Is there a REBIRTH of BELIEF IN GOD? Justin Brierley vs Alex O'Connor

Alex O’Connor is the founder of the popular YouTube channel Cosmic Skeptic and host of the Within Reason podcast. This dialogue explored themes from Justin Brierley’s latest book "The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers Are Considering Christianity Again".

Justin Brierley has hosted discussions between atheists and Christians for seventeen years. In this event, Alex challenged Justin on a number of concerns, ranging from the validity of the data behind his “rebirth of belief in God” thesis, the possibility of a politicised and violent rise of “belief in the utility of belief in God”, and he also surprised everybody with a spontaneous poem recital!

The event was chaired by Patrick Brown of The Trinity Forum Europe. Discussion followed by Q&A.

For signed copies of Justin's books, visit: https://justinbrierley.com/

Support my work financially: https://justinbrierley.com/support-me/

For Alex O'Connor:    / @cosmicskeptic  

Trinity Forum Europe: https://www.trinityforumeurope.com/

To watch Justin's conversation with historian Tom Holland:    • Christianity is RETURNING? Tom Holland & J...  

00:00:00 Start
00:00:56 Introductions
00:03:53 Justin's opening statement
00:11:46 Alex's opening statement
00:19:19 Justin responds to Alex's concerns
00:26:28 Alex on "political" rebirth of belief
00:32:54 Disaffected young men & Islam
00:39:13 Right-wing Christian dangers?
00:43:32 Advice for churched & unchurched
00:46:41 Should we celebrate a rebirth of belief?
00:51:10 Popular figures turning to God
00:54:56 3 lessons from Justin's book
00:59:20 Alex's experience with psychedelics
01:04:00 Should we abandon logic about God?
01:05:52 Is belief irrational?
01:10:05 CS Lewis's indictment of reason?
01:13:25 About The Surprising Rebirth podcast
01:15:08 Q&A begins
01:15:17 Slavery in the Bible?
01:29:40 What about belief worldwide?
01:33:40 Evidence for/against God?
01:39:43 Why the interest in God?
01:43:57 What's next?

For more thinking faith & a free copy of Justin's audiobook: https://beacons.page/justinbrierley