For their 50th episode the doubtcasters barely take a breath. What arguments against the existence of God do you find the most persuasive? Is there anything that could change your mind? Join us for a candid (if sometimes rambling) discussion about theism, atheism and the nature of evidence. Also in this episode: the motivation behind Blackwater founder Eric Prince�s bloody religious crusade is revealed and the American Psychological Association comes out against "therapies� that purport to turn ...
Aug 28, 20090
Back in June the doubtcasters were invited by CFI Michigan to give a presentation about the podcast. Here is a recording of that speech entitled "Reasonable Doubts: Answering the Apologists." It's an overview of the show's content including our favorite topics from past episodes. Reasonable Doubts: Your skeptical guide to religion offering news and commentary of interest to skeptics, atheists, humanists, apologists looking for a challenge and freethinkers of all persuasions.
Aug 21, 20090
Chris Rodda, MRFF researcher and author of Liars for Jesus, joins us on the show. She exposes the right wing theocrats who are rewriting history claiming America was founded to be a Christian nation. The NCBCPS Bible as Literature curriculum has already introduced these fictions into public schools across the nation. Making things worse, the Texas Board of Education has hired historical revisionist David Barton to review the state's social studies curriculum. Rodda explains what this could mean ...
Aug 07, 20090
What is a cult and how is it different from a religion? Recent revelations about the Church of Scientology provide a frightening example of how cult leaders can manipulate their flock using basic principles of group psychology. Later we talk to a RD listener who is trying to leave the Mormon church, and finding that it is harder than one would think. Finally, a former Jehovah's Witness asks for advice on how to convince his younger brother to leave the sect. Reasonable Doubts: Your skeptical gui...
Jul 31, 20090
How do you argue with someone who does not appreciate the value of reason and evidence? If personal feelings are allowed to trump logic, if myth is elevated to the same status as science�then anything goes. The new age "integral movement� and the postmodern "emerging church� movement both claim to offer a more open, affirming (and trendy) spirituality. But is there any substance behind the style? Also on this episode: A young atheist wants advice on speaking to religious relatives; plus a new go...
Jul 24, 20090
Jeff Sharlet joins us on the show to discuss his disturbing book "The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power". This elite but secretive cult, which some of its own members describe as a "Christian Mafia,� works behind the scenes in Washington to advance "biblical capitalism� and the "totalitarianism of Christ.� But is the Family real or is it just the latest delusion of conspiracy theorists? Also: did the Protestant work ethic fuel the rise of capitalism in Europe? We h...
Jul 16, 20090
For this episode we take a look at the tension between Israel and Palestine paying special attention to how Christian Zionists are perpetuating the conflict through their unconditional support for Israel. We also answer some listener email, explain why Buddhism is on both the props and shit-list for this week, and we introduce a new segment�the Gospel of Doubt. Reasonable Doubts: Your skeptical guide to religion offering news and commentary of interest to skeptics, atheists, humanists, apologist...
Jul 03, 20090
Religion gets in the way of having fun. But for this special vice episode the doubtcasters celebrate those sins that can bring so much joy to our lives. We begin by exploring XXXChurch.com (the leading Christian porn site) which offers old time sexual repression in a hip new trendy package. We also discuss the religious roots of drug prohibition with Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance. We conclude the episode with a selection, chosen by our listeners, of some of the ...
Jun 26, 20090
As citizens of earth we all have a responsibility to protect the planet. But even today many maintain the Judeo-Christian belief that God granted human beings dominion over the whole of creation�that the earth exists for our benefit. For philosophical naturalists, evolution compels us to confront the fact that we are not fundamentally different from non-human animals. As fully natural beings must consider how our attitudes and actions impact other species and the environment as a whole. An incre...
Jun 19, 20090
Over the past month a series of disturbing revelations put the subject of Christian militarism back in the headlines. So for this episode the Doubtcasters revisit "the Lords Army.� When historically did Christian fundamentalism take root in the American Armed Forces? Can we expect any changes with this new administration? And for a new "God thinks like you� segment, we examine the dangerous connection between pre-millennial eschatology and nuclear war. Also, for this week�s "Skeptics Sunday Scho...
