Christianity Only Logical Explanation | Rick-GA | Talk Heathen 05.11

[@barbiedahl]

"Oxygen exists because what else am I going to breathe." - Rick's argument from purpose

[@kuromyou7969]

What about anaerobic bacteria!?! 😆

[@shinobi-no-bueno]

@@kuromyou7969 well they're microscopic so obviously it's just another scientist lie

[@chaosmarklar]

The universe has to exist so I have a place for my stuff

[@barbiedahl]

@@chaosmarklar if George Carlin was a theist.😂🤣😂🤣

[@phillipseifert694]

Rick is not able to understand the conversation he’s having

[@deltanovember1672]

He’s thick as fuck.

[@Mewse1203]

That's what I was thinking. It's hard to have a good conversation with someone who doesn't understand what you're saying.

[@johnpelosi4117]

It is as if he deliberately avoids the kind of self reflection which his Religious notions protect him from.

[@WillPhil290]

He sounds like an old Italian guy from my neighborhood in Brooklyn... Or he's watched a lot of movies featuring guys with new York accents... Lol

[@TheSnoeedog]

Rick is not able to understand buttons...or shoelaces

[@HairyKiwiBalls]

I think "look at the trees" deserves its own fallacy.

[@leyrua]

Argument from incredulity.

[@pollypockets508]

He's such a narcissist. The tree doesn't make fruit just so he can eat it. It makes fruit to reproduce.

[@ZerglingOne1]

@@pollypockets508 Although it's very likely that fruit evolved alongside the creatures that ate seed pods in order to get free transportation and fertilizer. For example, the first tree that mutated to have a sugary seed pod (easy access energy) with higher than average fiber content (more poopin') was more successful because it was eaten and pooped (possibly even buried by the animal that ate it!) in a place that the progenitor tree isn't threatened by its offspring, and whatever creature preferred that sugary seed pod, preferred the trees that produced this proto-fruit. Time goes on, and the trees that produce more sugary, fibrous, and high liquid content fruit are selected for by the creature because it's more likely to eat the more nutritious fruit as the creatures that eat that particular fruit are more successful in reproduction. The higher liquid content fruit might even make it so the animal doesn't have to drink at dangerous watering holes which increases the selection pressure even more.

[@granfall00n]

Just imagine how you would act if your caller didn’t know the difference between credulity and incredulity..

[@jimothynimajneb622]

Arguing from incredulity fallacy should be renamed to The Fallacy of the Purposeful Tree

[@simonkoster]

His 'window of time' schtick is just the old threat of "Once you're dead it's too late to repent, and you'll be very sorry...".

[@dj_menyo839]

You know. I cought that. Especially when kept on asking "well you explain this window of time". Like if he was going to get these guys to magically be like oh shit. I only have s window of time. 🤔

[@Heathen.Deity.]

Also.... I think Rick is more likely to lick the window, rather than successfully engage a meaningful philosophical discussion.

[@samtagg8754]

Thing is it you have lived your life as a decent person you shouldn't have to repent

[@claytonbigsby1]

That's the vibe I got.

[@Yamazaki742]

The problem I think is that he assumed trees only grow fruit specificly for humans to eat

[@kenbee1957]

They could have pointed this out I think But he was so frustrating on the other end of the line with the "I eat the fruit" that they got more and more flustered. The simple arguments eluded them because the dude himself was unbelievably simple

[@kenbee1957]

He won Pigeon chess 😆

[@jaclo3112]

By his own logic, he should be able to eat the fruit of a yew tree.

[@charliecoley2423]

what about those trees there are poisonous

[@drrickmarshall1191]

This is a problem in reality, but it's not a problem if you start from the position that old mate here has, "book is true and book says". I don't doubt if you asked him why he believes the book is true you'll run into the same circular thinking and arguments from incredulity.

[@MadsFeierskov]

"Everything from God is living" said like two minutes after he said that a mountain was also created.

[@AlexPBenton]

And also that souls aren’t designed

[@lowstryder1022]

Yes! I wish they would’ve immediately come back with that one. I was hoping they would but they unfortunately didn’t.

[@ross-carlson]

This was one of the most painful calls I've EVER heard on this channel - you gave him EVERY opportunity to actually learn something but he had ZERO interest in that, like most theists. Hears NOTHING that you say as he's just waiting for his turn to speak and he's too ignorant to debate this - Dunning Krueger at it's finest.

[@TrejoDuneSea]

4 minutes into the call and it seems to be literally "look at the trees" which I guess, along with your post, saves me from watching the rest.

[@grantm6514]

But they weren't really listening to him either. His whole schpiel was "everything was designed to be useful to ME, therefore God". There's lots they could have challenged about that angle, but they were on their own trip.

