The Rational Religion Show

DUNE: What Islam-Inspired Sci-fi Movie Gets Right & Wrong!

In Dune, the Fremen are clearly a Muslim people in the future. We explore how Islam influences Dune, and what it gets right and wrong in its concept of the Mahdi/Messiah. Minor spoilers ahead!

Did Carl Sagan Get it Wrong on God, Meaning of Life?

Carl Sagan was asked about whether humans matter if God doesn't exist. Does he answer it honestly, or... does he avoid it? Listen to find out. 

Debunking Ricky Gervais on God & Religion

When Ricky met Stephen Colbert this time, sparks flew. We review the debate and show how Ricky gets both his science and religion wrong...

How Banks Took Over the World — Tarek El-Diwany — Bitcoin, Gold, Islamic Economics

Fiat Currencies, Bitcoin, Gold and Islamic Finance discussed with Economics Expert & Financial Consultant, Tarek El-Diwany. Check out the YouTube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pke8PLE9v7c

Responding to Comments & Questions From Our Viewers!

Want to hear a funny David Berlinski story? Listen to this! Also we explain what Ahmadi Muslims really believe, what salvation means in Islam, and discuss whether humans are still evolving... 

DARWIN'S RIVAL: Alfred Russel Wallace's Fight for INTELLIGENT Evolution | Feat. Michael Flannery

Professor Michael Flannery walks us through the rivalry between Darwin and Wallace. They both co-founded the modern theory of evolution. But soon, Wallace split with Darwin over the power of natural selection. For Wallace, evolution by natural selection was real; but its power was limited. It could not explain many aspects of the biological world, leading Wallace to believe that Divine Direction was needed to explain the course of life's evolution. Video version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2wMh8IHK38&

Mindfulness: Fake Spirituality for a Capitalist World?

Tahir and Umar are joined by Dr. Damir Rafi, the author of a blistering new critique of the Mindfulness movement. We discuss his experience with it, the origins of Buddhist meditation, the scientific evidence for mindfulness, and a bit of Russell Brand for good measure too. You can watch the video of this discussion via clips of this on our YouTube channel. 

Neil DeGrasse Tyson Gets Religion Seriously Wrong

Tahir and Umar have a good time taking on Neil DeGrasse Tyson's criticisms of religion - that a good God would not allow suffering, and that religion is not evidence-based. You can also watch this discussion on the Rational Religion YouTube channel. 

Systemic Racism — What People Keep Missing | The Rational Religion Show, Ep. 2

"End Systemic Racism!" But how? Is trying to fix cultural issues enough? How do we change the economic reality for people? And what is at the spiritual root of racism? Tahir & Umar Nasser, two Ahmadi Muslims, discuss the issues brought forward by Black Lives Matters and recent events in the USA.YouTube video: https://youtu.be/PvD-dsqWiVU

The Geopolitics of Jesus' Second Coming

Do Evangelical beliefs affect foreign policy? Are many Jews and Muslims alike waiting for the wrong kind of Messiah? And is there any evidence that Jesus survived the crucifixion? Find out in the debut episode of The Rational Religion Show!