Dan is the host of Truth Wanted, a call-in talk show that's part of the Atheist Community of Austin.Truth Wanted focuses on how and why people believe what they believe - and how we can talk about beliefs in more effective ways - whether it’s karma or Christ, Bigfoot or crystals.
In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “who matters?”
Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation is here on YouTube.
We discuss:
We discuss:
00:00 Welcome

Dan "coming out" as #vegan during Jamie's co-hosting of Truth Wanted

03:08 Dan's Intro

Listen to Truth Wanted! Is space real? Are there bug creatures on Mars?
"Americans in particular - not super great at the whole #epistemology stuff"

05:07 What's Real?

Growing up #Methodist , then switching to a #baptistchurch
Community more than theology "your parents went to church so you went to church"
"I did believe"
Doing evangelical ministry
Being baptised twice!
Talking to  @Anthony Magnabosco  of  @Street Epistemology  "It was a stepping stone on a journey... I was already deconstructing"
"This faith thing doesn't really make sense"
Being an "igtheist" (basically an atheist) and a #Sentientist
 @Being Reasonable's Mark Solomon https://youtu.be/OybxPFN8Ifc
The Bible "doesn't really stack up." Progressive Xtian & Xtian mystic phases
Reading  @Sam Harris
"I was definitely homophobic... transphobic growing up". "My Christian faith told me it wasn't right, it wasn't natural"
"When you have a naturalist worldview it's harder to be homophobic"
Changing ethics & politics: abortion, immigration
"Christianity was all I knew... I didn't understand how to be a good person outside of Christianity"
Struggles of leaving Xtianity. Lacking community (no  @Secular Student Alliance  in Waco) "that was tough"
"There would be more athiests if it was more normal"
Atheists within religious communities
Selective dogmatism: #Qanon , #antivaxx , #goop products, #homeopathy
"#cognitivedissonance is a bitch"
"When you don't have someone who is actively challenging what you think you can just think what you want"
#miracles
"Churches aren't places for critical thinking"
#epistemology #fideism #dogma
Hebrews 11: "faith is the evidence of things not seen" enables any arbitrary belief

...and much more. Full show notes at Sentientism.info.
Sentientism is “Evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings.” More at Sentientism.info. Join our "I'm a Sentientist" wall via this simple form.
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