[@HouseofReason78]

This is a perfect example of how religion harms society. The caller, Rick has absolutely no idea how to create a hypothetical in his mind of reality where a god does not exist. The concept is literally unfathomable to him and so he can't argue for something he can't assume axiomatically to be true. He is so indoctrinated. It is like someone unable to seperate the synbols we use for numbers of words and the concept the symbols represent. It's lacking self awareness to an extreme level.

[@scottc1857]

Nah he's just an incredibly malignant narcissist. He views the entire world through the lens of whether something is useful to him personally or not.

[@petermirtitsch1235]

@@grantm6514 what "trip"? They were ASKING him what his criteria were for determining whether something was created or not. Theists are singularly dishonest and evasive about this.

[@russellcunningham2781]

Rick's having a real hard time wrapping his head around the concept of a back and forth conversation.

[@MINDYOUROWNBUISINESS]

Ricks having difficulty letting go that he needs to explain that he EATS. He EATS the fruit, Russell. He gets hungry and he eats the fruit. That means GOD!

[@jaege]

@@MINDYOUROWNBUISINESS Rick makes old people seem stupid. Really stupid.

[@serpentinious7745]

@@MINDYOUROWNBUISINESS Look at the fruits! One word, Hemlock

[@alanthomson1227]

The P in his name is silent

[@sycofreake1]

@@alanthomson1227 😂😂😂😂 Great comment!!

[@loki6626]

Brian of Nazareth: "What do you mean there's nothing to eat, what about those juniper bushes?" The multitude: "A miracle! He has made the juniper bushes fruitful by His word."

[@deltanovember1672]

Follow the gourd!

[@loki6626]

Behold His mother! Behold His mother! Hail to thee, mother of Brian! Blessed art thou, Hosanna! All praise to thee, now and always!

[@Tupelo927]

I have *got* to finally watch _The Life of Brian_ if for no other reason than to "get" all the references made here & elsewhere.

[@charlesdrew3947]

Of course they brought fourth juniper berries, they're juniper bushes, what did you expect?

[@denverarnold6210]

@@charlesdrew3947 mustard.

[@33melonpaws77]

Heads up everyone here - you only exist in order to populate the comments section so that *I* may read it. Thank you for fulfilling your purpose.

[@kenbee1957]

All hail the algorithm

[@cade377]

No, thank you for providing us all with a PURPOSE. Praise to 33melonpaws77!

[@saikoakuma]

In melon we trust, praise be.

[@33melonpaws77]

@@saikoakuma * sacred melon bow *

[@TheSnoeedog]

Live well, Laugh readily, Love. Unconditionally. *AND TELL JOKES!!*

[@jdtown6585]

In his 50s but still hasn't learned to think critically or practice useful skepticism. Sad state of affairs in the USA.

[@ProjectDarkwood]

Yeah, and a lot of us are fucking tired of it. One can only hope the sane ones get angry enough to change it for the better.

[@jdtown6585]

@@ProjectDarkwood I'm with you, bruh.

[@johncee853]

He's not the whole usa. Don't insult all of us.

[@jdtown6585]

@@johncee853 Who said I was not the USA as well? I'm just not the part of the USA which is willfully ignorant and wanting to be a servant to a draft dodging con man who pardoned the likes of Kwame Kilpatrick.

[@denverarnold6210]

@@johncee853 it's not really insulting everyone in the US, as much as insulting the fact that we have places in society where we let thinking get THIS bad.

[@James-ye7rp]

Trees have purpose, therefore I have purpose. The sky is blue, therefore I am blue. Yeah, that makes sense.

[@newtoatheism5968]

That is hilarious

[@mrsatire9475]

I have blue eyes ... therefore, don't eat meat on Fridays

[@AussieNaturalist]

I think that Rick isn't educated enough to comprehend what Eric and JMike are saying. And I'm not trying to be condescending or using a fallacy, I'm just pointing out the obvious...

[@tommystyx]

Are you trying to say that Rick is a fucking moron, because if you aren't I will?

[@kowoh]

Him giving the perception and lens he views the world through over and over again doesn't even begin to establish truth value. He could have just as easily substituted Mickey Mouse for God. And nothing in the actual world changes I think X is true and I have 100 reasons isn't a statement about reality it's just telling people how I feel. Great very nice but outside ones own head it means nothing. I think for a lot of theists if they spend say 30+ years supporting an idea in their own head. It's almost impossible for them to evaluate if they are wrong.

[@TheTruthKiwi]

Yeah dude. Eric and JMike's points are going way over his head.

