American Freethought Podcast: Recent Episodes
John C. Snider
I interview Ryan Cragun, co-author of Beyond Doubt: The Secularization of Society, a new book that makes a compelling argument that secularization has indeed been happening, both in the United States and around the world.
You can buy a copy of Beyond Doubt for yourself.
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I interview Matt Johnson, whose new book How Hitchens Can Save the Left argues that the late Christopher Hitchens's staunch defense of classical liberalism is still useful, even 11 years after his death, in helping the American Left to resist some of its more illiberal tendencies.
Buy a copy of How Hitchens Can Save the Left for yourself!
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I interview Joseph Monninger, a college professor and novelist who discovered, only three days after his retirement, that he had terminal lung cancer and likely only months to live. His memoir Goodbye to Clocks Ticking is a heartfelt, humanistic account of facing death and processing an unexpected reprieve.
Buy a copy of Goodbye to Clocks Ticking for yourself, and be sure to check out Joe's other books.
Reading/listening recommendations:
Nonverts by Stephen Bullivant.
"The Defiance of Salman Rushdie," a profile in The New Yorker magazine by David Remnick.
The Witch Trials of J. K. Rowling, a podcast hosted by Megan Phelps-Roper.
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I interview Bradley Onishi, cohost of the Straight White American Jesus podcast, and author of the new book Preparing for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism—And What Comes Next. It's a terrifying look at the recent history of Christian nationalism and evangelical support for anti-democratic ideas.
For more about Bradley and his work visit BradOnishi.com. Listen to his podcast StraightWhiteAmericanJesus.com.
Buy a copy of Preparing for War here.
Also mentioned in the podcast:
The outgoing Congress passed a bill (which President Biden signed into law) authorizing a memorial to Thomas Paine in the District of Columbia. One of the sponsors of the bill, Congressman Jamie Raskin (a Democrat representing Maryland's 8th district, and cofounder of the Congressional Freethough Caucus), announced last month that he has been diagnosed with lymphoma; nonethless, he expects a full recover after receiving chemotherapy. We wish him a speedy recovery.
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I interview Daniel Sokatch, CEO of the New Israel Fund and author of Can We Talk about Israel? A Guide for the Curious, Confused, and Conflicted.
Buy a copy of Can We Talk about Israel? for yourself.
For more about the New Israel Fund, visit NIF.org.
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I interview Emily Dreyfuss, co-author (with Dr. Joan Donovan and Brian Friedberg) of Meme Wars: The Untold Story of the Online Battles Upending Democracy in America.
Buy a copy of Meme Wars for yourself.
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With less than two weeks to go before the midterms, I talk with David A. Hollinger, history professor at the University of California, Berkley, and author of Christianity's American Fate: How Religion Became More Conservative and Society More Secular. This timely new book explores how, while American culture remains overwhelmingly secular, evangelical Christianity has outperformed its more liberal American counterparts and gained control of the Republican Party.
Buy a copy of Christianity's America Fate for yourself.
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With less than two weeks to go before the midterms, I talk with David A. Hollinger, history professor at the University of California, Berkley, and author of Christianity's American Fate: How Religion Became More Conservative and Society More Secular. This timely new book explores how, while American culture remains overwhelmingly secular, evangelical Christianity has outperformed its more liberal American counterparts and gained control of the Republican Party.
Buy a copy of Christianity's America Fate for yourself.
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For this special episode, I'm joined by podcast co-founder and co-host emeritus David Driscoll. We talk about the recent disastrous Supreme Court rulings (Carson v Makin, Kennedy v Bremerton, and Dobbs v Jackson); the ramifications of the House Select Committee on the events of January 6, 2021; and possible Constitutional crises and other terrifying scenarios that might play out over the next couple of years.
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I interview Nadya Dutchin, the new Executive Director of the American Humanist Association. Our wide-ranging discussion includes her plans and hopes for the AHA; reaction to the gun massacres in Buffalo, NY and Uvalde, TX; raising secular kids in the current social and political climate; the effect of the newly conservative Supreme Court on litigation; and the future of secularism and humanism in America.
For more information about the American Humanist Association, visit americanhumanist.org.
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I speak to two members of the leadership of the Association of Secular Elected Officials (ASEO), a new organization devoted to helping elected officials be authentic about their beliefs and ethics, and providing a forum for elected officials to connect with each other for education, support and fellowship.
Leonard Pressberg is the founder and president of the Association, and serves on the Board of Education in Fayette County, Georgia.
Kristiana de Leon is on the Board of Directors of the Association, and serves on the City Council of Black Diamond, Washington.
For more about the Association visit secularofficials.org.
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I interview Christopher M. Finan, Executive Director of the National Coalition Against Censorship, and author of the new book How Free Speech Saved Democracy: The Untold History of How the First Amendment Became an Essential Tool for Securing Liberty and Social Justice.
Buy a copy of How Free Speech Saved Democracy for yourself!
For more about Chris Finan, visit ChrisFinan.com.
For more about the National Coalition Against Censorship, visit ncac.org.
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I interview Kevin Bolling, Executive Director of the Secular Student Alliance, a non-profit organization whose purpose is to educate high school and college students about the value of scientific reason and the intellectual basis of secularism in its atheistic and humanistic manifestations. We talk about how SSA was affected by the pandemic, about the organization's plans in a post-pandemic world, and what today's young people's religious and social attitudes mean for the future of America.
For more about the Secular Student Alliance, visit SecularStudents.org. You can find them on social media @SecularStudents.
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I interview Andrew Fiala about his new book Tyranny from Plato to Trump: Fools, Sycophants, and Citizens. It's an exploration of the psychological and social dynamics involving tyrants and would-be tyrants, their enablers, and the mobs who cheer them on.
For more about Andrew visit AndrewFiala.com.
Buy a copy of Tyranny from Plato to Trump here.
Also, check out my review/essay about the book at SnideShow.com (my new online project featuring book and movie reviews, essays, and commentary).
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I interview Crawford Gribben, author of The Rise and Fall of Christian Ireland, a fascinating history of the island from the late Roman Era through the rapid secularization of the 21st century.
Buy a copy of The Rise and Fall of Christian Ireland for yourself!
Follow Crawford on Twitter @GribbenC.
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Here's a new essay I've written, posted on the new blog SnideShow.com, about the overlooked battle over creationism and evolution in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
https://snideshow.com/the-kentucky-darwin-connection/
To keep track of new postings at SnideShow.com, follow me on Twitter @johncsnider.
Thanks!
On the tenth anniversary of the death of Christopher Hitchens, I talk with philosophy professor and fellow podcaster Ben Burgis about his new book Christopher Hitchens: What He Got Right, How He Went Wrong, and Why He Still Matters.
Buy a copy of Ben's book Christopher Hitchens for yourself.
For more about Ben visit BenBurgis.com.
Check out Ben's podcast Give Them An Argument.
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From Pepe the Frog to the kidding-not-kidding white power hand sign, conservatives are increasingly using "humor" and weird "inside jokes" to spread hate-speech, bigotry, and violent threats. The latest tiresome fad is the phrase "Let's Go Brandon," which is a not-so-thinly-veiled substitute for the more blunt "Fuck Joe Biden." Republican congressmen repeat it in floor speeches, or wear face masks emblazoned with it, in the House chamber. On at least one occasion, a conservative crowd chanted it in church.
Congressman Paul Gosar (R-AZ) has been censured by the House for tweeting a modified anime video depicting him killing fellow Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and slashing at President Joe Biden. Unrepentant, he retweeted the video immediately after his censure. Meanwhile, over the Thanksgiving weekend, Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (R-CO) joked that Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN), a Muslim, was a member of the "Jihad Squad" and implied she could be a suicide bomber.
Newsmax White House correspondent Emerald Robinson has been pulled from the air after tweeting bizarre warnings about the (real-life) COVID-detection process SATiN that uses a drop of blood and the bioluminescent enzyme luciferase. Mark of the Beast or some such nonsense.
Plus:
Thanksgiving turns 400, and Native Americans still struggle to counter the ahistorical mythology surrounding it.
Trump's former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn says the United States must have "One nation under God, and one religion under God." If the Founders could hear him, they'd never stop throwing up.
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I interview Duquesne law professor Bruce Ledewitz about his new book The Universe Is on Our Side: Restoring Faith in American Public Life. Bruce is a secularist who nonetheless proposes that the current societal crisis in America (and perhaps the entire Western world) is rooted in the aftermath of what Neitzsche called "the Death of God." It's a controversial proposition, as is his prescription for a way forward.
For more about Bruce visit BruceLedewitz.com or follow him on Twitter @bruceledewitz.
Buy a copy of The Universe Is on Our Side for yourself!
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I interview David G. McAfee about his new book Hi, I'm an Atheist!: What That Means and How to Talk About It with Others.
Buy a copy of Hi, I'm an Atheist! for yourself.
For more about David, follow him on Facebook.
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I interview Leigh Eric Schmidt, a professor at Washington University in St. Louis, and author of The Church of Saint Thomas Paine: A Religious History of American Secularism, which looks at the struggles of 19th century freethinkers to define themselves in contrast to traditional religion and traditional religious organizations.
Buy a copy of The Church of Saint Thomas Paine for yourself!
Learn more about Professor Schmidt and his fellow faculty members at the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics.
Plus:
There has been a spate of Islamic terrorism-related incidents on the international front. In the UK, Conservative MP Sir David Amess was stabbed to death by a Somali immigrant during a public appearance. In Norway, a recent convert to Islam murdered five people using--of all things--a bow and arrows. And in Afghanistan, ISIS-K claims responsibility for two bombings of Shia mosques that killed 93 worshippers altogether.
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I interview philosopher and author Thomas Cathcart about his new book There Is No God and Mary Is His Mother, a thought-provoking exploration aimed at ex-Christians and even atheists, which asks whether Christianity can be credible, meaningful, and practical absent the traditional theological formulas and doctrines.
Buy a copy of There Is No God and Mary Is His Mother for yourself.
Plus:
Liberal Christians mourn the death of 90-year-old Bishop John Shelby Spong, the Episcopal Bishop who fought for the rights of women and LGBTQ people, and rejected the mythological aspects of Jesus (the Virgin Birth, miracles, even the Resurrection!) while still embracing what he saw as the spiritually transcendent experience of the Christ. I didn't agree with Spong on that last part, but I considered him an ally nonetheless in the quest to foster a more rational, tolerant Christianity and thus create a better society.
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I interview award-winning popular science writer Mary Roach about her new book Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law. It's a humorous look at the serious topic of human-animal conflict in an age of exploding population and global warming.
Buy your very own copy of Fuzz.
For more about Mary and her work visit MaryRoach.net.
This was Mary's third appearance on American Freethought. Listen to her first two appearances here:
099 - Mary Roach (Packing for Mars)
250 - Mary Roach (Grunt)
Plus:
(Briefly mentioned in the interview) The snail darter--a tiny fish once on the endangered species list--is back in the news!
Twenty years after 9/11: I look back at fact-versus-fiction in the root causes of the terrorist attacks, and assess our success after two decades of fighting the so-called War on Terror.
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I interview Harvard Professor Jennifer Hochschild about her new book Genomic Politics: How the Revolution in Genomic Science Is Shaping American Society.
To buy a copy of Genomic Politics, click here.
Plus:
America is finally out of Afghanistan. Unfortunately, the chaotic end to US withdrawal will be an ongoing political controversy; and, of course, we'll have to watch helplessly as Afghanistan sinks into a new theocratic hinterland.
The Supreme Court has allowed Texas' new ultra-restrictive abortion law to go into effect, more or less ending abortion in that state and launching a new, more dangerous phase in the fight over women's reproductive freedoms.
The coronavirus pandemic is at the height of yet another surge, one that has left the vaccinated portion of the population largely untouched. Of course, this new surge is made possible by the orneriness of Republican denialists and the misplaced trust of conservative Christians in the protection of the Almighty.
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I interview Dr. Obery M. Hendricks, Jr. about his new book Christians Against Christianity, a scathing rebuke from a progressive Christian perspective against how (white) conservative Christians pursue political power while ignoring the central teachings of Jesus regarding love, mercy, tolerance, and justice.
Plus: It looks like America is getting out of Afghanistan for good, but our withdrawal will be disastrous in both the short term and long term.
To buy a copy of Christians Against Christianity click here.
For more about Dr. Hendricks visit OberyHendricksPHD.com.
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I interview Representative Jared Huffman (Democrat representing California's 2nd District), co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Freethought Caucus. We talk about the origins, purpose, and recent activity of the Freethought Caucus; about perennial issues (like the national motto, the Pledge of Allegiance, legislative prayer, etc.) of concern to freethinkers; public policy and public acceptance (or denial) of science; and the current "civil war" within the GOP between the traditionalists and the more rabid Trumpist/MAGA/QAnon faction.
For more about Congressman Huffman visit https://huffman.house.gov.
For more about the Congressional Freethought Caucus click here.
We touched on the work of Jeff Sharlet in exposing The Family (the secretive, but powerful, Christian organization best known to the public as sponsor of the so-called National Prayer Breakfast). For more about The Family, you can listen to our interviews with Jeff Sharlet in episodes 67 and 105.
Plus:
Monsignor Jeffrey Burrill of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops has resigned after his cellphone data was used to track his participation in the gay hookup app Grindr. You will recall the USCCB briefly threatened action (potentially denial of Communion or even excommunication) against American politicians--including President Joe Biden--who are self-proclaimed Catholics who nonetheless support a woman's right to choose when it comes to birth control and abortion.
Defrocked Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, 91 years old, has been charged in Massachusetts with sexually assaulting a teenaged boy in 1974. The charges are made possible after so long a time due to a quirk in Massachusetts' statute of limitations, which places a "pause" on the countdown when an offender leaves the state. McCarrick was only defrocked two years ago, and reports reveal that multiple popes either ignored McCarrick's misdeeds or tried to downplay the church's response.
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I interview John V. Petrocelli, Professor of Psychology at Wake Forest University, about his new book The Life-Changing Science of Detecting Bullshit. What exactly is bullshit, and how does it differ from a lie? Why do people bullshit? And how can we become better at identifying and countering bullshit? These are all important questions given our current social and political environment.
Buy a copy of the book for yourself right here.
While you're at it, treat yourself to Harry Frankfurt's tiny classic On Bullshit.
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I interview Muhammad Syed, President of Ex-Muslims of North America. We discuss the critical mission of his organization, as well as their new Apostate Report, which analyzes the demographics of Muslims who live in the United States and Canada who leave the faith, and breaks down the reasons their decision and the challenges they face as a result.
For more about Ex-Muslims of North America visit exmuslims.org.
Download the Apostate Report.
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I interview skeptical investigator, author, and podcaster Benjamin Radford. Our wide-ranging conversation covers various topics, including the Pentagon's pending release of a report on UFOs [latebreaking info: the nine-page report, titled "Preliminary Assessment: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena" was released on June 25, 2021 by the Director of National Intelligence, not the Pentagon], the "Havana Syndrome" (in which some allege that US embassy staff and others have been subjected to debilitating attacks by a mysterious directed-energy weapon), antivaxxer Dr. Sherri Tenpenny's astounding assertion that the COVID-19 vaccine is magnetizing some people, and the current state of skepticism in America.
Visit Ben's official website BenjaminRadford.com.
Listen to Ben's podcast Squaring the Strange (which he co-hosts with Pascual Romero and Celestia Ward).
Also mentioned in the podcast:
Fulton v Philadelphia - The Supreme Court rules unanimously that Philadelphia officials unfairly ended their adoption contract with Catholic Social Services, a religiously affiliated agency that refuses to adopt to same-sex couples.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops authorize the drafting of a document that could lead to a rebuke (or worse) of politicians like President Joe Biden who take Communion but still support abortion rights, which is against Church teachings. [Latebreaking info: the USCCB now says "there will be no national policy on withholding Communion from politicians."]
JFK's famous 1960 speech on separation of church and state.
Mick West's Metabunk.org, an excellent skeptical resource that contains, among other things, information about the relatively recent UFO videos released by the US military.
James Randi debunks a "magnetic man" on live TV in South Korea. The video looks likely to be from the 1980s.
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I interview Daniel A. Sjursen, retired combat veteran and former West Point history instructor, about his new book A True History of the United States, which tackles head-on the dark aspects of America's past: racism, genocide, conquest, and capitalist hegemony.
For more about Danny and his work visit SkepticalVet.com.
To buy a copy of his book click here.
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I interview historian Philip Jenkins about his new book Climate, Catastrophe, and Faith: How Changes in Climate Drive Religious Upheaval, in which he rewrites the familiar approaches to the history of religion, argues that climate is the missing dimension in religious history, and offers a timely discussion of future trends in religion during an era of climate crisis.
To buy a copy of this book, click here.
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I interview Roy Speckhardt, Executive Director of the American Humanist Association and author of Justice-Centered Humanism: How (and Why) to Engage in Public Policy for Good.
We talk about how Humanists can expand their concerns from separation of church and state to current issues like race, class, gender, and sexuality; his impending retirement from AHA after 16 years; and the controversial decisions by the AHA Board to withdraw the Humanist of the Year Awards from Richard Dawkins (1996 recipient) and Lawrence Krauss (2015). [Former Humanist of the Year Award recipients Stephen Pinker and Rebecca Goldstein issued a letter of criticism against the decision on Dawkins.]
For more about Roy and his work visit RoySpeckhardt.com.
For more about the American Humanist Association visit AmericanHumanist.org.
To buy a copy of Justice-Centered Humanism click here.
Plus:
I discuss the troubling pro-Trump consolidation of power within the Republican Party, and the recent "Call for American Renewal" by a group of about 100 conservatives seeking reformation of the Republican Party or (failing that) formation of a rival third party.
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I interview German astrophysicist Dr. Heino Falcke, who led the international team of scientists and technicians that created the first image of a black hole. Heino's new book is Light in the Darkness: Black Holes, the Universe, and Us.
For more about Heino and his work visit HeinoFalcke.org.
To buy a copy of his book click here.
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I interview Princeton's Dr. Michael Gordin about his new book On the Fringe: Where Science Meets Pseudoscience, an exploration of the "demarcation problem"; i.e., how to separate science from non-science.
For more about Michael and his work visit MichaelGordin.com.
To buy a copy of his book click here.
(At the top of the show, a clip from Irish comedian Dara O'Briain's humorous takedown of pseudoscience and alternative medicine.)
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I interview journalist (and senior fellow at the Cato Institute's Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity) Mustafa Akyol, author of Reopening Muslim Minds, in which he outlines how the Islamic world lost its way, and how it can move toward progress and modernity by leveraging traditions from its own past.
For more about Mustafa and his work visit MustafaAkyol.org and Cato.org.
To buy a copy of the book click here.
Plus:
Mississippi's Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith is against Sunday voting because...the Bible?
Feedback: A listener takes me to task for daring to imply that older people might have trouble grappling with complex topics like math and statistics, especially if they lack the proper academic or professional background.
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I interview scientist and science advocate Dr. David Robert Grimes about his new book Good Thinking: Why Flawed Logic Puts Us All at Risk and How Critical Thinking Can Save the World.
For more about David and his work visit DavidRobertGrimes.com.
To buy a copy of the book for yourself click here.
Plus:
The 21-year-old man who murdered eight people at three massage parlors in metro Atlanta claims he was removing "temptation" for his sex addiction. Former high school classmates remember him as a "super-Christian" obsessed with sex who was an active member of a fundamentalist Baptist church.
Pope Francis has the prohibition against gay marriage in the Roman Catholic Church extends to priestly blessings of gay unions.
Pastor Stewart-Allen Clark of Missouri's Malden First General Baptist Church is on leave after preaching that wives need to lose weight in order to keep their husbands' interest, and praised "epic trophy wife of all time" Melania Trump.
The Supreme Court has ruled in Uzuegbunam v Preczewski that Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville, Georgia, was wrong in prohibiting a Christian student from proselytizing and passing out literature outside a strictly defined "free speech" zone. Both the ultra-conservative Alliance Defending Freedom and the liberal American Humanist Association filed briefs on the student's behalf.
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I interview Emily Joy Allison, author of #ChurchToo: How Purity Culture Upholds Abuse and How to Find Healing, in which she shares her deeply personal story and offers a way forward for survivors of church-based indoctrination and mistreatment.
To buy a copy of this book click here.
For more about Emily and her work visit EmilyJoyPoetry.com.
Plus:
A report reveals the late Christian apologist and preacher Ravi Zacharias used his massage parlors and international travel as cover for sexual abuse and possibly even rape.
The Southern Baptist Church can't do one thing right without doing another thing wrong. Lately, the SBC has "disfellowshipped" two churches for employing preachers convicted of sex crimes and two for "affirming homosexual behavior."
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I interview Ian Rosenberg, media lawyer, legal counsel for ABC News, and author of The Fight for Free Speech: Ten Cases that Define Our First Amendment Freedoms.
For more about Ian and his book visit thefightforfreespeech.com.
Plus:
Donald Trump survived his second impeachment, and now the Republican Party continues the project of ejecting anyone who dared oppose him. The GOP is morphing from a political party into a religious cult centered around Trump.
I discuss the deaths of two pornographers, Larry Flynt and Rush Limbaugh, and compare their legacies.
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I interview Dr. Randall Balmer, historian and Episcopal priest, about his new book Solemn Reverence: The Separation of Church and State in American Life.
To buy this book click here.
Plus:
Kudos to the US House of Representatives for removing Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene from her committee assignments, as punishment for promulgating dangerous and false conspiracy beliefs and for concurring with calls to assassinate fellow members of Congress. The Republican Party failed to discipline her themselves, having become the party of Trumpism and QAnon conspiracy theorists.
Newly minted Secretary of State Antony Blinken took his oath of office with his hand resting on a copy of the Constitution, not the Bible, surprisingly with little controversy. This hasn't stopped some conservative pot-stirrers from complaining that VP Kamala Harris insincerely "hovered" her hand over her Bible, somehow invalidating her oath. And last year, Marjorie Taylor Greene implied that federal law required oaths be taken on a Bible, and unsuccessfully attempted to confront Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib about their use of a Qur'an.
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I interview Harvard economist Dr. Benjamin M. Friedman about his new book Religion and the Rise of Capitalism.
To buy this book click here.
Plus:
Donald Trump gets impeached. Again. For inciting the riot at the US Capitol. And his impeachment trial begins in the Senate on February 9th.
The Justice Department should show no mercy to the rioters who stormed the US Capitol on January 6th, to send a message to their fellow travelers that the United States will not tolerate such violence and intimidation.
President Biden's inauguration had more God talk (by far) than any presidential inauguration in modern times.
Congressman James Clyburn (D-SC) wants to adopt "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" as the National Hymn. Just...no.
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Rioters overrun the US Capitol for four hours, disrupting the formal tally of electoral votes by a joint session of Congress. Trump and his surrogates (and a long line of conservative leaders) bear direct responsibility for inciting this violence and feeding dangerous misinformation to their followers.
Plus:
Democrats will control both Congress and the White House for the first time in years. What should they do with that power?
A Pew Research study shows that the new Congress is far more religious (and far more Christian) than the US population at large.
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) causes a minor controversy with his multicultural, multi-gendered invocation.
