The Atheist Experience 28.40 with Forrest Valkai and Dr. Ben

The Atheist Experience

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Forrest Valkai and Doctor Ben tackle several fun issues.

Jack in Canada asks the hosts about the problem of evil. If god made the rules, why would he choose to cause suffering when he is powerful enough not to? Why did god choose something that causes suffering? If your god is in charge of everything, why does he not fix childhood poverty? You are more moral than your god.

Max in Russia wants to help but is unable to donate. Every action helps no matter how small and we appreciate you. Doctors without Borders must work legal negotiations before being able to enter a country.

Mike in SC has a perception that atheists and theists are doing the same thing because atheists say god is evil, and theists say god is good. Is a bi-sexual trans man better off in hell? Why is it okay that someone is sent to Hell for being gay? What if another god says it is a sin to be heterosexual? Why is it okay for Christians to kick people out of their family for being queer? Imagine what it feels like to be told that because of this monster in the sky who treats you differently for being gay, you deserve to be tortured forever. How is the lesson someone learns from the loss of the baby worth the baby’s life? Is freewill more important to god than protecting children?


Kelvin in FL asks if the existence of transgender people goes against the societal push of deconstructing gender norms. Dr. Ben explains that the trans community is not about adapting femininity or masculinity, and how the trans community leans into gender abolitionism. There is societal pressure put on trans people to perform to those stereotypes. Forrest discusses how sex and gender are different, and how things in the 1400s that were considered manly are not manly today.

Vic in TX believes in a creator, but does not believe in the New Testament or Jesus. How is the Bible considered to be morally good? Is it morally good to stone your children if they disobey? Why should this be accepted as an instruction manual when it instructs how to own and beat slaves?

Jackie in MS wants us to dig into a bunch of philosophers to promote Christian values. What do you have to say about these values being carcinogenic to human minds? How does the function of an idea speak to the morality of an idea? What is one example where consciousness is independent of matter?

Nate in NY discusses his deconstruction before the last caller, Kevin in MA, brings the hosts into a discussion about sexual dimorphism.

Thank you for calling in this week!
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