[@quantumconciousscorner2911]

@@tommystyx There is a difference between Being a Moron and being ill informed and uneducated. A moron is someone who knows better but does or thinks it anyway. He very well may not know better. Buy saying he is a moron you are projecting your own Knowledge on him. Personal Incredulity you personally can see the knowledge or have the knowledge he does not therfore he is a moron. Do you know all about quantum Physics or Astrobiology name the field you know nothing about. If No then you are a moron. See the point i make

[@tari8134]

@@quantumconciousscorner2911 I reject your definition of moron. Did you just ass pull that? Why would make up something just to scold someone else? See the point i make

[@solly119119]

Yeah, 4 minutes in and already knew they shouldn't have kept Rick on anywhere close to as long as they did. He was nice enough, but if a caller can't follow the most basic logic I really don't see the point.

[@dwightdhansen]

2.5 minutes in I figured out this guy was a "I don't understand therefore god" moron.

[@penguinuprighter6231]

But he said the words logic and reason. Duh.

[@Goldfiend]

I feel it would be more constructive to follow his line of thinking to it's end then ask him why.

[@XNTYLER]

It’s because he represents millions of others that are just like him

[@quotedotes]

They're trying to show people who truly have *not* thought deeply about their beliefs, why they are wrong, or at least not parsimonious. They pointed him to apologetics, in an effort to get the dude to THINK about it for a moment. I don't believe he did. But that is enlightening in its own way, as well. Showcasing the ignorance of dogma has value, too.

[@devb9912]

*"There are man-made things, and then everything else was god-made. Everything that god made is alive!"* "Did your god make mountains?" *"Yes!"* "Are mountains alive?" *"..."*

[@arizonasunflowers5226]

May I ask you kindly, what do you do to get BOLD for your font?

[@33melonpaws77]

@@arizonasunflowers5226 Put asterisks around the words you wish to embolden. * bold * becomes *bold* when you remove the space gaps.

[@devb9912]

@@arizonasunflowers5226 what 33 said, AND... if you put "_" before and after you _get italicized._ I'm sure there are others (like holding down Alt while typing 0149 gives you bullets • )

[@verpeiler089]

Rick is clearly not the brightest bulb in the box... or very deluded. Or just both.

[@Goldfiend]

I don't think it is a matter of him being bright, I think he really believes he is here for a purpose. I just wish they explored that more and asked him what he thought his purpose was. That is when his purpose would break down. If his purpose is just to be in heaven, why didn't he start there? It a tree's purpose is to bear fruits for people to eat, then how come the tree can enjoy that purpose now instead of spending its entire life being a good tree so it can go to heaven to bear fruit for God?

[@newtoatheism5968]

Most likely both

[@EllasPOSEiDON]

But you still can use a weak bulb in.....the shed, why not. After some use you throw it away because you realize its uselessness even in the shed, and you don't want to feed with electricity.

[@SecondQuantisation]

Darth Dawkins either prepped this guy or the guy knows of him because Darth reacts to this call on some other channel here on KZbin. As usual, he makes negative comments about the appearances and behaviours of the hosts, calls them names, claims they're scared of this line of logic and are too stupid to grasp it etc, all the while playing himself up as some high level thinker who can just wreck any and all atheists. Obviously he has a bunch of his sycophants in the Discord chat with him, all slapping each other on the back about how laughable Talk Heathen is and how clever they are. Of course to every honest and level headed person they come across as a bunch of immature children who will talk tough but then fail terribly when actually addressed. Darth loves to say "I'm old enough to be your father" and "I've been doing this for decades, day in, day out" but he'll behave the most childish and immature out of all of them - he probably is getting a buzz from all the "Oh wow Darth, you're so clever!" **** sucking his lackies give to him. And all because they can't understand their argument is one giant shifting of the burden of proof. It really makes their immaturity all the more cringey.

[@themanwithnoname1839]

His name is gary milne, and he is a cringe artist, even his co workers have said he is insufferable while at work

[@kowoh]

Does he realize we selectively breed all our food for hundreds of year's ? Apples in general for example used to be tiny, sour and full of seeds. Technically edible but a potential food not being poisonous and then requiring massive human intervention to have tasty sugar is not an argument for purpose. Its an example of selective breeding by humans.

[@TheTruthKiwi]

Yup. Bananas are another example of that.

[@18CDell18]

@@TheTruthKiwi broccoli as well

[@EustaBAracer]

One of my first thoughts lol

[@satie321]

@@TheTruthKiwi Bananas were perfectly created to fit in the hand. Do your research

[@TheTruthKiwi]

@@satie321 My research: The bananas we enjoy today are far better than the original wild fruit which contained many large, hard seeds and not much tasty pulp. Bananas as we know them began to be developed in Africa about 650 AD. There was a cross breeding of two varieties of wild bananas, the Musa Acuminata and the Musa Baalbisiana. From this process, some bananas became seedless and more like the bananas we eat today. Basically the original bananas were inedible and over thousands of years man has cross pollinated them to make the bananas we have today. No gods needed or involved whatsoever.

