Skeptic Generation (Skeptic Generation)

This is our inaugural episode, and we are so excited to be here! We had a bunch of tech issues which meant we could only run for an hour, but we got to hear from some amazing people including Genetically Modified Skeptic, Holy Koolaid, and a bunch of people who share a birthday with SG! We also got a return call from Brenda, who is still very wrong about philosophy and also desperately condescending. Oh well.

Special thanks to our amazing crew that helped behind the scenes, and to you, our viewers, who stuck with us and are getting a front-row seat for this new baby show's first steps! We love and appreciate you all. See you next week :)

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

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00:00 Intro And Announcements
07:21 Rudy - OH Any Advice As A New Host Of A Call-in Show
13:34 Jon - CA
24:32 Dean - NC
46:42 Justin - AL Morality Of Meat Mastication
1:10:20 Fran - CO Inherently Circular Arguments
1:21:05 Outro

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THIS IS SKEPTIC GENERATION, AND WE NEED TO TALK

A new live call-in show for an expanding community of diverse and compassionate skeptics. Join Eric Murphy and Vi La Bianca every Sunday morning.

This is our second episode, and our goal is to be live for the full 90 minutes this time. We figured out the technical quirk from last week and are ready to jump back in and talk with some callers! We may even have one or two more special guests on the line. Tune in or call in to catch us live.

Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Greetings to all you skeptics out there! Welcome to episode three of Eric and Vi’s new show, Skeptic Generation! The hosts are dying to talk, so sit down, get comfortable, and enjoy this week's episode of Skeptic Generation!
First caller today is Malachi and he is asking how to skeptically navigate issues like gun ownership. A tool isn’t inherently immoral. Protecting your ranch, hunting, or going to a gun range is no big deal. You come into issues like deregulation, states trying to let anyone carry a gun regardless of training or background checks.
Puck asks our hosts about the importance of learning philosophy when discussing atheism. Eric was challenged about philosophy and learned tons about fallacies, it gives you more tools to challenge what people believe on more levels. Math comes from philosophy. There is a professor that attempts to prove god using philosophy and one that doesn’t know their stuff, might fall for it.
Dave was a skeptic but found Jesus’ face in some pancakes, now he believes. Just joking, this is Dave MFing Warnock. We appreciate your words of encouragement! We love you Dave!
Andy in TX wants to address Eric’s hangup of “we are god's stewards of land and animals”. He continues the talk on veganism saying eating meat isn't mandated but god made us stewards over land and animals. Childhood indoctrination can be hard to shake. We go more into talk about commandments, levitical law, and animal sacrifice which are no longer moral. Lots to unpack here, please call back.
Mark in NC ran into christians talking about what makes a true christian. To flip that, he asks if there is a “true atheist”. An atheist is simply someone that doesn’t believe in god/s, if you meet that criteria, you are an atheist. Whereas christianity is a subset of theism.
Bree in IA was introduced to the no kink at pride argument and wonders what they mean by kink. Typically they mean “anything queer we don’t like or makes us uncomfortable”. If one is uncomfortable, like ace folk, that is a conversation we can have. Stay away from twitter trolls!
Meta-4 in PA wants to discuss deepity, a term that sounds profound but doesn’t really mean anything. The issue is people feeding just a deepity with nothing else, usually used as a non-answer.
Final caller today, Will in TX. Will asks how one can reconcile eating meat and being against animal cruelty. When we think of animal cruelty, we think more of animals use under our care. We do end the life of our suffering pets though. Sorry we don’t have more time to dive into this.
Thank you all so much for watching! It was fantastic to have you all here. Until we see you next time, keep being skeptical.

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

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RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

What we do not allow in our live chat:

Spamming
Personal attacks
Evangelizing

Our mods will mute or remove you from the live chat if you break these rules of engagement after a warning. Please respect this community and think before you hit “send.”

Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Greetings to all you skeptics out there! Welcome to Eric and Vi’s new show, Skeptic Generation! The hosts are dying to talk, so sit down, get comfortable, and enjoy this week's episode of Skeptic Generation!

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

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Intro
Cockroaches! Renovations! Technical difficulties! Lucky us, we’ve got it all this week. But thankfully we have something to look forward to. Not only do we have awesome callers to talk with, we also have super chats!

Andy - TX
We wrap up our conversation about veganism with repeat caller Andy. Eric and Vi agree that factory farming is immoral, and get deeper into the nuances of harm reduction by discussing the availability of ethically sourced products, slave labor in cashew farming, and monkeys in chains.

NOTE: We have plans to dedicate a few weeks at a future date to vegan atheist activism, but in the meantime will be moving towards other topics in upcoming episodes. If you have requests for vegan atheist guests, leave them in the comments.

Unethical cashew production practices:
https://www.slowfood.com/cashew-nuts-...
https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/04/women-...

Monkeys harvesting coconuts:
https://www.peta.org/features/chaokoh...
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/an...

Sam - UK
Does using philosophical terms in conversation help you communicate, or do you just sound a bit pretentious? Sam Chaos (they/them) calls in to discuss. Eric points out that if you understand the terms, you can communicate well without having to resort to obscure terminology.

Chris - CT
Chris calls in to vent about being forced to play into his employer’s religion at the risk of not being allowed to get his PhD. Vi and Eric suggest taking notes, documenting this abuse of power, and reporting it after he’s graduated.

If you are witnessing religious overreach, please consider notifying the Freedom from Religion Foundation (https://ffrf.org/legal/report) or American Atheists (https://www.atheists.org/legal/report...).

Dakota - WI
As Americans, should we be skeptical of capitalism? Dakota wants to use the same kind of critical thinking we apply to religion to our economic model. Eric has questions about what exactly we should be skeptical of. Vi points out an often overlooked period in American history: when businessmen bankrolled religious pundits in an effort to push back against FDR’s New Deal.

The book suggestion from this clip is Kevin M. Kruse’s “One Nation Under God”: https://history.princeton.edu/about/p...

NOTE: Upon review, this caller seems to have thrown doubt on the existence (or severity) of the Uyghur genocide in Xinjiang, China. We didn’t fully realize this during the course of the actual call, but Skeptic Generation does not endorse this view. If you want to learn more, please visit the shared links below. Good argument for or against any issue should never involve the dismissal of atrocities or violations of human rights.

Council on Foreign Relations: https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/chin...

Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/e...

Amnesty International: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/new...

Elliot - WA
Vi and Eric have lots of feelings about this call. Elliot (they/them) wants to know our thoughts about progressive, affirming versions of Christianity that try to reconcile LGBTQIA+ rights with Scripture. Vi sets up a steelman of the position, and Eric tears it TF down.

Bottom line: It’s great if you can be an affirming, progressive Christian. But that doesn’t absolve Christianity of the atrocities it has inspired against marginalized groups.
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Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

After a week of painting, repairs, and moving house, Eric and Vi are back in the saddle again! Due to the repairs, we decided to do this last episode in the old studio, so say goodbye to the mics and setup and get ready for a change of scenery.

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

The time has come! Join #LaMurph as they do their FIRST episode from their new home together!

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Now that we're getting settled in, it's time to start making improvements to the studio, lets see if we can get through this next episode without any tech issues! (Spoiler: We didn't.)

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com
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SHOW NOTES:

00:00 - Intro - Come See Us At The Ark Encounter!
9:50 - Lily (she/they) - CA - Eric and Vi Disagree on Existence
27:07 - Mark (he/him) - NC - Should We Call Ourselves Anti-theists?
44:11 - Robin (he/him) - DC - Vi Versus A Presup
1:09:03 - Nick (he/him) - TN - Eric Gets Excited About Math
1:15:54 - Dean (he/him) - NC - Transgender vs Transracial
1:23:07 - Outro - Eric Flummoxes the Ending Catchphrase

00:00
We’ve been doing this show for almost two months, can you believe it? And to celebrate, a couple of fun announcements! First, it’s Eric’s birthday week. If you’re interested in buying him a little present, check out our Amazon studio wish list at tiny.cc/SGwishlist or make a one-time donation at tiny.cc/tipSG.

Second, we’re going to be visiting the Ark Encounter on July 10th to take part in the Tri-state Freethinkers’ annual protest. Find out more by visiting https://www.facebook.com/events/1038430813356540/?ti=ls

9:50
Lily calls back to continue their conversation about whether or not math exists, but the conversation very quickly dissolves into an argument between Vi and Eric about whether or not qualia exists, what subjective experience is, whether they define existence in the same way…. It gets heated.

P.S. They are infinitely sorry to Lily, who they completely stomped all over in this call. It will not happen again.

27:07
[content warning: sensitive topics] After finding multiple mass graves of Indigenous children under Catholic residential schools throughout Canada, Mark is wondering if we should switch from using the term “atheist” to “anti-theist” to more strongly condemn these kinds of horrific actions. Vi suggests getting more specific, while Eric suggests the term “anti-theismist.”

To learn more about what is going on in Canada, check out these reports:
- https://abcnews.go.com/International/recently-discovered-unmarked-indigenous-graves-canada-nears-1000/story?id=78472829
- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57325653

44:11
Are Eric and Vi strong atheists or weak atheists? This presup wants to know, but comes up against some difficulty when the hosts don’t play along with the script. Eric wants better definitions, and Vi cuts to the chase with some good old neuroscience. Will Robin call back to talk about his “revelatory epistemology” next week?

1:09:03
What can math tell us about how we label things? Are apples numbered or are numbers appled? If a wire mesh exists, what can we say about platonic ideals? Is any of this making sense?

During this call, Nick suggests that numbers are nouns that we can add adjectives to. Eric argues that numbers are just another set of adjectives to describe things that exist.

1:15:54
How would you explain to a conservative Christian the difference between being transgender and identifying as transracial? “You wouldn’t,” Vi says, pointing out that a nuanced conversation of this caliber shouldn’t be overly simplified to people with a 4th grade-level understanding of biology and sociology. They suggest watching T1J’s video on the subject (linked below) to get a better and more qualified explanation of the topic.

Check out T1J’s video here: https://youtu.be/7HD5jHSkmN8

1:23:07
Eric had one job. Just one. And what did we get? The worst outro in Skeptic Generation history… and that’s a tough record to hold. Please shame him in the comments.

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Eric and Vi are back from Kentucky and ready for another week of calls!

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

We have a lot to celebrate this week, and we want to celebrate with you! Call in and chat with us about what you believe and why!

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

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TIMESTAMPS & SHOW NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Celebrating 5K Subs!
05:47 - Salvatore (he/him) - LA - What Is Atheopaganism?
21:24 - Joe (he/him) - VA - Is Vi A Hypocrite?
38:10 - Mr. Delicieux (he/him) - CAN - The Seven Day Week Proves God?
1:05:20 - Robin (he/him) - DC - You Can’t Prove Your Memories Are Real, Therefore I’m Right
1:29:20 - Outro - BIG Patreon Announcement

00:00
We’re celebrating hitting 5,000 subs this week, plus reaching 100,000 views on YouTube! We’re so excited to be doing this, and so glad you’re joining us! We also hint at a BIG Patreon announcement at the end of the episode, so stay tuned!

05:47
Can you be an atheist and a pagan? Why would you choose to be both? Salvatore calls back to tell us why ritual and community are so important to him, and how he rationalizes his worldview as a “religious but not spiritual” person.

21:24
Joe is unhappy with how Vi handled a previous call about the connection between being transgender and trans-racial. Vi sets the record straight, and Eric discusses how racial identity is nuanced and deserves to be more than a gotcha for anti-trans rhetoric.

See the initial clip here: https://youtu.be/rEhBH9wmwLo

If you have suggestions for further education on the connection between race and gender (if there is one), or the concept of trans-racialism, link it in the comments! We want to learn more.

38:10
This is perhaps the strangest call Skeptic Generation has taken. Mr. Delicieux calls in claiming that the seven day week is proof of Jesus’s divinity. According to Mr. D, other atheist YouTubers have failed against this argument. Will Eric and Vi be the ones to stump him? Watch the hosts get progressively more dumbfounded as he plows ahead, dropping insults throughout.

1:05:20
In his last call for a while, Robin tries to switch the burden of proof on the hosts by demanding they explain how they know the earth is not five minutes old and all their memories implanted. “If you cannot disprove this with your standards of evidence,” he claims, “then atheism is not rational.”

Check out Robin’s previous calls for context:
“Vi Versus A Darth Dawkins Clone”: https://youtu.be/vlx5E0tdweQ
“Eric Says Your God Concept Is Bunk!”: https://youtu.be/4m7-lPSVXyo

1:29:20
Before we give our traditionally spontaneous outro, we have an announcement! Our Patreon is going to change significantly next week, and Founding Patrons (everyone who has pledged before then) will be locking in some sweet perks. If you’re interested in being an SG Founder, check out our Patreon here: http://tiny.cc/donatetoSG.
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Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

We're honored and humbled to have received the support that has come our way! It's been long enough and now it's time to close out our founding patron tiers, but no fear! Along with the change comes tons of new perks and freebies.

As for our show, we have so many more changes to put in place but no matter how things change, we'll continue to be here every Sunday to ask what you believe and why.

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

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TIMESTAMPS & SHOW NOTES
00:00 - Intro - Introducing Our New Patreon Tiers!
06:12 - Andrew (he/him) - PA - Is There Hope for the Atheist Community?
20:52 - Hayden (he/him) - AUS - Can Skeptics Use Tarot Cards?
30:42 - Nick (he/him) - TN - What Does The Bible *Really* Say About Abortion?
38:20 - Billy (they/them) - VA - What Are “Energies” and Are They Scientific?
1:03:52 - Matt (he/him) - KY - Did We Exist Before We Were Born?
1:13:24 - Alda (she/her) - SC - How Do We Fight Bad Legislation As Humanists?
1:19:50 - Johnathan (he/him) - AL - How Can Skeptics Support Each Other?
1:27:19 - Outro - Use The Potato, Dude!

00:00
Skeptic Generation has revamped their Patreon and class is in session! You can go to https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG to check out their new tiers. And if you read through the syllabus, you’ll see new perks and exclusive access are now available. See you over there.

06:12
It can feel very much like the atheist community at large is struggling to progress. Andrew calls in to talk about how he’s seen the online environment change since 2014, and Eric and Vi have a couple of calls to action for those who want to see the atheist community continue to grow in a positive direction.

20:52
Hayden is a skeptic, but his wife does tarot. What do? Vi describes what tarot cards do for them, why they find the practice helpful, and how you can ethically and skeptically utilize them as tools for well-being. Eric gives an example of a time tarot allowed him to reframe a negative situation in his own life.

30:42
The Ordeal of the Bitter Waters (Numbers 5:11-31, if you’re interested) is often used as a gotcha against Christians claiming God dislikes abortion. Nick is of the opinion that more atheists and skeptics should be aware of these verses when speaking to Evangelicals. Eric and Vi caution against using this argument in certain situations.

Link to the verses in question: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%205%3A16-28&version=NRSV

38:20
Can you dance so hard you heal someone? Is it all energy, man? A former Scottish witch calls in to explain how an atheist might still believe in things like energies, and Eric is frankly having none of it. Vi points out the difference between atheism and skepticism.

1:03:52
Honestly, the only thing I took away from this call is that Matt really has a soft spot for mice. Which is very nice of Matt. But this was a confusing one. On the subject of existence, he and Eric debate the definition of “consciousness” and Vi suggests a great resource for people interested in some mind-bendy philosophy questions.

1:13:24
A theist calls in to offer her allyship when it comes to fighting harmful bills being passed in the Texas legislature. Is Skeptic Generation going to be engaging in political activism in the future, and how can fans of the show help?

For those of you who don’t know the context of this call, check out this article on the voting rights restrictions being introduced in Texas: https://www.texastribune.org/2021/07/08/texas-voting-bill-special-session/

1:19:50
[content warning: self-harm] Johnathan calls in to ask for some guidance about how to handle an acquaintance dying by su*cide. Eric and Vi empathize hard, both having been in that situation as well. How do skeptics support each other in times of great psychological or emotional need?

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Recovering from Religion Hotline: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/#rfr-welcome
Secular Therapy Project: https://www.seculartherapy.org/

1:27:19
It’s Vi’s turn to find a sign off, right after these superchat questions…
_________

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
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To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Do you have a favorite theist in your life? Tell them to call this week! We want to talk about what you believe and why. We promise we don't bite... ;)
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Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Eric is out of the state this week, which means Vi has invited on Skeptic Generation's very first guest host, Thomas Westbrook of @Holy Koolaid ! Join us on Sunday 8/8 at 11:30am CT to see who it is, and call 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG to talk with us about what you believe and why!

00:00 - Intro - Our First Guest Host on Skeptic Generation!
08:37 - Allison (she/they) - CAN - Should Everyone Get A Vaccine?
19:55 - Yousif (he/him) - IRAQ - Is the Cosmological Argument Convincing?
40:15 - Eric (he/him) - WV - Why Do Theists Use Philosophy to Prove God?
58:30 - Tzelly (she/they) - WA - Gods Exist and They Communicate With Me!
1:18:11 - Robin (he/him) - DC - The Final Showdown AKA He’s Blocked Now
1:36:05 - Outro - Dare To Do Something, But Don’t Drink The Thing…

08:37
Our guest host, Thomas Westbrook of Holy Koolaid, has done videos on the subject of vaccine efficacy and importance. Allison calls in to talk about her own experience trying to get a vaccine, and her concerns around pre-existing health conditions. Thomas gives some valuable statistics, while Vi points out that the goal is to vaccinate everyone who *can* be, to protect those for whom it might be dangerous or less effective.

19:55
Yousif calls in from Iraq to discuss whether the cosmological argument is an effective one. He doesn’t think so, and neither do the hosts. Vi suggests it presents a false dichotomy and is largely based on semantics, while Thomas goes in for the scientific angle to dismantle the idea that an intelligent First Cause was needed to create the universe.

40:15
Why do theists use philosophical arguments to try and prove god? Thomas suspects it’s because they don’t have any better arguments in areas like science or history. Our caller asks why we even bother engaging with philosophy, if science or history are better options. Vi points out the benefits of engaging with honest interlocutors and calling out dishonest ones.

58:30
Tzelly is a pagan who has a background in both Judaism and Christianity. She suggests that there are multiple gods who exist as manifestations of people groups’ energies. She also claims to be in communication with them via subconscious thoughts and dreams. Vi and Thomas ask clarifying questions to try and verify these claims.

1:18:11
In a desperate last attempt at gaining the upper hand, Robin calls back to demand the hosts explain their “causal justification” absent an ultimate God. Both Thomas and Vi take stabs at understanding what this means, but Vi finally decides that enough is enough. This one gets heated, so get ready with the volume control.

________

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

If you were here last week, you may have heard a phrase uttered in the heat of the moment. Will the butt unicorn ride again this week? Do we have a Skeptic Generation school mascot?

Check out our new and unexpected merch line here: https://tiny.cc/buttunicorn

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TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

05:16 - Death Metal Skeptic (they/them) - NC - Deprogramming Christianity
24:05 - Jeremy (he/him) - MD - Is It Immoral to Have Kids?
33:37 - Cindy (she/her) - MO - Can You Be Good Without God?
49:21 - Andy (he/him) - TX - Defining God Into Existence
1:10:09 - Anon (he/him) - CA - How Do Atheists Define Sin?
1:17:33 - NativeGinger13 (she/her) - CA - Is “Super Straight” Ideology Transphobic?

05:16
How do you deprogram yourself after a decade of leaving the church? DM Skeptic calls in for some help in restructuring their worldview and continuing the process of deconversion. The hosts stress that this kind of thing takes time, and that picking your battles and engaging honestly with difficult subject matter are paramount.

How about you: do you still say “bless you” after someone sneezes?

If you’re dealing with your own deconversion, check out Recovering from Religion for some help and support: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/

24:05
If it’s immoral to cause someone to cease to exist without their consent, why is it considered moral to cause someone to exist without their consent? Jeremy asks what the hosts think about antinatalism. Eric extols the merits of adoption as an alternative, and Vi gets philosophical.

Do you think it’s ethical to cause someone to exist?

For an example of an antinatalist argument, check out this article by David Benatar from the New Yorker: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/persons-of-interest/the-case-for-not-being-born

33:37
Cindy is thinking about leaving her church, or at least beginning to hold them to a higher standard. But she does have a concern: How do you explain all the good her church community does without a God? The hosts talk a bit about human nature, psychology, and evolutionary psychology as they help her think through this question.

Do you think you can be good without a god?

49:21
Andy calls in to debate William Lane Craig’s argument from contingency. He claims that all things need an explanation for their existence, and that God explains His own existence due to His necessary properties. Eric and Vi have *several* questions.

Do you find the argument from contingency to be convincing?

1:10:09
How do atheists define sin? Eric and Vi give their working definitions, and point out the importance of asking for other people’s definitions. It’s also important to remember that our language was shaped by religious people, so using these phrases colloquially should be challenged.

How about you: how do you define sin?

1:17:33
A “super straight” person calls in on a bet. Can we have a calm and reasonable discussion about the validity of “super straight” ideology? Turns out no, not when you’re propagating Nazi terminology in an effort to normalize transphobia. Vi tries to be patient, but ends up slapping down the argument and hanging up on her.

Do you think where a term comes from and what it’s used for matters?

For an overview of how the “super straight” troll op came into being, check out this article complete with screenshots: https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/03/08/super-straight-4chan-neo-nazi-kiwi-farms-trans-rights-transphobia/

For a more in-depth look, check out Corinne Engber’s article here: https://www.jewishboston.com/read/follow-your-gut-super-straight-and-identifying-alt-right-dog-whistles/

________

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
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Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Vi's birthday is tomorrow, and there's nowhere they'd rather be than hosting Skeptic Generation and chatting with you. Let's dive into this week's calls!

___________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES:
4:29 - Torben (he/him) - AZ - A Medical Student Explains the Effects of COVID
19:16 - Sky (she/them) - CO - Is Homeschooling a Good or Bad Thing?
36:42 - Trenton (he/him) - CA - How Do You Implant a Microchip? (Hint: Not Through Vaccines)
45:45 - Nathan (he/him) - KS - When Do Stories Become Toxic? (Star Trek Nerd Alert)
56:47 - Mike (he/him) - CAN - What Is Poly Deism and Is It Rational?
1:09:36 - Salvatore (he/him) - LA - Can You Choose to Believe Something is Real?

4:29
We have a med student on the line who is able to give us some behind-the-scenes information about the complexities of dealing with hospitalized COVID patients, as well as the dangers of quickly filling ICU wards. As always, we care about your health and the health of our communities. Unless you have a medical issue that would prevent it, please get vaccinated!

For more information, Eric helped @HolyKoolaid put out a recent video breaking down vaccination concerns and debunking false information: https://youtu.be/lGdU2vOzs-w

19:16
This caller shares a background with Vi as a fellow homeschooled kid from an evangelical background. Sky asks about how we deconstruct homeschooling and if it’s always harmful. Vi explains the pros and cons of homeschooling as an educational tool, and warns about people who push back against regulation and supervision in order to perpetuate misinformation and abuse.

If you’re interested in learning more about the rise of the homeschooling lobby in 1983 and the potential negative effects of deregulation, check out these article:

https://brownpoliticalreview.org/2016/04/homeschooling-lobby-dangers-deregulation/
https://www.propublica.org/article/small-group-goes-great-lengths-to-block-homeschooling-regulation

36:42
How do you get a microchip into a person? Well, our caller works in cybersecurity and has been microchipped himself! He has some cold hard facts for people who think that vaccines might contain microchips. The good news? Modern computers are simply not able to accommodate the type of tracking technology conspiracy theorists are afraid of. The bad news? Tracking you is very possible, and if you’re worried about that, you should consider ditching your smartphone.

Caveat: From our brief research after the show, it looks like there are indeed tiny single-chip systems that can be injected into the body. That said, functionality is still limited to sensing temperature, thus refuting the idea that any complex collection of data could be transmitted in the way conspiracy theorists would suggest. https://newatlas.com/electronics/worlds-smallest-single-chip-system-injectable/
We would love to learn more about this, so if you have additional information, please link it in the comments below!

45:45
We all know that stories can bring us together, but what happens when they tear us apart? Nathan calls in with a Star Trek anecdote that contains a larger question: when do stories become toxic? Vi makes the point that as soon as stories become canonized, they fall prey to dogma, which can turn them into sources of division rather than community building. Eric’s mind is blown by a Star Trek theory.

56:47
Mike is a polydeist, but what does that mean? And is it a useful term? Vi and Eric dive into the specifics of the caller’s worldview, finding similarities and prodding where they feel it might not hold up. Ultimately, Mike explains that polydeism is his way of avoiding the term “agnostic atheist” and maintaining good communication with those who might otherwise be threatened by his lack of belief. The question is: is “polydeist” an effective choice?

1:09:36
What is reality? Repeat caller Salvatore explains that his worldview allows him to think of the gods as real sometimes, when it suits the occasion. Vi points out there’s a similarity to suspending disbelief for the duration of a novel or a film, but asks what is keeping that rationale from justifying the harmful beliefs of others. Eric protests using the term “real” to begin with. Predictably, the hosts descend into a philosophical argument about semantics.

