Atheism UK Podcast

Putin - The Orthodox Christian Soldier - Atheism UK Podcast #28 -  RECORDED ON Mar 13, 2022 In this video we look at the deep connection between Putin, The Russian Orthodox Church and the war in Ukraine. QUESTION: Is Putin using his faith to cozy up to the Russian Orthodox Church and does the Orthodox Russian Church now support his war on the Ukraine Links from the show recoveringfromreligion.org https://www.rescue-uk.org If you like these podcasts then please consider subscribing to the channel, it will really help spread the message of secularism and atheism to a much wider audience...  Website: https://atheismuk.com Apple Podcast: https://www.atheismuk.com/apple-podcast Spotify Podcast: https://www.atheismuk.com/spotify Google Podcast: https://www.atheismuk.com/google-podcast RadioPublic Podcast: https://www.atheismuk.com/radiopublic Give your feedback in the comments. Further reading: Putin and the Orthodox Church: how his faith shapes his politics https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2022/02/16/essay-on-vladimir-putin Patriarch Kirill, Orthodox Primate of Moscow and All Russians offered prayers on Sunday for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/moscow-patriarch-prays-for-unity

Criticising Religious Beliefs - Atheism UK Podcast #26 - In this episode of the Atheism UK podcast we look at criticising religious belief and more importantly the backlash we can get for simply pointing out the problems and issues that arise through religion and religious beliefs and practices. Atheist criticisms of religion are often silenced or attempted to be silenced by accusations of Islamophobia, anti-semitism or anti-christian hate speech as if so called sacred beliefs can not be touched, criticized or called out. This tactic is designed to shut down criticism - painting those who criticise as people with an irrational fear, whereas criticism is wholly based on very rational issues.  Criticism of religious beliefs and practices must be a basic human right (free speech) This criticism may include that religion is outdated, harmful to the individual, harmful to society, spreaders of misinformation, an impediment to the progress of science, a source of immoral acts or customs, a political tool for social control, indoctrination of the young, a breeding ground for sectarian hate etc.. If you like these podcasts then please consider subscribing to the channel, it will really help spread the message of secularism and atheism to a much wider audience...  Website: https://atheismuk.com Apple Podcast: https://www.atheismuk.com/apple-podcast Spotify Podcast: https://www.atheismuk.com/spotify Google Podcast: https://www.atheismuk.com/google-podcast RadioPublic Podcast: https://www.atheismuk.com/radiopublic Give your feedback in the comments.

In this discussion we look at the statistics behind the fact that Christianity is dying and non belief is on the rise.   We looked at the British Social Attitudes Survey by The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) in regard to Religion, which covers the Identity, behaviour and belief over two decades of the peoples of the UK  The opening statement on the report says… ‘In this year’s British Social Attitudes report (BSA), we see a continuation of one of the most important trends in post-war history: the steady decline in religion and belief among the British public.  This decline is not simply a private matter for individuals and families, but rather a trend with profound implications for our social norms as well as our public institutions’.   You can see the full report here: https://www.bsa.natcen.ac.uk/media/39363/bsa_36.pdf  We also discuss some deeper personal aspects of Atheism in the UK  If you like these podcasts then please consider subscribing to the channel, it will really help spread the message of secularism and atheism to a much wider audience...    Website: https://atheismuk.com  Podcast On Spotify: https://atheismuk.com/spotify  Give your feedback in the comments.

In this Atheism UK discussion, the first in 2022, we look at the way religion has spread it roots through society.   Religion affects the decision making process of our leaders and influencers of society.  We recently released a podcast which looked at the Bishops in the House of Lords and how these bishops used their religious dogma to inform their decisions on political policy.    If you like these podcasts then please consider subscribing to the channel, it will really help spread the message of secularism and atheism to a much wider audience...    Website: https://atheismuk.com  Podcast On Spotify: https://atheismuk.com/spotify  Give your feedback in the comments.

Do atheists celebrate Christmas? Yes, they do. It’s a holiday with friends, family, food, drink, and gifts; what’s not to like?  However, it doesn’t belong to Christians.  Populations in the northern hemisphere had a midwinter festival long before the Christians got going.  That’s why there’s a decorated tree, holly, ivy, yule log, mistletoe, St Nicholas (Father Christmas, Santa Claus), etc.  Christmas is just a winter festival which we can all share in. You may want to call it Yule, or just the winter festival but whatever you want to call it, its a great time of year for all the family..    So, Happy Christmas everyone!   Website: https://atheismuk.com  Podcast On Spotify: https://atheismuk.com/spotify  Give your feedback in the comments.