[@kateortiz3813]

Rick sees pine tree walks up wraps his arms around takes a lick of the sap. mmmm purpose

[@freddan6fly]

Then he eat the pine cones.

[@dustinmorton942]

EXACTLY!!!

[@jdtown6585]

Kind of like the way certain ex impeached, one terms loser presidents wrap their arms around USA flags.

[@33melonpaws77]

@@jdtown6585 ohh ewww

[@ookeekthelibrarian]

Lets hope he don't drill holes in then first.

[@foofyguy]

Another "look at the trees". We need more "look at the flowers".

[@freddan6fly]

@@nathanielthomson6600 Now I need to reinstall HL2.

[@rnhtube]

more like look at deez nuts

[@timmooney3345]

Of Course we are here for a purpose... to live long enough to understand the reason why we needed algebra. ☺

[@DaPradaGap]

Amen

[@ernestschroeder9762]

It's so that if you have two chickens and I want five from you, you owe me three chickens. Don't mess with mathematics.

[@alanrosenthal6323]

I get algebra. I want to know why they made me take 5 semesters of calculus in college!?!?!?

[@iancastor69]

🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣

[@iancastor69]

This moron thinks trees bear fruit to feed him. For the most part fruit, nuts and other methods are there for the tree to reproduce. It's the seed. If anything, we fuck up that process by eating the seeds.

[@IsaacHarris]

He accuses the hosts of copping out when they charitably suggest he do more research and even what research to do and call them back. Then he cops out himself when he doesn't like them sticking to the topic he brought up to help explain the topic he actually called about. After misunderstanding almost everything that had been said over the last 13 mins of the call. The call is worth doing, but it's just frustrating to hear.

[@IsaacHarris]

16 mins in and he's still getting everything wrong. :( Dude.

[@IsaacHarris]

24 mins in and I still have no idea why Rick thinks his points add up to purpose or to a god.

[@macmcdermid8677]

Well his argument was no worse than any other believer, no thinking beyond indoctrination, intellectual dishonesty and a whole basket of empty assertions and logical fallacy's, don't they get bored having literally nothing ??

[@Venusbabe66]

MacMcD They, of which too many in America are "home schooled" it seems... lack good basic science (especially evolution and cosmology), don't get bored because they don't know - what they don't know! They are the living ideology of "ignorance is bliss" because they have been taught that their Bible is the only "truth" that matters and to stifle their curiosity. Hence, millions of believers like Rick who struggle with any concept requiring basic critical thinking and logic, cannot have an intelligent conversation without the mental gymnastics of circular reasoning.

[@tedgrant2]

"It has to be created in order to be here". In other words, anything that exists must have been created. It follows immediately that God was created. I see this as a grave difficulty in the principle.

[@michelerich1590]

'food exists for me!' oh the ARROGANCE, rick.

[@danumd87]

This was the most painful half hour of my life that I didn’t pay for...

[@TheTruthKiwi]

B & D fetishist spotted.... :p

[@Cellidor]

"I don't think you're looking hard enough" is such a terrible argument for this and he doesn't seem to realize it. "I think unicorns exist" "Can you prove that?" "Just look around!" "I am, I don't see any unicorns." "Well you just need to look harder" How about you actually get some evidence that your unicorns exist rather than just asserting you're right and that anyone who disagrees just 'Isn't unicorning hard enough". Sorry, but no.

[@tedgrant2]

I've got trees that form a "hedge" at the bottom of my garden. I haven't noticed any "fruit". The trees were planted to give some privacy and protection from the wind. Incidentally, they are a resource for insects and birds that visit my garden. Sometimes the "purpose" of a thing is rather complicated.

[@ookeekthelibrarian]

I have done the same. 99% of all the trees in my garden do fruit, but I would not eat most of it, due to them being Australian native trees.

[@tedgrant2]

@@ookeekthelibrarian My brother asked me, "Why have you got all those big trees ? ". He knew they had a purpose and that purpose is all mine. To ask, "Why did God put those trees in the garden ? " is nonsense.

[@brucebaker810]

Gremlins eat the hedgefruit. The gobble up the first little sprouts. Invariably, everywhere. So no sprouts ever show on any hedge tree. And there are only the number of gremlins in each neighborhood supported by the hedgefood supply.

[@tedgrant2]

@@brucebaker810 At last, we've got a complete explanation.

[@brucebaker810]

@@tedgrant2 Not quite. The gremlin to hedgeftuit ratio is so precise that any change--even someone trimming their hedge--could reduce the number of gremlins, By increments. If the area can now support 5.7 gremlins, 0.3 gremlins disappear. It starts at the feet. As long as they've got the head and at least one arm, they're mobile. It could go from 0.7 (both legs, to mid-thigh, just dissolved.), then lose another .4 and suddenly be just head, neck, left arm and bits of torso. It's rather off-putting the first few times you see one. Well, part of one. I guess part of a crumb is still a crumb. Maybe they also grow back incrementally if food increases? Yet unknown.

