The Atheist Experience 751 with Matt Dillahunty and Jen Peeples

[@Kailoa36]

I sincerely hope that this is the last time the AE will accept a call from Jonathan. That thread is exhausted.

[@colubrinedeucecreative]

"I am no longer willing to believe something because it simply feels right, or feels good because I understand that I can be fooled, and I can be wrong. I need to take the steps to find out what the actual answer is, and if I am unable to find the answer I am in a position of "I don't know". I am NOT justified in my claiming my lack of understanding, or my inability to find a better answer justifies any kind of supernatural explanation, or one that just seems to "fit"." Matt Dillahunty

[@brucebaker810]

Christopher Harper Ah. Plussed you. Thought it was your statement. Then got to the point in the vid where Matt said it. But you may keep the plus for your transcription. Well, 80% of it. I'm docking you two tenths for not using quotation marks and leaving the attribution at just "MD". But, rounding up: still 1.0 thumbs.

[@brucebaker810]

Christopher Harper Hi Chris. Thanks for taking that well. I too love language and playing with it. Words...those that exist and others I make up. Not sure what you meant by the cross reference. Or "lifting" language.

[@colubrinedeucecreative]

Bruce Baker Ok, I edited it for clarity. Thanks.

[@brucebaker810]

Christopher Harper Hi again Chris. Don't sweat this. Just mentioning it cuz I'm getting odd input. I don't note any substantive change in the OP. And, though I see your second reply (and all my comments), your first comment has vanished. As I said, don't sweat it. Just go forth and be awesome. Ciao

[@colubrinedeucecreative]

Yeah, that is because I thought you were still commenting on my other comment about "Fire". lol I had just woke up and it took me a bit to sort that this was a completely different comment.

[@SentusMusic]

@imation879 "Josephus Flavius, the Jewish historian, lived as the earliest non-Christian who mentions a Jesus. Although many scholars think that Josephus' short accounts of Jesus (in Antiquities) came from interpolations perpetrated by a later Church father (most likely, Eusebius), Josephus' birth in 37 C.E., puts him out of range of an eyewitness account. Moreover, he wrote Antiquities in 93 C.E., after the first gospels got written! Therefore his information could only serve as hearsay."

[@MrWeedWacky]

and could easily be based on the gospels rather than hearsay

[@USERNAMEfieldempty]

Jen and Matt. This is my fav combo of Atheist Experience.

[@ryanspangler4569]

Don and Matt are great as well

[@Brewhahh]

Thanks a lot for putting the time Stamps in the description. Much appreciated.

[@TempleofInanna]

"If you say unfalsifiable one more time I'm hanging up. Stop wasting my time." - Dillahunty

[@WizardImp]

Yeah. Relig-tards get carried away with the idea of unfalsifiability. If I claim the TOOTH FAIRY exists... try falsifying THAT.

[@jcisbell]

You did finally answer his question about "what difference does my belief actually make". The biggest problem with believing in a religion is the loss of self. The next biggest problem is the justification for evil deeds that can be done without good reason.

[@skellymom]

"There is no bigger fool than the fool who discovers a lie, yet still believes it." - Doug Parmenter

[@holio84]

Hopefully Matt and Jen's sacrifice by withstanding the "waste of time" harm of Jonathan will help other people realize that rational thought is imperative for a peaceful sane world.

[@TheAmateurEditor]

I honestly can't believe the patience Matt and Jen demonstrated with the second guy... I mean he wasn't being disrespectful in any way, but surely they didn't need to waste half the show on him when it was painfully obvious that he clearly wasn't able to see the pointlessness in trying to justify a belief in something unfalsifiable... But good on them for being really good sports and incredibly respectful.

[@bobbycathey]

To be a Christian who also believed he had a vision that was true, Clint is very open minded, I think. Because someone in his position would very often be a hardcore believer, but he didn't let what appeared to be true outweigh tons of physical evidence. So bravo to Clint for being a logical thinker.

[@MitchellWiggs]

Everyone should be held to a 10 minute time limit.

[@kove]

Especially when the argument continues in circles.

[@WizardImp]

Hmmmmm....

[@Spirifiume]

It's like a deja-vu experience. I hear arguments and discussions we had here in Europe 50 years ago.

[@biggingeryeti]

Also, thanks for putting in the times when the calls start and such, it's very helpful!

[@00Kuja00]

thank you!:D wish we had a show like this in sweden^^

[@LogicAndReason2025]

Fantasy is good in small doses, being lost in fantasy seems dangerous.