Congress has a female chaplain for the first time in history.
I decline to interview a flat-earther.
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I interview Michael Arthur, writer, director, and producer of the documentary I, Pastafari: A Flying Spaghetti Monster Story.
For more about the film visit ipastafaridoc.com.
Plus:
A COVID-19 patient in a California hospital uses an oxygen tank to murder a fellow patient--for praying.
The Pope okays COVID-19 vaccines even if they were developed using fetal tissue.
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I interview John R. Hibbing, author of The Securitarian Personality: What Really Motivates Trump's Base and Why It Matters for the Post-Trump Era.
Buy a copy of the book for yourself here.
Plus:
Trump's running out of options in his fraudulent attempt to overturn his election loss. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic gets worse and worse, and Trump and the Republicans are doing nothing to bring it under control. On the bright side, vaccines will soon be available and Joe Biden will try to restore sanity to the country's pandemic response.
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I interview Tim Ward, co-author (along with Gleb Tsipursky) of Pro Truth: A Practical Plan for Putting Truth Back Into Politics. We talk about the Pro-Truth Pledge, a tool to enable politicians, government officials, public personalities, and even regular citizens in sharing, honoring, and encouraging the truth as a central foundation for political discourse.
For more about the Pro-Truth Movement, visit ProTruthPledge.org.
For more about Tim and his work visit ChangemakersBooks.com.
To buy a copy of Pro Truth for yourself, click here.
Plus:
The newly conservative-controlled Supreme Court has issued "injunctive relief" against an executive order (issued by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo) that sought to restrict the number of attendees at religious services in certain zones identified as pandemic hotspots. In Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo, the Court agreed with the church's argument that restrictions applying uniquely to religious meetings violate the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. (Nevermind, as pointed out by Chief Justice John Roberts in his dissent, that Cuomo had already altered his executive order so that the zone restrictions no longer apply.) Justice Stephen Breyer also dissented, insisting that governors should be given considerable latitude to act during times of public emergency. In any case, this ruling is surely a harbinger of how a SCOTUS now dominated by Trump appointees will rule favorably on behalf of religious conservatives.
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I interview historian David J. Silverman about his book This Land Is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving.
Buy a copy of the book for yourself here.
Plus:
Looks like we're getting rid of Trump but not Trumpism. Joe Biden has won the presidency, but the Democrats lost ground in the House of Representatives, and the Republicans will almost surely retain control of the Senate. Meanwhile, Trump and the Republicans are denying he lost, making outrageous and unsupported claims of widespread vote-counting fraud, and continue to seal themselves off from reality. It's gonna be a rough two months until Biden's inauguration on January 20, 2021.
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I interview Noah Lugeons, author of Outbreak: A Crisis of Faith - How Religion Ruined Our Global Pandemic. Noah is also a co-host of The Scathing Atheist and God Awful Movies podcasts.
To buy a copy of Outbreak, click here.
Plus:
The skeptical community mourns the loss of James "The Amazing" Randi.
Humanist Mubarak Bala, held incommunicado for nearly six months on a charge of blasphemy by Nigerian authorities, is alive! He has finally been allowed to meet with legal representation. A hearing has been scheduled for December 10th. For more on Mr. Bala's case, listen to my interview with Leo Igwe in episode #310.
Ultra-conservative Judge Amy Coney Barrett, rammed through the confirmation process by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), has been sworn in as the newest Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Conservatives now hold a 6-3 majority on the court, which could endanger everything from the Affordable Care Act to gun control to Roe v Wade.
Pope Francis has endorsed "civil unions" (but not explicit marriage equality) for LGBTQ people, saying they "have a right to a family." Needless to say, the Pope is not receiving universal support from within the Roman Catholic Church, and Protestant leaders like Franklin Graham have taken a dim view of these latest comments.
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I interview Dr. Richard Carrier about his latest book, Jesus from Outer Space: What the Earliest Christians Really Believed about Christ, which asserts that the teachings of Jesus Christ began as cosmic revelations to a chosen few, and only later did Christian writers create a terrestrial biography for Jesus that borrowed heavily from similar death-and-resurrection mythologies of the ancient world.
For more about Richard and his work visit RichardCarrier.info.
To buy a copy of Jesus from Outer Space, click here.
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I interview theologian Dr. Craig A. Evans, co-author of Can We Trust the Bible on the Historical Jesus?, which is based on a debate Dr. Evans had some years ago with Dr. Bart Ehrman.
(My apologies on the sound quality of the interview itself. We experienced technical difficulties.)
For more about Craig Evans and his work visit craigaevans.com.
Buy a copy of Can We Trust the Bible on the Historical Jesus? here.
Listen to my previous conversations with Dr. Bart Erhman in episodes 51 (Jesus, Interrupted), 200 (How Jesus Became God), 244 (Jesus Before the Gospels) and 299 (Heaven and Hell).
Plus:
President Donald Trump is in the hospital with covid-19, a fitting conclusion to months of neglect, lies and denial.
It's looking inevitable that Judge Amy Coney Barrett will be confirmed on the Supreme Court (if not before the election, certainly before the inauguration) to replace the late Ruth Bader Ginsberg. The Democrats don't have the votes to stop her confirmation, and very little in the way of parliamentary maneuvers that might slow down the process. Legitimate questions still remain about how Judge Barrett's religious beliefs might influence her judicial rulings--but fundamentalists certainly expect it to have an influence; otherwise, why are they so excited about her?
Finally, potentially good news for Dave Warnock (interviewed in episode 293 back in January 2020), who is suffering from ALS and originally thought he might have as little as two years to live. His doctors are exploring additional diagnoses and the (admittedly slim) possibility that effective treatments may be available to him. We wish him luck.
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I interview Jared Yates Sexton, author of American Rule: How a Nation Conquered the World but Failed Its People, a dark history of the United States from colonial times to the present. Sexton came to national prominence during the 2016 presidential election, when his reporting from Trump rallies earned him death threats. He is also the co-host of The Muckrake Podcast, a twice-weekly political discussion from a decidedly progressive angle.
For more about Sexton and his work visit jysexton.com. To purchase a copy of his new book click here. To listen to The Muckrake Podcast click here.
Plus:
Devastating news that Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg has died at 87. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has already signaled he intends to fast-track Trump's pick for her replacement; this despite denying President Obama his pick for nearly a year under similar circumstances after the death of Antonin Scalia in 2016. The hypocrisy is thick around the senior Senator from Kentucky.
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Mubarak Bala, president of the Nigerian Humanist Association, was arrested in April 2020, allegedly for a Facebook post that blasphemed against Islam. Since his arrest, no one--not even his lawyer--has seen or heard from Bala. His whereabouts are uncertain, and no one knows if he is alive or dead. I talk with Leo Igwe, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Humanist Association, about Bala's plight, and what secularists around the world can do to help.
For more about Mubarak Bala's situation click here.
To listen to our previous conversation with Leo from 2013, click here.
Plus:
Trump continues to drive the crazy train over a cliff. Now he's spinning elaborate stories--without a shred of evidence--about black-uniformed thugs packing a plane bound for DC, intending to disrupt the Republican National Convention. He also indulged in a whiny rant about how cans of soup are the weapon of choice for anarchists and Antifa disruptors. That he has ANY followers remaining is dismaying, but it's a sure bet that this election will be won or lost on the margins and not by a landslide. In other words, Trump is a symptom and not the disease.
Jerry Falwell, Jr. is out (permanently, it seems) at Liberty University, over reports that not only did his wife have a long-term affair with a former pool-boy named Giancarlo Granda, but that Falwell liked to sit in the corner and watch.
Former American Atheists president David Silverman continues his downward spiral, it seems. He recently appeared on the David C. Smalley podcast and claimed to be so disaffected from left-wing politics that he's considering voting for Trump. He also asserts that institutional racism is no longer a "thing" in America, that felons who have run-ins with the police have it coming, and that crime and poverty in the African-American community are mostly the result of internal culture and not centuries of oppression. To hear my interview with Silverman from December 2019, click here.
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The Democrats have a ticket! As expected, former Vice President Joe Biden has selected Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate. If elected, Biden will be our second Catholic president, but Harris will make history as the first VP of African descent or of Asian descent. Some conservatives are already circulating a birther conspiracy about her (saying she is ineligible for office, having been born in California of parents who were--irrelevantly--not at the time citizens), but will they also make an issue of her mother's Hindu upbringing?
Five Faith Facts about Kamala Harris
Plus:
I look at the Democratic and Republican party platforms from a freethought perspective, analyzing the frequency of certain key words or phrases. (And since the GOP didn't bother to create a new platform for 2020, I play a clip from American Freethought episode 254, in which David Driscoll and I look at their 2016 platform.)
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I talk with Marie D'Elephant, host of Everyone's Autonomous, a new podcast in which she talks "with guests and subject matter experts about how we can begin to move forward after having processed our toxic religious upbringings." We also discuss something else that's in the news more often these days: polyamory, or "ethical non-monogamy."
For more visit www.everybodysautonomous.com.
Plus:
Trump's campaign pitch is getting shriller by the day. Now he claims a vote for former Vice President Joe Biden will hurt religion, the Bible, and God Himself.
Jerry Falwell, Jr. takes a leave of absence as president of Liberty University after tweeting a risqué picture of himself with a scantily clad friend.
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I discuss the new iconoclasm--the current movement to remove Confederate monuments and disavow historical figures (like, e.g., Margaret Sanger and John Muir) because some of their beliefs conflict with modern, politically correct sensibilities. A lot of what's been going on is good, to be sure, but how far is too far?
Plus:
A look at recent--and not-so-recent--films with relevance to current events like BLM and trans rights.
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I interview Eric Cervini, author of The Deviant's War: The Homosexual vs The United States of America, a new history of the gay rights movement focusing on the life and career of activist Frank Kameny.
For more about Eric and his work visit EricCervini.com.
Listen to his podcast The Deviant's World.
Buy a copy of The Deviant's War.
Plus:
The Supreme Court just ended its session with decisions on several cases with bearing on separation of church and state.
Mississippi has decided to get replace the state flag bearing the Confederate stars-and-bars with a new flag bearing the theocratic motto "In God We Trust."
Remember when people said gay marriage would lead to polygamy? Well...now Utah has essentially decriminalized it, and a town in Massachusetts has passed an ordinance to recognize polyamorous relationships. Is a polyamory revolution just around the corner?
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I interview Dr. Khyati Joshi, author of White Christian Privilege: The Illusion of Religious Equality in America.
For more about Khyati and her work visit KhyatiJoshi.com. You can buy her book here.
Plus: A win for civil rights! The Supreme Court ruled in Bostock v Clayton County, GA that employers may not discriminate against gay or transgender employees. Full stop.
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I interview Robb Ryerse, a self-described Republican and "never-Trump" evangelical pastor who decided to primary his own congressman in the 2018 election. Robb wrote about his experience in the new book Running for Our Lives: Faith, Politics, and the Common Good. He's also the pastor of Vintage Fellowship in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and executive director of Brand New Congress, a non-profit organization that hopes "to elect regular working people to Congress who put people before party to make government more accountable and responsive to the needs of all Americans."
Buy a copy of Robb's book for yourself!
For more visit VintageFellowship.org, BrandNewCongress.org, and RobbRyerse.com.
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I interview Christopher Cameron, author of Black Freethinkers: A History of African American Secularism. For more about Chris visit his UNCC faculty page. To buy his book click here.
Plus:
Trump issues a bogus declaration defining places of worship as "essential." This is an unenforceable attempt to paint governors as anti-religion and fool his base into thinking Trump has their backs.
In AKA Jane Roe, a new documentary about the late Norma McCorvey (the "Roe" in "Roe vs Wade"), she reveals that her late-life conversion to fundamentalist Christianity and her embrace of the anti-abortion cause was all a lie, and that she was actually secretly paid by anti-abortion operatives to play a part.
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I interview Nathan G. Alexander, author of Race in a Godless World, which explores the various and changing views of American and British freethinkers toward race and other cultures during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. For more about Nathan visit www.nathangalexander.com. To buy his book visit NYU Press.
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I interview Sikivu Hutchinson, author of Humanists in the Hood: Unapologetically Black, Feminist, and Heretical. For more about Sikivu and her work visit SikivuHutchinson.com.
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He's back! I have a special 300th episode celebratory conversation with podcast co-host emeritus David Driscoll. What's he been up to the last 3 1/2 years? How's he holding up in this time of pandemic? And what does the future hold for America?
Plus:
I have a number of books (some of them signed by the likes of Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood, Doris Kearns Goodwin and Jon Meacham) that I'd like to give away. I'm looking for suggestions for creative means to do so, while also increasing the podcast listenership. Suggestions are welcome!
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I interview New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman about his new book Heaven and Hell: A History of the Afterlife. For more about Bart and his work visit ehrmanblog.org or bartdehrman.com.
Bart's previous appearances on this podcast include:
Podcast 51 - Bart Ehrman (Jesus Interrupted)
Podcast 200 - Bart Ehrman (How Jesus Became God)
Podcast 244 - Bart Ehrman (Jesus Before the Gospels)
Plus:
American conservatives (including televangelists, infomercial stars and our inept president) continue to embarrass us and endanger lives in their response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
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I interview Kimberly A. Hamlin, author of Free Thinker: Sex, Suffrage, and the Life of Helen Hamilton Gardener. For more about Kimberly and her work visit KimberlyHamlin.com.
Plus:
The COVID-19 pandemic has killed hundreds so far in the US and has begun devastating our economy. But the disaster has been made twice as bad by the greed, corruption, willful ignorance and shortsightedness of Donald Trump and (yes) the decades-long policies of Republican Party. Frighteningly, it'll probably get worse before it gets better. Hang on to your hats.
At the top of the show:
-
"I Got it from Agnes," by the late satirical genius Tom Lehrer.
-
A short clip from "Where Is Everybody?" (1959), the very first episode of The Twilight Zone.
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I interview Katherine Stewart, author of The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism, yet another (and one of the best) look at "the political movement that seeks to gain power and impose its vision on all of society." We interviewed Katherine about her previous book The Good News Club way back in episode 155. I know you hear this all the time, but seriously, you need to read this book and books like it in order to understand what's going on in America today, particularly with the Republican Party.
Plus: I interview Zach Law, host of the Zachrilege Cast, a five-year-old podcast with an impressive 215 (and counting) episodes, in which he interviews other atheist podcasters and bloggers. In fact, I was his guest for episode 214 which is available on YouTube and on his podcast feed. Check it out!
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As mentioned in episode 296, here's the actual event audio from February 12, 2020, during which First Baptist Church Decatur's Paul Wallace interviews Chuck Porterfield and John C. Snider about their atheism as part of the church's adult education program Religion 101.
Thanks to Paul and Chuck for permission to post this. For more about FBC Decatur visit http://www.fbcdecatur.com.
Enjoy!
I recount my experience as one of two guest atheists at an adult education class at First Baptist Church of Decatur, moderated by Paul Wallace (who I interviewed in Episode 290 of this podcast). The congregation could not have been nicer, and made both me and Allison feel right at home. When audio of the conversation is available on the church website, I'll post a link.
Plus:
While Pete Buttigieg probably won't win the Democratic nomination, that hasn't stopped religious conservatives from attacking him for his "ungodly" gay lifestyle, or Trump surrogates like Rush Limbaugh from matter-of-factly pointing out how much fun the president would have with an opponent who kisses his husband on stage. It's just a taste of the vitriol we could expect if the first openly gay candidate for president were to win the nomination.
Boy Scouts of America has declared bankruptcy as a result of over 300 lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct on the part of scout leaders and other adult volunteers. Over the last six years, BSA has started allowing gay scouts, gay leaders, trans boys and even regular ol' girls to participate. The fact that the lawsuits cover acts committed well before the recent, inclusive policies hasn't stopped bigots from purposefully conflating homosexuality with pedophilia and blaming the liberalization of Scouting for its own downfall.
Facebook continues to be a mysterious and confounding place, where outright lies are never reigned in but good-faith users find themselves in "Facebook jail" for no disclosed reasons. I've landed in Facebook jail before (and never knew why), and now it's happened to Republican Atheists. (I don't agree with RA on much, but I respect their right to exist and freely express their views without being harassed by the world's most powerful social media platform. Their page was restored after about 10 days, with no explanation.)
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I interview Anne Nelson about her new book Shadow Network, a frightening but illuminating exposé on the Council for National Policy and the connections linking conservative media, fundamentalist Christianity and billionaire families that have led to the manipulation of public opinion and ultimately to Donald Trump.
For more about Anne and her work visit anne-nelson.com.
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I interview Victoria Smolkin, author of A Sacred Space Is Never Empty: A History of Soviet Atheism. State-enforced atheism is just as bad an idea as state-enforced religion, and the defunct Soviet Union is a perfect case study in just how badly it can go.
For more about Victoria and her work visit VictoriaSmolkin.com.
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I interview Dave Warnock, former minister now atheist, on dealing with a diagnosis of ALS, facing death, and embracing life.
For more about Dave visit DaveOutLoud.com.
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I interview Nick Fish, president of American Atheists, about efforts to combat Project Blitz, the nefarious campaign orchestrated by the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation to flood state legislatures with bills that promote fundamentalist Christian views on issues involving separation of church and state. We also talk about the fake War on Christmas (and now the fake War on Thanksgiving!), as well as the ongoing lawsuit filed in New Jersey by former AA president David Silverman.
For more about American Atheists visit atheists.org.
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I interview David Silverman, the new Executive Director for Atheist Alliance International, a coalition of atheist-centric organizations around the world.
The first third of our conversation is about AAI and its mission, but the bulk of the conversation is Silverman's vehement defense against the accusations of sexual misconduct which led his termination, in April 2018, as president of American Atheists.
(In the days since this interview was recorded, a new and recent allegation against Silverman has surfaced; this time from fellow activist Rebecca Vitsmun, who claims he "creepy touched" her on the back during a party. AAI has suspended him with pay pending further investigation.)
For more about Atheist Alliance International visit atheistalliance.org.
Silverman's personal website is firebrandforgood.com.
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I interview Paul Wallace about his new book Love and Quasars: An Astrophysicist Reconciles Faith and Science. Paul holds advanced degrees in science and theology, and is involved in teaching both. It's an interesting, sometimes frustrating conversation covering Paul's professional work in both realms, how he interprets truth claims in the Bible, and how he sees faith not as an alternative to science, but rather as an all-encompassing worldview that includes science.
For more about Paul and his work visit pwallace.net.
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I interview the daughter of Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan about her new book For Small Creatures Such as We, which looks at rituals and traditions, and how they can be adapted (or transformed) for a secular, 21st century world.
For more about Sasha and her work visit SashaSagan.com.
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From October 2017, I interview Emory University's Professor Carol Anderson, author of White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide, which looks at how institutional racism has tried to reverse or contain progress in racial equality. Ms. Anderson is most recently the author of One Person, No Vote: How Voter Suppression Is Destroying Our Democracy. Timely work, indeed.
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I suggest ten films (some good, some great; some new, some classic) that include explorations of topics of interest to freethinkers (criticism of religion, advocacy of science and free speech, etc.).
Plus:
Neil DeGrasse Tyson is on tour in support of his new book Letters from an Astrophysicist.
I experience sensory deprivation.
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I interview Emory University anthropologist Dr. Melvin Konner about his new book Believers: Faith in Human Nature, which looks at the evolutionary basis for religious tendencies, examines the good religion does in people's lives, and asks if people like Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins really know what they're talking about! Find out more about Konner and his work at melvinkonner.com and jewsandothers.com.
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I interview experimental psychologist Bruce M. Hood about his new book Possessed, which explores the evolutionary, psychological and cultural influences on how we look at material ownership.
We interviewed Bruce before, way back in episode #57 about his book Supersense. Check it out!
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I interview Phil Zuckerman, whose latest book is What It Means to Be Moral: Why Religion Is Not Necessary for Living an Ethical Life. Follow Phil on twitter @phil_zuckerman.
Plus:
Get read to read The Testaments, Margaret Atwood's much-anticipated sequel to her now-classic dystopian novel The Handmaid's Tale.
This Wednesday is the 18th anniversary of 9/11, which means that a generation of adults has arrived who are born after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. It also means that the children of those who have fought in Afghanistan are old enough to serve in what is now America's first generational war.
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I discuss several ways in which America has become a cult when it comes to interpreting the Constitution (especially the 1st and 2nd amendments), and how, in practice, white men get most of the benefit of the law and little of its punishment.
I also talk about how disproportionate devotion to civic and religious tokens like the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem and the national motto, has led to division rather than unity, and in some cases has led to violence.
Mentioned in the podcast:
Mary Anne Frank's book The Cult of the Constitution.
Anthony McCann's book Shadowlands.
At a county fair in Montana, a man assaulted a teenager for failing to remove his cap during The Star-Spangled Banner.
Fayette County (Kentucky) schools post framed dollar bills in response to a new state law requiring public schools to display "In God We Trust."
A federal court has ruled that nonreligious people have no right to deliver invocations before legislative sessions.
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In the aftermath of three mass shootings in America in a week, I interview political scientist Robert Spitzer, author of Guns across America: Reconciling Gun Rules and Rights. (This interview is "recycled" from December 2017, where it first appeared on the short-lived, now defunct SnideShow podcast.)
Also, I highly recommend the new Netflix documentary miniseries The Family, about the secretive Christian organization that has wielded influence with congressmen, presidents and even foreign leaders for nearly 80 years. The miniseries is based on Jeff Sharlet's nonfiction books The Family and C-Street. We interviewed Jeff way back in episodes 67 and 105.
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I talk with Andrew Bush (one of the co-hosts of the pop-culture SuperHouse Podcast) about his time in Japan, his observations about Japanese religion, and how the Japanese view such American hot-button topics as separation of church and state, abortion and LGBT rights. (Minor correction: I misspoke during our conversation, saying we were recording episode 282 when in fact it's 281.)
Listen to Part 2 of our conversation over at the SuperHouse Podcast, where we talk about being brought up religious in the American South, conversion experiences, deconversion experiences and more.
Andrew has been on American Freethought once before, waaay back in 2010 in episode 87.
Watch video segments recorded in 2010 with me (John C. Snider) and David Driscoll for Andrew's unrealized documentary effort "Southern Reason."
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On the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing, I discuss various religious controversies that arose as part of the Space Race, including the Apollo 8 reading from the Book of Genesis on Christmas Eve 1968; Buzz Aldrin's observance of Communion during Apollo 11; and the successful campaign by the Apollo Prayer League to send hundreds of microfilm Bibles to the moon.
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The Supreme Court has ruled that a 40-foot-tall Christian cross in Bladensburg, Maryland is actually a suitable war memorial for all war dead, even if they weren't Christian. I speak with Monica Miller, who argued the case before the Court on behalf of the American Humanist Association. We also talk about Monica's work with the Nonhuman Rights Project, an organization that seeks "to secure fundamental rights for nonhuman animals through litigation, legislation, and education."
Monica and I also discuss the Court's refusal to hear a case brought by long-time activist Michael Newdow, challenging the phrase "In God We Trust" on all currency. (David Driscoll and I talked about Mr. Newdow back in show #84 in 2010, and I actually interviewed him waaay back in the pre-podcast days of 2002. Have a listen!)
