Podcasts that I listen to - The second coming

So this is the second edition of podcasts I listen to, the first edition can be found here. I thought it was time to update my list and give a new category or two. Also I decided not to give numbers, as I think all the podcasts mentioned here are great and its not meant to be taken as a priority listening list.

My regular Atheism Podcasts

The Bitchspot Report
After a hiatus the Bitchspot Report is now back with Charles and Cephus. This podcast is different to most other atheist podcasts as it comes from a conservative perspective. It covers relevant news items as well as delving into core issues relating to atheism and/or conservatism.

The Thinking Atheist
Seth Andrews is still producing a regular podcast and gaining listeners. Seth likes to refer to himself as a storyteller and that is what he is. He has a background in talk radio which probably gives this podcast that special feel, as he says "I was a broadcaster for 20 years. Ironically, much of it was Christian radio. Ain’t life strange?"

TheImaginaryFriendsShow.com Podcast
The anchor of this podcast is Jake, who has a number of guests that come around and make for a very entertaining podcast. There is a lot of humor in this podcast, and it is generally (not always) edited for profanity. Unfortunately, to get all the content (the regular show is one hour long) you need to be a Patreon of the show.

(Source)

A Podcast on its own?

Geologic Podcast
George Hrab really is in a league of his own, so much so that I am not even sure what category his podcast could fall under. Its brilliant, funny, educational, musical, atheistic, a little crazy and I love it, but I really have no idea where to put it.

My regular Science/Skepticism Podcasts

Inquiring Minds
I like this podcast, the only problem is that like many science podcasts they can be a little too sporadic. Its almost as if they are defunct at times and then pop back up for multiple weeks. Still very worth the listen.

The Skeptics Guide to the Universe 
If you like science you will like this show. I think on a political and social level me and the hosts could probably disagree for hours, luckily this is about science and that I can get behind. 

Podcast for the newbie atheist, and the inquiring theist.

The Atheist Experience (Show and Podcast)
This is a staple for most atheists and should be for new atheists. I personally do not listen frequently anymore as I get frustrated enough with theists in my normal life to entertain them in leisure time. If you are a newbie atheists I would recommend this show.

Other Atheist based Podcasts worth a listen
These are podcasts that I listen to sometimes and I really enjoy. However, they are not podcasts that I diligently listen to, also they may be for a more mature audience.

Geeks without God
Molly, Nick and Tim create a dynamic that is very listenable. If you are a geek, then this podcast is definitely for you. If you are not a geek, the show is still very enjoyable although you should probably avoid the geeky boners episodes.

Cognitive dissonance
Cecil and Tom are a riot of laughs with their atheism. I will say though that maybe you should not listen to this one at work. Theists like to talk about angry atheists, and while I would not describe the hosts as angry, this show would certainly appeal to an angry atheist.


So, some podcasts are gone from the original list either as I got disenchanted, or they are defunct, or they are too sporadic. But, I feel this list is a good start for new and old atheists alike to get some listening entertainment.

Islamic first world problems

The other day I was talking to one of my female colleagues who is a highly cited and published researcher. In fact, she is  a rather remarkable scientist who is highly respected and so when she told me her story of a recent encounter I could not believe what I was hearing.

In her new job, as a senior researcher she has a position of authority (almost like a manager although that's a crude description) which among many other responsibilities includes training of new recruits. This training is in important areas such as laboratory protocols, instruction of novel techniques and basically anything else that is asked of her. As such, it is beneficial for the recruits to listen as they are getting training from one of the best. Anyone that has been involved in receiving training knows what an advantage having a a trainer/boss with experience in relevant fields is. Now that I have created the scenario of he laboratory environment lets get onto the encounter.

Two recent male recruits to the laboratory come from the Middle East and are Muslims. As such it was my friends duty to introduce the laboratory etc. It was during this time that the one of these ignoramuses asked "Do, I have to listen to you?" She, was a bit taken aback after all she was giving instruction, so she answered in the affirmative. Now, one would think that would be the end of it, but it went further as he then asked "So, you are my boss?" Turns out that this guy and the other, although he is not so outspoken, do not want a women boss. In fact it is such a problem for this lunatic that he does not even want to greet her at work.The sad part of this situtation is that she does not have the power to get rid of the ignorant idiot.The good part is that the ignorant chauvinist twat does not have a choice and so he has to listen and respond to her on work issues.

This is an Islamic first world problem and what is to be expected when you take the Koran as Allah's message. After all we all know that Muslim men believe women are only half people, or worth half a man.
Surah 2:282 "O ye who....... And call two witness from among your men, two witnesses. And if two men be not at hand, then a man and two women .......Observe your duty to Allah. Allah is teaching you. And Allah is knower of all things."


