Bruce pastored Evangelical churches for twenty-five years in Ohio, Texas, and Michigan. Bruce left the ministry in 2005, and in 2008 he left Christianity. Bruce is now a humanist and an atheist. Bruce blogs at the Life and Times of Bruce Gerencser (https://brucegerencser.net) Bruce Gerencser, 64, lives in rural Northwest Ohio with his wife of 43 years. He and his wife have six grown children and thirteen grandchildren. ATHEISTS OF FLORIDA Almost every week you'll find new content from #AoF posted on our YouTube channel and our podcast. We have a discussions and talks on a variety of subjects: #atheism, #humanism, #skepticism, #science, #philosophy.   You can visit us on the web at https://bit.ly/AOF_Fl  Subscribe to our YouTube channel See our list of "2021 speakers and topics for Atheists of Florida" --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/free2think/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/free2think/support

BIOGRAPHY Jonathan M.S. Pearce is a teacher from south Hampshire, UK, who has dedicated many years to studying all manner of things philosophical and theological. Having studied for a Masters in Philosophy from the University of Wales, TSD, he also holds a degree from the University of Leeds, and a PGCE from the University of St Mary's, Twickenham.    TOPIC He discusses his latest book: The Resurrection: A Critical Examination of the Easter Story. Mr. Pearce went through a detailed examination of the story around the resurrection. Reviewing Judaic and Roman law of the time and how the resurrection would not have been carried out in the way depicted in the bible.   Visit his YOUTUBE channel http://www.youtube.com/user/johnnyp76?feature=mhee  Visit his BLOG Patheos https://www.patheos.com/blogs/tippling/  Find his BOOKS "On the Resurrection"  "Free Will?",  "The Little Book of Unholy Questions",  "The Nativity: A Critical Examination",  "The Problem with 'God'";,  "13 Reasons to Doubt"  "Beyond an Absence of Faith".  "Did God Create the Universe from Nothing?"  "Not Seeing God: Atheism in the 21st Century"  "Filling the Void: A Selection of Humanist and Atheist Poetry"  "Survival of the Fittest: Metamorphosis"  "Twins: A Survival Guide for Dads"  Many of his books are available at amazon https://www.amazon.com/Jonathan-MS-Pearce/e/B004DAVFKC/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1   ATHEISTS OF FLORIDA Almost every week you'll find new content from #AoF posted on our YouTube channel. We have a discussions and talks on a variety of subjects: #atheism, #humanism, #skepticism, #science, #philosophy.  You can visit us on the web at https://bit.ly/AOF_Fl Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel, https://bit.ly/aofYTsub "2021 speakers and topics for Atheists of Florida"  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIWaMDUtdnw plays the list of topics, speakers and groups that are available for viewing on our site.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/free2think/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/free2think/support

Michlas Lund-Mouritzen introduces SE to non-practitioners in a fun and informative way, with a lot of cognitive stimulation. Michlas goes over the basics of SE. He gives us a sample checklist of the SE process along with a number of resources to help us expand our knowledge as well as suggestions on how to progress with SE.  Have you practices SE? Have questions about SE?  Let us know in the comments below   WEBSITES: where to get more information and resources on SE  https://StreetEpistemology.com https://StreetEpistemologyInternational.org   YOUTUBE: watch SE in action with experienced practitioners https://www.YouTube.com/c/StreetEpistemology-        Anthony Magnabosco   https://www.youtube.com/user/magnabosco210        Cordial Curiosity:          https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiWKxPMKUBFjN3Ny_VxpkYw-        JugglingLessons           https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClkT332HEYPO8xvRXOhQrXg        Abstract Activist           https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaGAzPm0iExb4I4iq0TCXEw   BOOKS:  The Scout Mindset, by Julia Galef        The Righteous Mind, by Jonathan Haidt        How To Have Impossible Conversations, by Peter Boghossian & James Lindsay         You Are Not So Smart, by David McRaney         Rationality: From AI to Zombies, by Eliezer Yudkowsky (Audiobook or kindle only)         A Manual for Creating Atheists, by Peter Boghossian   QUESTIONS:  There was a question that arose to which Michlas wanted to research before answering.  Question: Are there any formal studies on the effect of street epistemology   Answer (I am paraphrasing his response): SEi is in talks with one neuroscientist about studying SE formally but publishable results are at least a year out.  But for now, no, there are no scientific studies on the effect of SE.   Comment on the SE survey: Michlas would like to note that the SE survey is not the product of Abstract Activist alone, saying this was a mistake on Michlas part. While Abstract Activist is a major force behind it, multiple people have made great contributions. Abstract Activist still remains Michlas favorite example channel on how to utilize the survey.    ATHEISTS OF FLORIDA  Almost every week you'll find new content from #AoF posted on our YouTube channel and podcast service. We have a discussions and talks on a variety of subjects: #atheism, #humanism, #skepticism, #science, #philosophy.  You can visit us on the web at https://bit.ly/AOF_Fl  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/free2think/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/free2think/support