________

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
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Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

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Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

We're all ready to present ourselves to the world! Give us a call and lets talk.

___________

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

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Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

We've blown out our sixteen candles and now it's time for some fun! Feel free to call in and tell us what you believe and why, or just tune in to watch the fireworks (AKA Vi's head exploding).

___________
TIME STAMPS & SHOW NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Addressing the Elephant in the Womb (SB8)
7:19 - James (he/him) - AUS - Future Impact of Texas Abortion Bill
18:23 - Leon (he/him) - UK - Anti-vax Doctor Calls In (And Gets Hung Up On)
43:25 - Isaiah (he/him) - South Korea - Theist Calls In With Some Love
49:23 - Gohan (he/him) - TX - Vi Wants to Abort Criminal Violinists
1:15:28 - Felipe (he/him) - Brazil - How to Promote Skepticism as a Doctor?

00:00
The rights of individual Texans have come under fire due to the passing of SB8, an anti-choice bill that limits abortion access and puts bounties on the heads of anyone who gets or assists in reproductive healthcare. For more information, please see the following resources:

The text of TX SB8: https://legiscan.com/TX/text/SB8/id/2395961
Overview from the Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2021/08/31/texas-abortion-law-supreme-court/
Statement by the American Medical Association: https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/patient-support-advocacy/texas-sb-8-puts-bounties-doctors-heads-delivering-care
New York Times opinion: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/04/opinion/texas-abortion-law.html
Operation Jane video from Anonymous: https://youtu.be/qd-_3gClpaw
Report on TikTok vs. Right to Life’s snitch website: https://www.npr.org/2021/09/03/1034008380/tiktok-texas-abortion-ban-spam-website-activists

07:19
What are the implications of Texas’s most recent “Heartbeat Bill,” SB 8? James from Australia wonders what the legal landscape will look like now, not just for people with uteruses but other disenfranchised groups. Vi breaks down how the law might play out, and why we should be concerned.

18:23
Message from the hosts: While the mission of this show is to refute as many terrible arguments as we can, we need to be constantly aware when platforming dangerous rhetoric does more harm than good. This was one of those instances, and resulted in a decision to terminate the call.

Leon & Libby call in from the UK to talk about why it’s inadvisable to vaccinate children for COVID-19. Be warned, this is a Gish gallop of misinformation which the hosts do their best to halt. Vi ends up hanging up, but not before the callers have discredited themselves through demonstrably bad statistical analysis, logical fallacies, and citing of unverified sources.

Why VAERS data is unreliable: https://theconversation.com/unverified-reports-of-vaccine-side-effects-in-vaers-arent-the-smoking-guns-portrayed-by-right-wing-media-outlets-they-can-offer-insight-into-vaccine-hesitancy-166401
Percentage of COVID patients with neurological disorders after recovery: https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2021/06/04/high-numbers-of-covid-patients-report-impact-on-mental-health-research-shows/?sh=734f2e5f1d08
Study of number of childhood deaths due to COVID in the UK (6/2020): https://adc.bmj.com/content/early/2021/06/21/archdischild-2020-320899
COVID cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in children in US: https://www.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/children-and-covid-19-state-level-data-report/

43:25
This caller expresses appreciation for the way Skeptic Generation approaches topics in a more conversational, long-form way. Is it the best atheist call-in show on the internet currently? Who can say, but we certainly think so!

For any and all inquiries about guest appearances or collaborations (we’re interested!) please reach out to contactskepticgeneration@gmail.com.

49:23
If you’ve followed the hosts for a while, you’ll probably remember Gohan, a frequent Talk Heathen caller back in the day. He’s back, and ready to spar with Vi about the morality of abortion. His weapon of choice: the violinist argument (and Trent Horn’s reverse violinist argument). Too bad for him. Vi is *not* taking this conversation lightly today.

To hear a brilliant discussion of the violinist argument, check out Abigail Thorn’s video on her channel @PhilosophyTube: https://youtu.be/c2PAajlHbnU

1:15:28
Did you know there is apparently a church created every hour in Brazil? A local doctor calls into the show and expresses his concern that widespread credulity in his country is resulting in Brazilians denying medical care on the advice of their pastors. How can he help?

___________

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
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Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

The last couple weeks have been a bit heated. Let's see if we can focus on some level-headed Socratic dialogue this week.... if the callers will let us...

Give us a call and chat with us about what you believe and why: 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG
___________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

5:15 - Tom (he/him) - GA - Are Presups Narcissists?
15:45 - Judy (she/her) - IN - Ex-JW Talks About Planned Parenthood
25:25 - Nick (he/him) - VA - Tips on Starting An Atheist Activist Channel
38:00 - Christine (she/her) - WA - Are Spirituality and Religion the Same Thing?
50:30 - Josh (he/him) - N.L. - Biology Teacher vs. Small Religious Town

5:15
Can you tell if someone is a narcissist by the type of apologetic they use? No. But it’s very possible that people with certain worldviews are attracted to communities that normalize their outlooks and behaviors. To that end, this caller wants to know if we think there is an overlap between those with narcissistic personality disorder and those Darth Dawkins clones who rely on the “I’m right by definition” tactic underpinning presuppositionalism.

15:45
Judy was a Jehovah’s Witness when she suggested her daughter’s friend go to Planned Parenthood after discovering she was pregnant. Now deconverted, this caller wanted to share her story and normalize people (regardless of religion) taking advantage of the benefits PP provides. Vi shares some of their own story as well.

25:25
Ever want to learn how to safely and smartly create an atheist activist channel? Nick calls in and asks for advice, and Eric is super excited to give him all the tips and tricks to success. Vi points out some specific ways to avoid doxxing and being targeted by those who might wish you harm.

38:00
Are spirituality and religion intrinsically linked? Can you truly be SPNR (spiritual but not religious)? That depends on how you define it. I know, shocker. The caller, Vi, and Eric all reveal they have different definitions of spirituality, which impact their answer to this question. And that, after all, is the real moral of the story.

50:30
As a biology teacher and a skeptic in a small town full of religious folk, how do you best reach the kids in your class? Eric and Vi point out a variety of ways to get involved in a way that will not ostracize you from the community or paint a target on your back.

___________

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
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Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

00:00 - Skeptic Generation is Going to Faithless Forum!
07:02 - Ansel (he/him) - CAN - A Syllogism To Disprove The Kalam?
24:40 - Ken (he/him) - UK - A Biological Component to Gender Identity?
45:29 - Shane (he/him) - UT - God Finally Calls In!
01:00:04 - Angelo (he/him) - MA - This Freemason No Longer Believes in God… Now What?
01:14:44 - Sam Chaos (they/them) - UK - What is Gender Euphoria?

00:00
We are so excited to be announcing our involvement in putting on Faithless Forum 2021, an atheist YouTuber conference for content creators and their viewers. We’ll be meeting in Austin, Texas from November 19th-21st, so come out and join us! And yes, vaccines are required for entry. Check out more at https://faithlessforum.com/.

07:02
How do you answer apologists who claim there must be a beginning to the universe? Ansel calls in with a syllogism attempting to rebut this theological claim. Vi and Eric, however, are less than impressed. Eric has many questions about the soundness of the premises themselves, and Vi points out that playing the “chicken or egg” game with apologists is already ceding too much ground.

24:40
Ken calls in to discuss homeschooling and gender identity, two of Vi’s favorite topics. Surprisingly for this show, Ken comes to the table with some thoughtful points, and the hosts spend some time discussing the differences between social constructs and biology, and the value of holding a nuanced perspective when discussing sensitive topics like these.

45:29
God finally calls into the show! And by God, we mean Shane from Utah, who has proclaimed himself god and is calling in to set the record straight. Is this a poe? Is this someone who needs some psychological help? Vi and Eric can’t quite tell. What do you think?

1:00:04
The Freemasons require you to believe in a God, and Angelo no longer believes. He’s worried about losing his community if he admits this, and has called in for some help. Vi and Eric point out that this is a cost-benefit analysis situation: what does he want more, his community or the freedom to express himself fully?
Note: The lower third says that Angelo is from the UK, but that is incorrect. Sorry, Angelo!

For anyone struggling to deconvert or worried about coming out as an atheist, check out the Hotline Project run by Recovering from Religion here: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/

1:14:44
What is “gender euphoria”? Sam, one of our favorite UK theists, calls in to talk about the concept of gender euphoria and whether it is a useful conversation starter when discussing trans issues. Vi agrees, and Eric is enlightened. Does liking how you look in cowboy boots count? Absolutely!

It's officially no longer summer, and we're ready for some cooler weather. Let's keep the hot-headed callers, though, because they're fun! Give us a call and chat with us about what you believe and why: 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG
___________
TIMESTAMPS & SHOW NOTES

00:00 - Intro
04:21 - Brian (he/him) - FL - The Argument From I Win Because I Say So
43:37 - Salvatore (he/him) - LA - Does This Syllogism Disprove Hell?
56:59 - Chandler (he/him) - CT - Is It Transphobic To Not Want to Date A Trans Person?
1:08:51 - Caffie (she/her) - CA - My Good Christian Husband Watches P*rn in the Barn!
1:13:42 - Mark (he/him) - VA - Jesus Couldn’t Have Healed the Paralyzed

04:21
A sneaky presuppositionalist calls in to talk about how skepticism is not good for society. The call quickly spirals as Brian attempts to throw the entire apologetic lexicon at the hosts. Eric and Vi try to parse through his arguments in good faith, but Brian is playing his own game. And he’s winning, no matter what anyone says.

Warning: The ending of this call devolves as Brian begins screaming “Don’t allow atheists to **** kids” over and over. We’ve bleeped it out from the clip, but were taken aback by it as well. Apologies to everyone who has to deal with that.

43:74
Salvatore calls back in to ask for the hosts’ help in constructing a syllogism to disprove Hell. As he runs through it, Eric points out that the argument actually addresses something different: whether God is good! And Vi advises the caller to also focus on the scientific implausibilitiy of Hell rather than just rely on philosophical arguments to make his case.

56:59
Remember when a Super Straight called into the show and argued with Vi? Chandler does, and he has a question: is not wanting to date trans people transphobic? Vi clarifies their position. Your dating preferences are your own, and no one can be mad about who you decide to pursue romantically (as long as you’re all consenting adults). That said, think about why you might not be attracted to a whole group of people: what information is influencing that?

Note for our callers: Chandler speaks English as his second language, so does not use all the proper terminology in this call. Let’s practice understanding intent and recognize someone who is genuinely asking a question!

1:08:51
We think this is a troll? We think? Either that or Caffie really had nowhere else to turn and is royally freaked out. While she told the call screeners that she wanted to talk about religion’s necessity in society, she quickly devolves into adamant concern about her good Christian husband, who she has caught watching gay porn.

Warning: The caller uses the word “m*dget” to describe the actors in this alleged porno. Please be aware that this term is outdated and offensive. The appropriate terminology is “dwarf” or “little person.” https://www.lpaonline.org/the-m-word

1:13:42
How does Jesus tell the paralyzed man to get up and walk, when it takes at least 8 weeks to heal from a single fracture? Mark calls in to point out the medical impossibility of faith healing. The hosts agree, and also wish the caller a speedy recovery (even if a miraculously fast one is off the table).
___________

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
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To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Does 20 weeks seem like long time, or does it feel like no time at all? The answer is yes.

We've only got twelve episodes left in season 1, so come give us a call!

___________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

10:35 - Nick (he/him) - TN - Do Atheists Have An Obligation to Evangelize?
20:18 - Connor (he/him) - CO - Flat Earther Calls with an Equation
46:03o - Robin (he/him) - DC - Darth Clone Tries Again
50:35 - Sam (they/them) - UK - Is Street Epistemology Dishonest?
1:03:10 - Josh (he/him) - CO - The Theory of the Bicameral Mind
1:15:15 - Josh (they/them) - TN - I Told My Dying Father I Believed

10:35
Should you try to deconvert Christians? Nick has been using his past training as an evangelical to play for the “other side,” and has called in to ask the hosts’ opinions. Vi points out that it’s impossible to tell other atheists what they *ought* to do, but if you believe that engaging with theists is a good way to promote a secular society, that is what you should do! That said, Vi thinks a better way to increase skepticism and secularism would be to start a daycare…

20:18
Is this Skeptic Generation’s first flat earther caller? Where’s E.J. when you need them! Vi and Eric clash with Connor, who thinks that a flat earth is just as valid as a round earth. He also proposes that we can teleport like Pacman if we get to the earth’s edge. And that the laws of gravity and light reflection might not be accurate. And that scientists won’t listen to him because his computation is to complex. In short, just about what you’d expect.

For more information about flat earthers and their debunked theories, please check out the following videos:
- Hbomberguy’s Measured Response: https://youtu.be/2gFsOoKAHZg
- Professor Dave Explains Pt. 1: https://youtu.be/_bHqBy92iGM

46:09
Robin returns! And he is peddling the same drivel he was before he was banned. Vi lets him join the show just long enough to call him and Darth Dawkins out for being dishonest and uninterested in real conversation. If you’ve ever wanted to flip off a presup, this clip is for you.

For the uninitiated, here is the Robin saga as it stands (as well as a link to the recording Vi referenced between Robin and Darth):

- Robin calls in for the first time: https://youtu.be/vlx5E0tdweQ
- Robin round two: https://youtu.be/QKbb1OkUBo0
- Robin gets banned: https://youtu.be/T2tdCP_gR50
- The recorded Discord conversations that Vi referenced between Robin and Darth Dawkins during SkepGen episode 12: https://youtu.be/FsbAY-4DQvY

50:48
Is street epistemology inherently dishonest? Do people who practice SE rely on dishonest tactics? This is a fascinating conversation, especially from a theist’s perspective. Sam wants to know Vi and Eric’s opinions on this topic. Eric points out that perhaps SE is not inherently dishonest, but rather individuals are using it dishonestly. Vi advises against relying on memorized scripts or gotchas when engaging with others.

1:03:31
Have you heard of the bicameral mind? Josh calls in to discuss Julian Jaynes’s book “The Origin of Consciousness” and get the hosts’ opinion on his hypothesis. Does it present a reasonable explanation for the human desire to create gods? The hosts say it’s definitely an interesting observation, but that we should hold these kinds of unfalsifiable claims loosely, even if they seem to fit well into our worldview.

Also, if you know the Seth Andrews interview Vi mentioned, please drop the link in the comments below! They’d love to credit it directly.

1:15:15
How should you treat a dying parent who wants you to reconvert? Josh tells their story: they made the decision to lie to their dying father to ease his fears of seeing his children and grandchildren in hell. Was it the right call? Vi and Eric think so. In fact, the hosts point out that there is no one right way to act in this situation, and anyone dealing with the death of a parent should be gentle with themselves as they navigate that traumatic situation.

___________

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
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Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
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Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

This is a bit unorthodox but... since when were we worried about orthodoxy?

You're invited to participate in a ridiculously early-in-the-day drinking game for our 21st episode celebration. Bring booze, coffee, water.... whatever your beverage of choice, it's about to get lit!

NOTE: This episode incorporates a drinking game as a way to celebrate our 21st episode. You are welcome to play along (with your beverage of choice), but please drink responsibly! We love all of y’all and want you to have fun while staying safe and healthy.
___________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES
06:26 - Theo (he/him) - TX - How Did You Become an Atheist?
33:37 - Isaiah (he/him) - Korea - How to Calm Down During Difficult Conversations
53:36 - Johnathan (he/him) - AL - Holding Others To A Higher Standard
01:01:03 - Jon (he/him) - SC - Why Is Skepticism Useful?
01:14:47 - Salvatore (he/him) - LA - What is Magic to Atheists?
1:23:21 - Sam (he/him) - KY - Does the Kalam Prove Atheism?

06:26
How did the hosts become atheists? What questions about God did they have? How can they be moral people without an ultimate authority? In a throwback to the classic days of atheist call-in shows, Theo is a theist who is truly wondering about the atheist perspective… because he’s asking some of these questions himself.

33:37
This theist caller is upset that people he talks to jump to conclusions about him. He calls to ask Eric and Vi what their thoughts are on having calm, civil conversations that don’t resort to name-calling. The hosts point out that both sides have an obligation to do their best to remain level-headed. Remain open, assume the best, and make sure you aren’t using loaded language!

53:36
Why does it seem like we are always holding others to a different standard than we hold ourselves? Whether we let others get away with murder while kicking ourselves for forgetting to take the trash out, or expecting others to be angels while we roll around in the mud, there always seems to be a mismatch. Eric empathizes and reframes.

1:01:03
What makes skepticism different or more useful than magical thinking, especially if we can’t really know the “capital T truth” about anything? Eric explains the philosophical element, while Vi tackles the practical, day-to-day uses of skepticism. They even get into… bibliomancy! **spooky Halloween noises**

1:14:47
How should atheists approach magic? Salvatore, our atheopagan friend, works with sigils to influence his subconscious. Eric says this feels icky and rejects the idea of magic as a useful word altogether. Vi, on the other hand, points out that “magic” is not consistently defined and so doesn’t need to have a supernatural meaning at all. In this view, is going to the bank magic? Well…. Maybe?

1:23:21
We’re hoping this guy calls back! Sam has a theory that William Lane Craig’s Kalam cosmological argument actually supports an atheistic worldview. Vi gets excited and suggests some tweaks to the hypothesis. They then ask Sam to call back, because Eric wants to dive deeper into the conversation when he’s NOT inebriated.
___________

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
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Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

So many theist callers today! We got to talk to a variety of believers on what they believe and why. Join us this week on Skeptic Generation. Do you agree with our takes? Disagree strongly? Call in and tell us why!
___________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES
00:00 - Intro
04:33 - Sam (he/him) - KY - Does the Kalam Prove Atheism?
19:26 - Chad (he/they) - FL - This Troll Seems Very Angry…
36:00 - Edward (he/him) - DC - Theist Has An “Anti-Atheist” Argument
56:22 - Andrew (he/him) - PA - Atheism and Free Speech
1:08:40 - Tyler (he/him) - OH - The Atheist Community Made Me A Christian

04:33
Sam has a theory that William Lane Craig’s Kalam cosmological argument actually supports an atheistic worldview. Vi and Eric explore ideas of timelessness, spacelessness, and personalness, and if they even make sense when attributed to the same being. If you enjoy talking philosophy while taking many casual digs at WLC, this is for you.

Check out the Paulogia episode Vi referenced here: https://youtu.be/GC3o4GnKJFU

19:26
A wild Chad appears to discuss why skepticism is bad, how atheism and skepticism are the same thing, how prioritizing wellbeing is morally corrupt, how it’s destroying traditional family values, and how we are mocking America. This is possibly the angriest and most excitable troll we’ve had in a while, but he hangs up when he can’t take the heat.

36:00
“Answer me these riddles three…” says this caller, leading Vi and Eric down a list of questions that “both Hitchens and the Pope would agree on.” He says that by answering these questions honestly, we’ll come to an anti-atheist conclusion. Is it real, is it fantasy, or is it an equivocation fallacy? Let’s go on this adventure together…

56:22
What does free speech mean, and do atheists use it correctly? Vi breaks down the different kinds of free speech, the responsibilities of being a good conversation partner, and how we can do better as a community in having those conversations. Eric gets put on the spot when Andrew asks a pointed question that starts an argument.

1:08:40
Tyler used to be an atheist viewer of popular call-in shows, but found they were only making him depressed and giving him an overly simplistic view of the world. He has since become a Christian, and has found solace in going to church. He asks if Vi and Eric had religious upbringings, and what their deconversion experience was like. The hosts empathize and ask Tyler to call back, closing with the question: “How do we discover what is true, even if something else makes us feel better?”
___________

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
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Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

What do you believe? Why do you believe it? Can you convince skeptics of your claim? Give us a call and make your case. We promise we don't bite... too hard...
___________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro
04:07 - Lily (she/they) - AZ - You Can’t Do Math Wrong
14:55 - Ted (he/him) - PA - Atheist Reincarnation?
29:26 - Lord (he/him) - CA - Weak Atheism vs. Strong Atheism - Which is Better?
41:53 - Joe (he/him) - VA - A New Argument for the Existence of God
1:08:15 - Mike (he/him) - OH - Why Use They/Them Pronouns?
1:20:00 - Joe (he/him) - TX - Was Jesus A Womanizer?

04:07
Can you do math wrong? Is it just an aesthetic pastime, like art? Have you ever cried for joy looking at an equation? If you feel confused, you and Vi are in the same boat. Eric, meanwhile, is loving it. For all the numberphiles out there, this one’s for you…

14:55
Does death scare you? Are you afraid of the void? This caller believes you can get comfort from the philosophical theory of “generic subjective continuity,” sometimes called reincarnation for naturalists. Eric and Vi have concerns about its usefulness.

Note: The video freezes for a few minutes here, but Eric does techno-wizardry and fixes it.

29:26
Why aren’t the hosts strong atheists? This caller thinks that until solid proof is provided, we should be encouraged to say that absolutely no gods exist. After all, we do the same with Bigfoot and butt unicorns. Eric and Vi discuss the value in weak atheism when having conversations with theists.

41:53
Repeat caller Joe has a new cosmological argument for the existence of God, and asks to take Eric and Vi through it. Problems start early, as Joe attempts to rely on intuition to argue for a cause beyond the universe. The hosts walk through why using words like “cause” and “begin” still rely on spacetime, and how cosmological arguments fail to point to any God.

1:08:15
Mike has a question for Vi: Why use pronouns other than he/him or she/her? Vi gets vulnerable as they discuss their place in society. Eric explains why having pronouns listed in caller descriptions are so important.

1:20:00
This call was a bit all over the place, but the takeaway for the hosts was the request to imagine Jesus as a womanizer. After all, there are no records of his life between the ages of 2-33 in the Gospels. What if he was just roaming around having sex the whole time? Eric and Vi admit that’s a fun idea, but point to the dearth of historical information we have about Jesus and how we couldn’t possibly say for sure.

Join us next week for a Halloween episode where the hosts will be in costume! Tag SkepticShow on Twitter with your own Halloween costumes and the hashtag #SGHalloween and we’ll retweet all week!
___________

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
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To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Do you believe in things that go bump in the night? What about hell or demons? Give us a call and we'd love to hear what you believe and why!
___________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES
00:0 - Intro
06:30 - Andrew - he/him - PA - If God Exists, So What?
18:30 - Sam - he/him - TX - A Pathetic Excuse for a Troll
21:08 - Nick - he/him - VA - Do We Have Obligations As Skeptics?
30:38 - Tim - he/him - FL - Evangelicals Are Ruining It for the Rest of Us!
40:43 - Salvatore - he/him - LA - Can Atheism and Religion Coexist?
52:12 - Allison - they/them - CAN - How Do I Date as a Nonbinary Person?

06:30
If we were to grant the philosophical arguments “proving” the existence of a God, what would change? Vi and Eric point out that it depends on the kind of god, and whether we could accurately pinpoint which religion was true (if any).

18:30
The troll is back, but just for a few minutes. He harasses the hosts by mocking how Vi proposed to Eric, and is quickly hung up on. To quote our favorite space ranger: he is a sad, strange little man, and he has our pity. Farewell.

21:08
What obligations for self-education do we have as skeptics, especially ones who have a platform like ours? Vi and Eric describe some best practices that they abide by, including incorporating research into their day to day, only speaking on subjects they have knowledge in, and being willing to say “I don’t know.”

30:38
A Pew Research poll suggests that only 30% of Americans label themselves as evangelicals, and most of them are conservative. Tim wants to know if he’s right to be upset at this small demographic that seems to be wrecking things for the rest of us. Vi offers a compassionate approach that lays the blame where it should be put: on Christianity as an institution and on politicians who take advantage of it.

40:43
Can atheism and religion coexist? Yes, of course, say the hosts. But can skepticism coexist with a lack of skepticism? That’s the real question, and the one we should be discussing.

52:12
How do you deconstruct dating after discovering you are non-binary? How do you navigate things like flirting, romance, and relationships while you discover your gender? This caller asks Vi for their opinion, and Vi gets real about the struggle, and also what makes a good partner. Eric discusses his own identity in-depth for the first time on the show as well.

___________

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
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To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Through hell and high water (literally!) we're coming to you live from a house under repair to celebrate 10k subs and take your calls!
___________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES
00:00 - Intro
07:38 - Phil (he/him) - DE - Purpose vs Reason (a la Calvin & Hobbes)
15:00 - Bree (ze/zer) - IA - An Anti-Aboriton Argument from an Atheist?
22:44 - Setuf (she/her) - ES - Theist Thinks Abortion = M*rder
40:33 - Fred (they/them) - COL - “I Escaped an Atheist Cult!”
51:00 - Sam (they/them) - UK - Are Atheists Better At Diversity?
1:02:08 - Candor (he/they) - CO - Using “Religious Tools” as Skeptics
1:11:03 - Karen (she/her) - CA - “I Wouldn’t Save The Dog” (Atheist Argues Abortion)
1:20:30 - Kevin (he/him) - CO - Is Media Messing with Our Risk Assessment?

07:38
A caller from Deutschland claims Calvin and Hobbes perfectly captures the difference between how theists and atheists look at the world. One group looks for purpose of things happening, while the other looks for the reason things happen. Eric fanboys about Bill Watterson, and Vi agrees we should keep this distinction in mind when talking to theists.

