Overview
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.
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398 Episodes
Show notes will be posted upon receipt. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.
Transcribed - Published: 24 August 2025
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Transcribed - Published: 17 August 2025
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Transcribed - Published: 10 August 2025
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Transcribed - Published: 3 August 2025
Show notes will be posted upon receipt. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.
Transcribed - Published: 28 July 2025
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Transcribed - Published: 20 July 2025
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Transcribed - Published: 13 July 2025
Show notes upon receipt. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.
Transcribed - Published: 6 July 2025
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Transcribed - Published: 29 June 2025
In this Father’s Day edition of Talk Heathen, Christy Powell is joined by co-host Scott Dickie for a thoughtful episode focused on the balance between reason and empathy. The hosts open with a discussion on hyper-rationality within skeptic communities and the importance of making space for vulnerability and emotional honesty. From there, they take a few deep calls exploring belief, truth, and the boundaries of skeptical inquiry. Benji in Alabama attempts to discuss secular morality, but technical issues delay his participation. The hosts use this time to reflect on the interplay between logic and emotion in how we engage with others, particularly in conversations about religion, science, and belief. Tucker in Iowa shares that he still holds some spiritual or supernatural beliefs despite identifying with the skeptic community. He speaks about personal experiences, such as perceived communication from his deceased father and a belief in a friend’s psychic abilities. The conversation explores definitions of “supernatural,” the tension between personal conviction and external skepticism, and the challenges of maintaining authenticity within a sometimes rigid atheist framework. Nick in Massachusetts brings a densely abstract discussion involving truth paradigms, mechanistic reasoning, and epistemology. The conversation struggles to find clarity, with the hosts encouraging Nick to refine and simplify his ideas for better communication. While the points raised touch on government, religion, and logic, the lack of a clear thesis leaves the hosts and audience searching for firmer ground. Despite some technical hiccups, Christy and Scott deliver a show rich in reflection and mutual curiosity. Viewers are encouraged to think deeply about the ways we balance emotion and logic—not only in belief, but in how we talk to one another. Thanks for joining us, and talk heathen to us: How do you balance reason and empathy in difficult conversations? 00:00 Intro 08:18 Benji – AL | Secular morality (connection issues) 25:06 Tucker – IA | Spiritual beliefs and skepticism 49:29 Nick – MA | Mechanistic truth and epistemology Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.
Transcribed - Published: 15 June 2025
In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Forrest Valkai and Objectively Dan, sort through calls of AI, logical fallacies, and apocalyptic dream interpretations. No circular arguments made today! Chidumebi in PA asks how to combat religious students that insist on AI reliance to justify the Bible. It is important to teach children how to search and explain why there is bias behind some of the input. These models are designed for good output, not accuracy. Be sure they understand what material they will need to know as a requirement, regardless of their personal beliefs or use of AI language models. What is the student supposed to do if they end up in a career they do not know how to do as a result of their reliance on AI? Mike in SC, thinks that AI can replace atheists but not theists because it can do anything atheists can do by using less resources. What is your understanding of the massive centers needed to support AI? If the soul is a factor, how do you explain an AI video that turns people to Christ? It is odd that you believe the actions of human beings that are atheists can be reduced down to a chat box. If dogs don’t have souls, is it cool that we just replace all dogs with AI? Our lives are more than just a sum of our labor and we find this conclusion dehumanizing. Herman in Canada has massive observations of “things begotting things” so therefore there must be a creator. It is important to point out that energy has not been created. What created the actual creator of the universe? How do you know that the reality of physics was exactly the same just before the big bang? If everything is contingent on something, what would a world that was not created look like? Luc, a Catholic in Canada, explains his different perception in the prime mover argument and that is that rules need rulemakers. Why are the rules of nature excluded from this argument? We do not need to provide evidence for not believing in something. What evidence do you have that everything needs a rule maker? Of these two things, which is the more reliable pathway to truth; evidence or faith? Why is it good enough for you when the Catholic Church says something? We are not expected to just believe a thing because a teacher told us to; we must do the work/tests, and experiments to learn this stuff. Prophet Daniel from Australia, believes there is one god for the entirety of existence and the interpretation of dreams made in the Book of Daniel prove his existence. How do you think this story has been adapted to meet the events that actually transpired? Why would this book be a reliable source when Daniel speaks with a dragon? Jamie the Blind Limey, our backup host joins to close out the show and offer some post thoughts on some of the calls. Thank you for joining us this week and we will see you next time! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.
Transcribed - Published: 9 June 2025
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Transcribed - Published: 27 April 2025
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Transcribed - Published: 21 April 2025
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Transcribed - Published: 13 April 2025
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Transcribed - Published: 6 April 2025
Show notes will be posted upon receipt. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.
