What people are saying about Dogma Debate...
Will: I've been listening to your show for the past several episodes and have really enjoyed them. Particularly, I have enjoyed the shows with [Officer] Dave Tatsak. I appreciate his willingness to come on your show, and I appreciate the way that you have been able to debate against his beliefs while treating him respectfully.
"Because everybody knows, if
we want to know how to fix the economy go ask a redneck with a guitar."
--David Smalley Ha! Just listening now, enjoyable as always.
Michael B: I have to admit that I basically ignored the podcast listening
functionality of my iPod, but then I ran across yours and now my Wife a)
hates you (not because you're an atheist, because I listen to your show
constantly) and b) is really irritated that I'm listening to my iPod all the time. It's like crack, I absolutely love it.
Martin:
Hi David, I just wanted to say that I've listened to all the episodes
and you're now my favourite podcast. Keep up the fantastic work.
Greg: Dave, I have just discovered you (quite by accident). Thanks for what you
are doing. And this is coming from a spiritual teacher :-)
Brandi:
Juan:
Wow, he's in Texas doing this stuff? I'm no atheist; I'm an Asatruar, but this bloke has balls to be in the Bible Belt.
Great recent show, probably the funniest yet. I know how angry you got
about the appalling country music and on several levels I was angry with
you too, but it was such a shame you didn’t play any more as... well, I
found them very funny too. I hope you can play a few more next episode.
I just looked up your book on Amazon and somebody's selling a used one for $103.06. I think demand just went up.
I'm a big fan.
Veritas:
Michael: Great show on Sunday. I listen to the show later on my Ipod, so I end
up listening to it the next day (usually while I'm working). I have to
tell you, hearing that John Michael Montgomery song was horrific. I
can't even express my anger.
Donny: I don't write to folks often, but I had to send you a note to tell you how much I enjoy your "Dogma Debate" podcast.
Ian: I just wanted to let you know that every now and then I feel upset and your blog always puts a smile on my face.
Sara: Receiving tons of hate mail means you're doing something right. :)
Joe: Hello David, I
recently listened to you on The Atheist Experience and decided to check
out your show. I must say that I'm really glad that I did, because you
guys are great! As soon as I have some more time on my hands, I'll
check out your book too!
Aberdeen:
Malcom: Hello from Canada! Just discovered your site and youtube channel and
enjoying the programming. Keep up the good work. "Live, Love and freedom
from God"
Andrea:
David W:
One thing that impressed me about you and reading a bit of your site is
that you seem concerned about the approach as well as the message. I
see some atheists who bring a sledgehammer with them and seem to laugh
that it's not their fault if theists 'shut down' before they even get
into the meat of their argument.
51 comments:
As an atheist and scientist, I've been wanting to learn more of what is, to me, a very foreign culture of unquestioning faith. Most religious people shy away from discussing their beliefs with me, although I have only a genuine curiosity about their culture and am not attempting to debate them, judge them, or change their beliefs. That's why I love the interviews on your show. Finally, I get to hear devoutly religious people discuss the very personal hows and whys of their beliefs without feeling like I'm hurting someone's feelings. And although your show is billed as a debate, I appreciate that you do a great job of exploring your guests' viewpoints instead of shouting them down or trying to make them look stupid. Please continue to invite knowledgeable religious people onto your show and please continue to show your usual courtesy and civility. I already know my side of the "debate," I want to understand theirs!
Let me say 1 very important thing, I have traveled this same road I was religious to non to atheist to spiritual atheist. Both side of this debate are reading the bible literaly. The bible is a spiritual book that is NOT to be taken LITERAL!!
I find it pretty amazing that all of the "comments" on here are positive. What a waste of time this is. If you don't believe in God, what's the point? Live your life and die, and don't worry about it. But I'm PRAYING that you will see the light. God Bless.
Dale,
Christians constantly and publicly discriminate against those who don't believe the way you do.
You vote to take basic human rights away from gays and say THEY can't get married because YOU don't believe in it.
You Christians have forced your way into our secular public schools, forced your version of god onto our secular economy's money, and even made an edit to our Pledge of Allegiance, which was just fine without superstition until Christians came along and added 'God' to it 62 years later.
You act as if our country was built by Christians but a simple look into history proves other wise. No, don't reach for your magic book. I said HISTORY, not MYTHOLOGY.
There is a difference.
Someone has to stand up to the folks like you that believe a 2,000 year old book of myths should run our government. So hello, that's me.
Nice to meet you.
