American Freethought Podcast

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: 5. The Story of God by Chris Matheson 4. A subscription to Skeptic magazine. 3. A charitable donation in your friend of family member's name to the Freedom from Religion Foundation. 2. A trip to France! Show your support and show you're not afraid. 1. Singer

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 atheis

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

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

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

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  h

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 ups