Comments on: EGC Audio Essay for Jan 31, 2005 – “Why I Don’t Believe in God” http://www.evilgeniuschronicles.org/wordpress/2005/02/01/egc-audio-essay-for-jan-31-2005/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=egc-audio-essay-for-jan-31-2005 A journal of geekery, music and joy Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:04:56 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mitchell J Laurren-Ring http://www.evilgeniuschronicles.org/wordpress/2005/02/01/egc-audio-essay-for-jan-31-2005/#comment-96289 Mitchell J Laurren-Ring Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:31:57 +0000 http://82333317#comment-96289 I really liked this podcast. Your experience mirrors my own somewhat and you have drawn similar conclusions from it. Thanks for putting it in words. Someday I think I might do something similar. I really liked this podcast. Your experience mirrors my own somewhat and you have drawn similar conclusions from it. Thanks for putting it in words. Someday I think I might do something similar.

]]> By: Justin Kroening http://www.evilgeniuschronicles.org/wordpress/2005/02/01/egc-audio-essay-for-jan-31-2005/#comment-51613 Justin Kroening Sat, 29 Mar 2008 02:15:53 +0000 http://82333317#comment-51613 Critical Thinking it's nice others do this as well. Critical Thinking it’s nice others do this as well.

]]> By: Josh http://www.evilgeniuschronicles.org/wordpress/2005/02/01/egc-audio-essay-for-jan-31-2005/#comment-46602 Josh Mon, 01 Oct 2007 16:13:58 +0000 http://82333317#comment-46602 I really enjoyed listening to this. Honesty in all forms is refreshing. I agree with many of the complaints about christianity, particularly what is now called the extreme fundamentalist church (a misnomer, but we won't go there), but I feel that a little more honesty is required. I have found that, more often than not, those with a problem with god usually have more than simply intellectual objections. I've seen over and over again that the root of a person's atheism often stems from past hurts and the idea that God is at fault IF he even exists. What follows the agnosticism is usually a refusal to believe, which feels to me like a way to stick it to the man since that's really what he's wanting - belief. The question that requires honesty is this: Is your unbelief founded on empirical evidence or, like those who do believe, is it founded on faith in what "seems" right to you? I contend merely that empirical evidence doesn't have anything to offer the one who seeks to know what he should put his faith in. Either there is no god and consequently no evidence for or against, or there is a god who wishes belief to be something founded on faith rather than empiricism. Either will explain the situation we all find ourselves in and I believe all who have chosen a side have done so on faith. So we must ask ourselves, why have I put my faith in a godless universe, or why have i put my faith in [insert the name of your chosen god here]? For many of us, it comes from our past experiences, which is fine, just accept the truth and continue to seek the truth - it's all we can do. So you don't believe in God, but it's not because it's sensless to do so, but rather because you don't think it is sensible (very different things of course). I think you agree with me here, but just wanting to clarify. As for the atheist honor, I say that christians who do what is right out of fear are mislead, as are those who feel superior to the unbeliever or trumpet their views on the street. Their behavior is not a good metric for the truth of their belief systems for, like us all, there is a misallignment between the thing they ascribe to and how they behave. Just my 45 cents, -Josh I really enjoyed listening to this. Honesty in all forms is refreshing. I agree with many of the complaints about christianity, particularly what is now called the extreme fundamentalist church (a misnomer, but we won’t go there), but I feel that a little more honesty is required. I have found that, more often than not, those with a problem with god usually have more than simply intellectual objections. I’ve seen over and over again that the root of a person’s atheism often stems from past hurts and the idea that God is at fault IF he even exists. What follows the agnosticism is usually a refusal to believe, which feels to me like a way to stick it to the man since that’s really what he’s wanting – belief. The question that requires honesty is this: Is your unbelief founded on empirical evidence or, like those who do believe, is it founded on faith in what “seems” right to you? I contend merely that empirical evidence doesn’t have anything to offer the one who seeks to know what he should put his faith in. Either there is no god and consequently no evidence for or against, or there is a god who wishes belief to be something founded on faith rather than empiricism. Either will explain the situation we all find ourselves in and I believe all who have chosen a side have done so on faith. So we must ask ourselves, why have I put my faith in a godless universe, or why have i put my faith in [insert the name of your chosen god here]? For many of us, it comes from our past experiences, which is fine, just accept the truth and continue to seek the truth – it’s all we can do.

So you don’t believe in God, but it’s not because it’s sensless to do so, but rather because you don’t think it is sensible (very different things of course). I think you agree with me here, but just wanting to clarify.