[@David13ushey]

"That tree has nutrition only because centuries of cultivation allows it to be nutritious. Crab apples, bitter, sour apples, are what apples USED to be like."

[@JesusUnfollower]

JMike killed it on Sunday!

[@TheManbush1]

Yep had never heard of him before will have to look more of his stuff up.

[@danielsnyder2288]

You have WAY more patience than me! Well done

[@jasonbladzinski5336]

This guy has no idea what's going on.

[@arizonasunflowers5226]

Jason Bladzinski: do you think he turned his clock ahead last Sunday? 😬😳😮🤭 Somehow I doubt it...🤫

[@jasonbladzinski5336]

@@arizonasunflowers5226 LOL. Probably not.

[@drg8687]

I get the feeling RIck thinks mountains were made for skiing.

[@leyrua]

Black beard, black shirt, black chair, black headphones... JMike looks like a shadow with a face, and I absolutely cannot stop enjoying the sight. 🤩

[@themanwithnoname1839]

"goth jesus" lmfao

[@themplar]

Didnt rick call the AE aswell? and got his ass handed to him.

[@TheTruthKiwi]

I'd imagine Matt wouldn't hold back in the face of so many fallacies.

[@matti550]

Ohh no, this is honestly why I like TH better it's sometimes hard to watch Matt tear these people up. This guy though he deserves it.

[@jackstevenson4679]

Yes he has..

[@mr.johncharlescharlie3502]

"I don't think it would be nice to bat you around" ... this whole interaction was empathic and caring. I appreciate that Talk Heathen works to create true (back and forth) dialogue. Thank you !

[@jeffparent2159]

Everyone i think Rick has solved the Gnome problem: 1. Collect Underpants 2. Nutrition 3. Profit

[@PBAmygdala2021]

Gotta go to work, work all day!

[@RockMonster1000]

He spread himself so thin he doesn't even register they are trying to talk about his points. Duh dude.

[@Alberts_Stuff]

"Rick!, let's stick with the treees" 😂 love Eric JMIKE smart af 🎸 🤘🏼

[@Reignsupreme-wd1od]

This is literally the level of rational thinking you’d expect from a small child.

[@grantwing4942]

Each tree grows a specific fruit.... this guy maybe isn't aware of grafting.

[@ernestschroeder9762]

Does he appreciate how many varieties of apples there is?

[@miconis123]

Much less why there are so many

[@callmeflexplays]

"I think the point you're trying to make is" just evidence of another theist so scared of honestly engaging in a conversation that they have to try and guess where you're going instead of hearing what you're saying and answering your questions.

[@mender722]

(23:30) "The purpose is that it grows healthy food for me to eat." and "This tree has purpose, because without food I'll die." Well, some trees/plants produce substances that will scar you, or blind you, or even kill you. So, there's that side of the argument.

[@redmed10]

As the poet said, 'Only God can make a tree,' probably because it's so hard to figure out how to get the bark on.

[@jessbubb6339]

Mosquito bites rick:intelligent design Rick gets malaria: purpose??

[@scarecrow1983]

JMike’s beard is glorious. Praise be to him... and his beard.

[@JAM609]

Listening to Talk Heathen reduces my anxiety

[@marasmusine]

I would like to have known why Christianity specifically was the only logical explanation, and none of the other religions.

[@mr.mcbeavy1443]

Because he's a Christian, of course. More circular reasoning.

[@kowoh]

Because he wasnt raised in the middle or far east.

[@wunnell]

The irony of this guy claiming that something is logical when, based on this call, he is completely unable to apply logic to anything. He is straight up starting with the conclusion that his religious leaders gave him and then fitting the facts to that in the way they told him to. There is no logic at all.

[@kantoros]

You could say... This conversation didnt bear any fruit! :P

[@OmnivorousReader]

That was so kind. So very, very immensely patient...

[@PierredeCur]

The "purpose" of life is raising the entropy of the universe...

[@suburban-vampire]

"... I don't know what that means" - Rick, constantly

[@andreahughes1155]

"We plant the seed, nature grows the seed and then we eat the seed", Niel, the young ones.