Transcribed - Published: 16 March 2025
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Transcribed - Published: 9 March 2025
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Transcribed - Published: 2 March 2025
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Transcribed - Published: 23 February 2025
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Transcribed - Published: 16 February 2025
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Transcribed - Published: 9 February 2025
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Transcribed - Published: 2 February 2025
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Transcribed - Published: 26 January 2025
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Transcribed - Published: 19 January 2025
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Transcribed - Published: 12 January 2025
00:00 Intro 10:34 Eduardo - (BR) | Spiritism Is Better Than Science Or Religion 41:49 Robert - CA | Experience With The Holy Spirit 1:01:42 SB - (IN) | Atheist Morality On Abortion 1:24:13 Shaquille - (UK) | Why Would God Be Okay With Money? SHOW NOTES Thanks for joining us for this episode of Talk Heathen! Today, Scott Dickie, Dr. Ben, and Richard Gilliver tackle spiritism, the experience of the holy spirit, and the morality of abortion. Eduardo in Brazil calls to say that spiritism offers the stability of religion and the openness of science and is a third option besides the two. He says that science is incomplete and is sold to people as a belief. But doesn’t that mean that science isn’t the problem, the people who represent it are? Eduardo has a hard time articulating what spiritism offers to get to the truth and what convinced him to believe the books he read about spiritism? Eduardo appeals to personal experiences, but says he knows that that’s not a good reason to believe in something. The hosts urge Eduardo to sit down and really formulate his argument so that they can have a more productive call in the future. Robert in California says that the hosts put doubt about God in his heart, but God won and we all lost. What was the big thing that convinced him to stay a theist? On TikTok, Christians said that whatever questions you have about the bible, God will show you in heaven. The next day, he felt a renewed faith. He attributes this to an experience with the holy spirit. How did the holy spirit manifest itself? What was the sensory experience? How does he know that it was a certain god that did it? Robert continues to say that it was an experience that cannot be explained and you just have to believe that people who claim they have an experience with the holy spirit actually did so. SB is an atheist but is still torn on the morality of abortion. He understands the bodily autonomy argument, but isn’t convinced. Doesn’t the right to life apply to the autonomy of the baby? If the baby or parent is at risk of serious harm, then abortion is moral. It’s not about the state of the fetus, it’s about the state of the pregnant person. Is it other people’s business what you’re going through medically? The argument for bodily autonomy is that no one besides the pregnant person and the doctor should have a say on what medical steps are taken. Pregnancy is incredibly dangerous even with a normal pregnancy. Shaquille calls from England pondering why God would be okay with the concept of money at all if it’s the root of all evil? When it comes down to it, money is something that’s used in trade. Rather than trading goods, it acts as an intermediary. I don’t see why a God wouldn’t want to facilitate trade among the people. The “root of all evil” perspective may be similar to a concept in Buddhism where money and wealth becomes an attachment that prevents enlightenment. It could also be referring to the hoarding of wealth rather than simply the concept of money itself. Thanks for joining us this week! Talk Heathen to us in the comments: What is a smarmy reply to a cashier’s indignant “Merry Christmas”? Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.
Transcribed - Published: 15 December 2024
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Transcribed - Published: 8 December 2024
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Transcribed - Published: 1 December 2024
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Transcribed - Published: 24 November 2024
Show notes upon reciept. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.
Transcribed - Published: 17 November 2024
Show notes will be posted upon receipt. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.
Transcribed - Published: 11 November 2024
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Transcribed - Published: 3 November 2024
00:00 Intro 13:04 Steven-NY | Magic Is Real For Things We Can't Explain 33:40 Jackie-MS | Kurt Gödel's Ontological Argument SHOW NOTES In today’s episode of the Talk Heathen, Sydness Davis (Dracula) Jr. Jr. and Scott Dickie (Rob Boss), discuss magic of the gaps, and a version of the ontological argument before enticing a keyboard warrior to call in the show. Steven, a repeat caller in NY says that magic could be real because we are unable to give a reason for things happening with naturalism. Why do you think that body healing itself can’t be explained? We now have access to so many resources and can find the answers to a lot of these things. Why is magic being the answer so important to you? If we provided proof to you, how would it impact your belief that magic is the reason? Jackie in MS summarizes Kurt GödelKurt Gödel ontological argument. Explain in your own words how this explains the existence of god. This may be an interesting thought, but how does one thing being true or untrue prove god’s existence? Do the properties of an object not affect reality unless that thing exists? If god exists in one possible world then it must exist in multiple worlds? You need to first show that this god exists in at least one possible world. How do you know if this god exists in at least one possible world? If you can’t put an argument in your own words, why would that not be an argument from authority? Richard Giilver joins to close out the show with some wise words for each of the callers before Dracula and Rob Boss bring us some love rings! Bruce, call in! Question of the week is: Why is god so jealous? Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.