Link to the comic discussed: https://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1988/04/01#:~:text=Transcript%3A,Hobbes%3A%20Because%20we%20walked%20here.&text=Hobbes%3A%20Because%20Earth%20can%20support%20life.

15:00
Bree calls in with a joke call, making an anti-abortion argument from an atheistic perspective. The laughs, however, lead to some interesting conversation as the hosts contemplate where current abortion arguments fall short, and whether many skeptics have yet to fully deconstruct ideas around procreation and birth. Cue foreshadowing music….

22:44
This caller is a theist who wants to argue with the hosts about whether or not terminating a pregnancy is moral or immoral. The hosts get creative with their analogies in an attempt to get their points across: Eric asks if unplugging a sentient computer would be immoral, and Vi makes a comparison between abortion laws and “stand your ground” laws in Texas and other states. Ultimately, the question is: what course of action is permissible to maintain bodily autonomy? And who gets to decide whether that course of action is moral or immoral?

40:33
Fred was part of a cult composed mostly of atheists, but managed to escape thanks to watching shows like Skeptic Generation, @Genetically Modified Skeptic, and @Telltale. They want to talk about how atheists can also fall for behavioral control methods used to perpetuate cults. The takeaway here: don’t think you’re too smart to get involved in a cult, and stay away from organizations with strict hierarchical structures. Stay safe out there!

51:00
Are atheists better or worse when it comes to inclusion and diversity? In some areas they are objectively progressing faster than many religious counterparts, but in other areas they’re falling behind. Sam points to their experience in atheist circles as someone who is neurodivergent, nonbinary, and Pagan, among other intersectionalities. Vi and Eric weigh in.

1:02:08
What “religious tools” should atheists be using to help them in their lives? Are there such things as “religious tools”? What is a non-theistic Satanist, and why does Candor call himself one? This conversation gets into tarot, ritual, and mindfulness as secular methods for coping and thriving in the world. You may have feelings about this one…

1:11:03
Karen is sick and tired of atheist pro-choice arguments, because they don’t feel honest. She lays out her uncomfortable truth: we rate beings based on how valuable they are, and give out rights from there. Eric points out the difference between rights and protections, and Vi gets excited at the icky feeling the argument causes. Gotta love a chewy new moral dilemma!

1:20:30
How is the media influencing our risk assessments about things like COVID, and could it be that those who have chosen not to get the vaccine are simply less risk-averse? Eric and Vi point out that while each individual has to choose for themselves, the responsibility of caring for those in your community and providing the at-risk with protection outweighs personal comfort.

_____________

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

While we're preparing speeches and ironing our best black blazer, its a wonderful time to take a break to talk to callers about what they believe and why!

For tickets to next week's event, go to https://faithlessforum.com

We hope to see you there!

If you are interested in helping donate to Viced Rhino's annual holiday fundraiser in memory of Missus Rhino, please visit http://vicedrhino.com/donate.
___________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES
00:00 - Intro/In Memory of Missus Rhino
5:14 - Ridley (they/them) - NC - Is “Bro Atheism” On The Rise?
15:18 - Marci (she/her) - CT - New Atheist Mourns the Loss of Heaven
25:20 - Setuf (she/her) - ES - Anti-Choice Caller Is Back for More!
45:37 - Ben (he/him) - AZ - Medical Student Sets the Record Straight on Abortion
58:45 - Joe (he/him) - KS - Theist Asks Why Atheists Lack Emotion
1:13:31 - Bree (ze/zer) - IA - What Do the Hosts Think of the Death Penalty?

5:14
What is “bro atheism,” and is it something we should be worried about? Ridley calls in with some concerns about the direction of the atheist movement online, but Vi and Eric have some hopeful words of encouragement!

15:18
Marci has recently deconverted from Christianity and is struggling to come to grips with heaven not being real. “It’s like mourning a second time.” How do you get through the horrible feelings of grief when you deconvert, and what should next steps be? Vi and Eric empathize and offer some resources (and try not to cry).

For more information about Recovering from Religion, visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/

25:20
The anti-choice theist calls back for round two! In an effort to get to the heart of the disagreement, Vi and Eric poke and prod to find Setuf’s moral structure, while calling out loaded language and unscientific claims left and right. Can they find common ground… or should they even try? (And yes, the caller’s name IS an acronym for “fetus.”)

Watch Setuf's first call into Skeptic Generation: https://youtu.be/F4fsFdVZFxs

45:37
Student Doctor Ben calls in to address some of the recent calls around abortion and why we’re looking at the issue wrong. He walks the hosts through what actually happens during abortions at all stages of pregnancy, and why it’s not like what anti-choice people claim. Required viewing for anyone frustrated by the abortion calls being had recently!

Check out more Student Doctor Ben here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKti4xis1ZJ2FQFAuDQ1kpg

58:45
Joe is a theist who wants to know why atheists tend to reduce the big questions to cold scientific facts rather than engage with emotion. Vi points out that emotion has often been used against atheists, so we often overcorrect to avoid falling for bad arguments. That said, there is room to grow, and we shouldn’t be afraid of expressing emotion (as long as our interlocutors are honest).

1:13:31
What do the hosts think of the death penalty, and how does that play into skepticism? It’s difficult to approach such intense topics with rationality, but Vi and Eric point out the various flaws (both philosophical and practical) with capital punishment. What an intense way to end the show this week!

Check out the @Shaun video referenced by Vi: https://youtu.be/L30_hfuZoQ8
For more on the philosophical side of capital punishment, here’s a @PhilosophyTube video as well: https://youtu.be/TDcwIZzaf-k

__________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
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To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Well, we've had quite the weekend! Speeches, panels, games, and workshops galore at Faithless Forum here in Austin. We just got back and are ready to talk with you: 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG.

NOTE: This is an abbreviated episode which will begin at 12 noon CT and run until 1pm CT. If you would like to get on to chat with us, please call in by 11:45am to get in the line!

__________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Faithless Forum Recap
06:05 - Isaiah (he/him) - SK - Stop Calling My Beliefs a Mental Illness!
16:42 - Brandon (he/him) - NC - How To Argue With Christians About Morality
23:06 - Kevan (he/him) - FL - Biblical Slavery Is Hypocritical!
34:06 - Sunny (she/they) - IA - Is Virtual Reality An Ethical Substitute for Real Life?
47:54 - Nick (he/him) - AK - Is It Disrespectful To Not Use Pronouns?

06:05
This theist caller would like to see more civil communication between theists and atheists. His example? How atheists are always calling theists mentally ill. Should we stop? What is the harm? Eric and Vi have some thoughts, including how respect for religious people shouldn’t necessarily expand to cover bad or harmful ideas.

16:42
“Well if you don’t believe in God, you can just sin whenever you want!” If that makes you wince, this is the conversation for you. Brandon asks for pointers on debating the morality question with Christians.

Eric cautions that most of these arguments fall prey to the ad hominem fallacy, painting atheists as people without moral compasses and therefore untrustworthy. Vi suggests getting the Christian making the claim to be more explicit: what is preventing them from sinning and why? How does that structure differ between us?

23:06
Isn’t it hypocritical that as soon as the Hebrews were set free from Egypt, they started writing laws about how to own slaves? Kevan wants to know how Christians square this contradiction in moral messaging in Exodus. Eric and Vi caution against framing Exodus as a moral text at all, rather looking at it through a historical lens.

34:06
This is a very interesting call, one that poses a new question we’ve never heard before. Is virtual reality inherently less valuable than actual experiences? What are the ethics of choosing a virtual life over one lived in the outside world? Is Mark Zuckerberg the antichrist? If you enjoy a sci-fi discussion, you’ll like this thought experiment!

47:54
Nick has a friend who has come out as trans. He asked if it’s OK to use his friend’s name instead of pronouns while he gets used to the change. Vi encourages openness and honesty here: tell your friend what’s going on. It’s alright to mess up sometimes, as long as you’re trying!

__________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
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To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Music is pouring out of every store as we move into the Christmas season. If you believe, we'd love to know if you think there's a war on Christmas! We have open lines and are ready to talk about what you believe and why : 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG.
__________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Holiday Plans
12:37 - Conner (he/him) - CO - Conspiracy Theorists vs Theists
26:27 - Johnathan (they/them) - AL - How To Care for Aging Christian Relatives?
34:53 - Emily (she/her) - TX - The Dangers of Alternative Medicine + What Is Jilly Juice??
41:32 - Steven (he/they) - NY - My Coworker Thinks the Goddess Freya Is Contacting Him!
56:00 - Ken (he/him) - BD - Does The Bible Command Slavery?
1:06:00 - Scott (he/him) - SC - Theist Says God Causes Evil But Is Also Good!

12:37
Connor has called back after our last conversation about a flat earth to ask: “Why do conspiracy theorists get more hate than religious people?” The hosts end up getting into a fun (for them) argument about the correlation between religion and conspiracy, who causes more harm, and whether you should react to either group with contempt.

26:27
If your aging grandparent is being poisoned by Fox News, what should you do? How do you care for a relative who is in cognitive and physical decline, who may be taken advantage of by organizations or individuals pushing agendas? Johnathan is facing this themself, and is looking for advice!

34:53
This caller was personally poisoned by alternative medicine, and has a story to tell. She and Eric bond over the dangerous and anti-scientific claims that have caused them pain, and dive more deeply into why such thinking should be discouraged.

41:32
Steven is a secular pagan who may have accidentally converted a coworker! Now his colleague thinks the goddess Freya is communicating with him… how should Steve solve this? Or does he need to? Vi and Eric discuss how to ethically discuss your beliefs with someone, and the limits of your responsibility.

56:00
Ken doesn’t “speak Bible” so he called the hosts, because they do! This caller asks why there’s so much debate around whether the Bible commands slavery or not. Eric takes point to break down why different Christian groups interpret the text differently.

1:06:00
Can God be at once fully in control and also not responsible for evil? Can humans have free will if God also has a master plan for everything? This caller says yes! Vi and Eric are confused. One of the most enjoyable theist calls in a while, we really hope Scott calls back… because we have more questions than answers at this point!

__________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
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Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
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Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

This has been a busy week for us! Eric called out an ex-illuminati vampire, Vi came for Sam Harris AND guest hosted for Viced Rhino, and now we're ready to talk to you! We have open lines at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG.

Here are links to some of our appearances this week:

- Vi hosts Twit Tweets on Viced Rhino’s channel: https://youtu.be/TbPv4apF1Rw
- Vi talks about Sam Harris with Christians: https://youtu.be/AMaM-lC_DcA
- Eric talks to an ex-Satanist/vampire/druid/illuminati priest: https://youtu.be/vGVPO7XFfGk
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Vampires & Sam Harris, Oh My!
09:08 - QueerAtheist (he/him) - IL - Is Criticizing the Four Horsemen OK?
22:09 - Nick (he/him) - UT - Unpacking Guilt After Deconversing
35:21 - Joe (he/him) - MI - I Bought A Church - What Do I Do With The Bibles??
46:02 - Chaos (they/them) - UK - Theist Wants Less Christianity, Please!
54:12 - Tyler (he/him) - OH - Eric and Vi Disagree On What Skepticism Is!
1:12:35 - Nick (he/him) - SC - Are Communism Conspiracy Theories True?
1:35:22 - Tom (he/him) - GA - So Many Questions About the Ex Vampire!!
1:44:47 - Scott (he/him) - SC - Eric and Vi Disagree on What Evil Is!

09:08
What do the hosts think about “new atheism” and the Four Horsemen? How should we engage with ideas that helped at the time but seem outdated now? Are veneration or cancelling the only options? The hosts say no, but don’t let these sometimes toxic individuals off so easily.

22:09
Nick is an ex-Mormon who is struggling with feelings of guilt and shame when thinking about his past. He asks for advice on getting over this. Eric tells the story of Megan Phelps-Roper and the Westboro Baptist Church. Vi suggests that the leftover guilt may be a religious instinct hanging on, and gives ideas for letting go.


35:21
This caller just bought a church to live in, and is wondering what to do with all the religious paraphernalia lying around. Should he donate it? Burn it? Take up papier-mache? Help! Eric and Vi toss around ideas!

46:02
What is latent Christianity, and who does it harm? Chaos calls in to chat with the hosts, but Eric quickly turns the conversation to an even juicer topic: what is keeping Chaos from being an atheist? They promise to call back and have an epistemological discussion, and they promise they’re not a presup! Now we are even more curious…

54:12
Can too much skepticism hurt you? This caller thinks so! Eric and Vi disagree with him, but then end up also disagreeing with each other. What even is skepticism, and can it be misused, and if so… how? Everyone gets a bit riled up during this call.

1:12:35
Do the hosts think that global conspiracy theories are true? Because Nick thinks communists might be taking over the United States. Eric goes on the offensive and lays down the law when it comes to what’s actually going on in the US. Vi encourages looking at the broader picture: what even is a conspiracy theory?

1:35:22
Did you see Eric’s debate with the ex-vampire? This caller did, and he has so many questions! How long were his fangs? Could he see himself in the mirror? How did he live off of communion wafers and blood for so long? Eric breaks down his tactics in dealing with this dishonest interlocutor.

1:44:47
This one gets spicy! Eric and Vi (and the caller) all have different definitions of “evil.” Scott takes a biblical viewpoint, Eric thinks the definition is subjective, and Vi tries to take a pragmatic approach. We fully expect everyone to disagree with everything about this call, so let us have it in the comments!
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
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To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

While Vi is called away to work, Eric will be forced to produce and host at the SAME TIME! Come join him this Sunday as he manages tech issues while talking to people about what they believe and why.

If you’re interested in joining our special LIVE event where we react to Eric’s debate with an ex-vampire, check it out on Wednesday 12/15 at 5pm CT:
https://youtu.be/-pBHKTxNV2k

___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro
04:35 - Felipe (he/him)- BR - How To Stay Calm When Talking To Theists
17:59 - Chaos (they/them) - UK - Deist Defends Their God Belief
30:32 - Setuf (he/him) - ESP - A Conversation NOT About Fetuses
38:05 - Joe (he/him) - KS - God Created the Universe, But NOTHING ELSE!
57:16 - Meppy (he/they) - CO - Philosophical Zombies and Consciousness
01:09:57 - Jonathan (they/them) - AL - How To Publicly Disagree with Someone

04:35
Felipe is having discussions with a theist and is having trouble keeping a level head, so he calls in to ask, how do we stay so calm?! Eric explains that keeping in mind what your goals are and understanding that setting realistic expectations to match those goals can dramatically ease the tension in the discussion.

It may look easier to do it on the show, but that is because we have an entirely different goal: to have these discussions so the viewer can see them, not to change the mind of our interlocutor necessarily.

17:59
Last week, Chaos wanted to ask us about Christianity’s impact on society, but Eric had a burning question: Why are they still holding on to their deism? This week, they called back to answer just that!

After agreeing that one can be rational in accepting something untrue, they began discussing whether or not it is harmful to accept the deistic proposition in lieu of an atheistic one. Unfortunately, Chaos’ connection dropped out, we hope that they’ll call back so we can finish the discussion!

30:32
Yes, Setuf is back. But not to talk about fetuses. Instead, the question turns to morality, consent and animal rights. Eric admits to some cognitive dissonance and discomfort while discussing veganism, and expresses his continuing desire to wrestle with the morality of the issue. He encourages Setuf to call back with this topic on a week we dedicate specifically to veganism and vegan debate.

38:05
Does God need to have consciousness in order to be considered a deity? Eric asks Joe, a hard deist, to explain his viewpoint on creation. Joe says God *only* created the universe, not gravity or the laws of physics. So why go that extra step to include a god at all?

57:16
What’s it like to be a bat? Do you experience the color red? What is a philosophical zombie? This caller asks Eric his opinion on the hard problem of consciousness, and we dive right into the nitty gritty. A great conversation for anyone interested in what being “conscious” even means.

01:09:57
How do you have a productive conversation with someone who’s wrong about a subject? Eric and Johnathan discuss how to determine if you’re the right person to have the conversation, tactics to engage honestly and healthily, and how all types of engagement are necessary to change people’s minds.
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Vi's back and we are excited to celebrate the holidays with you. Give us a call at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG to talk about what you believe and why. Or, call in to prep for that inevitable argument with family over Christmas dinner, we gotchu.

If you’re interested in sending us something, our P.O. box address is below:

301 S Heatherwilde Blvd
PO Box 007
Pflugerville, TX 78691

Alone this week and feeling blue about it? PurpleRhymesWithOrange is doing a 48 hour marathon for people struggling with depression. The livestream hasn't been scheduled yet, but here's the link to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/PurpleRhyme...
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Happy Holidays & Many Updates!
05:53 - Kit (they/them) - ID - Thanks For Doing What You Do!
08:24 - Wingo (he/him) - IL - Do We Have Free Will?
23:51 - Sunny (they/them) - IN - My Grandma Is Worried About My Soul, Help!
38:19 - Steven (he/him) - WA - How Do I Stop Being Anxious About The End of the World?
55:30 - Xander (he/him) - CO - Free Will, Shmee Will, It Doesn’t Matter!
01:15:05 - Mr. Cosmic (he/him) - BD - Is This Argument A No True Scotsman?

05:53
We kick things off with a really short and sweet call from Kit, who has recently found the new show and thanks Vi and Eric for all they do. We appreciate you too, Kit!

08:24
How do you define free will? Wingo is a theist, but doesn’t think we have free will as it is commonly described. Vi and Eric discuss the various versions of free will and the caller proposes a new definition: the ability to transcend our natural biological limitations by way of technological advancement. Is this a good or useful definition of free will?

23:51
Sunny’s grandma is deeply concerned about their immortal soul, and spends time together evangelizing. How should Sunny respond to these well-intentioned if uncomfortable and one-sided conversations? Vi give their perspective as someone dealing with the same issue, and Eric has some hard truths to share about holding people accountable.

38:19
“When is the Big One?” It’s a question people in the Pacific Northwest know well. Steven is asking how to use skepticism to get out of an anxious mindset that keeps him in fear of the end of the world. Vi and Eric point out some practical tips and tricks, but also advise going to therapy. As Vi says, being a skeptic includes making sure you have the best tools for the job, and sometimes that tool is therapy!

55:30
It doesn’t matter if we have free will or if it’s an illusion, says this caller. Society would not change one way or the other. Vi gets lost in some axiological weeds while Eric points out that the conversation is trying to address both “is” and “ought” at the same time.

1:15:05
How to identify a no true Scotsman fallacy in an argument? Mr. Cosmic is calling in from Bangladesh to ask for advice when dealing with people who make harmful, sweeping claims about a whole religious group. The hosts call out fallacious behavior and explain why such impulses are both inaccurate and dangerous.
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Did you think we were going to take a day off? No way! This is our season finale and we're so excited to spend it talking with you!

Join us at 585-526-8774 or https://tiny.cc/callSG
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Season One Is Finished!
04:22 - Scott (he/him) - SC - Can You Sin In Heaven?
31:36 - Asdruval (he/him) - GUAT - How Do I Get Over Fear of Being Wrong?
44:23 - David (he/him) - CA - Stop Trying To Explain Away My Experience!
52:56 - Salvatore (he/him) - LA - Is It OK To Go To A Universalist Church?
01:00:18 - Andrew (he/him) - PA - Are There Secular Alternatives to Humanism?
01:10:29 - Tabitha (she/her) - NY - How Do I Stop Rude Evangelists?

04:22
Repeat theist caller Scott calls in to continue a call about the problem of evil. What causes pain and suffering? Scott says it’s a result of free will, which has Eric and Vi wondering: Is there free will in Heaven? How does God guarantee Heaven won’t be just as painful as earth?

Check out Scott’s previous calls:

Theist Says God Causes Evil - https://youtu.be/3zwtRzm5Sws
Eric and Vi Disagree on What Evil Is! - https://youtu.be/RbtkcIC-2kQ

31:36
How can you be 100% sure that you’re not going to hell? Asdruval says he’s almost positive that Christianity is not true, but sometimes struggles with fear that he’ll end up in hell. Vi advises him to study church history to realize Christian doctrine is not divine. Eric points out that not knowing things isn’t always bad!

If you are feeling fear about concepts like death or the afterlife, please reach out to Recovering from Religion’s hotline project for help: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/

44:23
David had an unexplainable experience… and is upset that those he shared it with tried to explain it away. Eric points out that the skeptical instinct to question experiences goes all the way back to Descartes, and that sometimes it can be clumsily expressed. Vi says sometimes just filing inexplicable things into the “inexplicable” category is totally OK!

52:56
Are all churches bad, or can some be helpful? The hosts say that it all depends on the kind of church, and what they are promoting. Many Universalist churches are good places to go for community and ritual without the dogmatic religious indoctrination. That said, some can also be very woo-y and promote other kinds of harmful ideas. The takeaway here? It all depends, just don’t jump to conclusions too quickly!

01:00:18
Not all skeptics are humanists! Andrew wants to talk about other forms of secular morality that aren’t humanism, and what those moral systems would look like. Eric says check out “True Neutral” characters in D&D for examples of alternate secular moral systems. Vi (of course) references Star Trek. Rules of Acquisition, anyone?

01:10:29
What would you do if a couple of evangelists followed you around the store and asked you to join their church FIVE TIMES? Tabitha had this experience and is upset at herself for being too polite. How should she address this the next time it happens? Vi explains that evangelists hijack the social agreement to be polite in order to push their views on others: call them out on it!
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy merch: https://tiny.cc/SGmerch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2021 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Well that was a quick break! Happy 2022 and welcome to Season 2 of Skeptic Generation. You know what to do: call us at 585-526-8774 or https://tiny.cc/callSG

NOTE: There was an issue with YouTube’s audio encoding that resulted in a lot of annoying clicks for most of our livestream. No one likes having to deal with that, so this is a re-upload without any of the clicking. Please enjoy the reconstructed audio!

___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - New Goals and Content for Season 2
07:48 - Are Archaeologists Lying About the Pyramids? - Ian (he/him) - UK
34:20 - Deist Definitely Dislikes Determinism - Joseph (he/him) - KS
49:43 - My Coworker Believes In Aliens! - Wolfos (he/him) - TX
57:09 - A Silver Bullet for Defeating Theists? - Derek (he/him) - GA
01:09:36 - Is Selling Placebos Unethical? - Allistair (he/him) - CA
01:14:40 - My Brother May Kill My Mom, What Do I Do! - Mark (he/him) - VA

07:48
Could the Egyptians *really* have built the pyramids in the way that archeologists claim? This caller doesn’t think so. He says skeptics should be more open to fringe theories and not just follow scientific consensus. Vi and Eric have some issues with this.

For a direct debunking of Erich von Daniken and pseudoarchaeology, check out this @TED talk by Sarah Kurnik: https://youtu.be/W59CV66z9lQ

If you want more info on what famous skeptics think about this topic, we suggest @StarTalk host Neil Degrasse Tyson’s interview here: https://youtu.be/ZetaeaEvNkI

34:20
Can you choose your preferences? Does liking one jacket more than another negate free will? This deist isn’t so sure he wants to know the answer. After all, don’t we get our value as humans from our ability to choose? The hosts push back on the idea of inherent value and encourage him to keep questioning, even when it feels scary.

For more opinions on this topic, we recommend watching this @CosmicSkeptic video on compatibilism: https://youtu.be/Dqj32jxOC0Y

49:43
If your coworker was a religious person who also believed in aliens, what would you do? This caller asks the hosts for help in deprogramming his work friend. Vi and Eric share tips and tricks to jumpstart the critical thinking process in someone you care about.

Want to know more about how the brain processes attacks on core beliefs? Check out this 2016 Nature study on the neural correlates of maintaining beliefs: ​​https://www.nature.com/articles/srep39589

57:09
What is the one argument that will disprove all theists? Does such a thing even exist? This caller has been frustrated during conversations with believers, and wants the hosts’ opinion on how he should construct a “defeater” to others’ claims about a relationship with God. Vi says he’s barking up the wrong tree.

The hosts also gave hypotheses for why believers might be rejecting traditional denominations for “relationships with God.” If you want to hear a Christian perspective, here’s an article from a resource website for pastors: https://churchanswers.com/blog/eight-reasons-people-are-leaving-denominational-churches-for-non-denominational-churches/

01:09:36
Would it be ethical to take advantage of non-skeptical people in order to sell them a placebo? This caller is curious. After all, advertisers do it all the time, for all kinds of things! Eric tells him to go look into a mirror and reconsider.

If you’re interested in learning more about how seemingly harmless woo can negatively impact others in ALL areas of life, we think you might enjoy this @TheAntibot video: https://youtu.be/IIT88zN7Ih0

01:14:40
If your siblings were living with your mom and putting her at risk, what would you do? This caller wants help figuring out next steps. How should he confront his brother and sister-in-law about their risky behavior and how it may impact their mom? What would a skeptical solution be? The hosts give some hard truths.

