Episode 32: The Non-Religious Majority, America and Israel, Guy P. Harrison Interview

Episode 32 is now available, discussing: a recent survey suggesting Britain now has a non-religious majority, America’s special relationship with Israel and Israel’s social/economic problem with their orthodox population, and an airing of Daniel’s interview with Guy P. Harrison, author of the book, “50 Reasons People Give for Believing in a God.”

Harrison has given us three copies of the book to be given out to readers who write in to us explaining why you do or don’t believe in a God. Use the “Contact” link above to enter and thanks for listening!

Hosts: Chris Thielen, Tom Beasley, Robin Marie, Samuel Won

 Episode 32: The Non-Religious Majority, America and Israel, Guy P. Harrison Interview [58:52] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1036)

Win a free copy of “50 reasons people give for believing in a god”!

As you may remember from Episode 25 of our show, we interviewed Guy P. Harrison, author of “50 reasons people give for believing in a god.” He has sent us 2 copies of the book, and we are giving them away via an email contest!

Email us via the “contact” link and answer the following question in 500 words or less.

What was the most compelling reason you used to believe in a god, and what changed your mind?

We will post our 2 favorite answers to this blog award both of them a free copy of “50 reasons people give for believing in a god.”

Please remember to leave us a contact email to get back to you if you win. All entries must be received by Dec 31., 2010 at 12PM.

Episode 25: Qur’an Burning, Religiosity vs Prosperity, an Interview with Guy P. Harrison

The disgusting suggestion that the Qur’an should be burned in protest on 9/11 is discussed, as is the prospect of higher prosperity among non-theists, and our very own Daniel sits down for an interview with author Guy P. Harrison, who wrote 50 Reasons People Give For Believing in a God and has a new book out entitled Race and Reality.

Listen below and let us know what you think using the comments section or using the Contact link at the top of the page, we try to respond to all feedback directly, and thanks!

 Episode 25 [1:01:38] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (261)

(Bad) reasons for god

I just watched a video presentation by Timothy Keller. He is a Presbyterian Minister who wrote a book entitled “The Reason for God.” I felt a sense of “Déjà vu all over again” while watching his presentation. I have read a lot of Christian apologist’s books. When you are raised an evangelical Christian and then declare yourself an atheist when you are 18 years old, you get a lot of these books as well-meaning gifts. I have a pretty awesome collection of books by Ravi Zacharias, Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, C.S. Lewis, Norman Geisler, and others.

Keller starts with making the same old “atheists are mean” argument. We should respect human beings because because that is the way we would like to be treated. This does not mean we don’t have the right to criticize institutions that have incoherent beliefs or are abusive. This also does not mean that we have to give any degree of deference to ideas that are bad. Do we “respect” the ideas of astrologers? Any atheist who is nasty to religious people should stop. But the ongoing project of pointing out the philosophical problems and bad effects of religion should never cease. Continue reading…