Skeptic Generation

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
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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
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.

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.

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.

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

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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.

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!

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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.

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.

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...
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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
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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.

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
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.