"The Atheist Experience" is an American live, weekly

televised Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or the medium of television transmission. Television is a mass medium for advertising, ...

webcast based in

Austin, Texas Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the seat and largest city of Travis County, with portions extending into Hays and Williamson counties. Incorporated on December 27, 1839, it is the 11th-most-populous city ...

. Listeners are encouraged to call in to discuss the

existence of God The existence of God (or more generally, the existence of deities) is a subject of debate in theology, philosophy of religion and popular culture. A wide variety of arguments for and against the existence of God or deities can be categorize ...

and related topics. Calls from

theist Theism is broadly defined as the belief in the existence of a supreme being or deities. In common parlance, or when contrasted with ''deism'', the term often describes the classical conception of God that is found in monotheism (also referred to ...

s are usually given priority, as the aim of the webcast is to encourage theists to question their theistic beliefs and thus, theists are often asked to explain what they believe, and why.

History

In April 1996, a woman named Kellen Von Houser took the initiative of forming a group for atheists in the Austin area by e-mailing local atheists. After several informal monthly gatherings, the Atheist Community of Austin was formally founded on December 15, 1996, by which time it had attracted around 60 members. By June 1997, the ACA had its own website, a relatively new medium at the time, to reach out to fellow atheists on the internet. The first episode of ''The Atheist Experience'', a pre-recorded

pilot An aircraft pilot or aviator is a person who controls the flight of an aircraft by operating its directional flight controls. Some other aircrew members, such as navigators or flight engineers, are also considered aviators, because they a ...

, aired on October 19, 1997. From the second show onward, the episodes were broadcast live on cable access television on every other Sunday, giving the opportunity to viewers to call the show live. Initially the show's length was one half-hour. Ray Blevins was the show's first host, while Joe Zamecki served as the first co-host. The show length was extended to an hour in September 1998. From December 1999 on, ''The Atheist Experience'' began streaming over the Internet, enabling anyone around the world with Internet access to watch. Since November 2005, ''The Atheist Experience'' (as well as ''The Non-Prophets Radio'') has also been distributed as a

podcast A podcast is a program made available in digital format for download over the Internet. For example, an episodic series of digital audio or video files that a user can download to a personal device to listen to at a time of their choosin ...

to a global audience. A

YouTube YouTube is a global online video sharing and social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by Google, and is the second mo ...

channel, which became the official channel in August 2012, has over 372,000 subscribers and over 182 million video views as of June 2022. On June 24, 2018, the show aired its 1000th episode. The first episode (pilot) was recorded at Furr's Cafeteria in October 1997. Subsequent episodes were recorded at the

public-access television Public-access television is traditionally a form of non-commercial mass media where the general public can create content television programming which is narrowcast through cable television specialty channels. Public-access television was creat ...

studio at Austin Public (1143 Northwestern Ave). After 18 years, long-standing logistical and technical issues at the public access studio prompted the crew to move to the ACA's Freethought Library (1507 West Koenig Lane) in October 2015. ''The Atheist Experiences success has spawned several spin-off shows also produced by the ACA; as of July 2018, these were ''The Non-Prophets Radio'' podcast, the ''Talk Heathen'' talk show, the ''Godless Bitches'' podcast and ''The Preaching Humanist'' television show. In December 2018, the new ''Secular Sexuality'' live show was launched.

Show details

Purposes

The primary purpose of ''The Atheist Experience'' is to have a discussion or debate on the existence of gods or related topics between theist callers and the atheist hosts and co-hosts. ''The Atheist Experience'' is therefore primarily geared towards a non-atheist audience, and tends to foster confrontational debates. Moreover, the conversations are intended for theists to hear from atheists themselves, rather than from other theists, what atheists actually believe. Another goal is to familiarize the show's audience with relevant arguments and effective debating tactics.

Theme song

The opening theme used for ''The Atheist Experience'' has changed over the years; in some cases due to copyright issues. From August 2009 to August 2015, the theme song was Bryan Steeksma's "Listen to Reason". Following that, Shelley Segal's "Saved" has been used.

Topics

Although debates about all

theism Theism is broadly defined as the belief in the existence of a supreme being or deities. In common parlance, or when contrasted with '' deism'', the term often describes the classical conception of God that is found in monotheism (also referred ...

- and atheism-related views are welcome, because of the large number of

Christians Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words '' Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρ ...

in the United States and their influence in American politics and society, the emphasis is mostly on

Christianity Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the world's largest and most widespread religion with roughly 2.38 billion followers representing one-third of the global pop ...