Read more about why it’s important to get vaccinated, especially if you’re living or frequently interacting with people with pre-existing conditions like this caller’s mom: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-who-is-at-risk/art-20483301
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: http://tiny.cc/SG22Merch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: https://tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

We're back to Stage 5 social distancing here in Austin, but the good news is that *we* can still all hang out. Let's do this! Call us at 585-526-8774 or https://tiny.cc/callSG

___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - We’re Back To Stage 5
05:44 - Does This Study Prove We’re Bad Atheists? - Andrew (he/him) - PA
26:07 - WTF is “Maybe Logic”? - Moldred (???) - PA
37:48 - Is Vi A Part of QAnon? - Ryan (he/him) - UT
47:54 - Should I Have Cursed Out My Pastor? - Isaiah (he/him) - SK
01:00:50 - Does Reality Exist Outside of Words? - David (he/him) - CA
01:07:50 - I Escaped A Vampiric Sex Cult - Elle (she/her) - AZ

05:44
A study published in PubMed thinks there are exactly FOUR ways to become an atheist. This is news to Eric and Vi. Our caller is wondering if this paper is calling him a bad atheist, and if he really left for the right reasons. Vi reassures him that there is no one right way to become an atheist, and Eric emphasizes the importance of continued skepticism…. including of papers like this one.

Access the paper referenced on this call for yourself here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23246230/

26:07
This call was all over the place. Mordred is wondering what the hosts’ thoughts are on alternate forms of knowledge, such as Maybe Logic. “WTF is Maybe Logic?” asks Eric. We’re still unsure, but apparently there’s a guerilla ontologist, psychedelic magician, quantum psychologist, and outer head of the Illuminati who knows…

Check out this post about Maybe Logic and tell us if you can understand it: https://antilogicalism.com/2016/05/06/maybe-logic/

37:48
CW: This call discusses human trafficking.

In a guest spot on another show, Vi briefly mentioned something that sounded like a conspiracy theory. So this caller decided to interrogate them a bit, just to make sure one of the hosts of Skeptic Generation wasn’t secretly a member of QAnon. Vi gives some tips and tricks to skeptically approaching surprising or previously unheard of claims.

If you’re looking for more resources about this call, check out the links below.

- Vi’s appearance on Miracles & Atheists: https://youtu.be/AMaM-lC_DcA
- Polaris Project: https://polarisproject.org/about-us/
- Global Modern Slavery Directory: https://globalmodernslavery.org/

47:54
Isaiah has called in again. This week, he’s struggling with feelings of shame around cussing out and insulting a pastor at a church in South Korea. He wants to know: “How does Eric stay so calm when confronting harmful beliefs?” Eric walks through his own process, but also points out that sometimes justified anger is called for!

Listen to Eric’s appearance on Isaiah’s podcast here: https://youtu.be/PCcEBYIpA7U


Watch previous calls with Isaiah:
- “Let’s Listen To Each Other”: https://youtu.be/e9BZSgPjEQ4
- “Show More Respect”: https://youtu.be/ML7wosM6GQk

01:00:50
Is our reality shaped by the words we use to define it? This is a brief but poignant discussion that covers everything from linguistic philosophy to ancient Grecian poetry to education advocacy.

Do you know why Ancient Greeks couldn’t see the color blue? Check out this @AsapSCIENCE video to learn more about what Vi mentioned: https://youtu.be/D1-WuBbVe2E

01:07:50
Magical powers? Medical misdiagnosis? Covens co-opted by abusive and blood-sucking cult leaders? In a shocking finale to this week’s episode, we talk to a caller who used to be a part of a vampiric s*x cult as a teenager. Eric and Vi are aghast as they listen to her tale, and ask her to call back next week so they can ask her more questions.

If you’re wondering what interview the caller referenced, go watch Eric’s debate with an ex-vampire: https://youtu.be/vGVPO7XFfGk

If this sparks your interest and you’d like to see our 3-hour live reaction video to the debate, you can join our Patreon for exclusive access to the livestream recording: https://patreon.com/skepticgeneration

Finally, if you want more information about cults, check out @Telltale, @GeneticallyModifiedSkeptic and @TheAntibot for more videos on identifying, escaping, and debunking predatory groups.

___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: http://tiny.cc/SG22Merch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: https://tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

This episode kicks off a week of cool content. Not only are we going to be hosting the first ever live call-in host-v-host debate this Wednesday, we are also going to be spending a lot of time talking to our patrons on exclusive meet-ups and Discord hangs. Let's kick all this off with some awesome calls! Call us at 585-526-8774 or https://tiny.cc/callSG

Get notified when we go live with VS on 1/19 at 6:30pm CT: https://youtu.be/_IM4msSw--c

For more information on how to get access to exclusive patron hangouts, visit https://patreon.com/skepticgeneration.
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - This Is A Big Week!
5:16 - Missionary Realizes He Was In A Cult - Isaiah (he/him) - SK
18:32 - Debunking Vampires w/ A Cult Survivor - Elle (she/her) - AZ
41:54 - Ghosts Are Actually From The Multiverse? - Kit (they/them) - ID
47:59 - Vi Sides With The Pagans? - Steven (he/him) - NY
01:01:01 - Why Aren’t Atheists Convinced by Evidence? - Scott (he/him) - SC
01:24:05 - Super Chats

5:16
Last week, Isaiah said he confronted a pastor and threatened to call the cops on him. This week, he says the group tried to tamper with the locks on his doors and he had to flee the city with his wife and child. He’s realizing now, he was part of a cult! How should he avoid falling for such a trap in the future?

To check out Isaiah’s previous call, click here: https://youtu.be/zc3FrhRLplk

18:32
Do vampires have super powers? Do they turn into bats? Do they grow fangs? The hosts have questions for our caller, who was once part of a vampiric sex cult. Going down this rabbit hole was a doozy, but ended with some important takeaways. Namely: using lies and manipulation to recruit and retain followers is always harmful, whether you’re a vampire or a Christian pastor.

To watch Elle’s story from last week’s episode, click here: https://youtu.be/2j5V3Juy1GY

41:54
What if ghosts are just colliding universes? This caller says it could explain some things. Vi and Eric point out that while it’s not an especially compelling argument, it could provide some use as a counter to people who claim it couldn’t have been anything but ghosts!

47:59
This atheopagan has called to confront Eric, and Vi is on the caller’s side. Is calling yourself an atheopagan harmful? Does how you label yourself validate the beliefs of others? Or could it actually help? We got mixed feedback in the chat about this one, so let us know in the comments who you agree with!

Check out the previous call referenced here: https://youtu.be/-I4BOQS1Edo

01:01:01
Scott is back with another question: why does evidence convince some people but not others? Is it just that atheists are resisting the truth, or that all theists are stupid? Was C.S. Lewis a kinky bastard who fell for fallacious arguments?

Vi points out that there are two sides to the question: the quality of the evidence and how each individual interacts with that evidence. Eric provides some philosophical terminology to help keep everyone on track.

Check out Scott’s previous calls here:

Theist Says God Causes Evil - https://youtu.be/3zwtRzm5Sws
Eric and Vi Disagree on What Evil Is! - https://youtu.be/RbtkcIC-2kQ
Can You Sin In Heaven? - https://youtu.be/JP67I8Ko12k

___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: http://tiny.cc/SG22Merch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: https://tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Last week we held our first ever live call-in debate on the hard problem of consciousness. We're hoping we get to continue the conversation today... with you! Come chat with us at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG.

If you want to watch our inaugural VS livestream, check it out here: https://youtu.be/_IM4msSw--c

To view Eric's guest spot on the MythVision podcast, click here- https://youtu.be/FrOD_QRmkLw

For more information on how to get access to exclusive patron benefits, visit https://patreon.com/skepticgeneration.
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Last Week Was Fun!
07:51 - Warning: The End Of This Call Is Gross - Isaac (he/him) - MI
26:14 - Why Do We Fight? - Adam (he/him) - NC
39:45 - Do Other Religions Have Creationist Scientists? - Sunny (she/they) - IN
50:09 - Calling Moldred Out for Trolling - Moldred (??) - NY
1:05:00 - Theist Argues for Evolutionary Creationism - Gohan (??) - TX
1:15:30 - Setuf Calls Us Carnists - Setuf (she/her) - ESP

07:51
What begins as a level-headed conversation with a theist about consciousness quickly goes south at the end. We’re doing our best to weed out repeat troll callers, but at the same time, this one touches on some important questions of consciousness and the definition of the supernatural before… you know… ruining things.

26:14
What use is it to argue with people who agree with us 90% of the time? This caller wants to know why divisiveness seems to be more common in the atheist community than unity. Eric reminds everyone that the squeaky wheels often get the grease. Vi points out that sometimes it is important to call out members of your own group for harmful ideas.

39:45
Do other religions have the same problems that Christianity has, where religious scientists interpret their findings through a religious lens? Eric and Vi point out some parallels between the Islamic Golden Age and its downfall with today’s regression into anti-science sentiments. Ultimately, it’s not religion that causes the problem but fundamentalism.

50:09
Moldred calls back again to try and confuse Eric and Vi into enlightenment. It doesn’t work. Vi takes issue with this repeat caller’s approach and demands straightforward answers. Spoiler alert: both the mute and the hang up button are used.

Moldred also called in the other week to discuss “maybe logic,” which you can watch here: https://youtu.be/kBzpN1GkTWI

1:05:00
Gohan calls back, but with a different topic. He tries to explain evolutionary creationism, and how God is responsible for everything–including COVID variants–due to his involvement in evolution and natural selection. Vi gets increasingly heated, but Eric asks for Gohan to call back again to continue the conversation. We’ll see how far they get next time…

This isn’t the first time Gohan has called in: https://youtu.be/TTq_sMHPNQI

1:15:30
Setuf wants to know if there could possibly be areas where Eric and Vi hold illogical beliefs. The hosts agree there might be, which leads into a conversation about veganism. Setuf claims that veganism is to carnism what atheism is to theism: all are belief systems, with veganism and atheism as the default. The hosts have some thoughts.

Watch our previous encounters with this caller here:

“It Should Be Illegal”: https://youtu.be/F4fsFdVZFxs
Anti-Choice Caller is Back for More: https://youtu.be/t14nAERi_GM
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: http://tiny.cc/SG22Merch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: https://tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

We are back and ready to take your calls! No belief is too big or too small, we want to discuss them all with you. Come chat with us at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG.

For more information on how to get access to exclusive patron benefits, visit https://patreon.com/skepticgeneration
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Merch Sale Is Ending!
06:23 - Do Atheists Move the Goalposts? - Chris (he/him) - CT
19:45 - Are Essential Oils A Cure-All? - Bree (ze/zir) - IA
30:19 - Eric & Vi Disagree on Subjective Experience - Chris (he/him) - NJ
43:42 - A New Scientific Argument Against the Kalam - Bob (they/them) - UT
55:45 - Defending Weed as Medical Treatment - Joanne (she/her) - FL
1:03:15 - Do We Suffer from the Main Character Complex? - Wolfos (he/him) - TX

06:23
Why do atheists on call-in shows always move the conversation to philosophy? What benefit is it to talk with apologists in this way? This caller wants to know why Vi and Eric seem to opt for these more esoteric topics when some claims can be refuted by science or history. Vi says it’s important to speak about what you know and be ready with referrals should your conversation partner need more information. Eric suggests philosophical conversations may be able to better get to the heart of whether a person is being dishonest or not.

19:45
Do essential oils cure migraines, make your bunions fall off, and realign your root chakra? Or do they just smell kind of good? Bree wants to know, and Vi and Eric have LOTS of thoughts about the reason quack medical science and predatory MLMs are so popular in the U.S.

For more information on why essential oil companies are suspicious, check out Genetically Modified Skeptic’s video on his own experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsDrIAsVgTQ

If you want more anti-MLM content, check out The Antibot: https://youtu.be/581WyV9BQD0

30:19
Why define consciousness as anything other than “awareness”? This caller watched the hosts’ VS video and his opinions quickly set off Vi and Eric’s ongoing argument about the subject. Things get a bit heated, and Vi ultimately declares that consciousness isn’t even a falsifiable concept and therefore not worth talking about.

If you missed the new call-in debate livestream show hosted by Eric and Vi, check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IM4msSw--c&t=26s

43:42
Vi is excited about this one. This caller raises an often overlooked refutation of first cause arguments like the Kalam: the problem of the A vs B theory of time. In fact, our current scientific understanding of physics implies that William Lane Craig’s signature argument may be in deep trouble! Meanwhile, Eric realizes the present might not actually exist and is shaken.

To get a better idea of what Vi and the caller are talking about, watch this video from Paulogia: https://youtu.be/GC3o4GnKJFU

55:45
Eric threw shade at cannabis oils earlier in the show, and this caller has some things to add. The lesson of this story is: be specific about your claims, because chances are we’ll agree with you!

1:03:15
Why does everyone feel like the main character in their own story? Is it possible one of the damages of religion is that it makes its followers into NPCs, in service to the “actual” main character, God? Are there cultures where individuals don’t see themselves as the main character? Wolfos brings an interesting psychological term to the hosts, and triggers a bit of a nostalgia crisis for Vi.

Upon further investigation, it looks like the correct term for this may be “main character syndrome,” a social media-based term that developed on TikTok. While it doesn’t have much basis in science, it’s an interesting social trend to observe. Read more here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/digital-world-real-world/202106/the-trouble-main-character-syndrome

Finally, for those of you interested in following up on the superchat at the end of the show regarding Project Blitz, check out this Guardian article for more information: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/04/project-blitz-the-legislative-assault-by-christian-nationalists-to-reshape-america
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: http://tiny.cc/SG22Merch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: https://tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Today we are hoping to talk to some fishers of men. Some good old salty dogs just waiting for Christ himself to start backseat driving flounder straight into their nets. Are you confused? So are we, but don't worry... we'll explain. Come tell us your fish stories at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG.

You can watch Eric review Thomas Westbrook's debate on Holy Koolaid here-
https://youtu.be/ybQE9gIeLJ4

For more information on how to get access to exclusive patron benefits, visit https://patreon.com/skepticgeneration
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Vi Needs To Talk About Jesus Commanding The Fish
11:30 - Eric Defends His Position on The Cosmological Argument - Chaos (he/they) - UK
30:13 - JRobin Is Back… Has He Learned His Lesson? - Robin (he/him) - DC
1:05:59 - Determinism Is As Ridiculous As Religion - Joe (he/him) - KS
1:18:16 - We Have To Come From Something! - Xeno (he/him) - SK

00:00
Vi has a bone to pick with a really bad tweet they found over the week and wants to share exactly why this kind of fluffy, Christian mumbo jumbo is wrong. Also, is Jesus Aquaman? We dive in here. If you want to see the hosts react to other cringeworthy takes, tweet them @SkepticShow with your candidate for next week!

11:30
This polytheist caller pushes Eric to explain why the Kalam cosmological argument is wrong. Is there a reason to dismiss it entirely or should we simply be suspending belief? The hosts break it down.

30:13
Back after a long period of silence, Eric and Vi allow JRobin back on the show in the hopes that he has learned more. They are deeply disappointed when he jumps straight back into his scripts, but this time they aren’t letting him get away so fast. While Eric embodies compassionate listening to model honest communication, Vi goes for the jugular.

1:05:59
Hard determinism is just as absurd as some religious claims, says this deist caller. Eric admits that the idea that we don’t have free will is scary, but that shouldn’t be enough to keep us from exploring all options. Vi suggests claims feel absurd or strange when they have not been reinforced by our surrounding community, or seem to contradict “common sense.”

1:18:16
Apparently this deist caller has been banned from other call-in shows, but he’s calling in today to explain why we *have* to have come from a God. Eric and Vi dive into the difference between asking “how” versus asking “why,” and whether defining things as God is useful at all. This is the start of what will hopefully be a longer conversation next week!

___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
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To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

This past week, Vi appeared on Genetically Modified Skeptic's channel to review the series Midnight Mass. Today, they are calling all the righteously indignant to call in and chat about magical healing blood (and other such notions): 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG.

To watch the Midnight Mass review, follow this link: https://youtu.be/kQ-Xt-q9qHw

For more information on how to get access to exclusive patron benefits, visit https://patreon.com/skepticgeneration
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro
07:00 - Nonbeliever Feels Guilty Going to Church - Rachel (they/them) - UK
18:09 - Midnight Mass Misrepresented Catholics - Charismatic Catholic (he/him) - TX
25:16 - Atheists Destroy The Concept of Love - Nick (he/him) - TN
33:46 - Is Criticizing the Old Testament Anti-Semitic? - Josh (he/him) - CA
48:52 - Druid Says Spirits Talk To Him - Relic (he/him) - TX
1:12:25 - Why Waste Time With Presups? - Tom (he/him) - GA

07:00
Can a nonbeliever still go to church and enjoy themself? This caller is feeling conflicted and guilty for attending services as an atheist. Vi and Eric discuss how indoctrination reshapes the brain to want certain things, but how there is no rule about what atheists can and cannot do or feel. If this is what Rachel knows they need, they should feel comfortable exploring it.

18:09
This Catholic caller has feelings about the show Midnight Mass, which Vi reviewed alongside Genetically Modified Skeptic earlier this week. He doesn’t think the show accurately depicted Catholic thought or motivation.

If you’re interested in hearing the full breakdown of Midnight Mass, hop over to Drew’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQ-Xt...

25:16
In Valentine’s Day fashion, Nick calls in to discuss the concept of love from a skeptical point of view. Is there such a thing as “the one”? How about “soulmates”? What do the hosts think? Vi and Eric get vulnerable about how they view love, how that view impacts their relationship, and where the real beauty comes from. Hint: It’s not God.

33:46
Why might some people say criticizing the Old Testament is anti-semitic? Vi points out that understanding the history of anti-semitism and deadly prejudice stemming from a misrepresentation of the Hebrew Bible is crucial. Eric emphasizes that you may not be aware you’re repeating harmful talking points, and to always make sure you’re explicit in your critique of ideas, not people.

As good skeptics, we know the best way to find out if your perception of a thing is wrong is to talk to the experts! In this case, a good next step for anyone asking this kind of question would be to talk to Jewish scholars and theologians to discuss what misconceptions about the Hebrew Bible exist in modern Christian thought.

If you’re interested in learning more about Israel Finkelstein per Eric’s suggestion, check out his page here: https://israelfinkelstein.wordpress.com/

48:52
This druid caller communicates with spirits, including the Goddess Freya. Vi and Eric are confused and do their best to get to the bottom of things. What are spirits? How do they talk to us? Can you get to personal enlightenment without spiritual help?

1:12:25
Why do the hosts take presup callers? Isn’t it just a waste of time? Eric breaks down what makes a good call, while Vi weighs in on whether dishonest tactics are allowed in arguments with dishonest people. What do you think?
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
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To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

We're back on our ranty horse this week. This time, Vi will be discussing (well, more like outright mocking) the debacle surrounding the botched baptism spell and how God might be sending an entire generation of Catholics to damnation.

Have you had a religious ritual go horribly wrong? Are you scared your baptism may not have stuck? Call us at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG and we'll laugh with you. Definitely not at you. Definitely not.

Skeptic Generation also had the honor of participating in and donating to the recent fundraiser for Recovering from Religion hosted by @YFNA . If you would like to help donate, the fundraiser is still going and they’re less than two grand away from their goal: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/recovering-from-religion/fundraiser-for-recovering-from-religion-yfna-year-two

Learn more about what Recovering from Religion does at https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org

For more information on how to get access to exclusive patron benefits, visit https://patreon.com/skepticgeneration
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Vi Needs To Talk About Priests vs Pronouns
13:40 - Theist Says We’re Infected With Sin! - Scott (he/him) - NC
45:04 - Theist Gives Us A Cringey History Lesson - Wingo (he/him) - IL
58:25 - Do Catholics Do Magic? - David (they/him) - NC
1:07:40 - A Brief Call with A Nice Person - Joanne (she/her) - FL
1:09:54 - If God Exists, Sin Is Moral? - Jay (he/him) - VI
1:19:50 - The Universe: Is It Even Worth It? - Phoenix (they/them) - TN

00:00
Did the Catholic Church just cancel itself for using the wrong pronouns? Vi breaks down a recent news article about an Arizona priest who resigned after using the wrong words in the rite of baptism. Now a whole generation of Catholic kids might be in jeopardy of hell! Turns out God cares even more about someone using the wrong pronouns than trans people do.

For more information on this outrageously ironic news story, check out this article by AP: https://apnews.com/article/arizona-priest-baptism-catholic-church-208c6795fbf2dea911cf4488e8a5925e

13:40
Scott calls back to tell us we have a sinful nature, and explain to us how we got infected by the spiritual disease of total depravity. Eric cuts right to the heart of the issue with a skeptical scalpel and doesn’t let up. No fluffy metaphorical language allowed, we want cold hard facts and crystal clear evidence. Because the implications of accepting the idea of sin without them are dire.

45:04
Is Jesus the reason we can book international airplane flights? This theist caller tries to explain how religion was and is used as a tool by society. He starts off well, but gets a few crucial things wrong. Eric corrects some important misinformation while Vi cringes out of their skin and simply has none of it.

58:25
What is the Catholic Church’s take on magic? Well, officially, participants of the religion would probably deny it. But upon closer look, this caller says their study of world religions has led them to believe Catholicism is based on a magical structure. Vi agrees, and recommends the book Religion and the Decline of Magic by Keith Thomas for a closer look at how the Church embraced magic in the Middle Ages.

Check out the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Religion-Decline-Magic-Sixteenth-Seventeenth-Century/dp/0140137440

1:07:40
Joanne called in to talk about spirituality and the subconscious, but had to leave shortly after the conversation began. We look forward to speaking with her again soon!

1:09:54
Does this caller actually have a new way to defeat the religious moral argument using three simple syllogisms? The hosts are intrigued by the proposition, and by the claim supported by the argument: that if God exists, sin is moral. Eric wants to graph this out, and Vi is tickled at the idea of using apologetics against apologists.

What do you think, are you convinced?

1:19:50
Why even is the universe? Eric and Vi talk with a caller who asks what the point of existence is if suffering will always outweigh pleasure? Vi gets really excited about the philosophical implications of this line of thought, but Eric pushes back with some good points about how some suffering actually increases one’s appreciation for pleasurable things.

___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: http://tiny.cc/SG22Merch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
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To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

The age-old wisdom of YouTube has always been "Don't read the comments." Well, we do. And Eric has some thoughts. Let's dive into the background of why we do what we do! Then, of course, we'll want to hear your thoughts. Call us at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Eric Reads The Comments
13:51 - Is Sam Harris Dishonest? - David (they/him) - NC
26:08 - Vi Being A Pessimist for 10 Minutes - Nick (he/him) - TN
39:33 - Theist Says Atheists Strawman Religion - Joe (he/him) - KS
49:37 - Is Naturopathy Connected to Creationism? - Theresa (she/her) - DE
54:13 - Is Military Conscription Immoral? - Rae (they/them) - UK
1:02:44 - Can Atheists Marry Religious People? - Wolfos (he/him) - TX
1:12:54 - Theist Asks for Our Best Argument Against God - Luc (he/him) - QC

00:00
Eric has read the comments under our YouTube videos this week, and has some thoughts about a question he received. Why do we engage with callers in the way that we do? What are the unspoken rules of Skeptic Generation? What can listeners take away from these conversations?

13:51
This caller has been reading some of Sam Harris’s work, and is troubled by his apparent dishonesty toward dealing with Christianity and Islam. Is one actually worse than the other? Is it bad to call out leaders in the movement for causing potential harm? So many questions, so little time. Vi shares their take on the situation, and invites Sam Harris to call in.

26:08
Is the world getting better? This caller inspires a heated conversation about the march of progress between the hosts, with Eric taking the optimistic position and Vi being perhaps a tad pessimistic. Can you blame them, after this week? Who do you agree with, do you think that the world is getting consistently better over time?

39:33
Return theist caller Joe asks us for our opinion on atheists that strawman religious people, and how progressive churches factor into that conversation. Vi and Eric point out that the instinct to equate atheism with any other worldview is dangerous, and we should all be holding our sides accountable for using good arguments.

49:37
This pharmacy student in the UK has a theory: the gravitation towards things like essential oils is directly connected to creationism. They both use the appeal to nature fallacy in order to suggest that the world was designed for humans. The hosts are impressed, and point out that in addition to this, the term “natural” is very much up to interpretation.

54:13
A pertinent topic for this week, the hosts are asked about conscription and whether or not it is a matter of morality or bodily autonomy. Vi goes off as they explain why it’s such a timely matter these days, and Eric admits that he might be a bit out of his depth in this one.

1:02:44
Repeat caller Wolfos has heard from both Christians and atheists that he and his wife shouldn’t have gotten married due to their different stances on religion. However, they have been happily married for almost thirty years. How did he manage it? What should he keep in mind when talking to those who would judge his relationship, from either side of the religious aisle?

1:12:54
This theist wants to know if Vi and Eric have an argument against the existence of God. Vi admits that they don’t, and passes the mic to Eric. This call may have the most giggling of any we’ve taken, despite the fraught nature of the topic. Luc has promised to call back to continue to hold our philosophical feet to the fire. Let’s see if he does!

