Recently I reviewed the book 50 Voices of Disbelief: Why We Are Atheists by Russell Blackford and Udo Schuklenk (see Why We Are Atheists). An interesting follow-up to that book is a  talk back show (Talk back: the disbelievers) which played on ABC National radio a few days ago. This involved Russell Blackford (Co-editor, 50 Voices of Disbelief: Why We Are Atheists), and atuhors of some of the bpook’s essays Philip Kitcher (Professor of philosophy, Columbia University, New York), Tanveer Ahmed (Psychiatrist), Sean Williams (Speculative fiction author – including Star Wars: The Force Unleashed), Jack Dann (Author and editor of science fiction, including The Man Who Melted, The Memory Cathedral and The Rebel: An Imagined Life of James Dean) and Emma Tom (Journalist, author, columnist).

However, I was really  interested in the people who phoned in. These were a random collection of non-believers who were asked to describe how they came to their current disbelief. A sort of testimony if you like.

Just personal statements, no ideological dogma. I found them a very nice collection of thoughtful, honest people. And non-belligerent.

It may have helped that the host specifically requested non-believers. Pointing out that he wasn’t interested in believers having their say in this particular programme.

You can download the audio of this show. Or go to Talk back: the disbelievers for more details.

Thanks to Metamagician and the Hellfire Club: Radio show on “Life Matters” for the links.

Thanks to Jesus & Mo for cartoon.

Permalink

Similar articles