P. R. A. T. T. Arguments - Previously Refuted A Thousand Times In today's podcast we discuss P.R.A.T.T. Arguments or arguments we have with theist apologists that have been previously refuted a thousand times although it feels like more. Theist apologists stick to an 'argument for god' script no matter how many time it has been proved wrong or fallacious.   If you're a regular to this channel you'll know that every single argument put forward for the exitance of God has been debunked, proven wrong or is based on a fallacy or 7..  We discuss a few of the reasons why the god concept is incoherent. If you like these podcasts then please consider subscribing to the channel, it will really help spread the message of secularism and atheism to a much wider audience...  Debunking The Teleological Argument https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AyaDMlIx3w Debunking The Cosmological Argument https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJP1SS-Elw4 Debunking The Argument Form Morality https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AptNbgdX2qs A short clip of Sean Carroll v William Lane Craig  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R97IHcuyWI0 Website: https://atheismuk.com Podcast On Spotify: https://atheismuk.com/spotify Give your feedback in the comments.

Is it time for the ‘Lords Spiritual’ (The Bishops) to go from the House Or Lords? Our opposition to clergy, an arbitrarily appointed body that has been included to scrutinise and comment upon the legislation of UK politics, is simply not right. More than 55% of the UK population is non religious. UK legislation therefore, should not be influenced by people who base their decisions on the will of, or the supposed word of an unproven god. We are now in the 21st Century. We should be looking to a secular society, and these arcane appointments must go. Basing moral judgement on Christian values and morals in a modern inclusive democratic society that influences laws to make the lives of the people better through secular non religious judgement has to be the future. The Bishop's assessment of this and other bills that go through the House of Lords is based on archaic biblical text and the questionable moral values held within their holy books, and therefore has no place in a forward thinking society. Watch The Pocast On YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZWQhkh2m1Y&t=399s

The Afterlife - Atheism UK Podcast #14 - One of the big philosophical questions  - those existential questions that for some reasons we seem to need answers for includes what happens when we die  Sensitive psychological problem, we somehow want to believe because we don’t want to lose our loved ones forever and I know people who cling on to that for their psychological well being and I would never take that away from them. However - religion has almost weaponized it with the concepts of heaven and hell.  For those in religion, the concepts of afterlife are intrinsic to their faith, but the question is that belief justified or is it just another man made belief system based on zero evidence?  In this video we look at the idea of an afterlife and if Near Death Experience [NDE] in any way proves an afterlife is a rational position.  Are we, as Carl Sagan so eloquently put it simply.. ‘the stuff of stars’ - I think that is profound and beautiful.    But what do you think?   WEBSITE:  https://www.atheismuk.com/ Podcast On Spotify: https://atheismuk.com/spotify  

In this podcast we look at Misogyny In Religion and joined this week by Nuriyah Khan who is an ex-Muslim and has a great YouTube channel (Holy Humanist) that highlights the issues facing women in Islam Religious misogyny is hard baked into religion. It, like many institutions is male dominated and places men above women. Unlike other institutions that aim to bring equality and fundamental change as we move into the 21st century, religion can not, and will not change. Misogyny and patriarchal rule is at the heart of religion. This grates so loudly against the aims of modern society that you have to question if the Abrahamic religions have had their time.   WEBSITE:  https://www.atheismuk.com/   Holy Humanist YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRaLIFc6OfWKSzzvmfAMsXQ   Podcast On Spotify: https://atheismuk.com/spotify