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Coffee County (Tennessee) District Attorney Craig Northcott refuses to pursue domestic violence cases involving same-sex couples, simply because he disagrees with the Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v Hodges. He also believes Muslims have no rights under the Constitution because they don't worship the right god.
Knox County (Tennessee) Sheriff's Detective Grayson Fritts, also a pastor at fundamentalist All Scripture Baptist Church, believes that our civil government should enforce Old Testament law, "speedily" executing gay people simply for being gay.
The Alabama state legislature is considering a bill that would allow public schools to offer elective courses on the Bible. The courses would ostensibly educate students on the Bible's influence on literature and history, but it's really just a Trojan Horse to allow Christian teachers to proselytize to a captive audience.
Finally, I recommend the new book The Four Horsemen, which transcribes the legendary 2007 conversation of Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett and Sam Harris.
[Apologies for this episode's sound quality. I accidentally recorded using my laptop's built-in microphone. Also, podcast mascot Hisstopher Scratchins occasionally adds his voice to the background.]
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I discuss Kevin M. Kruse's 2015 book One Nation Under God: How Corporate American Invented Christian America.
Plus:
Ken Ham's Ark Park is hilariously suing its insurance company for failure to cover rain damage.
In Alabama (where some probate judges have stopped issuing marriage licenses, lest they be forced to issue one to a gay couple), the legislature has passed a bill that would eliminate the need for licenses or ceremonies.
Missouri has refused to renew the license of the last remaining abortion clinic in the state. If the government's refusal stands, this will be the first state to eliminate abortion completely since the Supreme Court's Roe v Wade ruling in 1973.
The Supreme Court has ruled that Indiana may require fetal remains be disposed of via burial or cremation. They let a lower court ruling stand that the state may not prohibit abortion on the basis of the fetus's gender, race or disability. (You can still get an abortion for no reason at all.)
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Conservative Max Boot writes an excellent op-ed in the Washington Post titled "It's time for us to have an unapologetic atheist in the Oval Office." Amen, brother. If you're interested, check out Boot's latest book The Corrosion of Conservatism: Why I Left the Right.
Televangelist Pat Robertson has said not one but two things this month that I agree with! First, young earth creationism is baloney. Second, that Alabama's extreme new anti-abortion law goes way too far and will not likely survive challenges in the federal court system.
And speaking of abortion...several Republican-controlled states have passed stark new laws aimed at outlawing abortion, with the long game of getting the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v Wade. I address several issues:
- WHY is the issue of abortion so hard to resolve?
- WHY are Republicans so eager to overturn Roe? Is it really about protecting children, or is it something more nefarious?
- WHAT is their strategy, if any?
- WHAT might it mean for ALL civil liberties in this country if conservatives succeed in criminalizing a woman's right to choose?
An op-ed by Josh Moon at Alabama Political Reporter hits the nail right on the head: it's not the governor, or the state legislature, or any one politician to blame for the stupidity in Alabama. It's the voters, driven by religion and hate. Period.
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I interview filmmaker Penny Lane about her new documentary Hail Satan?, which looks at the surprising growth of The Satanic Temple, a six-year-old organization that engages in confrontational political activism while simultaneously attracting followers interested in their compassionate, rationalist, humanistic belief system. Hail Satan? is in theaters right now!
Plus:
Our increasingly connected world means that religious violence in one part of the world can be directly influenced by religious violence in another part of the world, no matter how distant. Witness the fact that the Easter massacre of Catholics in Sri Lanka was revenge for, and the April 27th synagogue shooting in Poway, California was in solidarity with, the March 15th mosque shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand.
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Supreme Court Justice Clarence "Chatterbox" Thomas raised eyebrows during an apperance at Pepperdine University, claiming that the judicial oath was an oath between man and God, going further to imply that atheists don't take oaths seriously and that religious justices are better at the job anyway.
Muslim terrorists killed nearly 300 people in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, targeting churches and luxury hotels. Details are unfolding.
The cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris suffered a devastating fire. The French government promises to rebuild; meanwhile, atheists are divided on whether the money might be better spent elsewhere.
A federal court has ruled that the chaplain of the US House of Representatives can legally refuse to allow "secular prayers," saying that both the House and the Senate can set their own rules, and therefore can restrict invocations only to those with religious content. Discrimination against the non-religious exists.
Pennsylvania legislator Stephanie Borowicz was apparently freaked out at the impending swearing in of Movita Johnson-Harrell as the state's first female Muslim lawmaker, delivering an invocation that was peppered with references to Jesus and praise for Donald Trump's support for Israel. Colleagues on both sides of the aisle have expressed disapproval at Borowicz's overtly partisan and prosyletizing prayer. Yet another example of why having prayers before legislative sessions is a bad idea, period.
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I interview the Brookings Institution's Darrell M. West about his new book Divided Politics, Divided Nation, which explores the exacerbation of America's culture wars during the Trump presidency, and offers suggestions on how both sides might better communicate with one another.
For more about Darrell and his work, visit brookings.edu.
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I interview Jessica Wilbanks, author of When I Spoke in Tongues: A Story of Faith and Its Loss, a story that starts with her Pentecostal upbringing in rural Maryland and ends with an extraordinary journey exploring the flourishing fundamentalist Christian movement in Nigeria.
For more about Jessica and her work visit JessicaWilbanks.com.
Also mentioned in the conversation: Infamous Nigerian preacher Helen Ukpabio (discussed back in show 172) and humanist activist Leo Igwe (whom we interviewed back in show 181).
Theme music courtesy of Body Found.
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I read my presentation about Muslims in America, from colonial times to the present. (Image is the portrait by Charles Wilson Peale of Yarrow Mamout, a freed Muslim slave who was born about 1736 in West Africa and died in Washington, DC in 1823.)
Plus:
Monica Miller, whom I interviewed in show #268, has had her day in court! She argued before SCOTUS on behalf of the American Humanist Association that a giant cross-shaped war memorial is actually a Christian symbol and not a suitable secular monument. The Court will rule in June; meanwhile, you can listen to the oral arguments here.
The Southern Baptist Convention has responded to an investigative report showing 380 clergy and other church representatives have been accused of sexual misconduct in the last 20 years. The church seems to be taking the report seriously, and has promised to put measures in place to prevent and deal with such criminal behavior in the future.
The United Methodists have voted NOT to solemnize same-sex marriages and NOT to allow ordination of gay clergy. This decision will doubtless leave to many progressives leaving the church, perhaps to form their own new denomination.
A judge in New Jersey has ordered a new trial after a juror became upset that a Hindu defendant declined to swear in using a Bible. This further reinforces my long-held position that neither Bibles nor "so help me God" have any place in a courtroom or when public officals take an oath of office.
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I interview Catherine Nixey about her new book The Darkening Age: The Christian Destruction of the Classical World, which explores how the early Christians, once they gained power, did everything they could to eliminate the architectural, artistic and literary heritage of the non-Christian Roman Empire.
Also recommend on the same subject matter: Bart Ehrman's The Triumph of Christianity.
Plus:
More developments in what shouldn't be a controversy: attempts by Democratic House committee leaders to omit the phrase "so help you God" from the oath required of those testifying in hearings.
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I look at John Gray's latest book Seven Types of Atheism, in which he argues that modern mainstream secularism is nothing more than monotheism rebranded. And it's all wrong anyway.
Plus:
Happy Darwin Day! February 12th is the 210th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin.
In less celebratory anniversaries, February 14th marks the 30th anniversary of Ayatollah Khomeini's fatwa against Salman Rushdie over his novel The Satanic Verses. Rushdie had to go into hiding for a decade as a result.
The newly Democratic House Committee on Natural Resources has scrapped a plan to revise committee rules to remove "so help you God" from the oath people must take before testifying. (They should have gone through with their plan--it's the right thing to do, and Republicans will flog them over it anyway.)
Donald Trump continues to pander to the evangelical base with a tweet in support of Bible study in public schools.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is fond of quoting a Bible verse that isn't actually in the Bible.
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I interview Monica Miller, Senior Counsel for the American Humanist Association. Ms. Miller will be representing AHA before the Supreme Court in February, arguing that the 94-year-old, four-story-high "Peace Cross" in Bladensburg, Maryland is an unconstitutional endorsement of Christianity by the government. For more info visit americanhumanist.org.
Plus:
More SCOTUS talk! I ramble on about David Kaplan's book The Most Dangerous Branch, the Ruth Bader Ginsburg biopic On the Basis of Sex, the Ruth Bader Ginsburg documentary RBG, Jane Sherron de Hart's book Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life, and Forrest Gump. Also mentioned: an article from a few years ago that argues he Religious Right isn't so concerned about Roe v Wade as they are about using abortion as a stalking horse for keeping segregation alive by protecting private schools.
Liberty Counsel (an evangelical non-profit that frequently gets involved in legal controversies) wants LGBT people removed from the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act of 2018, passed last month by the US Senate. Although this bill tweaks and narrows the proper meaning of the word "lynch," it's an important step forward in preventing mob violence against historically persecuted minorities.
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I interview Dan Barker about his latest book Mere Morality. Dan is co-president (with wife Annie Laurie Gaylor) of the Freedom from Religion Foundation, and co-host with her of the weekly show Freethought Radio.
For ambitious readers, here are the other books mentioned during the course of the conversation:
- Free Will Explained by Dan Barker
- Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis
- Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
- The Moral Landscape by Sam Harris
Plus:
Congratulations to NASA on placing the Osiris-Rex probe in orbit around the near-earth asteroid Bennu, and on the spectacular New Horizons flyby of the Kuiper Belt object Ultima Thule! Kudos also to the Chinese for Chang'e 4, the first-ever soft landing on the far side of the moon.
The Pew Research Center reports that the new 116th Congress is the most religiously diverse in history, with the influence of mainstream Christianity continuing to diminish. Among the freshmen legislators are Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, the first Muslim women to the elected to the House of Representatives.
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American Freethought is back to continue the fight for separation of church and state, reason-based living and secular culture! Find out why we're back and what to expect in the coming weeks.
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Original release December 29, 2016.
Encore release December 30, 2018.
Encore release September 22, 2017.
Our final episode! We reminisce about the best (and worst) of the podcast, read listener feedback on our demise, and thank the many, many people who helped make the show a success.
Original release December 17, 2016.
Encore release December 29, 2018.
Encore release September 21, 2017.
We interview transgender activist Vandy Beth Glenn. She was the plaintiff and victor in the groundbreaking (and precedent setting) federal lawsuit Glenn v Brumby. She is also the first transgender person to testify before a Congressional committee. For more about Vandy Beth and her projects visit vandybethglenn.com, or follow her on Twitter @redvelvetcakes.
Original release December 2, 2016.
Encore release December 28, 2018.
Encore release September 20, 2017.
A Texas member of the Electoral College has resigned rather than cast a vote for Donald Trump, stating that the president-elect is not "biblically qualified" to hold office.
Also in Texas, the Republican-controlled government is implementing a new regulation requiring abortion clinics to dispose of fetal tissue only via cremation or burial. They cite health and public safety concerns, but offer no explanation as to how such tissue differs from other medical waste like removed organs, amputated limbs, etc. in terms of its danger to the community.
Finally, Donald Trump has selected Georgia Congressman Tom Price as his Secretary of Health and Human Services. Yes, an anti-abortion, anti-gay, anti-regulation, anti-global warming, anti-Obamacare crusader will be in charge of the nation's healthcare system.
Originally released November 12, 2016.
H. L. Mencken said, "Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard." They (and we) are about to get Donald Trump, a crooked businessman with no governmental experience who channels old-school misogyny, racism, bigotry, and near-complete ignorance on almost every topic of importance. Trump has pulled off one of the most unlikely upsets in political history. He stunned the Republican establishment, as well as nearly every pollster and pundit, to capture the most powerful office on the planet.
So how did he do it? How could voters support a candidate like this? To help us understand, we talk with political scientist Arthur Lupia, author of the new (and incredibly timely) book Uninformed: Why People Know So Little About Politics and What We Can Do About It, available in hardcover and for Kindle. (Please note: a technical glitch which led to some problems in sound quality and continuity. We apologize for the inconvenience.)
Encore release December 27, 2018.
Encore release September 19, 2017.
Original release November 6, 2016.
Encore release December 26, 2018.
Encore release September 18, 2017.
Why has the Southern Poverty Law Center placed Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Maajid Nawaz on their list of "anti-Muslim extremists"? Certainly both Ali (who was the victim of female genital mutilation and narrowly escaped an arranged marriage before making a success of herself in the Western world) and Nawaz (himself once a jihadist who spent jail time in Egypt, and who now heads a counter-extremist think-tank in the UK) have been critical of Islam, but is it fair to call them extremists in turn?
Plus:
Virginia pastor Terry Wayne Millender and his wife have been arrested, accused of orchestrating a $1.2 million scam that victimized members of their church.
In recent years, churches have organized "Hell Houses" at Halloween. Instead of traditional scares like vampires and zombies, Hell Houses showcase sadistic fundamentalist fantasies of the horrors that await the unsaved in the afterlife. This year, a Chicago area church abandoned a plan to recreate Orlando's Pulse nightclub massacre (which took the lives of 49 LGBT victims) as part of their annual Hell House. The key word here is "abandoned"--but it's pretty disturbing that a church would think of doing such a thing, even going so far as to put out an ad for actors to play the victims.
The 2016 election will be over soon, and Republican candidate Donald Trump is widely expected to lose. Most analysts and consultants expect the GOP to face an "existential crisis," an epic tug-o-war between the more traditional leadership (the mundane pro-business foreign policy hawks who would ordinarily be happy to compromise with the Democrats so both sides can win something) and the rabid "base" who are so desperate to burn "the system" to the ground they were willing to vote for Donald Trump. Grab the popcorn.
Original release October 22, 2016.
Encore release December 25, 2018.
Encore release September 17, 2017.
Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore has been suspended without pay from his office until the end of his term, effectively putting an end to his judicial career. Moore becomes (as far as we can tell) the only judge in US history to be removed from office TWICE (the first time over his installation of a 2.5 ton Ten Commandments monument in the judiciary building; the second time over his obstruction of the US Supreme Court's same-sex marriage ruling in Obergefell v Hodges. Moore is appealing the decision, although there seems very little chance it will be reversed. Good riddance, we say, although it wouldn't surprise us to see him continue in the political arena; e.g. running for governor or for Congress.
Plus:
Teresa MacBain, who left the Methodist ministry in 2012 and "came out" as an atheist, has in recent months quietly returned to religion. The freethought community is obviously dismayed and disappointed by this decision, although we wish her the best as she explores what she has describes as a more "progressive" Christianity. (Listen to our interview with Ms. MacBain back in episode 160.)
Baseball legend Curt Schilling (lately an infamous anti-evolution tweeter and anti-transgender pinhead) has said he's considering running against Senator Elizabeth Warren in 2018. This could be interesting, but it seems a fair bet at this point that Warren would crush him like a bug.
Original release September 30, 2016.
Encore release December 24, 2018.
Encore release September 16, 2017.
We interview Karen Garst, editor of Women Beyond Belief: Discovering Life without Religion. This new collection contains 22 essays by women from various backgrounds, telling their stories of how the decided to leave religion and embrace secular, rational values. Women Beyond Belief is available in paperback and for Kindle.
For more about Karen Garst and her projects, visit faithlessfeminist.com.
Original release September 15, 2016.
Encore release December 23, 2018.
Encore release September 15, 2017.
John Snider (sans David Driscoll, sadly) presents another live show at DragonCon's Skeptrack in Atlanta. He's joined by Mandisa Thomas (founder and president of Black Nonbelievers) and Gina Colaianni (student activist and former president of Kennesaw State University's Secular Student Alliance) in discussing "Diversity in the Skeptic/Freethought Community."
Many thanks to Derek Colanduno (organizer of the Skeptrack and co-host of the pioneering Skepticality podcast), as well as Mark Ditsler of Abrupt Media for providing stellar audiovisual services.
Original release August 30, 2016.
Encore release December 22, 2018.
Encore release September 14, 2017.
We discuss a recent article by Donald Prothero in Skeptic magazine, in which he looks at the state of the Intelligent Design movement, ten years after its stinging defeat in Kitzmiller v. Dover. The overwhelming majority of scientists are against ID (and Creationism in general), and the courts have ruled that it's purely religious. They're not gone, but the IDiots are shifting their tactics. Can Intelligent Design make a comeback?
Plus:
An anti-gay preacher who gloated in the aftermath of the Orlando nightclub massacre has been arrested on suspicion of molesting an underaged male.
Islamophobia at home and abroad! Newton County, Georgia has issued a moratorium on ALL religious construction, now that a Muslim group from metro Atlanta wants to build a mosque there. And in France (where they're still reeling from devastating terrorist attacks) several townships are trying to ban the burkini (a modesty swimsuit favored by some Muslim women) from public beaches.
Original release August 18, 2016.
Encore release December 21, 2018.
Encore release September 13, 2017.
We interview Matthew O'Neil, author of After Life: Solving Science and Religion’s Great Disagreement. In his new book, he looks at what the Bible actually says about things like Heaven, Hell, the soul and Resurrection, and how it differs from modern, mainstream Christian ideas. He also delves into what science can tell us about an afterlife and about the process of death.
We previously spoke with Matthew in episode #242 about his book What the Bible Really Does (and Doesn’t Say) about Sex.
Plus:
If you're coming to DragonCon, come see American Freethought live at the Skeptrack, Monday, September 5th at 11:30am. The topic will be "Diversity in the Freethought/Skeptic Community" and there will be special guests.
Original release July 29, 2016.
Encore release December 20, 2018.
Encore release September 12, 2017.
We take a look–from a freethinking and skeptical viewpoint–at Democratic Platform 2016, as well as the political positions of Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, Hillary Clinton's pick as Vice Presidential running mate.
Plus:
The recent leak of emails from the Democratic National Committee shows that some staffers, at least, entertained the despicable notion of using presidential candidate Bernie Sanders' supposed atheism against him in an effort to aid rival Hillary Clinton among the "Southern Baptist peeps."
Body Found--an alt-rock band active in St. Louis, Missouri in the early 1990's, whose song "To Be Dead" is this podcast's theme song--has a new album! Desert Ressurection is available August 1st via Amazon.com, iTunes, and all the usual places you can download music. Show your appreciation for their contribution to American Freethought!
Original release July 23, 2016.
Encore release December 19, 2018.
Encore release September 11, 2017.
We take a look--from a freethinking and skeptical viewpoint--at Republican Platform 2016, as well as the political positions of Indiana Governor Mike Pence, Donald Trump's pick as Vice Presidential running mate.
Plus:
A new Pew poll shows evangelicals and so-called "nones" falling in line behind Trump and Clinton, respectively and unsurprisingly. The poll also shows a reasurring drop in the number of voters who say that it's important that the President have strong religious beliefs.
Original release July 10, 2016.
Encore release December 18, 2018.
Encore release September 10, 2017.
For the third presidential election cycle in a row, evangelical fundamentalist Christians have failed to nominate a Republican candidate that's a full-throated theocratic nut job (although they came close with Ted Cruz). And once again they're faced with the daunting task of keeping themselves relevant by throwing their weight behind the inevitable candidate, no matter how odious he may be. And so, we have people like ~~Focus~~ Crosshairs on the Family president James Dobson declaring, with no evidence, really, that Donald Trump (he of the bloviation and baby fingers) is now a "baby Christian" who was brought to Christ "recently." Trump himself has made laughable attempts to ingratiate himself to the fundamentalist vote, quoting "Two" Corinthians and saying his favorite Bible verse is "an eye for an eye"--the one Bible verse that Jesus explicitly refuted! Anyway, a road is being paved to give conservative Christians an path (rickety at best) to vote for Trump as one of theirs.
Plus:
A federal judge blocks Mississippi's Orwellian "Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act," a law expressly designed to ensure anti-gay, one-man-one-woman Christian bigots ever have to deal with anyone in the LGBT community. Look for this one to be resolved in a year or two by the Supreme Court, almost certainly on the side of those who want to see all citizens treated equally and without discrimination.
Ken Ham's Ark Encounter boondoggle has opened for business in central Kentucky. Holey Scripture looks at how the Ark (both Noah's and Ham's) was made. And just what the heck is "gopher" wood?
Original release June 19, 2016.
Encore release December 17, 2018.
Encore release September 9, 2017.
We interview Dr. Franklin T. Lambert, author of Separation of Church and State: Founding Principle of Religious Liberty. In this, his latest book, he corrects the claims of revisionist "historians" like David Barton that the United States was founded as a Christian nation, and that separation of church and state is a myth promulgated by a conspiracy of left-wing elitist academics. Dr. Lambert is professor of History at Purdue University, where he teaches courses on Colonial and Revolutionary American History and American Religious History. He is the author of eight books, including The Founding Fathers and the Place of Religion in America and Religion in American Politics: A Short History.
Plus:
A brief discussion of the recent massacre of 49 people in Orland0, Florida by a self-proclaimed follower if ISIS.
A brief discussion about the American Ethical Union (aeu.org), which has permanent congregations in several cities, including Washington, DC; Vienna, Virginia; and St. Louis, Missouri.
Original release June 4, 2016.
Encore release December 16, 2018.
Encore release September 8, 2017.
David Driscoll offers his on-site observations from Reason Rally 2016, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. For more info on the event visit ReasonRally.com.
Original release June 3, 2016.
Encore release December 15, 2018.
Encore release September 7, 2017.
Whoo-hoo! It's our 250th episode! We'll celebrate by continuing to put out some more episodes.
Meanwhile, we interview Mary Roach, whose latest book is Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War (available in hardcover, audiobook and for Kindle). Roach is the author of other insightful and humorous nonfiction titles like Stiff (an exploration of the ethical issues associated with the use of cadavers), Spook (at look at scientific evidence for the afterlife), Bonk (the study of human sexuality) and Gulp (eating and digestion). We last spoke to Mary waaay back in episode #99 about her book Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void. For more about Mary Roach and her work visit MaryRoach.net.
Plus:
Look for David Driscoll at the Reason Rally, June 4th at the Lincoln Memorial.
Original release May 25, 2016.
Encore release December 14, 2018.
Encore release September 6, 2017.
We discuss Larry Alex Taunton's new book The Faith of Christopher Hitchens: The Restless Soul of the World's Most Notorious Atheist (available in hardcover, as an audiobook, or for Kindle). In this memoir, Taunton (a Birmingham, Alabama based minister and founder of the Fixed Point Foundation) recounts the friendship that developed between himself and Christopher Hitchens. Considerable controversy has arisen over Taunton's insinuation that Hitchens, while he had no deathbed conversion, may have re-evaluated religion (if not Christianity) during his final months.
Original release May 5, 2016.
Encore release December 13, 2018.
Encore release September 5, 2017.
Recently retired Speaker of the House John Boehner told a Stanford University audience that Texas Senator and presidential candidate Ted Cruz was "Lucifer in the flesh" and "the most miserable son of a bitch" he's ever worked with. Nobody's less happy about the comparison than actual Satanists, who don't think Lucifer is real to begin with, and who object to Cruz's incessant moralizing and desire for full-on Christian theocracy. (Of course, Cruz has since dropped out of the campaign, leaving the field wide open for walking id Donald Trump.)
Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore continues his crusade to make life miserable for the LGBT community. He's sticking to his orders to state officials to ignore the Supreme Court's ruling in Obergefell v Hodges, which ensures equal treatment for same-sex couples who want to get married. Moore held a press conference recently, saying that "atheists, homosexuals and transgender individuals" were behind complaints against him. Well, duh.
Actor and fundamentalist evangelical Kirk Cameron is at it again. This time he's describing his (or maybe God's) version of a perfect marriage: "Wives are to honor and respect and follow their husband's lead, not to tell their husband how he ought to be a better husband." Yeah.
Announcements!
Get ready for the Reason Rally, June 4th at the Lincoln Memorial. David will be there--say hi if you can find him.
DragonCon will be here before you know it. John and Allison will be there, doing a live show if all goes as planned. Meanwhile, send your suggestions for topics we can cover or questions we can answer, and if you're looking to get married...
Original release April 20, 2016.
Encore release December 12, 2018.
Encore release September 4, 2017.
More fallout in the aftermath of North Carolina's infamous law that prevents local governments from passing LGBT protections. Bruce Springsteen and former Beatle Ringo Starr are among the artists who have cancelled shows in the Tar Heel state.
Meanwhile, Mississippi has passed HB 1523, the "Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act," which more or less allows anyone to discriminate against LGBT citizens as long as they cite sincerely held religious beliefs. This law is seen as so extreme that some other state governments (including New York and Washington) and even local governments have issued (largely symbolic) bans against traveling to Mississippi for government business.
Finally, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has vetoed a bill aimed at making the Bible the official state book, saying it trivializes the Bible (rather than giving the more obvious reason that the law is blatantly unconstitutional).
There's a Supreme Court showdown just over the horizon.
Original release April 2, 2016.
Encore release December 11, 2018.
Encore release September 3, 2017.
So-called Religious Freedom Restoration Acts are meeting with mixed success at the state level. RFRAs are ostensibly about protecting religious freedom, but they're really just pandering to religious conservatives who want to discriminate against the hated gays (just like Jesus would have).
In Georgia, under pressure from civil liberties organizations and business interests who warn the state could lose its lucrative movie-making industry, Governor Nathan Deal (a conservative Republican!) just wielded his veto power on a discriminatory bill, citing the lack of need for such a law and appealing to love and tolerance.
Meanwhile, North Carolina just passed a law prohibiting local governments from protecting LGBT rights (this in response to a Charlotte city ordinance allowing transgendered people to use restrooms that correspond with their self-identity). Supporters are crowing about "common sense," but others are already calling for boycotts of the state, and North Carolina's Attorney General (a Democrat running for governor) has already declared the law unconstitutional and says he won't defend it in court.
Look for a Supreme Court showdown in the next couple of years.
Plus:
A "Prophet of God" brandishing what turned out to be a pellet gun is shot and wounded by police near the US Capitol.
An anti-vaccination documentary directed and co-written by disgraced medical researcher Andrew Wakefield has been dropped from the TriBeCa Film Festival. Some cry censorship; others say the film will simply rehash old (bad) arguments and will rekindle a conversation not worth having. If you want to more more about vaccinations, listener Ted from New Jersey recommends this, and this, ...and this.
Finally, the latest in the recent batch of "Christian" films hits theaters April 1st: God's Not Dead 2: He's Surely Alive feeds the myth that Christianity is under attack in America's schools by evil ACLU atheists bent on proving God doesn't exist. Please.
Original release March 20, 2016.
Encore release December 10, 2018.
Encore release September 2, 2017.
We are bemused and befuddled by the tendency of the pious to thank God for their good luck (especially when it comes to medical recoveries), but ignore the direct and obvious contributions of medical researcher, doctors, nurses, paramedics, etc. (And why is it that God occasionally cures cancer and other diseases, but never bothers to cure missing limbs and organs? Curiouser and curiouser.)
Plus:
The Roman Catholic Church has scheduled September 4th as the date when the late Mother Teresa will achieve sainthood. Nevermind that she seemingly valued the transcendence of suffering over the relieving of suffering, and hobnobbed with dictators. And nevermind that the "evidence" supporting her alleged miracles would be laughed out of a court of law. Apparently the gullibility of the faithful is enough to become a saint.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio has dropped out of the presidential primary after getting trounced in his home state, lamenting (pitifully) that "it is not God's plan that I be president in 2016 or maybe ever." Which reminded us of the (perhaps not so surprisingly) large number of Republican candidates who claim that God told them to run for president. In the case of the 2016 Republican primary, given the fact that so many such candidates have had to drop out, is God just messing with them?
There's been a rash lately of state and local police forces putting "In God We Trust" on their squad cars. After all, it's the national motto. It's just for patriotic reasons and not because it expresses a religious sentiment (wink-wink)--who could object? Now the cops in Alpine, Texas are putting Christian crosses on their cars, and they're being sued by FFRF for their efforts.
Finally, Egyptian Justice Minister Ahmed El-Zend is out of job (and maybe soon out of a life) for joking on national television that he would jail even the Prophet Mohammed if he committed certain crimes. Islamic society is notoriously humorless when it comes to jokes about the Prophet, so let's hope that El-Zend can retire in peace and not end up headless for an ill-advised off-the-cuff remark. (But just imagine the outcry in this country if US Attorney General Loretta Lynch had said at a Senate hearing that she would jail "even Jesus" for such-and-such crime? She wouldn't lose her head, but she would lose her cabinet position.)
Original release March 1, 2016.
Encore release December 9, 2018.
Encore release September 1, 2017
We interview Dr. Bart D. Ehrman about his new book Jesus Before the Gospels: How the Earliest Christians Remembered, Changed, and Invented Their Stories of the Savior. Dr. Ehrman looks at what research on memory--how it's formed, how it's recalled, how it can change when transmitted from person to person, and how it can be remolded based on historical perspective and current events--and what it can tell us about how the written accounts of Jesus' life were created. Jesus Before the Gospels is available in hardcover, audiobook and for Kindle. For more about Dr. Ehrman's work, visit bartdehrman.com.
Plus:
Here are some recent and upcoming books our listeners might find interesting:
Scientology: A to Xenu by former Scientologist Chris Shelton. It's a detailed and critical analysis of every aspect of Scientology, focusing on its organization and the damaging actions it takes against its current and former members. Also, check out Shelton's YouTube channel, podcast and blog.
The End: What Science and Religion Tell Us about the Apocalypse by Phil Torres. Would you trust science or religion to tackle ther existential risks facing the world today--risks like synthetic biology, nanotechnology, nuclear weaponry, and (possibly, soon) superintelligence
Secular Meditation: 32 Practices for Cultivating Inner Peace, Compassion, and Joy by Rick Heller of the Humanist Community at Harvard University. In this book, Heller has attempted to filter out anything that sounds like woo from meditation and put it on a purely secular basis, as a kind of exercise for the mind.
The Devil You Know: The Surprising Link between Conservative Christianity and Crime by Elicka Peterson Sparks. This book focuses on the negative impact of Christian nationalism on violent crime in the US, as well as the impact of this belief system on criminal justice policies.
Original release February 17, 2016.
Encore release December 8, 2018.
Encore release August 31, 2017.
Comedian and television talk show host Bill Maher gave "Dr." Sam Chachoua nearly ten minutes on a recent show to talk about his quack cure for AIDS that involves the milk from arthritic goats. "Dr. Sam" supposedly cured Charlie Sheen during a retreat in Mexico, and he claims to have eradicated AIDS/HIV completely from the island nation Comoros. None of which is true. Check out Dr. Harriet Hall's analysis at Skeptic.com.
But this isn't the first time Maher has danced on the edge of madness. He told David Letterman that Western food and prescription medicine are killing Americans (some part of which is true, but not quite in the way Maher implies). On Larry King Live, he said that flu shots cause Alzheimer's. His opinions on vaccines are so disconnected from reality that conservative Republican Bill Frist (a medical doctor) tried without success to talk him off that ledge. Maher got a lot of blowback from the Frist interview, but a couple of weeks later, he doubled down, repeating quackish talking points, speculating that childhood vaccines and mercury in dental fillings caused allergies.
Plus:
Holey Scripture is back! Do animals go to Heaven?
Richard Dawkins is recovering from a minor stroke. Prognosis is good, and we wish him the best.
Finally, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is dead, and his corpse had hardly cooled before Republican leadership and presidential candidates are shouting that the sitting President should not nominate a replacement--despite the fact that he still has nearly a year in office!
Original release February 1, 2016.
Encore release December 7, 2018.
Encore release August 30, 2017.
We interview Matthew O'Neil about his new book What the Bible Really Does (and Doesn't Say) about Sex. Matthew is an activist, theologian, and teacher. He has his MA in theology from Saint Michael’s College with graduate certification in Mediation and Applied Conflict Studies, and he is a certified Humanist chaplain and celebrant through the American Humanist Association. He is also the author of the books Judas and You Say That I Am: Jesus and the Messianic Problem and writes for the Danthropology blog through the Patheos network.
Plus:
We get email. Chris in the UK urges us to cover more international news, and spiritual-but-not-religious Larry in the US laments that atheists are running roughshod over the rest of America, and wants to know whom he should sue.
Original release January 15, 2016.
Encore release December 6, 2018.
Encore release August 29, 2017.
We look at three recent cases in which violent perpetrators of excuse their crimes by pointing to their victims atheism.
Earlier this month, a woman in Louisville, Kentucky was arrested for savagely beating a disabled man with his own cane, reportedly because he denied believing on God. (Luckily the man survived.)
Late last year, Phoenix, Arizona's Anitra Braxton (pictured) was arrested for shooting an acquaintance in the eye and keeping her corpse on the couch as a "shrine from God," all for "not believing in her God."
Meanwhile, Texan Justin Green is serving a 30-year sentence for murdering a fellow veteran, burying him in a shallow grave, and using his credit cards to buy pizza. Family members--who helped Green hide the body--say that Green killed the man because he did not believe in God.
Granted, in all these cases, there are plenty of other plausible reasons--greed, anger, mental illness--why these crimes were committed. But it is disturbing to consider that these people thought that the atheism of their victims was a legitimate excuse.
Plus:
Supreme Court Justice Antonin "Applesauce" Scalia says that, while the Constitution must be neutral when it comes to religious denominations, it can privilege religion over non-religion. Thankfully, Scalia is a) old and b) just one of nine Justices.
Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy "Ten Commandments" Moore has issued another memorandum to the state's probate justices, reiterating his position that they are not required to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. He continues to insist that God's law trumps the US Constitution; this despite the recent US Supreme Court decision (no thanks to Scalia--see above) that marriage equality is consistent with the Constitution.
Original release December 31, 2015.
Encore release December 5, 2018.
Encore release August 28, 2017.
The Reverend Franklin Graham (prominent Protestant fundamentalist and son of legendary evangelist Billy Graham) says he's quitting the Republican Party. Why? He says it's because Republicans aren't standing on principle. He cites as an example the Republican-dominated US Congress passing a massive spending bill that retains funding for the much-hated Planned Parenthood. In other words, Republicans compromised with the Democrats in order to keep the government running. Graham's exit may be part of a larger movement within the conservative movement: For years, Tea Partiers and their fellow travelers have been calling on their elected officials to toe the line, NOT to compromise in any way with the hated liberal-progressive-secularists when it comes to abortion, gay rights, etc. This rift (and the eternal desire to have "easy" solutions to problems that are always someone else's fault) in the GOP is what has crazy people like Donald Trump, Ben Carson and Ted Cruz leading the polls.
Plus:
Franklin (North Carolina) Mayor Bob Scott has been called "un-American, arrogant and an asshole" because he dared take his oath of office by placing his hand on a copy of the US Constitution instead of a Bible. We salute his courage and hope that many more elected officials follow suit.
Kentucky's new Tea Party affiliated Governor Matt Bevin has issued an executive order (of questionable legality) removing county clerks' names from the state's marriage license form, supposedly to protect the religious rights of Christians who disagree with same-sex marriage. Bevin's action is in response to Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis' infamous refusal to issue same-sex licenses in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's landmark decision.
Gossip columns are reporting that former Miss USA/Miss Universe Olivia Culpo has dumped her latest boyfriend, former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, over his vow of abstinence before marriage. Not that it's anybody else's business: as weird as the rest of us might think it is, what Tebow does (or doesn't do) with his love life should be between him and his would-be lovers. (Tebow, you will recall, was a successful college player who came under criticism for painting Bible verses in his eye-black, and for "Tebowing," in which he dropped to one knee in prayer after a touchdown. Tebow has been unable to parlay his NCAA victories into a successful NFL career: in September 2015, the Philadelphia Eagles became the fourth team to drop him from their roster.)
Original release December 15, 2015
Encore release December 4, 2018.
Encore release August 27, 2017.
Gun violence continues to be a problem in America, and conservatives continue to call for more prayer, more guns, and not much else. No one would deny the right of citizens to embrace prayer as a consolation in times of tragedy, but it's no substitute for substantive public discussion and legislative action to finally make mass-murder as rare in the US as it is in the rest of the developed world.
Meanwhile, Republican presidential candidates, including Marco Rubio, continue to promise that, if elected, they'll roll back LGBT protections and women's rights, and nominate like-minded Supreme Court justices.
And while you can't get elected dogcatcher in America if you're an atheist, that's not stopping a handful of candidates around the country from running for office despite this "disability." Check out Cristin Padgett, who's an "out" atheist running for a seat in the Texas legislature. She's in a very red district, but it's a breath of fresh air to see that the voters are being offered a clear alternative.
Original release November 24, 2015.
Encore release December 3, 2018.
Encore release August 26, 2017.
~~It's War on Christmas!~~ There is no War on Christmas--there's only a war on the alleged War on Christmas. Example: A new group called Faith Driven Consumers has published the so-called Faith Equality Index, which ranks major companies on, among other things, whether they use "Christmas" in their holiday literature, discriminate against LGBT persons, or oppose women's sexual freedom. Basically, if you're a bigot they want Christians to shop at your store. So...we're encouraging our listeners to do the opposite: if Faith Driven Consumers don't like a company, we love 'em.
Plus:
We offer our annual Top Five Suggestions for Gifts for Nonbelievers:
David's list:
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The Story of God by Chris Matheson
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A subscription to Skeptic magazine.
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A charitable donation in your friend of family member's name to the Freedom from Religion Foundation.
-
A trip to France! Show your support and show you're not afraid.
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Singer/songwriter Ellis Paul's new children's book The Night the Lights Went Out on Christmas and/or his new album of original holiday music City of Silver Dreams.
John's list:
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The albums of Baba Brinkman.
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For shock value: A statuette of Baphomet (look on eBay or etsy).
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A charitable donation in your friend or family member's name to the Humanist Society.
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The albums of Eagles of Death Metal (the band that was playing Le Bataclan in Paris during the November 13 terrorist attacks).
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The 30-meter long fold-out science book "Evo" by Dutch artist Jurian Moller.
In other news:
Presidential candidate Ted Cruz implies that nonbelievers aren't fit to become president.
Presidential candidate John Kasich says he'll create a federal organization to promote "Judeo-Christian" values. (He later tried to walk that back a bit.)
How knowledgeable are you on world religions? Try your hand at the "Are You Smarter Than an Atheist" quiz.
Go see the film Spotlight. Stop arguing. Just go.
Original release November 11, 2015.
Encore release December 2, 2018.
Encore release August 25, 2017.
It's Thanksgiving time again, and atheists face the usual challenges when dealing with religious family members. Dear Prudence over at Slate.com fields a question from a woman whose husband likes to enrage the in-laws with obnoxious anti-prayers and offensive t-shirts. (Then again, he'd be hard-pressed to top the late William S. Burroughs' deeply cynical poem "Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, 1986.") Of course, if you'd like to get through the weekend by not being an asshole and having fun with the family instead, you could do worse than heeding the advice in Herb Silverman's "Seven Tips for Atheists at Thanksgiving Dinner."
But we do have some things to be thankful for. Recent studies show kids from nonreligious households are more generous and less vengeful than kids from religious households. And yet another poll shows that America continues to be less religious.
Plus: We get email.
Original release October 20, 2015.
Encore release December 1, 2018.
Encore release August 24, 2017.
We interview Canadian rapper Baba Brinkman, whose new album The Rap Guide to Religion, is available starting October 23rd. Brinkman has carved out a distinctive niche in the rap world, frequently infusing his lyrics with philosophical, literary, scientific and skeptical themes. For more visit BabaBrinkman.com.
Plus: We look at the recent case from New York, in which members of a reclusive Christian cult beat a 19-year-old man to death and put his 17-year-old brother in the hospital, reportedly because at least one of them wanted to leave the group. There's sure to be more in upcoming weeks and months, and it'll probably be depressing.
Original release October 11, 2015.
Encore release November 30, 2018.
Encore release August 23, 2017.
We interview Linda K. Wertheimer, author of Faith Ed: Teaching about Religion in an Age of Intolerance. Most people understand that the Constitution prohibits religious indoctrination in the public schools, and that the Supreme Court has repeatedly supported that position. What many may not realize is that there's nothing wrong with teaching students about the world's religions, but it's a cultural and political minefield for teachers and administrators. For more about Linda and her work, visit lindakwertheimer.com.
Plus: Check out Shelley Segal, an Australian singer-songwriter currently touring North America. Her lyrics often reflect atheist, skeptical or scientific themes. For more visit shelleysegal.com.
Original release October 3, 2015.
Encore release November 29, 2018.
Encore release August 22, 2017.
We interview Chris Matheson, author of the new satirical novel The Story of God: A Biblical Comedy about Love (and Hate). While Chris isn't exactly a household name, you're guaranteed to know his work: he's also a screenwriter and director, most notably the co-writer of the 1989 comedy film Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter) and its 1991 sequel Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey.
Plus:
Rowan County (Kentucky) County Clerk Kim Davis has surfaced again, this time to receive the "Cost of Discipleship Award" at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, DC. (And after this episode was recorded, Davis's lawyers revealed she had a brief, secret meeting with Pope Francis while he was in town. The Vatican has not denied the meeting, but all the details are coming from Davis.)
A survey at Harvard University shows that an unprecedented number of incoming freshmen (37.9%!) identify as atheist or agnostic. Since Harvard alumni are disproportionately represented in American halls of power (e.g. CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, inhabitants of the Oval Office), there is some reason to be optimistic for future leadership with a rationalist outlook.
Tennessee Judge Jeffrey M. Atherton wins our inaugural "F*ck That Guy" award for his petty and facetious ruling denying a couple's divorce because: "With the U.S. Supreme Court having defined what must be recognized as a marriage, it would appear that Tennessee’ s judiciary must now await the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court as to what is not a marriage, or better stated, when a marriage is no longer a marriage.” Atherton should be disciplined for abusing the powers of his office.
Original release September 16, 2015.
Encore release November 28, 2018.
Encore release August 21, 2017.
We interview Professor Julie J. Ingersoll, author of Building God's Kingdom: Inside the World of Christian Reconstruction.We talk about how the "DNA" of an obscure conservative movement can be seen in today's headlines.
Plus:
Rowan County, Kentucky's "other Kim" has the patience of Job and a sense of humor to boot.
Finally... Look out, Washington, DC! The Reason Rally returns on June 4, 2016. And the Museum of the Bible is set to open right off the National Mall in the next couple of years.
Original release September 4, 2015.
Encore release November 27, 2018.
Encore release August 20, 2017.
We interview the Reverend Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the author of the new book God and Government: Twenty-Five Years of Fighting for Equality, Secularism, and Freedom of Conscience (available in paperback and for Kindle). For more about Reverend Lynn and his work, visit AU.org.
Plus:
Rowan County (Kentucky) county clerk Kim Davis continues to refuse to issue marriage licenses in protest of the Supreme Court's recent ruling on same-sex marriage, despite having run out of delaying tactics. She has a hearing in federal court Thursday (September 3rd) and could face fines or imprisonment--let's hope she gets both.
We discuss--and highly recommend--An Honest Liar, the much-praised documentary about the life and career of magician and skeptical debunker James "The Amazing" Randi, one of the founders of Center for Inquiry and founder of the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF). For more visit AnHonestLiar.com.
Finally, bad news and good news from South Asia. The bad news: M. M. Kalburgi, an Indian rationalist, was shot dead at his home in Karnataka in southwestern India on Sunday, August 30th. He was an academic and an activist against predatory superstitions. He had been in the news recently for criticizing idol worship, which offended hardline Hindus. The authorities are still investigating. Good news: Center for Inquiry has opened an office in Pakistan. There are currently three associates involved with CFI-Pakistan, operating under pseudonyms for reasons we can readily understand. We wish them best of luck in this courageous enterprise.
Original release August 22, 2015.
Encore release November 26, 2018.
Encore release August 19, 2017.
An ESPN profile of National Football League's Arian Foster (a running back with the Houston Texans) highlights the fact of his atheism in a sport (and a state) that's notoriously religious. Meanwhile, evangelical poster-boy Tim Tebow (well known for his history of pious displays on the field) has been given a fourth chance in the NFL, this time as a quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Plus:
The Oklahoma Supreme Court has refused a request by the state attorney general to reconsider their ruling that Ten Commandments monument installed on the state capitol grounds is unconstitutional. It's not clear when the monument will be removed, but conservative legislators are already plotting to set in motion an amendment that will revoke the state's separation of church and state. Meanwhile, the Satanic Temple will be looking for a new home for their recently unveiled statue of Baphomet (which they had planned to donate to Oklahoma as a counterbalance to the Ten Commandments).
There's been a sudden outbreak across the South and Midwest of sheriffs and police chiefs who want to spend taxpayer money to put IN GOD WE TRUST decals on their offical vehicles. Sure, it's officially the national motto, but inevitably the bureaucrats behind it can't help blathering on about the rights of the majority, America is a Christian nation, yadda yadda yadda.
Yet another secularist blogger (the fourth this year!) has been hacked to death in Bangladesh by Islamic extremists. Niloy Neel was murdered in his own apartment while his wife was held in another room. While the vast majority of Bangladeshis are understandably outraged, the police and courts seem slow to show progress in preventing the violence and bringing those responsible to justice.
Original release August 3, 2015.
Encore release November 25, 2018.
Encore release August 18, 2017.
[Due to technical difficulties this episode suffers from poor sound quality. We'll have the issue resolved before we record again. Our apologies for any inconvenience.]
We interview Jeffrey Selman, author of God Sent Me: A Textbook Case of Evolution vs. Creation, a behind-the-scenes look at Selman v Cobb County School District, the federal case in which he successfully sued to have "evolution is only a theory" disclaimer stickers removed from the school system's biology textbooks.
For more about Jeffrey's work in defending liberty and church-state separation, visit JeffreySelman.com.
Original release July 20, 2015.
Encore release November 24, 2018.
Encore release August 17, 2017.
We look at the ongoing blowback--at the state and local levels--against Obergefell v Hodges, in which the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is constitutional. Specifically, we look at the refusal by two county clerks--Casey Davis in Casey County and Kim Davis in Rowan County (pictured)--to issue marriage licenses in Kentucky, and a proposal in the state legislature to allow clerks to refuse to issue marriage licenses if it offends their religious beliefs.
