Introductions (7:30pm - 7:32pm)
What the show is about
Introductions (who everyone is)
Announcements (7:32pm - 7:35pm)
Fayetteville Freethinker's meeting
- Fayetteville public library
- last saturday of every month at 2:00pm
- next meeting: November 28th.
Friday social meetup
- Iron Horse Coffee Co. (Rogers, Ar).
- Club Friscos
- Fridays, 6pm - 11pm.
E-mail show at:
Tell us what you believe and why. Tell us if we're wrong, and why.
Visit our website: http://freethoughtnwa.com
Feature Topic (7:35pm - 8:00pm)
What is an Atheist? / Frequently Asked Questions
Definitions
Atheism: Lack of belief in a god. (or rejection of a god).
Agnostic: We don't know or can never know if god exists.
Freethinker: Opinions should be formed on the basis of science, logic, & reason. Opinions should not be influenced by authority, tradition, or dogma.
Skepticism: The process of applying reason and critical thinking to determine validity. It's the process of finding a supported conclusion, not the justification of a preconceived conclusion. It is a method, not a position.
Nontheist: Someone who is not a theist. Lack of belief in a god.
Difference between atheist and agnostic (belief vs. knowledge).
Percentages of believers in different countries
- American Religious Identification Survey (March 2009)
- 15% of Americans (45 million) say they have no religion.
- 1.6 mil identify themselves as atheists
Panel Questions
What kind of reaction do people have when you tell them you are an non-believer?
Is there anyone you have hidden your atheism from?
Don't atheists have empty, meaningless lives?
Are you an atheist because you've had a bad experience with religion?
What do you think happens when you die?
Aren't you afraid that you'll go to hell?
How can you be moral without god?
Euthyphro dilemma
Plato 399 bce
"Is what is moral commanded by God because it is moral, or is it moral because it is commanded by God?"
"You are more moral than God." - Matt Dillahunty
examples of immorality from the bible
Would you worship God if you found out he was real?
Why do you hate God?
Were you ever religious?
What event, if any, triggered your loss of faith?
Being an atheist requires just as much faith as being a Christian.
Isn't atheism just another religion?
What do you say to people who think you are no different from religious fundamentalists who are outspoken? (Culture of Silence)
America is a Christian Nation!
There are no atheists in foxholes.
Do you celebrate Christmas? What about Easter? Don't you feel hypocritical?
What is it about Christians that offend atheists so much?
Logical Fallacy of the Week (8:00pm - 8:05pm)
Confirmation Bias
- relative saved trailer home from storm through power annoited oil
- Step 1: Invent a trick that, if actually true, would be awesome.
- Step 2: When you try the trick, experience happiness and joy. (emotion & memory)
- Step 3: If you do the trick and it doesn't work, you did it wrong.
- Step 4: Repeat ad infinitum. Cement long history of successes and no failures.
- Step 5: Tell everyone it works!
- How to control traffic lights with your mind.
News (8:05pm - 8:25pm)
Research Finds that Atheists are Most Hated and Distrusted Minority
'New Atheists' Provide Food For Thought
A Bitter Rift Divides Atheists
Reactions to Atheist Billboards
Experts: Placebo power behind many natural cures
Crazy Bible Verse of the Week (8:25pm - 8:30pm)
- (Genesis 22:1-18)
- Abraham attempts to sacrifice his son to God.
- "Take your son, your only son – yes, Isaac, whom you love so much – and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will point out to you."
- God stop sacrifice at last minute and says it was a test of faith.
Quote from The Joshua Victor Theory blog:
In one of my favorite lines from the Lord of the Rings movies, Sam is encouraging his best friend Frodo, who wants to give up on what seems to be an impossible mission, full of darkness and danger. Sam reminds him of all the great stories that really mattered. That the reason they were worth remembering was because there were countless times that they could have turned back and given up—only they didn’t. They kept going because they were holding on to something. And if I can just make a small change about Sam’s quote to apply it to us. He said they were holding onto the hope that there’s some good in the world and it’s worth fighting for. I would change that to say that we’re holding onto faith in God’s Word and Promises. That’s what keeps us from turning back when the uncertainties and darkness of life loom large and our faith in God’s promises wavers.
- Classic example of good vs. evil.
- Good is defined as what God says, rather than what is actualy moral.
- Used as a rationalization for the Problem of Evil. Evil events actually strengthen faith.
- Belief in the unbelievable is seen as very noble.
Additional Information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binding_of_Isaac
Images: http://freechristimages.org/biblestories/abraham_and_isaac.htm
Graphics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Religions_of_the_United_States.png
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Religious_Belief_in_USA-states.png
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Religions_by_State.PNG
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Europe_belief_in_god.svg
http://freechristimages.org/biblestories/abraham_and_isaac.htm
http://www.americanhumanist.org/system/storage/29/1215/1_088.jpg
http://friendlyatheist.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/photo.jpg
Crazy Bible Verse of the Week Intro
Credits
Host: Donald Morton
Panelists:
- Jason Peck
- Randall "Doc" Fleck
- Ian Boyles
- Allen Ashley
Producer: Donald Morton
Director: Bruce Allen, Jr.
Audio: Bruce Allen
Graphics: Nicole Paz
Cameras:
- Charles "Whit" White
- Stephen Pierce
Music:
Speed Kills 1. Partners in Rhyme. (http://www.partnersinrhyme.com)
Opium. Partners in Rhyme. (http://www.partnersinrhyme.com)
Discipline - Nine Inch Nails - The Slip.
Images
Solar System in the Making - NASA/JPL
Religions of the United States - Wikipedia: Religions of the United States
The Sacrifice of Isaac - Giambattista Pittoni, 1720
Abraham and Isaac, Before the Sacrifice - Jan Victors, 1642
Sacrifice of Isaac - Andrea del Sarto, 1525
Abraham and Isaac - Rembrandt van Rijn, 1634
Abraham and Isaac - Laurent de La Hire, 1650
Sacrifice of Isaac - Giovanni Tiepolo, c. 1726
Sacrifice of Isaac - Pedro Orrente, 1616