My advice to this guy, get over it dickhead! You are living in a civilized society now, so start acting like a civilized person or go back to the hell hole you came from.

Keller explains Hell to us, and its a lot worse than expected apparently

The Hell concept is interesting to atheists and skeptics for a variety of reasons, as it (1) demonstrates something about God's nature and (2) it actually is not described in the Bible as it is sold by Christian groups. As such, there is a lot of reasons to doubt the ideas of hell and realize that these concepts were designed by theists to use as a stick to beat followers into submission to anything they want. For this reason, I was watching a video (see below) by Christian apologist Dr Timothy Keller about Hell, and whether God sends people to Hell.

Dr Keller is quick to distance himself from the traditional view of a sulfur hell fire with flames. He points out that the God image of people getting sent to hell by him is not what Hell is, as God is not kicking any non-believer anywhere. In fact, Dr Keller gives you some hope that finally there is an apologist that actually believes the Hell concept is pure evil and as such is in sharp contrast with the God of love that Christians love to promote. However, that feeling of hope as always with apologists is not held for a very long time when he says "Hell is in fact much worse". So what is worse than the Christian hell flaunted by ministers around the world to instill fear and make you give appropriate amounts of money to their coffers? According to Dr Keller, hell is being left alone by God for an eternity. Now while this may not seem like such a bad thing, what it translates to is no way to redeem yourself and heal the pain of certain ailments that may affect you. In this way you basically waste away forever, as God is the only person that can heal you if you are suffering emotional or physical distress.

In my opinion both versions of hell presented are shocking for a loving God to adopt. All Dr Keller is doing is showing that there is more than one way to instill fear and take money from the sheep.

The desire to remove personal responsibility

One problem I see in society is this desire to remove personal responsibility when it suits  one. For example, it is much easier for the Greek citizens to want other countries to pay for their early retirements while at the same time not wanting to increase their taxes to get their country out of financial debt. The Greek people voting no to the austerity measures (and other citizens from other countries backing them) is a prime example of removing responsibility. To put it another way, you cannot have free money when their is no money, you actually need to get the money first and that takes responsibility. But lets leave the example of Greece alone as one could argue that this responsibility should lie with the government and not the individual.  Unfortunatelly, this drive to remove personal responsibility is particularity prevalent when social justice warriors want to promote an idea that is not backed by facts over hard cold truths. SJW's are not alone though, it is a tactic that gets used by almost everyone. But, as always an example is better at driving a point home and so let me elaborate on the removal of personal responsibility.

I was having a discussion recently about my view that we should openly mock and criticize Bristol Palin in view of her newest pregnancy. To be clear she holds views that got her pregnant for the second time while not being married as she adheres to Christian values of abstinence only. This ridiculous views got her pregnant, as if she actually used contraception and enjoyed sex in a normal way she would not have two illegitimate children. I will be honest the first pregnancy was still when she was a teen, so while drunk and stupid I have some sympathy for her. Additionally, Bristol Palin is going out promoting and making money off an abstinence program that she does not adhere too. As such, I believe she deserves every bit of criticism aimed at her, as she is a danger to society with her backward views and she is in fact engaging in fraudulent behavior. However, some people believe we should not criticize her as it is not her fault.

Another example floated was that we should not blame Lance Armstrong for his actions. This is ridiculous he is a prime example of a horrific human that deserves all the contempt leveled at him. He made other team mates take narcotics, he lied openly multiple times about the use of narcotics, he played on peoples sensibilities by playing the cancer card, and he defrauded millions. The actions being taken against Armstrong are deserved. Yet, there are some people who believe we should not criticize him.

Or how about those people that feel thieves who steal are not to blame for their actions as they come from a bad environment. Now while I will agree that environment is a major player in the life a person may lead, a person is still responsible for their personal actions otherwise we would live in anarchy. Also, if you are going to use this line of argument you need to be consistent. This is what I find lacking, as many of these same people were quick to point and claim Josh Duggar was a pedophile and sex abuser but not a product of his environment. Interestingly what many of these SJWs forget is that Josh Duggar was a young teen and Bristol Palin was a much older teen during her first pregnancy, yet they only want to remove responsibility for one.

Personal responsibility is necessary as it is what keeps our societies around the world in order, truthfully without it we will descend into chaos. This is applicable to politics, social issues, economics, religion and every other facet of life. Perhaps this is why some people who do not believe in gods favor objective morality as it removes personal responsibility.

Now, for the first time I can use this parody picture on my blog. Yes, I know its dark so don't be a hater.