a foreskin would really shake our faith. Stay strong. Jesus loves you (but not all of your genitalia or capacity for reasoning). Perhaps there's an emergency question here. "If God made dinosaurs, did he want them to have foreskins?"

[@doovbaloevera1430]

@@Superfantastictop10 i think your testing my faith dude.

[@johnhutchinson4624]

If your running naked through brambles...a foreskin is a must!!🐑

[@andrewt836]

John Hutchinson knob knowledge

[@Superfantastictop10]

@@doovbaloevera1430 Bill Hicks?

[@reveivl]

Brilliant thanks.

[@noiseythunder9151]

Prof Stavrakopoulou in conversation with David Pawson would be interesting.

[@RIXRADvidz]

2110 denver time ready for another sit down and enjoy, in the morning. at 910 12 hours from now

[@simac3880]

@@kelpkelp5252 Ha ha... oh yes he does! He does indeed need to make a witty comment on every single fuckin video

[@RighteousBrother]

I like his comments!

[@Superfantastictop10]

@@kelpkelp5252 harsh. I like his comments.

[@Superfantastictop10]

@@kelpkelp5252 I have also been commenting too much. Already 3 on this video alone. I would quantify my enjoyment thusly: A barely perceptible smile.

[@johnhutchinson4624]

Always read your comments Rixrad..So,job done I suppose!keep it up🖖

[@robertdemartino2572]

Videos by Prof Francesca Stavrakopoulou are very interesting. Shows the bible is not what everyone thinks it is.

[@loumitchell5549]

this is 1 of the 2 i sadly missed due to illness. still gutted! going to watch 251 and 252 today :)

[@VaughanMcCue]

Gutted like a Herring? My fishy question was a Red Salmon. I have never heard of this Mr Fish until now. So its goodbye Mr Chips.

[@rationalsceptic7634]

The most gorgeous Ancient Historian on Earth x

[@stevemoisan]

This is the best RHLSTP ever - fantastic in every way.

[@jespna]

Most attractive woman who has ever graced the planet since around the 8th century

[@celevas8409]

Y en español... Cuando???

[@scrunty9dillion]

Fascinating and I think much nicer than Kim Kardashian.

[@ruporter9834]

wow/ive only just come across this interview /one of the best i have seen/'francesca is amazing/not heard of richard herring/so will check out more/quality stuff/thanks

[@jesuschrist4574]

She is fabulous, and brilliant! The only thing I've ever disagreed with her about is her assessment of Richard Dawkins.

[@jamespotter3660]

You should have her on again, felt like there was a lot more to talk about. Better than just the stand-ups dicking about all the time.

[@krisbest6405]

Yes adoptive dads cannot be claimed a descendants.

[@fazbell]

Amazing. A video that discusses God's willie.

[@meteor1237]

Love Dr. S!

[@Alec_Collins78]

What's her channel?

[@bradenschecter5217]

I really, REALLY want to ask her if she thinks Paul was a repressed homosexual. So much of what he said mirrors the swath of self-hating gays in the Christian community and I would love her opinion. Can you have her back and ask her for me? Thanks.

[@bradenschecter5217]

@Gary Fletcher cool. Thanks.

[@rayjr96]

Stunning beautiful and smart!!!!

[@alicedeen720]

Really good talk from Francesca Stavrakopoulou, such an amazing person. I think she is doing a good job educating people, hopefully, away from nonsense religions. If people weren't indoctrinated into their parent's religions before the age of critical thinking, the world would be a better place. OK having to edit this post. I've just watched this interview/chat to the end and Francesca is so funny! I've laughed my socks off!! Well worth the hour to watch this.

[@ArthurShedsJackson]

Francesca is awesome...

[@eensrds]

An atheist in the true sense (a-theist = not a theist) and with a deep scholarly love of the Bible. Not an angry narrow-minded "fundamentalist" or a bitter narrow-minded "anti-theist."

[@misspufflekeeper]

A joy when suffering with insomnia

[@mausperson5854]

Good stuff... Funny as fuck and informative to boot.