Your hostile take over of our country stops now, and the new movement of secular humanism begins with the growing number of proud atheists, agnostics, and other freethinkers that refuse to live 2,000 years in the past.
When Christians stop blocking science, lying about evolution, discriminating against gays and women, and brainwashing children to hate; I'll shut up about it.
Until then, game on.
I thought you were way too easy on the Christian cop. You could have set him strait so many times but let him make stupid comments without calling him out. I have to agree with Silverman on different styles, and I think that you were apologetic in those podcasts. I prefer his direct style, rather than beating around the bush with people. But keep up the podcasts, we need all voices.
Hi from Tennessee. I love your podcast and listen to it everyday on the way to and at, work. I want to know something. Now, I know what the opening theme song to the show is, but every time you come back from commercials you always play music and It is usually "why is everybody so petrified" and another one sounds like Staind but there is another song that I don't know, that you play. I want to know the titles to the other songs that you play when you return from commercial so I can download them from itunes. Please respond with the titles on this page and I will check back periodically for the answer.... thank you
I agree with the reasonable, nice-guy approach of the podcast. Some people think Dave is too easy on the cop, for example, but in listening to the talks and hearing how often one must contradict oneself or make excuses or ridiculous claims just to hold on to faith, I have trouble thinking that Dave is being too easy. There is a difference between showing the fallacies in your opponent and making sure the opponent knows he lost, and since irrationality isn't something you know, but feel, I think it would be futile for Dave to push further. We already hear how inaccurate, improbably, irrational the Christian points are without it getting more heated.
hey Dave you should start a Dogma Debate discussion forum.I think it would be pretty big
Just started listening to your interview(s) with Dr. Barry Creamer. It's giving me a headache! What a self righteous jerk he is. You semi-apologize about not doing well but you're holding your own very well so far. I'll finish listening but I gotta say, it's annoying the crap out of me. Well done.
Just bought the audio version of your book, look forward to listening!
You know i love the podcast, especially when they talk about evolution...
:)
man this guy named Anonymous is quite active.
LOL the show makes me die laughing and you have good content on the show too. I miss Jim a little. I second a dogma debate forum it would be a good place to debate others and discuss.
I just want to say how much I enjoyed the podcast (#29 Darryl Ray and Drive By Evangelism) where the Christian lady who followed you to the horse barn because she saw your "ATHEIST" license plate and it "spoke" to her.
I was listening to it in my car and when she answered your question of is it ok for God to kill infants, she said "yes" and that somehow led her to highlighting the issue offolks coming across the border. Then she informed us how the Iranians flew "their" planes into the WTC.
If there had been a highway patrol nearby when I heard that I am sure I would have been pulled over for suspicion of DUI.
You need to post that discussion unedited as a bonus podcast.
Donny
Dave,
I have nothing deep nor profound to comment on. Only that you are a very attractive man, and that your wife is a lucky woman. ;)
Your fellow Texan,
Danielle
Well thanks, Danielle.
I'm actually not married, but I do appreciate the compliment.
There are a lot more atheists in Texas that most people realize; until you 'come out' of course, and then people spill their secrets. LOL
Thanks for listening.
Dave,
My mistake. I could've sworn you mentioned a wife in your debate against Hildreth, but I'm not exactly sure how long ago that debate took place.
Anyway, my deconversion (I grew up Southern Baptist) took a little over two years. I just couldn't handle the "non-answers" anymore, and in trying to get past them, to try and get at real answers, I realized there weren't any. I had no good reason to believe any of it. So I was done with it, and now, as an atheist, I'm happier than I've ever been.
I found your show through Atheist Experience, and I found Atheist Experience through The Thinking Atheist, etc. It's nice to know that all around me there are people who are waking up.
I've been watching some of your stuff on YouTube and am listening to the Evolution episode right now. Keep up the good work!
Keeping it Wacko in Waco,
Danielle
What happened to Jim on the show?
Hi Dave,
Love the podcasts! I actually feel sorry for the Christian Cop. It's painful to hear him say whatever is necessary to forward his belief. It's obvious that he absolutely needs for it to be true. I hope he listens to the podcast and hears himself sounding like an addict.
Anyway, will your book ever be available for iBooks app or Kindle Reader?
Thanks, and keep it up!
That segment on the definition of atheism went nowhere. David, you really didn't make your position clear, and Shayra (spelling?) for some reason flatly refuses to consider any other position, and consequently finds herself having to reject all online dictionaries in order to make her position seem reasonable.
Is the OXFORD dictionary not reputable enough for her?
http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/atheism
atheism
Definition: "disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods."