. Frequent topics include religious

dogma Dogma is a belief or set of beliefs that is accepted by the members of a group without being questioned or doubted. It may be in the form of an official system of principles or doctrines of a religion, such as Roman Catholicism, Judaism, Isla ...

morality Morality () is the differentiation of intentions, decisions and actions between those that are distinguished as proper (right) and those that are improper (wrong). Morality can be a body of standards or principles derived from a code of co ...

ethics Ethics or moral philosophy is a branch of philosophy that "involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior".''Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy'' The field of ethics, along with aesthetics, concer ...

, and application of the

scientific method The scientific method is an empirical method for acquiring knowledge that has characterized the development of science since at least the 17th century (with notable practitioners in previous centuries; see the article history of scientific ...

Format

The host (on the right) and co-host (on the left) are filmed sitting behind a table. There may also be off-camera spectators in the studio. After the opening sequence featuring the theme song, the co-host often opens with a theme (for example, Don Baker's segment "The Failures of Christianity") or current event discussion, and then the host takes live calls. Callers are put in a waiting queue and screened by the crew before they are put into direct contact with the host and co-host. Although atheists are also allowed to call in, the crew attempts to have at least 50% theists callers. The host has a control panel, which allows them to put a caller temporarily " on hold" in order to clarify a point or address a technical issue, or disconnect a caller who in the host's judgment has been overly rude or has frustrated the discussion. Some callers hold negative stereotypes about atheists, or misconceptions about atheism and science, and occasionally verbally abuse the hosts, or atheists in general. At times, the hosts reply in kind, or even initiate verbal abuse or mockery of the religious beliefs which a caller may hold. However, friendly and respectful conversations also frequently take place, and are preferred. Author Yuriy Nikshych wrote that ''The Atheist Experience'' is "worth watching to get a sense of how to talk to theists", and said it was an "invaluable resource" for people (including himself) in the process of losing their religious beliefs to become atheists.

Presenters

Current

Former

;Host: *

Matt Dillahunty Matthew Wade Dillahunty (born March 31, 1969) is an American atheist activist and former president of the Atheist Community of Austin, a position he held from 2006 to 2013. Between 2005 and late 2022, Dillahunty was host of the televised webcast ...

: a professional magician who was raised a fundamentalist Baptist and was a Christian for more than twenty years. He served in the

Navy A navy, naval force, or maritime force is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral, or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions. It in ...

for eight years before moving to Austin to spend several years in the

video game industry The video game industry encompasses the development, marketing, and monetization of video games. The industry encompasses dozens of job disciplines and thousands of jobs worldwide. The video game industry has grown from niches to mainstrea ...

. Although he intended to attend

seminary A seminary, school of theology, theological seminary, or divinity school is an educational institution for educating students (sometimes called ''seminarians'') in scripture, theology, generally to prepare them for ordination to serve as clergy ...

and pursue a career in the

ministry Ministry may refer to: Government * Ministry (collective executive), the complete body of government ministers under the leadership of a prime minister * Ministry (government department), a department of a government Religion * Christian ...

, he came to reject his previous theistic beliefs. He co-founded Iron Chariots, a counter-

apologetics Apologetics (from Greek , "speaking in defense") is the religious discipline of defending religious doctrines through systematic argumentation and discourse. Early Christian writers (c. 120–220) who defended their beliefs against critics an ...

wiki A wiki ( ) is an online hypertext publication collaboratively edited and managed by its own audience, using a web browser. A typical wiki contains multiple pages for the subjects or scope of the project, and could be either open to the pub ...

, co-presented ''The Atheist Experience'' for the first time in March 2005, and served as the president of the Atheist Community of Austin from 2006 to 2013. On October 2, 2022, the Atheist Community of Austin announced Dillahunty's retirement as host of ''The Atheist Experience'', almost 18 years after his first broadcast in October 1997. Jeff Dee

* : a computer scientist in the field of

computer-supported cooperative work Computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW) is the study of how people utilize technology collaboratively, often towards a shared goal. CSCW addresses how computer systems can support collaborative activity and coordination. More specifically, the ...

, who has a strong interest in the field of memetics and has spent several years exploring the implications of Christianity as a meme complex. He has served as secretary of the Atheist Community of Austin. *

Jeff Dee Jeff Dee is an American artist and game designer. He was the youngest artist in the history of pioneering role-playing game company TSR when he began his work at the age of eighteen. He also designed the ''Villains and Vigilantes'' superhero gam ...

: an artist and

game designer Game design is the art of applying design and aesthetics to create a game for entertainment or for educational, exercise, or experimental purposes. Increasingly, elements and principles of game design are also applied to other interactions, in ...

whose work shows

comic book A comic book, also called comicbook, comic magazine or (in the United Kingdom and Ireland) simply comic, is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are of ...

form and influence. He is the co-creator of '' Villains and Vigilantes'', illustrator of the ''

Dungeons & Dragons ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (commonly abbreviated as ''D&D'' or ''DnD'') is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game (RPG) originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. The game was first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. (TS ...