As for the atheist honor, I say that christians who do what is right out of fear are mislead, as are those who feel superior to the unbeliever or trumpet their views on the street. Their behavior is not a good metric for the truth of their belief systems for, like us all, there is a misallignment between the thing they ascribe to and how they behave.

Just my 45 cents,

-Josh

]]> By: Joseph Ravitts http://www.evilgeniuschronicles.org/wordpress/2005/02/01/egc-audio-essay-for-jan-31-2005/#comment-41560 Joseph Ravitts Sun, 04 Mar 2007 03:10:57 +0000 http://82333317#comment-41560 I hate typos! In my previous, where you see "atheistis" at the end, I of course meant to say "atheistic." I hate typos! In my previous, where you see “atheistis” at the end, I of course meant to say “atheistic.”

]]> By: Joseph Ravitts http://www.evilgeniuschronicles.org/wordpress/2005/02/01/egc-audio-essay-for-jan-31-2005/#comment-41559 Joseph Ravitts Sun, 04 Mar 2007 03:07:50 +0000 http://82333317#comment-41559 Say, Caleb, I have a what-if for you. First, though, let me make it clear that I am NOT a Calvinist; in the most extreme form thereof, their denial of free will makes all moral statements meaningless. But having said that, I have the following to say about cancer and little girls being raped: 1) My first wife was taken by cancer. She died still believing in God's goodness, and she was VERY far from being an unintelligent woman. I have experienced forms of comfort in my loss which you would consider delusional, but at least they are not based on any childhood indoctrination; I was raised by agnostic parents, and became a Christian because evidence convinced me the way it convinced Josh McDowell. 2) If God appeared to you visibly, and said, "Okay, I'll prevent all future molestation of children by eliminating all free will, including yours," would you be so eager to pay THAT price to eliminate evil? Without free will, there can't be love or compassion either (which is why Calvinism is almost as loathsome to me as it is to the atheistis majority here). Say, Caleb, I have a what-if for you. First, though, let me make it clear that I am NOT a Calvinist; in the most extreme form thereof, their denial of free will makes all moral statements meaningless. But having said that, I have the following to say about cancer and little girls being raped:

1) My first wife was taken by cancer. She died still believing in God’s goodness, and she was VERY far from being an unintelligent woman. I have experienced forms of comfort in my loss which you would consider delusional, but at least they are not based on any childhood indoctrination; I was raised by agnostic parents, and became a Christian because evidence convinced me the way it convinced Josh McDowell.

2) If God appeared to you visibly, and said, “Okay, I’ll prevent all future molestation of children by eliminating all free will, including yours,” would you be so eager to pay THAT price to eliminate evil? Without free will, there can’t be love or compassion either (which is why Calvinism is almost as loathsome to me as it is to the atheistis majority here).

]]> By: David Perry http://www.evilgeniuschronicles.org/wordpress/2005/02/01/egc-audio-essay-for-jan-31-2005/#comment-34917 David Perry Sat, 20 Jan 2007 02:22:29 +0000 http://82333317#comment-34917 Very good. Very smart. Please read "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis. If you know anything of the man, you'll know that he was once agnostic. Many read Lewis merely for pleasure, and he certainly offers that. Others search his books for answers to questions about eternity and humanity's place in the cosmos. The fact that Lewis, a professor at both Oxford and Cambridge, possessed a keen intellect strengthens his credibility in many circles. That this brilliant agnostic came to recognize the validity first of Theism, and then of Christianity, provides an amazing testimony. "Mere Christianity" is a fairly quick, yet heady read. It helped me. Not that you need "help"; but maybe give yourself the chance to read this book and then record another podcast. Peace, David Very good.
Very smart.

Please read “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis. If you know anything of the man, you’ll know that he was once agnostic. Many read Lewis merely for pleasure, and he certainly offers that. Others search his books for answers to questions about eternity and humanity’s place in the cosmos. The fact that Lewis, a professor at both Oxford and Cambridge, possessed a keen intellect strengthens his credibility in many circles. That this brilliant agnostic came to recognize the validity first of Theism, and then of Christianity, provides an amazing testimony.

“Mere Christianity” is a fairly quick, yet heady read. It helped me. Not that you need “help”; but maybe give yourself the chance to read this book and then record another podcast.

