Friendly Atheist Podcast

Ross Blocher is the cohost of Oh No Ross and Carrie. Jessica and Ross discussed some of his recent investigations into Scientology and the frustrating art of talking to Flat Earthers. He also gave us a preview into an upcoming investigation... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gareth Reynolds is the cohost of The Dollop, an American history comedy podcast. Jessica and Gareth discussed understanding the present political climate by understanding history and the changes in the comedy landscape. They also made fun of Jessica's brother a whole lot. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — Sarah Huckabee Sanders says God wanted Donald Trump to be president. (1:05) — Here's how atheists are telling the Supreme Court that a giant public cross is unconstitutional. (7:59) — Kentucky's Christian governor wants Kim Davis to pay her own bigotry fine. (29:08) — An Illinois Republican accidentally told the truth about his "In God We Trust" bill. (36:19) — A Chicago radio host slammed a local pastor for his manipulative ways. (40:59) — Conservatives were angry that a New York Times reporter asked people for their Christian school experiences. (47:56) — Biblical literacy classes might be okay, just not for the reason Trump likes them. (53:15)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — What have we learned about the MAGA hat-wearing kids who were in the middle of a media firestorm? (0:20) — The Trump administration will allow a South Carolina faith-based foster care agency to discriminate against non-Christians using taxpayer funding. (19:30) — The definition of "domestic violence" has changed, for some reason, under the Trump administration. (24:02) — A Virginia legislator voted against the Equal Rights Amendment because God already says men and women are equal. (27:25) — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez appeared on a Twitch livestream and helped raise $340,000 for a trans rights charity. (35:30) — Conan O'Brien had an optimistic take on what could be a very depressing thought. (42:32) — How do we fund Donald Trump's border wall? One Arizona legislator wants to issue a tax on adult content online. (48:00) — Being a virgin, like everything else, is no excuse to commit a mass shooting. (54:33) — A Mormon gay conversion therapist says he wants to date men. (55:44) — A judge ruled against a lesbian couple who were rejected from a faith-based retirement home. (1:01:20)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jesse Thorn is the owner of the Maximum Fun podcast network, an journalist with NPR, and a podcast host. Jessica and Jesse discussed how comedy and comedians have changed in recent years, the role of kindness in skepticism, and his truly delightful anecdote about Maya Angelou. Also he made fun of 16" softball which is basically a crime against Chicagoans. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — Second Lady Karen Pence is working at an anti-LGBTQ Christian school. (5:20) — A study finds that more than half of young transgender men attempt suicide. (20:15) — North Dakota may finally repeal the last of its Blue Laws. (23:08) — An Indiana legislator wants Creationism taught in the classroom, again. (26:30) — A Christian hate group is furious that gay parents are on the cover of Parents magazine. (29:10) — Christian radio host Jesse Lee Peterson lashed out against several female freshmen Democrats for the worst reasons. (32:45) — Former World Series MVP and outspoken Christian John Wetteland has been charged with the worst sort of crime. (35:50) — Michael Cohen paid a Liberty University IT guy to rig polls for Donald Trump in 2016. (40:05) — Jenny McCarthy is a global health threat. (42:38) — A crucified Ronald McDonald is the subject of protests outside an Israeli art museum. (46:00) — A pastor who said Caitlin Jenner was "still a man" no longer has a job. (47:28) — 41% of Republicans would be very uncomfortable with a female president. Because of course they would. (48:50)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — Congressional Freethought Caucus co-chair Rep. Jamie Raskin said the GOP is "operating like a religious cult." (5:30) — Canada has granted asylum to the Saudi woman trying to escape her religious parents. (7:41) — Catholics trust clergy members less than ever before. (14:20) — The historical phrase "CE" is upsetting British Christians. (17:17) — States are already pushing for mandatory Bible classes in public high schools. (21:25) — Liberty Counsel is furious that an anti-lynching bill includes protection for LGBTQ people. (29:05) — Hate-Pastor Donnie Romero has resigned from his church after admitting multiple sins (but he insists he still hates gay people). (33:36) — The Dutch version of the anti-LGBTQ Nashville Statement has pro-LGBTQ secular competition. (39:10) — Pat Robertson doesn't understand how internet searches work. (42:42)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — The religious makeup of the new Congress and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema's oath of office. (1:47) — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez can dance and conservatives are furious. (25:28) — Rep. Rashida Tlaib told a crowd the Democratic House would ITMFA. (31:30) — What Sen. Elizabeth Warren's presidential campaign could mean. (35:40) — Preacher John Piper wants you to "marry your Bible" this year. (39:12) — Female Mormon missionaries can wear pants now. (41:02) — Jerry Falwell, Jr. said there's nothing Donald Trump can do to lose the support of evangelical leaders. (45:46) — An experiment to lure Jewish families to Alabama for $50,000 per family didn't work. (50:55)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this podcast, Jessica and I discussed the past year in news! We covered a whole variety of topics, going month by month, so feel free to jump around and listen in at any point! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — The Catholic Church in IL didn't disclose allegations against more than 500 priests. (1:42) — The Christian Right's Project Blitz is getting bigger in 2019. (10:58) — After a teenager died of suicide, a Catholic priest condemned his actions during the funeral. (25:16) — An Illinois school modified its graduation speech policy in order to permit Christian preaching. (34:53) — There's a new album designed for Christians to play when they're making love. (41:27) — Trust in clergy is at an all-time low. (44:52) — A Miami church just got hit with a $7 million tax bill. (49:10) — What podcasts would you recommend to a listener? (54:06)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — Pastor John Gray, after denouncing "pulpit pimps," gave his wife a $200,000 car. (0:30) — There's a financial scam that the Catholic Church says it has nothing to do with. How can anyone tell which one's the scam? (6:59) — A bishop said women who are sexually assaulted probably did something to deserve it. (10:15) — The Supreme Court's Trinity Lutheran decision is the basis for two conflicting legal battles. (14:30) — Southern Baptists finally acknowledged their racist past. What about their bigoted present? (23:05) — The Trump administration is cracking down on research that uses fetal tissues even if it could help treat HIV. (29:00) — The child of atheist parents was discriminated against by her school, said a human rights tribunal, but her parents are still jerks. (32:55) — There are sex advice message boards for abstinence-preaching conservative Christians. (42:52) — A new poll finds that atheism isn't a political liability in certain situations. (47:29) — A Christian author who said atheism and morality didn't go together was caught having an affair. This is old news (sorry!) but a link about it is here. (53:40)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — How seriously should we take the allegations against Neil deGrasse Tyson? (1:14) — Was a pastor who gave cash back to his congregation being generous? (28:45) — A Lutheran pastor wants to melt down purity rings and turn them into a golden vagina. (36:45) — How does a doctorate in End Times theology even work? (42:30) — A psychic was arrested for scamming a woman out of $12,000.(48:30) — Was a substitute teacher wrong to tell children Santa isn't real? (53:28)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — Who deserves the blame for missionary John Chau's death? (1:49) — Celine Dion's new gender-neutral clothing line is apparently demonic. (19:04) — When you say life begins at conception, people are bound to try and use that to their advantage. (24:24) — Sending prayers after a tragedy decreases the amount you give to victims, according to a new study. (28:10) — An Arkansas state senator wants legislators across the country to join his Christian legislator club. (32:05) — Hijabs should be allowed on the floor of Congress, but the proposed rule change doesn't go far enough. (36:44) — Hemant reflects on his FOX News segment. (40:52) — A Dutch church is conducting non-stop services to protect a family from being deported. (55:23) — An Australian wedding magazine run by a Christian couple shut down after advertisers fled due to their anti-gay policy. (56:48)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Andrew Copson is the Chief Executive of Humanists UK, formerly known as the British Humanist Association, as well as the current President of the International Humanist and Ethical Union. He also studied Classics and Ancient and Modern History at the University of Oxford. His new book is called Secularism and it's a primer on the history of the philosophy, what it means today, and how it offers a solution to some of the biggest conflicts in the world. We spoke about the difference between secular and atheistic nations, the biggest threats to secularism around the world, and why even religious people ought to support a secular society. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — Wentzville, Missouri will pay the price for trying to silence an atheist who criticized their "In God We Trust" sign. (0:58) — A white Kansas county commissioner told a black woman that he belonged to the "master race." (4:35) — Ricky Gervais and Stephen Colbert talked about religion once again, and it's a joy to watch. (9:43) — A 19-year-old progressive woman was elected to the New Hampshire State House. She ran after a sitting official insulted her. (12:00) — The conservative lawyers in a major church/state separation case aren't getting all the money they wanted because the judge said they're greedy. (15:40) — Kentucky's governor is blaming mass shootings on zombies and abortions. (24:48) — An awful video game lets you shoot LGBTQ people. (27:52) — This Christian ministry's contract with a public school district is bananas. (31:12) — Zayn Malik of One Direction says he's not a Muslim. (40:19) — Some Republicans in a Texas county want to oust a local leader because he's Muslim. (44:04) — People did not like these rainbow poppies on Remembrance Day. (49:38) — After an anti-gay Christian burned LGBTQ library books, an atheist raised over $1,000 to replace them. (53:37) — Why doesn't the media cover religion with more skepticism? (57:00)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — Atheism, politics, and the consequences of the midterm elections! We discussed canvassing for a great candidate, the atheists who were elected, and what the GOP Senate majority could do to the courts. (1:00) — The anti-gay county clerk from Kentucky, Kim Davis, is now out of a job having lost her re-election bid. (39:08) — The Trump administration wants to make it even harder for women to obtain birth control. (45:15) — The mother of a mass shooting victim says she doesn't want anyone's thoughts and prayers. She just wants gun control. (48:40) — Michelle Obama conceived her daughters through IVF. (51:07) — Here's a FOX News story you may enjoy. (53:07) — Hemant will be speaking in St. Louis, Missouri on Sunday night! It's free. Come! (58:00) — Students at a high school outside of Chicago were sent swastikas on their phones. (59:20)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — Kellyanne Conway blamed the synagogue shooting on anti-religiosity, not anti-Semitism. (3:04) — Don't invite a Jews for Jesus rabbi to speak after a mass shooting of Jewish people. (10:32) — Muslims covered the funeral expenses for victims of anti-Semitic mass shooting. (16:35) — Did the University of Utah properly handle the death of a student? (19:05) — Don't ever go to a gynecologist who does this. (21:30) — The Pakistani Supreme Court overturned a death sentence for Asia Bibi. Will she be safe? (23:50) — A Washington State Rep. wrote "Biblical Basis for War" manifesto. (29:50) — Attorney Michael Avenatti may run for president as the Great White Democratic Hope. (33:22) — Some young evangelicals are realizing Democrats practice what Christians preach. (36:40) — In Alberta, a patient had to discuss end of life care on the sidewalk because a Catholic hospital wouldn't allow it inside. (43:20) — A Catholic bishop allegedly told kids that Santa doesn't exist. (47:44)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — Tasmania may remove gender from birth certificates. (3:55) — The Trump administration may revoke legal protections for transgender people. (8:35) — Ark Encounter attendance is still dropping faster than ever. (18:18) — Astrological chapstick is now a thing. (20:37) — The Museum of the Bible realized five of its Dead Sea Scrolls are fake. Who wants to tell them? (22:47) — If the Australian prime minister apologized for abuses in the Catholic Church, does it matter? (29:38) — Anti-vaxxers got Arizona to scrap its vaccine education program. (35:55) — Should anyone accept Caitlyn Jenner‚Äòs apology for supporting Donald Trump despite his actions against transgender people? (41:36) — Most evangelicals don't understand their core beliefs, according to a new survey. (51:28) — A rabbi wants people to avoid online ordination for weddings. He doesn't get the problem with that. (1:09:03) — This pastor thinks Ruth Bader Ginsburg should be executed for treason. (1:17:09) — Is it okay for parents to swear around their children? (1:19:36) — How do you meet atheists when you're new in town? (1:20:21)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — A Catholic pharmacist wouldn't give a woman the medicine she needed to abort a miscarriage. (2:35) — Christian videographers want the right to discriminate against gay customers and it may go to the Supreme Court. (10:48) — Republicans are rushing to confirm an enemy of church/state separation before Democrats can weigh in. (21:12) — Stephen Hawking is adamant about his atheism in his final book. (30:42) — Donald Trump said he has a "natural instinct" for science, a comment which shows he doesn't understand science. (34:30) — There's a "grueling" exam for astrologers. I guess you fail by taking it. (37:02) — Christian author says rape doesn't count if the woman doesn't scream. Again. (42:52) — An anti-gay former fire chief in Atlanta got $1.2 million in settlement. (49:15) — 90% of Goop wellness products are not supported by science. (57:43) — Can you be a bad atheist? (1:02:07) — How