Transcribed - Published: 27 October 2024
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Transcribed - Published: 20 October 2024
In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Forrest Valkai and Doctor Ben tackle several fun issues. Jack in Canada asks the hosts about the problem of evil. If god made the rules, why would he choose to cause suffering when he is powerful enough not to? Why did god choose something that causes suffering? If your god is in charge of everything, why does he not fix childhood poverty? You are more moral than your god. Max in Russia wants to help but is unable to donate. Every action helps no matter how small and we appreciate you. Doctors without Borders must work legal negotiations before being able to enter a country. Mike in SC has a perception that atheists and theists are doing the same thing because atheists say god is evil, and theists say god is good. Is a bi-sexual trans man better off in hell? Why is it okay that someone is sent to Hell for being gay? What if another god says it is a sin to be heterosexual? Why is it okay for Christians to kick people out of their family for being queer? Imagine what it feels like to be told that because of this monster in the sky who treats you differently for being gay, you deserve to be tortured forever. How is the lesson someone learns from the loss of the baby worth the baby’s life? Is freewill more important to god than protecting children? Kelvin in FL asks if the existence of transgender people goes against the societal push of deconstructing gender norms. Dr. Ben explains that the trans community is not about adapting femininity or masculinity, and how the trans community leans into gender abolitionism. There is societal pressure put on trans people to perform to those stereotypes. Forrest discusses how sex and gender are different, and how things in the 1400s that were considered manly are not manly today. Vic in TX believes in a creator, but does not believe in the New Testament or Jesus. How is the Bible considered to be morally good? Is it morally good to stone your children if they disobey? Why should this be accepted as an instruction manual when it instructs how to own and beat slaves? Jackie in MS wants us to dig into a bunch of philosophers to promote Christian values. What do you have to say about these values being carcinogenic to human minds? How does the function of an idea speak to the morality of an idea? What is one example where consciousness is independent of matter? Nate in NY discusses his deconstruction before the last caller, Kevin in MA, brings the hosts into a discussion about sexual dimorphism. Thank you for calling in this week! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.
Transcribed - Published: 8 October 2024
Show notes will be posted upon receipt. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.
Transcribed - Published: 29 September 2024
In today’s episode of the Talk Heathen, Doctor Ben and Scott Dickie take on a variety of callers with intriguing subjects! Ryan in MI wants to discuss OCD and religion, and explains how he has experienced people on the internet telling him his hobbies would send him to hell. How would you explain how this has affected you? How did this play into your way out of religion? Sometimes it can be good to put up some boundaries and take a step back from the internet. Jackie in MS argues that religion is accurate and inescapable because humans rely on storytelling and religions are stories. Do stories have to be religious, and is all storytelling inherently religious in nature? Why is whatever is at the top of the hierarchy divine? What makes this holy? Are you supporting religion as an institution or are you supporting the claims that people make about god? By what you are saying, any book in this reality is true. How do the Judeo-Christian documents reflect a true depiction of reality? Why are you excluding the claims of Eastern religions? Richard Gilliver joins in at this point and explains that we are not interested in gishy gallop, therefore god, we are interested in why you believe. What convinced you that the Western society has it right? They weren’t founded on Christian principles anyway. Without quoting someone else, what value does religion add to your statements? Without redefining things, how would you convince us that religion needs this much attention? Benjamin in AL wants to talk about the fallacies of supernaturalism and that supernatural claims can’t be justified through natural means. If you are claiming that something exists in our reality, you need to be able to demonstrate that. How would you go about justifying any supernatural claim and what are the reasons for believing in your god? How did you decide that you needed any religion at all? Why do you need a religion to tell you what to do and just have your own belief? What is keeping you in the church? Dr. Ben explains that being a patient of a code does not mean you have physically died. He explains that as you lose oxygen, you lose function, ability to ration, and things can be distorted. If you learned that these experiences had a natural explanation, would you still believe in a god? It is important to be critical of ourselves and our own beliefs. Malylun, a monk in FL is curious about people’s opinions on monks, and describes some looks he gets in public with how he is dressed. A lot of the U.S. is not great with respecting culture. In many ways, it is just something that people are not used to and the brain is trying to categorize things that are new and novel. This could trigger a fear response and is why we see xenophobic things. Thank you for tuning in this week! Talk Heathen to me of the week is: Title a porn movie starting Jesus! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.
Transcribed - Published: 22 September 2024
Show notes will be posted upon receipt. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.
Transcribed - Published: 15 September 2024
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Transcribed - Published: 8 September 2024
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Transcribed - Published: 1 September 2024
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