Jun 05, 20090
The Reasonable Doubts crew were recently guests on the "Faith and Reason" radio show hosted by Bill Freeman. Since we often focus on the claims of fundamentalists and conservative Christians this was our chance to engage with the ideas of with religious liberals. As we quickly discovered this is not as easy as it sounds. But we've offered it up for your listening "pleasure." After listening please share any tips you might have for nailing Jello to a wall. Reasonable Doubts: Your skeptical guide ...
May 23, 20090
For this episode we interview Dr. David Myers, Professor of Psychology at Hope College, contributor to Skeptic Magazine and author of “A Friendly Letter to Skeptics and Atheists: Why God is Good and Faith Isn�t Evil.� Myers explains how his experience as a psychologist and promoter of critical thinking has influenced his religious faith. Also, the Doubtcasters engage Myer in a friendly debate over what role religion itself plays in making people “happy, healthy and helpful.� Reasonable Doubts: Y...
May 15, 20090
What do people mean when they say they believe in God? Supernatural, incorporeal, immutable, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent�it�s easy to rattle off a list of divine attributes. We can say these words but do we really understand what they mean? For this episode the Doubtcasters examine the god concept itself�his metaphysical nature, abilities and attributes�to see if they can meet even the most minimal standards for coherence and intelligibility. Also for this episode, we discuss listener em...
May 08, 20090
Does Atheism result in immorality? Christian apologists are using two surveys to argue that Christians value moral behavior more than the non-religious. For another "God Thinks Like You" the doubtcasters remind the holier-than-thou crowd that "Ye shall judge them by their fruit." Also, apologist William Lane Craig's case that a loving God is consistent with the idea of hell is also challenged for this weeks Counter-apologetics segment. Reasonable Doubts: Your skeptical guide to religion offering...
Apr 25, 20090
Women have suffered more from organized religion than any other group. So for this episode the Doubtcasters examine the scriptural roots of male dominance in both the Bible and the Quran. We also take a look at the “quiverfull� movement, which condemns birth control and encourages women to view their "wombs as weapons� against secular society. Reasonable Doubts: Your skeptical guide to religion offering news and commentary of interest to skeptics, atheists, humanists, apologists looking for a ch...
Apr 16, 20090
From India to Iowa courageous men and women are speaking out and fighting back against religious intimidation and repression. For this episode, the Doubtcasters share some of these inspiring stories. PZ Myers, author of the science blog Pharyngula, joins us in the studio to discuss what needs to happen next in the struggle against dogma. Reasonable Doubts: Your skeptical guide to religion offering news and commentary of interest to skeptics, atheists, humanists, apologists looking for a challeng...
Apr 09, 20090
On this episode we introduce a new segment called "get to know a fallacy." For the first installment we examine false analogies in the design arguments of William Paley and Dinesh D'Souza. But first join us for a new installment of God Thinks Like You where we explain why, to the brain, God is just another guy. Reasonable Doubts: Your skeptical guide to religion offering news and commentary of interest to skeptics, atheists, humanists, apologists looking for a challenge and freethinkers of all p...
Mar 21, 20090
Never before in the history of the show, have we received such a strong and mixed response from our listeners as we did with our two part series on the subject of free will and determinism. So for this episode the doubtcasters, as promised, respond to our listeners emails. Also, we take a look at "Ten Books that Screwed Up the World" and explain why President Obama is once again on Reasonable Doubts shitlist. Reasonable Doubts: Your skeptical guide to religion offering news and commentary of int...
Feb 19, 20090
To celebrate the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin Ed Brayton, author of ScienceBlogs popular blog Dispatches from the Culture Wars, joins us to talk about his new radio show and podcast Declaring Independence. He shares with us a fascinating interview with Ken Miller, critic of Intelligent Design and author of the new book Only a Theory. Miller explains the findings of a paper that was devastating to the notion of irreducible complexity, a paper written by none other than Intelligent Design advo...
Feb 12, 20090
This week we're going to take a break from our usual format to bring to you a lecture recently delivered to CFI Michigan by Reasonable Doubts co-host Luke Galen. Luke has just completed the most comprehensive survey to date on the Non-Religious. The results provide some answers to questions such as How are non religious individuals viewed by the broader community? What differentiates religious and non religious individuals within the same community? Are there sub groups within the non religious ...
