Talk Heathen 09.36 with ObjectivelyDan and Kelley Laughlin

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In this episode of Talk Heathen, Jimmy Jr. and Godless Engineer dissect another failed rapture prediction before diving deep into calls about humanism, historical syncretism, and whether a historical Jesus can even be found!Chloe in MD questions if God’s existence matters, exploring post-theism. As a Norse pagan whose faith is based on “vibes,” she wonders if she is any different from rapture believers. The hosts challenge this reasoning, suggesting that while introspection is healthy, beliefs based on feelings rather than evidence can be problematic. Where does this path of deconstruction lead?Anton in WV asks if Christianity copied Mithraism. Godless Engineer explains it’s not copying but **syncretism**, where different belief systems merge, clarifying Mithraism came first. Anton then pivots to simulation theory, but how does that philosophical dead-end impact our investigation of reality? Does it matter if we are in a simulation?Josh in GA argues that figures named Jesus in Josephus’s work support a historical Jesus. The hosts agree the name was common but contest the biblical version, highlighting that the earliest sources like Paul rely on revelation, not history. The gospels only add more supernatural claims over time. So what's left of the original man?Thank you for joining us this week! We will see you next time!00:00 Intro04:20 Chloe-MD | Perspectives On Transtheim 40:09 Anton-WV | Who Copied Who?01:11:14 Josh-GA | A Historical Jesus ExistedDo you believe in God? Call and tell us why!Call the show on Sundays 1:00pm-2:30pm CDT, tell us what you believe and why!-Use your ☎ and call 1-512-991-9242-Or use your 💻 and click https://tiny.cc/callthWHAT IS TALK HEATHEN?Talk Heathen is a weekly call-in internet show in Austin, Texas geared toward long-form and on-going dialogue with theists & atheists about religion, theism, & secularism. Talk Heathen is produced by the Atheist Community of Austin.We request pronouns as part of the call screening process on our shows, and we display the pronouns our callers provide.  If you see a caller with no pronouns indicated, this is because they chose not to provide us with any, and we respect that decision.Don't like commercials? Become a patron & get ad-free episodes & more:https://www.patreon.com/talkheathentomeThe podcast may be found at:http://tiny.cc/podcastth-------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.We define atheism as the lack of belief in gods. This definition also encompasses what most people call agnosticism.https://www.facebook.com/groups/talkheathenfgreddit.com/r/talkheathenNOTESThe views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, or callers are their own and not necessarily representative of the Atheist Community of Austin.https://www.youtube.com/TalkHeathen is the official channel of Talk Heathen. "Talk Heathen" is a trademark of the ACA.Copyright © 2025 Atheist Community of Austin. All rights reserved.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.

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In today’s episode of Talk Heathen, Christy Powell and Sydney Davis Jr. Jr. delve into the terrifying realities of the "end of days," the mindset of believers, and the persistent impact of religious fear. They explore how people grapple with existential dread, question the origins of unusual phenomena, and find community outside traditional faith, all while dissecting the societal harms of religiously-driven shame and prescriptive morality.Benji in AL calls to question why God doesn't reveal himself, asserting that society is destroying itself and God is "somewhat evil." The hosts press on Benji's Gnostic, polytheistic views and use of the Bible, highlighting inconsistencies in his argument that the Bible is inaccurate yet useful for understanding God. How does one selectively believe parts of a text while rejecting its overall veracity? Josh in IN shares his experiences with "spirit lights" during sober Native American ceremonies, seeking naturalistic explanations for these repeatable visual phenomena. The hosts suggest human physiological responses to light deprivation as a likely cause, challenging Josh to consider why he's reluctant to accept well-established scientific explanations for perceived mass hallucinations. What constitutes acceptable evidence when seeking truth in such experiences? Sean, interested in organized atheism, inquires about the Atheist Community of Austin's (ACA) mission and its community-building efforts. The hosts explain how the ACA provides a platform for critical thinking, secular humanism, and the separation of religion and government, addressing the harms of religious fear, identity shame, and prescriptive sexuality. How can secular communities best counter the pervasive influence of religious dogma in society? Thank you for joining us this week! We will see you next time! and don't forget to add your answer to this week's Talk Heathen To Me question: Complete this sentence, The rarely talked about fifth horsemen of the apocalypse is... 00:00 Intro 00:27:05 Benji-AL | Why God Does Not Reveal Himself 00:50:21 Josh-IN | Questioning Sweat Lodge Claims Of Green Lights 01:18:05S Sean-CA | ACA Purpose And Christianity's Biggest Offense Do you believe in God? Call and tell us why! Call the show on Sundays 1:00pm-2:30pm CDT, tell us what you believe and why! -Use your ☎ and call 1-512-991-9242 -Or use your 💻 and click https://tiny.cc/callthBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.

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