___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: http://tiny.cc/SG22Merch
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To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

We're back and ready to take your calls! What are your deeply held beliefs? Let us know at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Meet Eric's Mom!!
05:08 - Should Humans Stop Giving Birth? - Chaos (she/they) - UK
18:45 - Will Modern Parenting Solve War? - David (they/him) - NC
25:56 - A Cup of Tea, Therefore God? - Robert (he/him) - MA
42:46 - Do Atheists "Evangelize"? - Relic (he/him) - TX
1:07:41 - How Do I Escape Evangelists? - Wolfos (he/him) - TX
1:16:53 - Is “Community” A Bad Word? - madi (they/them) - NY

00:00
Eric's parents are in town and his mom stops by to say hello to all you wonderful internet people!

05:08
We’ve had our fair share of anti-natalist callers on this show, but this conversation gets deeper into the weeds. Is it OK to make a moral decision against having kids? Is it acceptable to make that decision for others? What are the limits of this philosophical concept and when does following it get ridiculous?

18:45
This is a quick call with a big claim: modern parenting creates a more rational, empathetic child, which is in turn decreasing war and violence in the world. Is that true? Eric and Vi have their doubts, but want to know your thoughts.

25:56
Aren’t apologetics Facebook groups fun? This caller wants help dissecting an argument given to him by a theist: if a cup of tea cannot make itself, the universe cannot either. That feels wrong, but what are the reasons for it? Vi lists off the numerous fallacies this argument falls into, while Eric approaches from a more diplomatic angle.

42:46
Repeat theist caller Relic says many atheists evangelize and are dogmatic in their argument tactics. Is this a problem that the hosts see as well, and how is Skeptic Generation trying to be different? Eric encourages a charitable understanding of others, and Vi explains why so many atheists may fall into “evangelizing” methods of communication due to previous religious indoctrination and training.

1:07:41
Have you ever gotten stuck behind the counter at your job being evangelized to for two hours? This caller has! The hosts agonize with him as he describes his cringey encounter, and provide suggestions on how to escape next time you get bogged down by someone wanting to talk about how much they love Jesus.

1:16:53
Why do online groups call themselves “communities”? Doesn’t that misrepresent how close or united they actually are? Madi asks for clarification, and Eric and Vi offer their guidelines for when a community is valuable and valid, and when it might be harmful or even abusive. How do you navigate a community you’ve built without relying on parasocial power dynamics? How do you find people you can rely on in real life simply by engaging online?
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: http://tiny.cc/SG22Merch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
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To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Vi has finally joined the realm of TikTok... to make a single video. What would you do if you found out you were, in fact, a tomato and not a potato? How would you know? Could you prove it? Let's examine our preconceptions of ourselves today at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG

Note: There is some audio clipping due to a YouTube processing error, we apologize for that. An ad-free, audio edited version of the livestream sans clicks is available for patrons who pledge $10 or more. Check out our Patreon here, if you’re interested: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - I’m A Potato
04:30 - Answer Me These Riddles Three: God Edition - Robin (she/they) - TX
17:53 - I Can’t Prove God, But You Should Believe Anyway! - Xeno (he/him) - SK
45:18 - Does Humanity Crave Its Own Destruction? - Relic (he/him) - TX
56:41 - Eric Unloads On This Theist Caller - Jay (“Jesus Loves You”) - MO
1:18:22 - Ex-Bahai Deconvert Lost Everything - Allen (he/him) - MI

00:00
Vi is a potato. Enough said.

04:30
Robin is doing research for a book about atheism and theism, and has asked Vi and Eric to answer three questions about God. They are as follows:

1. What is the minimum you’d need to be convinced a god existed?
2. What is the minimum you’d need to be convinced to worship said god?
3. What would you say to a god if it showed up right now?

Leave your answers in the comments!

17:53
Xeno (creator, innovator) returns to explain why the unfalsifiability of god claims shouldn’t stop atheists from believing them. Rationality is just our “style” of thinking, but apparently it is not Xeno’s. Frodo Baggins makes an appearance, as does cryptocurrency. Vi is less than impressed as they attempt to keep the conversation on track.

Watch Xeno’s previous call here: https://youtu.be/BpzOzIUNouI

45:18
Repeat theist caller Relic returns to ask if humanity yearns for armageddon? The hosts break down why the current Western understanding of the “end of the world” exists today: as a theological invention of the 1980’s heightened by the Cold War.

Here’s the book referenced, in case you’d like to check it out: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Conspiracy_Against_the_Human_Race

56:41
This caller wants to know why we hate God and why all atheists are communists. An old-school theist slapdown in the OG style, Eric is having none of it. Jay is cornered at every turn, ends up ranting, and then hangs up on the hosts. Vi also indulges in a bit of a dick-measuring contest and throws an ENORMOUS Bible onto the desk to prove a point.

If you want to watch the video Eric referenced, click here: https://youtu.be/w5aZXXx3E6U

1:18:22
This caller is an ex-Bahai deconvert who is recently out as an atheist. He says he lost everything and is struggling to find community, as his faith is not one often discussed on atheist YouTube. The hosts direct him to the Discord, where hopefully he’ll be able to find some people who share his experience.

If you’re interested in joining the Discord, you should check it out here: https://tiny.cc/SGdiscord

___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: http://tiny.cc/SG22Merch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: https://tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

It's the first week of spring and our allergies are letting us know! Cultures and religions all over the world hold this equinox as sacred, so let's chat about your deeply held beliefs... about spring or anything else! You can talk to us by calling 585-526-8774 or online at tiny.cc/callSG.
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro
05:48 - Science Is Mysticism? - David (they/them) - NC
14:33 - “I Experienced The Afterlife!” - Relic (he/him) - TX
48:55 - Did Vi Get Veganism Right Here? - Javier (he/him) - FL
1:07:10 - Can “The Self” Exist Without Free Will? - Phoenix (they/them) - TN
1:21:26 - Tinder Profile Evangelism! - Ash (they/them) - TN

05:48
David calls in to talk about a book they read that suggested science is a form of mysticism. This call got a bit rambly, and ended on a weird note when the caller told the hosts that because they were younger they should listen. Um? No, that’s not how this works.

14:33
Repeat theist caller Relic starts this call by diving into why belief in an afterlife is not inherently harmful (something the hosts have differing opinions on), but it quickly becomes a conversation about Relic’s own adventures into the afterlife, where he meets with spirits. How does he know that’s what’s happening? How has he determined this is true?

Hear the backstory Relic referenced in his previous call to Skeptic Generation here:
https://youtu.be/dzKA5W2_btc

Other conversations with Relic are below:
https://youtu.be/9Etj0Qg7oHE
https://youtu.be/iZEWAOJFoCU

If you want to know more about Kat Kerr, check out these videos on Holy Koolaid’s channel. You may even see some people you recognize!

Part 1: https://youtu.be/ikosus8S09M
Part 2: https://youtu.be/v6zPkFJd58Q

48:55
A theist wants to know if the hosts think secular humanism leads to veganism. If so, why? Vi and Eric do their best to lay out a potential chain of rationality between deconverting from a religion that told you humans are special to a worldview like veganism that puts all species on a more level playing field.

Disclaimer: Neither Eric nor Vi are vegans (at this point in time) and while they did their best to explain the logic behind such a worldview, they are open to feedback. Discuss in the comments if you have thoughts.

1:07:10
Phoenix is doing therapy and it’s making them question some core principles of identity. Is free will something that impacts our sense of self? Could we have identity without it? Are consciousness and “the self” synonymous? A more esoteric call, but a worthwhile one!

1:21:26
Hoo boy. This caller wants to know if heaven would be like slavery, and they were inspired to ask this by a Tinder profile evangelist. Eric is delighted at the idea of using the Bible for sexy purposes, and proceeds to pose dramatically with our KJV, something King James himself (allegedly) would have been into…

___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: http://tiny.cc/SG22Merch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
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To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Apparently you can now put your prayers on the blockchain to "eternalize" them, and get a little NFT in the process! All it will cost you is $19.99. We wish we were joking. Check out the hell site responsible here: https://eternalprayer.org/products/bl...

Join us as we scream in enraged frustration at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG.

___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Prayer NFTs: WTF?
09:11 - The B-Theory of Time Doesn’t Defeat the Kalam - Ian (he/him) NC
25:04 - Who Gets to Have Rights? - Javier (he/him) FL
38:36 - Objectivity vs Morality - Yosiah (he/him) VA
59:23 - Why “Debate Bros” Suck (or Don’t?) - Ryan (he/him) NC
1:16:08 - Helping Deconstructing Christians - Nick (he/him) TN

00:00
Vi needs to talk about Christian groups selling “eternalized” prayers on the blockchain. What even is this? How does this make any sense theologically? And what–pardon the pun–in GOD’s name is Christ Coin?

09:11
Does the past exist? If it doesn’t, isn’t the Kalam cosmological argument defeated? This caller doesn’t think so. Vi lays out the definitions of the A and B theory of time, and Eric does some philosophical navel gazing. Are the hosts going to have to concede parts of the Kalam argument in order to remain internally consistent? Or does this bad argument still fall apart?

As always, we recommend this video from Paulogia for additional viewing: https://youtu.be/GC3o4GnKJFU

25:04
This theist was watching a debate between a Christian and an atheist, which spurred him to ask: “Why do we have rights, and who gets to have them?” Vi goes for the practical approach, while Eric decides to dive into the crux of the matter: do we have the right to murder for funsies?

Check out the book Vi recommended here: https://www.amazon.com/Sex-Constituti...

38:36
Following up on Javier’s call, this caller asks the hosts if they believe in objective morality. A split occurs, with Eric deciding to focus on the word “objective,” while Vi takes issue with the term “morality.” Could this be a new VS topic, or did they come to a satisfactory conclusion at the end of it all? Which word is more important in this frankly all-too-familiar conversation?

59:23
Do Vaush and Destiny suck? What about the category of “debate bros” in general? This caller wants to know. In what might be the most controversial takes Skeptic Generation has offered yet, Eric and Vi not only vehemently disagree with each other, but probably are going to cause a rift in the space/time comment continuum. Sound off with your thoughts below!

For a more nuanced look at this issue, check out FD Signifier's video on debate bros and "BreadTube": https://youtu.be/41B5YonixBs

1:16:08
Should atheists take the opportunity to help deconstructing Christians along their journey? Vi says not so fast: assuming deconversion is the end goal of deconstruction, or thinking that you are farther along in your deconstruction journey just because you ditched a God belief, is dangerous ground. Tread lightly here!

___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: tiny.cc/SG22Merch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: https://tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Do you believe in psychics, mediums, or prophets of god? How about the historicity of the bible? Today is a fantastic day to call in because friend of the show Thomas Westbrook will be joining us again today. Thomas' channel @Holy Koolaid is dedicated to debunking pseudoscience and researching biblical claims in a fast-paced informative way.

Give us a call and tell us why you think we've got it wrong at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG.

You can check out Thomas' channel here: https://www.youtube.com/HolyKoolaid
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Who Is Thomas Westbrook of Holy Koolaid?
03:30 - Does Capitalism Equal Morality? - Javier (he/him) - FL
29:40 - Time Doesn’t Exist… Baba Booey! - “Giovanni” (he/him) - VA
49:33 - Holy Koolaid vs. Freya - Relic (he/him) - TX
1:18:50 - Hell Is Better Than Nothing? - Yosiah (he/him) - VA

03:30
A libertarian calls in to argue about whether or not certain rights encourage things like freeloading. Thomas talks about the Veil of Ignorance and the technicalities of living in a society, while Eric waxes philosophical about what a moral society should be like. Do you agree? More importantly…. ROADS?

29:40
Troll alert! “Giovanni” proposes that time does not actually exist! This is Thomas’s cup of tea: he breaks down some scientific facts about the concept of time to debunk this caller’s claims. If only this conversation was legitimate, and not going to end in a train wreck…

49:33
We’ve talked with Relic a few times, and he is finally calling in to tell us what he believes and why. Spirits exist and manifest as various polytheistic gods, in his experience specifically Norse and Greco Roman pantheons. Eric sits back and lets Thomas react.

For previous Relic calls, view them here:

- Talking to Spirits: https://youtu.be/dzKA5W2_btc
- Atheist Dogma: https://youtu.be/9Etj0Qg7oHE
- The End of the World: https://youtu.be/iZEWAOJFoCU
- “I Experienced the Afterlife”: https://youtu.be/0I3-qauGJU0

1:18:50
What kept you going back to church after starting to deconvert? This caller talks about his own fears about nonexistence. Thomas talks about the natural fears of dying, especially as you age. Eric shares his own experience leaving the church and how long it took to truly walk away.
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: http://tiny.cc/SG22Merch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: https://tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Vi is back from the woods and ready to take your calls! Tell us why you believe what you believe at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG.
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro
05:13 - Mysticism vs Skepticism? - David (they/he) - NC
19:34 - Christian Charity: What Is It Good For? - Javier (he/him) - FL
37:39 - When You Can’t Trust The Media… - Rae (they/them) - UK
01:03:38 - Non-denominational Atheism? - Chaos (she/they) - UK
01:16:53 - Summer of the Psychics - Thomas (he/him) - TN

05:13
We get off to a rocky start as David calls in to talk about their background in mysticism and skepticism, and how those two interact. We’re going to be honest, it may have been the lack of caffeine, but we didn’t really get it. Vi ends up hanging up on this caller after they start demanding air time.

19:34
Repeat theist caller Javier calls in to ask the hosts’ opinions on religious-based charitable organizations. Is it worthwhile to hold a sandwich hostage in order to save a soul?

37:39
Where should you go to hear the truth? Are all media organizations corrupt? Why are science journalists so bad at reporting science accurately? This caller wants to know how to guard against misinformation, and Vi puts their journalism degree to use.

1:03:38
This caller is having trouble interacting with atheists online, who don’t seem to know what to do with someone who calls herself a skeptic and a polytheist. How do we communicate better? Vi’s answer pretty soundly disses the atheist community, so feel free to go off in the comments.

1:16:53
This caller is wondering how a psychic knew his toilet was going to explode. A fun way to wrap up the episode, the hosts share their own plumbing horror stories and discuss the sharpshooter fallacy.

___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: tiny.cc/SG22Merch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: https://tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Get in, losers, we're going to CVS to collect all of the discounted Easter candy. But first! Let's chat about Zombie Jesus, whether rabbits lay eggs, and all the other important questions of the day. Join us by calling 585-526-8774 or hitting this link: tiny.cc/callSG.
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro
06:57 - Do Virtues Exist on a Deserted Island? - Bree (ze/zer) - IA
21:08 - Are We Just Making Up Our Own Rules? - Chris (he/him) - NJ
27:30 - Theist Says Religion Is Necessary for Society! - Jon (he/him) - CAN
37:50 - Is Anyone Irredeemable? - Micaiah (he/him) - TX
50:14 - Repeat Theist Caller Defends Slavery - Mr. Le Chef (??) - CAN
1:16:14 - Jewish Caller Corrects Christian Doctrine - Vishanti (she/her) - CA

06:57
Are virtues inherited through culture? Would they still exist if we lived alone on a deserted island? This caller proposes that virtues and ethics are intertwined, but the hosts aren’t so sure. Do you think you’d think about virtues and vices if you were the only person in your world?

This caller’s question inspired by our latest VS episode, which you can watch here: https://youtu.be/F989FvzRg_8

21:08
This caller suggests all morality is based on our personal consciences, as opposed to our consciences being shaped by the morality of our society. The hosts chew on this for a bit. “Is it like Jiminy Cricket?” Eric asks. “We just do whatever he says?”

27:30
This theist caller attempts to explain how religion is necessary for society. After all, isn’t America “one nation under God”? The hosts point out that determining what is right and what is wrong isn’t a religious endeavor but a secular one, and Jon ends up hanging up.

37:50
What is redemption? Do we need it in a secular society, or is it purely a religious concept? How do we get redeemed, and is it possible to abuse redemption? Eric is jaded, but Vi might have changed his mind after their description.

50:14
Mr. Delicieux calls back to argue that he is one of the only true Christians in the world today. Eric takes off the jacket and gets ready for a Bible-off, but things quickly turn ugly. This theist jumps straight into slavery apologetics, and Vi is having NONE of it.

If you want to watch the last time Mr. Delicieux called in (suggesting that the seven day week proves God), you can find that link here: https://youtu.be/x6D9EG16UcQ

1:16:14
After listening to the previous caller make unsubstantiated claims, this Jewish caller decides to set the record straight. Where does Christian doctrine go wrong according to Judaism? Why are these misunderstandings (or blatant misinterpretations) so crucial to understand? Eric has SO MANY questions…
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: http://tiny.cc/SG22Merch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: https://tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

We have a pretty exciting announcement this week: we have our first crew member. Tune in to say hello and fall in love as much as we have. And if you'd like to argue about anything, we're available at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG.

If you want to see the inside life of Georgie and her two dads, visit her Twitter @TerranCat.

___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Meeting Georgie the One-Eyed Cat
06:34 - This Theist Has Questions - Javier (he/him) - FL
28:57 - Apologist Wants to Talk About Genesis - Dean (he/him) - VA
1:03:26 - Debunking the Fine Tuning Argument - Allen (he/him) - MI
1:15:00 - Do Atheists Miss Out on Love? - Toby (he/him) - CO

00:00
Introducing her Royal Majesty, Emperor Philippa Georgiou, our newest crew member! She doesn’t have opposable thumbs, so she can’t do much, but she makes up for it by being adorable. Say hello, and go visit her on her own Twitter account: @TerranCat!

06:34
Repeat theist caller Javier has questions about deconverting. How does one do it? Should it be a fast process or a slow one? And how does one avoid circular arguments? Vi and Eric give some hard truths: it’s not possible to be fully objective, and you can’t really avoid circular arguments. Thanks, laws of logic! But the questions are worth asking anyway.

28:57
An apologist calls in to discuss the stories of Genesis, how the hosts view creationism, and whether it’s important to be a Young Earth Creationist in order to be a Christian. Vi shares their wild YEC upbringing and the tall tales they were told as a kid. Eric challenges our caller to even more probing questions: what about the Exodus? What about the Walls of Jericho? How much is true at all?

1:03:26
This caller wants help debunking the fine tuning argument. How do you respond to theists who try to say the universe proves God? Vi points out that relying on “the odds” is useless without other universes to compare against, and Eric challenges the basis of asking the question in the first place.

1:15:00
Does viewing love as “just a chemical reaction in the brain” cheapen it? Or is it the most romantic thing ever? Show this clip to anyone who is concerned that atheists miss out on love, or that naturalistic explanations of emotion somehow make them “lesser.”
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: http://tiny.cc/SG22Merch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: https://tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

You read that right: this week Vi became a Prismatist. What is that, and is Eric worried? Call in to ask more about the Church of Prismatic Light or any other religious or spiritual topic! We're available at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG.

Find out more about the Church of Prismatic Light here: https://linktr.ee/churchofprismaticlight
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - WTF Is a Prismatist?
11:25 - Vi vs Suicide Cult - Sawyer (he/him) - IN
42:52 - Atlantis Was Real! - Andy (he/him) - TX
58:37 - Theist Says Evolution Proves Fine Tuning - Gohan (n/a) - TX
1:25:05 - Founder of Atheopaganism Defends His “Faith” - Mark (he/him) - CA

00:00
We have a lot of announcements today, including some amazing fundraising news! We are also talking about the Church of Prismatic Light, a religion founded to push back against Christian extremism in US politics and protect the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. Check out more about them in the description above!

11:25
TW: Discussion of the Heaven’s Gate mass suicide.

Heaven’s Gate apologists call in, and the hosts are thunderstruck. Vi is especially frustrated with their attempts to justify the mass un-aliving that took place in March of 1997. Apparently it wasn’t that bad, because they’re all up on a spaceship now. What, and we repeat, the actual fuck.

To learn a little more about Heaven’s Gate, check out this article: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/heavens-gate-cult-members-found-dead

42:52
This caller wants to explain how Atlantis not only was real, but was a technologically advanced society responsible for the construction of the great stone structures around the globe. This means the pyramids, the Mayan temples, Stonehenge. Our caller says we can know this is true because Plato says so, but we have our doubts.

58:37
Gohan calls back to debate the fine tuning argument from a scientific perspective. Eric especially nails the arguments here, finding common ground and pinpointing where the assumptions this theist brings to the table fall flat on their face.

For a look at our previous calls with Gohan, check the links below:

- Theist Argues for Evolutionary Creationism: https://youtu.be/cTLksn_yeRw
- Another Bad Argument Against Abortion: https://youtu.be/TTq_sMHPNQI

1:25:05
Mark is the founder of atheopaganism, and has called in to discuss his worldview and correct some misunderstandings about the religion. Can one be an atheist and a pagan at the same time? Is it different from non-theistic paganism? Eric asks for more clarification, and Vi points out that while words don’t have prescriptive meanings, we do hold the responsibility to use them wisely.
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: http://tiny.cc/SG22Merch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: https://tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Eric is very excited. Last week, we pulled the trigger on buying the pieces of what will be our new production computer. While there will be a whole livestream about this in the near future, we thought we'd give you a sneak peek. Then, we hope to hear all about what's got YOU excited (if it has to do with what you believe and why). Call us at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG.

SOME EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENTS

May 19th: Senior Patron Hangout on Discord
May 21st: Watch Eric Build Our Production Computer! (Limited livestream event)
May 22nd: Surprise Birthday Episode
Week of June 6th (TBD): Eric & Vi Are In Portland, OR!
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Eric Shows Us His Parts…. Not Like That
10:58 - Is “Love” a Religious Word? - Douglas (he/him) - ID
25:32 - Theist Says Atheists Can’t Understand Love - Jay (??) - MO
44:55 - Should I Join the Church of Prismatic Light? - Levi (he/him) - CO
51:38 - Why Are We Forced to Play By Different Rules? - Chris (he/him) - CT
1:10:29 - Atheist Defends Unconditional Love - Woflos (he/him) - TX

10:20
We have a few calls about love this week. This caller wants to know whether love is a word religious people use to manipulate, and how we can best reclaim the word so it cannot be used for harm. Vi references All About Love by bell hooks, and Eric speaks from personal experience regarding how religion used “love” to control.

Curious about more philosophy on love? Go buy the book All About Love: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17607.All_About_Love

25:38
Repeat theist caller Jay wants to give us the good news: we cannot understand unconditional love because we do not believe in God. After being confused about why this might be considered rude or condescending, Jay tries to pivot to challenging the hosts to accept God into their lives by “seeking” for 30 days. The hosts are not having it.

If you want to watch Eric vs Jay in another video, check this one out: https://youtu.be/PR9D5g9_b_I

45:09
Last week, we talked a bit about the Church of Prismatic Light, a new non–profit organization that is currently working to be recognized as a religion by the US government. The hope is that becoming a member of this church will protect the rights of LGBTQ+ folks that are quickly being stripped away. Levi asks: Should he join, or is relying on a religion for rights ceding too much?

Watch Vi’s explanation of the Church here: https://youtu.be/RNbwH6TCoyw
If you’re curious about becoming a Prismatist, follow this link: https://linktr.ee/churchofprismaticlight

51:47
How do we have “civil conversation” without lapsing into “civility politics”? This caller highlights this issue and how it manifests in atheist circles specifically, and the hosts share their tactics for demolishing dog whistles, educating others, and advocating for a bigger epistemological toolbox. This caller also has some zingers in here, so make sure to stick around for them!

1:10:32
Repeat caller Wolfos wraps up our conversation on love by saying that he experiences universal, unconditional love as an atheist. Eric is a bit confused by this and pushes back, while Vi points out how we simply do not have enough words to accurately describe our emotions. Wolfos and Vi also share some painful and evocative personal stories.
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: http://tiny.cc/SG22Merch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: https://tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

This week we got a rave review from a fan, namely that we are more cringey, absurd, and touchy-feely garbage with each passing week. We're so excited to be making such consistent progress, and hope you'll join us this Sunday to witness us taking one more step toward greatness: call us at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG.

SOME EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENTS

May 19th: Senior Patron Hangout on Discord
May 21st: Watch Eric Build Our Production Computer! (Limited livestream event)
May 22nd: Surprise Birthday Episode
Week of June 6th (TBD): Eric & Vi Are In Portland, OR!
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro
05:11 - “Help! My Brother Is Watching Jordan Peterson” - Erika (she/her) - TX
23:06 - Theist Says THIS Makes Skeptics Look Silly - Joe (he/him) - KS
36:57 - Could You Identify God If You Met One? - Lucas (he/him) - BR
46:53 - Crypto Bro Proves God Using Empirical Evidence - Xeno (he/him) - SK
1:15:35 - Sex, Drugs, and Televangelists - Benji (he/him) - US
1:24:45 - This Call Gave Us Goosebumps! - Fancy Monkey (he/him) - GA

05:17
How do you have conversations with someone who thinks being a math teacher makes them qualified to debunk evolution? What if that person is your Christian brother? What if he has started listening to Jordan Peterson? This caller needs help figuring out family communication as a new skeptic.

This is the book that Vi recommended: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/informal-logic-a-pragmatic-approach_douglas-n-walton/794396/item/4024815/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwyYKUBhDJARIsAMj9lkG7RD3zS794oZvRQRZ2R7mV_lu---2rIah9m47AIsI_Zt1a2FosPIkaAhqyEALw_wcB#idiq=4024815&edition=5988947

23:10
Repeat theist caller Joe asks why skeptics are so concerned about astrology and horoscopes. Aren’t they harmless fun most of the time? Eric points out some situations when relying on astrology could be really dangerous, and Vi highlights the underlying problem of magical thinking that normalizes accepting harmful claims.

