A Christian and an Atheist Walk into a Bar
Neil Newton and Phil Thompson have been talking about religion, philosophy, politics, music, sports, and pretty much anything they felt like talking about every since they became friends while working together at the University of Pittsburgh in the 20-teens. Though Neil is an Atheist and Phil is a Christian, they found that they agreed on more things than not, especially the evils of instant replay! ACAAAWIAB will explore topics like debt, heaven and hell, the Biblical Jubilee, philanthrocapitalism, and many others. Neil and Phil enjoy these conversations, so they figured there's a chance you will too. Original theme music written, performed, and produced by Neil Newton and Phil Thompson. christianathiest.pod@gmail.com
A Christian and an Atheist Walk into a Bar
The New Atheists
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Neil Newton and Philip Thompson
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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In this episode we look at several leaders of the New Atheists, including Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, Alex O'Connor and more. What valid critiques of Christianity do they have? Do they reflect adequately on some of the shortcomings of historical atheism? How is their fascination with a cultural form of Christianity and antipathy toward Islam consistent with their atheistic beliefs?
We'll also dive into Steven D. Smith's book The Disenchantment of Secular Discourse and explore his concept of "moral smuggling" as it relates to the New Atheists and moral categories in a pluralistic society more generally.
Sam Harris, Dawkins, and O'Connor
The embrace of cultural Christianity and the slide towards fascism
Political action in coal based industrial societies vs. petrol states
Deriving morality from philosophical materialism
Neil's experience of Ghanaian Christianity
Moral smuggling
Leaning into the practice of our beliefs