I can only imagine the path some had to travel getting here. Welcome.

Thanks for the rec. Heard of Loftus, not sure if I've read any of his stuff. I didn't consider Andrews so much a shock jock for atheism than one who is sharing his own relief at breaking free. Both he and Matt can be prone to digs at the worldview and adherents they were both immersed in for the greater portion of their lives, but they're not being unfair about it.

I can see in Seth the same smooth style he must have used when he was a Christian broadcaster, but that's OK because that is an integral part of who he is. Like a salesperson that's good at pitching whatever product he has, but there's no insincerity about him. I like how he thanks the atheist community for being there (as a resource) for him as his questions and doubt grew.

I've been seeing many more talks/debates in my feed that only reaffirm my own view that the irrationalists are pitching snake oil. Many different styles, but all falling back on the many false assumptions of belief versus non-belief.

Some are downright delusional, hateful and offensive (I'll start a new thread on John MacArthur later).

@WilliamCharles Different styles, I suppose. But I can't help thinking that whether one is a theist or an atheist, ya try to sell the goods.

Neither are shock jocks at all. They are very sincere people that do it to help others. Neither planned on this carreer path, people somply responded to them.

@JohnnyQB

Just watched a couple of his debates back to back. I really appreciate his expressing righteous indignation when the religionists would ascribe some particularly insulting mischaracterization of his view, or insist that some particularly vacuous assertion had merit. The opposition trots out some of the worst analogies ever. They congratulated him for being courageousl enough to enteri their "den of lambs" (a Biola 4 on 1 cage match).

I was embarrassed for them that they actually thought they put forth compelling arguments.

I agree. I like Matt but he should probably be more respectful to theists if he wants to communicate his point of view. Dealing with the reasoning of theists requires patience.

@JohnnyQB

Krauss has participated in many debates along these guys, so that's probably who he meant. The names are close.

Matt is such a brilliant guy, but seems to have really hardened and sharpened over the years. He used to make solid arguments to shut down faulty logic and lost his patience only with people who were belligerent, nasty or making excuses for immoral behaviour.
Lately he has taken to more ad hominem attacks and dismissing people before they have a chance to speak.

I used to love the Atheist Experience, but I find it has really changed. It's mostly atheist callers now. And, I feel bad for the people who, just like many of us here once were, are believers who can't imagine a life without God.

I miss Tracie!

@JohnnyQB

I agree with all of that.

It's too bad that the better the production gets, the worse the show becomes. I used to consume hours of it when the audio was terrible and Matt and Tracie were both smiling away the whole time, under poor lighting. Now I find myself turning to other forms of entertainment.