can we stay optimistic in a depressing world? (1:07:59)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — Atheist charity Nonbelief Relief just had its tax exemption revoked by the IRS‚ arguably on purpose. The group says this amounts to religious discrimination by the government. (0:45) — Here are the major church/state separation cases in front of the Supreme Court that Brett Kavanaugh could soon be ruling on. (11:55) — Secular Democrats are among the most enthusiastic about the midterms. But will that mean votes? (18:38) — Mike Huckabee thinks Taylor Swift's endorsement for Democrats won't matter. As usual, he's wrong. (22:45) — The Mormon president said women should take a 10-day social media "fast" right before the election. (27:24) — The new Quebec premier says a large crucifix in the National Assembly isn't a religious symbol at all. (32:36) — Want an important take on the #MeToo movement? Don't ask North Dakota GOP Senate candidate Kevin Cramer. (35:41) — A group representing Catholic moms released a video supporting Kavanaugh that was all about how false allegations could happen to the men in your lives. (41:41) — The UK Supreme Court just ruled in favor of Christian bakers who didn't want to bake a cake for a gay customer. But this could backfire on Christians. (44:02) — Teachers at a middle school couldn't decide what to do with a trans student during a lockdown drill. Thank goodness it was only a drill. (49:02) — Matthew Shepard will finally have a resting place nearly two decades after a hate crime took his life. (51:23) — When are government officials (including teachers) allowed to wear religious symbols? (55:42)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — Tucker Carlson says the Brett Kavanaugh backlash is due to an atheist "theocracy." (4:40) — Does Purity Culture explain why evangelical women still support Brett Kavanaugh? (11:06) — Former Southern Baptist leader Paige Patterson is teaching a class on ethics for some reason. (14:58) — Even Catholics are getting sick of Pope Francis. (19:52) — In a letter, Albert Einstein called God a "product of human weakness." (24:41) — Ark Encounter does not make for an educational (or legal) field trip. (26:40) — The "Nones" believe a lot of New Age nonsense. (30:02) — The Jenga approach to religion. (34:17) — Irish schools have an awful track record when it comes to religion. (37:55) — The Trump administration will end visas for unmarried gay partners of diplomats. (41:48) — Is "freethought" a good word for atheists to use? (47:30)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — Even if Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, half of evangelicals wouldn't care. (1:30) — A Jesuit publication rescinded its endorsement of Kavanaugh. (11:25) — The question to Kavanaugh from Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) about God was inappropriate. (15:49) — A Kentucky city council member is holding a school district hostage unless they take back their support of church/state separation. (18:20) — The Pennsylvania House passed a bill that would create a new two-year window for child sex abuse victims to sue their abusers. (23:56) — Preacher John Piper says Christians shouldn't attend the weddings of couples who don't feel bad for having pre-marital sex. (28:53) — The Texas attorney general says students cannot "unilaterally refuse" to say the Pledge. A 1943 Supreme Court ruling says otherwise. (32:40) — NPR's Terry Gross is not anti-Christian. (37:46) — The Congressional Freethought Caucus is growing! (40:30) — Listener mail: Why do we talk about LGBTQ issues so much on an atheist podcast? And why will Hemant be the first one destroyed in the Zombie Apocalypse? (42:46)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — White evangelicals say we shouldn't listen to Brett Kavanaugh's accuser unless there were 2-3 witnesses because the Bible says so, and that he was respectful after she said no. (0:35) — A man who strangled a woman received no jail time. (26:35) — A Louisiana congressman claims atheists are spying on students in one high school. (29:42) — An art gallery owner found a clever way to get church members to stop parking in his spaces. (34:11) — Three pastors tried banning books from a library's Banned Books display. (35:52) — An Indian court found a great reason to reject a blasphemy complaint. (43:12) — This is a remarkably tone-deaf ad, even for the GOP. (46:00) — The Mormon Church excommunicated a man who was trying to protect children. (53:34) — A former GOP state senator and Trump supporter was sentenced to 15 years in jail for child sex trafficking. (57:12) — Should taxpayers be funding church renovations? The Supreme Court may get to weigh in on that. (59:45) — How can you criticize minority religions without being called "Islamophobic" or anti-Semitic? (1:07:58)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — This is a great way to respond to an anti-abortion protest outside a high school. (0:45) — A 9-year-old girl protesting the National Anthem in Australia. And she has a good