Feb 05, 20090
Barack Obama has been president for barely a week, yet the religious right has already ramped up their rhetoric to hysterical levels. For this episode we examine their claim that Obama�s reversal of the "Global Gag Rule" on family planning funding represents an assault on human life. Also we look to the New Testament and ask whether Christianity is more compatible with capitalism or socialism for another installment of the Skeptic�s Sunday School. Reasonable Doubts: Your skeptical guide to relig...
Jan 29, 20090
According to the American Family Association's new documentary "Speechless: Silencing The Christians" Homosexual advocates are using sophisticated propaganda techniques to manipulate the public into accepting the homosexual lifestyle as normal and harmless. As a result Christians are now being stereotyped by the media as being intolerant bigots clearing the way for persecution at the hands of homosexual advocates who use hate speech laws to silence Christian's free speech rights and suppress the...
Jan 27, 20090
Having argued for determinism, the doubtcasters now turn to its implications. Is moral responsibility possible in a deterministic universe? Could justice and self-knowledge still be achieved if free will is just an illusion? Tom Clark, Director of the Center For Naturalism joins us on the show to explain how adopting a consistently naturalistic worldview would transform our view of society and ourselves. Reasonable Doubts: Your skeptical guide to religion offering news and commentary of interest...
Jan 22, 20090
Does every person possess a immaterial soul capable of making free choices or are we all just electrified meat--slaves to brute causality? For this episode, the doubtcasters draw upon arguments from philosophy and psychology to make the case for determinism. But if a naturalistic outlook rules out freedom of the will is morality still possible? Reasonable Doubts: Your skeptical guide to religion offering news and commentary of interest to skeptics, atheists, humanists, apologists looking for a c...
Jan 15, 20090
Nica Lalli Author of "Nothing: Something to Believe In" joins us in the studio to talk about art, the holidays and raising freethinking children. Also in this episode are holiday editions of the "props/s***list" and "stranger than fiction" segments.
Dec 23, 20080
Does the New Testament provide a clear and accurate portrayal of Jesus of Nazareth? If the gospels provide the testimony of four independent witnesses who overwhelmingly agree on the details, as apologists claim, then we would have reason to trust these accounts. But modern biblical scholarship paints a radically different picture of the gospels, their origins and historical accuracy. In this, the second of a two part series, the Doubtcasters consider and respond to recent counter-arguments offe...
Dec 10, 20080
Does the New Testament provide a clear and accurate portrayal of Jesus of Nazareth? If the gospels provide the testimony of four independent witnesses who overwhelmingly agree on the details, as apologists claim, then we would have reason to trust these accounts. But modern biblical scholarship paints a radically different picture of the gospels, their origins and historical accuracy. In this, the first of a two part series, the Doubtcasters draw upon the insights of biblical criticism to challe...
Nov 25, 20080
Embryonic stem-cell research, assisted dying, human enhancements and genetically modified foods. Is it possible to have a constructive moral and legal dialogue about such controversial bioethical issues without being derailed by religious and ideological dogmas? Ron Lindsay, author of Future Bioethics: Overcoming Taboos, Myths and Dogmas joins us on the show to explain how we could resolve these controversies without presupposing either a religious or non-religious worldview.Reasonable Doubts: Y...
Nov 12, 20080
Zombies, demons, Satan, witches, ritual abuse, Mel Gibson and more...this episode's a nightmare. Reasonable Doubts: Your skeptical guide to religion offering news and commentary of interest to skeptics, atheists, humanists, apologists looking for a challenge and freethinkers of all persuasions.
Oct 29, 20080
By popular demand, the Doubtcasters present their critique of Christian philosopher Alvin Plantinga's Evolutionary Argument Against Naturalism (EAAN). This celebrated argument attempts to demonstrate that natural selection, if unguided by god, could not produce beings with reliable cognitive faculties capable of discerning the truth. But is EAAN all its cracked up to be? Also on this episode: The Doubtcasters consider William Lane Craig's rebuttal to Euthyphro's Dilemma, answer listener e-mails,...
Oct 20, 20080