'' manual ''

Deities & Demigods ''Deities & Demigods'' (abbreviated ''DDG''), alternatively known as ''Legends & Lore'' (abbreviated ''L&L'' or ''LL''), is a reference book for the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' fantasy role-playing game (D&D). The book provides descriptions and game ...

'', artist for ''

Master of Orion ''Master of Orion'' (abbreviated as MoO) is a turn-based, 4X science fiction strategy game in which the player leads one of ten races to dominate the galaxy through a combination of diplomacy and conquest while developing technology, exploring ...

'', art director for ''

Ultima VII ''Ultima VII: The Black Gate'' is the seventh installment of the ''Ultima (series), Ultima series'' of role-playing video games, released on April 16, 1992. In it the player returns as The Avatar, a would-be paragon of moral virtue who faces down ...

'', and lead designer for '' The Sims: Castaway Stories''. He co-created ''The Non Prophets'', an

Internet radio Online radio (also web radio, net radio, streaming radio, e-radio, IP radio, Internet radio) is a digital audio service transmitted via the Internet. Broadcasting on the Internet is usually referred to as webcasting since it is not transmitted ...

show. *Keryn Glasser: a gerontological social worker who has worked in hospice and, having come from a

Jewish atheist Jewish atheism refers to the atheism of people who are ethnically and (at least to some extent) culturally Jewish. Contrary to popular belief, the term "Jewish atheism" is not a contradiction because Jewish identity encompasses not only religi ...

background, is "interested in exploring death and dying from a non-religious perspective." She identifies as a "

pacifistic Pacifism is the opposition or resistance to war, militarism (including conscription and mandatory military service) or violence. Pacifists generally reject theories of Just War. The word ''pacifism'' was coined by the French peace campaigne ...

, animal loving,

tree hugging The Chipko movement ( hi, chipko andolan, italic=yes, lit= reehugging movement) is a forest conservation movement in India. The movement originated in 1973 at the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand (then part of Uttar Pradesh) and went on to beco ...

vegan Veganism is the practice of abstaining from the use of animal product—particularly in diet—and an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals. An individual who follows the diet or philosophy is known as a vegan. ...

." *: a

software engineer Software engineering is a systematic engineering approach to software development. A software engineer is a person who applies the principles of software engineering to design, develop, maintain, test, and evaluate computer software. The term ''p ...

Russell Glasser, personal profile
/ref> who has been involved in ''The Atheist Experience'' since 2000 and produced the internet radio show ''The Non Prophets''. He has served on the ACA board and was elected ACA president in 2016. *Ashley Perrien: served as co-host and host from 2001 to 2008 *Ray Blevins: served as host from 1998 to 2000 * Martin Wagner: an artist, cartoonist, and

filmmaker Filmmaking (film production) is the process by which a motion picture is produced. Filmmaking involves a number of complex and discrete stages, starting with an initial story, idea, or commission. It then continues through screenwriting, castin ...

who self-published the comic book '' Hepcats''. *: a former

Christian fundamentalist Christian fundamentalism, also known as fundamental Christianity or fundamentalist Christianity, is a religious movement emphasizing biblical literalism. In its modern form, it began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries among British and ...

who has worked as a graphic artist, cartoonist, and publishing professional and has drawn the ''Atheist Eve'' strip hosted on the Atheist Community of Austin website."Freethunk – Atheist Eve"
/ref> She has served as secretary and vice president of the ACA board and has co-hosted the ''GB 2.0'' podcast since February 2018. *: became a co-host on March 24, 2013 (episode 806), after operating the cameras and providing technical assistance. He brought a Unitarian perspective to the show. Iacoletti has served as a board member of the ACA several years, as of 2018–19 as treasurer. *: an

aerospace engineer Aerospace engineering is the primary field of engineering concerned with the development of aircraft and spacecraft. It has two major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering. Avionics engineering is si ...

and self-described "foxhole atheist" who served in the

U.S. Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cl ...

for 26 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. She is openly gay and has co-hosted ''GB 2.0'' podcast, the reboot of ''Godless Bitches'', since February 2018. She has served as president of the ACA board. *: became a co-host on June 26, 2016, having previously worked on the television crew. In college, he tried to reconcile his Christian faith with his homosexuality; failing, he left Christianity and first identified as '

spiritual but not religious "Spiritual but not religious" (SBNR), also known as "spiritual but not affiliated" (SBNA), is a popular phrase and initialism used to self-identify a life stance of spirituality that does not regard organized religion as the sole or most valuable ...

', then a 'nonbeliever' after accepting the

argument from inconsistent revelations Religious pluralism is an attitude or policy regarding the diversity of religious belief systems co-existing in society. It can indicate one or more of the following: * Recognizing and tolerating the religious diversity of a society or countr ...

