Is there a direct correlation between atheism and liberalism?  Why do so many atheists lean towards the left of the political spectrum?  Many of our past shows have focused on the Conservative Christian influence over American politics, but does that necessarily mean that one needs to oppose their views in all areas? Politics, philosophy and atheism are the topic for today's show.  Our guest is Massimo Pigliucci, who contacted us following our interview with Sunsara Taylor, because he wanted to address a few of the points she had made in regards to socialism and atheism.  As a philosopher and an evolutionary biologist, Massimo regularly addresses the intersections of politics and religion.  George Kane will lead the discussion.

 

"Atheists Talk" is produced by The Minnesota Atheists. Mike Haubrich, Director and Stephanie Zvan , Host.

 

Relevant Weblinks for Today's Show:

 

Massiomo Pigliucci's Wikipedia Bio
The Difference Between Science and Bunk:  Greg Laden and Massimo Pigliucci on Atheiists Talk, March 1, 2009
Plato's Footnote
Rationally Speaking - Massimo's Blog
Austin Cline at About.com on Athism and Political Views
Sunsara Taylor on Atheists Talk
Philip Broucom:  Evolution Easily Explains Morailty
Division by 0: This Human Nature
John S. Wilkins: Evolution and Economics at Evolving Thougthts

 

 {podcast Massimo Pigliucci: "Politics, Philosophy and Atheism." Atheists Talk #0074, Sunday June 14, 2009}

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Listen to AM 950 KTNF on Sunday at 9 a.m. Central to hear Atheists Talk, produced by Minnesota Atheists. Stream live online. Call the studio at 952-946-6205 or email us at radio@mnatheists.org This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Skepchick is a group of female (and one "deserving" male) bloggers dedicated to the idea that skepticism and fun can and should coexist. They turn sharp wit and sharper intellect on subjects such as religion, UFOs, medical quackery, and credulous and sensational reporting. At the same time, they dismantle the idea of skepticism as a dry, intellectual exercise at their many events and meetups, such as their Drinking Skeptically and Skeptics in the Pub events.

This July, they're combining both strengths by hosting a series of panels and other events at Convergence, the Twin Cities largest current science fiction and fantasy convention. Many of the Skepchicks will attend, and special guests include astronomer Pamela Gay and MN Atheists own PZ Myers.

In the studio, Stephanie Zvan will interview Skepchick Carrie Iwan about the Skepchick organization, Convergence and other ways to have fun while thinking skeptically.

"Atheists Talk" is produced by The Minnesota Atheists. Mike Haubrich, Director and Host.

• Skepchickcon website
• Convergence Con website
• Convergence programming schedule
• Skepchick blog
• Carrie's articles at Skepchick
• Skepchick podcast
• Skepchick events (includes Minneapolis Drinking Skeptically event June 11)
• Minnesota Society for Interest in Science Fiction and Fantasy (MISFITS) Convergence producers

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Listen to AM 950 KTNF on Sunday at 9 a.m. Central to hear Atheists Talk, produced by Minnesota Atheists. Stream live online. Call the studio at 952-946-6205 or email us at radio@mnatheists.org.

Bart Ehrman is a scholar of The Bible and has published popular works at a rapid clip on the subjects of theodicy and the literary history of the books some refer to as "Scripture."  He was an evangelical who believed that The Episcopalian Church in which he was raised was too tame on the teachings of Jesus' Word of Salvation.  Dedicating himself to the study of the original Greek versions of the Gospels and New Testaments in order to better understand the word of God, he made the discovery that (Whoops!) the Bible couldn't be an inerrant instruction manual.  There were too many inconsistencies, too many obvious copying errors in the translations and too many differences in the theologies contained within the books we call the New Testament for it to be a coherent work of God.  He has since become agnostic, strongly convinced that even if there be a Creator it is certainly not the one painted by our Christian religions.

 

Scott Lohman and Grant Steves bring their intellectual prowess to bear in discussing the books of Bart Ehrman for this program.  Grant and Scott are both impressed by Ehrman's writing, and they are entertaining thinkers and speakers on the subjects of literature and theology.  This is sure to be a fun show as they discuss Ehrman's books.

 

 

Jesus:  Apocapypitc Prophet of the New Millienium, by Bart Ehrman (Google Books Preview)
MIsquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why, by Bart Ehrman (Amazon Books)
Jesus, Interrupted:  Revealing The Hidden Contradictions in the Bible (and Why We Don't Know About Them) By Bart Ehrman (Amazon Books)
Bart Ehrman:  Questioning Religion on Why We Suffer (NPR Interview, 2008)
The Book of Bart (Wahington Post, 2005)
Bart D. Ehrman site
Bart D. Ehrman Wikipedia Page

 

A Christian Reviews "Jesus Interrupted. "  Alden Swan
 

"Atheists Talk" is produced by The Minnesota Atheists.  Mike Haubrich, Director.  Stephanie Zvan, Host.

 

 {podcast Bart Ehrman: God's Problem. Athests Talk #72, Sunday May 31, 2009}

 

Do former preachers and theologians carry more weight as atheists than those who were born without belief?  John W. Loftus carries a great deal of credibility as an atheist because he has studied the philosophical debate over the extistence of the Christian God as a sincere believer and then as a non-believer.  In turning from Chrisitanity he hasn't forgotten the theological justifications for belief, but instead is adept at examining the details of such justifications.  His book Why I Became and Atheist:  A Former Preacher Rejects Christianity takes us through the crisis of faith that led Loftus to conclude that there likely is no God, and more specifically examines the roots of Christianity.  He finds it wanting for validation.  Grant Steves will talk to Loftus about the book and the process of deconverstion.

 

Atheists Talk is produced by Minnesota Atheists.   Mike Haubrich is the is the backup host and director.

 

Relevant Weblnnks for Today's Show:

 

Debnuking Christianity
Debunking Creationism
Debunking the Christian Right
Why I Rejected Christianity book review by the Spanish Inquisitor
Thoughts on John W. Loftus, Forum at the Puritan Board
Podcast of Interview with D.J. Grothe at Last.fm
Clarifyng the Debate on Subjectivity and Objectivity at Sophie's Ladder
A Letter to the Editor on the Posting of the Ten Commandments by John W. Loftus

 

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Listen to AM 950 KTNF on Sunday at 9AM Central to hear Atheists Talk produced by Minnesota Atheists. Stream live online. Call the studio at 952-946-6205 or email us at radio@mnatheists.org