37:09
Star Trek nerd alert on this one! This caller wants to know if the hosts would concede that an all-powerful or manipulative creature was a god. Well, what does being a god even mean? Why do we call things “god” in the first place? Eric approaches this from a linguistic perspective, while Vi highlights the moral and aesthetic baggage weighing down the word “god”.

47:00
Xeno calls back to teach us why God is real, using NFTs as an example. The only problem is, Vi and Eric remain resoundingly unimpressed. Eric especially is having none of it, and this caller ends up being hung up on after telling the hosts to “sit down and shut up.”

1:15:41
This caller is an atheist working undercover at an international televangelist organization. He is grappling with some guilt because while it pays well, he knows he’s helping the baddies. Should he quit his job? Publish a tell-all? Become a mole and report dirt to the government? Eric and Vi have some ideas, and also definitely want to read his future book.

1:24:55
This atheist caller tells the hosts about an answered prayer from his past, and it is genuinely a beautiful story. The three of them break down why it might be compelling for believers, why it probably was just coincidence, and how that doesn’t make it any less special.

___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: http://tiny.cc/SG22Merch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: https://tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

The week of our birthday surprise episode is here: and it's a retrospective! We're going to be reviewing some of our favorite (or most cringe-worthy) clips from our first year as an independent live call-in show. Get ready to hear our thoughts on Robin, Chad, Jay, and Flat Earther Connor (among others). We won't be taking calls this week, so save your questions for next Sunday!

Also, make sure you check out our monster 4-hour livestream where Eric builds our production computer from the ground up, joined by Thomas Westbrook of Holy Koolaid! You can find that here (for now), before it moves onto Patreon: https://youtu.be/c2uST3EQrSU
__________________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Happy Birthday to SG!
13:51 - We Review Our Very First Episode: "We Were Panicking!"
25:06 - Vi Reviews Scott’s Call: “The Thing About C.S. Lewis…”
37:40 - Eric Reviews Jay’s Call: “What the HELL Was that?”
48:11 - We Review Flat Earther Call: “What Do You Mean, Pac Man?”
1:02:36 - Vi Reviews Robin’s Call: “A Livestreamer’s Worst Nightmare”
1:17:03 - Eric Reviews Chad’s Call: “Don’t Be A Troll”

WHERE TO FIND THE CLIPS FROM THE EPISODE TODAY
Want to watch the full clips from the episode today? You can find them here:

Our First Cold Open (S1E1): https://youtu.be/_cxzwxHGmVM
Why Aren't Atheists Convinced By Evidence? (S2E3): https://youtu.be/mIFeBeYF8vY
Eric Unloads on Theist Caller (S2E11): https://youtu.be/PR9D5g9_b_I
Flat Earther Has Proof Scientists Won't Look At (S1E20): https://youtu.be/0pY8TVpGwUE
Vi Versus A Darth Dawkins Clone (S1E7): https://youtu.be/vlx5E0tdweQ
This Troll Seems Very Angry (S1E22): https://youtu.be/jkHfa_zoeDs

__________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: tiny.cc/SG22Merch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: https://tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

June is almost here, so that means if you want to catch Vi live on Sunday, now's your last chance for a while. Call in to share your beliefs and tell us why you think the way you do: 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG.
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Where Is Vi Going?
09:25 - What If The True Religion Hasn’t Been Created Yet? - Relic (he/him) - TX
30:38 - Everyone Actually Believes In God - Sam (he/him) - TX
43:00 - How To Come Out - Sal (they/them) - OH
1:00:06 - Why Won’t Theists Change Their Minds? - Will (he/him) - TX
1:06:45 - The Ascension of Baháʼu'lláh? - Connor (he/him) - TX
1:15:27 - How To Avoid Fake News - Chris (he/him) - SCT

09:26
How do we know that the true religion won’t be created in the future? Repeat theist caller Relic calls in to explain why a perfect religion might address society’s issues. Vi points out the unlikelihood of a perfect religion existing, and Eric asks why a religion is needed at all.

30:47
This theist has called in to let Vi and Eric know that they actually *do* believe in God, and that they are doing the Lord’s work by building a studio and showing up every Sunday to debate His existence. The caller reassures the hosts that he can be trusted, as he is delivering a message straight from Jesus himself.

43:03
How is coming out as an atheist similar or different to coming out as LGBTQ+? This caller wants to hear how the hosts navigate the intersections of “coming out” as Pride month begins. What challenges have they faced, and what are they still grappling with?

1:00:21
Why not ask theists right away what will change their minds? This caller wants to learn more about the tactics of counter apologetics, and the hosts dive into their rationale when debating with theists. Eric hits the nail on the head: why assume that theists think there is value in changing their minds at all?

1:07:05
Another Baháʼí caller, this time someone who wants to share a bit about holy days and the ascension of their messianic figure. The hosts attempt to parse out how this caller navigates accepting the truth of all religions while determining what corresponds to reality. What do they do when two faiths contradict each other?

1:15:45
As someone who is raised in a religious environment, it can be difficult to know how to parse good and bad information. Vi discusses what this looks like from a journalism psychology perspective, and offers some practical tips to being more informed and avoiding the fake news funnel.

For more information on how to determine good information online, watch this clip from a few weeks ago: https://youtu.be/JBFPJL6QASc
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: http://tiny.cc/SG22Merch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: https://tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Coming out of retirement to join Eric today, Russell is a veteran to the call in show format. We're sure this is gonna be good! Please call in to share your beliefs and talk to us about what you believe and why: 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG.

Follow Russell on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/RussellGlasser
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES
00:00 - Intro
03:12 - Russell Needs To Talk… about Roe v. Wade
33:04 - Are Atheist Religions & Rituals Good? - Steve (any/all) - NY
42:48 - Do Agnostics Have Impossible Standards of Evidence - Joe (he/him) - KS
59:19 - Russell Stomps Xeno’s God Claims - Xeno (he/him) - SK
1:17:03 - Magic Is True Because… Drugs? - David (they/them) - NC
1:29:03- Superchats

00:00
We welcome Russell Glasser back on live air, and he needs to talk. He does a deep dive on the Christian Right’s fight against reproductive choice, explaining how we got to the current leak regarding the Roe v. Wade decision will impact the United States.

Are you interested in doing something? Check out the community action idea generator that Vi built for inspiration: https://perchance.org/community-action-idea-generator

33:10
This caller asks whether atheists using religion and ritual to fight Christian extremists is a good thing. Eric thinks that it works well and is effective, while Russell wonders if it’s just a little too trolly. If you’re interested in the kinds of religions discussed here, check out some of the links below:

“Hail Satan?” documentary of the Satanic Temple: https://youtu.be/27RtJp-rhHk
Vi discusses the Church of Prismatic Light: https://youtu.be/Nnz3jeA_MPk

42:54
Do agnostics and atheists have an impossible standard of evidence? If requiring a modern autopsy of the dead body of Jesus Christ prior to his resurrection is the only thing that will convince you of Christianity, are you basically admitting your position is unfalsifiable? The hosts have thoughts… What would convince them?

59:42
The software programmers geek out… until one of them (spoiler: not Russell) says he thinks that God probably exists because “How can you know for sure He doesn’t?” This is a classic argument from ignorance, but Xeno will not be deterred! Eric makes some killer points, and Russell is profoundly unimpressed. This is cathartic.

Check out previous calls with Xeno:

- God is Like An NFT: https://youtu.be/kHcDKiWk_Ds
- I Can’t Prove God, But You Should Believe Anyway: https://youtu.be/PNNxwNF8Yns

1:16:40
Is magic like voodoo functionally true? Is there a difference between the supernatural and the preternatural? Is this linked to mental health in some way? What about drugs? We are all very confused, but we enjoyed the West World references.

General request: Please don’t turn mental illness or neurodivergence into “magical experiences,” that’s generally a really bad idea.
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
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To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Should Eric have gotten a flight all night back from Portland to make it to the show at the last second? Probably not, but here we go! This host is flying solo this week and doesn't have a lot of fuse to burn.

Do you think you have the answers to life, the universe, or really anything? Call In! 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG.
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Eric Has Had 3 Hours of Sleep
04:15 - Are We In Another Satanic Panic? - Chris (he/him) - UK
13:11 - But Is Atlantis Real Though? - Connor (he/him) - TX
28:38 - Eric Officially Disproves Ghosts - Chris (he/him) - UK
46:06 - This Repeat Theist Picked The Wrong Day To Call In… - Mr. Delicieux - CAN
1:08:40 - What Is Your Favorite Cryptid? - Alda (she/her) - SC
1:17:51 - There Are No Soulmates, and That’s OK - Joshua (he/him) - SC
1:27:09 - Far-Right Troll Gets Hung Up On - Jon (he/him) - CAN
1:32:48 - Superchats

04:15
Did the Satanic Panic ever really go away? Why are we seeing such a rise in conspiracy theories and fear mongering, especially as it pertains to “protecting the children” from “dangerous outsiders”? Eric and the caller discuss why we might be seeing similar problems arising today.

If you want more information about the Satanic Panic, check out Seth Andrew’s talk on the subject on @The Thinking Atheist channel: https://youtu.be/iW6UoIjy5F4

13:11
This caller wants to know why people are such skeptics when it comes to discussing the reality of Atlantis. Is it possible that ancient civilizations could have created a technologically advanced city on an undiscovered sunken land mass? When is believing this “accepting the evidence” and when is it “credulity”?

Check out a previous call about this topic here: https://youtu.be/IgxTaDVNIhU

28:38
In the most level-headed and incisive takedown of ghost lore on Skeptic Generation history, Eric guides this caller through a host of ways to disprove the existence of the paranormal realm. If you’re looking for a bunch of new, science-based ways to refute ghost claims, definitely check out this clip.

46:06
Mr. Delicieux is back… for the final time. This repeat theist caller picked the wrong day to call in, because a sleep-deprived Eric is an Eric with little patience for bullshit. Yes, it’s frustrating to listen to the smugness, but stick around to the end and listen to the sweet sound of that mic drop. We’re done here.

1:08:40
If you are a fan of mythological beasts of any sort, you are probably going to enjoy this call a lot. We discuss the Not Deer, wendigos, Nessie, and a whole host of other paranormal creatures, including where the legends come from. What is your favorite cryptid, and do you know its origin story?

1:17:51
Eric consoles a caller who has recently deconverted and is going through a time of grief without the comfort of a god to lean on. They discuss heartbreak, soul mates, and how to use skepticism not as a tool of nihilism but as a way to move forward and create meaning and hope in the future. Get out your tissues for this one!

1:27:09
Rarely have we seen Eric get so mad. We almost made it this week without a horrible, bigoted call from a Christian nationalist, but it wasn’t meant to be. Jon, if you’re reading this, please never call in again. We don’t like you.

If you are concerned about keeping children safe as we see a rise in gun violence across the United States, consider supporting March For Our Lives: https://marchforourlives.com/
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
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To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

We've had enough sensational crap recently, let’s settle in and have a good conversation. Do you have a belief that could use a skeptical eye? Do you think we're gonna burn in the fiery depths of hell?

Call In! 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG.

Learn more about Juneteenth: https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/historical-legacy-juneteenth
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Announcing a Special Guest Next Week
03:36 - The Romans 1:20 Conundrum - Will (he/him) - TX
09:32 - Deism vs. Agnosticism - Joe (he/him) - KS
29:27 - The Five Ways To Tell If Something’s True - Steven (he/him) - MI
35:24 - My Partner Is A Christian and I’m Not… Help! - Nathan (he/him) - PA
44:35 - Religion is Cultural, Not Revelatory - Allen (he/him) - MI
1:01:07 - Defending Debate Bros - Steve (any/all) - NY

03:36
Have you encountered the Romans 1:20 argument from theist friends, relatives, or apologists? If so, you may be entitled to compensation… or at least our empathy. How do you address this with someone, and is it a lost cause to try and counter it?

Romans 1:20: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”

09:32
This caller deconverted from Christianity in his teens and is now a deist. Eric digs into the reasoning behind this stance: is it a God of the gaps argument? What is the motivation for holding onto a god belief, and is it something that necessarily needs to go?

29:27
How do you know what is true? This caller says there are five different methodologies regarding how you can know something is accurate. Why don’t we use all five all the time? Eric suggests that might lead to analysis paralysis, but for those big claims that influence our worldview… absolutely!

Check out the article discussed on this call here: https://kq.freepressunlimited.org/evidence/the-psychology-of-fake-news/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwkruVBhCHARIsACVIiOw5kmAPr4h1knJUil9QIAiUI7UjKrh2QtgQ39nGXalU-nvEdjeyu4oaAnqIEALw_wcB

35:24
How do you navigate a relationship if your partner is worried you’re going to hell? This caller is grappling with some heavy questions, and luckily he called the most compassionate host on an atheist call-in show. Eric gives relationship advice, and ends up (kinda) therapizing himself too…

44:35
Many religions claim they originated via divine revelation, but this caller thinks that religion is, in fact, cultural. His previous Baháʼí faith and missionary work led him to this realization: the issue isn’t with religion but with God. He lays out five points to prove this. (SG Kitty makes an appearance!)

1:01:07
Are debate bros unlikely heroes? Do we owe the current landscape of YouTube to cis white guys willing to have the uncomfortable debates? This caller seems to think so, but Eric isn’t so sure.

Vi is in the live chat pulling their hair out wanting to respond… so they call in too!

___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
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Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: https://tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Skeptic Generation is excited to have a friend and co-host from another life, Kevin S join us today! We have some difficult things to discuss after the Roe v Wade decision news, but we also want to make sure we’re staying on course on our own mission: taking bad ideas to task.

Do you think your beliefs should be *our* beliefs? Do you believe in a globalist agenda, aliens, or other grand conspiracy? Call In! 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG.
____________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Discussing This Horrible Week
06:44 - My Friend Believes in Demons - Chris (he/him) - UK
25:47 - Christians Need to Step Up! - Vishanti (she/her) - CA
37:47 - Is There Religious Persecution in the US? - Connor (he/him) - TX
47:40 - Give Less Credit To God! - Wolfos (he/him) - TX
52:25 - Bigots Deserve Your Platform! - Kay (he/him) - N/A
1:15:32 - What Are The Moral Obligations of Skeptics? - Preston (he/him) - TX

06:44
This caller used to believe some very “out there” evangelistic beliefs, and back in the day he converted his friend. Now the caller has deconverted, but his friend is still deep in it… and has gone even further. This friend now believes that they are demon possessed and cannot leave the house. How do you reckon with the guilt, and what can Chris do to help?

25:47
Repeat caller Vishanti is fed up with progressive Christians washing their hands of the radical Christofascist Right. What can they do to deal emotionally and practically with these bad actors, and what do we risk if they don’t? Speaking of bad actors, we dump on Mr. Delicieux for a while which is oddly cathartic.

If you want to share the cringe, check out the other week’s clip: https://youtu.be/gbdJHNknzyc

37:47
This religious caller is not a Christian, and feels threatened by the Christian nationalist agenda in the United States. Deeply scared, in fact. Special guest Kevin has some crucial takes on why things are so dark right now, and he isn’t afraid to call a spade a spade.

47:40
People have to be more willing to give themselves more credit, and give God less credit. You’ve done the thing yourself! Just a cheerful reminder from a repeat caller!

52:25
We discussed “debate bros” the other week. Now this caller wants to defend Destiny for being a champion for having the hard conversations. According to this caller, there is no such thing as “platforming a bad idea” and you should give everyone who wants to debate the rights of others a microphone. In general, he has lots of opinions on how we should run our show. Maybe he should start his own?

Watch our last conversation about debate bros: https://youtu.be/3NIk_KrTS8g
Check out a video that explains this issue better than we could with @F.D Signifier here: https://youtu.be/4y0nR0E8pk4

1:15:50
Do skeptics have any kind of moral duties or obligations? Does skepticism have any kind of “ought” statements? Eric gets really excited about this and dives right in. Ultimately, skepticism is not what you use to make moral judgments, but it *is* how you get the raw materials to make good moral judgments.
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: tiny.cc/SG22Merch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: https://tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Vi is back from Portland and ready to take your calls. This has been a terrible week so we can either go "more terrible" or "less terrible." It's up to you and the kind of conversations you bring to the table. Talk to us at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG.
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Vi is Back from Portland!
03:58 - Defending the Problem of Evil - Javier (he/him) - SC
21:07 - What is A Woman? - Chelsey (she/her) - NC
29:47 - Becoming A Pagan… Help! - Sakura (she/they) - NY
47:44 - Teaching Children About the Crucifixion of Jesus - Chris (he/him) - SCT
58:26 - A Silver Bullet for Deconverting Christians? - Kay (he/him) - N/A
1:16:23 - How To Keep Allies Around? - Philip (he/him) - OK
1:30:24 - Superchats

03:58
Defending the Problem of Evil - Javier (he/him) - SC
Can this caller refute the problem of evil and defend God? Specifically, does appealing the “the greater good” make sense of the suffering in the world? Vi and Eric don’t think so, and list out the many reasons that train of logic is not compelling.

21:07
What Is A Woman? - Chesley (she/her) - NC
Have Vi and Eric watched the Matt Walsh “documentary” about trans issues? What are their thoughts on the tactics Matt used to try and play “gotcha”... was it honest? Was it at least effective? The answer to all of that, and to Matt Walsh in general, is no.

29:47
Becoming A Pagan… Help! - Sakura (she/they) - NY
What happens when a scientist becomes a pagan? How should this caller navigate through a change in worldview while honoring their understanding of the scientific method? Can it even be done? Vi has some thoughts to share on this subject…

47:44
Teaching Children About the Crucifixion Of Jesus - Chris (he/him) - SCT
Is teaching kids about the crucifixion (and everything that led up to it) immoral? Vi says their main problem is with hypocrisy: why is torutre OK to teach to children but not things like sexual orientation or gender identity? Eric, meanwhile, has stronger words for what happens during indoctrination: namely, it’s abuse.

58:26
A Silver Bullet for Deconverting Christians? - Kay (he/him) - N/A
Kay calls back this week to discuss a silver bullet for “defanging” religion by turning theists into deists. The hosts are skeptical about how useful such a method would be. It becomes clear that while they agree on many things, Kay isn’t taking the indoctrination factor into consideration, which will make things much more difficult.

1:16:23
How To Keep Allies Around? - Philip (he/him) - OK
This caller has some thoughts about what was said on the show last week regarding whether cis men should be discussing the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade. Don’t we need the voices of the ones in power to actually get anywhere? Eric explains his reasoning: it’s important to avoid speaking over others. Meanwhile Vi asks an important question: “Who are we speaking to?”
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: tiny.cc/SG22Merch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
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To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

It was Eric's birthday yesterday, and we're excited to celebrate it! If you want to give him the best birthday gift ever, call in with a realllllly bad argument for the existence of God. Like, just the worst one. He'll love it. Wish him well at 585-526-8774 or https://tiny.cc/callSG.

If you want to get Eric a birthday present but don't want to call in, check out our Amazon wishlist at https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist.

___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Happy Birthday, Eric!
02:42 - This Theist Caller LOSES It - Chris (he/him) - WI
17:08 - Is Occam’s Razor Dangerous? - Javier (he/him) - SC
33:46 - A Skeptical Theist? - Robert (he/him) - MA
45:30 - Dealing with Emergencies As an Atheist - Keith (he/him) - NJ
55:40 - Should I Stop Being A Pagan? - Brendan (he/him) - SC
1:10:04 - Are Conspiracy Theories Skeptics? Seth (any/all) - MA
1:17:05 - When Is a Belief Too Harmful to Ignore? - Nick (he/him) - UT
1:28:25 - Superchats

03:20
What starts off as a potentially productive call quickly goes off the rails as this theist caller goes from telling us we don’t have morals, to saying we are still Christians, to ranting about how terrible Planned Parenthood is and ultimately dissolving into… blowing raspberries? Really? Anyway, Eric gets rightfully pissed and you should be too.

17:11
Repeat theist caller Javier wants to better understand Occam’s razor, especially since a friend claimed that using it could result in innocent people being accused of murder! Are we using this logical tool correctly, and are there situations where we may need to put the razor down in favor of other methodological approaches?

33:56
Is it possible to be skeptical and a theist at the same time? Eric and Vi say yes, but it’s not as simple as being a skeptic or not being one. Many of us are skeptical about certain things, and remain quite credulous about others. The question is: how are you applying skepticism and is it getting you good results?

45:43
TW: Pet death
Have you ever felt the urge to pray during an emergency, even though you didn’t really believe in God? This caller was feeling something similar as his cat was suffering renal failure. Spoiler alert: the cat survived! But this left us all wondering… why do we feel the need to pray or ask for divine help when something bad happens, even as atheists?

55:50
If your beliefs aren’t going away on their own, should you “force it”? This pagan caller wants to know if he should be getting rid of his beliefs. Eric points out that while discussing metaphysical ideas is important, it’s best to start with the practical and make sure your beliefs are not putting you in harm’s way. Vi encourages the caller to sit in the discomfort and figure out how his god beliefs influence a pragmatic worldview.

1:10:19
What would you say if you encountered a science teacher who was also a flat earther? What if that person called themself a skeptic? This caller is concerned that the term “skeptic” is getting used by conspiracy theorists and making it more difficult to find credible sources. Is this something the hosts are concerned about?

1:17:12
When is a belief too harmful to ignore? This former Mormon caller is struggling to maintain relationships with his family as they continue to pursue their faith. He asks the hosts if there’s a point where he should break ties. Eric points out that making people uncomfortable is a necessary step in the path to rationality. Vi encourages the caller to think about how to use their position to counteract bad ideas.

___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: http://tiny.cc/SG22Merch
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To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

We are welcoming a special guest to the show this week: Robert Reed of Gin and Truth on YouTube. If you're a fan of a pull-no-punches, take-no-prisoners approach to secular humanism, we think this is probably going to be the show for you. Tune in or call in to talk with our guest at 585-526-8774 or https://tiny.cc/callSG.

Find more Robert Reed:
Subscribe to his YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLaC...
Follow his Twitter: https://twitter.com/RCReed40
Stream his podcast wherever you like to listen!

___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro
04:11 - Robert Gets On the Soapbox
11:39 - Ditch Your Therapist, Come to Church! - Andrew (he/him) - MN
20:25 - Ontological Evidence for God... AGAIN - Xeno (he/him) - SK
35:10 - Thank You For Speaking Up! - Uncle Beck (he/him) - NM
38:26 - Fighting Spiritual Abuse with Skepticism - Tim (he/him) - Czech Republic
1:00:15 - Do Debate Bros Actually Deradicalize Anyone? - Garrett (he/him) - MT
1:16:50 - You Never Really Believed! - Nick (he/him) - TN
1:28:24 - Superchats

00:00
Intro

04:11
From taking a leak in peace to preferred pronouns, why does it seem like we aren’t ever having the same conversation when it comes to trans rights? Being an ally is more than just recognizing the humanity of our neighbors, it's recognizing that arguments to the contrary make you part of the problem.

11:39
This caller got to learn about the evils of LGBTQ and poly folks from a religious friend. He also got recommended church instead of actual therapy. We all have a little laugh, but Robert hits the nail on the head when he says, “Make sure you can tell the difference between a doctor and a pastor.”

20:25
Xeno calls in to make yet another ontological argument for God, and Robert meets his claims with exactly the right reaction: uproarious laughter. Meanwhile, Vi points out the exact reason that Xeno’s argument doesn’t work using set theory, and Xeno suddenly needs to go…

35:10
Uncle Beck wants to shout out just how important it is to have allies that are willing to go to bat. You can find Uncle Beck’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/BeNoJustBe

38:26
If we need to pick one, should we pick skepticism or critical thinking? This caller thinks that addressing spiritual abuse is an easier pill to swallow if it doesn’t include any extra baggage. Our hosts counter that just like leaving any other abusive relationship, recognizing the signs of abuse can prevent those who have suffered abuse from falling into it again in the future.

1:00:15
Does it really matter if bad reasoning is used to de-radicalize people? Vi shoots back that the problem isn't deradicalization, it's perpetuating bad thinking! If the louder person seems to “win” the debate, it’s only a matter of time before listeners are convinced bv a louder person. The better tactic is to place less value on the “debate bro” culture in the first place.

For more information about the Federalist Society, check out this article by the Harvard Gazette: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...

1:16:50
Nick has been placed in a church mediation program to determine if he is allowed to communicate with his siblings. During the mediation, he has been told that he was never a true Christian… because he never did miracles! Robert calls it out for the absolute horseshit that it is. We’re with you Robert!

