Alex O'Connor: The Cosmic Skeptic explains what could make him believe in God

Alex O'Connor is a well known atheist Youtube and podcast host with over 800 thousand subscribers to his channel. Unlike many online new atheists he has sought to genuinely understand his Christian and religious counterparts. This included studying theology at Oxford University, helping to re-establish a Socratic debating society in the mould of the one created by CS Lewis, and counting many Christians as his friends and acquaintances.

Belle and Justin talk to Alex about atheism, the changing tides of culture and what it would take for Alex to believe…

There’s more to life than the world we can see. Re-Enchanting is a podcast from Seen & Unseen recorded at Lambeth Palace Library, the home of the Centre for Cultural Witness. Justin Brierley and Belle Tindall engage faith and spirituality with leading figures in science, history, politics, art and education. Can our culture be re-enchanted by the vision of Christianity?

[YourFriendDevin]

Pretty suspect how we’ve never seen Alex O’Connor and CosmicSkeptic in the same room

[marc.daley]

As a Christian, Alex is the best neutral communicator of religion and skepticism. He avoids mocking and is open minding, asking genuine questions.

[atondigitalart]

I was so confused every time I heard someone quoting Tom Holland, I was like "I didn't know the current actor for spiderman, tom holland, was so outspoken about religion and ethics" lol

[marinusswanepoel]

It's cool how comfortable Justin and Alex have become with each other over the years. There is a clear friendship here.

[aodhfyn]

I like Alex O'Connor's new work much better than the old. Exiting Christianity, I needed cogent reassurances that I wasn't alone, but diving into philosophy deeper has only benefitted me since then.

[sajinjose]

Alex is someone who is genuinely in the pursuit of truth.

[ChristIsTheLifeOfMySoul]

It was really interesting to hear the beginning conversation on how framing art in varying contexts can completely change our attention, attitude, and affections for the work, and then segue immediately into Alex’s brand name change from CosmicSkeptic to self-titled. In terms of the art, I know for certain that is true. Van Gogh’s Almond Blossoms used to be just a relatively pretty painting for me, and then I learned the story of Aaron’s Staff which budded almond blossoms as a sign that God chose him, and I absolutely fell in love with the painting. Since then, I find the painting beautiful, and I have it up on my wall in my bedroom. It wasn’t that the art changed, just my understanding.

[paulsacramento]

Getting my Masters in Theological studies (for fun) was the best (and hardest) thing (academically) that I have ever done. Theology is fascinating, truly.

[danielherrmann]

A conversation between Tom Holland and Alex O'Connor would be really interesting!

[ChristerAnd]

I think this is a far more interesting question: What would make Justin Brierly not believe in God? Anything?

[cyphos]

I've always liked Alex. Infact, he helped me discovery Christianity. I owe a lot to him. Plus, he's just a nice guy who I think has a genuine inquiry.

[psalas]

Alex makes a great point on how throughout history people have pointed at scripture to justify political stances in both directions. How can the bible be a moral authority if there’s no agreement on how to interpret it? I’m reminded of Bertrand Russell’s essay and this quote on the bigotry of the church:


“You find as you look around the world that every single bit of progress in humane feeling, every improvement in the criminal law, every step towards the diminution of war, every step towards better treatment of the coloured races, or every mitigation of slavery, every moral progress that there has been in the world, has been consistently opposed by the organised Churches of the world. I say quite deliberately that the Christian religion, as organised in its Churches, has been and still is the principal enemy of moral progress in the world.”

[mrmaat]

Enchanting someone is mentally capturing them with illusion. Fitting that these two admit to it so freely.

[Jasonmoofang]

Great conversation. Appreciate you letting Alex kind of run free with his thoughts here even if they may not always align with the theme of the show.

[finnhoydal]

As so many times before, Britain has brought forth so many gems, such as Alex!

[jamesdavis]

Alex put this well. This is better than his own podcast, because he's the guest and the focus.

[SocraticBeliever]

Guy de Maupassant was the writer who hated the Eiffel Tower and frequently dined in it! If you read some of his short stories, I think you’ll appreciate his fabulous sense of irony even more. I’d recommend “The Necklace” for a start.

[danipianoarts]

Excellent conversation! Thanks to all!

[EyeLean]

I think learning to live well should be the aim of not only philosophy but of science, art, and religion.

[chuckgaydos]

What I'd like would be for God to reach into my brain and make me believe in him. This would benefit us both. He wants me to believe in him and I want to believe what's true. Since I'm requesting that this be done it wouldn't violate my free will. Since I still don't believe, it seems that God doesn't actually exist, he doesn't really want my belief, or he's irrational.