point. (6:20) — Republican candidates' old videos are catching up to them in their races. (11:36) — What is causing Hurricane Florence? These Christians have all the (wrong) ideas. (24:35) — Here's the biggest problem with the atheist character on God Friended Me. (30:23) — Should pro-Christian advertisements be allowed on high school football fields? (38:39) — North Carolina Republicans shelved scientists' recommendations about dealing with rising sea levels. (44:12) — A Christian college won't let a student finish his degree because he's openly gay. (47:45) — Pope Francis referred to The Great Accuser (Satan) when discussing the sex abuse scandal. (53:25) — Should you pay money to see a psychic even if you know it's not real? (1:02:28)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — These Christians are threatening to follow the law if they don't get to pray over the loudspeakers before football games. (2:20) — A new book talks about the harm of the evangelical "purity" movement. (7:53) — Several states are launching their own investigations into the Catholic Church. (17:37) — Researchers calculated how much money victims of Catholic Church abuse lose over their lifetimes. (22:18) — A Mexican cardinal says victims of the Catholic Church sex abuse scandal have their own skeletons and should shut up. (28:55) — Sinéad O'Connor deserves all the apologies for calling out Catholic Church abuse long before it was a news story. (31:09) — A Christian school has banned all Nike products for athletes after the Colin Kaepernick ad. (37:20) — A bunch of evangelical Christians released a statement denouncing social justice activism. (45:55) — A Texas pastor sexually assaulted a teen in church. Is the church handling the situation properly? (58:53) — American Atheists has a new president. Here's what he should focus on. (1:03:34) — Is it fair to question Serena Williams about her Jehovah's Witness beliefs? (1:25:38)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — Donald Trump held a dinner party for conservative Christian leaders, screwed up a quotation, and urged pastors to tell their congregations how to vote. (6:22) — The Pope's visit to Ireland was not nearly as popular as organizers expected. (13:51) — A critic of the Pope says he knew about the abuse and did nothing but the messenger has problems of his own. (18:02) — Louis CK is performing again - what does that say about #MeToo? (27:35) — A critic of Mormon "masturbation interviews" is being threatened with excommunication. 32:34) — Who installed a Scientology kiosk in a Hollywood police station? (40:45) — A girl was stabbed at a high school after rejecting a boy's advances. (44:25) — A 9-year-old boy killed himself after being bullied for being gay. (46:49) — 97-year-old televangelist Ernest Angley is being sued for all kinds of creepy abuse. (48:57) — Russian bots wanted to increase hostilities on both sides of the vaccine "debate." (56:09) — A preacher who went viral for speaking in tongues now says we weren't meant to see that. (57:44) — Forget the "Nones." Say hello to the "Solidly Seculars." (1:02:24) — How many victims of the Catholic Church do we not know about? (1:12:50)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.— Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) used Christianity to cover up his campaign finance fraud. (2:55)— The Catholic Church has spent millions of dollars in New York lobbying against bills that would let victims of child sex abuse seek justice. (7:50)— Good news! Claiming to have flown in an alien spaceship is no longer a dealbreaker to get an endorsement from the Miami Herald. (11:50)— Christine Hallquist, a trans woman, is the Democratic nominee for governor in Vermont! (16:55)— A conservative legal group is furious that Hawaii asked non-profits to play by the rules this election season. (18:58)— An Arkansas school district did not like the contextualized "In God We Trust" poster offered to them by American Atheists. (23:25)— Surprise: HPV vaccines aren't bad for you! (28:23)— A young Mormon woman dumped her fiancé after she realized he watched porn. (33:38)— The Christian family that handles snakes in church can't stop getting bitten by snakes for some reason. (43:30)— Rose McGowan goes from hero to ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ in a recent #MeToo story. (47:14)— The former head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was charged with forcible touching. (50:37)— Hemant will be in Portland, Oregon on Friday, August 31 for a free conversation about religion with a Christian apologist. Expect all the fireworks! (51:39)— Thanks to our Patreon supporters! (52:15)— Is Donald Trump the first atheist president in history? (52:43)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — The grand jury's report on the child sex abuse in six Pennsylvania Catholic dioceses and it's the most disturbing stuff you'll ever hear. (0:35 with details at 5:15) — The Catholic League's Bill Donohue, as usual, is downplaying the seriousness of the allegations against priests. (24:10) — Mormons