Brian is the creator of Mr. Deity, a web show that began as an iTunes podcast and shortly thereafter became a YouTube sensation garnering hundreds of thousands of views and the attention of Sony Pictures Entertainment. After signing with Sony, Mr. Deity aired exclusively on Sony's "Crackle" website where the episodes were viewed by millions of fans and lauded by likes of Michael Shermer, Julia Sweeny, and Penn Jillette (Penn & Teller). Brian writes, directs, produces, stars in, edits, and composes the music for the show.
Brian is (as he likes to say) a "Formon" — a former Mormon. In his late teens, Brian got religion — "with a vengeance" — and began studying theology, philosophy, and psychology day and night. In the 1980s, he wrote and performed an album of religious music with partner Paul Steenhoek, and toured the Western United States, singing and lecturing about the importance of faith. He ultimately ended up working with Jewish theologian, and Nationally syndicated radio talk show host, Dennis Prager. But in his mid-twenties, he began to question his devotion to both Mormonism and religion in general. This questioning lead him to a life of skepticism and a deep reverence for science, the scientific method, and the value of free thought and critical thinking.
Brian has an extensive background in Mormonism, Christianity, and Judaism. He is well-versed in skepticism, science, critical thinking, and is extremely passionate about the importance, and governing role of reason in our lives and in our society. He is an award-winning writer, director, editor, composer, and producer and has shot, produced, and edited video for Disney, Clear Channel, Cap Cities, and other Fortune 500 companies.
Brian has a adult daughter and lives in Southern California with his beautiful wife (who plays Lucifer on the Mr. Deity show) and her two kids.
The Mr. Deity show offers a humorous (if slightly irreverent) look at the day-to-day operations of the universe and the "Big Man" in charge. It's a behind-the-scenes look at how Mr. Deity (the god of this universe) and his long-suffering assistant, Larry, grapple with the complications of their new Creation. "What kind of Evil will be allowed?" "How do you go about finding a 'Savior'?" and "Why won't these darned lights work?" are just some of the thought-provoking questions raised by this three-to-five minute series of shorts. The show is now in its third season and will feature such guest stars as Michael Shermer, PZ Meyers, Kevin Nealon, and Penn Jillette (pending clearance from Sony).
See mrdeity.com to view the episodes of the show and find out more about Mr. Deity.
Since 2007, Brian Keith Dalton has been using the Mr. Deity show to turn the abstract concepts of religious belief into a more tangible product. From the Holy Trinity and Transubstantiation, to an all-good God who creates a Universe filled with evil, the show has been taking thoughtlessly accepted religious concepts and following them through to their logical conclusions. In this workshop, Brian challenges the time-honored conventional wisdom that religion is a necessary good for society by showing that just the opposite is true -- life has gotten (and will only get) better as we reject religion, dogma, and the idea that we can know anything about the will of a being who may or may not exist.