[@steveclarkreborn]

I looked at the time stamp and seen 26 minutes, which immediately turned me away, but then I seen JMike was on the call, so now I'm here

[@jamtaco2667]

Rick: Trees have purpose. Reality: Usefulness does not equate to purpose. It can be used for a purpose but that still doesn't mean it was designed. Not all trees grow "healthy food for me to eat". Many plants have been genetically modified over thousands of years by selecting the plants with the best properties to reproduce. Show Rick what bananas looked like long ago... show Rick some berries that can make you sick. Have Rick eat some uncooked pistachios or cashews. This guy doesn't know just how wrong he is about so many things.. I'm sorry Rick- I feel for you. I was once just like you... and it was due to my family indoctrinating me. My health is failing and I'm only 36- my aunt theresa had me so convinced I was going to hell, indefinitely, no matter what I did or said in my life... and I was suicidal for a long time after all the abuse i endured. Sometimes it still creeps up on me... kicks me in the nuts and reminds me of how unwanted I must have been to have suffered the live I was forced into... When you defend religions that do this to kids... you make me wonder just how maligned and possibly malice to may be in other areas... So take Eric and Jmikes advice. Join the conversation. Turn your life around and learn new ideas 💡 It's worth it. I went from living in trailers and apartments to chasing my dream of having a doctorates in Computer Science. I chased the love of my life from my middle school and high school years and now I live with her in a nice big house in a neighborhood of mostly retired business owners. If I hadn't given up all the terrible things religion did to my mind... I wouldn't be here today. One of my attempts to take my life would have finally done me in. I'm not saying that's the path you're on but you must realize that it does that to people and I want you to know you don't want a world filled with fanatical theists... because that's where I would've gone next if I had never found my way out of that trap. Much love to you Rick- come, join us. Have patience when learning things that are new to you. Enjoy understanding the natural world instead of being lost in a world of magic and warring gods with purposes that pit us against each other and the world we live on.

[@wunnell]

*"Something happens and there is a result, therefore that result must be the intention."* Big "nope" on that one.

[@sandpaper631]

Ricks living in a bubble full of romanticized views on the world, take a hike into the middle of Alaska and see how perfect gods creation is for you, pet some wild grizzly's

[@ookeekthelibrarian]

Drop the bugger off in the middle of Australia and lets see how long it takes him to find a tree with anything edible on it.

[@davids11131113]

So the purpose of the universe is humans were put here to worship a being you can’t see or sense apparently and if you don’t then there’s great anger and fury and eternal torment from this god....OH and BTW according to Christianity god really needs $50 from ya too.... Sorry I’m just not buyin it.

[@davids11131113]

Nah if god really needs $30 I’m not just handin it to him it will just go to booze I tell ya I’ve seen it a million times....if he needs some cash he can stop over and mow the lawn.

[@theunclethatdoesnttouchyou]

@@davids11131113 Perhaps $15 and he'll give you some good vibes lol

[@tonydarcy1606]

What's the "purpose" of competing lichens fighting over territory on an Arctic rock ? I don't know, but they do compete all the same. Where Rick sees design in trees, I see the various laws of physics, chemistry and biology in action.

[@jewsco]

So the thousands of other religions mean nothing and what about the hundreds of different variations of Christianity?

[@freddan6fly]

He don't eat apples, he eats pine cones.

[@kenbee1957]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@uncleanunicorn4571]

I assume I'm correct, therefore it proves I'm correct.

[@chrischandler889]

That is his ENTIRE argument. It's ridiculous.

[@Drakonis.Imperial]

The problem many atheists have when we hear statements such as "Christianity is the most logical explanation ..." and looking at our world and seeing "God's handiwork in creation ..." is when challenged all they can offer is excuses. And one of the biggest lies in this is that they only choose positive things ... and when you point out the negatives it goes back to more excuses. . So one of the "proofs" of Yahweh's creation would also have to be ... Toxoplasma gondii. This is a parasite that can only reproduce in a cat's intestines. The cat defecates the parasitic spores and mice come along and eat them. Then the parasite literally changes the mouse's brain so that it loves the smell of cat urine. The mouse seeks out cat urine and gets eaten closing the cycle. But cats like to defecate in sand boxes, human children love to play in sand boxes and often come into contact with cat feces (and the parasitic spores). But the parasite doesn't make human children love the smell of cat urine ... it just eats their eyes. . And the most common excuse for the "logic" of such an animal being "created" is "The Fall of Man".

[@mabatch3769]

Weren’t all life forms created before the supposed fall though? That explanation wouldn’t even make sense within Christianity.

[@Drakonis.Imperial]

@@mabatch3769 Nope, according to some Christians all of the animals living in the garden were plant eaters until they got kicked out with Adam and Eve. It's only then that predators, parasites, germs and viruses started being a problem. Apparently Dirt Man and Rib Woman listening to Talking Snake to learn about "Evil" cursed all of existence. . Equally telling is that, again according to some Christians, birth defects and childhood cancer are simply concentrated "Original Sin" being visited on babies by their all-loving Yahweh. That way he can save 1 in 1,000,000 and get praised for "miraculous healing" (that completely ignores the efforts of medical practitioners).