don't want to be called Mormons anymore. (37:55) — The Christian baker who famously refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple is back in the news for not wanting to make a birthday cake for a trans woman. (40:05) — Amidst a sex scandal involving its founder, Willow Creek paid out millions of dollars to settle cases involving a volunteer allegedly abusing two special needs kids. (43:55) — Pat Robertson told a grieving mother who worried about her daughter getting molested to "get over it." (45:25) — Liberty University won't let student journalists do any actual journalism. (47:45) — A Catholic school has, again, kicked out a beloved staff for being gay-married. (54:20) — A Michigan Democrat is on the verge of becoming the first Muslim woman in Congress. (59:25) — Hemant's speaking with a Christian apologist in Portland on August 31. (1:01:15)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — The rest of Willow Creek church's leadership resigned over the Bill Hybels scandal. (0:28) — Brock Turner lost his appeal to overturn a sexual assault conviction. (16:14) — A one-minute video promoting animal rights was too controversial for a Southern Baptist group. (20:40) — An anti-abortion pamphlet was found inside a box of diapers. (28:30) — An Atlanta charter school tried to avoid a Pledge of Allegiance controversy only to get embroiled in a Pledge of Allegiance controversy. (32:25) — A Tokyo medical school changed test scores to purposely exclude women for years. (37:28) — Why are people abandoning religion? Not believing in God isn't the #1 reason. (42:10) — Arkansas State Sen. Jason Rapert is rewriting history and blame atheists for wrecking his Ten Commandments monument. (52:10)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — Willow Creek megachurch's founder Bill Hybels has now been accused of sexually harassing his assistant decades ago, and the lead pastor quit as a result. (2:15) — Jeff Sessions' "Religious Freedom Task Force" is just a government program to help conservative Christians discriminate against groups they hate. (18:09) — Child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church would stop if only seminaries required applicants to abstain from lust or masturbation for a year, says priest. (23:55) — Cosmologist Lawrence Krauss no longer has his top science job at Arizona State after an investigation found that he groped a woman at a conference. But he's still on the school's payroll. (28:58) — Want to volunteer with Franklin Graham's Samaritan's Purse group to help with California wildfire relief efforts? You need to be anti-gay first. (36:44) — There can be no compromise between LGBTQ Americans and conservative Christians. (41:59) — Move over, bananas. Atheists have a new worst nightmare: Broccoli. (50:43) — Pope Francis says the death penalty is never okay. Hallelujah! (55:02) — A Mormon woman couldn't get a Temple Recommend because she breastfed her baby in church. (1:04:27)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. -- 50 years ago, the pope said birth control was immoral. (1:15) -- Did you know Gwyneth Paltrow hired a fact checker for Goop? (9:40) -- This 11-year-old college grad wants to pursue astrophysics so he can prove God's existence. (19:44) -- Computer models could help us understand the future of religion. (30:25) -- A Republican candidate for office thinks the Founding Fathers put "One Nation Under God" in the Pledge... which wasn't written until after they all died. (45:35) -- Two South Asian atheists face blasphemy charges in their countries. One's currently filming a reality show. (56:25) -- This alternative Ten Commandments is incredible. (1:02:20) -- We answer a question about whether or not to show off your shoulders in a very Mormon part of Utah. (1:07:17)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. -- Republicans just passed another bill to repeal the Johnson Amendment. (0:22) -- If you're running for governor, don't belittle someone who asks a good question about climate change. (6:35) -- Russian spy Mariia Butina infiltrated the government via the National Prayer Breakfast. (12:25) -- Science denier Jenny McCarthy has solid verifiable proof that a ghost is in her house. There's even video! (25:45) -- Why a gay Catholic could help end the blood donation ban on gay men. (29:15) -- Richard Dawkins doesn't like the sound of Muslim prayers. Should we be offended? (40:05) -- White evangelicals don't like that America is becoming less white. (55:26) -- An Alabama county commissioner with the endorsement of Jesus lost her election. (59:20) -- Darla Shine, wife of the new Trump administration appointee, thinks women are just asking for harassment if they join the military. (1:02:17) -- House Republicans passed a bill effectively allowing anti-gay discrimination at adoption agencies. (1:04:19) -- Ken Ham's merry band of Creationists tried explaining the discovery of a new planet, since it violates their beliefs. (1:10:45) -- The Humanist Legal Society, an atheist response to the Federalist Society, just