[@Solaar_Punk]

Really interesting

[@pclm]

A bit of a weird thing to notice as a straight man, but her hair game is so on point that Stephen Hawking inferred its existence in the centre of black holes.

[@toriigatedigital]

i will buy her book

[@kenlieck7756]

...and all the Stavrakopoulous call it RHLSTP! (BTW, is there gonna be an AIOTM this annum?)

[@jacksimpson-rogers1069]

I'm surprised that Prof. Francesca doesn't have my interpretation of "honour thy father and thy mother, that THY days may be long....". My interpretation is that Thou Shalt Not let them suffer the dishonor (to thyself especially) of letting them be poor when they can no longer work. It's a primitive version of retirement scheme.

[@roryokeeffe111]

This was really interesting, by the way. I mean they are normally very good, but I never comment, so I thought I'd say something now. Thanks!

[@flarqueologia4295]

Ela é demais!

[@doovbaloevera1430]

Also please ask Michael Palin if he supports Sheffield United or Sheffield Wednesday. Everyone in Sheffield is obsessed by the answer.

[@doovbaloevera1430]

@Sir Scofferoff how does he explain the Travelling Blades badge that is said to have been seen on one of his suitcases on one of his documentaries? Eh?

[@VaughanMcCue]

4 years ago and still relevent

[@carlodefalco7930]

Such a British accent , with that name .. why the Greek or other gods circumcised themselves ?

[@idprobablydislikeyou4503]

I cannot possibly enjoy her more...

[@rikhumphreys]

they're both touching their hair a lot in this...do you think they're....you know......?

[@GeorgeoftheJumble]

Hairy?

[@johnny2f55]

28:10

[@grahamsutherland2054]

yay we are the fans who say "Ni" So when he askes about chopping down the greatest tree with a Herring, you can actually do it :)

[@johnny2f55]

52:05

[@petewallis3756]

Strangely have a hankering for fruit polos

[@Dave062YT]

4 am and can't sleep .Result lol

[@ChubbyChecker182]

Early Amy Winehouse is looking well

[@doovbaloevera1430]

Rahula Stupor!

[@frankanderson5012]

Always great listening to Francesca. Shame it had to be dumbed down a self important ‘comedian’.

[@Herring1967]

Oh Frank.

[@Alec_Collins78]

Ashra? Is that the name of the wife? Ashraf?

[@roryokeeffe111]

Google says Ashera. Thanks for reminding me, I meant to look it up...

[@jespna]

It's very interesting and i love her, but had I been a student I'd have learned absolutely nothing for some different reasons.

[@dirkcampbell5847]

Ahaha!

[@rienpost3145]

44:20 Interesting tattoo. Rooster?

[@deanrennie6431]

Obsessed with her...

[@johnny2f55]

57:50

[@b747guy9]

If we are all made in the image of God does that mean God is transgender?

[@MJ-ky3rg]

I think all of the guests should be sexy female scholars... RHLSTP!

[@davidmaskey203]

I'd love to see francesca debate William Lane Craig one day. Two towering intellects with an in-depth knowledge in the subject matter. Can you somehow make this happen?

[@davidmaskey203]

@@mcfahk I'm afraid he is. More so than Stavrakopoulou.

[@davidmaskey203]

@@mcfahk na, he knows his stuff and has beaten every atheist he has debated.

[@davidmaskey203]

@@mcfahk I think it's best you watch the debates, this time have an open mind and pay attention :)

[@davidmaskey203]

@@mcfahk as I said, pay attention :)

[@isaacleillhikar4566]

William Lain Craig is the kind of dump she gets her nonesense from.

[@seanmanuelgoa]

Jesus is Reedemer in jobs

[@lissam8988]

There's no J in Hebrew.🤦🏼‍♀️ Also if translated properly it is not Jesus it is Joshua.🤪 Also how can God have a very common human name....🤷🏼‍♀️🤪

[@garryleach8517]

You don't love her as much as me😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@hammedmousavi2297]

I wish she was my girlfriend. I am 32.

[@lkshldrck]

Hahahahahahaha