1:28:24
Superchats
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: tiny.cc/SG22Merch
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To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Eric and Vi are back in the hot seat and ready to take your calls. Reach out at 585-526-8774 or https://tiny.cc/callSG.
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Eric’s Back!... For Now
02:57 - Can You Be A Dragon? - Ottawa (they/them) - AUS
14:52 - Theist Defends Contradictions in Holy Texts - Connor (he/him) - TX
40:57 - Is The World Run by Martians? - Chris (he/him) - SCT
50:37 - Cultural Appropriation in the MCU? - Johnny (he/him) - UT
1:02:09 - Churches Are Good For Atheists - Kay (he/him) - N/A
1:17:47 - “Stop Shoving Your Religion In My Face!” - R (he/him) - N/A
1:29:05 - Superchats

02:57
Otherkin, therian, furry… What do these words mean? This caller offers to clear up some misconceptions about these groups, but unfortunately drops out in the middle of the call. In the meantime, though, we have an interesting conversation about identity, including the “weird ones” in your social movement, and highly sensitive people. Generally an all-over-the-place call that goes places you do not expect.

14:52
A classic “what you believe and why” call with a repeat theist caller! Connor calls in to discuss his Baha’i faith, but this time Vi and Eric have some questions. Why does Connor accept ALL holy texts as true, and how does he reconcile the contradictions? The caller explains that the answer is “progressive revelation,” but the hosts are not having it.

40:57
Remember the Scottish caller who asked Eric about ghosts a while ago? Well, he’s back and asking us to give him our feedback on Spirit Science, a culty community with claims about everything from chakras to ancient aliens to the lost city of Atlantis. Why do people fall for this kind of (to quote Vi) “hippy dippy woo woo”? And what can we do to protect people from predatory spirituality cults?

50:37
Is it cultural appropriation for a white person to dress as the Black Panther? This caller wants our take on the difference between cultural appropriation versus appreciation. Eric points out that centering the viewpoint and experiences of the people who have dealt with appropriation is crucial to this conversation. Vi reminds everyone that there are both individual and systemic sides to this equation.

1:02:09
Can churches and other religious non-profits be good for atheists? Should we settle for a religious soup kitchen if it’s going to feed people faster, or should we spend time building a soup kitchen for atheists? Is there a third option here that no one is considering? Also on this call: Vi coming up with a new phrase for SG merch. Drop a comment if you’d buy a shirt that says “Fuck your sandwich” on it.

1:17:47
This caller has a bone to pick with religious people who say “I’ll pray for you” during difficult times. He says it’s always done in a predatory and coercive way, a symptom of broader religious overreach. Eric shares his perspective and how he’s chosen to view the offending platitude, while Vi calls out Christians for disrespecting boundaries in all areas of their culture.

___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: http://tiny.cc/SG22Merch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: https://tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Vi is hosting Skeptic Generation solo for the first time! What kinds of conversations do you want to have? Call them at 585-526-8774 or https://tiny.cc/callSG.
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Vi Is Flying Solo
06:05 - How Do You Argue The Tri-Omni God? - Nick (he/him) - TN
22:26 - What Is Identity? - Ottoa (they/them) - AUS
31:23 - Caller Has Proof of an “Unmoved Mover” - John (he/him) - WA
51:57 - Theist Admits The Crucifixion Was Morally Wrong - Gohan (N/A) - TX
1:20:12 - What Are Your Moral Imperatives? - Phoenix (they/them) - TN
1:29:03 - Superchats

06:05
Debating Christians is fun online, but when you’re dealing with family and friends, should you be trying to steelman their positions? This caller is wondering how to break down traditional arguments for God in a way that challenges theists to change their beliefs. Vi is skeptical that this is a more effective scenario in all cases.

22:26
How does identity get used in the otherkin community, and how does it differ from things like gender identity? This caller was part of last week’s roster and their call cut out, so they finish up the conversation this week.

31:23
This theist caller has a (very long) syllogism to prove an “unmoved mover” aka God. He walks Vi through it, but Vi has concerns upon reaching the conclusion. Primarily: the claim is that an immaterial thing can change material things. Is that possible? Isn’t this just a category error in sheep’s clothing?

52:57
Repeat theist caller Gohan wants to discuss the existence of Absolute Morality: a moral standard without ifs, ands, or buts. Vi walks through a few examples of Gohan’s version of Absolute Morality and… it turns out that killing for the greater good is always wrong. Even in the case of the crucifixion. Vi’s head may explode just a little bit.

1:20:12
What are Vi’s moral imperatives (if any)? Vi gives their two cents, but the conversation quickly dives into the problem of consequence: what happens to people who disobey Vi’s moral imperative? Do they drown in their giant coffee mug? Are they forced to watch Star Trek for all eternity? The question remains: Can we determine moral imperatives for anyone but ourselves?
___________________
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Do you think Jesus is still alive? You're wrong but we're willing to hear you out. Call us at 585-526-8774 or https://tiny.cc/callSG.
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - We Try This Again (Don’t Ask)
04:36 - Can Atheists Believe In Heaven? - Justin (he/him) - NY
11:13 - Do We Have a Stigma Around Death? - Casper (he/him) - NL
21:49 - Bigotry in the Bahai Faith? - Connor (he/him) - TX
41:40 - Pascal’s Wager, But For Climate Change? - Gabe (he/him) - MO
56:11 - Jesus Was An Anarchist? - Phoebe (she/her) - MA
1:13:05 - Can You Really Attack Ideas and Not People? - Drew (he/him) - AZ

04:36
Can atheists believe in an afterlife? This caller, who considers himself a “super atheist,” wants to know the hosts’ thoughts. The verdict: Not only do many atheists believe in an afterlife, Vi posits that religion is not even necessary to get to that conclusion. Eric pushes back on that last bit.

11:13
Does how we view death as a society cause us to act selfishly when it comes to matters of autonomy and decisions to end one’s own life? Is death always bad, are there biological reasons we cling to the idea that it is, and how does this conflict with ideas of autonomy? This is a bit of a heavy one, so watch at your own pace.

21:49
Repeat theist caller Connor calls back, initially wanting to talk about persecution of Bahai individuals in other countries. Eric and Vi redirect the conversation back to the last call, asking if Connor had done any additional introspection on issues of progressive revelation or the inerrancy of scripture. Finally, Vi gives an ultimatum: next time Connor calls in, he has to talk about what made him think his faith is true.

41:40
Can you use Pascal’s Wager for things besides apologetics, and are there cases where it might actually be useful? This caller uses climate change as an example, and Vi gets super excited to graph it out. Meanwhile, the hosts have a bit of a miscommunication around the “is” and the “ought” of the classic argument.

56:11
Was Jesus an anarchist? This caller, a Christian anarchist, thinks so. The hosts are intrigued. “What does Christian anarchy bring to the world that just Christianity and just anarchy don’t?” they ask. The caller says she believes the shared mythology is the point, and Vi agrees. Eric is aghast.

If you want more information about the book Vi references, you can find “The Dawn of Everything” by David Graeber and David Wengrow here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374157357/thedawnofeverything

1:13:05
This caller thinks that it’s impossible to attack ideas and not attack people. According to him, people are their ideas, so attacking one by definition attacks the other. Vi has issues with the use of the word “attack” and Eric is unconvinced by the greater claim: are people inextricably linked with their ideas?
___________________
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Eric Is Irrationally Angry About Circles | Skeptic Generation | Episode 33 Season 2


It has finally happened. Eric has finally had enough with the incessant nitpicking about the roundness of circles and people are going to pay.

In other news, give us a call! We'd love to hear about what you believe and why. If it is about circles though, it isn't going to go well for you.

Call us at 585-526-8774 or https://tiny.cc/callSG.
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro
01:35 - Eric Needs to Talk About Circles
15:20 - Do Christians Have Double Standards? - Philip (he/him) - OK
31:03 - Does Ending Life Cause Suffering? - Nick (he/him) - TN
46:46 - Platforming vs Censorship: Where Does It End? - Jack (he/him) - CA
1:03:25 - Is The Universe Determinist? - Phillip (he/him) - CA
1:13:05 - Muslim Counter Apologetics? - Cameron (he/him) - MN
1:21:44 - Superchats

00:00
Intro

01:35
Eric drops about twenty F-bombs in the first ten minutes of the show because people don’t understand circles. Yes, this is how he normally is. Vi leads everyone in some deep calming breaths afterwards because… wow.

15:20
This caller wants to talk about the double standards Christians have around watching movies with violence in them versus movies with, erm, spicy scenes. Vi gives some insight into their own childhood experiences as a fundamentalist Christian.

31:03
What starts off as a vegan call ends with an argument that the Flood of Noah was actually merciful? What? Vi and Eric walk through the implications of suffering, environmentalism and the factory farming industry, anti-natalism, and the pros and cons of the Thanos Snap in this very interesting but unexpected conversation.

46:46
We’re all upset by the Far Right trying to censor things, but what about the Left saying that platforming problematic individuals is a bad idea? Is that hypocrisy? The hosts clarify their own positions on platforming and censorship, and push back on the idea that educated people are less censorious.

If you’re interested in hearing a good take on the free speech and censorship debate, check out Tom Nicholas’s video on Elon Musk’s attempted acquisition of Twitter here: https://youtu.be/79pS5OXKTkU

Also, lest this was not hit upon hard enough in this episode, please look up what Marilyn Manson has been credibly accused of in recent years: https://youtu.be/Ja-UFvajEHc

1:03:25
If we don’t actually have free will, can we really blame or praise anyone for anything they do? This caller explains why his belief in determinism calms him down in traffic, which is an intriguing idea to the hosts. Eric says his way of empathizing with reckless drivers is to assume they just need to poop really badly. Hey, whatever works to keep your head level!

1:13:05
How do you successfully counter Muslim apologetics? This caller has a coworker who he’s been engaging in theological discussions with, and is looking for some help. The hosts suggest he watch some ex-Muslim activists and debaters for a good, informed approach to this conversation.

If you’re interested in expanding your counter apologetics viewing diet, here are some ex-Muslim content creators you can check out (please leave your recommendations for others in the comments!):

Zara Kay: https://www.youtube.com/c/ZaraKay
Apostate Prophet: https://www.youtube.com/c/ApostateProphet

1:21:44
Superchats
___________________
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Apparently there is a group of Evangelical Christian furries out there who are worried about being judged... for disliking LGTBQ+ folks.

Read the article here: https://onlysky.media/hemant-mehta/ev...

We know we have questions. Do you? Call us at 585-526-8774 or https://tiny.cc/callSG.
_________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Vi Needs to Talk About Christian Homophobic Furries
13:08 - Is Having Kids Selfish? - Phillip (he/him) - CA
30:50 - Theist Says Misogyny is OK - Dale (she/her) - TX
49:32 - Can You Practice Astrology As A Skeptic? - Joshua (he/him) - NC
1:05:48 - Should the Human Race Continue? - Wolfos (he/him) - TX
1:12:47 - Anti-Natalism Counterargument - Ami (she/her) - CAN

00:00
Vi goes on a bit of a rant about the Christian Furry Fellowship, a group of Evangelicals who are worried that being anti-gay will get them doxxed by their fellow furries. The burning question is: How are they justifying being furries while maintaining their anti-gay stances? Doesn’t that cause massive amounts of cognitive dissonance? Also, Vi gets educated on the furry community by the comments!

13:08
Is having children a bad thing? This caller is trying to figure out if their anti-natalism argument makes sense, and wants the hosts’ opinions. Eric engages with his own doubts about the topic and how to make sense of the logic of it, and Vi prompts him to dig beyond the biological instinct to survive.

30:50
This Baha’i caller tries to explain that her religion is not misogynist… by defending misogyny. The hosts are not having any of it, and Vi gets especially hot under the collar after their questions about progressive revelation are dodged. How can you call yourself a feminist and actively defend a system that restricts womens’ access to power?

49:32
What do the hosts think about practicing astrology while denying the idea that the stars can impact our day-to-day lives? Is it irresponsible? Or is it harmless fun? The answer, it turns out, is a bit more complicated than that. Eric discusses the need for transparency and education, and Vi encourages the caller to make sure he is exercising a consistent logical framework.

1:05:48
Repeat caller Wolfos calls in for the first time in a while. After hearing the hosts discuss anti-natalism with the previous caller, he is grappling with the question: should humanity exist at all? Vi cautions that even though their personal philosophy leads to anti-natalism, discussion of limiting procreation of others has been used to perpetuate eugenics in the past.

1:12:47 Continuing with the anti-natalist theme of the week, this caller wants to defend humanity’s right to continue existing as a link in the greater evolutionary chain. But how does one make this argument knowing how detrimental humans have been to the evolution of other species? And should we be arguing against human flourishing or against capitalism?
_________________
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Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
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We toss around the word "skeptic" a lot, but what does that mean? Are climate skeptics the same? If you consider yourself a different kind of skeptic, we want to hear about it! Call us at 585-526-8774 or https://tiny.cc/callSG.

___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Eric Needs to Talk About Skepticism
14:06 - What Are The Precepts of Skepticism? - Mark (he/him) - CA
18:52 - What Are Extraordinary Claims? - Rae (they/them) - UK
43:15 - Calling Out Christian Hypocrisy - John (he/him) - LA
1:00:02 - Are Christians the Real Lizard People? - Ameet (he/him) - NY
1:14:03 - Should We “Identify” as Skeptics? - Micaiah (he/them) - TX

00:00
Eric wants to discuss what skepticism actually is, and what it is not. Why do some conspiracy theorists gravitate toward the term “skeptic” and how do we distance ourselves from outrageous claims?

14:06
Why don’t people understand the burden of proof, the null hypothesis, and Occam's razor? This caller laments the lack of skepticism in the general population, and the hosts suggest having a large skeptical demographic may not be in the best interest of the powerful.

18:52
This call starts with a Hitch quote and ends with a discussion on whether or not aliens have sent UFOs to earth. Eric gets a bee in his bonnet about the caller’s willingness to put extraterrestrial life as a viable option for unexplained events. Vi sees a middle ground.

43:15
This theist caller has been hanging out with atheists on Sundays, and has been seeing things differently than he used to. He addresses what he sees as hypocrisy in the Church, especially around the idea of who can be saved and what a “true Christian” even is. Vi and Eric give this guy two thumbs up!

1:00:02
Why is it a conspiracy theory to say that lizard people are taking over the government, but NOT a conspiracy theory to suggest that Christian Nationalists are? This caller wants to know how to best hold himself accountable and avoid falling into a conspiracy mindset. Vi points out that the problem with conspiracy theories is not the claim itself, but rather the method used to get to said claim.

1:14:03
Is skepticism a tool, an identity, or both? This caller wants to know if identifying as a “skeptic” is a good thing to do. Eric emphasizes the value of viewing your epistemology as a tool rather than a personality trait, while Vi explains the potential pros and cons of using labels to find community online.
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

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This may be an interesting episode of Skeptic Generation. Due to the horrors of the US healthcare system, both Eric and Vi are off their meds and probably about to get a little spicy. Join for the fun, stay for the pandemonium. Call 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG to talk with us.
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - New Camera, Can You Tell?
06:04 - Vi & Eric Fight - Javier (he/him) - PR
29:08 - Theist Contradicts Himself Over and Over - Connor (he/him) - TX
1:09:44 - How To Accommodate Neurodivergence - Sal (she/they) - OH

06:04
If all laws are based on our moral standards, why are we uniquely upset when Christians try to inflict their morality on our laws? This caller wants to highlight a double standard, but ends up inciting a claws-out debate between the hosts on whether laws are actually moral at all. Don’t worry, your dads fight like this sometimes but they still love you very much.

29:08
Repeat theist caller Connor tries to explain why his faith does not grant full equality to women, and Vi is NOT having it. Buckle up, because this is a long call full of contradictions and checkmates that highlight just how duplicitous even a “progressive” religion can be.

1:09:44
This caller wants to talk about the line between explaining and accommodating differences in society, be they related to mental health or gender identity. The call got a little lost in the weeds, and we definitely want to highlight some terminology used during the conversation.

Asperger’s as a diagnosis is no longer in use, as we now understand it to be under the umbrella of ASD. Learn more about this diagnosis’s history and use in Nazi Germany here: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-05112-1

Also, “high-functioning” and “low-functioning” are now understood to be inaccurate and even harmful terms when discussing autistic individuals. Check out more here: https://planningacrossthespectrum.com/blog/why-stop-using-functioning-labels/

Finally, in case you’re interested, a non-cis gender identity is not a form of neurodivergence. Thank you and goodnight!
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
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Today is a good day to remember what religious extremism can do to people. Watch this instead of war propaganda reruns. Call 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG to talk with us. Also, Moco makes an extended appearance on this episode, so you will see lots of cute fluffy cat butt.
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - 3000 Deaths
02:54 - Can You Consent to Exist? - Ian (he/him) - NC
17:39 - Bodily Autonomy vs Harm Reduction - Ale (she/her) - WA
35:22 - Islam and Social Justice - Sajid (he/him) - CAN
47:28 - Should We Tolerate Bad Beliefs? - Chris (he/him) - SCT
1:06:30 - What Is Religious Extremism? - Rich (he/him) - WA
1:19:52 - Superchats


02:54
Did Vi contradict themself in their anti-natalist argument? This caller thinks they might have. Vi and Eric mess around with the philosophy of their positions versus the practical, day-to-day approach. Can both coexist? Did Vi, in fact, get it wrong?

17:39
Can you hold both bodily autonomy and harm reduction as moral values? What happens when they contradict each other? This ex-Catholic caller is wondering if there’s a silver bullet, or if it’s always going to be this complicated to figure out? Vi has some bad news for her.

35:22
A Muslim caller speaks against Islamic extremism and represents a Sufi perspective. Eric challenges him on his beliefs, and why his perspective is the correct one. Vi gets excited about their experiences with Sufi mystic poetry.

If you are interested in checking out some of this poetry, visit this website: https://www.rumi.org.uk/poetry/

47:28
Repeat caller Chris returns to ask if we should tolerate people with bad beliefs in society. Vi emphasizes the difference between tolerating people versus tolerating their beliefs, and Eric says that mockery and making fun of bad ideas will always be a valuable tool. Chris agrees, after all, mockery got him out of his own bad beliefs.

1:06:30
What is religious extremism, and how do we identify the beginnings of it in others? Vi offers a broad-scale cultural perspective, while Eric gets right down to brass tacks and talks about the day-to-day political and social identifiers of religious extremism.
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
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Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Did you know Dennis Prager also has a call-in show? Where he disses kids? It looks lonely, maybe we should try calling him sometime. In the meantime, we'd love to talk to you! Call 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG to share why you believe what you believe.

___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Vi Goes Solo
07:31 - Should the Government Exist? - Steven (N/A) - NY
22:06 - A Step-by-Step Guide To Building A Moral Argument Against Christians - Nick (he/him) - TN
54:28 - Would You Trust A Theist Scientist? - Joe (he/him) - KS
1:13:02 - A Little Story with a Twist at the End - Alias (he/him) - WY
1:22:08 - Superchats

00:00
Vi is hosting solo today, and has a little rant about Dennis Prager prepared. The founder of PragerU dislikes motivational quotes for kids, and claims that children don’t make the world a better place. An odd stance, especially for such an extreme anti-choice advocate!

07:31
A social democrat and an anarchist walk into a bar… is the punchline for a very tedious joke full of words that mean nothing to the general population. Vi discusses their preference for anarchism and debates with a social democrat about the pros and cons of government, unions, and democracy.

22:06
How do you convince a Christian that you’re moral? Repeat caller Nick wants help constructing an argument defending atheistic morals to Christians in his life. Vi and the caller walk step by step through an argument for a moral system based on autonomy, consent, and harm reduction rather than a religiously-based moral structure. If you’ve ever had a conversation with a theist friend, family member, or co-worker about where morals come from, this is a good primer to get you on the right track!

54:28
Theist caller Joe asks if it’s fair to call Christians wilfully ignorant or stupid? What about the very many real scientists who also believe God created everything? Would you consider them stupid? Vi points out the nuance in this conversation, and explains how to approach experts with different theological frameworks than your own.

1:13:02
Should this caller have left his ex’s boyfriend in the dark about whether or not the kid is his? Join Vi and the caller for a rather odd little storytime session to end the show as they ask themselves: “Should you let someone live a happy lie or tell the truth and ruin things?”
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

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While Vi took calls last week, Eric was sick in bed, cheering them on; but this week he's back in the saddle and ready to talk!

Do you believe in UFOs, astral projections, mental telepathy, ESP, clairvoyance, spirit photography, telekinetic movement, full trance mediums, the Loch Ness monster and the theory of Atlantis? Call 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG and tell us why!
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Eric Is A Smarmy A$$hole?
12:24 - Finding Belonging as a Black Atheist - Sourfruit (she/her) - CAN
30:58 - Are Trans Teachers Appropriate? - Joe (he/him) - KS
47:25 - Should “LGBTQIA+” Include Straight People? - Kay (he/him) - N/A
1:05:23 - How Should I Address Subtle Transphobia? - Ameet (he/him) - NY
1:18:34 - Superchats

00:00
Eric is back after a mental health break… to a damning email from a not-so-fan. We are called out for being cheeseballs, as cringey as the Kardashians, and generally awful, self-absorbed hosts. What a great way to kick off our Sunday.

12:24
This caller is experiencing some isolation at the intersection of being Black and atheist. Eric empathizes with her feelings of disconnectedness, and Vi provides their understanding of the unique loss of community faced by Black atheists in North America. If you are struggling with similar feelings, check out the resources below:

Black Nonbelievers: https://blacknonbelievers.org/
The Hotline Project: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/

30:58
Repeat theist caller Joe has a question about a recent “scandal” about a trans teacher. What do the hosts think about the issue? Vi lays out the problem as they see it, explaining transmisogyny and how women’s bodies are subjected to scrutiny regularly, especially teachers.

47:25
Why do we need to focus on minority groups? Why do we put people into separate categories? Why can’t straight people get included in the category of GRSM? This caller seems confused about what value communal identities have for oppressed people, so Vi does their best to explain.

Note for those with a post-101 understanding of this stuff: We use the term “straight” on this call as a shorthand for “cishetero allosexual.” Heterosexual trans people, for example, still fall under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella.

1:05:23
How do you address someone’s subtle transphobia in a way that is effective but doesn’t overstep or speak for others? This is a great question, and Vi and Eric have differing opinions about it. Vi explains their willingness to believe the best about their interlocutor, but Eric fully supports being an asshole to make a point!
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
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Seriously, is there a single situation where faith is preferred over evidence? If you have a case for faith, we want to hear it!

You can contact us toll-free at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG and tell us why!
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - What Is Faith Good For?
05:34 - Losing My Trust In God’s Plan - Lisa (she/her) - CO
22:07 - Theist Claims We All Have Faith - JB (he/him) - CO
1:09:33 - Muslim Caller Has Subjective Evidence for God - Sajid (he/him) - CAN

05:34
This caller is trying to figure out what is stopping her from deconverting. Where does her fear lie? At first she thought it was the fear of Hell, but more and more she is realizing: it’s the realization that there may not be a Plan or a Purpose for everything. What advice do the hosts have for someone grappling with this feeling of insecurity?

22:07
We may have a new pre-sup theist caller! At least, that’s where this argument seems to be going. Do we all have faith? Is there such a thing as a truly evidence-based worldview? Are all of Eric’s arguments inescapably circular? Eric gets riled up and calls BS.

1:09:33
Repeat Muslim caller Sajid wants to dive into evidence for unseen beings and miracles. He appeals to both subjective and objective evidence. Vi breaks down the difference between the two. Can subjective experiences become stronger through corroboration? What happens when two people’s subjective experiences contradict each other? How about contradictory experiences of God?
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
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Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Eric is getting a WHAT?! | Skeptic Generation | Episode 41 Season 2



It's one thing to see fundamentalist religious zealots on the news, it's another to live in the line of fire. Here in Austin Texas, we've realized that we need to take action!

Religion has NO place in government, prove us wrong. If there's a good argument for why religion should motivate law, give us a call toll-free at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG and tell us why!

___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - TMI, Eric!
06:49 - Are the Polys OK? - Steven (N/A) - NY
22:08 - Repeat Muslim Caller Admits He Has Doubts - Sajid (he/him) - CAN
36:52 - Theist Caller Makes Vi Call For a Timeout - Connor (he/him) - TX
55:37 - Can Theists Be Skeptics? - Mike (he/him) - MA
1:09:56 - Balancing Skepticism and Open Mindedness - Nathan (he/him) - AUS
1:20:30 - A Perfect Ending To This Episode - Steven (he/him) - AZ
1:26:01 - Superchats

00:00
Eric is getting snipped this upcoming week and will be sharing all the gorey (or not so gorey) details next Sunday. In the meantime, consider this your motivation to be proactive about protecting the reproductive rights of those around you… whatever that looks like for you!

06:49
Why does a secular society still judge polyamory as being wrong or icky? Even as new legislation makes it safer to pursue poly relationships, it is important that we dig deep and ask ourselves: “What about this is making me uncomfortable, and is there a good reason for it?”

Check out the ruling discussed on this call here: https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/10/new-york-judge-rules-favor-polyamorous-relationships/

22:08
Our repeat Muslim caller Sajid calls in with what Christians would call a “crisis of faith.” Some things just aren’t adding up about his religion, and he is finding it harder and harder to ignore these incongruencies. Eric and Vi listen and affirm the discomfort he finds himself in, and encourage him to be gentle with himself and call back as he has questions.