, and finally as an atheist when he heard that word on a YouTube podcast. He served as vice president of the ACA. *: *: In June 2019, Tracie Harris, Jen Peeples, John Iacoletti, and Phil Session left the show after a disagreement with the ACA's handling of a guest host who made a controversial video on trans women athletes.

Notable guest appearances

Occasionally, a notable scientist, scholar or activist is invited to take the role of co-host on the show; after an interview with the host, the guest participates in answering calls. These have included: *

Seth Andrews Seth Andrews (born April 12, 1968) is an American activist, author, and speaker on the subject of atheism. He is the creator and host of ''The Thinking Atheist'' online community, podcast, and YouTube channel, as well as the author of four self-p ...

, host of ''The Thinking Atheist'' podcast and video producer, former Christian radio show host (episode #22.25), guest appearance *

Ray Comfort Ray Comfort (born 5 December 1949) is a New Zealand-born Christian minister and evangelist who lives in the United States. Comfort started Living Waters Publications, as well as the ministry '' The Way of the Master'', in Bellflower, California ...

, Evangelical Christian apologist (episode #702), live call-in"The Atheist Experience Show Archive"
/ref> * Kathleen Johnson, vice-president of American Atheists and founder of the

Military Association of Atheists & Freethinkers The Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers (MAAF) is a community for atheists and freethinkers in the military, both within the United States and from around the world. The MAAF can assist U.S. military members to respond to illegal ...

(episode #647, 2010-03-07), guest appearance * Mark Loewe, theoretical physicist (episode #393, 2005-04-24), guest appearance * Jonathan McLatchie, doctoral student in cell biology, ''Apologetics Academy'' (episode #22.31, 2018-08-05), live call-in * Kyle Miller, pastor (episode #639, 2010-01-10), guest appearance * Greg Paul, paleontologist (episode #708, 2011-05-08), guest appearance *

Aron Ra Aron Ra (formerly L. Aron Nelson, born October 15, 1962) is an atheist activist. Ra is the host of the ''Ra-Men Podcast'' and a member of the American Atheists board of directors. He had previously served as president of the Atheist Alliance o ...

vlogger A video blog or video log, sometimes shortened to vlog (), is a form of blog for which the medium is video. Vlog entries often combine embedded video (or a video link) with supporting text, images, and other metadata. Entries can be recorded in ...

and Texas state director of the American Atheists (episodes #648, #668, #703, #875), live guest appearances * Darrel Ray, organizational psychologist (episode #645, 2010-02-21; #686, 2010-12-05), guest appearances * David Silverman, president of American Atheists (episode #701, 2011-03-20), live call-in * Matt Slick, Evangelical Christian apologist (episode #593 broadcast February 22, 2009), live call-in * David Smalley of podcast ''Dogma Debate'' and the American Atheists (episode #753, 2012-03-18), guest appearance *

Victor J. Stenger Victor John Stenger (; January 29, 1935 – August 25, 2014) was an American particle physicist, philosopher, author, and religious skeptic. Following a career as a research scientist in the field of particle physics, Stenger was associated ...

, particle physicist (episode #499, 2007-05-06), guest appearance * Mandisa Thomas, the founder and president of Black Nonbelievers Inc (episode #22.38, September 23, 2018), guest appearance *Alex J. O'Connor, the founder and owner of the CosmicSkeptic blog and YouTube channel, with nearly 450,000 subscribers, and Steven Woodford, the owner of the Rationality Rules YouTube channel, with likewise almost 300,000 subscribers (episode #23.18, April 28, 2019), guest appearance *Noah Lugeons, host and creator of ''Scathing Atheists'' podcast (episode 23:02)

Awards

About.com Dotdash Meredith (formerly About.com) is an American digital media company based in New York City. The company publishes online articles and videos about various subjects across categories including health, home, food, finance, tech, beauty, ...

Readers' Choice Awards 2012, Favorite Agnostic / Atheist Podcast of 2011 * ''

The Austin Chronicle ''The Austin Chronicle'' is an alternative weekly newspaper published every Thursday in Austin, Texas, United States. The paper is distributed through free news-stands, often at local eateries or coffee houses frequented by its targeted demogr ...

'', Best of Austin 2012: Best Public Access TV Show * ''

'', Best of Austin 2011: Best Public Access TV Show * About.com Readers' Choice Awards 2011, Best Atheist Podcast, 2010 * ''

'', Best of Austin 2010: Best Public-Access TV Show

References

External links

*
YouTube Channel
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Atheist Experience, The Atheism in the United States Atheist Community of Austin American non-fiction web series American public access television shows Atheism in television 1997 American television series debuts Creative Commons-licensed podcasts Articles containing video clips 1997 web series debuts