[@WarrenParks]

I appreciate that you guys spent the time to discuss with the one caller who is questioning his own beliefs. I feel like a lot of people start to see pain points in where they were raised and begin to have their own questions and reactions and it's often good to just try to understand where they are coming from. I hope the gentleman caller continues to search for answers wherever they might be.

[@roush26]

Matt always makes these episodes great.

[@HeardFromMeFirst]

Jonathan... that is gullibility in a nutshell

[@yamabamlo]

There is SO much ground that needs to be covered in each call, each theistic caller demanding their own 'reasoning' to understand an atheist mindset. I'm enthralled by what gets discussed on this show and only wish that it were longer / more regular. Good job guys +1 for reason and oranges alike.

[@brucebaker810]

First caller. Good point. "Blessing" food (saying grace) made no sense to him. "People...maybe Christian, maybe atheist or Hindu...developed the seeds. "People...maybe Jewish, maybe Sikh...grew those seeds into plants. "People...maybe Mormon, maybe Scientologist...raised the cattle, etc. "...packaged and butchered... "...transported...stored...sold...cooked... "...and I traded some of the money I earned through my own effort & expertise to buy it... "so thank you God, for "providing" this food for our use" I see a lot of people in that process. And I see God nowhere in it. "God helps those who help themselves". So...eliminate the middleman.

[@johnsmith6555]

+Bruce Baker it's about humility before nature and realizing how fragile is civilization. your words are those of a fat westerner who has never lived through war, siege or famine. what's worse he has no intrinsic connection to his ancestors' experience, who have. also, Jewish farmers, yeah right.

[@KEITH2781]

haha religion go home your drunk!

[@mrnatascorpus]

oh dear... I've gone through most of my life believing Im not particularly intellegent but frankly I don't think I've given myself enough credit... thanks for the show

[@iveseen1]

My sentiments entirely.

[@FourDeuce01]

Jonathan: “It’s given me hope and happiness.” Then he should stop lying about caring about the truth.🤡

[@bagospannerz]

@thenakedatheist hey. You mentioned about believing in afterlife might make one value this life less - I am severely disabled and have brain damage. I am newly atheist, but when I was Christian I was told I would have a fully working body in heaven, and I neglected the body I have now, even in its disabled state. I had been told I was stupid and didn't have much to look forward to. Now I am studying at open university, and every moment is precious despite the pain. Christianity diminished me, a

[@captainstinkyvonpoopberg4925]

One of the biggest indicators as to how empathetic we are as a species, IMO, is our eyes. If you compare our eyes to the eyes of almost every other animal, what stands out? The whites of our eyes. Those things really draw your attention. In most animals, having dark eyes allows them to hide better. The fact that humans have white eyes is a huge indicator that social selection has overcome any predatory selection. It is vastly important to our genetic reproduction that we are able to spot other humans instantly, see where they are looking, read their emotions, and so on. This carries beyond eyes to facial expressions and body language as well, but is less obvious than the eye. We are very attuned to each other. We read each other for intent and emotions so much that we don't even think about it. This knowledge just forms in our brains with hardly any effort. Since it all happens without (much) conscious effort, people attribute this ability to supernatural sources, but it really is just human nature.

[@MMAGamblingTips]

Timothy Edgar Good read

[@27182818284590452354]

-- But it's unfalsifiable! *sound of shotgun blast in a face*

[@limericklad2000]

Matt: "Congratulations, you've defined a tautology and wasted an hour." Great stuff.

[@MyOnlyFarph]

y'know you know you know you know like you know its like yeah you know

[@dj6dub]

Thank you guys for the responses, I respect science & am very fascinated by all new discoveries, progressions made, & how anatomy works as well. To ME, with all due respect, Atheism is another type of belief system. From observations, I can see that any belief system consists of truth finding & ultimately boils down to the conditioning of what that person interjects & retains in their metal aspect & in turn will disavows any outside conjectures. "we are never wrong" in our own mind set.

[@SuperMemzzz]

I love Jen, she is so smart! Seriously, Matt should give more space to co-hosts!

[@Rickswars]

My son was ten he said to me, ''How did Adam and Eve learn to walk and eat and stuff like that?''. ''It's sad they was never children and never played too'', so you learn that stuff when we are little that's weird''. I don't think my Son ever truly believed in the fairytale God.

[@JanneFlinck]

topic times at the description, is an excellent idea :D

[@jrock2310]

you can't prove bigfoot doesn't exist. therefore, can I assert its existence. cool, bro... have at it.

