Apologia

What does the Cosmos mean to us? Is there an ultimate meaning to be found in it? In this second discussion with Dan Ray, we chat about the question of cosmic meaning in the context of our theological assumptions. Why is it that the exploration of the Cosmos has captured so much of our attention and wonder, why have we spent billions and billions of dollars learning as much as we can about the bill...

I received an email out of the blue a few months back from a guy named Dan Ray. He had gotten my information from Ezra Boggs, who runs the Bible and Beer Consortium here in Dallas and Fort Worth. Dan had seen me participate in a debate with Calum Miller on behalf of the BBC, and I had mentioned a few things about the Cosmos that got him thinking. He mentioned that he's working on a Master's degree...

I first met Averroes Paracha at a debate between Justin Schieber and Blake Giunta held at the University of Texas at Dallas. He was introduced to me as an skeptical and agnostic former Muslim with interesting ideas about God. Since that time, Averroes has come to embrace theism, and even Christian theism. He was scheduled to be baptized at the 1042 Church pastored by my former debate partner Dr. J...

For this visit, I attended an apologetics conference at Watermark Community Church, a relatively influential and sometimes controversial megachurch that prides itself on conservative theology. This conference was organized by and featured William Lane Craig as keynote speaker, along with Ravi Zacharias, Frank Turek, Greg Koukl, John Stonestreet, and Daniel Wallace.

In this special interview, Zach interviews another Zach Moore, a young ex-pastor in Washington, DC whose first encounter with the Apologia host came through the Reason Rally Twitter feed in March of this year. After challenging each others' views through social media, the other Zach has had a significant change in worldview.

Christopher Hitchens, one of the "New Atheists" and counted among the "Four Horsemen" alongside Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, and Sam Harris, died from esophageal cancer on December 15, 2011. In this discussion, Zach, Dan, and Kevin reminisce about Hitchens' life and the impact he's had on atheists as well as Christians.

In a previous discussion, we touched on the changing cultural landscape and its effect on the family, but what about its effect on marriage? In America, the most significant cultural conflict surrounding marriage is the concept of same-sex marriage. This issue is typically thought as being driven by a religious agenda, but not all religious organizations are opposed to an expanded understanding of...

How will the religious and nonreligious landscape change for the generation of kids being raised now by atheists and believers? What will happen to the concept of the family as American society becomes increasingly secularized?

A group discussion of Sam Harris' new book, "The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values."

A group discussion of Sam Harris' new book, "The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values."

A group discussion of Sam Harris' new book, "The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values."

In this inaugural episode, we visit The Village Church and talk with Clint Gunter, a young Christian who finds community and purpose among his fellow believers.

Saima Chagani, who was born in Pakistan and raised an Ismaili Muslim before converting to Sunni Islam and moving to the United States, is featured in the discussion to examine the current state of global Islam, and the somewhat unique experience of living as a Muslim in post-9/11 America.

A special interview with Dale McGowan, co-author of "Raising Freethinkers" and founder of the new secular charity, "Foundation Beyond Belief." Also, Amie Parsons, 2009 Camp Director of Camp Quest Texas. Dale and Amie chat about raising freethinking children and the challenges of being a freethinking parent in a society that largely embraces supernaturalism.

Sarah Trachtenberg, who blogs at sarahtrachtenberg.com, joins the discussion to talk about her book project, "Not My God," which will be collecting personal "un-testimonies" from atheists and freethinkers. In that spirit, the discussion participants share some of their own stories of apostasy.

Enrico Indiogine, a convert to the Baha'i faith, provides the Apologia participants with a brief explanation of his religious beliefs and the similarities and differences that can be seen with more widely recognized faiths.

Why is Galileo's theory today so uncontroversial? Does it not challenge sacred scriptures and contradict the specialness of mankind similar to evolutionary theory?

It's fairly obvious why there is such a profound cultural division because of evolutionary theory, but is it good to have this divide?

The Dallas-Fort Worth Coalition of Reason (www.dfwcor.org) has recently been formed, with a new billboard campaign as their first project. Terry McDonald of the Metroplex Atheists and Fred Edwords of the United Coalition of Reason join the discussion as special guests.

Is there a fundamental difference in how theists and atheists approach the question of death and grief?

Kevin Harris and Zachary Moore attended the Christian Book Expo in Dallas, Texas; the convention featured a panel debate that included Christopher Hitchens and William Lane Craig. After the panel completed, Kevin and Zach recorded a live discussion that included several members of the audience, as well as Hitchens and Craig.

Is there a fundamental difference in how theists and atheists approach the question of death and grief?

Danny Schade leads the discussion, talking about some of the most commonly-cited problems with theism. Danny's father, Terry, visits the discussion.

A counterpoint to the previous Stump the Atheists discussion, this time featuring a new Christian and a new Baha'i participant.

A discussion about Satan, and how he relates to both orthodox Christianity and atheism, as well as Satanism.