Peace,
David

]]> By: Evil Genius Chronicles » God (Slight Return) http://www.evilgeniuschronicles.org/wordpress/2005/02/01/egc-audio-essay-for-jan-31-2005/#comment-33469 Evil Genius Chronicles » God (Slight Return) Sat, 13 Jan 2007 05:10:45 +0000 http://82333317#comment-33469 [...] In early 2005 around the time of the second anniversary of my father’s suicide, I recorded the single rawest episode of this podcast - “Why I Don’t Believe in God”. Hard to believe that it’s been as long since I recorded that as the time of the death to that recording. I considered rescinding the Creative Commons license for that episode because I wasn’t sure I wanted people dicking around with something so deeply personal and important to me, not to mention painful. I sucked it up and let it ride anyway. [...] [...] In early 2005 around the time of the second anniversary of my father’s suicide, I recorded the single rawest episode of this podcast – “Why I Don’t Believe in God”. Hard to believe that it’s been as long since I recorded that as the time of the death to that recording. I considered rescinding the Creative Commons license for that episode because I wasn’t sure I wanted people dicking around with something so deeply personal and important to me, not to mention painful. I sucked it up and let it ride anyway. [...]

]]> By: caleb http://www.evilgeniuschronicles.org/wordpress/2005/02/01/egc-audio-essay-for-jan-31-2005/#comment-1354 caleb Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://82333317#comment-1354 <p>Hey Dave, I got a heapin' helpin' of that old time religion as a child, but managed to break free. My next encounter with religion came when I got sober in a 12 step group, the methodology of which involves a lot of ill-digested Calvinism. As a stone cold atheist, I was often offended, but used the program to get sober anyway. When I got fed up with people talking about "God's plan" at an AA meeting I would share: "Right now, as we speak, some little 2 year girl is being raped by her father, somewhere in America. Statistical fact. Um, according to y'all, this is part of God's plan. Frankly, were I a theist, I'd be pretty pissed at a god whose plan includes raping little girls, giving children cancer, loading millions of his chosen people in ovens, etc. But I'm an atheist, and I'm okay with random horror as a fact of life. Thanks for allowing me to share." Needless to say, this didn't go over well.</p> <p>Caleb from Floriduh</p> <p>http://www.calebism.com/wordpress/ http://www.calebism.com/edalpodcastfeed.xml</p> Hey Dave,
I got a heapin’ helpin’ of that old time religion as a child, but managed to break free.
My next encounter with religion came when I got sober in a 12 step group, the methodology of which involves a lot of ill-digested Calvinism. As a stone cold atheist, I was often offended, but used the program to get sober anyway.
When I got fed up with people talking about “God’s plan” at an AA meeting I would share:
“Right now, as we speak, some little 2 year girl is being raped by her father, somewhere in America. Statistical fact. Um, according to y’all, this is part of God’s plan. Frankly, were I a theist, I’d be pretty pissed at a god whose plan includes raping little girls, giving children cancer, loading millions of his chosen people in ovens, etc. But I’m an atheist, and I’m okay with random horror as a fact of life. Thanks for allowing me to share.”
Needless to say, this didn’t go over well.

Caleb from Floriduh

http://www.calebism.com/wordpress/
http://www.calebism.com/edalpodcastfeed.xml

]]> By: Johnee Bee http://www.evilgeniuschronicles.org/wordpress/2005/02/01/egc-audio-essay-for-jan-31-2005/#comment-1355 Johnee Bee Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://82333317#comment-1355 <p>i can SO relate to this. Question, was one of the comedy records by "Issac Airfrieght" ? I did their first album art when i freelanced for Maranatha Music. I am an Atheist now also and so much happier than when i was a christian. Im from orange county CA, where that faith was rampart and so distorted. i live i the twin cities now where there are a lot of churches but at least the people more authentic. At least there are some darwin fish emblems on cars like on the back of mine:-) Im keeping this one for the archieves. im starting to podcast and some roughs are at my site.</p> i can SO relate to this. Question, was one of the comedy records by “Issac Airfrieght” ? I did their first album art when i freelanced for Maranatha Music. I am an Atheist now also and so much happier than when i was a christian. Im from orange county CA, where that faith was rampart and so distorted. i live i the twin cities now where there are a lot of churches but at least the people more authentic. At least there are some darwin fish emblems on cars like on the back of mine:-) Im keeping this one for the archieves. im starting to podcast and some roughs are at my site.