Origin: "late 16th century: from French athéisme, from Greek atheos, from a- 'without' + theos 'god'"
It seems pretty clear that both uses of the word (disbelief & lack of belief) are acceptable.
I don't understand why you all like David Fitzgerald's book so much. I borrowed it from a friend who is also an atheist, and we independently came to the same conclusion: Fitzgerald seems to take an all or nothing approach. But this really is only an argument against fundamentalists. Secular scholars looking at the pertinent documents as possible historical sources have always considered the stories to be embellished (as most writing from the ancient world is!)
For a careful, scholarly examination of the evidence with which the vast majority of secular ancient world historians agree, we both recommend Bart Ehrman's book:
Did Jesus Exist? The Historical Argument for Jesus of Nazareth
http://www.amazon.com/Did-Jesus-Exist-Historical-Argument/dp/0062204602/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1348355629&sr=1-1&keywords=bart+ehrman
Thanks Danielle.
There are a few groups in Texas that meet up, and Waco isn't too far from the Dallas area. I don't know for sure if there's one in Waco, but you can email me directly at david@dogmadebate.com and I can give you some ideas if you're interested in keeping up with that sort of thing, or just want to vent about Texas Religious BS. LOL
“Seek the truth and free your mind ONLY at dogmadebate.com.” I get the need for self promotion. But this is really an annoying statement to hear every episode. You guys are not the only, nor the most educational source of freethinking on the planet. To include the word "only", casual as it is, is just . . . well, how to put it? Insecure? insincere? Your forum is intended to encourage people to explore. Do you really want people to listen to you and nobody else? It's a cheap advertising gimmick that makes your mission look superficial.
@David,
I agree. We had that same discussion about a month ago, where I requested the removal of the word "only" specifically for the reason that we encourage research.
In fact, it was removed from all the written mottos, which you failed to mention. But the only thing it wasn't removed from was Daniel's News Segment.
I suppose with all the other things that it takes to keep this going, I let that one slip.
It's small marketing issue, but thanks for bringing it to my attention.
I just finished listening to the last 3 episodes of Dogma Debate and I think I heard talk of Daniel starting an SSA group at UNT. As a current student at UNT I think this is great but there already is an SSA affiliate at UNT. They used to be called the Freethought Alliance but they recently changed their name to "A Cubed" (Atheists, Agnostics, And others). I love atheists groups but I'm just curious as to why a separate group was created.
UNT Atheist: "I just finished listening to the last 3 episodes of Dogma Debate and I think I heard talk of Daniel starting an SSA group at UNT. As a current student at UNT I think this is great but there already is an SSA affiliate at UNT. They used to be called the Freethought Alliance but they recently changed their name to "A Cubed" (Atheists, Agnostics, And others). I love atheists groups but I'm just curious as to why a separate group was created."
Great question.
Yes, I do know about the Freethought Alliance/Atheists, Agnostics, and Others. I used to be an officer in that group.
The reason I am starting the SSA@UNT is because the aforementioned group I used to belong to does not do any secular activism. A^3 is more of a community for people, who happen to be nonreligious, to get together and just make friends and discuss things that may not even have to do with atheism, religion, or secularism. The SSA@UNT, the group I am starting, will focus more on activism and promoting atheism and secularism on the UNT campus.
Thank you,
Daniel Moran (a.k.a. TheBarkingAtheist)
I just want to let you know how important it is that you have a G rated show. I like to get some of my believer friends to tune to some of the atheist shows I listen to, but too many of them drop S and F bombs that really do not add to the conversation. Many seem to swear just because they can.
Keep up the good work and may you soon have to print a shirt that reads "the 400,000th listener.
I love your podcast and listen to it every week. I also really appreciate how civil you are when talking to Christians or other theists; it's a nice relief from the more aggressive atheists. My only issue with the show is the Barry Creamer episodes. I'm all for listening to Christian viewpoints and talking through things with them, but he is maybe the most dishonest person I've heard on any podcast. The discussion can never go anywhere and isn't nearly as productive as it could be because of his constant dishonesty in everything he says (the atheist morning "rituals" in the latest podcast is a good example). It's frustrating enough that I am honestly unable to listen to more than ten minutes of the episodes with him on them. I understand you are friendly with him, but I hope you also notice how disgusting his debating methods are and don't give him any more air time.
David,
Started listening to your show a few months ago and finally caught up with this weeks episode!
I do like your more personable interview style, but feel that Barry Creamer (BC) is very condescending towards you, he also misses the point. As a philosophic christian we will probably appreciate that 'philosophy is about questions that can't be answered while religion is about answers that cant be questionned!'. As christian philosopher, he must be very confused!