launched. (1:16:04)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. -- The new Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, the one right-wing group that opposed him (temporarily), and his claim that church/state separation is "based on bad history." (0:30) -- This is why it's a problem believing communion wafers are the literal body of Christ. (20:14) -- Apparently you're not a real man unless you have a first-born son. (25:29) -- Kentucky can't decide if religious license plates should be allowed because atheists would get to have them. (27:44) -- Donald Trump's spiritual adviser Pastor Paula White says (wrongly) Jesus never broke the law. (33:00) -- A judge ruled against the least offensive atheist bus ad ever. (38:09) -- What did you do, Papa John? (43:47) -- The studio behind God's Not Dead wants to make a movie about the Thai kids trapped in a cave. (46:53) -- The Center For Inquiry is suing CVS for selling homeopathic medicine in misleading ways. (52:40) -- Australia is punishing parents who don't vaccinate their kids. Good. (57:52) -- The UK government is planning on banning gay conversion therapy. (1:01:10) -- A 12-year-old girl is working to bring a Pride parade to Buffalo Grove, Illinois. (1:04:20)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. -- Is Ark Encounter lying about attendance again? (0:39) -- A Republican congressional candidate thinks women are best described as "helpers." (15:52) -- What does Scott Pruitt's resignation letter say about God? (26:22) -- The man who destroyed the Ten Commandments monument in Arkansas doesn't regret it. (30:40) -- In Virginia, a new city council was sworn in... and they got rid of prayer. (36:21) -- A priest conducting a funeral went crazy after someone bumped into a chalice. (39:30) -- Judge Amy Coney Barrett, a potential Supreme Court pick, has a church/state separation problem. (43:58) -- Southern Baptist donors are furious that a seminary fired Paige Patterson, a man who downplayed or ignored sexual abuse. (58:22) -- This church protested Donald Trump's immigration policy by locking the Holy Family up in a cage. (1:02:37) -- There's a cultural vacuum in Trump's White House. (1:04:37) -- The issue of government-led prayer is in chaos because of the Supreme Court. (1:10:26) -- Don't get suckered in by Christians saying "I'm sorry" at a Pride parade. (1:21:30) -- The new season of the StartUp podcast is looking at a church plant. (1:31:08) -- We've got listener mail! (1:33:10)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In January, Jessica found out her brother Kevin was reading a book about the Satanic Panic and she thought it would be fun to sit down and have him walk her through the ins and outs of that era. They recorded in February. They had technical issues and had to scrap it. They tried again in April. It went very poorly. They scrapped it. But, third time's a charm, and so now we present to you "The Bluemke Sibling Dollop Tribute Journey Through the Satanic Panic." Notes: This podcast is a hat tip to The Dollop, a favorite American History comedy podcast hosted by Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds. (We suggest starting with Episode 2: Purity Balls if you enjoy the FA Podcast.) Kevin's sources are from Satanic Panic: Pop-Cultural Paranoia in the 1980s edited by Kier-La Janisse and Paul Corupe. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. -- What does Anthony Kennedy's retirement mean for church/state separation? (1:05) -- The Supreme Court banning abortion will backfire on evangelicals. (18:25) -- A Walgreens pharmacist refused to fill a prescription for a woman who miscarried. (32:00) -- Your thoughts and prayers alone won't help the victims in Annapolis, Maryland. (37:50) -- The American Family Association thinks a man spying on women in a Target dressing room is a good reason Target should ban trans people from using the right bathroom. (43:50) -- Joel Davis, a man who fought to stop sexual violence, has been charged with committing sexual exploitation against children. (51:50) -- El Al, Israeli's national airline, vows to kick off ultra-Orthodox Jews who refuse to sit in seats next to women. (54:20) -- The GOP's tax bill accidentally hurt churches. (57:42)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. -- Should Catholic Church confessionals about child abuse be reported to the cops? (2:01) -- Apparently, Australia doesn't exist. (9:45) -- Two Christian women released a marriage checklist. It's disturbing. (13:14) -- In Alberta, religious schools want the ability to "out" members of Gay-Straight Alliances to their parents. (26:00) -- PA State Rep. Brian Sims had a one-finger salute for Mike Pence. (36:27) -- "Hot Dog Water" isn't a thing. But people are buying it. (39:13) -- Focus on the Family doesn't care about families being ripped apart by Donald Trump. (43:05) -- Country musician Rory Feek accepted his gay daughter's marriage. Now Christian bookstores won't sell his memoir. (45:54) -- Gwyneth Paltrow's GOOP tried to get more scientific... and failed. (53:36) -- The governor of Texas