Xian Caller: Atheist Evangelism Part 1 - A.E. #585

[wondergundy]

Evangelism is the wrong word... I'v seen them, they spew nonsense, then ask for money.

[daswann14]

That girl was asking for help and this is the first time I've seen them be a little dickish to somebody of that temperament. I'm glad she held on to get some real answers though, and the guys provided great ones as always.

[HarrysSecret]

Someone's had a few beers...

[brochill69]

i love how christians argue......so pre-schoolerish with no understanding

[BillKiernan]

This woman's stupidity is staggering.

[SkyDoginthetube]

Not the best episode ever.

She had been told there was evidence of a young earth but didn't know that much about it, then asked what was the evidence for an old earth.

It could have gone so much better if they had told her some of the evidence.

Instead of faulting somone for not knowing, it's usally better to give them the ansewers if you have them.

[mikeyo1234]

She says that there's scientfic proof that the universe isn't millions of years old, then she says there isn't a proof. She is dumb.

[DopeJedi]

Why do you think they are set up in Texas?

[acr08807]

@DopeJedi That's where they live.

[omnissient]

Wow. I am always so amazed as to how arrogant believers are.

"There is evidence that evolution is wrong and i wont even argue it"

After 200 years of research and ALL scientists agreeing on evolution. Wow.

That is the moment i realised this girl isnt worth talking to. She seemd nice at first.

[heloizyjhenifer]

I disagree, she didn't say she's a believer. She said she needed to be convinced because so far christians had better arguments (to her).

It shows the problem that average people are "convincinble" by christian evangelists (i'm thinking of those kids and kent/eric hovind).

I think with proper information she should be ok. It's a bad idea to discard her as just another arrogant christian because so much as she wasn't maybe now she is.

[omnissient]

She said she is a believer at 1:56. Her first question is something like: How dare you spread your atheism, what right do you have?

Even a believer should not ask that question. If they have right to spread their religion then we have right to spread our atheism.

She asks where to find the evidence and when they point to geology books she just quickly changes the topic. That is not the behaviour of someone seeking answers. She is trying to make a point in an argument.

[heloizyjhenifer]

It's not that clear in this first part, but.

In part 2 everybody understands (the hosts too) that she calls in all honesty to hear atheistic arguments. It's definitely not the typical believer preaching and plain rejection of everything.

Don't be too hasty at dismissing honest believers.

She's definitely not a lost case.

[mtanti87]

Is Martin saying that we should know what the evidence for every scientific fact we believe is?

[VarialProductions]

No but we should have a rough idea. For example I believe roughly in the big bang theory of the universe. I have studied the evidence, the expansion, red shift, dark matter, cosmic radiation background etc..

Not just throwing words out there either. I actually roughly understand how it works and why they believe in the big bang. That combined with the fact that the other theory is "a book said the world is 6000 years old" and I think I am within my rational rights to claim the big bang.

[heloizyjhenifer]

Yes, otherwise you can say you *accept* the fact instead of "believe".

As a matter of fact it is not advisable to ever use the term "believe" in science anyway because most of the time you'll be proven wrong sooner or later as models are refined.

[mtanti87]

So we accept what the scientific community tell us rather than believe it?

[heloizyjhenifer]

You would be wrong to believe it because it is bound to change (mostly by refinement).

You can accept the best of human knowledge at this instant, or reject it. If you want to play the game of pointless criticism.

However, scientific progress *is* often about rejecting previous claims, with substantiated arguments.

[andytoz]

I'm glad they called her out on saying "there's scientific evidence but I don't understand it".

[yoops]

I am the only atheist/agnostic out of the peers I used to socialize with. They were all christians and there were times when they would belittle me because of the fact that I was an atheist/agnostic. I've given up with those individuals since. It is a hard road for atheist/agnostics because we aren't a religion but rather an educated individual perception, so it is hard.

[Tintmeister]

I too am skeptic/agnostic , that said. Many of my favorite people are Christian, well schooled, intelligent , high functioning well adjusted and happy. Their faith serves to ground them, adds dimension and a social network they enjoy. I suggest we might do our fellows the greatest service by exposing the Benny Hinns, Kenneth Copelands etc. etc. as the theiving hucksters they really are. Regards......

[cornflakeclusters]

Stupid lady.

[ReMembrane]

the stuff like meeting people with desbelief it kinda creeps me out. maybe i am to much of a fakesaganist.

[bobnfreely]

Sadly, I think this caller is an excellent example of the common denominator in this country. Most people don't want to make the effort to understand the world around them. They want someone else to tell them what to believe.

[RLF777]

"evangelical militant atheism" may be used by theists as an epithet for the "militant evolutionists who want to silence the idea of creation". It is sometimes used pejoratively to describe people who are considered to campaign too actively, in your face and outspokenly or militantly for atheism and against religion: "those who advocate the elimination of religion" as opposed to "progressive, enlightened people who are simply 'nonbelievers'.

[RLF777]

YouTube Search:

"Evangelical Atheism"

Great Video on the Subject !

[AfrSkin]

I wish you could post the rest of the conversation with this caller, it was actually really cool and the woman turns out to be seriously concidering atheism. But man it does take a while to get past the irritating parts.

[kyokumajr]

Huh? I did?

Just look either in my gallery or it's in the "video response" below this video.

[AfrSkin]

oops... you guessed it i'm retarded :p

[DeadlyChinchilla]

Wow, what a dense woman...

[kyokumajr]

lol, yeah, it's shorter than Christian, so I use it in titles.

