📄 : Mike Gonzalez grew up immersed in the Lutheran church—attending private school, leading youth groups, and serving on the church board by age 16. But a single question—why is there suffering?—sparked a journey that took him from devout believer to outspoken atheist. In this candid conversation, Mike opens up about his struggles with faith,…
Former Lutheran Mike Gonzalez shares his raw, honest story of religious trauma, childhood abuse, and alcoholism in this deeply personal episode about leaving Christianity behind. Mike reveals how living a double life – pretending to be religious while secretly becoming an atheist – led to years of self-hatred, drinking, and PTSD. This powerful testimony explores…
In this thought-provoking episode, Mike Gonzalez tackles one of the most common challenges thrown at atheists: “Where do you get your morality without God?” Mike flips this question on its head, arguing that we actually develop our moral compass IN SPITE of religion, not because of it. Drawing heavily on Christopher Hitchens’ famous challenge –…
In this episode of viewer questions, Mike and Mike tackle the controversial topic of religious experiences and divine communication. We explore the psychology behind “speaking in tongues,” examine why people claim to receive “messages from God,” and discuss the dangerous authority that religious leaders wield over their congregations. From flow states that can be scientifically…
In this episode, we explore the paradox many religious communities face: the more deeply people study scripture, the more questions arise. We discuss common biblical contradictions, historical inconsistencies, and moral dilemmas that frequently lead devout readers to question their faith. From the problem of evil to conflicting genealogies, we examine specific passages that spark doubt…
https://www.youtube.com/live/FiNCRclF7kk?si=1KpcPtKMgJ1HhP-1 In this episode of Ask An Atheist on Atheistville, we sit down with Mike Gonzalez—a man who once stood on the threshold of becoming a Lutheran pastor while secretly wrestling with his identity as a bisexual atheist. Mike opens up about growing up in a religious school, leading youth groups, serving on church boards,…
Atheist, Mike Gonzalez shares his incredible story of going from #1 salesman to state prison and back again. After serving two years for assault and “operating a vehicle without owner’s consent” (stealing a car), Mike returned to not only keep his job but buy the entire company. In this candid conversation, he discusses maintaining his…