Plus:
Six people are dead in Chattanooga in an apparent case of homegrown Islamist terrorism.
And...another victory for LGBT rights! The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has ruled that discrimination against someone based on their sexual preference is sex discrimination pure and simple.
Original release July 2, 2015.
Encore release November 23, 2018.
Encore release August 16, 2017.
We discuss the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, with special attention to the bitter dissents seemingly aimed at delegitimizing the Court itself. We also look at the more-or-less predictible reactions by conservative politicians and pundits. Events are unfolding in various states aimed at resisting or slowing implementation of the ruling, and it's a sure bet this will be playing out until the election next fall.
Plus: Another victory! The Oklahoma Supreme Court rules that a Ten Commandments monument on the statehouse grounds is a violation of the state constitutions prohibition against the use of funds to benefit--either directly or indirectly--religion.
Original release June 27, 2015.
Encore release November 22, 2018.
Encore release August 15, 2017.
We discuss the issues surrounding the recent massacre by a racist terrorist of nine black worshippers at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, including race, religion, politics, gun control and the Confederate flag.
Plus:
Do you watch Orange Is the New Black? Apparently the lead character has come out as a fan of science, Hitchens and all that jazz.
Original release June 7, 2015.
Encore release November 21, 2018.
Encore release August 14, 2017.
A mob of armed protestors converged on a mosque in Phoenix during Friday prayers (for no other purpose, it seems, than to get attention and hopefully rile local Muslims into doing something rash). The worshippers handled it perfectly.
SCOTUS is entering the home stretch for this session, and right out of the gate they've issued a ruling favoring religious freedom in EEOC v Abercrombie & Fitch.
We interview Jan Netolicky, author of the young adult novel The Skipworth Summer, set in the 1970s and featuring an atheist as a sympathetic protagonist. The book is available in paperback and for Kindle.
Finally, if you haven't already, check out the new "This Date in Freethought History" posts. Get all knowledged-up on interesting and significant events in the history of atheism, separation of church and state, and the ongoing struggle to understand our place in the cosmos. Follow at AmericanFreethought.com, on our Facebook page, or on Twitter @AmerFreethought.
Original release May 22 2015.
Encore release November 20, 2018.
Encore releast August 13, 2017.
Ryan Cragun makes his fourth appearance on the podcast, discussing his new book How to Defeat Religion in 10 Easy Steps: A Toolkit for Secular Activists. His broadranging suggestions include taxing religious institutions (and thereby unshackling them from IRS regulations on their speech), defending nonpartisan science and history education, and even co-opting religious traditions (including offering secular alternatives to traditional religious holiday songs). This compact book is an excellent resource for newby freethinkers, suggesting specific actions that can be taken by individuals, local groups, and national organizations.
How to Defeat Religion is available in paperback and for Kindle. For more about Ryan Cragun visit RyanTCragun.com.
Original release May 4, 2015.
Encore release November 19, 2018.
Encore release August 12, 2017.
We interview Dr. Alice Dreger, author of Galileo’s Middle Finger: Heretics, Activists, and the Search for Justice in Science, in which she discusses recent controversies involving bioethics researchers and activists—herself included. Dr. Dreger is the professor of Clinical Medical Humanities and Bioethics at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University in Chicago. She found herself at the center of another controversy recently when she live-tweeted her son's abstinence-heavy public school sex-ed class.
Galileo's Middle Finger is available in hardcover, for Kindle and as an audiobook. For more about Alice Dreger visit AliceDreger.com.
Original release April 16, 2015.
Encore release November 18, 2018.
Encore release August 11, 2017.
We interview science fiction and fantasy writer James Morrow about his latest novel Galapagos Regained. This historical fantasy follows Chloe Bathurst, an actress and former zookeeper for Charles Darwin, who treks across the 19th century land- and sea-scape to gather evidence to disprove the existence of God and win a £10,000 prize! Speaking of prizes, Jim has won numerous awards, including the Hugo and the World Fantasy Award. His previous novels include Towing Jehovah, Blameless in Abaddon, The Eternal Footman, The Last Witchfinder and The Philosopher's Apprentice. For more about Jim visit JamesMorrow.info. Galapagos Regained is available in hardcover, for Kindle and as an audiobook.
Original release April 1, 2015.
Encore release November 17, 2018.
Encore release August 10, 2017.
Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson is at it again. This time he entertained a Vero Beach, Florida prayer breakfast by gleefully describing the hypothetical rape, torture and murder of an atheist family. Classy.
Plus:
Give credit where credit's due: Afghanistan's new president Ashraf Ghani speaks out on behalf of moderation and tolerance in the Islamic world.
Neil Degrasse Tyson has a new weekly talk show debuting on April 20th.
If you have an opportunity, check out CNN Special Report: Atheists: Inside the World of Non-Believers. It's neither a perfect nor a complete depiction of the freethinking community, but it's certainly an improvement over CNN's traditional coverage. Also, HBO's Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief is well worth your time.
Original release March 19, 2015.
Encore release November 16, 2018.
Encore release August 9, 2017.
Prosperity con-man Creflo Dollar is asking his followers for $60 million so he can buy a new luxury jet. Apparently souls can't be saved using business class.
Meanwhile...
Thomas Dunn, a member of the Leesburg, Virginia town council, apparently downplays the role that the United States government had in freeing African-Americans from slavery. According to Dunn, it was the "hand of God" that freed the slaves. What Dunn can't explain is why God chose to free them immediately after the Civil War (with at least 650,000 dead) and the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
A Washington, DC pastor (who also happens to be a member of the DC police force) has been charged with sexually abusing a teenaged girl who attended his church.
Finally, complications continue to arise over marriage equality in Alabama. While the state supreme court continues in its defiance, a federal judge has reiterated her previous ruling overturning the state's ban on same-sex marriage.
Original release March 3, 2015.
Encore release November 15, 2018.
Encore release August 8, 2017.
Atheist author and activist Avijit Roy was hacked to death by religious hardliners in his native Bangladesh. His wife was gravely injured and lost a finger, but is expected to recover. It's small consolation, but his death has lead to widespread outrage in Bangladesh.
Plus:
Three young Muslims (and, by all accounts, model citizens) were gunned down by their neighbor in Chapel Hill, NC, ostensibly over a parking dispute. Did the fact that the neighbor was a self-described atheist who railed against religion on Facebook make this a hate crime?
Baseball Bat of Doubt: A father new to atheism struggles with his family's involvement in Boy Scouts.
Finally, we mourn the passing of Leonard Nimoy. He did indeed live long and prosper.
Original release February 12, 2015.
Encore release November 14, 2018.
Encore release August 7, 2017.
President Obama disappoints (again) with his attendance at the "National" Prayer Breakfast, but... his observations on Christianity's checkered past and comments urging tolerance and humility have conservatives in a snit. Yay.
Plus:
Now that a federal court has cleared the way for gay marriage in Alabama, some counties are complying while others aren't. Some counties are refusing to issue ANY marriage certificates until this whole thing is cleared up. Meanwhile the state's Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy "10 Commandments" Moore has called for a Constitutional convention and declares that the US Supreme Court has no authority to rule on the matter. Looks like he might lose his job. Again.
Resolutions have been introduced in both houses of Congress honoring Darwin Day. They have zero chance of making it out of committee, but this is farther than it's gotten in years past.
Creationist kook Ken Ham is upset over Carnival Cruises' Superbowl ad featuring a JFK voiceover in which the late president muses over our relationship to the sea.
Finally, we overstated the effect of the Constitution's "full faith and credit" clause as it applies to recognition of out-of-state marriages.
Original release January 28, 2015.
Encore release November 13, 2018.
Encore release August 6, 2017.
The Supreme Court will finally hear arguments on two issues: whether states have the right to ban gay marriage, and whether states must recognize out-of-state gay marriages under the full faith and credit clause of the Constitution. We'll know by the end of June which way this goes.
In the meantime, count on conservative politicians at the state and local level to try to make life difficult for gay couples (and secular folk, for that matter) to get married. Several counties in Florida are already refusing to conduct courthouse ceremonies, lest they be forced to marry gays. And Republican lawmakers in Oklahoma have introduced bills to abolish courthouse ceremonies altogether, fire clerks who issue marriage certificates to gays, impeach judges who rule in favor of gay marriage, and even make it against the law to challenge these things in court!
Plus:
Christians on the warpath! Mike Huckabee (who half-jokingly favors mandatory America-is-a-Christian-Nation education at gunpoint) also thinks the United States is currently a "secular theocracy." (Huh?) A recent poll shows support for TORTURE is highest among evangelical Christians. Pat Robertson advocates corporate punishment for kids who disrespect their Christian grandparents. And a New Jersey preacher is in hot water after claiming to have "crumpled" a kid who wasn't taking God seriously. Whatever happened to turning the other cheek?
Original release January 11, 2015.
Encore release November 12, 2018.
Encore release August 5, 2017.
We look at last week's attack on the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, which left 17 dead (not including the perpetrators). How much is Islam to blame for these and related occurrences? We also look at the overwhelming worldwide reaction AGAINST such violence, despite Charlie Hebdo's long history of incendiary humor. Some of the reaction has been equivocal, unfortunately, including the Catholic League's Bill Donohue (the Eye of Sauron himself!) calling the cartoonists little more than pornographers and tutting about "the necessity of restraint on the part of artists." Who decides what constitutes restraint? Does Donohue imagine that ANY open criticism of the Prophet will satisfy the extremists?
Plus:
Seventh Day Adventist pastor Ryan Bell just spent the last year living as an atheist, and now he has declared he IS an atheist. Was this a legitimate year of introspection, or just a way to buffer a decision he already made at the beginning of 2014?
David is disappointed that the AARP website (which is supposed to help ensure senior citizens don't get scammed) is promoting such woo as horoscopes and "holistic" remedies.
David recommends the Great Courses series "History of the Ancient World: A Global Perspective" presented by Gregory Aldrete. Also, here's a video clip by Professor Aldrete explaining how even St. Valentine's Day is a Christian hijacking of a pagan holiday.
Original release December 23, 2014.
Encore release November 11, 2018.
Encore release August 4, 2017.
Blowhard Bill O'Reilly has declared victory in the War on Christmas. But who's been fighting this war? Christians cry foul whenever Jews or atheists or Pastafarians or (gasp!) Satanists want equal time at the county courthouse, but they forget that the sole reason these groups want attention is to prevent the Christians from monopolizing the public sphere. If only all parties could agree that government property is neutral territory (i.e. no religious displays of any kind), this whole problem would go away. But since it won't...
Satanists will have a holiday display in Detroit, but there won't be a Nativity because no Christian group is willing to commit to the daily grind of installing/uninstalling a display for three days. You snooze, you lose.
And in Florida, a Satanist group has been denied permission to install an "offensive" display in the state capitol.
Finally, although it's late notice, Symmetry Magazine has posted instructions on how to make cool science-themed "snowflakes" featuring Nobel Prize winning scientists Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, and Edwin Schrodinger.
Original release December 13, 2014.
Encore release November 10, 2018.
Encore release August 3, 2017.
We interview Bill Reel, practicing Mormon, defender of the faith, and host of the Mormon Discussion Podcast. We discuss his conversion to Mormonism as a teen, and how he squares the latest scientific and historical revelations with his Mormon beliefs. For more visit MormonDiscussionPodcast.org.
Plus:
Former porn star Asia Carrera (born Jessica Steinhauser, now Asia Lemmon) had her new driver's license photo taken while wearing a colander to show her devotion to the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Ms. Lemmon was touched by many a noodly appendage back in the day.
Original release November 25, 2014.
Encore release November 9, 2018.
Encore release August 2, 2017.
It's time once again to celebrate the non-existent War on Christmas. For those heathens who enjoy celebrating the holidays, here are our recommendations for gifts for nonbelievers. Even if you don't like our suggestions, you can buy whatever you want at Amazon.com through American Freethought using this link.
David's Recommendations:
EvolveFish.com - You're sure to find something on this site that will tickle the fancy of any nonbeliever.
The Unbelievers DVD - It's Planes, Trains and Automobiles with Richard Dawkins and Lawrence Krauss as they travel across the globe, speaking publicly about the importance of science and reason in the modern world.
Think Like a Freak by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner - The authors of Freakonomics return, taking us inside their thought process and teaching us all to think a bit more productively, more creatively, more rationally—to think, that is, like a Freak.
Tickets to the 2nd Annual Freethought Cruise with David Silverman, President of American Atheists (Jan 26 - Feb 2, 2015).
Gift Membership to Freedom from Religion Foundation.
John's Recommendations:
Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey Blu-Ray - Neil deGrasse Tyson's update to Carl Sagan's classic 1980 science series was a special treat on TV earlier this year. Now it's available on Blu-Ray.
Storm: The Book by Tim Minchin, artwork by DC Turner and Tracy King. This is an illustrated edition of Minchin's popular anti-woo beat poem, made famous by King's animated short. Foreword by Neil Gaiman, introduction by Tim Minchin. If you’re lucky you can find the hardcover limited edition signed by Tim. Otherwise, it’s available in paperback. Also, check out Timminchin.com/stormthebook
Science…for Her! Megan Amram's satirical science-book-for-girls, available in hardcover, for Kindle, or as an audiobook.
Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co. This honest-to-goodness brick-and-mortar store in Seattle not only has nifty space- and science-related gifts (t-shirts, books, posters, etc.), it's also an extension of The Greater Seattle Bureau of Fearless Ideas, a nonprofit writing and tutoring center for the young people of Earth.
Newton's Attic - If you're looking to donate to a charity on behalf of a friend or family member, consider Lexington, Kentucky based Newton's Attic. Founded by David Cloyd in 1998, the organization's mission is to inspire young people to embrace science, math and engineering. Donate between now and December 11th at BGgives.org/newtonsattic. Newton's Attic is participating in the 2014 GoodGiving Challenge, and receiving donations through this site does two things: automatically generates a tax donation receipt for the donor and helps them achieve our goals during this challenge. In fact, donations between $10 and $1,000 made at noon EST or very shortly thereafter on December 11th will receive a 50% match thanks to a challenge grant. After December 11th, donate via check to Newton’s Attic, 4974 Old Versailles Road, Lexington, KY 40510; contact them by phone (859-233-3337) for a credit card donation; or go to the “Support Newton’s Attic” button on the left side of their homepage or to the “Donate” button on the bottom of this page: http://newtonsattic.com/support.html.
Plus:
It's almost over, but this month is Openly Secular Month!
School administrators in Montgomery County, Maryland have removed "Christmas" and "Yom Kippur" from the school calendar rather than add the Muslim holiday of Eid al Adha. Kids still get off on Christmas and Yom Kippur, but the holidays just won't get listed as such. So much for inclusiveness.
Finally, in Fayette County, Georgia, county commissioner David Barlow (a Republican) greeted newly elected commisioner Pota Coston (an African-American and a Democrat) by issuing a statement bemoaning the "evil" of the "Demoncrats" and vowing to ensure a Republican wins the White House in 2016 "in the mighty name of Jesus." He later issued a non-apology apology, blaming his stupidity on his "passion for Jesus Christ" (which is probably correct but for different reasons). It's not surprising that such morons exist, but it is disturbing that they get elected.
Original release November 9, 2014.
Encore release November 8, 2018.
Encore release August 1, 2017.
The Republican victories in the 2014 midterms are bad news not just for church-state separation, but also for reason-based policies on climate change and a host of other issues.
Meanwhile...
A self-proclaimed Satanist has damaged the controversial Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the Oklahoma capitol. We recommend legal means in removing such monuments, not vandalism.
Voters in Alabama have overwhelmingly approved an amendment that will ban application of "foreign law" (like, oh, say, Sharia law) in Alabama courts and prohibit the state from giving full faith and credit to out-of-state acts (like, oh, say, gay marriage) that conflict with Alabama law. Look for this one to be declared unconstitutional after much waste of attorney hours and taxpayer funds.
The US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has upheld gay marriage bans in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. This is in stark contrast to rulings by other Circuit Courts that have declared such bans unconstitutional. This sets the stage for what will certainly be on of the most-watched Supreme Court showdowns in recent years.
For movies with a freethought spin, David recommends Snowpiercer (starring Chris Evans) and Hercules (starring Dwayne Johnson).
Original release October 26, 2014.
Encore release November 7, 2018.
Encore release July 31, 2017.
Signature Healthcare, a Louisville-based company that runs dozens of nursing homes, has taken religion in the workplace to a whole new level. "Spirituality" is one of their three core competencies. They even have a Vice President of Spirituality!
Plus:
Hobby Lobby president Steve Green, basking in the glow of his recent Supreme Court victory, has announced plans to build an $800 million Bible Museum just two blocks off the National Mall in Washington, DC.
There are a lot of ~~Republican~~ bad candidates for political office in the 2014 midterms, but Texas Lt. Governor candidate Dan Patrick might just take the cake. Mother Jones has a great exposé on him. Patrick is almost certain to win. Congratulations, Texas!
Finally, Pat Robertson (bless his withered, addled heart) is at it again. This time he's warning people not to go to Kenya lest they get AIDS from the towels there.
Original release October 12, 2014.
Encore release November 6, 2018.
Encore release July 30, 2017.
Ben Affleck's cable-TV clash with Bill Maher and Sam Harris over liberalism and its (lack of) cricitism of Islam overlaps with Reza Aslan's recent criticisms of Maher and Harris. Is Islam a religion of peace hijacked by a handful of extremists, or does the orthodox core of Islam inconveniently overlap with the violent policies enacted by the likes of ISIS and al-Qaeda? Watch the sparks fly here. Also, check out this and this... and this... oh, and this, then see which side is closer to the truth.
Plus:
SCOTUS declines to hear numerous appeals from states seeking to overturn federal court rulings against same-sex marriage bans. Is this a signal from the Court that marriage equality has won, or is this a strategic pause awaiting the right opportunity for a conservative masterstroke?
Meanwhile, SCOTUS hears a ridiculous (but hilarious) case involving the religious infringement ramifications of state prison bans on beards. Is that a tiny revolver in your Van Dyke, or are you just exercising your First Amendment rights?
Announcements:
NUTS! Here's your opportunity to offer Kickstarter support for a documentary about the controversial fertility quack John Brinkley, could claimed he could cure men's problems by... well, let's not spoil the suprise.
Nonfiction book recommendations: John suggests John Hersey's atomic classic Hiroshima, as well as Ann Heller's 2009 (refreshingly non-hagiographic) Ayn Rand and the World She Made.
Original release September 28, 2014.
Encore release November 5, 2018.
Encore release July 29, 2017.
We discuss Sam Harris's new book Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion
Waking Up is available September 9, 2014 in hardcover, for Kindle, and as an audiobook. For more about Sam Harris visit SamHarris.org.
Original release September 13, 2014.
Encore release November 4, 2018.
Encore release July 28, 2017.
We interview comedian Ian Harris, whose new special Critical & Thinking is available now on iTunes and video-on-demand (check your local availability). As you'll hear, Harris is one of us, a skeptic and atheist whose humor tackles such topics as religion, the paranormal, astrology, pop-mysticism and alternative medicine. You can befriend him at facebook.com/comediocre.
Plus:
Our DragonCon wrap-up.
We mourn the passing of physicist, philosopher, author and skeptic Victor Stenger (1935-2014).
Original release September 6, 2014.
Encore release November 3, 2018.
Encore release July 27, 2017.
David couldn't make it this year, so Allison jumps in to take up the slack! In this live version of the podcast we discuss recent Supreme Court decisions, take a look at Satanism, and share some really (really, really) bad Biblical puns. The song at the top of the show is "Modest Proposal" by the legendary composer/performer Mose Allison. (Photo courtesy of Dan Barber.)
Thanks again to Derek Colundano for organizing the Skeptrack. And thanks to Mark Ditsler and Company of Abrupt Media for providing stellar audiovisual infrastructure.
Original release August 23, 2014.
Encore release November 2, 2018.
Encore release July 26, 2017.
Ken Ham's Ark Encounter continues to grasp for Kentucky taxpayer dollars, despite being a religious operation that promises to discriminate in its hiring policies.
The Supreme Court has put marriage equality on hold in Virginia. Presumably they'll hear this and other cases in the fall, and with a little luck SCOTUS will rule on behalf of rights and freedom in the spring.
Plus:
Strap on the lightning rods--David goes to church!
We have feedback! Mostly good, but at least one listener thinks we waste too much time on personal, non-freethoughty stuff. And for those interested in our discussion last time on Secular and Humanist Celebrants, here are some more organizations that endorse nonreligious celebrants:
- American Ethical Union - leaders and officiants in Ethical Societies.
- International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism - rabbis and leaders.
Announcements:
Check out American Freethought Live! 10PM, Friday, August 29th at DragonCon's SkepTrack. David can't make it this year, so Allison is stepping in for him. Excitement! For more visit SkepTrack.org.
Get a discount on your Atlanta Star Party tickets by using promo code AMERICANFREETHOUGHT. The annual Star Party is upon us--Thursday, August 28th at Emory University. For more visit AtlantaStarParty.com.
Original release August 8, 2014.
Encore release November 1, 2018.
Encore release July 25, 2017.
We interview Rachael Berman, Grassroots and Celebrant Program Coordinator for the American Humanist Association (AHA). AHA's Humanist Celebrant program is coordinated by the Humanist Society, an adjunct of AHA.
We discuss the difficulty nonbelievers have had when it comes to finding someone to officate at weddings, funerals, baby naming ceremonies, etc. They're usually faced with the choice of finding a random judge or county clerk, or of enduring a wedding infused with prayer and religious bromides. A number of organizations, including the Center For Inquiry and the AHA are challenging religion's monopoly on private weddings. There is still the occasional bump in the road: CFI recently won an appeal in Indiana against a state law that privileged SOME religions over others, and over secular groups. And in Georgia, a Humanist Celebrant encountered difficulty when a judge balked at her credentials.
And for what it's worth... John Snider is now a Humanist Celebrant, endorsed by the Humanist Society to officiate at weddings and other major life events! If you need help finding an officiant, or just want John to do the deed, give him a call.
Finally, check out this blog entry by John's niece, in which she discusses the difficulty of finding marital advice that doesn't have a religious tinge.
Plus:
American Freethought will be at DragonCon yet again, presenting a live show at 10PM, Friday, August 29th, at the Skeptrack. David won't be able to make this year, but Allison has generously offered to pinch hit for him so AF can keep our DragonCon streak going.
Also, if you're in town for DragonCon, you might as well include annual Star Party in your plans. This year it's on Thursday, August 28th, at the Emory Math and Science Center. This annual event features celebrity skeptics and astronomers, with the proceeds benefiting the Alzheimer's Foundation of American and CosmoQuest.
Original release July 18, 2014.
Encore release October 31, 2018.
Encore release July 24, 2017.
We interview the Reverend Barry Lynn, Executive Director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. We discuss his (what shouldn't be) controversial position as a Christian minister who advocates for secular government and freedom of all religious--or non-religious--expression. For more about Barry and Americans United visit au.org.
