The Atheist Experience

Hosted by The Atheist Community of Austin

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692

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Jun 2026

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About the show

The Atheist Experience is a weekly show in Austin, Texas geared at a non-atheist and atheist audience. The Atheist Experience is produced by the Atheist Community of Austin. The Atheist Community of Austin is organized as a nonprofit educational corporation to develop and support the atheist community, to provide opportunities for socializing and friendship, to promote secular viewpoints, to encourage positive atheist culture, to defend the first amendment principle of state-church separation, to oppose discrimination against atheists and to work with other organizations in pursuit of common goals. We define atheism as the lack of belief in gods. This definition also encompasses what most people call agnosticism. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support .

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60 recent

June 15, 2026Episode 242 hr 18 min

The Atheist Experience 30.24 with The Cross Examiner and JMike

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, The Cross Examiner and JMike tackle the subtle "little things" of Christian nationalism and the liberating reality of secular mental health! From the Pentagon's reclassification of Mormonism to a personal struggle with depression, the hosts dismantle the idea that faith is a viable substitute for evidence or professional care. Can we find a better grounding for reality than ancient forgeries and emotional placeholders?Levi in LA questions why he shouldn't believe in a higher power if it provides comfort, such as a positive outlook during illness. The hosts use the "diamond in the backyard" analogy to explore the high cost of religious tithing and emotional energy spent on unsupported claims. They emphasize that a lack of evidence should lead to agnosticism rather than conviction. What happens to your resources when the promise of a diamond never materializes?Michel in NY asks if the fame of the Gospels proves Jesus was a historical figure rather than a myth. The hosts compare this reasoning to the popularity of King Arthur or Robin Hood, noting that legendary status doesn't establish physical reality. The conversation briefly touches on apocryphal texts and modern gender commentary before being identified as potential trolling for its lack of substance. Can the popularity of a story ever serve as a reliable yardstick for historical truth?Marcos in New Zealand presents a trilemma regarding children and free will on Judgment Day. He also cites documented witnesses of Ellen White as proof for his theism. The hosts challenge this "hearsay of hearsay" by comparing it to the modern "James River Church toes" miracle, which lacked independent verification despite multiple claims of witnessing the divine. They urge applying a consistent standard of evidence to all extraordinary stories. Why do ancient legends receive a special pass from skepticism?Thank you for joining us this week! We will see you next time!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.

June 8, 2026Episode 231 hr 51 min

The Atheist Experience 30.23 Godless Engineer and Thinker

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Godless Engineer and Thinker celebrate Pride Month by dismantling the "superior" morality of the biblical deity! From the horrific commands to slaughter nursing infants in 1 Samuel 15:3 to the modern-day "crash out" over LGBTQ rights, the hosts expose the moral depravity behind ancient dogmas. Can a religion that affirms capital punishment for love ever claim the moral high ground?Ashira in South Africa discusses why churches create fear to keep people in pews. She reflects on deconstructing as a black woman after reading biblical violence. Can community exist without hell? How do we navigate family when faith fades?Jaden on TikTok debates Paul’s existence and Matthew’s zombies. The hosts examine Gnosticism versus orthodoxy and the "imagery" of the holy ones. Is thinking better than faith? Was Paul a real figure or a character for theological disputes?Alec in WA claims consciousness is reality. The hosts use zircon crystals and the logic of racism to dismantle this solipsism. If reality is a dream, why can't we fly? Does the physical world exist independent of our minds?Thank you for joining us this week! We will see you next time!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.

June 1, 2026Episode 221 hr 48 min

The Atheist Experience 30.22 with Secular Rarity and The CrossExaminer

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Secular Rarity and The CrossExaminer tackle the rising tide of Christian nationalism and the subjective nature of "personal" truth! They explore why mandatory Ten Commandment displays fail both the Constitution and basic math, while challenging callers to ground their supernatural claims in evidence. From Near-Death Experiences to the logical boundaries of creation, the hosts examine whether faith is a reliable path to reality.Kelly in MN cites a Near-Death Experience involving Jesus as proof of divinity. Hosts challenge brain reliability during trauma and the circularity of using a personal moral yardstick to pick scripture. Can hope exist without objective evidence?Luke in FL argues God is impossible because words cannot create matter. Hosts critique shifting the burden of proof and suggest compassionate inquiry over mockery. Is calling a belief "stupid" an effective way to change minds?Thank you for joining us this week! We will see you next time!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.

May 25, 2026Episode 212 hr 52 min

The Atheist Experience 30.21 with Thinker and Fe

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Thinker and FE tackle the psychology of deconstruction, the fear of questioning, and the pitfalls of defining God into existence! From the "Jesus juice" of religious shortcuts to the biological reality of our brains, the hosts challenge listeners to bring verifiable receipts for their holy claims.Poz on TikTok claims a universal mind grounds conscious experience. Hosts critique the lack of evidence and use of jargon. They challenge him to find scholarly support for this theory. Does consciousness need a metaphysical supervisor or is it an emergent property of the brain?GodProvidesBest on TikTok argues for telepathic oneness with a gender-neutral God. Hosts expose the toxicity of Ezekiel 16 metaphors. They highlight how unconditional forgiveness destroys accountability. Why does God find figs but ignore suffering?Jimmy on TikTok discusses neurotheology and spiritual labels for brain states like ego death. Hosts argue that labeling neurology as spiritual muddies the waters with religious baggage. Can we explore the mind's wonders without mystical terms?Thank you for joining us this week! We will see you next time!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.

