Talk Heathen 05.31 08-01-2021 with Kenneth Leonard and Matt Dillahunty

Greetings Heathens! We hope to be a sanctuary for you in this chaotic world. In today’s episode of Talk Heathen, Kenneth Leonard is joined today by Matt Dillahunty. It should be a really great show!Let’s get to calls! James in North Carolina, has thought up a very specific criteria that could prove God if it can actually be done. It is made up of 3 stanzas and he’d like to run them by us. 1. A conversation with God while in a completely lucid state. 2. Confirmation that it was God by external witnesses. 3. Something tangible that was provided outside of this experience that proves this did occur that could be scientifically tested. Matt and Kenneth break these down for him.Samuel in Maine is next, he disagrees with churches' use of appeal to authority. Kenneth is a bit flummoxed by this interesting place to begin. It’s a great conversation.David in California, he has definite proof of God and is calling in to set us all straight. He is a return caller, you may recognize him. After a long preamble and whining about how he is being perceived, he finally gives his proof. He claims the universe and matter expanding into unknown space is the proof of God because God created this unknown space. Oh boy.Lord in California is wondering what to do with old Christian friends after deconverting and finding themselves in debates and conversations with them about religion. He is becoming frustrated with these talks and concerned about the impact on the relationships.Adam in Romania wants to disprove the existence of a deistic God. Um, ok? He starts by listing out premises using a replacement word for God.Kevin in New York is asking if anyone ever has asked about the contents of the ‘Ark of the Covenant.’ (Queue the Indiana Jones theme song.) How can we investigate the contents if the Ark doesn’t exist? Who can investigate the Ark and how can we know?Joe in Canada wants to talk about how specific labels put on people can potentially end conversations. How can we avoid or unpack this? Ooooh, perhaps try some street epistemology!Billy in Texas is calling about the need to prove that God doesn’t exist. But what if a God could exist? He brings up the quote by physicist Brian Cox: “Everything that can happen, would happen” and tries to apply it to proving the existence of God. Matt puts his feet to the fire asking if it’s possible for a God to not only exist but is capable of telling us it exists.EJ in Georgia is wondering what our take is on the Council of Nicaea and Ephesus and how it formed the canon of the Bible. Matt explains his position on it and how it is interesting in a historical context.That’s our show for this week, please continue to be safe in your area, wear your mask, and please get vaccinated. The world is better with you in it. See you next week!