Plus:
We discuss freethought pioneer Ethan Allen (yes, that Ethan Allen), as well as 19th century freethought publisher Charles Chilton Moore.
Encore release October 30, 2018.
Encore release July 23, 2017.
A recent Pew Research poll shows that Americans express a (perhaps not so) surprising unhappiness at the prospect of an immediate family member marrying an atheist.
Plus:
The Secular Coalition of America has fired executive director Edwina Rogers, after just two years of service. Rogers has served under a cloud of controversy since her original appointment because of her previous years of service to Republican causes. Nonetheless, SCA has made great strides during Rogers' tenure. Let's hope they can find a suitable replacement soon.
John and Allison go with Pastafarian-themed "prestige" car license plates. Will anyone notice? Will anyone care?
Original release June 15, 2014.
Encore release October 29, 2018.
Encore release July 22, 2017.
Congressman Louie "Don't Cast Aspersions on My Asparagus" Gohmert has a long history of saying ridiculous things. His latest blatherment occurred during the recent Judiciary Committee hearing on "The State of Religious Liberty in the United States," in which we wasted precious time nitpicking the flavor of Barry Lynn's Christianity. Rev. Lynn is both an ordained minister and head of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Apparently Gohmert a) doesn't like that a supposed Christian like Lynn should be advocating for religious freedom and b) doesn't think that Lynn is an authentic Christian if he doesn't believe exactly as Gohmert does. Of course, Lynn's personal religious beliefs are largely immaterial (or should be) when it comes to support of the Constitution.
Also:
In Valent v Board of Review, a New Jersey court has ruled that a hospital's policy of allowing only religion-based objections to employee vaccinations violates the Constitution. While this is a victory for neutrality with respect to religion, it fails to resolve the question of whether nonsensical (but otherwise secular) anti-vax objections should be allowed.
Sigh. Neil deGrasse Tyson's reboot of COSMOS has come to an end. Nonetheless, it'll be available on disk and will likely enjoy a long life in reruns.
Plus: The Baseball Bat of Doubt and other listener feedback.
Announcements:
Finally, if you’re in Atlanta June 21-22, check out the Atlanta Coalition of Reason’s Summer Solstice Launch Weekend!
Original release May 29, 2014.
Encore release October 28, 2018.
Encore release July 21, 2017.
American Atheists mull their next move after the court turns down their lawsuit to declare religion-based tax exemption unconstitutional. See AA v Shulman.
Plus:
The son (and grandson!) of snake-handling preachers who died handling snakes has SURVIVED being bitten by a snake. Now THAT'S news.
A family in Pakistan stoned their daughter IN FRONT OF A COURTHOUSE and are expressing no remorse.
Finally, if you’re in Atlanta June 21-22, check out the Atlanta Coalition of Reason’s Summer Solstice Launch Weekend!
Original release May 15, 2014.
Encore release October 27, 2018.
Encore release July 20, 2017.
We interview Linda Stephens, co-plaintiff (along with Susan Galloway) in the recent Supreme Court case Greece v. Galloway, in which the court ruled that prayer--even sectarian, predominantly Christian prayer--before city council meetings does not violate the Constitution. Several secular groups have already launched compaigns in response, and at least one Satanist has offered to provide the invocation at a city council meeting in Florida.
Plus:
More bad news for separation of church and state. The Massachussetts Supreme Judicial Court has ruled that "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance at public schools does not violate the Constitution.
Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy "10 Commandments" Moore believes the Constitution is only for Christians anyway.
Finally, if you're in Atlanta June 21-22, check out the Atlanta Coalition of Reason's Summer Solstice Launch Weekend!
Original release May 3, 2014.
Encore release October 26, 2018.
Encore release July 19, 2017.
Whoohoo! It's taken nearly seven years, but we finally crossed the 200 mark.
For this special episode, we interview biblical scholar Bart D. Ehrman, whose latest book is How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from Galilee (available in hardcover, in audio, and for Kindle). For more about Bart and his work visit bartdehrman.com.
Plus:
We discuss Damon Linker's puzzling essay "Why atheism doesn't have the upper hand over religion," which asserts that atheism is incapable of explaining altruism in human beings. Huh.
John recommends Jennifer Michael Hecht's Doubt: A History (available in paperback, in audio and for Kindle), an interesting look at how questioning minds have overturned orthodoxy and challenged the reigning paradigms, from ancient Greece and China to the 21st century.
Original release April 18, 2014.
Encore release October 25, 2018.
Encore release July 18, 2017.
We look at the controversy in some Christian circles regarding the recent "blood moon" lunar eclipse. Is it a sign of the End Times? (Probably not.)
Plus:
Parents in Oviedo, Florida claim a public school teacher stopped their kindergartener from praying before lunch. Is this a legitimate beef, or just a cheap publicity stunt engineered by a father who just happens to work for a Christian book publisher who just happens to be publishing a book (by a Fox News personality, no less) about how put-upon Christians are in the U S of A nowadays.
Louisiana lawmakers are advancing a bill that would declare the Holy Bible as the official state book. Really.
Check out Chuck Hall's new book Playing Chess with Pigeons, a collection of refutations of common religious attacks against nonbelievers.
Announcements:
Atlanta SkeptiCamp is May 2-4, 2014! For more visit atlantaskeptics.com/skepticamp
Atlanta Coalition of Reason ("ATL CoR") is holding a pair of kick-off events June 21-22, featuring rapper Greydon Square, satirist Sam Singleton, author Jeremiah Camara, and comedian Steve "The King of Consciousness" Hill. Tickets are on sale now! For more visit unitedcor.org/atl
Original release March 29, 2014.
Encore release October 24, 2018.
Encore release July 17, 2017.
As promised in podcast 198, here's David's reading of an article from the old Secular Nation Podcast, in which Nate Phelps tells of his experience growing up under his infamous father, the late Fred Phelps of Westboro Baptist Church.
Original release March 29, 2014.
Encore release October 24, 2018.
Encore release July 17, 2017.
This summer's Supreme Court ruling on the Hobby Lobby case will decide whether or not private, for-profit employers can opt out of federal legislation based on sincerely held religious belief. (Cartoon from RobRogers.com.)
Fred Phelps, founder of the infamous Westboro Baptist Church, has died.
If you live in the Washington, DC, area, check out author Lawrence Wright's new play Camp David (about the Egypt-Israel peace accord brokered by Jimmy Carter). It stars Richard Thomas and Ron Rifkin.
The Baseball Bat of Doubt returns! We read an excerpt from David Mahlar's Kindle short "Forming a Worldview: One Man's Journey."
Finally, if you're in metro Atlanta, put the upcoming SkeptiCamp on your calendar, May 3-4, 2014.
Original release March 14, 2014.
Encore release October 23, 2018.
Encore release July 16, 2017.
We discuss the pilot episode of COSMOS: A Spacetime Odyssey, Neil deGrasse Tyson's reboot of Carl Sagan's classic 1980 documentary miniseries. It airs on FOX TV Sundays at 9PM Eastern.
Plus:
Former Tennessee Judge Lu Ann "You Can't Name Your Kid 'Messiah'" Belluw is in more trouble. Not only has she been fired for letting her religious beliefs get in the way of her judicial obligations, now she's been censured by the state Board of Judicial Conduct.
Darren Aronofsky's upcoming film Noah is under fire. Fundamentalist Christians (including Ken Ham) are upset it's not a literal interpretation of the Old Testament story, and some Muslim-majority countries are banning the film because it dares to depict one of the prophets of Islam.
Original release March 1, 2014.
Encore release October 22, 2018.
Encore release July 15, 2017.
We look at the recent rash of legislation (either proposed or actually passed) in several states that try to protect anti-gay discrimination under the banner of religious freedom. Briefly, these broadly-worded bills require the state to show that there is a compelling state interest and no practical alternative when infringing on the religious freedom of citizens. That's all fine and dandy, but what it's really sets out to do is allow discrimination against homosexuals, among other things.
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer just vetoed one such bill, arguing (correctly, but much to her chagrin, we are sure) that she could not find "one example in Arizona where a business owner’s religious liberty has been violated."
Plus:
(Another) snake-handling preacher dies handling a snake.
Herbert and Catherine Schiable have just been sentenced to no more than seven years in prison for allowing their infant son to die of pneumonia without medical attention because they believed in the power of prayer. Even more outrageous is the fact that another son--two years old--died a few years ago under similar circumstances.
Americans are stunningly ignorant of basic science facts. 26% of those surveyed said the sun orbits the earth, while 48% did not know (although we suspect they "know" but simply "deny") that humans developed from earlier species. If it's any consolation, Europeans didn't do much better in the same survey.
We're excited about the upcoming revival of COSMOS, a continuation of Carl Sagan's classic documentary miniseries. The new COSMOS, hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson, premieres on FOX TV, Sunday, March 9th, 9pm Eastern.
We're less excited about the new feature films Son of God (February 28th, nothing more than an edited version of the Jesusy episodes from the recent television miniseries The Bible) and Heaven Is for Real (April 16th, based on the "non-fiction" baloney-fest book in which preacher Todd Burpo claims his son Colton had a near-death experience and saw Jesus riding a rainbow pony).
All is not lost at the cinema, however: Darren Aronofsky's Noah comes out March 28th, and it's already pissing off religious types because it promises NOT to be a straight-up Old Testament documentary.
Finally, the American Freethought podcast is now on Stitcher!
Original release February 16, 2014.
Encore release October 21, 2018.
Encore release July 14, 2017.
We analyze the recent Bill Nye/Ken Ham debate on the scientific viability of Creationism. While we're at it, we discuss the new HBO documentary Questioning Darwin and Kevin Jackson's e-book Darwin's Odyssey: The Voyage of the Beagle (available for Kindle). And in a related story, we listen to the disturbing responses regarding Creationism from all four Republican candidates for Lieutenant Governor of Texas.
Plus: President Obama speaks at the National Prayer Breakfast, and (finally) Tennessee Judge Lu Ann Ballew is removed from her post for letting her religious beliefs interfere with her Constitutional duties. Finally, we look at the cinematic train wreck (haha! get it?) that is Atlas Shrugged Part II.
Original release January 28,, 2014.
Encore release October 20, 2018.
Encore release July 13, 2017.
[Illustration from http://www.politico.com/story/2013/05/virginia-gay-rights-terry-mcauliffe-ew-jackson-91763.html]
President Obama mentions "atheists and agnostics" in his annual Religious Freedom Day proclamation and there's hardly a peep from the conservative blogosphere. In year's past Obama has made occasional mention of "non-believers" so I guess an explicit mention is a step up. On the down side, the President is still schedule to attend the National Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by the secretive conservative religious organization The Family.
On the gay rights front: Amazing what a few weeks can do. On New Year's Eve Virginia had a Republican Governor, Lt Governor and Attorney General. Now they've been replaced by Democrats. Virginia's newly-elected AG Mark Herring has said he won't defend the commonwealth's constitutional ban on same-sex marriages.
Meanwhile, in Maryland, a mother is in jail, accused of murdering two of her children as part of an alleged exorcism. Tragic things can happen when mental illness and religion collide.
Original release January 17, 2014.
Encore release October 19, 2018.
Encore release July 12, 2017.
The sports world continues to be rocked by controversy over gay rights. NFL punter Chris Kluwe (who's straight, for what it's worth) claims he was let go because of his advocacy for gay rights. (Kluwe is also the author of the humorous and thought-provoking essay collection Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies, (available in hardcover and for Kindle). Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, recently retired footballer Thomas Hitzlsperger has revealed that he's gay and is calling for people to put pressure on Russia over that country's anti-gay developments ahead of the Sochi Olympics. (And speaking of athletes, 95-year-old Belgian masters athletics champion Emiel Pauwels decided to end his own life rather than suffer the physical, emotional and financial pain of terminal cancer. With his family's support, Pauwels organized a farewell party and was allowed to die in accordance with Belgian law. Would that it were so in America.)
Also...
Oklahoma continues to be in the news. A Satanic organization has unveiled their design for a monument they want erected, on state property, in response to a Ten Commandments monument. At the same time, American Atheists has announced a lawsuit aimed at getting the Ten Commandments removed (and if they're not, AA will apply to have their own monument). Finally, a federal judge has issued a scathing smackdown of Oklahoma's decade-old constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, virtually guaranteeing a Supreme Court showdown.
Last but not least, David recommends Daniel Loxton's article about the Immanuel Velikovsky, a brilliant man who nonetheless championed crackpot ideas. Check out Loxton's article in the latest issue of Skeptic.
Original release December 31, 2013.
Encore release October 18, 2018.
Encore release July 11, 2017.
We interview Troy Fitzgerald, founder of Secular Safe House, a new organization devoted to providing a voice, support and safe refuge for those coming out of religion, cults, or as LGBT. Troy shares his personal account of leaving a cult AND coming out as gay in his book Cults and Closets: Coming out of Chaos (available in paperback and for Kindle). Troy blogs at CultsandClosets.com.
That's it for 2013. Happy New Year!
Original release December 17, 2013.
Encore release October 17, 2018.
Encore release July 10, 2017.
Recent Supreme Court rulings on Ten Commandments displays on government property have opened the door to all kinds of groups (including Satanists, Hindus, and even American Atheists) wanting to clutter the landscape with their own monuments.
Oy! Now there's a War on Hanukkah. A Florida minister is in hot water over posting "CHRISTMAS - EASIER TO SPELL THAN HANUKKAH" on his church's outdoor sign. Is this just harmless humor, or something more sinister?
Meanwhile, a security guard in Tennessee has pled guilty in federal court to spitting on a Torah and writing anti-Semitic and Satanic messages on materials belonging to a Jewish group staying at his hotel. Some say it's a simple property crime, but he's being charged for civil rights violations.
Finally, Arkansas Senator Mark "You Don't Have to Pass an IQ Test to Be in the Senate" Pryor is facing a challenge in next year's re-election campaign. In order to head his opponent (Tom Cotton, a Harvard educated Tea Party Republican with military service) off at the pass, Democrat Pryor has put out a TV ad proving how much he loves him some Jesus. Cotton, despite having zero political experience, is already ahead in the polls.
Original release November 25, 2013.
Encore release October 16, 2018.
Encore release July 9, 2017.
Not much of a war this year, and if there is one it looks like Christmas is winning. The American Family Association's "Naughty or Nice" list features far more companies that are Christmas-friendly than not. Sarah Palin has a new book out: Good Tidings and Great Joy: Protecting the Heart of Christmas. It's more word salad from the former governor of Alaska, in which she laments the supposed assault on the Baby Jesus' Birthday. Check out Katy Steinmetz's humorous review at TIME.
Here are our suggestions for holiday gifts for non-believers:
David's suggestions:
- A gym membership ('cause this the only body you'll ever have)
- One or more of the following books: The Great Agnostic by Susan Jacoby; What You Don't Know about Religion (but Should) by Ryan Cragun; Last Ape Standing by Chip Walter
- A Nice Trip (David recommends Vegas)
- Contribution in their name to American Atheists (or some other secular charity of your choice)
- Binoculars (what non-believer doesn't enjoy sky gazing?)
John's suggestions:
- Cognitive Dissonance Combo Pack: Zealot by Reza Aslan & Killing Jesus by Bill O'Reilly
- Books on the History of Christmas: The Battle for Christmas by Stephen Nissenbaum; Christmas in America by Penne Restad; Christmas Curiosities by John Grossman
- Subscription to MUSE, a science magazine for 9 to 14-year-olds .
- GoldieBlox - building toys aimed at getting girls interested in engineering.
- Atheist Shoes
Original release November 15, 2013.
Encore release October 15, 2018.
Encore release July 8, 2017.
A high school track-and-field athlete in Kentucky decides to skip the state championship rather than run with race number 666.
We discuss Denise Spellberg's book Thomas Jefferson's Qur'an: Islam and the Founders, which explores what Enlightenment thinkers thought about Islam and how that influenced the Founding Fathers' opinions on religious freedom(available in hardcover and for Kindle).
Finally, the Supreme Court hears Greece v. Galloway. The Court's ruling next year could shape how city and county governments handle prayer before public meetings.
Original release October 27, 2013.
Encore release October 14, 2018.
Encore release July 7, 2017.
We discuss the puzzling sideshow of Diane Reidy, the stenographer who works for the US House of Representatives, who grabbed the microphone after the vote to end the government shutdown, ranting about the Freemasons, the Constitution, and how this was never One Nation Under God. Why did she do it? And what is a stenographer, anyway? See the whole thing here.
Plus:
Police in Montgomery, Alabama are dispatching clergy to crime scenes. While their intentions may be good, they are creating a dangerous and unnecessary relationship between government and religion. American Atheists and the Freedom From Religion Foundation have sent letters of objection.
Support a Kickstarter campaign to animate the story of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
Check out the new miniseries documentary from Roderick Bradford called "American Freethought" (no connection to the American Freethought podcast), which explores "the history of secularism and censorship in America." For more visit AmericanFreethought.tv.
Original release October 14, 2013.
Encore release October 13, 2018.
Encore release July 6, 2017.
We interview linguist Karen Stollznow, author of God Bless America: Strange and Unusual Religious Beliefs and Practices in the United States (available in paperback and for Kindle). Also check out her ebook Haunting America.
Karen has spent two decades writing about a diverse array of topics, including language, culture, religion, science, pseudoscience, and the paranormal. She pens the “Bad Language” column for Skeptic magazine and is a Research Fellow of the James Randi Educational Foundation.
For more about Karen and her work, visit KarenStollznow.com.
Original release October 1, 2013.
Encore release October 12, 2018.
Encore release July 5, 2017.
Seriously, IS the Pope Catholic? We look at several eyebrow-raising comments about atheists, homosexuals and women made by still-new-at-the job Pope Francis. Does he really intend to steer the church in a fresh direction, or is he just employing soothing rhetoric? After all, he's only excommunicated ONE person since he came into power: an Australian priest who advocates ordaining women (gasp) into the priesthood.
Plus:
Is "sexual jihad" a real thing? Or is it just an urban legend?
And...listener feedback!
Original release September 14, 2013.
Encore release October 11, 2018.
Encore release July 4, 2017.
We interview George Hrab, musician, songwriter, humorist, podcaster and outspoken skeptic/atheist. He's the mastermind and host of the Geologic Podcast, and he has just released a new live concert DVD called "21812: A Gneiss Night Out."
Original release September 7, 2013.
Encore release October 10, 2018.
Encore release July 3, 2017.
It's our annual live presentation on the SkepTrack at Dragon Con! Among the topics discussed: A Boy Named Messiah, Holey Scripture on Demons and Demon Possession, God Is My Attorney, and Obama's Scorecard on Secular Issues.
Thanks again to Derek Colanduno for organizing the track, and to Mark Ditsler of Abrupt Media for audiovisual support.
Original release August 15, 2013.
Encore release October 9, 2018.
Encore release July 2, 2017.
We interview Ryan Cragun, sociologist and author of What You Don't Know about Religion (but Should)(available in hardcover and for Kindle). Ryan is also the co-author of Could I Vote for a Mormon for President? as well as the landmark study "How Secular Humanists (and Everyone Else) Subsidize Religion in the United States." For more about Ryan Cragun, visit RyanTCragun.com.
Plus:
David and Vonda will miss it this year, but John and Allison will be at the upcoming Atlanta Star Party, Thursday, August 29, 7PM on the campus of Emory University. Guests will include astronomers Phil Plait, Nicole Gugliucci, Pamela Gay and Derek Demeter. For more visit AtlantaStarParty.com.
John will be introducing Dr. Frans de Waal (The Bonobo and the Atheist) at the Decatur Book Festival, Sunday, September 1, 5PM. For more visit DecaturBookFestival.com.
Finally, our live presentation of American Freethought will be Sunday, September 1, 10PM at Dragon*Con's SkepTrack! For more visit SkepTrack.org. See you there!
Original release July 24, 2013.
Encore release October 8, 2018.
Encore release July 1, 2017.
We interview scholar Reza Aslan, author of Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth(available in hardcover and for Kindle). In this new book, he seeks to separate the mythological Jesus from the actual, historical figure. For more about Reza Aslan, visit RezaAslan.com.
Plus:
David and Vonda will miss it this year, but John and Allison will be at the upcoming Atlanta Star Party, Thursday, August 29, 7PM on the campus of Emory University. Guests will include astronomers Phil Plait, Nicole Gugliucci, Pamela Gay and Derek Demeter. For more visitAtlantaStarParty.com.
John will be introducing Dr. Frans de Waal (The Bonobo and the Atheist) at the Decatur Book Festival, Sunday, September 1, 5PM. For more visit DecaturBookFestival.com.
Finally, our live presentation of American Freethought will be Sunday, September 1, 10PM at Dragon*Con's SkepTrack! For more visit SkepTrack.org. See you there!
Original release July 17, 2013.
Encore release October 7, 2018.
Encore release June 30, 2017.
We interview humanist and activist Leo Igwe on his research into witchcraft accusations in rural Ghana. Belief in witchcraft is widespread in Africa, and it's common for people to make false accusations in order to get rid of handicapped children, the elderly, romantic rivals, and other problematic persons. You can support Leo's research by contributing through the Foundation Beyond Belief's Pathfinders Project.
Plus: A Christian listener challenges us to explain the seeming contradiction between inherent homosexuality and evolution by natural selection.
Original release July 7, 2013.
Encore release October 6, 2018.
Encore release June 29, 2017.
The Supreme Court ends its session with historic decisions affecting marriage equality, including overturning the federal government's so-called Defense of Marriage Act, and letting stand a challenge to California's Proposition 8, which would have made same-sex marriage illegal in that state.
The Catholic Church is moving forward, with flimsy evidence indeed, with its plan to make the late John Paul II a saint.
Virginia's gubernatorial election is coming soon, and the Republican ticket includes climate-change denier Ken Cuccinelli for governor and E. W. Jackson (who denies evolution, believes yoga opens your mind for Satanic possession, and thinks government programs for the poor have harmed black people more than slavery ever did) for lieutenant governor.
Plus:
One listener brings our attention to another state legislature/secular invocation controversy, and another takes John to task for (hopefully inadvertent) misogynistic language.
Original release June 14, 2013.
Encore release October 5, 2018.
Encore release June 28, 2017.
After a local politician in Manchester, Tennessee posted an anti-Muslim image online, the American Muslim Advisory Council organized a public event aimed at encouraging discussion of religion diversity and informing citizens about the difference between free speech and hate crimes. The locals were less than receptive, booing, heckling and shouting down the speakers.
A high school valedictorian in Pickens County, South Carolina ripped up his pre-approved speech and instead recited the Lord's Prayer--all in protest of school policy prohibiting sectarian prayers at school events.
The House of Representatives are appalled at the idea of allowing Humanists, Ethical Culturalists, and members of similar nonreligious groups to be chaplains in the US military. Never mind that there are plenty of soldiers who share those views and who deserve counseling from someone who shares their worldview.
There's a slow trickle of churches dissociating themselves from the Boy Scouts in response to their recent policy change, which allows gay scouts but not gay scout leaders. It remains to be seen if this trickle will become a torrent.
