Did God Create Evil?

Did God Create Evil?

Did God create evil? If God existed before everything else, where did evil come from—and can God ultimately avoid responsibility for its existence? In this episode, Joseph examines one of the most challenging questions in theology and philosophy: the origin of evil and the questions it raises: If God created the universe knowing that moral evil would occur, does that make Him responsible for creating the conditions that allow suffering, sin, and injustice?

The Morality of an Atheist

Do atheists really have no moral foundation? And if theists have objective morality, why don't they agree on what it actually is? In this episode of Noah's Snark, Joseph examines one of the most common apologetic claims made by Christian and Muslim defenders of religion: that atheists can only have subjective morality while believers possess an objective moral standard. The reality is far messier. Religious believers routinely disagree over what their own scriptures mean, often interpreting them in ways that conveniently align with their personal values, denominations, or desires. If morality is truly objective and divinely revealed, why is there so much disagreement over what God supposedly commands? Joseph also explains his own moral framework, discussing the differences between the Golden Rule and the often-overlooked Negative Golden Rule (Silver Rule), and explores why empathy and restraint may provide a more beneficial and practical ethical foundation than divine command theory.

Are We Wired to Believe False Things?

In the Season 3 premiere of Noah's Snark, Joseph explores a troubling question: are human beings naturally predisposed to believe false things? Drawing on psychology, neuroscience, cognitive biases, and skepticism, he examines the many ways our brains distort reality—from optical illusions and faulty memory to pattern-seeking, overconfidence, and post-hoc rationalizations. This episode challenges common claims about intelligent design by asking why a supposedly well-designed brain is so vulnerable to error. AJV argues that humans are often driven more by emotion, social narratives, and personal desires than by evidence and reason, making false beliefs not an exception but a predictable feature of human cognition. Are we wired for truth—or merely for survival? And if our brains evolved to solve problems rather than discover objective reality, what does that mean for religion, politics, and modern society?

Analyzing Original Sin

In this season finale of Noah’s Snark Podcast, Joseph takes on one of the most controversial and foundational ideas in Christianity: sin—specifically, the concept of original sin and humanity’s supposed need for salvation. Opening with a nod to Billy Joel, this episode dives headfirst into a sharp, unfiltered critique of the biblical story of Adam and Eve and the implications that follow. Through a plain, cold reading of the Book of Genesis, Joseph questions the logic, morality, and underlying purpose of The Fall—arguing that Adam and Eve lacked the knowledge necessary to make a truly free choice, and that the responsibility may lie more with God than with humanity. From the origins of sin to the idea of generational punishment, this episode challenges long-held religious assumptions and explores how these beliefs may function as tools of control.

Why Does God Demand Worship?

Why does God expect to be worshipped—and why are there consequences for refusing? In this episode of Noah's Snark, Joseph takes a dive into one of the most controversial questions surrounding the Abrahamic concept of God. From a non-believer’s perspective, the idea of a deity who demands worship—and punishes those who refuse—can seem unsettling, even narcissistic. But is that the full picture? Let's explore the situation.