[@ApocryphalDude]

Jeff Connors Bigfoot his for your sins. Praise Wendigo! In Yeti’s name!

[@rhondah1587]

I was recently asked by a believer whether I prefer to either be happy or to be right. I actually wanted to face palm. What an asinine question!

[@aarrgghh]

jonathan has created a "god" he can keep safe in a vault, forever protected against investigation by pesky skeptics, all because he also wants to believe in life after death, which he keeps in the same vault. all because jonathan cannot tolerate doubt.

[@rrace002]

The guy was kind of right. He chose what he wanted to believe, and didn't care if it was wrong.

[@Bfdidc]

I've been watching the last couple of AEs to see if they were going to touch on some of the religious/political craziness (esp the contraception issue) ongoing in the current election season. I'd like to hear an open atheist discuss these issues on the MSM but they seem to be in short supply. Glad to see Matt and Jen decided to cover it.

[@marcowargamer]

I would add the comedy bits by Patton Oswald about religion. Funny but also very insightful too.

[@brynpookc1127]

And Eddie Izzard and Ricky Gervais. Also try Tim Minchin, such as Thank You God song

[@Moosenogger]

The first time a company tries to discriminate against their employees due to their religious beliefs, the law will be overturned. One thing about America is that your medical records are NO ONE'S BUSINESS but yours, your doctor's, and your insurance company. In fact, the only way I believe you can gain access to someone's medical records is through a subpoena, and I doubt any judge would actually sign a subpoena so a company can see if their employee is using birth control.

[@EvenGodsSuffer]

@TheAtheistExperience The moment Clint said he was studying chiropracty, I expected the woo that followed - and I wasn't disappointed: Matter isn't matter but is really energy, vibes, etc. Woo, woo,WOO. I'm surprised Matt didn't catch on to that but let him go on preaching for so long.

[@samikalastaja]

I was having hard time to grasp the concept that Matt has been saying: "Do you care whether the things you believe are true?" So when the answer is "Yes" I think that the second question should be something like "How do you know that your beliefs are true?" - at least this way it will lead to a meaningful conversation.

[@wannabefilms]

A lovely fart occurs at 42:52

[@ryanspangler4569]

Yes, there was a fart

[@PACKyourSHITfolks420]

I fucking love you guys and this show.

[@QuantumDice]

Matt:"I swear to your god..." Now one of my favorite quotes.

[@samikalastaja]

Jen at the end asking "What's hopeful about that?" - this is just hypnotic but so true. I hate when the caller lost and never replied to that question.

[@SunSwell90]

Don't imprison yourself with labels. Remember, just because something is true does not make it more valued or better, those are subjective labels. It is as it is, absolutes have nothing to do with positive or negative, unless perceived through social, cultural, scientific, religious, humanistic or any other anthropomorphic scope. Condescension is a turbulent tightrope.

[@the_stoned_investor]

I used to not like the theme song but more and more it's growing on me.

[@JJLatBIM]

@robinvan1983 Yes, I've purchased individual health insurance. Look up the definition. "Insurance" is meant to protect the insured against the UNexpected. Unless there is an unexpected medical need for contraception, such a provision can not be construed as insurance. Socialized medical care is merely another program to forcibly distribute wealth. Insurance is rational. Socialized medical care is irrational.

[@civwarfan]

Is The Atheist Experience a great show, or the GREATEST SHOW??!!! Love yo faces!

[@Kailoa36]

The simplest and most logical solution to the objections some businesses have toward paying health care insurance is to replace health insurance with a national health service. The U.S. is the only industrial nation that has no national health service.

[@AscendingParadigm]

Beliefs are choices to conscious individuals.

[@larjkok1184]

Why didn’t Jonathon just eat a make-believe orange? It should have given him equal pleasure.

[@mhaurora1368]

It's harmful to believe that something is true just because it makes you feel good, because that belief could make potentially harmful actions more likely to occur. If someone believes that on their next birthday, they are going to find a treasure chest with a million dollars inside, then it may cause them to not save their money throughout the year, and cause them to experience a crushing feeling of disappointment when their birthday arrives. Everything you believe has an effect on your life, and a belief that is not based on a foundation of evidence, will make actions based on foundation without evidence more likely. Jonathan's belief could result in him not trying to have the best life he can on Earth, because he believes that a better one is waiting for him.