[@mabatch3769]

@@Drakonis.Imperial “according to some Christians” Yep, that’s the problem right there. All the parasites were vegetarians before the fall? Pretending like every living thing ate plants until some chick ate a forbidden apple is straight up delusional. I’ll never understand how those types of Christians can ignore reality. The ones that can accept evolution I can respect a little bit but the biblical literalists are incapable of even the slightest bit of intellectual honesty. Weird thing is though, the literalists are still just making shit up to fit their fairy tales. Strange world we live in.

[@Drakonis.Imperial]

@@mabatch3769 It's not necessarily a "delusion" (because the AMA considers questioning strongly held religious beliefs taboo) but more desperation. People often refer to the "God of the gaps" where they pigeon-hole their god wherever science doesn't have a definitive answer. But I think the more common problem is the "God of the excuses" where believers simply make up excuses to cover the divergence between what their religion says and how reality is. Gods originally lived in "sacred places", usually forbidden places ... until people went there and found them empty. Then the gods lived on mountain-tops ... until someone climbed the mountain. Then clouds ... until we invented airplanes. Then above "the firmament" ... oops, rockets. Now the main god of the Abrahamic religion has actually been moved outside of space-time ... the theists need to excuse their god's non-existence has literally pushed him out of existence. Excuses, excuses, excuses ... all to hold on to beliefs that don't conform to reality.

[@mabatch3769]

@@Drakonis.Imperial The AMA considers questioning strongly held religious beliefs taboo? Maybe because it messes with the individual’s psyche? I’ll have to look into that. But yes, I definitely agree, they are making excuses in an attempt to force fit their beliefs into reality. Which, to me anyways, is completely backwards. I’ve tried for decades to understand their reasoning and the only thing I can come up with is the inability to let go of indoctrination coupled with fear of death. I can’t comprehend why an otherwise rational person would believe in fairytales. Although some theists I’ve encountered are far from rational. Not all but a fair amount.

[@G_Demolished]

For a group of people convinced that we’re not primates descended from earlier primates, it’s odd that the evil one in their story is a snake and they see salvation in the trees. 🤔 🐍 🐒 🌳

[@anrose8335]

The caller started out by saying how old he was as though older age alone would make what he has to say on a higher level than someone who was more educated. To argue with such a man almost necessarily requires use of condescension. He obviously called up to teach the young-'uns (his "purpose" in calling). Eric and JMike have their work cut out for them. More power to them!

[@nicolab2075]

Exactly. But I'm a bit older than him, so how come I've arrived at completely different conclusions?!

[@theriffwriter2194]

Soldier #1 "I know a great place for you to buy better ammo so this fight is fair. Here's the location" Soldier #2 "That's cheating" Soldier #1 "fine(bang!)... Jackass"

[@exiled_londoner]

I know the hosts don't want to be too brutal to their callers, but honestly... the 'look at the trees' argument is too brainless to be worth serious discussion. People who think that personal incredulity (or lack of imagination as Mr Murphy correctly summarised it) is a good reason to believe in Yahweh, or Allah, or the Hindu Pantheon, or Zeus and the Olympian gods, or Zoroaster, or any other deities, are people who lack any epistemological process whatsoever. Such people are not necessarily bad or beyond redemption, but they are ignorant and uninformed and unlikely to be able to present any coherent case for their belief system and thus are unsatisfactory partners for any proper discussion.

[@baremetaltechtv]

What he said ⬆️

[@Tupelo927]

Augh! I lasted about 3 minutes before groaning involuntarily. Hats off to the hosts for their patience.

[@seionne85]

Poor Rick. He must go through life so completely lost

[@thomasknudsen3686]

The fruit of any given plant has a purpose, and it is to breed. That we somewhere along the line of evolution adapted to eat fruit is a sideeffect

[@adamcroft80]

And that’s not limited to fruit. I would say the ultimate purpose of any living thing (tress, animal’s, grass, viruses etc) is to survive long enough to breed

[@gregoryeatroff8608]

Caller: "You're being condescending." Also caller: "If you don't agree with me you're not looking hard enough." Oh, projection...

[@Goettel]

People who use the word "logical" rarely are

[@ummmno3871]

Lmao Jmike might as well be speaking in tongues to this guy. He’s using lots of words rick has never heard before

[@SalK-LS]

That's what I was thinking... Woosh! I'm sure most of what JMike said just went right over this guy's head.

[@mads2357]

Creepy that he thinks my purpose is determined by my neutritional value...

[@lisasimmons5362]

Tiresome caller. Eric's patience is truly astounding.

[@BroNumsi]

Explained right, the watchmaker analogy would have been really useful here. But change it to a canner analogy instead: you're walking on a beach and see a can of soup. You recognize that it was made with the purpose of providing food. The apple tree also provides food therefore it must also have been designed with the purpose of giving food. Would he agree? If you then explain how the apple is just a lure to get animals to spread the seeds therein, in order to create new trees, and the nutritional value of the apple is just an incentive, where does that leave the "created for food" argument? The tree could have used a number of other methods of spreading the seeds, with no boon to us. Are poisonous, parasitic plants also designed, and if so, why?

