Matthew Taylor: Confessions of a Young Earth Creationist

Atheism, Critique of Apologetics, Deconversion, Humanism, Philosophy, Podcast, Podcasters
Matthew Taylor
Click to play episode on anchor.fm

My guest today is Matthew Taylor. Matthew is the host of the Ask an Atheist Anything podcast and the co-host of the Still Unbelievable podcast. He is the primary editor and contributing author of the book Still Unbelievable. His blog is entitled Confessions of a Young Earth Creationist.

Matthew’s deconversion story includes growing up in the mission fields in Zambia, a young Earth creationist education, the divorce of his parents and dramatic spiritual experiences. Friends began to challenge his rejection of evolution and podcasts began
to give him natural explanations for his spiritual experiences. He began to be disappointed in the apologetic arguments as compared to scientific explanations.

Deconversion was challenging and Matthew took a long time to tell his wife of his loss of faith. Matthew wants to help others through the deconversion process. He recognizes that it is a lonely process and that what we need most is another human being who has been through it too.

“Suddenly I realized I could no longer be a Christian. The suddenly doesn’t describe my journey, the suddenly describes my awareness.”

“This [deconversion] process hurts”

“If I am there when you deconvert, my response is not ‘hallelujah,’ my response is ‘How are you? Do you need a hug? Do you need a friend?'”

“I want to stand up to inaccuracy, against things that are untrue”

Note: Both the Still Unbelievable book and podcast are responses to Justin Brierley’s Unbelievable podcast and book. Justin’s podcast brings atheists and theists together for debate. Justin is considered an honest moderator. His book’s subtitle is Why After Ten Years of Talking with Atheists, I’m Still a Christian. Matthew’s and his colleagues’ responses take aim at those reasons.

Links:

Matthew on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/vteclimey

Confessions of a YEC blog:
https://confessionsofayec.wordpress.com/

“God takes the good people early” post:
https://confessionsofayec.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/god-takes-the-good-people-early/

Reason Press:
https://reasonpress.net/

“Still Unbelievable” the book:
https://reasonpress.net/SU1E

Podcasts:

Still Unbelievable
https://anchor.fm/still-unbelievable

Ask An Atheist Anything
https://anchor.fm/reasonpress

Interact:

Send in a voice message to the podcast:
https://anchor.fm/gracefulatheist/message

Attribution:

“Waves” track written and produced by Makaih Beats

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Paypal: paypal.me/gracefulatheist

8 thoughts on “Matthew Taylor: Confessions of a Young Earth Creationist”

  1. Pingback: Matthew Taylor: Confessions of a Young Earth Creationist – Confessions Of A YEC
  2. Pingback: Matthew Taylor: Confessions of a Young Earth Creationist — Graceful Atheist – Apetivist

  3. I thoroughly enjoyed the interview and feel that people like Matthew are essential to bringing to the forefront the reasons why we ex-Christians no longer believe. My heart goes out to him and his experiences and difficulties of deconversion (some of which I experienced myself). I will be reading the book and keeping an eye on his blog as well.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks for listening! Matthew’s story is an important one and he tells it well. His co-host and another contributing author of the Still Unbelievable book, Andrew Knight, is next week’s guest. I hope you catch that one too.

      Also, let me know if you are interested in telling your story on the podcast.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. I am presently going through medical and personal difficulties. I am no longer doing social media until I am better off. Once I’m doing better I will be happy to appear on your show. I am looking forward to viewing Andrew Knight’s appearance.

    Liked by 2 people

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