Religious Evidence - This podcast focuses on the nature of the evidence given by religious apologists. There seems to be a different concept on what the evidence means to those defending religion and trying to prove that their beliefs are real and backed up.  It's hard to take religious people seriously when they fall back on scripture to prove God's existence, to lay claim to truth or to take the moral high ground stating that it's the divine word of God, whilst at the same time brushing under the carpet the parts that collapse any credibility in the reliability of the text.  If the words laid out in the Bible, Tanakh and Qur'an are the words of God then the God portrayed is morally corrupt.  If you layer upon that the fundamental and literal interpretation of the word of God it gets even crazier. We've had conversations with "young earth creationists" that have shocked us. Their understanding of reality has been eroded (possibly from childhood) to such an extent that it's like listening to someone who believes that the world of Marvel Comics is real.  They reject evolution, because if they believe the world is six to ten thousand years old then evolution has to be wrong, despite the wealth of evidence to support the Theory of Evolution.  They say it's JUST a theory, without an understanding of the weight of what a scientific theory actually means. I just see this as ignorance, and wilful ignorance at that.   So the question is ‘what is evidence when it comes to the existence of god and whether religion in any of its manifestations is in any way true?’ Atheism UK Website: https://www.atheismuk.com/ Video version On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFb3caksB-k&t=1522s

Sexual Abuse Prevalent In Institutions Across Major UK Religions  Content Warning: This podcast contains content such as Child Sexual Abuse, Paedophilia, Abuse by Clergy/Priests, which some viewers might find distressing.  A report was released on Thursday which courted quite a bit of media attention in the UK which looked at the unacceptable level of child abuse in the within religious organisations.  The report said that there are "shocking failings" and "blatant hypocrisy" in the way major UK religious groups handle child sex abuse allegations. The report examined evidence from 38 religious groups with the UK including Jehovah's Witnesses, Baptists, Methodists, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and non-conformist Christian denominations.  In this podcast we look at the way religious institutions cover up this abuse and how that has enabled child abuse to be perpetuated just to protect the image of those religious institutions.  We welcome comments and any information you have regarding these issues.   Links: The FULL report can be found on The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse website -   https://www.iicsa.org.uk/ .  Here is a link that goes directly to the report: The Report:  https://www.iicsa.org.uk/key-documents/26895/view/child-protection-religious-organisations-settings-investigation-report-september-2021.pdf Recovering from Religion: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ This is a great organisation that can help if you have been affected by religion. They have contacts within the UK  Interviews with Dr Darrel Ray from Recovering from Religion: Interview with Andy Phillips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wSQJSNbKVg Interview With John Richards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2coPbQGPHE  Atheism UK Website: https://www.atheismuk.com/  Media: BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58420270 Sky News: https://news.sky.com/story/faith-institutions-accused-of-moral-failing-as-report-finds-child-sexual-abuse-prevalent-in-major-uk-religions-12397393 Video Version On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2MXMDsjap4&t=114s

In today’s podcast we look at the idea and validity of debating and specifically debating with believers. Some of us in Atheism UK have taken part in organised and ad hoc debates on many different subjects including the existence of god, the resurrection of Jesus or the Holy Trinity..   Let us know what you think about the concept of debating, do you think it’s worth it or do you do it yourself.   More information:  The Atheism UK Website: https://www.atheismuk.com/ Video Version On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7D98Q3lT9U&t=1059s

Arguments For God? - The Cosmological Argument  Hey, welcome to the Atheism UK podcast, this week we look at one of the apologetic arguments for god. The one we discuss today is ‘The Cosmological Argument’ for god.  Religious Apologetics is not new. One of the most common philosophical arguments for the existence of god is called 'The Cosmological Argument,' which can be traced back to Aristotle and beyond.   It was further developed in the early Christian period, then during the 9th to 12th century through medieval Islamic theology and then revived in medieval Christian theology in the 13th Century by Saint Thomas Aquinas, an Italian Dominican friar and Catholic priest.  There are a couple of versions of the cosmological argument worth noting, one stronger than the other. The Cosmological Argument (promoted by Thomas Aquinas) is a philosophical argument which is inductive, meaning its aim is to persuade rather than prove that the cause of the universe is what we call God. In its simplest form it goes something like this:  1 - Everything that exists has a cause. 2 - The Universe exists. 3 - The Universe therefore has a cause 4 - The cause being God.  We look at the flaws in this argument. We also go into the Kalām Cosmological Argument and the extension of that same argument popularised by William Lane Craig  More information:  The Atheism UK Website: https://www.atheismuk.com/ Driven Beyond Belief: The (Kalām) Cosmological Argument: https://www.drivenbeyondbelief.com/on-the-existence-of-god-part-3-the-kalam-cosmological-argument/ Debate between William Lane Craig and theoretical physicist at Caltech Sean Carroll: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5iiHV4yo7M&t=0s Video Version On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJP1SS-Elw4&t=1330s