[@yarnpower]

The purpose of the tree is not to feed Rick, it is to spread their seeds so they will propagate new trees.

[@joewalsh4713]

Hey! There may not be fairies on the moon bit Son Goku carried Boss Rabbit and his gang up there.

[@e.jamesshepard7183]

Another person only wanting to push their agenda instead of listening. And nothing has to have a purpose. His need for there to be a purpose is to fill the void of what he can't comprehend.

[@Ebiru2387]

I have a hard time realizing how shallow of thought so many people are!

[@moikkis65]

This is one of the most interesting calls from all of the atheist call in shows ever. Thanks to Eric actually. Consentually batting someone around is a new thing to me :D

[@TallSilentGuy]

i can't believe they managed to get George Harrison as co-host!

[@kenbee1957]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@serpentinious7745]

"Things interact, therefore purpose". No. Purpose requires intent, which must be demonstrated. The consistent principals of the interaction are called physics, and are not enough to conclude purpose.

[@RozzieBass]

Do trees that don't make edible fruit have purpose too?

[@loki6626]

Ark building? 🤭

[@arizonasunflowers5226]

Shade? Oxygen?

[@terryboot7777]

Ask Rick.

[@RozzieBass]

@@terryboot7777 yes, that was the point

[@multifacetedabnormal4951]

When speaking of the nutrition of trees as purpose: what's the purpose of pine trees?

[@joulian]

All this years and I'm amused that today they struggle so much because they've learned the proper terms and they're trying to discuss with their very complicated wording with a very simple guy using very simple words.

[@granfall00n]

Pedro, I think you have hit on a real point here. The presenters are extremely knowledgeable in their subject and in the methodologies of logic and discussion. Most of us are not. I have a degree in English but have not studied logic. Now, when these poor deluded callers call in the presenters have an opportunity to change their minds. However they are just as likely to pick holes i the callers discussion skills or vocabulary or whether that is a correctly constructed premise and to advise them to read a book on the epidemiology of Boolean logic as they are to point out inconsistencies in deism. Just let the callers make their points and then explain why they are wrong..stop trying to show off your superiority. You were actually just like them for a long time.

[@redmed10]

And the fact he grew up in Christian background had nothing to do with it.

[@dannyspitzer1267]

Rick is toast

[@louseveryann2181]

Always nice to hear from a levelheaded person....

[@krisaaron5771]

Rick needs a course or three in basic philosophy and rational thought processes. All of us should be taught this beginning in kindergarten, and every year thereafter. But teaching logic and rational thought would make the teaching of religion and politics that much more difficult, so religious and political leaders oppose the idea and public schooling remains much like it was in 1880. For proof, may I present Rick from Georgia.

[@arizonasunflowers5226]

Well, yes. I think they emphasize the wrong subjects in school. That’s patently obvious. Our schools are designed for the world of the 1950s, and it hasn’t changed much since then, curriculum-wise. Kids need “real-world teaching”, so they can be prepared for the world, at least in the last 4 or 5 of our school years.

[@JAM609]

I was pretty shocked at Ricks reaction to the initial feedback

[@visforvegan8]

14:20 this guys so ignorant, and had spent so little time thinking about the subject that he has no idea what's coming.

[@DefendUrPolicyDontScapegoatLie]

“The only logical god is the one I’m most familiar with”

[@Gamer_G33k]

The purpose of life? To die. Thats what every single living being has in common. What we do before we die is up to us. If someone decides their purpose is to murder, then thats their choice, its my choice to then put them in jail because my purpose is to make sure everyone is safe and happy, without causing undue harm to people.

[@ZerglingOne1]

If life and evolution have a purpose, that purpose is to consume energy as quickly as possible and in as large a quantity as possible. Humans have been using increasing amounts of energy every year since our first known ancestors.

[@AlexPBenton]

The “purpose” of life is to reproduce.

[@Gamer_G33k]

@@AlexPBenton There is no purpose of life, there are functions. Giving life purpose supposes something to give it purpose. We give ourselves purpose. Thats like asking "Whats the purpose of this dust?"

[@alisonjones8861]

I love that statement "We already did and concluded it was wrong". Haha!

[@oldmanaz.6811]

No offence Jmike but ya look like Rasputin, freaking great.

[@t800fantasm2]

Yeah, its a good look....

[@oldbatwit5102]

To give this guy some credit... he did have me laughing out loud several times.

[@swingstylez]

Lions and tigers and bears have to eat us, or else they will die. Our purpose is to sustain god's real creations 😂