BC is a very slippery eel... He wiggles his way out of most questions and always seems to fall back to 'you can never really know anything'. He is not being dishonest, its just that it has to be true because he believes it, and he doesn't actually believe it because it is proven true. As someone that trys to keep an open mind, I almost believe what he is selling but then when I start to look at the detail it all falls apart! Without an Adam and Eve there is no original sin! Without original sin, you don't need Jesus. Even with Adam and Eve why would a child be held responsible for their parent's sins. Why would I worship the person who made me sick and thank him for the cure! Why use god sacrifice as a cure if he made the rules (what sort of example is that!).. and so much other wacky stuff I find in the bible.
I am sure it is hard to keep cool with people like BC, but you (knowingly) let him get away with stuff such as 'there is freewill in heaven, but no sin because god doesn't allow evil to exist and therefore limits the choices'! No problem with the logic and I can disagree that freewill is still freewill with limited choices, but what does that make earth / this life? All those people going to hell because god couldn't restrict evil on earth? So god is the cause of sin because he couldn't restrict evil, he definitely broke our legs and then tried to sell us crutches! OK, even if the choices are restricted in so called heaven, then surely evil just got better... Freewill is simply the choice between a spectrum of options ranging in effect... effect on those around us, effect on those who will come after us, affect on our own happiness, etc. Lets pretend the scale goes from -100 to plus 100 on earth. If heaven removes the minus numbers don't you still have people (if they are called that in heaven) that range from 0 to +100, heavens zero is earth's -100, and the goal posts have simply been moved. I personally don't like the word sin and prefer to talk with about the effect that our choices have on others (present and future). Maybe in heaven our choices can have no effect on anyone else?
I do find the argument that neutrality doesn't exist very interesting! I have to give it some more thought, but it does seem strangely advantageous to religion that atheism is defined as another religion. It suggests that the concept that no gods exist can no longer be treated as a default, neutral position which should be assumed rather than proven, requiring religions to prove their positive case. I don't know if BC is suggesting neutrality never exists, or just doesn't exist for religion... special pleading! So what (if anything) is the neutral position for religious thinking?
Anyway, keep up the good work but don't be afraid to drive home your points - its your show and your perogative!
Oh, I forgot oadd...
There is absolutely nothing in science that cannot be questioned... even the scientific method itself! Meanwhile BC states that everything in Christianity is questionned by him. What he doesn't state clearly enough is that his questionning must always lead to the conclusion that the bible is infallible. Science (as I know it) can even change its core tenants if they do not hold up to observation or experimentation. One of the biggest revelations about science for me is 'falsifiability' - the requirement that to be of any use, a scientific theory must be falsifiable. No christian I have ever spoken to will give me a straight answer about what would disprove christianity to them. In order for something to be true their must be ways to prove it false, otherwise how can I distinguish it from make believe that just keeps adapting its content to things that could disprove it. If it is so solid, make some (detailed) predictions that can be tested, provide real evidence that can be examined, make some statements that will really disprove it. As a philosophy of cause it is 'soft and squishy and ambiguous', open to interpretation and constantly subject to change. Today's mainstream Christianity will look very different in 100 years time when again science and culture has moved on, and religion has to change in order to survive.
I have heard a few disturbing comments from some believers trying to explain what happened in Newtown, CT. The most objectionable one was "God sometimes takes young ones in order to avoid contamination of this ungodly world just like he did with Enoch." How sick is that logic? And why is God so inconsistent in applying this procedure?
Ray
David, I’m a 54 year old, atheist for most of my life but just recently discovering atheism on the internet. I first heard you on the Atheist Experience with Matt Dillahunty. To date that is my favorite atheist broadcast because I love to hear the debates because that is what I like to do. So after hearing you, I had to check out your show. I mean it even has debate in the show name.
The show I listened to was #51. I’m about ½ ways through it and have been enjoying it but was starting to wonder where the debate is. But that is not why I am writing. Something happened that soured my appreciation for your show. You had a segment with a country song by Band Perry. Note I’m not a Band Perry or country music fan. You first started tearing apart the song for its grammar which seemed pretty sophomoric but then started to analyze the lyrics looking for its meaning. “It’s so creepy” you said. It was if I had changed stations on the radio and was now listening to an alternate universe Rush Limbaugh or some other RWNJ show. You and the others on the show were drawing conclusions about the song and relating it to how rap and rock songs are blamed for invoking violence, and how country songs get away with it. You said the song was dangerous.