Finally, we discuss The Revisionaries, a new documentary that looks at the recent (largely successful) attempt at religious conservatives to skew the Texas public school toward their worldview. The documentary is available on SundanceNow, Netflix, and elsewhere. For more visit TheRevisionariesMovie.com.
Plus: John recommends the late Muhammad Asad's memoir The Road to Mecca, as well as the recent documentary about him. Asad was born in 1900 as Leopold Weiss, a secular Jew from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, who converted to Islam in his 20s, hobnobbed with all the movers and shakers in the Middle East, wrote a translation with commentary of the Quran that's still in print, and went on to be one of the architects of Pakistan's constitution and that country's delegate to the United Nations.
Original release May 29, 2013.
Encore release October 4, 2018.
Encore release June 27, 2017.
A pair of homegrown terrorists murder a British soldier in broad daylight in Woolwich, UK. They say they're motivated by the teachings of Islam, and some refuse to condemn the act. But other Muslims say it has nothing to do with Islam. They can't both be right.
Arizona state legislator Juan Mendez delivers a secular humanist invocation, quoting Carl Sagan and appealing to our shared humanity. This didn't set well with fellow lawmaker Steve Smith, who complained that it wasn't a proper prayer.
Boy Scouts of America have decided to allow gay scouts, but not gay scout leaders. It's a half-measure, but it is a step in the right direction. Now if they'd only allow atheist scouts...
CNN gaffe wizard Wolf Blitzer visits the post-tornado wreckage of Moore, Oklahoma and makes the mistake of asking survivor Rebecca Vitsmun if she "thanks the Lord." She doesn't. She's an atheist. Now the American Humanist Association has set up a special fund so fellow nonbelievers can help her out.
Finally, check out The Mormons, a new book by blogger and activist David Fitzgerald.
Original release May 18, 2013.
Encore release October 3, 2018.
Encore release June 26, 2017.
There's trouble in Lumpkin County, with a capital T that rhymes with P and that stands for Prayer! At least fifty students and four teachers at Lumpkin County High School (north of Atlanta) ditched class for SIX HOURS to participate in an impromptu prayer rally that started when one student questioning his faith sought counseling from the weight coach. No one will be disciplined over this incident, and many in the community are outspoken in their support of the students and what they see as freedom of speech and freedom of religion. For more info watch this and this.
Also: A report from the recent protest of the National Day of Prayer rally in Roswell, GA. And an ad on Craigslist for a godless yard sale has tongues wagging.
Finally, another Baseball Bat of Doubt!
Original release May 2, 2013.
Encore release October 2, 2018.
Encore release June 25, 2017.
We interview Susan Gerbic, coordinator of Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia, an international team of writers and editors whose goal is to ensure that skeptical topics on Wikipedia are fair, accurate, and have the level of detail they deserve. Those interested in participating should befriend Susan on Facebook.
Plus:
Herbert and Catherine Schaible have been on probation for the last two years for relying on prayer rather than medical care, resulting in the death of their young son from pneumonia in 2009. Now they're back in court after another son--this one an 8-month-old--died in agony from diarrhea. At home. While his parents prayed. Amazingly, the worst these callous nutjobs could get is 10 years in prison.
In sports-related news, basketball pro Jason Collins becomes the first active player in the four major American sports leagues to come out of the closet. Most applaud his historic action, but a few have voiced (inevitably religiously-based) criticism. And Tim Tebow might be painting Bible verses on his cheeks and kneeling dramatically from the sidelines next season--the Jets have let him go.
Finally, the Baseball Bat of Doubt swings into action once again.
Original release April 9, 2013.
Encore release October 1, 2018.
Encore release June 24, 2017.
We interview Dr. Frans de Waal, world-renowned primatologist and author of The Bonobo and the Atheist: In Search of Humanism among the Primates (available in hardcover and for Kindle). In this new book, he looks at the pre-human basis for morality, how human beings do not hold a monopoly on morals, and takes the "New Atheists" to task for being "insulting" to religious folk. For more about Dr. de Waal, visit the Living Links website.
Plus:
A North Carolina legislator has proposed a resolution stating that the First Amendment applies only to the US Congress and rejects any federal court ruling that insists otherwise. Theoretically the state would be claiming the power to pass a law declaring an official state religion. What year is this?
An appeals court has tossed out American Atheists' lawsuit to prevent the National September 11 Memorial and Museum from displaying a piece of rubble from the WTC that resembles a Christian cross.
The Baseball Bat of Doubt! In this installment of our new recurring segment, another listener from Finland shares what led him to reject religion and embrace science and reason.
Original release March 27, 2013.
Encore release September 30, 2018.
Encore release June 23, 2017.
We interview Dr. Volkan Topalli, co-author (with Dr. Thomas Brezina and Mindy Bernhardt) of the new research paper "With God on my side: The paradoxical relationship between religious belief and criminality among hardcore street offenders," just published in the February 2013 issue of the journal Theoretical Criminology. Volkan, an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Georgia State University, isn't just some tweed-wearing ivory tower intellectual--he's a dedicated researcher who visits some of the most crime-ridden neighborhoods in cities like Atlanta, New Orleans and Saint Louis, interviewing career drug-dealers and car-jackers to find out what makes them tick. For a detailed account of the gritty work this guy does, check out this profile from Creative Loafing.
Plus:
As the Supreme Court tackles gay marriage, we look at two interesting developments in the struggle for LGBTQ rights. First, there's Republican Ohio Senator Rob Portman, who revealed how he reversed course on gay marriage when his son came out. Second, Green Street United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina announces it won't perform any marriages--period--until their denomination changes its policy of discrimination against homosexuals.
The Baseball Bat of Doubt! In this installment of our new recurring segment, a listener from Finland reveals what led her to reject religion and embrace science and reason.
Original release March 14, 2013.
Encore release September 29, 2018.
Encore release June 22, 2017.
We interview Chip Walter, author of Last Ape Standing: The Seven Million Year Story of How and Why We Survived, an excellent new summation of the best current understanding of human evolution. It's available in hardcover and for Kindle. For more about Chip and his work, visit ChipWalter.com and AllThingsHuman.net.
Plus:
Oddsmakers are taking bets on who the new Pope will be (although after we recorded this the Cardinals inconveniently chose Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who has taken the name Pope Francis).
A Christian school in California fired a pregnant woman for breaking the school code by fornicating--then offered the job to her fiance (the man who got her pregnant)!
Muslim rioters in Pakistan burned 100 homes over rumors that a Christian garbageman made disparaging remarks about the Prophet Mohammed. Luckily, President Asif Zardari is "asking religious leaders for suggestions on how to prevent misuse of the blasphemy law." Problem solved.
The Baseball Bat of Doubt - By popular demand, we introduce a new, recurring segment in which listeners share the moment in which, for them, the cognitive dissonance of superstition was knocked aside by science, reason or logic.
And a reminder: Derek Colanduno of Skepticality, Blake Smith of Monster Talk, and John Snider of American Freethought will do a special presentation for the Atlanta Skeptics. It’s a fundraiser for the upcoming Atlanta Skepticamp. For more info visit meetup.com/atlantaskeptics.
Original release March 2, 2013.
Encore release September 28, 2018.
Encore release June 21, 2017.
We interview Troy Boyle, president of the new National Atheist Party. For more about the NAP visit USANAP.org.
Plus: Pat Robertson is at it again. This time he's warning against the dangers of possessed pre-owned sweaters. And finally, check out the new hardcover edition of the Skeptic's Annotated Bible. It's a bug-crushing 1,632 pages, containing the full King James Bible with detailed skeptical commentary from author Steve Wells. As always, the SAB is available online at SkepticsAnnotatedBible.com.
And a reminder: Derek Colanduno of Skepticality, Blake Smith of Monster Talk, and John Snider of American Freethought will do a special presentation for the Atlanta Skeptics. It’s a fundraiser for the upcoming Atlanta Skepticamp. For more info visit meetup.com/atlantaskeptics.
Original release February 21, 2013.
Encore release September 27, 2018.
Encore release June 20, 2017.
We interview Dan Riley, author of Generation Atheist, which profiles the experiences of 25 young up-and-comers in the atheist community. It's available in paperback or for Kindle). For more information visit GenerationAtheistBook.com.
Meanwhile...Russia gets smacked by a meteor, and the Pope announces he's retiring. The Pope! Retiring!
And a reminder: On March 16th, Derek Colanduno of Skepticality, Blake Smith of Monster Talk, and John Snider of American Freethought will do a special presentation for the Atlanta Skeptics. It’s a fundraiser for the upcoming Atlanta Skepticamp. For more info visit meetup.com/atlantaskeptics.
Original release February 5, 2013.
Encore release September 26, 2018.
Encore release June 19, 2017.
We interview Seth Andrews, host of The Thinking Atheist podcast and author of the new memoir Deconverted: A Journey from Religion to Reason (available in paperback or for Kindle).
Plus: Boy Scouts of America might go gay, and a Catholic hospital wins a lawsuit by arguing that a fetus is not a person.
Announcements:
John Snider will join Derek Colanduno of the Skepticality podcast and Blake Smith of the Monster Talk podcast for a special three-in-one "live" podcast discussion for the Atlanta Skeptics. This is also the fundraiser for the upcoming Atlanta Skepticamp, so your participation is triply welcome. Mark your calendars for March 16th.
Original release January 28, 2013.
Encore release September 25, 2018.
Encore release June 18, 2017.
We interview Carlos Diaz, the new president of Atheist Alliance International. Carlos talks about the latest developments with AAI, including the Atheist Census initiative.
Plus: President Obama picks a more liberal minister to deliver the benediction at his second inaugural.
Distant Early Warning: John Snider will join Derek Colanduno of the Skepticalitypodcast and Blake Smith of the Monster Talk podcast for a special three-in-one "live" podcast discussion for the Atlanta Skeptics. This is also the fundraiser for the upcoming Atlanta Skepticamp, so your participation is triply welcome. Mark your calendars for March 16th.
Bonus: At the end of the show we include the song "The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ" by Scotsman Rossco Galloway. He's just moved to Sweden from Edinburgh, but you can check out his music at ReverbNation.com/RosscoGalloway.
Original release January 8, 2013.
Encore release September 24, 2018.
Encore release June 17, 2017.
We interview Susan Jacoby, journalist and outspoken nonbeliever, about her new book The Great Agnostic: Robert Ingersoll and American Freethought. Susan is also the author of (among other titles) Freethinkers: A History of American Secularism and The Age of American Unreason.
The Great Agnostic is available in hardcover and forKindle.
Also, be sure to read Susan's recent essay in the New York Times, "The Blessings of Atheism." For more about Susan and her work visit SusanJacoby.com.
Plus:
John recommends the book Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul: Church, State and the Birth of Liberty by John M. Barry.
On a non-freethought note, John also recommends the 1954 proto-Indiana-Jones adventure flick Secret of the Incas, starring Charlton Heston, and featuring the "Peruvian Songbird" Yma Sumac (for ultimately kitschy goodness, check out Sumac's album Mambo).
Original release December 19, 2012.
Encore release September 23, 2018.
Encore release June 16, 2017.
We interview Ed and Michael Buckner, authors of the new book In Freedom We Trust: An Atheist Guide to Religious Liberty (paperback or Kindle). Plus: We look at the shameful response by some religious conservatives to the mass murder at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.
Original release December 5, 2012.
Encore release September 22, 2018.
Encore release June 15, 2017
We look at the mostly overhyped controversies surrounding the holiday season: a Loudoun County (VA) politician calls atheists "terrorists" and "fanatics," while Bloviatin' Bill O'Reilly calls us "fascists." Plus: The American Family Association has issued a "Scrooge Alert," urging the faithful not go give their holiday business to companies that "refuse" to mention "Christmas" in their advertising. (Jesus may be the reason for the season, but if you don't link his birthday to the consumerist orgy that is modern Christmas, shame on you.)
Finally, we off our suggestions for holiday gifts for nonbelievers. A reminder, you can shop at Amazon.com via American Freethought using this link and a small percentage of the purchase price will benefit this podcast.
Original release November 19, 2012.
Encore release September 21, 2018.
Encore release June 14, 2017.
We interview entertainer and skeptic Penn Jillette, author of the new collection of essays and anecdotes Every Day Is an Atheist Holiday (hardcover or Kindle). He also has a new podcast called Penn's Sunday School. For more about Penn (and longtime partner Teller) visit PennandTeller.com.
Plus: We celebrate the 5th anniversary of this podcast!
Original release November 12, 2012.
Encore release September 20, 2018.
Encore release June 13, 2017.
We look at selected results of the 2012 election cycle. Overall, a good year for secular voters!
Recorded November 11, 2012. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release October 28, 2012.
Encore release September 19, 2018.
Encore release June 12, 2017.
Author, filmmaker, Christian apologist, debater and all-around moralist Dinesh D'Souza has been forced to resign his post as president of The King's College after getting caught sharing a room with his "fiancee" at a Christian conference. Nevermind D'Souza was already married and tried to lie his way out of it. Nevermind he is fond of saying that atheists are atheists 'cause they want their sexual freedom. O deliciousness and deliciosity!
Meanwhile...yet another Republican political candidate has opened his mouth and removed all doubt as to his ignorance. This time it's Richard Mourdock, who says rape and rape-induced pregnancies are all just as God intended.
Original release October 13, 2012.
Encore release September 18, 2018.
Encore release June 11, 2017.
Georgia Congressman Paul Broun condemns evolution, embryology and the Big Bang Theory as "lies straight from the pit of hell."
Arkansas legislator Charlie Fuqua advocates court-supported execution of rebellious children, just like in the Bible.
A New York man claims evil spirits told him to kill a co-worker, and he wants his witch doctor (or rather, "spiritual advisor") to testify in his defense.
A handwritten letter in which Albert Einstein poo-poos God and religion is set to fetch upwards of $3 million on eBay.
Finally, a new Pew Research poll shows Americans who claim no particular religious belief is at an all-time high. Good news?
Original release September 26, 2012.
Encore release September 17, 2018.
Encore release Jun 10, 2017.
We interview Ryan T. Cragun, coauthor (with Rick Phillips) of Could I Vote for a Mormon for President? An Election-Year Guide to Mitt Romney's Religion (available in paperback or for Kindle). We also spoke to Ryan in Podcast 153 "Subsidizing Religion." For more about Ryan visit ryantcragun.com.
Original release September 18, 2012.
Encore release September 16, 2018.
Encore release Jun 9, 2017.
We interview Teresa MacBain, former Methodist minister, now Public Relations director for American Atheists.
Plus: American Atheists president Dave Silverman has a special announcement regarding the upcoming 50th anniversary convention in Austin, Texas.
Original release September 9, 2012.
Encore release September 15, 2018.
Encore release June 8, 2017.
Presenting our live show from the Skeptrack at Dragon*Con 2012. Many thanks to Track Director Derek Colanduno for putting us on the program FIVE YEARS RUNNING. Thanks also to Mark Ditsler of Abrupt Media for audiovisual support.
Original release August 29, 2012.
Encore release September 14, 2018.
Encore release June 7, 2017.
We interview Michael Meyerson, author of Endowed by Our Creator: The Birth of Religious Freedom in America (hardcover or Kindle), an analysis of church-and-state from Colonial times through the presidency of James Madison. For more information visit MichaelMeyerson.com.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
We'll be at the Atlanta Skeptics Star Party on Thursday, August 30, just ahead of Dragon*Con.
Come to our live show at Dragon*Con's Skeptrack on Saturday, September 1 at 2:30PM.
CONTACT
Visit our blog at AmericanFreethought.com.
Visit the podcast at AmericanFreethought.LibSyn.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes feed.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you’d like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to sniderishere@gmail.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
August 29, 2012. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release August 15, 2012.
Encore release September 13, 2018.
Encore release June 6, 2017.
Mitt Romney has picked Congressman Paul Ryan as his Vice Presidential running mate. Will this have any effect on secular voters? Interesting that Ryan until very recently embraced the libertarian teachings of Ayn Rand, which he now condemns as an "atheistic" philosophy.
Who's to blame in the recent mass shooting at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin? Atheists? Satanists? Both? Pat Robertson has some (crack-brained) ideas.
You've probably heard of the shocking incident in Miami, in which police were forced to shoot and kill Rudy Eugene as he chewed off the face of the homeless Ron Poppo. At first people blamed "bath salts" for Eugene's strange behavior. No hard drugs were found in Eugene's system, but he was a regular churchgoer in possession of a Bible.
Finally, a new poll shows religiosity on the downtrend worldwide.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
We'll be at the Atlanta Skeptics Star Party on Thursday, August 30, just ahead of Dragon*Con.
Come to our live show at Dragon*Con's Skeptrack on Saturday, September 1 at 2:30PM.
Secular World Podcast has just posted its first post-David Driscoll episode. We'll be listening, and we wish them the best of luck.
CONTACT
Visit our blog at AmericanFreethought.com.
Visit the podcast at AmericanFreethought.LibSyn.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes feed.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you’d like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to sniderishere@gmail.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
August 13, 2012. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release August 1, 2012.
Encore release September 12, 2018.
Encore release June 5, 2017.
We interview comic Jass Richards, author of The Blasphemy Tour (paperback or Kindle). For more about Jass and her book visit JassRichards.com.
In the aftermath of the horrific shootings in Aurora, Colorado, right wingnuts--Mike Huckabee and Republican Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert among them--are wasting no time in blaming it on godlessness. Finally, David recommends this interview about the Vatican's criticism of US nuns, by NPR's Terry Gross.
CONTACT
Visit our blog at AmericanFreethought.com.
Visit the podcast at AmericanFreethought.LibSyn.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes feed.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you’d like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to sniderishere@gmail.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
August 1, 2012. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release June 28, 2012.
Encore release September 11, 2018.
Encore release June 4, 2017.
We interview journalist Katherine Stewart, author of The Good News Club: The Christian Right's Stealth Assault on America's Children (hardcover or Kindle). For more about Katherine and her book visit TheGoodNewsClub.com.
CONTACT
Visit our blog at AmericanFreethought.com.
Visit the podcast at AmericanFreethought.LibSyn.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes feed.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you’d like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to sniderishere@gmail.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
June 28, 2012. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release June 17, 2012.
Encore release September 10, 2018.
Encore release June 3, 2017.
Well, here's a surprise. Snake-handling preacher Mark Wolford died after being bitten by a snake he was handling. Just like his daddy before him.
Qu'ran-burning preacher Terry Jones is in the news again--this time for hanging President Obama in effigy on his church's property.
Prosperity gospel con-man Creflo Dollar has been arrested in a domestic dispute with his teenage daughter.
And in international news, Indonesia has jailed a man for 30 months (basically) for being an atheist.
CONTACT
Visit our blog at AmericanFreethought.com.
Visit the podcast at AmericanFreethought.LibSyn.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes feed.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you’d like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to sniderishere@gmail.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
June 18, 2012. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release June 9, 2012.
Encore release September 9, 2018.
Encore release June 2, 2017.
We interview Dr. Ryan T. Cragun, lead author of the study "How Secular Humanists (and Everyone Else) Subsidizes Religion in the United States," published in the June/July 2012 issue of Free Inquiry. Cragun is also the co-author of the upcoming book Could I Vote for a Mormon for President? An Election Year Guide to Mitt Romney's Religion (paperback).
Also...Not to be outdone by North Carolina, Indiana has now taken up the banner of bigotry against gay rights. This time it's the Apostolic Truth Tabernacle in Greensburg, Indiana, who offered up wild applause when a toddler got up to sing "Ain't No Homos Gonna Make It to Heaven." How very Christian of them.
Finally...It looks like President Obama's vocal support for gay rights is making an impact. One recent survey shows 54% of the American public support same-sex marriage, while another survey shows a sharp increase in approval within the black community.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you're in Atlanta Sunday, Jun 10th, come to the Atlanta Freethought Hall to hear Gina Colianni, outgoing president of Kennesaw State University's Student Coalition for Inquiry. She'll be speaking on "The Ins and Outs of Being a Student Secular Leader."
CONTACT
Visit our blog at AmericanFreethought.com.
Visit the podcast at AmericanFreethought.LibSyn.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes feed.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you’d like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to sniderishere@gmail.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
June 9, 2012. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release May 27, 2012.
Encore release September 8, 2018.
Encore release June 1, 2017.
We interview Staise Gonzalez, mover and shaker with Houston Atheists, about her recent (and thus far successful effort) to prevent Helen Ukpabio from visiting the United States. For those unfamiliar with Ukpabio, she is an infamous Nigerian preacher/filmmaker whose poisonous teaching about demon possession has led many children to be abandoned, abused--even murdered--by their families. To see just how nutty Ukpabio is, check out her film "End of the Wicked."
Also...North Carolina preachers with an anti-gay agenda are in the news again. This time it's Pastor Charles Worley of Providence Road Baptist Church in Maiden, NC. Worley's Final Solution for "the lesbians and the queers" has gone viral on the web.
Finally, we review the controversy surrounding one-time Republican lobbyist Edwina Rogers as the new executive director of the Secular Coalition for America. Rogers has gotten off to a rocky start with prominent freethought bloggers, mostly for her insistence that Republicans are NOT largely anti-choice, anti-gay and anti-seperation-of-church-and-state. Read and/or listen to her interview with Greta Christina for more. Meanwhile, videos from her Republican lobbying days, like this one in which she's shown living in an 18,000 square foot mansion and wrapping gifts in money, can't help.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you're in Atlanta on Saturday, May 26, come to the Atlanta Science Tavern to hear "The Christian Right's Assault on Public Education and the Science Curriculum," a talk by Katherine Stewart, author ofThe Good News Club: The Christian Right's Stealth Assault on America's Children (hardcover or Kindle). The Tavern requests RSVPs, and since it fills up early, the sooner you reserve your place the better.
CONTACT
Visit our blog at AmericanFreethought.com.
Visit the podcast at AmericanFreethought.LibSyn.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes feed.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you’d like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to editor@scifidimensions.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
May 27, 2012. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release May 10, 2012.
Encore release September 7, 2018.
Encore release May 31, 2017.
Finally! President Barack Obama goes on the record in support of gay marriage--but only a day after North Carolina voters approved a state constitutional amendment banning it.
And speaking of North Carolina, pastor Sean Harris of Fayetteville's Berean Baptist Church preached a sermon in which he advocated parental violence against gay children. He later issued a non-apology apology, dismissing the whole thing as a poor choice of words.
Meanwhile, gay activist Dan Savage is under fire from critics for calling bull$#!+ on Christians obsessed with Old Testament prohibitions against homosexuality.
Finally, David highly recommends Kurt Vonnegut's classic novel Cat's Cradle.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you're in Atlanta on Saturday, May 26, come to the Atlanta Science Tavern to hear "The Christian Right's Assault on Public Education and the Science Curriculum," a talk by Katherine Stewart, author ofThe Good News Club: The Christian Right's Stealth Assault on America's Children (hardcover or Kindle). The Tavern requests RSVPs, and since it fills up early, the sooner you reserve your place the better.
CONTACT
Visit our blog at AmericanFreethought.com.
Visit the podcast at AmericanFreethought.LibSyn.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes feed.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you’d like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to editor@scifidimensions.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
May 10, 2012. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release April 28, 2012.
Encore release September 6, 2018.