]]> By: James Slusher http://www.evilgeniuschronicles.org/wordpress/2005/02/01/egc-audio-essay-for-jan-31-2005/#comment-1356 James Slusher Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://82333317#comment-1356 <p>I have a counterpoint to this whole thing, but written will not have near the oomph that the spoken word does. You have successfully gotten me to follow you into almost every little pastime you have ever had, including (but not limited to) comic collecting, RPGing, Steve Jackson board games, Bible Bowl, Ace of Aces, drinking, DJing and blogging. I wanted to draw the line at podcasting. Now you pull this crap where I can only attempt a decent counterpoint by joining you in yet another geektivity. Unbelievable. I see now why you are Atheist. A man with no soul has no use for salvation.</p> I have a counterpoint to this whole thing, but written will not have near the oomph that the spoken word does. You have successfully gotten me to follow you into almost every little pastime you have ever had, including (but not limited to) comic collecting, RPGing, Steve Jackson board games, Bible Bowl, Ace of Aces, drinking, DJing and blogging. I wanted to draw the line at podcasting. Now you pull this crap where I can only attempt a decent counterpoint by joining you in yet another geektivity. Unbelievable. I see now why you are Atheist. A man with no soul has no use for salvation.

]]> By: Eddie http://www.evilgeniuschronicles.org/wordpress/2005/02/01/egc-audio-essay-for-jan-31-2005/#comment-1357 Eddie Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://82333317#comment-1357 <p>Hey Dave,</p> <p>I also loved this episode. But at the end of the episode, I couldn't help but think that you didn't become disillusioned with God, but with religion - specifically the Christian religion. You found you couldn't reconcile your understanding of God with the various "stories" and "rules" of the bible. I completely understand and relate to that. </p> <p>What I find infuriating is the endless self-rightous, judgemental Chritians who seem to be taking over every aspect of American life, especially media. Seems like they completely missed the point...</p> <p>There is a retired Bishop from New Jersey who has written a lot of books that very specifically address the issues you mentioned in your podcast. Books like "Why Christianity Must Change or Die", and "Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism" have been extremely helpful to me. BTW, I am not Christian, but rather was born and raised Jewish. However, when I became disillusioned with religion, I went looking for an alternative way to understand my connection with God. That search has led me to a lot of different belief systems, and I've taken a little from each one - whatever spoke to me - and that search is not over.</p> <p>Thanks for a great show, and for your podcast in general - I always enjoy listening to it!</p> <p>Eddie</p> Hey Dave,

I also loved this episode. But at the end of the episode, I couldn’t help but think that you didn’t become disillusioned with God, but with religion – specifically the Christian religion. You found you couldn’t reconcile your understanding of God with the various “stories” and “rules” of the bible. I completely understand and relate to that.

What I find infuriating is the endless self-rightous, judgemental Chritians who seem to be taking over every aspect of American life, especially media. Seems like they completely missed the point…

There is a retired Bishop from New Jersey who has written a lot of books that very specifically address the issues you mentioned in your podcast. Books like “Why Christianity Must Change or Die”, and “Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism” have been extremely helpful to me. BTW, I am not Christian, but rather was born and raised Jewish. However, when I became disillusioned with religion, I went looking for an alternative way to understand my connection with God. That search has led me to a lot of different belief systems, and I’ve taken a little from each one – whatever spoke to me – and that search is not over.

Thanks for a great show, and for your podcast in general – I always enjoy listening to it!

Eddie

]]> By: jp http://www.evilgeniuschronicles.org/wordpress/2005/02/01/egc-audio-essay-for-jan-31-2005/#comment-1358 jp Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://82333317#comment-1358 <p>Hi Dave. Thank you for recording this (a second time). I'm sure this wasn't the easiest of essays to record, but I think you were 100% correct in thinking that it was better spoken than written. While your commentary was great food for thought, it was in no way a "downer buzzkill". It takes a lot of courage to speak about such personal and emotional things publicly, thanks again for doing it.</p> Hi Dave. Thank you for recording this (a second time). I’m sure this wasn’t the easiest of essays to record, but I think you were 100% correct in thinking that it was better spoken than written. While your commentary was great food for thought, it was in no way a “downer buzzkill”. It takes a lot of courage to speak about such personal and emotional things publicly, thanks again for doing it.

]]> By: Wayne Pittenger http://www.evilgeniuschronicles.org/wordpress/2005/02/01/egc-audio-essay-for-jan-31-2005/#comment-1359 Wayne Pittenger Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://82333317#comment-1359 <p>I'm sure there are many more who think as you do but are in so fear of religious persecution, don't speak up. Wait a minute! Wasn't one of this nation's founding priciples about freedom of religion? Shouldn't part of that particular freedom is the right to have no religious beliefs? I've seen no detractors so far. Come on folks, prove Dave wrong if you can!</p> I’m sure there are many more who think as you do but are in so fear of religious persecution, don’t speak up. Wait a minute! Wasn’t one of this nation’s founding priciples about freedom of religion? Shouldn’t part of that particular freedom is the right to have no religious beliefs?
I’ve seen no detractors so far. Come on folks, prove Dave wrong if you can!