A discussion on the importance of support for political candidates who understand facts and are for the separation of government and religion.   ASSOCIATION OF SECULAR ELECTED OFFICIALS We are joined by the leaders of the newly established Association of Secular Elected Officials (ASEO), and find out how you can make a difference. Whether it's running for office, engaging with candidates and elected officials, or getting active in party politics, you can support the mission of ASEO and help grow the network of secular elected officials and the constituents supporting them.   CENTER FOR FREETHOUGHT EQUALITY  At the beginning of 2016, there were only 10 legislators known to be publicly nontheist. Thanks for the efforts of the Center for Freethought Equality,, the political and advocacy arm of the American Humanist Association,  we have identified over 80 legislators at the federal, state and local level who identify with our community.   DEMOGRAPHICS But demographics are not destiny—despite the fact that 26% of Americans are religiously unaffiliated Americans, we continue to be severely underrepresented in public office. We must increase our representation to eliminate the stigma of being openly nontheist and make sure we have a seat at the table to impact policy and voice our concerns.   ATHEISTS OF FLORIDA  Almost every week you'll find new content from #AoF posted on our YouTube channel. We have a discussions and talks on a variety of subjects: #atheism, #humanism, #skepticism, #science, #philosophy.  You can visit us on the web at https://bit.ly/AOF_Fl --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/free2think/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/free2think/support

Dennis Augustine  a former evangelical minister who now identifies as an atheist and a humanist. His journey out of faith was a slow and somewhat painful realignment, unravelling and reintegration that took more than a decade. Today he’s a tech entrepreneur three times over and a board member of the Clergy Project, a private forum consisting of over a thousand past and current clergy with no supernatural beliefs, of West Hill United, a dogma-free congregation within the United Church of Canada that’s lead by openly atheist minister Gretta Vosper. Dennis has left dogma behind and now lives a life based on a deep reverence for the interconnectedness of all life and the thoughtful consideration of what our response to that principle should be. Dennis brings us his perspective on living an integrated life from the inside-out rooted in a appreciation of our interconnectedness with all of life. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/free2think/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/free2think/support

Anthropologists have yet to find a society that does not  have religious belief, so obviously religion must do something for  humans, but what?  Humans have a great capacity for a wide range of behaviors, including moral behaviors, but where do these come from, and  why do we have them?  Humans have many ways that they have devised to  rule over their populations, including ones based on religion and those  based on more secular ideals; is there a difference between them? Are theocracies more moral and just than secular democracies? There’s  a long-standing axiom that science really has nothing to say about  topics such as religion and morality.  However, the opposite is true.   Science has a lot to say on these topics.  Anthropology is especially  well situated to look at these topics with its holistic and  cross-cultural  view. I will look at what anthropology, and the other social sciences, have to say about these topics. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/free2think/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/free2think/support

Are humans really the most intelligent species on this planet?   PZ Myers is an American biologist who founded and writes the Pharyngula science-blog. He is associate-professor of biology at the University of Minnesota Morris (UMM) where he works in the field of developmental biology. He is a critic of intelligent design (ID), the creationist movement, and other pseudoscientific concepts.   --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/free2think/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/free2think/support

Professor Zuckerman talks with us about morality and how it cannot be based in theism, which is covered in his books two of which are: "Living the Secular Life" and "What it Means to be Moral"   Some highlights:  * If there is a god it makes the case there is no morality there is only obedience   * Because the word moral is an adjective, if it's gods will or command does god command these things because they are moral or are they moral because god commands them  * if moral because it comes from god - that is arbitrary  * if god commands it because it is moral, then negates the need for god  * in secular system we can build some type of structure of what is moral  * where does morality come from - natural sources     where did our desire to help others come from - here are a few sources -      1. evolutionary path as social primates     2. cared for as infants  * and more --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/free2think/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/free2think/support

Invocation given to Largo City Commission by Judy Adkins, chairperson of Atheists of Florida, on 6/16/2021 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/free2think/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/free2think/support

The founder of Grief Beyond Belief, Rebecca Hensler, joined us to discuss the founding of the secular support network that has the aim to facilitate peer-to-peer grief support for atheists, Humanists, and other Freethinkers by providing spaces free of religion, spiritualism, mysticism, and evangelism in which to share sorrow and offer the comfort of rational compassion. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/free2think/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/free2think/support