[@TheZooCrew]

The government DOES direct how I do my job. There are specifications I need to follow, there are legal standards for the materials I work with, and there are a bunch of OSEH guidelines I need to legally obey for safety reasons. Contraception is a prescription medication that treats medical conditions on top of preventing pregnancy. What if an employee had lupus and the employer decided for some arbitrary reason not to cover that particular treatment?

[@berner]

Idea for a commercial. A kid goes to high school for the first time. He's walking down the hall and he's passing by a group of other kids huddled in the corner. One of the kids from the group says "Hey, hey you" and motions for him to come over. The kid, wanting to make friends joins the group. The kid who called him over says "Hey dude, you want one?" and the camera pans in, and they've all got a bible in their hands. The original kid just smiles, says no and walks away. "Religion. Just say no"

[@TheNakedAtheist]

I think even without knowing the details of Jonathan's life, it wouldn't be unfair to suggest that his belief in an afterlife will likely cause him to value this life less. Of course he'd probably say "you don't know my life" if this were pointed out to him, but I think we know enough about human nature to make that assertion without having to know the details of his life specifically.

[@emank44]

i like matts way of thinking

[@darksoul479]

He should believe in God because he likes oranges. Did he really just say that? 😂

[@decadepasts]

The caller reminded me of a documentary called Jesus Camp

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

Theories hold an exalted place within science. In science, for an idea to reach the status of theory (not just hypothesis), it must go through a prohibitively rigorous examination by a whole community of scientists whose job it is to DISPROVE the idea. If an idea has gone through this lengthy process and still holds up, it reaches the exalted status of "scientific theory." Scientific theories make predictions that can be shown to be true through observation and evidence.

[@diedie5]

whats wrong with the resolution? its broadcasted in 480P and its not poorly encoded plus its about what they say really

[@dj6dub]

Sorry for the exceptionally long delay in response, don't really check mail as often..lol you know, your response is very interesting and entertaining (sincerely speaking) . It almost sounds like a religious view. I can respect that as well, I don't hate.

[@sande66]

Joy, there are people like me! Love this show!

[@edmondsjc]

It seems like Jonathan's definition for what he called "active belief" is closer to the definition of "self delusion".

[@_Somsnosa_]

I am god because you can't disprove it. Please form a queue and bring a $100 "seed" offering. Yours Sincerely, God

[@agimasoschandir]

What is the evidence that you are god?

[@insanetester1015]

@@agimasoschandir You don't need evidence, you have faith.

[@agimasoschandir]

@@insanetester1015 OK. So,, its OK to believe in fairies? I ask, because I know at least one person who does, or did, have not seen them in awhile. You see, you can believe anything without evidence. As for faith, what do you mean?

[@ryanspangler4569]

Belief without evidence is what faith is

[@ICreamsodAI]

When it comes to the contraception issue... he is right. It is not a matter of religious liberty. But it is a matter of the government over stepping their bounds.

[@Correctrix]

They really should have a boom mike as a backup to the Lavalier microphones.

[@edenpeacock9503]

Correctrix mic

[@hanyuguo]

Just for clarification, scientific theories are not assumptions or hypotheses. Scientists create scientific theories with the scientific method, when they are originally proposed as hypotheses and tested for accuracy through observations and experiments. Once a hypothesis is verified, it becomes a theory.

[@QuantumDice]

I understand that, matter is not energy (because of massless particles), you misread what I wrote, BUT MASS and ENERGY are a different manifestation of the same thing. You said :"This does not mean that there is more matter when the mass increases due to velocity, just more mass". I totally AGREE with that, I know that, it's easy to understand. So far we agree on the same things you just misunderstood me. My question is: do you know why massless particles are not consider matter.

[@bagospannerz]

@thenakedatheist .. Atheism freed me. I use what I have got and I appreciate everything much more. Take care

[@clixx13]

@willzyx1980 This has nothing to do with "right to private property". He said if your religion stops you from providing your employees healthcare, then you shouldn't be running a business. If your religion interferes with providing your employees benefits, that is bad. It is most definitely ILLEGAL for a business to CHOOSE the people they want to work with on religious grounds. It is religious discrimination.

[@berner]

May we all have good reasons to keep smiling

[@Kashaan94]

@willzyx1980 That issue is an issue of fairness. If a business offers a healthcare plan that covers Viagra, then by rights they also have to offer contraception. Otherwise it is discrimination in favor of men and against women. But more importantly, it's the topic on which the decision is made. A religious organization cannot discriminate against potential employees because they don't believe in their religion. By that same token, they cannot force their belief on others.