[CizzarGX]

As someone living in Europe I've never seen/heard this word, but your explanation above makes it clear to me (even without google), it's like the "peds Xing" signs in the US, the X stands for the cross and the christ, now Xmas makes sense to me too =)

TY lol

[Mythosician06]

It's actually "Xtian."

[Inqoinf]

It's actually Xian. Cause you remove the whole word just like in CHRISTmas - Xmas.

[SLRL1A1]

@CizzarGX

The X represents the Greek letter "Chi", in "Christos"

[kyokumajr]

Xian is another spelling for Christian. You can google it (it won't allow me to post links here) it will explain the historicity of it.

[rba718]

That lady was nice but she was a bit off with everything she spoke. I can understand how frustrating it would've been for them speaking to her.

[Hopeful71]

LMAO, this woman is so just trying to set them up pretending to be an 'almost' 'fellow traveler'

Epic fail for her!

[a68rebel]

Poor ingnorant bitch.

[imorio]

Their a bit rude to this caller, maybe becaus of lack of time. But she is willing to learn, so they could be a bit nicer.

[kyokumajr]

She asks something, they answer, then she asks it again, they answer again, then she still doesn't get it, or claims this is not what she wants.

I bet it gets annoying.

[imorio]

It sure can, but she has to change from a ''religious sheep'' were no free thinking is at all, to a ccritical mind. Thats hard to do in 5 minutes. They better just give her some sites and places were she can continue her quest. And there is also a misunderstanding here. She thinks that the topic ''atheist evangalism'' means their going to ''preach atheism'' and trying to get converts. Seeing how cornered atheism is in Texas and preaching it their would be suiecide is a shock.

[jesusxfreak]

"This is because the more you allegorize, insert scientific discoveries, or insert metaphors, the more chance you are altering the real meaning of the scriptures."

I disagree with this. I do believe that the Bible has no inaccuracies, to an extent. In it's original version, that's where it's perfect. After going through several rough translations and years of not being written, there are bound to be mistakes. I'm sure to learn Latin in the future to read the original Bible.

[kyokumajr]

You do that

[kyokumajr]

However, even that will not rid you of the problem of for instance whether to take Genesis literaly or not; it's not just the translations that are the problems, it's the content by itself.

[TheSpindles]

Correct...Dumb Caller.

They won't allow their thinking to accept that they were brainwashed as a child. They cannot rid themselves of this fairytale. Partially because they don't want to.

[BakyardProductions]

This is very true, but also hypocritical. Atheists don't want to rid themselves of God's nonexistence, and really don't actually listen and consider Theist's opinions.

[LotusGreenX]

"Atheists don't want to rid themselves of God's nonexistence, and really don't actually listen and consider Theist's opinions."

Wrong. As an atheist/agnostic I try to argue for the existence of God all the time, but I realize at some point it's a leap of faith. I was a theist and have argued for it probably stronger than you could or at least most theists could. The God hypothesis doesn't solve anything. We are still left with a mystery except God offers more mysteries.

[jesusxfreak]

Sorry, I just meant in general (this is BakyardProductions). There are some open-minded Atheists/Christians, but the number is few. Be proud that you are among a handful.

[LotusGreenX]

"There are some open-minded Atheists/Christians, but the number is few. Be proud that you are among a handful."

Thanks for the compliment. I may have mistaken what you meant. Are you a Christian or a theist in general?

[jesusxfreak]

I'm a Christian, but don't interpret the word of God the same as others do. I mean, I believe that Jesus was the son of God, but I don't view God and life itself like an ordinary Christian.

[LotusGreenX]

"but I don't view God and life itself like an ordinary Christian."

So you are more of a liberal/freethinnker Christian? I tried to be a freethinker Christian for a little while, but you end up realizing you are making excuses in order to defend what you want to be true. In the end you either have to be ignorant, dishonest, or accept that your beliefs include some very nutty stuff.

[jesusxfreak]

"but you end up realizing you are making excuses in order to defend what you want to be true."

I don't want to sound rude here, but I don't like others speaking for me, especially when they don't know who I am at all. Really, I am a fundamental Christian, just in a different way. And I don't think "nutty" would be the right expression here... just, incomprehensible. Honestly, that's where my logic comes in. God is incomprehensible. He is outside our dimension, and unattainable.

[LotusGreenX]

"Really, I am a fundamental Christian, just in a different way."

Ok. I wasn't saying what you are; I just think most Christians who have an open mind realize there are flaws in the Bible. But before you throw any punches back at me I have been a fundie for many years and I wasn't completely close minded. I just didn't go further then I could defend Christianity or make excuses for it. And if you are honest I would think you would agree with me that at some point faith does put a block.

[kyokumajr]

So if he's (which isn't the correct word to use at all anyway) unattainable & uncomprehendable what are you even believing in & worshipping?

PS: how is your position different from other mainstream Xians? Since you mentioned this

[LotusGreenX]

I consider the fundamentalist Christians to be the only "true believers" in the sense that they are believing in the Bible the closest to how it should be believed or interpreted.

This is because the more you allegorize, insert scientific discoveries, or insert metaphors, the more chance you are altering the real meaning of the scriptures. Unless you think God somehow doesn't care if the Bible has innacuracies and immoralities, but expects you to trust it for the spiritual teachings.

[kyokumajr]

I agree on the fundamentalist or more like literalist part.

[Ncturnal]

I do not know how the hosts deal with talking to such stupid people every week.

[Bobalithmiss1]

it's because it's funny to listen to stupid people :)

[LotusGreenX]

"it's because it's funny to listen to stupid people :)"

It's funny to hear stupid people get demolished by smart people. However, if I want to hear the best arguments Christians have for their faith I don't listen to the Atheist Experience.