You and Betty and the Nancy's and Bill's and Joes and Jane's will find in the study of science

a richer, more rewarding life.

Welcome to Inquiring Minds. I'm Indravis Gontas.

This is a podcast that explores the space where science and society collide.

We want to find out what's true, what's left to discover,

and why it matters. Today's guest isn't a scientist per se, but he certainly is a public intellectual.

And although we're not going to talk about

science directly, we're going to talk about a topic that I think a lot of us have probably

started rethinking, the meaning of life and what happens after we die. And since you're all critical

thinkers, ready to examine your own beliefs, you've probably already come across the writings

of Bart Erman.

Bart Erman is a leading authority on the New Testament and the history of early Christianity

and the author and editor of more than 30 books. He recently published yet another book,

and this one is called Heaven and Hell, a History of the Afterlife. Writing a history of the

afterlife is of course next to impossible, but if anyone can do it,

it's Bart.

And according to a Pew Research poll, 72% of Americans believe in a literal heaven, and 58%

believe in a literal hell.

What are the implications of these beliefs?

Bart Erman, welcome to Inqu inquiring minds. Thanks for having me.

A lot like you. I was raised in the Christian faith and then eventually, you know, had my beliefs change over multiple different, I guess, life changes and, and so on. So I resonate with a lot of the things that

you describe in some of your previous interviews with other people and that kind of journey.

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