The Non-Prophets

De: Atheist Community of Austin
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  • And we are The Non-Prophets!... airing on the first and third Sunday of every month, starting at 3:00 PM Central (01:30-03:00 UTC) on our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/thenonprophetsaca. The Non-Prophets focuses on atheism and the separation of church and state.

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    Copyright Atheist Community of Austin
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Política y Gobierno
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Episodios
  • A Physicist Rejects the Idea that we Live In a Sim Universe

    A Physicist Rejects the Idea that we Live In a Sim Universe
    Mar 15 2025
    Mind Matters News, January 8, 2023 http://bit.ly/3kwt70G

    The discussion explores physicist Marcelo Gleiser's argument against the possibility of reality being a simulation. The panelists express skepticism, noting that such claims often rely on unfalsifiable assertions rather than scientific evidence. They critique the logic behind simulation theory, pointing out its similarities to religious arguments—particularly the claim that "we can't prove we're not in a simulation," which mirrors arguments for the existence of God. Teo dismisses the theory as an infinite regress problem, arguing that if a simulation exists, it would require a simulator, which would also need a creator, leading to an endless cycle of simulated realities. August finds the idea intriguing but remains unconvinced without tangible evidence, likening it to the Fermi Paradox, where people speculate about extraterrestrial life without direct proof. Phoebe criticizes proponents of the theory for their lack of critical thinking, comparing it to conspiracy theories like lizard people running governments. The conversation shifts to implications of simulation theory on concepts like free will. August highlights how the idea could challenge autonomy, likening it to debates over determinism. Teo humorously introduces "theocentric theory," proposing that the universe revolves around himself, poking fun at the egocentric nature of some philosophical arguments. Jason performs an experiment by telling everyone to raise their arms, joking that their compliance proves his control over them. Ultimately, the panelists find simulation theory entertaining but unconvincing. They agree that without evidence, it remains speculative fiction rather than a scientific hypothesis.

    The Non-Prophets, Episode 24.10.4 Phoebe Rose, Jason Sherwood, August and Mateo

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    14 m
  • What is Pure and Authentic Faith?

    What is Pure and Authentic Faith?
    Mar 14 2025
    The Times of Israel, By Gabriel Lamza, March 9, 2023, https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/what-is-pure-and-authentic-faith/

    Faith is often presented as a virtue, a connection to the divine, or a means of understanding the world. However, in attempting to defend this notion, many religious arguments reveal their own contradictions. One such example is an article that claims the biblical phrase "made in God's image" refers to humanity’s ability to think independently. Yet, this directly contradicts the biblical narrative, which states that Adam and Eve lacked moral awareness until they ate from the Tree of Knowledge, thereby gaining the ability to discern good from evil. If humans were truly created with independent thought, then why was acquiring knowledge seen as an act of defiance? This contradiction exposes the apologetic gymnastics often required to reconcile faith with reason. The article further asserts that faith requires the complete submission of one’s reasoning to divine authority, essentially equating godliness with obedience rather than critical thinking. This idea undermines the initial claim that thinking is what connects humans to God. By its own logic, faith is not a tool of intellectual independence but rather a mechanism for suppressing thought. This is precisely why faith can be dangerous—when belief supersedes evidence, there is no limit to what one might justify in the name of faith. While many use faith for good, history is filled with examples of atrocities committed under divine justification. Adding to the confusion, the article includes a bizarre analogy involving a train and tiny horses, meant to illustrate how humans often misinterpret the unknown. Instead of accepting ignorance as an opportunity for further exploration, the author suggests that one should simply assume an unseen force—God—is at work. This highlights a common problem in religious thinking: the insistence that unanswered questions must default to divine intervention rather than admitting uncertainty. However, just as educating people on how engines work eliminates the need for "tiny horses," education and critical thinking remove the necessity of religious explanations for the unknown. Finally, the article claims that faith is a rational conclusion and that even the most logical individuals will ultimately arrive at it. However, this ignores the fact that many people leave religion precisely because of rational inquiry. The more one scrutinizes faith-based claims with logic and evidence, the more their foundations crumble. The argument that a professor cannot explain their 50 years of knowledge to a child is used to justify the supposed incomprehensibility of God, but this reasoning is flawed.

    The Non-Prophets, Episode 24.10.3Kelley Laughlin, Lewis, Mateo, and Aaron Jensen

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    18 m
  • How Religious Mythology Shapes Sexual Norms

    How Religious Mythology Shapes Sexual Norms
    Mar 12 2025
    Strange But True: Ancient Egyptians were so into oral sex, they put it in their religion — and religious art, Salon, Matthew Rosza, January 29, 2023

    Sex and morality have been tightly controlled by religion throughout history, shaping societal attitudes toward sexuality. The discussion begins with ancient Egypt, where gods were depicted engaging in acts like autofellatio as part of creation myths. While some assume ancient societies were more sexually open, the reality is that Egypt had conservative sexual norms comparable to their neighbors in Israel. The control of sex, particularly by religious institutions, has historically been a tool of power, reinforcing shame and guilt around natural human behavior. Victorian England is often blamed for sexual repression, but it’s argued that this is more a product of later interpretations than the reality of Victorian life.

    The Victorians were far from prudish in private, as demonstrated by explicit personal writings, including Queen Victoria’s enthusiastic comments about Prince Albert. More broadly, history shows fluctuating attitudes toward sex, from the uninhibited Greeks and Romans to later societies that sought to regulate and repress it. Religion, particularly Christianity, often attempts to define acceptable sexual behavior, controlling it in ways that reinforce their broader authority. A notable aspect of ancient Egyptian sexuality is their exclusion of homosexuality from their records, raising questions about whether labeling and recognizing sexual identities make societies more tolerant or simply more aware of division. Regardless of historical shifts, the pattern remains: sex is a fundamental human drive, and societies continuously shape and reshape its role based on cultural and religious influences. Ultimately, the gods people create reflect their own desires and societal norms, further proving that human behavior, rather than divine decree, dictates morality.

    The Non-Prophets, Episode 24.10.2 featuring Jason Sherwood, Aaron Jensen, Richard Firth-Godbehere and Scott Dickie.

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    15 m

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