If you or a loved one is struggling with leaving a religion, you don’t have to do so by yourself! Contact Recovering from Religion by visiting this link: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/

36:52
Our repeat theist caller Connor is back, this time with a seemingly innocuous conversation starter… that seems to completely contradict his statements on previous calls. Vi calls a timeout and confronts this discrepancy, getting increasingly irritated as Connor fails to sufficiently explain his position. Perhaps next week?

Do you think Connor was contradicting himself? Watch his previous calls to determine for yourself:

- Theist Contradicts Himself Over and Over: https://youtu.be/k-nPFWve510
- Theist Defends Contradictions in Holy Texts: https://youtu.be/7ZSYLuGNbw8

55:37
What happens when two skeptics reach different conclusions? What if one of them believes that praying for rain will help a drought? This caller is concerned that maybe he is doing skepticism wrong because he has failed to be convinced of God’s existence. Eric and Vi reassure him and give him pointers to talk to skeptical theist friends and family members.

1:09:56
We’re going to be honest, this one baffled us just a bit. This caller wants to discuss the convergence of skepticism and open mindedness: how do the two intersect? Should we be more worried about being one than the other? Eric encourages him to call back with specific examples in order to get to the meat of the problem.

If you’re interested in checking out Andrew Newberg and his work in the field of neurotheology, you can find his books here: http://www.andrewnewberg.com/all-books

1:20:30
A warm note to end the episode on, a returning caller thanks Eric and Vi for modeling skepticism and how to have compassionate and effective conversations with others. It was, it turns out, exactly what the hosts needed to hear this week.

___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
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Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

In the modern day, we don't often see punishments so strict that they could be passed down to their children. This week however, we got to see one!

Do you have any examples of supernatural curses in your life? Do you believe any group in particular has been singled out divinely for protection or punishment? If so, this is the weekend to tell us! You can call us toll-free at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG and tell us why!

___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Eric got a vasectomy and Alex Jones got emasculated!
06:34 - Nick (he/him) - TN - What about Christians who don’t believe in hell?
20:35 - Sphinx (he/him) - TN - This might be uncomfortable to listen to.
29:53 - Steven (he/him) - AZ - Our society is set up for secular curses
37:53 - Kay (he/him) - Nowhere - Is identity politics empowering prejudice?
01:01:00 - Seb (they/them) - CAN - Abusing empathy
01:13:23 - Chris (he/him) - SCT - Does ableism empower treating people as less than human?
01:23:45 - End of show

00:00 - Intro - Eric got a vasectomy and Alex Jones got emasculated!
What does it mean for society when a jury finds someone liable for nearly a BILLION dollars? Eric has some opinions!

06:34 - Nick (he/him) - TN - What about Christians who don’t believe in hell?
Nick was blindsided during a conversation with a Christian friend who doesn’t believe in hell! Eric takes a moment to point out that not all denominations believe in hell, which makes listening so very important. But now down to brass tacks, could a god me morally palatable if hell is off the table?


20:35 - Sphinx (he/him) - TN - This might be uncomfortable to listen to.
Sphinx took the opportunity to talk about a very painful subject for Eric today… literally! In the wake of the supreme court’s decisions, getting a vasectomy is a good option for those who can get them! Eric answers some questions about his experience in the hopes of making it a little less scary for others.

29:53 - Steven (he/him) - AZ - Our society is set up for secular curses
Steven points out that a curse doesn’t need to be supernatural. From the legal system to one’s own family, the impact of a person’s decisions can have lasting repercussions even after their death. That said, we shouldn’t view the children as guilty, but the punishments of their parents being carried out.

37:53 - Kay (he/him) - Nowhere - Is identity politics empowering prejudice?
Kay wanted to ask some pretty tough questions today about Eric’s ethnicity. What are the costs and benefits of embracing your ethnicity? What about your beliefs? Would abandoning them get the world closer to peace, or would it simply empower bigotry?

01:01:00 - Seb (they/them) - CAN - Abusing empathy
Seb hit close to home today with Eric. Churches often depend on other people to be the bigger person, in order to control them. This isn’t just a religious problem though. Those who have endured this kind of abuse often are left with learned trauma responses that need to be unlearned as adults. We need to remember that we deserve our boundaries, and that it isn’t selfish to let people own their own bad behavior.

01:13:23 - Chris (he/him) - SCT - Does ableism empower treating people as less than human?
Chris wants to talk about the way ableism is still a big conversation that we as a society have to engage in! They both discuss the importance of education and normalization to break down the “othering” that happens around neurodivergence, mobility, and more.
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
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Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Vi is back and Eric should be held accountable for his actions... Where is the limit for free speech, civil suits, and how long should we wait to celebrate the downfall of shitty people?

From conspiracies and conspiracy mongers to the existence of God and the supernatural, we want to know if you believe any of it is true and why! You can join the conversation toll-free at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG and tell us why!
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Eric Explains Himself
12:52 - Is Less Religion Better? - Sajid (he/him) - CAN
30:02 - Vi Dumbfounds Eric with Logic - Jim (he/him) - OH
37:22 - Can You Have Autonomy and Free Will? - Nick (he/him) - TN
56:09 - Should I Stay a Christian? - John (he/him) - LA
1:08:02 - Is It Better to Be Happy or Right? - David (he/him) - NC
1:21:56 - Will My Halloween Ritual Hurt Me? - Sakura (she/they) - NY

00:00
Is Eric a sadist for enjoying watching Alex Jones and his family suffer? Or worse, is he being illogical? Some of you have said so, but how does he defend himself against these accusations?

12:52
Repeat Muslim caller Sajid wants to draw attention to the violent patriarchal systems being done in the name of Islam. The hosts discuss the Iranian hijab protests and how they got started, and commend Sajid for calling out members of his own religion for doing harm.

Watch our last conversation with Sajid here: https://youtu.be/MSo2bia_HCw

Book recommendations from Sajid’s conversation:

The Trouble with Islam by Irshad Manji: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781429906937/thetroublewithislam

Red, White, and Muslim by Asma Gull Hasan:
https://www.harpercollins.com/products/red-white-and-muslim-asma-gull-hasan?variant=32205450084386

30:02
This caller agrees with Eric’s statements about the Alex Jones case, but takes it even farther. If Hell existed, he’d be happy to send Alex Jones there. Eric is uncomfortable with this position. Vi nails a point that leaves Eric reeling for the next several calls.

37:22
Is free will necessary for autonomy to be valuable? Vi defends their position that a deterministic universe would not negate the value of autonomy as a moral good. They also come up with the term “spicy determinism” that you can be sure will make future appearances in this broadcast.

56:09
This theist caller still believes in God and Jesus, but is debating whether or not to keep calling himself a Christian. The term, he says, has been hijacked by political extremists and he doesn’t want to be associated with them. Vi and Eric disagree on what next steps for this caller would look like.

1:08:02
Eric lays down some hard truths when it comes to the question about whether it’s better to be happy or to be right. The answer? Healthy boundaries! Meanwhile Vi comes for Boomer comedy.

If you are curious about secular alternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous, please follow the caller’s advice and check out SMART Recovery: ​​https://www.smartrecovery.org/

1:21:56
Repeat pagan caller Sakura is about to do their first Samhain (Halloween) ritual, and is a little scared. What advice (if any) do the hosts have for them as they start exploring this new process? Vi describes their own approach to rituals and reassures the caller that they are not in any spiritual danger, no matter what happens.

You can listen to our last conversation with Sakura here: https://youtu.be/6A0Adt_9qsU
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: http://tiny.cc/SG22Merch
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Join us after the show on Discord: https://tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

With Halloween just around the corner, let's talk about what it means to celebrate a holiday. As Christians Vi and Eric were told that celebrating Halloween was tantamount to pagan idolatry. As atheists, they still hear many nonbelievers spouting the same lines!

Does celebrating a holiday require one to believe in the supernatural? If you think so, or have an argument against holidays like Christmas and Halloween, we want to hear why! You can call us toll-free at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG . We're ready to listen.

___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Are atheists still harboring religious prejudices?
05:24 - Well that was anticlimactic - Kendall (he/him) GA
07:59 - What is EVIL anyway? Sajid (he/him) CAN
19:15 - “I’ve change my mind” - Jim (he/him) OH
25:16 - God ‘s got some ‘splaining to do! Sajid (he/him) CAN - Part 2
48:43 - When is violence justified? - Austin (he/him/they/them) MD
01:01:10 - It’s too many holidays! - Steven (he/him) AZ
01:15:54 - You should be a sexy cat - Sakura (she/they) NY
01:23:44 - The supernatural solution - John (he/him) PA

00:00
With Halloween a day away, Eric wants to hear what objections non believers have to celebrating holidays.

5:24
It isn’t every day we get such an eager troll! Unlike most other trolls, Kendall shot off just a little too prematurely and got dropped before introductions could even be finished… How embarrassing for him! We at Skepgen have often found enlightening discussions with even dishonest interlocutors, but callers like Kendall can’t help but leave their conversation partners … disappointed.

07:59
Frequent caller Sajid shares with us how he as a Muslim enjoys Halloween too! Eric and Sajid quickly find their way down a rabbit hole when Sajid mentions that he believes in evil, but what is evil? If we should believe that evil comes from a place or person, we should first seek to understand if that concept even makes sense! Unfortunately due to a poor connection, they need to cut their conversation short.

19:15
Jim has watched his last call and realized that he doesn’t want to be the kind of person to wish others suffering, no matter how bad they are. Eric shares that he’s also on a similar journey of self discovery, and that it’s admirable for someone like Jim to change their mind after re-watching the show. To see Jim’s first call, here’s a link!
https://youtu.be/6B5aeAyAuf4?t=1805

25:16
Sajid is back with a good connection! This time we’re facing the problem of evil directly! Sajid recognizes that abuse isn’t undone by reward afterward, and that a loving god still needs to answer for the suffering in the world. He also concedes just how scary it is if there’s no divine purpose, and that is seriously admirable. Even though these conversations are uncomfortable, we seriously respect the mental and emotional labor Sajid is putting in.

48:43
Austin hits Eric with an impossible question right out the gate: When is violent resistance justified? Given current events in the US, it feels ever more prudent to ask! Eric does his best to summarize his understanding of violent resistance, but concedes that he can’t nor shouldn’t be the arbiter of when it is called for. We must listen to the needs of the marginalized, and recognize the context that surrounds political violence.

As an aside, if supporting LGBTQ rights and safety is a problem for you as a viewer, we encourage you to find another channel, because it isn’t changing here.

01:01:10
Do federal holidays tacitly endorse one religion over another? Steven calls in to ask if the government should really be in the business of mandating holidays. This might be a little extreme until we take into account the massive amount of cultural holidays celebrated around the world! Can we as a society walk this tightrope?

01:15:54
Holidays don’t just evolve through generations. Over the course of a lifetime, the same holiday can change exactly what and who we celebrate. Eric and Sakura agree that whether it’s food, presents, or the chance to be a sexy cat, any excuse you can make to live your best life is worth it.

01:23:44
Does AA have a problem with cognitive dissonance? If Alcoholics Anonymous views alcoholism as an illness, should a supernatural solution be the first place we go for a cure? Eric points out that for those who believe in the supernatural, it’s understandable. Even though it can seem rational to a believer, rationality isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

________

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
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Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Reading the comments last week, it sounds like people have had a LOT to say! What is a ritual? Does a ritual need to have a supernatural component? If it doesn't, does the word become meaningless?

And then there's the topic of violence. When is violence called for when facing oppression? This call last week sparked a hot debate about whether or not it can EVER be the correct answer. What do you think?

If you disagree with the host or callers, we want to hear about it. You can call us toll-free at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG . We're ready to listen.
________

Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
Buy our new Class of ‘22 merch: http://tiny.cc/SG22Merch
Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
Join us after the show on Discord: https://tiny.cc/SGdiscord

To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

That's right! Vi has endured, healed up, and is ready to take your calls! We'd love to talk about what you believe and why, you can call us toll-free at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG. We're ready to listen.
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Technical Difficulties!
09:48 - Is Voting Skeptical? - Mark (he/him) - OH
16:58 - Can Atheists Experience Wonder & Awe? - Mark (he/him) - CA
32:03 - Is Humanism Logical? - Jason (he/him) - TX
49:18 - Did God Defeat My Depression? - Sour Fruit (she/her) - CAN
56:10 - How Should I Weaponize My Atheism? - Mozzie (he/they) - GA
1:17:30 - superchats

09:51
Can you be a skeptic and think that voting works? What is the role of skepticism when it comes to how our country is run and our ability to change things at the ballot box? This caller asks huge (and important) questions but the hosts might be a bit out of their depth…

17:02
Repeat atheopagan caller Mark dials in to ask whether atheists can experience wonder and awe, and why so many atheists seem to be averse to pursuing those feelings intentionally? This conversation touches on the definition of spirituality, the importance of ritual, and whether or not all the tools used by the Church are inherently bad.

32:09
Is it logical to be a humanist in a world full of terrible humans? How do you reconcile with all the bad structural things you’re forced to take part in, if your goal is to be a good person? Can someone who hunts, drives a big truck, and owns an iphone be considered moral by harm reduction standards? Vi provides some practical advice: the four circles of activism.

49:27
This repeat atheist caller is coming out of depression and realizing that, if she had been a less skeptical person, she’d attribute all her progress to God. Why is she thinking more about God now that she’s feeling more hopeful? And what causes people to gravitate towards narratives of supernatural salvation so consistently?

56:09
A great way to end out Vi’s first episode back, this caller is a conversion therapy survivor and ex-Christian who is looking for ways to help the LGBTQ+ folks stuck in abusive religious environments. How should they go to war for their community while prioritizing their own mental health and optimizing impact? The hosts have some ideas!
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
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To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

Vi leads this show solo and reads from their old Christian journal from nine years ago. What was their deconversion process like? Is it similar to yours? Call toll-free at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG to share your story or just vent about the holiday season.
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - Vi Is Solo This Week
02:23 - Can People Choose Their Beliefs? - Javier (he/him) - SC
18:13 - Vi Reads from An Old Deconversion Journal
25:44 - My Family Doesn’t Believe I’m An Atheist - Cameron (he/him) - MN
38:16 - What Kind of Culture Should Atheists Build? - Mark (he/him) - CA
55:53 - Why Is It So Easy to Believe In God? - Steven (he/him) - AZ
1:07:04 - My Friend Thinks God Is Punishing Her… HELP? - Caleb (he/him) - MD
1:15:30 - Jesus Wants Us To Be Mean to Atheists - Jim (he/him) - OH
1:22:16 - How Do I Deal with Street Preachers? - Chris (he/him) - SCT

02:23
Can people choose their beliefs? Vi says that answering “Yes” or “No” are both wrong: this is a “yes, and” situation. People both have the ability to choose what beliefs they strengthen, and are ultimately not in charge of the moment one belief wins out against others. That’s why it’s always dangerous to hold harmful beliefs, even if you don’t act on them.

18:13
Vi has brought an old journal that they wrote almost a decade ago. “The Quest for God” laid out how 20-year-old Vi was struggling with belief, parsing apart what was true and untrue about what they’d been told, and trying to figure out what next steps were. A raw, real moment that hopefully resonated with others.

25:44
This caller is having trouble with his family after coming out as an atheist. They are telling him he’s broken, they are unfollowing him on social media, and generally making him feel unwelcome. They also happen to be in an MLM, which makes things even worse! Vi gives this caller permission to kick these folks out on their ear: “Jesus said to avoid you.”

38:16
Now that atheists are growing as a demographic in the US, what should we be focusing on to make sure we aren’t repeating the problems we are seeing with a Christian majority? Repeat caller Mark is wondering what next steps are, and Vi says something shocking: We need to stop talking about religion.

55:53
This caller points out that God is easy to believe in because the idea of God is so baked into our culture. Vi agrees: this is why apologetics work. You have to believe in God already in order to be convinced by any of the major arguments for God. We need to eradicate the idea of a maximally great God before we can truly be free.

1:07:04
What do you say to someone who is convinced that God is punishing them? Vi points out that it’s actually scarier to imagine that things happen for no reason than to imagine a god is punishing you. At least you’re still kind of the main character, and not just an incidental casualty of the universe. Also, landlords suck.

1:15:30
We talked about some atheists having trouble with their families this episode, but isn’t that exactly what Jesus said to do? Didn’t he tell Christians to desert their families, even end things violently, in order to follow him? Vi once again says “Yes” and “No.” If we’re looking at the historical context of Jesus’s words, he’s actually talking about a political rebellion!

1:22:16
Repeat caller Chris asks how to deal with the street preachers that he’s seeing everywhere. He’s tried reasoning with them and he never makes any progress! Vi says it’s a lost cause to try and debate with them, but what this caller CAN do is make them seem utterly ridiculous.

___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
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To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

We are talking about New Year's resolutions this week, since it's officially December! Call toll-free at 585-526-8774 or tiny.cc/callSG.
___________________
Skeptic Generation is LIVE every Sunday at 11:30am-1:00pm CT
Call on your phone: 585-LA-MURPH (585-526-8774)
Call online: https://tiny.cc/callSG

Love the show?
Become a patron: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG
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Help with our studio: https://tiny.cc/SGwishlist
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To find out more, visit https://www.skepticgeneration.com

No, you read that correctly. This is the last live show of 2022, and we will be going on hiatus after that to figure out what's next for us and for SkepGen.

This episode is a 2.5-hour long extravaganza, with many familiar voices calling in to say hi. We also lifted all previous bans on topics and callers, which makes for some interesting (and heated) conversations before we say goodbye.

If you would like to provide $1/month to support the show as we are on hiatus, please make sure to become a Lifelong Skeptic on our Patreon: https://tiny.cc/donatetoSG

Check out our official “SG Hosts DESTROY Callers!” playlist by visiting our YouTube home page or following this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgAFtcRCck1woYD2zC8z4DePc7m6Q4aH6
___________________
TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES

00:00 - Intro - So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish!
11:07 - Should You Sacrifice Yourself for the Greater Good? - Javier (he/him) - SC
20:45 - Thanks For All You’ve Done! - Steven (he/him) - AZ
26:22 - Should We Be Skeptical of Whiteness? - Steve (N/A) - NY
41:25 - This Vegan Caller Says He’d Eat People! - Chase (he/him) - ID
1:04:54 - Merriam-Webster Is LYING About Christmas?? - Sunny (she/they) - IN
1:12:41 - Would You Ever Eat Engineered Meat? - Chris (he/him) - CA
1:22:19 - Repeat Theist Caller Tries ONE MORE TIME… - Connor (he/him) - TX
1:31:26 - “God Is The Answer!” - Xeno (he/him) - SK
1:54:30 - Secular De-Colonization and Spirituality - Rosy (she/they/it) - CAN
2:05:06 - Another Thank You for the Show - Jim (he/him) - OH
2:09:12 - Should We Start a Santa Claus Religion? - Chris (he/him) - SCT
2:13:11 - What Would Convince You of Miracles? - Dean (he/him) - VA

00:00
Eric and Vi discuss the hiatus, address concerns, and talk through what happens next.

11:07
Repeat caller Javier returns to discuss altruism and self-sacrifice. Are they overrated? Are they actually selfish? Why would someone ever sacrifice themselves for the greater good if we only have one life to live?

20:45
Steven calls in to wish us well and tell the hosts how much the show meant to him. We appreciate it, Steven!

26:22
Repeat atheopagan caller Steve asks about how to approach the social construct of whiteness, especially if you enjoy discovering your own cultural heritage as a white person. Vi points out the validity of the concerns around neo-Pagan use of ancient cultures to promote white supremacy, but insists there is a healthy way to learn about yourself while using that knowledge to help others.

41:25
We lifted the subject ban, and we have our first vegan caller! This conversation gets heated and contains a lot of loaded language and appeals to emotion. The hosts call this out, attempting to steer clear of strawmen while getting to the heart of the issue: are honeybees people too?

1:04:54
A dictionary has a really shocking entry and this caller wants to talk about it! Vi says this call both made and ruined their day at the same time.

1:12:41
Another vegan caller appears, and this time the hosts are asked what their thoughts are on lab-grown meat. Eric and Vi are both down with some test tube chicken, and offer their understanding of why some vegans might still be against it.

1:22:19
Repeat theist caller Connor tries one more time to talk about how he came to his Baha’i faith. Eric points out the difference between “faith” and “trust,” and Vi says that a testimony might be riveting but doesn’t hold the evidence they’re looking for.

1:31:26
Yes, we let him back on. Xeno wants to make sure the hosts have the correct takeaway from their multiple calls with him: “God is the Answer!” To what? Everything, of course! The question remains: will we miss Xeno? Well, if we’re being totally honest… God?

1:54:30
Why do so many people use religion and spirituality as a way to “connect to their culture”? Are there other ways of reaching into the past that are more secular? This caller discusses their own experiences trying to reconnect with their Indigenous culture as a secular person.

2:05:06
Jim calls in to thank the hosts for their time on the show and to offer some suggestions about where they might go next. Thanks, Jim!

2:09:12
Repeat caller Chris from Scotland is wondering if we should ditch Christianity and make a Santa Claus religion instead. He seems nicer than God, anyway. Eric advocates for a non-omniscient deity instead. Vi suggests Hermey the Dentist Elf. Hail Hermey?

2:13:11
Finally, we end on a classic: the argument for God from the existence of miracles. Repeat apologist caller Dean is wondering what would make us believe in miracles, and if those hypothetical miracles would then be good evidence for God? Vi points out that if miracles were proven, they’d no longer be called miracles. Eric gets Dean to admit he hates babies.
___________________

Copyright © 2022 Skeptic Generation. All rights reserved.

-AUDIO WARNING-
The first few minutes of the call with Drew includes an echo. We are able to resolve the echo within a few minutes, but feel free to skip to 3:30 if the echo is unbearable.
Personal friend and fellow YouTuber Drew aka Genetically Modified Skeptic joins the show today! Before we take calls, he shares how he has taken a scholarly approach to trans issues and has been going to bat for the community in responses to seriously bad arguments made by the religious right. Here is a link to the videos that Drew is referring to during the intro. If you haven’t seen them, check them out! They’re fantastic!
https://youtu.be/ABojJ2rW6vA?si=GEOcTJ75tss5FfIA
https://youtu.be/22W7I3yV-NY?si=BTwBYfP9wSxUN2VB

As always, getting the show started came with its technical setbacks, but we were able to get up and rolling for a fantastic show. Here are the timestamps if you’d like to skip to specific calls.


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TIME STAMPS & CALL NOTES 
00:00 - Intro  
03:30 - Drew’s Echo is fixed!
14:58 - Why are there so many denominations? | Ronan (He/Him) - NY
30:33 - How to build interfaith community | Isaiah (He/Him) - South Korea
45:41 - Where do morals come from? | Tug (He/Him) - CAN
55:48 -  Reliability of the Gospels | Phil-oginy (He/Him) - USA
1:06:56 - Atheists shouldn’t cohabitate | Andrew (He/Him) - FL
1:22:48 - Atheism has a branding problem | Brian (He/Him) - CA
1:38:46 - Faith, Community, and Smart Recovery | David
1:56:07 - Understanding our religious neighbors | Connor (He/Him) - VA
2:03:38 - Community building and smart recovery | David (He/Him) - NC
2:10:57 - Superchats

14:58
Ronan was raised in a non-religious household and is really wondering why there are so many denominations even if they are all reading the same bible.
For more resources, we recommend resources like:Dan McCclellan - https://www.youtube.com/@maklelanReligion for Breakfast- https://www.youtube.com/@ReligionForBreakfastDigital Hammurabi- https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalHammurabiAndEsoterica- https://www.youtube.com/@TheEsotericaChannel

32:03
As a believer, Isaiah is finding it harder and harder to connect with fellow religious friends and family. He wants to know, how can a Christian like himself both connect with more hardcore family members as well as find common ground to engage with nonbelievers? Speaking for the show, this is the exact kind of conversation we hope to have and applaud anyone making the effort!
45:41
I don’t think we’re ever going to get away from questions like what is morality, but at least we can do it serving Kant! In this call, Tug wants to know just how we develop morals and why. We ask ourselves, do we need a transcendent lawgiver to ground our morality? Does objective morality exist? Let us know what you think in the comments!
55:48
Stepping back from the narrative, how much can actually be taken from biblical scholarship? What about secondary sources? Lets talk about what we have, what we want, and what we can hope for!
1:06:56
Andrew thinks that atheists should still wait until marriage to live together. We talk about taboos against divorce, the positives of living together, and what that means with data from religious sources.
1:22:48
Brian sees a shift in the way atheists have talked about themselves in the last 20 years, and thinks a new label would be helpful. Drew has wondered about how useful it could be, and Eric shares the shameful history of atheist rebranding.
1:38:46
John has been on the path to deconstruction for a few months now, and has a few questions. Eric and Drew chime in on reading the room, setting boundaries, and atheist evangelism.
1:56:07
Connor wants to talk about the nature of discourse with religious folks. Drew talks about how our history informs our approach and how former believers have an easier time understanding the other side. Eric talks about respecting people vs respecting ideas.
2:03:38
David follows up to John’s call about secular community building and resources for recovery that don't rely on a higher power. You can learn more by going to smartrecovery.org
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