The Atheist Experience 28.15 with Forrest Valkai and Jim Barrows 2024-04-14

Have an Atheist Experience today with Forrest Valkai and Jim Barrows! They walk us through how to respond to family members after explaining the complexity of the universe as they ponder the use of the word “belief” all while acknowledging that boring variables exist, even within simulated universes.

Caleb in OH asks the hosts if the complexity of the universe is an argument for or against god. If the universe was designed, why is it more complex than it needs to be? Not only is simplicity the hallmark of good design, but the second law of thermodynamics only applies to an isolated system. In order to know if something is designed, we must compare it to something that is designed, or isn’t designed. This is not something we can do on the universal level and only have this one to explore. Forrest explains the leading hypothesis for abiogenesis which is far from simple.

Bruno in Uruguay proposes that we use other words than belief when it comes to science. Belief at its core is accepting a claim as true; knowledge is when you have so much information about that claim that it would be absurd to not believe it. It is important to know if your method of determining something is true, is a good method. Using other words won’t change anything when it comes to theists being dishonest about their use.

Amir in CA uses premises that changeable things exist and variables such as C and X to try and prove god. What does this boring stuff have to do with god? The Kalam argument does not get you to god. Can you tell us why you believe in god without insults? You are not applying yourself; if you are going to be a troll, at least make it fun.

Gabe in TX asks how to respond to a family member that says Christianity is a relationship with Christ and not a religion. How do you have a relationship with somebody who does not show up? Can you describe this relationship you have with the deity? Why do you feel the need to escape your religion? Sometimes, this could be the first step in deconstruction. When responding to family, it is important to know what the goals of the conversation are, and where you want that relationship to end up.

Billy in TX does not believe we only have one universe because we have simulated universes that we created. How do we know that these simulated universes are the only other universes possible and how do we know if the simulations are accurate? Tiny errors add up over millions of years. We can’t do infinite precision so the simulations will always have a problem with fidelity. How many decimal points of pi are there in reality? How does any of this get you to a god?

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