So here’s a quick look at future episode plans, which of course may change at any time. After we wrap up the Mormon Fundies next episode, I’m going to try to do an episode each on the four gospels, taking them on their own to see what each author had in mind to say about Yeshua, and especially what Luke and Matthew changed from their copies of Mark and why, and how John differs from the synoptics. In between these episodes I’d like to do one about the witch craze/Malleus Maleficarum and maybe logical fallacies.
Let me know what you think, and maybe leave some more topic suggestions in the comments. Perhaps the rise of the religious right, an anthropologic topic for Matt to spearhead, or the evolution of the genetic code? A recap of the mythicist argument? The Mountain Meadows Massacre for those who didn’t catch the Church of Awesome podcast on the subject?
25 Responses to “A Peek into the Crystal Ball”
A more in depth look at the synoptic gospels sounds great, your previous episode comparing them was o e of your best. Puh-leeeeeeeeze don’t do one on gene evolution! Your few debate episodes were my favorite, though. Maybe give the evidence for faith guys a call?
I’m pretty much done with E4F. I might be willing to take on other, hopefully smarter Christians, though.
I’m currently reading Bart Ehrman’s “Jesus, Interrupted”, and I’m very interested to hear your take on the gospels, and the differences therein.
Have you ever considering having the guys from Church of Awesome come on the show? I know they were on back in the olden days, but after all your guest appearances I thought you might reciprocate
Really like the suggested topics. Every time you have delved into the synoptic gospels it has been interesting. Like has been said before, would really like to hear Carrier on the show. The Mountain Meadows Massacre episode on CoA was really good. Had never even heard of that prior.
Maybe an episode on proper debate techniques and arguments for debating religion and science. Seems that would be a good one, some of the stuff I see on twitter from fellow atheists makes me cringe.
You should see if you can get Jared Orme of Conversion Points Radio to debate you. He is a huge tool you would enjoy it.
Oh, please do another debate, Charles.
Yes, that’s what I said.
Seriously though, I suppose it’d be a little hard getting debate “opponents” if they’re even slightly aware of how big of a spanking the E4F guys got. I don’t listen to any Christian podcasts, but is the “other side” as eager or even willing to engage in confrontation as we are?
I once tried to read the Quran but found it to be a rather tedious rant (mainly against non-believers). I did read “Why I’m not a Muslim” by Ibn Warraq, which was quite interesting. There are a lot of Muslims (on YouTube anyways) who claim that the Quran contains scientific facts that are only known to us today and other nonsense. I know you did a couple of episodes on Islam with Leighton but they weren’t very good. I think Islam and the Quran deserve to be re-examined and taken apart. After all, Muslims claim that the book was written by god so there is no room for error. That’s a challenge more Atheists should take up. So, please do Islam again… if you can stand the death threats.
Yeah, we covered the history of Islam and the 5 pillars, but barely mentioned the Quran. An episode specifically on the Quran would require a bunch of research but might be well worth it.
I find the Quaran to be a low-hanging fruit. I started reading it and when I realised that halfway through the second chapter I was siding with Iblis, I knew it was going to go downhill from there and saved myself the grief
I would say that you are buying time in an attempt to not seem like you don’t have a part two of “Mormon Fundamentalism” ready. Good thing this is totally free or I would feel a need to point it out. Oh shit… I’m sorry. But seriously, your E4F debates were fantastic. I really did like the Kirk Hastings stuff. I have to say that my favorites were the “Kent Hovind Dissertation” episodes. Taking down “smarter” christian/believers is always appreciated. No need to go for low hanging fruit when the fruitiest fruits are at the top.
Taking on the gospels one at a time sounds like a fucking fantastic idea. Most atheist shows only seem to want to criticize the Pentateuch (mostly because the shit that Yahweh said in there was utterly repugnant) but it would be nice to have some fodder to throw at the next believer who tries to tell me the “good news”.
The E4F debates were fucking fantastic, except for a certain co-host who wouldn’t stay on topic. With said co-host out of the way, I’m sure any future debates will kick the mightiest of ass.
I also agree with Horatio. I didn’t really get much out of the Islam episodes that were done in the past. It would be awesome if you would do it again with an ex-Muslim guest. They would definitely know what they were talking about.
Jehovahs witnesses need a good smackdown on your podcast! I was raised in that bullshit and can assure you there is no shortage of bullshit!
The plan as you’ve stated it sounds excellent. I’m looking forward to you taking on each of the gospels in turn. As I started to lose faith in Mormonism, one of the biggest things that crushed Christianity as an alternative was the (now glaringly obvious) disparity and discord between the Gospels.
I don’t think I’d classify the guy as being smarter than the E4Fers, but Ray Comfort is certainly more popular and I hear he’s willing to argue with any challengers.
There is a podcast called called The Atheist Handbook. It’s a series of lectures by a pastor on how illogical atheists are, and how theists can you reason and logic to bring atheists to Christ. It could be fun to hear you and Matt learn how to be logical.
Your plan looks good to me. Looking forward to it.
Couple of suggestions. Skip the debates; pointless and gives the idiots a chance to run their mouths, who needs it?
I’ve mentioned before that I would appreciate hearing you discuss Beyesian analysis and Richard Carriers use of it in regards to the historicity of Jesus.. You have a way of breaking down some difficult concepts to make them more accessible.
Minus
Oooh! Ray Comfort! Good idea Discord.agent! I also like Beyesian analysis and Richard Carriers use of it in regards to the historicity of Jesus that minus suggested.
1. Another visit with a COA podcaster about what happens on a mission, what goes on in the temple, or just hilarious stories about elders doing horribly wrong things on a mission.
2. Why religion is stronger in rural areas.
3. Discussion on the book Nailed: Ten Christian Myths That Show Jesus Never Existed at All – maybe with the author. And you’re position on Jesus’ existence.
Doing an episode about each synoptic would be stellar. You might look into having Richard Carrier on too. It would be unimaginably fun to hear you two talk about aspects of the historicity of Jesus where you disagree. I would love to hear you interface with some intelligent Christians (I can’t bring myself to listen to the E4F crap). The podcast ‘Unbelievable?’ usually does a good job of getting together some smart Christians, so I might peruse their episodes to find Christians who share an interest of yours and who would be willing to talk on the air.
Idea #4. Find 10 Mormons on the street (not too hard in Utah) and ask them a few specific questions about Mormon ideology. It will be fun to see how differently they answer.
You should do one about James Strang and the mormon splinter group he started after Joseph Smith died.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Strang
My final ideas:
Idea #5. Another movie review, Rudolph-style.
or
Idea #6. Summarize the whole Bible in one episode (like a Cliffs Notes version).
The great religious revivals of American history
Cornelius Van Til and Presuppositional Apologetics please Chuck!
I did some participant observation “ethnography” last year regarding the evolution of American pubic grooming habits. Turns out that a higher percentage of younger people remove hair and they tend to remove more hair than older people, and women tend to remove more than men. Recently, my anecdotal impression is that the alopecia trend is gaining ground among my grouch older feminist women cohort. I think Matt should undertake ethnographic investigation into the pubic grooming habits of LDS members, women and men. (The LDS stuff is like crack to me.)
A dissection of Lee Strobel’s “The Case for Christ”.