May 22, 2026Episode 201 hr 33 min

The Atheist Experience 30.20 with Justin and Godless Engineer

Special Episode: We Are Here 24 hour fundraiser! https://aca.show/wearehere This episode was extracted from our 24hour fundraiser live stream on May 16-17. We apologize for the delayed posting!In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Justin and Godless Engineer celebrate the "We are here" fundraiser by exposing forged scriptures and dismantling the toxic "true vine" metaphor! From styleometric algorithms to the brutal reality of biblical editing, the hosts challenge believers to bring receipts for their holy claims.Aaron in TX critiques John 15, noting Jesus’ vine metaphor sounds like a threat. Hosts explain how the Bible uses guilt to manufacture a need for a savior, similar to a drug dealer. Can a toxic relationship ever be considered divine love?Keith in TX asks about Bible editing, leading to a dive into the Documentary Hypothesis and interpolations. Hosts highlight how forgeries were added to push specific agendas. If God is guiding the text, why are there so many human errors?Thank you for joining us this week! We will see you next time!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.

May 13, 2026Episode 191 hr 40 min

The Atheist Experience 30.19 with Justin and Scott Dickie

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Justin and Scott Dickie celebrate Mother’s Day by examining the "bad design" of childbirth and the failed promises of the Bible! They dismantle the myth of messianic prophecies, the forgery of the Shroud of Turin, and the logical gymnastics required to ground reality in a transcendental deity.Isaac in AL argues eyewitnesses and the Shroud of Turin prove Jesus. Justin notes the "500 witnesses" are unnamed, and the shroud is a confessed forgery. They analyze Hebrew text to see if Jesus failed the messianic job description. Will he find a counter?Joel in AZ asks if a perfect God could create imperfection. Scott challenges the vague term "perfection," while Justin notes that if God is good, unnecessary suffering is a contradiction. Does this resolution simply delete the Christian message?Toby in Italy asks how God grounds logic. Scott explains logic is a descriptive tool for reality, not a transcendental entity needing an anchor. They critique Platonism. If logic is just a language, what happens to the transcendental argument?Thank you for joining us this week! We will see you next time!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.

May 4, 2026Episode 181 hr 29 min

The Atheist Experience 30.18 with Godless Engineer, Genetically Modified Skeptic, and Fish Stark

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Godless Engineer and Fish Stark from the American Humanist Association tackle the encroaching tide of Christian nationalism and the hollow promises of deity-focused morality! They dismantle the "axis of nonsense" between billionaires and bishops, exposing how forced Ten Commandment displays in schools are more about power grabs than historical accuracy. Can a secular focus on human dignity provide the community we crave without the authoritarian baggage of ancient myths? From military secularism to the "American Empathy Project," the hosts explore how humanists are building real-world power to protect civil liberties for all.Thank you for joining us this week! We will see you next time!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.

April 27, 2026Episode 172 hr 57 min

The Atheist Experience 30.17 with Thinker and Trust But Verify

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Thinker and Trust But Verify dive into the dark side of biblical "morality" and the fear of the Holy Spirit! The hosts explore the psychological grip of deconstruction and challenge callers to provide verifiable receipts for their supernatural claims. Can personal anecdotes survive the scrutiny of probability and logic? Join us as we put divine interventions and spiritual "knowledge" to the ultimate test!Adrian in CA asks why the hosts are no longer believers. He shares that nine years of prayer led to finding his wife. Hosts challenge the post-hoc fallacy and note that humans, not gods, did the work. Can he prioritize evidence over fear?Amasa in MD claims he "knows" God because his prayers heal people. Hosts note that 98% success rates for surgery make prayer redundant. Why avoid demonstrating this at St. Jude's? Can an unfalsifiable claim be considered knowledge?Thank you for joining us this week! We will see you next time!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.

April 19, 2026Episode 161 hr 44 min

The Atheist Experience 30.16 with Godless Engineer and Scott Dickie

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Godless Engineer and Scott Dickie put the "omni-benevolent" creator on trial and examine the silence of the divine! They tackle word salads about information, the emergent properties of consciousness, and the hilarious consequences of childhood church avoidance. Can logic bridge the gap between ancient myths and modern biological reality?Steph from Canada defines God as truth and information. Hosts challenge this word salad and the claim that rockets explode due to a lack of God. If truth is just correspondence with reality, why is a deity necessary?AJ from Canada asks how unconscious starts lead to consciousness. The hosts explain consciousness as an emergent property of complex nervous systems rather than a supernatural gift. Does a soul explain consciousness better than biological interaction?Ben from CT shares a deconstruction story where lying about having no clothes led to an accidental church fundraiser. The hosts explore how deconversion often leads to dismantling other social biases. Can we separate heritage from convictions?Thank you for joining us this week! We will see you next time!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.

April 13, 2026Episode 152 hr 28 min

The Atheist Experience 30.15 with Justin and JMike

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Justin and JMike tackle "wizardly" philosophy, the hiddenness of God, and the dangers of religious bait-and-switches! From vampire lighting to the problem of a hidden cosmic dictator, the hosts challenge listeners to examine if faith is just a mask for mankind's worst instincts.Steve in OH fears the Noahide laws represent a literal Mark of the Beast. Justin identifies 666 as Nero and explains the tefillin's symbolic role. They debate if Daniel’s prophecies about Greece apply today. Can ancient laws predict geopolitics?Jason in OH argues for a mind-dependent universe based on the uniqueness of consciousness. JMike uses Occam's Razor to show that a deity adds no explanatory power. Does the experience of redness require a cosmic observer to exist?Push Back Ministries on TikTok argues mathematics proves a designer. JMike and Justin defend nominalism, viewing numbers as human inventions. They critique the Trinity’s logic. Can a hidden God be blamed for people losing their faith?Steph in Canada suggests truth is an ingredient of God. JMike mocks this with the "boom of who" to show labeling truth as an entity is arbitrary. They debate science as inquiry. Will the caller find a way to verify his ontological claims?Thank you for joining us this week! We will see you next time!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.