Encore release May 30, 2017.
That's right, 150 episodes. Yay us.
John gives a report on his (and Allison's) recent trip to London and Edinburgh. A good time was had by all.
We received lots of listener feedback on our interview in show 149 with Matthew Bowman, an admitted true-believing Mormon and author of the cultural history The Mormon People: The Making of an American Faith (hardcover or Kindle). Listeners opined Mormon attempts to overturn same-sex marriage in Maryland, the shocking suicide rate among gay Mormons, and expressed dismay that a seemingly thoughtful and intelligent person could believe in golden plates.
On to business...it looks like the religionists won Salazar v. Buono, the case to remove a Christian cross (erected by a private party in 1934) from Sunrise Rock, which is located deep within the federally-owned preserve in California's Mojave Desert. Rather than rule that a private cross on federal property is unconstitutional, the Supreme Court kicked the case back to the lower court. Now a federal judge has ruled that the cross can stay as long as the government swaps the acre where the cross sits for five acres elsewhere. It's a bad ruling and a bad outcome that sets a bad precedent. No secular (or no-Christian) symbol would ever have been show such deference.
Meanwhile, the Freedom from Religion Foundation has convinced Sylvania, Alabama to remove a blatantly religious Bible verse from its "welcome" signs. How anyone could think that "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism" isn't hopelessly sectarian and plainly unconstitutional boggles the imagination.
Finally, the War on Christmas rages in April in Leesburg, Virginia, where local freethought groups are urging the county's planners NOT to allow holiday displays on the courthouse grounds. (In recent years, the park around the courthouse has turned into a tacky free-speech free-for-all.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you're in Atlanta on Saturday, May 26, come to the Atlanta Science Tavern to hear "The Christian Right's Assault on Public Education and the Science Curriculum," a talk by Katherine Stewart, author of The Good News Club: The Christian Right's Stealth Assault on America's Children (hardcover or Kindle). The Tavern requests RSVPs, and since it fills up early, the sooner you reserve your place the better.
CONTACT
Visit our blog at AmericanFreethought.com.
Visit the podcast at AmericanFreethought.LibSyn.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes feed.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you’d like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to editor@scifidimensions.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
April 28, 2012. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release April 3, 2012.
Encore release September 5, 2018.
Encore release May 29, 2017.
We interview Matthew Bowman; scholar, historian, and author of The Mormon People: The Making of an American Faith (hardcover or Kindle). (Oh, and he's a real-live Mormon, which makes for very interesting conversation.) Matthew also contributes to the Peculiar People blog at Patheos.com/blogs/PeculiarPeople.
David wraps-up his report on the recent Reason Rally on the National Mall.
John reports on Richard Dawkins' recent appearance in metro Atlanta for a public lecture and private fundraiser.
Also:
David is "retiring" from the Secular World Podcast after four-plus years of exemplary service.
John and Allison will be in London and Edinburgh over the next couple of weeks. Friend of the show and fellow podcaster Sean Slater has kindly offered to show us around Edinburgh for a day. The American Freethought Podcast will be back in late April. Meanwhile, check out Sean's occasional Scot's History Podcast at http://scotshistory.wordpress.com.
The long-defunct St. Louis band Body Found (whose music is featured in the theme song for this podcast) are now on iTunes. Download the 12-song alt-rock goodness of "Body Found Studio" for only $9.99.
CONTACT
Visit our blog at AmericanFreethought.com.
Visit the podcast at AmericanFreethought.LibSyn.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes feed.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you’d like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to editor@scifidimensions.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
April 3, 2012. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release March 24, 2012.
Encore release September 4, 2018.
Encore release May 28, 2017.
David Driscoll reports live from the Reason Rally on the National Mall.
Also:
Giveaway! Richard Dawkins will be speaking in metro Atlanta on Tuesday, March 27th. "An Evening with Richard Dawkins" is sold out, but we have a pair of tickets to give away. Join our Facebook group or email your name and cellphone number to john@americanfreethought.com for a chance to win. A winner will be randomly selected on March 24th. John will meet you at the venue to give you your tickets, so please don't email if you are not absolutely certain you can make it.
And for those will a little cash on-hand, there will be a private fundraising reception at an Atlanta location to be announced with Richard Dawkins and Sean Faircloth on Wednesday, March 28th. Contributions for attendees starts at $1,000 for individuals and $1,500 for couples. Email Sean Faircloth at sean.faircloth@richarddawkins.net. John and Allison will be there as well, for what it's worth.
CONTACT
Visit our blog at AmericanFreethought.com.
Visit the podcast at AmericanFreethought.LibSyn.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes feed.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you’d like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to editor@scifidimensions.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
March 24, 2012. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release March 17, 2012.
Encore release September 3, 2018.
Encore release May 27, 2017.
We interview Dr. Darrel Ray, author of Sex and God: How Religion Distorts Sexuality (paperback or Kindle). Dr. Ray is also the author of The God Virus and founder of the group Recovering from Religion. For more visit TheGodVirus.net, IPCPress.com, or RecoveringfromReligion.com.
Also:
A recent poll shows that, incredibly, only a tiny minority of likely Republican voters in Mississippi and Alabama believe that President Obama is a Christian. Fully 88% of Mississippi Republicans either believe he is a Muslim or say they are unsure what religion he practices. The numbers are only slightly better in Alabama.
And speaking of Alabama...he's b-a-a-a-ck! Roy Moore, the former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, who was removed from office a few years ago for refusing to uninstall a massive Ten Commandments monument he had placed in the Supreme Court building, is seeking re-election and has just won the Republican primary. He assures us he has no intention of revisiting the Ten Commandments issue. Which makes us feel so much better.
Giveaway! Richard Dawkins will be speaking in metro Atlanta on Tuesday, March 27th. "An Evening with Richard Dawkins" is sold out, but we have a pair of tickets to give away. Join our Facebook group or email your name and cellphone number to john@americanfreethought.com for a chance to win. A winner will be randomly selected on March 24th. John will meet you at the venue to give you your tickets, so please don't email if you are not absolutely certain you can make it.
And for those will a little cash on-hand, there will be a private fundraising reception at an Atlanta location to be announced with Richard Dawkins and Sean Faircloth on Wednesday, March 28th. Contributions for attendees starts at $1,000 for individuals and $1,500 for couples. Email Sean Faircloth at sean.faircloth@richarddawkins.net. John and Allison will be there as well, for what it's worth.
CONTACT
Visit our blog at AmericanFreethought.com.
Visit the podcast at AmericanFreethought.LibSyn.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes feed.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you’d like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to editor@scifidimensions.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
March 17, 2012. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release March 6, 2012.
Encore release September 2, 2018.
Encore release May 26, 2017.
Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum says the concept of separation of church and state makes him want to "throw up." Fellow Catholic JFK would have disagreed.
And speaking of wanting to throw up, conservative radio blowhard Rush Limbaugh issues a peculiarly nonapologetic apology to college student Sandra Fluke. Last week Limbaugh labeled Fluke a "slut" and a "prostitute" because of her Congressional testimony in favor of ensuring that birth control is covered in university healthcare programs. Oh, the horror! Watch Ms. Fluke's testimony here.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
John and Allison will be attending a Marian Call concert in metro Atlanta (at the Doravllle Civic Center, specifically) on Saturday, March 10th. If you like folksy-but-clever Americana in the vein of Susan Werner, you will love Marian Call. For details visit MarianCall.com.
CONTACT
Visit our blog at AmericanFreethought.com.
Visit the podcast at AmericanFreethought.LibSyn.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes feed.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you’d like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to editor@scifidimensions.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
March 3, 2012. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release February 20, 2012.
Encore release September 1, 2018.
Encore release May 25, 2017.
We interview Deborah Scroggins, author of the Wanted Women: Faith, Lies and the War on Terror: The Lives of Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Aafia Siddiqui. This dueling biography contrasts the lives of the world’s most hated female apostate and the world’s (at one time) most wanted female Islamic terrorist.
Also:
The Cranston, Rhode Island school board has decided NOT to appeal the recent court ruling that a prayer banner at Cranston High School West was unconstitutional. Student Jessica Ahlquist, who brought the lawsuit, has been the subject of abuse and even death-threats in the mostly Catholic state, which was (ironically) founded on the principle of religious freedom. School board chairwoman Andrea Iannazzi claims they won’t be pursuing an appeal, not because they understand the unconstitutionality of a religious banner in a public school, but because the district cannot currently afford the legal costs (as if the ACLU is flush with cash nowadays).
Some progress in the fight for gay rights. Washington has become the 7th state to legalize same-sex unions, but New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (often mentioned as a potential Republican VP nominee) has vetoed a similar measure passed by his state’s legislature. A November referendum is a possibility in both states.
Giveaway! Either join our Facebook group or leave feedback on our NEW iTunes feed, and you’re eligible to win a copy of Cullen Murphy’s new book God’s Jury: The Inquisition and the Making of the Modern World. A winner will be randomly selected on February 25th.
CONTACT
Visit our blog at AmericanFreethought.com.
Visit the podcast at AmericanFreethought.LibSyn.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes feed.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you’d like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to editor@scifidimensions.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
February 20, 2012. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release February 12, 2012.
Encore release August 31, 2018.
Encore release May 24, 2017.
Controversy at the National Prayer Breakfast! Congressman Phil Gingrey (R-GA) walked out during President Obama's sermon. Gingrey is shocked--shocked!--to find that there's politicking going on at the NATIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST.
"Rabbi" Ralph Messer has crowned Atlanta's New Birth Missionary Church "Bishop" Eddie Long as king. To see the 15-minute ceremony, go here and skip forward to the 53:30 point. Needless to say, this has pissed off actual Jews.
Also:
Read "Atheism in America" by Julian Baggini.
If you live in Virginia, call your state representative and urge him/her to vote no on House Bill 189, which would allow religious organizations to discriminate against would-be adoptive parents on the basis of religion.
If you live in Georgia, call your state representative and urge him/her to vote no on House Resolution 425, which proposes to amend the state constitution to allow direct and indirect state funding of religious charities.
Giveaway! Either join our Facebook group or leave feedback on our new iTunes feed, and you're eligible to win a copy of Culllen Murphy's new book God's Jury: The Inquisition and the Making of the Modern World. A winner will be randomly selected on February 25th.
CONTACT
Visit our blog at AmericanFreethought.com.
Visit the podcast at AmericanFreethought.LibSyn.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes page.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you'd like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to editor@scifidimensions.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
January 21, 2012. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release January 28, 2012.
Encore release August 30, 2018.
Encore release May 23, 2017.
We interview Cullen Murphy, editor-at-large for Vanity Fair and author of God's Jury: The Inquisition and the Making of the Modern World. For more on Cullen visit CullenMurphy.com.
John also recommends Wanted Women: The Lives of Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Aafia Siddiqui by Deborah Scroggins.
Giveaway! Either join our Facebook group or leave feedback on our new iTunes feed, and you're eligible to win copies of Christopher Hitchen's books Hitch-22 and Arguably. A winner will be randomly selected on February 1st.
CONTACT
Visit our blog at AmericanFreethought.com.
Visit the podcast at AmericanFreethought.LibSyn.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes page.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you'd like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to editor@scifidimensions.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
January 28, 2012. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release January 22, 2012.
Encore release August 29, 2018.
Encore release May 22, 2017.
We look at the aftermath of highschooler Jessica Ahlquist's First Amendment victory in Rhode Island. After winning a lawsuit to have a prayer banner removed from a public high school, Ms. Ahlquist has received threats and harassment--even local florists refuse to deliver flowers to her house!
The Supreme Court has supported the concept of "ministerial exception," ruling that religious organizations may hire or fire "ministers" for any reason, even if the reason would otherwise violate laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act. Consider it fair warning that if you accept a job with a religious organizations, you could be checking your civil rights at the door.
Also discussed:
The new documentary Ayn Rand and the Prophecy of Atlas Shrugged, now in very limited release.
The 2003 documentary Touching the Void, about mountaineer (and atheist) Joe Simpson's hair-raising story of survival in the Peruvian Andes.
Holey Scripture! If Tim Tebow's 316-passing-yard victory over the Steelers points to John 3:16, what verse does his 136-passing-yard loss to the Patriots point to? True believers probably don't want to know.
Speaking of John 3:16, Crosshairs, er, Focus on the Family has a new TV ad that's running during football games. Where it's more annoying than effective, we may never know.
The Supreme Court refuses to hear two cases relating to prayer at government meetings, letting stand lower court rulings.
We're reading God's Jury: The Inquisition and the Making of the Modern World by Cullen Murphy, and Wanted Women: The Lives of Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Aafia Siddiqui by Deborah Scroggins.
Giveaway! Either join our Facebook group or leave feedback on our new iTunes feed, and you're eligible to win copies of Christopher Hitchen's books Hitch-22 and Arguably. A winner will be randomly selected on February 1st.
[Opening soundbite from "My First Hardcore Song"]
CONTACT
Visit our blog at AmericanFreethought.com.
Visit the podcast at AmericanFreethought.LibSyn.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes page.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you'd like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to editor@scifidimensions.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
January 21, 2012. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release January 7, 2012.
Encore release August 28, 2018.
Encore release May 21, 2017.
We'd barely shouted "Happy New Year!" when 2012's first religious controversy reared its ugly head. In this case, Cee Lo Green changed the lyrics to John Lennon's classic "Imagine" during the NBC broadcast.
Tim Tebow has been catching a lot of flak lately over his pious kneeling on the football field. The Baltimore Ravens' Terrell Suggs has mocked him; Bill Maher has posted insulting tweets; and Saturday Night Live took a good-natured jab at how much Tebow loves him some Jesus.
Not everyone is amused at the Tebowing blowback, including CBN host Pat Robertson, who decries the anti-Christian bigotry that's run amok in America.
And Pat Robertson knows what he's talking about. Why, God Himself has been talking to Robertson, sharing with him (among other things) secret knowledge of who's going to win the 2012 presidential election.
Finally, we take a look at the latest overblown "medical miracle" touted by the mainstream media. In this case, college student Sam Schmid miraculously emerged from his coma as he was being readied for organ donation. Only, he wasn't being readied for organ donation, and the miracle occurred because of the best efforts of a world-renowned neurologist who thought the boy would make it.
CONTACT
Visit our blog at AmericanFreethought.com.
Visit the podcast at AmericanFreethought.LibSyn.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes page.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you'd like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to editor@scifidimensions.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
December 20, 2011. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release December 20, 2011.
Encore release August 27, 2018.
Encore release May 20, 2017.
We mourn the death of journalist and activist Christopher Hitchens, who died December 15th after a long battle with cancer. We'll read from some of his recent work, share our favorite stories and Hitch quotes, and read what others are saying about him.
CONTACT
Visit our blog at AmericanFreethought.com.
Visit the podcast at AmericanFreethought.LibSyn.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes page.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you'd like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to editor@scifidimensions.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
December 20, 2011. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release December 10, 2011.
Encore release August 26, 2018.
Encore release May 19, 2017.
Rick Perry plays the homophobia card in his latest TV advertisement.
Holiday displays in Leesburg, Virginia stir a free speech controversy
The co-discoverer of a new earth-like world wants to call it the "Christmas planet."
The wife of Eddie Long ("Bishop" of Atlanta-based New Missionary Baptist Church) has filed for divorce. Meanwhile, Long has gone on hiatus from the pulpit.
A woman claims she was imprisoned for over a decade on a Scientology cruise ship.
Finally, researchers at the University of British Columbia have published a paper showing that religious folk distrust atheists as much as rapists.
CONTACT
Visit our blog at AmericanFreethought.com.
Visit the podcast at AmericanFreethought.LibSyn.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes page.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you'd like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to editor@scifidimensions.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
December 10, 2011. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release November 30, 2011.
Encore release August 25, 2018.
Encore release May 18, 2017.
Critics of Barack Obama take the president to task for not having enough god-talk in his annual Thanksgiving message.
Not so much a War on Christmas as a Theocratic Beachhead Established over the Christmas Break: Georgia Republican Senator Bill Heath submitted a bill on November 15th to make the national motto ("In God We Trust") mandatory on all state license plates. If they want to cover it up, motorists can purchase a sticker with their county's name for an extra dollar.
Over Thanksgiving weekend, the Pope addressed a delegation of US bishops to say that child molestation isn't just a Catholic problem--it's a societal problem.
Finally, we share our Top Five Holiday Gift Suggestions for Nonbelievers:
David's picks:
-
The Faith Healers by James Randi, Inside Scientology by Janet Reitman, or any number of freethought-related books.
-
A Kindle, because portable freethought has never been so easy.
-
Membership in the new Atheist Alliance of America
-
DVD of the recent AAA convention, including Christopher Hitchens' Richard Dawkins Award acceptance speech (when it's available).
-
Flying Spaghetti Monster merch.
John's picks:
-
Arguably: Essays by Christopher Hitchens.
-
Stocking stuffers from Unemployed Philosopher's Guild.
-
Books about 19th century fossil hunter Mary Anning: The Fossil Hunter by Shelley Emling, Remarkable Creatures by Tracey Chevalier, and Curiosity by Joan Thomas.
-
Trip to the Reason Rally and the American Atheists convention in March 2012.
-
The Life an Morals of Jesus of Nazareth by Thomas Jefferson (aka "The Jefferson Bible")
[Amazing high-speed photography by Alan Sailer]
CONTACT
Visit our blog at AmericanFreethought.com.
Visit the podcast at AmericanFreethought.LibSyn.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes page.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you'd like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to editor@scifidimensions.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
November 20, 2011. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release November 20, 2011.
Encore release August 24, 2018.
Encore release May 17, 2017.
We interview Sean Faircloth, author of Attack of the Theocrats: How the Religious Right Harms Us All and What We Can Do about It. Sean was formerly Executive Director of the Secular Coalition for America, but recently accepted the position of Director of Strategy and Policy for the Richard Dawkins Foundation.
CONTACT
Visit our blog at AmericanFreethought.com.
Visit the podcast at AmericanFreethought.LibSyn.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes page.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you'd like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to editor@scifidimensions.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
November 20, 2011. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release November 9, 2011.
Encore release August 23, 2018.
Encore release May 16, 2017.
PLEASE NOTE our new podcast feed:
http://americanfreethought.libsyn.com/rss
Our new iTunes link:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/american-freethought-podcast/id478593934
Due to a capacity issue with the blog host, we've moved the podcast to the Liberated Syndication service. You'll need to ditch your existing podcast subscription and resubscribe to the new one. Most of the older episodes will be unavailable (at least for a while). Our apologies for the inconvenience.
We interview American Atheists president David Silverman, who provides an update on the upcoming Reason Rally (March 24, 2012 on the National Mall), as well as the recent court rulings on the Utah crosses (we won) and Kentucky Homeland Security (we lost...for now). For more about American Atheists visit atheists.org. For more on the Reason Rally visit reasonrally.org.
CONTACT
Visit our blog at AmericanFreethought.com.
Visit the podcast at AmericanFreethought.LibSyn.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes page.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you'd like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to editor@scifidimensions.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release October 25, 2011.
Encore release August 22, 2018.
Encore release May 15, 2017.
We interview documentary filmmaker Vic Losick about his new movie In God We Teach, which explores the recent controversy involving Kearny, New Jersey public school student Matthew LaClair, who secretly recorded history teacher David Paszkiewicz and his fundamentalist Christian rants. The Kearny Incident became a cause célèbre with church-state separationists as well as Christian Nation boosters (although for totally different reasons). See the film and decide for yourself who won.
In God We Teach will be playing on Tuesday, November 1st at the Newseum in Washington, DC. Vic Losick will be there, of course, and American Freethought's David Driscoll will be in attendance. Tickets are free, but you do have to RSVP. Contact Ashley Hamilton at ahamilton@freedomforum.org or (202) 292-6288 to secure a seat.
For more on the film visit InGodWeTeach.com. For more on Vic Losick visit VicLosick.com.
CONTACT
Visit us online at AmericanFreethought.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes page.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you'd like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to editor@scifidimensions.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
October 25, 2011. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Encore release August 21, 2018.
Encore release May 14, 2017.
We interview philosopher Alex Rosenberg, author of The Atheist's Guide to Reality: Enjoying Life without Illusions, an examination of the philosophical, ethical and social consequences of a clear understanding of scientific reality. For more about Alex visit his official website duke.edu/~alexrose.
And in local (for David Driscoll) news, an early volley has been fired in the annual War on Christmas. The Leesburg, Virginia city council has voted 6-to-1 to rename the Holiday Parade the Christmas and Holiday Parade. That'll show those pesky non-Christians.
CONTACT
Visit us online at AmericanFreethought.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes page.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you'd like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to editor@scifidimensions.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
October 17, 2011. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release October 6, 2011.
Encore release August 20, 2018.
Encore release May 13, 2017.
We interview journalist Kathryn Joyce, author of the new Mother Jones article "Horror Stories from Tough-Love Teen Homes," a disturbing exposé of just how bad it can get when homes for troubled kids go unregulated simply because they've slapped a religious label on themselves. Kathryn is also the author of the bookQuiverfull: Inside the Christian Patriarchy Movement.
Jesus or Jail! If you're a first-time non-violent offender, the town of Bay Minette, Alabama has a deal for you: attend one of the local churches for 52 straight weeks, or serve your time and pay your fine. Several secular watchdogs are filing suit.
Galileo was a douchebag. Here John's response to a Catholic priest's claim that "The Galileo Affair was not so much about religion versus superstition as it was about Galileo being kind of a doucebag." (That's a quote.)
Death of an Atheist. You here a lot from religious folk about how there are no atheists in foxholes and that in the face of death nonbelievers cry for help from the Almighty. Don't believe it. Atheists can (and do) die with dignity and can even do good after they're gone.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
John will present "20th Century Twain: Mark Twain's Final Years and Freethought Legacy" to the Alabama Freethought Association, Sunday, October 16th. Join us on the shores of beautiful Lake Hypatia! Social hour starts at 11AM Central, followed by a potluck lunch at noon, and the presentation at 1PM.
CONTACT
Visit us online at AmericanFreethought.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes page.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you'd like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to editor@scifidimensions.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
October 6, 2011. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Released September 11, 2011.
Encore release August 19, 2018.
Encore release May 12, 2017.
As the world observes the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, we talk to GA Tech professor Bob Blaskiewicz about the puzzling longevity of some of the conspiracy theories. Bob has spent considerable time delving into the nature and structure of conspiracy communities, and has just published an article with Skeptical Inquirer titled "You Can't Handle the Truthiness: A Night Out with the 9/11 Truth Community." Bob is active in the Atlanta Skeptics, and is the Chair of the Independent Investigations Group Atlanta (IIG-Atlanta), a research group and public resource for information about the paranormal and extraordinary. Bob is also co-editor of the blog Skeptical Humanities.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
David Driscoll's Secular World podcast(formerly Secular Nation podcast) continues.
CONTACT
Visit us online at AmericanFreethought.com.
Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.)
If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes page.
Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups.
Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com.
If you'd like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to editor@scifidimensions.com. We promise not to spend it on beer.
September 11, 2011. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Original release September 9, 2011.
Encore release August 18, 2018.
Encore release May 11, 2017.
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Encore release August 17, 2018.
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