[@timothyftw]

best reference ever

[@sevens3]

Logic is a method for evaluating the POSITIVE existential claims (the assertion that something DOES exist). The burden of proof is upon those who MAKE claims to offer sufficient evidence as to WHY those claims are reasonable, and thus WHY others should accept them as true.

[@EnigmaHood]

In regards to Jonathan, why is Matt using logic and reason to what is obviously an emotional appeal? Logic and reason do not work because emotions are inherently illogical.

[@kokoth]

Right on, thanks. I suppose I should have known that as I'm in pharmacology :s

[@colinellicott9737]

Johnathan is unfalsifiably Harry Connick Jr..

[@MrSilverside2002]

@TheTexanCanadian " This critically highlights the mental disconnect that keeps people who would otherwise be quite intelligent from fulfilling their full potential, which is ironically exactly what Matt has done" What do you mean?

[@goratrix1799]

The contraception issue is a big thing. A lot of people who aren't specifically religious actually support this measure as they think it's a freedom of religion thing. It isn't however because, as Matt stated, these are secular businesses. This would be EXACTLY as insane as if a Jehovah's Witness owned hospital refused to perform blood transfusions or transplants. The rationale and REASONS are exactly the same.

[@dfjr1990]

The point is where did the wind come from. The 'world' for that matter

[@dj6dub]

in laymen's terms, they guess and presume a possible solution by conducting test with the end results being left in assumption till more information is discovered. Even though my statement may not be 100% on point, it still hold's relevant to Atheist belief systems, I can respect their beliefs.

[@DerpdaDerp1]

@wannabefilms you just made my day

[@BeekersSqueakers]

The argument Johnathan is making is that in unfalsifiable situation it is preferable (at least for him) to believe in a deity. It's kind of pointless to try and argue against this since it is purely based on preference. Obviously the logical reaction is to reserve judgement, but some people won't accept that and will believe anyway and you can't change their mind. I just don't understand how someone can believe in something that can't be determined.

[@truckcompany]

The caller Johnathan I feel sorry for him. He seems to really believe in God based on his emotions, but based on reason, he is coming to the realization that he can't justify that believe and desperately wants to find a solution quickly but can't.

[@dfjr1990]

Absolutely, forgive me.

[@treehuggerkyle]

Usually Matt is a lot quicker to the disconnect button. I can't believe he didn't hang up on the guy after just a few minutes. That guy was all over the place, and took a long time to say a whole bunch of nothing.

[@HarrysSecret]

Early man could only imagine a superbeing being able to create something. They had nothing to guide them, and plumped for the easiest solution. Especially following a disaster/famine/disease. They probably tied those kinds of things to being some kind of punishment, and then the fear grew along with superstition. Never heard the saying "on the first day, man created god"?

[@JJLatBIM]

Matt's opinion of compelling employers to cover medical products and services is proof that merely being an atheist is no assurance that that person is rational in all aspects of their life.

[@Tajtusek]

@TheAtheistExperience He probably meant that it has to be in 1080p HD or it doesn't count :P :P :P

[@vizzini2510]

I don't think Matt actually listened to Limbaugh's comments on the Georgetown student, or he might have gotten the obvious humor intended.

[@leojboby]

if a pharmacist from a local privately owned pharmacy sells condoms/contraceptives but one of the employers finds it insults their religious sensibilities, can they simply say they are not going to sell it?

[@sevens3]

That difference between subjective value beliefs and a NONOBJECTIVE belief in God, is that the subjective value beliefs attach to OBJECTIVE things. Therefore, the logical basis of that subjective value preference can be evaluated in terms of the consequences of its objective attachment, unlike a purely subjective preference to believe in, say, God.

[@ClearlyJesus]

That's great, made me smile. :D

[@QuantumDice]

Lots of people are talking to me about that show, it sounds awesome. I will definitely use both "I swear to your god" and "oh your god" nice way to transform those old reflexes. I guess between atheists we can also use "I swear to there god"

[@Plusimurfriend]

thats true. some dont know that the truth wont change if you believe otherwise.

[@MaximumAaron]

@lhvinny I was talking more about how it'd be illegal with the minimum wage laws, but they'd probably still be able to get away with it somehow.

[@TitenSxull]

The rich pulpy taste of fresh squeezed Unfalsifiable Orange Juice

[@HeavenlyRa]

@abamguy I don't understand the skeptic's thing against chiropractors. I go to one regularly, and it always makes me feel better. It re-aligns your spine and stuff.