David, you are doing exactly what we hate that the religinuts do. First, it’s just a song. It does not have some Christian agenda behind it. No creationist proclamations. No Jesus saved me. If it did I would understand its dissection. It just a song that has a bit of dark side, like many, many other songs of many genres. And I was a bit surprised that everyone on your show just followed right along with you. It really came across just like some evangelical show denouncing some song as anti-religious. I don’t know, maybe it’s me. Did I miss something?
Now back to the show, waiting for that debate.
I am loving the Evolution tab and the new look. This site and content just keep getting better and better. Thanks.
Love the show. I know this is completely off topic but I just had to point it out. Just wanted to give a little Tolkien fact because of what I heard in episode 58. I'm not trolling, I'm just point out Tolkien's intention as he stated it when he wrote the books. There is no overall metaphor or allegory in the Lord of the Rings. Check out Tolkien's own words in the forward to the book. “As for any inner meaning or ‘message’, it has in the intention of the author none. It is neither allegorical nor topical.” … “… I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations, and always have done so….” Sorry, I am kind of a Tolkien nut and this point often comes up in conversation. Love the show. Keep being awesome. Sincerely the Fourth Listener.
Hi, I'm catching up on your podcasts.
I listened to the one regading lgbt where you had on the transgender lady explaining how it works etc.
I was wondering about the comment you made about the term 'fag' and how it stems back to a time when sticks were called fags and how homosexuals were burned and were called fags as though they were regarded as kindling etc.
I looked this up but it seemes to say that it's an urban legend. Do you disagree with this? It was on wiki.
Thanks.
Right, straight to the point, I am sure you have been asked this before. What's with the end theme tune? Where did you find it? What's it about? I am starting to hum it all the time. Great bhangra!
@ Mark
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR12Z8f1Dh8
Thanks, but.... why?
@Mark, You asked what the song was that they play at the end of Dogma Debate. This is what they usually play at the end of each podcast, although not always. Perhaps you heard a different song.
Hey, thanks for answering, don't get me wrong! Maybe this is a problem of international translation. I've never heard the track before, is it big in USA? I just wondered what made DS choose this for the ending. Does it have a relevant message? Does DS just like it? To me its very obscure, that's all. Thanks for engaging, BTW, I know this is hardly the most important part of the show, but it just tweaked my curiosity. XX
I love the show and I listen to you via podcast on the way to work everyday. I wanted to ask a few questions... Why does the confused pastor sound like richard simmons...Is he confused in more ways than one? Or is it, that many evangelical pastors talk with a lisp?
Just asking...
Bible belt Atheist
@Anonymous - You are very observant. Yes, he is confused in more ways than one - and the story is unraveling soon.
I just want to say hello to my favorite people who live in my computer. I love you guys!!! :)
Hi David!
I'm now an atheist before i was a mormon and i watched the atheist experience on youtube and i now feel me strange and my city here in Brazil s too small sometimes i feel me bad and i would like of a counsel.
Sorry my english
i have no criticism, but your web page is missing the OBVIOUS.
a kari category so we can all laugh collectively!
i would love to have rachel put together lesson plans. education was horrible in the 70's so i missed out on this great stuff.
maybe consider a forum for clergy project members to communicate their progress. thanks to everybody at dogma debate!
Hi David,
I just recently found out about your podcasts via AronRa's page who I found out by accident on YouTube somehow. I'm a big fan of you both. I am atheist, and wholeheartedly agree with you that the superstition needs to be taken out of our government AND culture. Speaking of which, I was trying to imagine a scenario where we did win our objective over time. That is to say, that in so many years in the future, the whole planet became secularized. Would we not then find culture itself as a way of sowing seeds of conflict. I believe that to truly become a "Type 1" civilization, culture has to be fought against somehow as well.
I'm an American from Fort Worth who is currently living (and owns a house) in a small city in Norther Japan. Living here has caused me to look at culture from a completely new point of view, as I am surrounded by intense culture at all times. I have come to the conclusion that "When in Rome...." is not always good advice. I see culture itself just as dogmatic as religion in some ways. I was wondering what your thoughts on this was.
Don't get me wrong, I love me some DD. But the last episode with James was, ahem, challenging. Dave - you've got to give Aron a gagball. James - as much as I hate to admit it - was correct when he said that he was never given an uninterrupted stretch of time to articulate his position.
Sorry, DD, but you guys (excluding the lovely Rachel) did yourself a disservice in that debate. The 4th listeners never got a chance to hear the guy's absurd logic.
I'll keep listening - but please please please, mute Aron's mike.
Perry
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