The greatest podcast on the internet, Reasonable Doubts, has sadly come to a close. If you have not delved into their word, I would strongly advise doing so. You will soon be going through their back catalogue in desire for more knowledge and camaraderie. I was lucky enough to feature on the final episode, as the introduction, even, providing a eulogy of sorts. thanks for that guys! Moreover, I had my first ever debate on one of their RD Extra shows about the Nativity.
Anyway, here is their new podcast episode, their closing notes to a long and fulfilling history.
What drew me to the podcast was the mix it presented, the rigour it presented it with, and the fair and balanced approach that they went about advocating, being critical of both sides of the debate when necessary. Being a philosopher, I was originally taken in and most interested in the Counter Apologetics segment on the show. However, over time, and reflecting my own interests as well, I have most looked forward to (Dr Professor) Luke Galen’s God Thinks Like You segment which looks at why people do and believe and act in certain ways. His psychological analysis has left me having nothing but respect for him and his work.
All told, though, the hosts all individually do a great job in their respective fields of expertise.
I wish them all the best in everything they go on to do. I am gutted, but well understand the strain and lack of income some of these long-term projects bring. This is why I am so grateful when people buy my books and donate to my work (which you can do via the donate button on the sidebar>>>>>). I just wouldn’t be doing any of this – couldn’t be doing any of this – if not for that kind of backing.
Anyway, here is my eulogy of sorts which I recorded and they kindly inserted at the very beginning (with a few in-jokey sort of lines):
Hi, this is Jonathan MS Pearce, A Tippling Philosopher:
Reasonable Doubts has been a rational revelation to me. Whether driving, mowing the lawn, or doing some DIY, it’s been there, distracting me. In a hugely important way. The eventual 4 piece came to represent 4 pieces to a philosophical jigsaw of a comforting picture of good friends who I’ve never met and don’t really know. That 4 piece band synthesised perfectly. There was Dave, beating the drums, bashing out those forthright questions; Justin, whose silky baselines laid the foundations of philosophical erudition; Dr Professor Luke Galen, whose psychadelic hooks, rhythms and melodies gave randomised double blind tested reason-drug induced clarity to such religious nonsense; and Justin, the lead vocalist who brought it all together with finesse, helping out with whichever instrument came to hand.
It had the perfect mix. Not just what people believe and have believed, but how it is irrational, and why people believe it. This triangulation is what the geometry of atheism has for me, for years rested so solidly on.
Of course, you could have sacrificed your own wellbeing for the greater good, right? I mean, that’s what Jesus did, and the fat man on the bridge would surely have done himself anyway. Then the rest of us would continue being happy. But no, you had to consider yourselves and your families…
Well, I hope you’re happy… No really, I hope you’re happy and go on to the successes you all deserve. Thanks for your service to critical thinking and the analysis of nonsense. I now know why intelligent people can remain believing ridiculous things. I’ll chalk up my own shitlist now and cry myself to sleep.
Forever on my props list, guys