]]> By: Brendan Borlase http://www.evilgeniuschronicles.org/wordpress/2005/02/01/egc-audio-essay-for-jan-31-2005/#comment-1360 Brendan Borlase Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://82333317#comment-1360 <p>.. and there are times where the spoken word, makes a far clearer statement, than written.</p> <p>Organised religion is the worst thing to occur to "faith". I heard a lot of myself in your podcast, and that's something special and cool and every other word I can think of.</p> <p>Awesome 'cast man.. If only I could speak as eloquently and clearly as you.. Yes.. I have much to learn :)</p> .. and there are times where the spoken word, makes a far clearer statement, than written.

Organised religion is the worst thing to occur to “faith”. I heard a lot of myself in your podcast, and that’s something special and cool and every other word I can think of.

Awesome ‘cast man.. If only I could speak as eloquently and clearly as you.. Yes.. I have much to learn :)

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.evilgeniuschronicles.org/wordpress/2005/02/01/egc-audio-essay-for-jan-31-2005/#comment-1361 Anonymous Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://82333317#comment-1361 <p></p>If you listen to podcasts, this is the podcast to listen to next. # Dave Slusher most honest and open podcast to date.. His thoughts mirror mine in so many ways I lost count. Go.. read the post, and listen to the podcast. Dave, you rock.. peac...

If you listen to podcasts, this is the podcast to listen to next. #

Dave Slusher most honest and open podcast to date.. His thoughts mirror mine in so many ways I lost count.

Go.. read the post, and listen to the podcast.

Dave, you rock.. peac…

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.evilgeniuschronicles.org/wordpress/2005/02/01/egc-audio-essay-for-jan-31-2005/#comment-1362 Anonymous Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://82333317#comment-1362 <p></p>CLICK HERE to hear Madge discuss God, Vaginal Yeast and Everything. Also Taylor E. Ross, Dave Slusher, Mae West, Lenny Bruce, Bush = Dumb. Eat this hot ass!...

CLICK HERE to hear Madge discuss God, Vaginal Yeast and Everything. Also Taylor E. Ross, Dave Slusher, Mae West, Lenny Bruce, Bush = Dumb. Eat this hot ass!…

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.evilgeniuschronicles.org/wordpress/2005/02/01/egc-audio-essay-for-jan-31-2005/#comment-1363 Anonymous Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://82333317#comment-1363 <p></p>CLICK HERE to hear Madge discuss God, Vaginal Yeast and Everything. Also Taylor E. Ross, Dave Slusher, Mae West, Lenny Bruce, Bush = Dumb. Eat this hot ass!...

CLICK HERE to hear Madge discuss God, Vaginal Yeast and Everything. Also Taylor E. Ross, Dave Slusher, Mae West, Lenny Bruce, Bush = Dumb. Eat this hot ass!…

]]> By: ObiWanAdobe http://www.evilgeniuschronicles.org/wordpress/2005/02/01/egc-audio-essay-for-jan-31-2005/#comment-1364 ObiWanAdobe Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://82333317#comment-1364 <p>Just wanted to say thank you for your podcast.</p> Just wanted to say thank you for your podcast.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.evilgeniuschronicles.org/wordpress/2005/02/01/egc-audio-essay-for-jan-31-2005/#comment-1365 Anonymous Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://82333317#comment-1365 <p></p>Brilliant Podcast over at Evil Genius Chronicles with an essay on "Why I Don't Believe in God.". Nothing for me to say really, best just head on over and listen to it....

Brilliant Podcast over at Evil Genius Chronicles with an essay on “Why I Don’t Believe in God.”.
Nothing for me to say really, best just head on over and listen to it….

]]> By: Funtime Ben http://www.evilgeniuschronicles.org/wordpress/2005/02/01/egc-audio-essay-for-jan-31-2005/#comment-1366 Funtime Ben Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 http://82333317#comment-1366 <p>Dave, long time listener first time caller. This podcast was really interesting. I thought it extremely brave to bear yourself to the world in such a frank and honest manner. From a fellow atheist... Amen!</p> Dave, long time listener first time caller. This podcast was really interesting. I thought it extremely brave to bear yourself to the world in such a frank and honest manner. From a fellow atheist… Amen!

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