promised a dying boy that he would ban abortion completely. (59:26) -- Attorney General Jeff Sessions was accused of immigrant child abuse by 600 members of his own religion. (1:07:13) -- Muslim reformer Maajid Nawaz won a huge settlement from the Southern Poverty Law Center (yay!) and the Religious Right is using it to their advantage (boo). (1:14:45) -- Can you separate art from the artist? (1:27:03)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. -- The Trump administration is using Bible verses to justify tearing children away from their parents. (1:29) -- Canada's Supreme Court says legal societies can reject the accreditation of an anti-gay Christian law school. (14:52) -- Abortion: Why won't anyone think of the men? (28:14) -- A Christian Right group plans to spend $20 million for the upcoming midterms. How will you respond? (40:42) -- A study says religious people live several years longer than atheists. Don't believe it. (50:09) -- These cities are in danger of outbreaks due to parents not vaccinating their kids. (58:30) -- Ireland has set a date for a referendum to overturn the law banning blasphemy. (1:02:12) -- Another Bangladeshi atheist was murdered. (1:08:38) -- Why would a UK legislator block this bill? (1:13:25) -- We got mail! (1:16:34)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this bonus episode, Hemant spoke with David Ellis Dickerson. He's a writer mostly known for his many appearances on "This American Life," telling stories about growing up a conservative Christian in Tucson, Arizona. In 2013, he became an Emmy-nominated game show writer for his work on the Christian game show "The American Bible Challenge," which aired on the Game Show Network and can now be seen on Netflix. We spoke about how our paths inadvertently crossed about a decade ago, how an atheist gets a job writing for a Christian game show, and what "SEX DUO" has to do with the Bible. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. -- The Catholic League's Bill Donohue is already using Anthony Bourdain's suicide to celebrate himself. (0:50) -- The Masterpiece Cakeshop decision was the worst of all possible worlds for conservative Christians, even though they won. (12:08) -- Does a Muslim beautician have the legal right to tell a trans woman she won't wax her private parts? (23:44) -- A Texas church's list of dangerous "isms" includes Judaism and atheism, but not racism and sexism. (31:23) -- What is up with college professors who commit acts of sexual misconduct against students? (35:45) -- CrossFit fired a high-ranking employee for his anti-LGBTQ rhetoric on Twitter. (44:52) -- Dr. Oz is promoting astrology again. (49:37) -- Did an Ethiopian pastor get fatally attacked by a crocodile during a baptism? (59:24) -- TV tattoo artist Kat Von D will not be vaccinating her baby. (1:05:45) -- Denmark's burqa ban is a big mistake. (1:11:59) -- This ex-lesbian wants Christian women to avoid the #MeToo movement. (1:17:43) -- We got mail! (1:21:50)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. -- Now that abortion will be legal in Ireland, Focus on the Family is lying about what will happen next. (2:54) -- Donald Trump pardoned Dinesh D'Souza because nothing matters anymore. (19:44) -- The Mormon Church is way richer than we thought. (24:15) -- A Republican politician knows why school shootings happen: Kids are buying smut at grocery stores. (33:24) -- Atheists have filed a lawsuit for the right to solemnize marriages in Michigan. (49:48) -- An atheist's lawsuit to get "In God We Trust" off the money has failed again. (55:10) -- An Archdiocese in Minnesota agreed to a $210 million settlement with sex abuse victims. (1:09:45) -- Homeopathic sound files don't cure Ebola. Or anything else. (1:16:29) -- A rant on Roseanne and Samantha Bee. (1:23:17)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Adam Laats is Professor of Education and History (by courtesy) at Binghamton University (State University of New York). He has contributed essays to Education Week, Chronicle of Higher Education, Washington Post, Time, and Newsweek. He blogs about education, history, and culture-war angst at I Love You but You ºre Going to Hell. He is the author, most recently, of Fundamentalist U: Keeping the Faith in American Higher Education. I spoke with him about how fundamentalist Christian colleges handle dissenting views, whether or not they exist in a bubble, and what faculty members debate behind the scenes. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Note from Hemant: I'm out of the country right now, but Jessica and her friend Anne got together to record this episode! They talked about a weird school policy regarding smiling, the new U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem (and why Robert Jeffress and John Hagee were there), and how I (Hemant) got called out by Ken Ham during his news show. (Timestamps will return when I get back home!) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. -- Franklin Graham says Donald Trump's affair with Stormy Daniels is "nobody's business." That's not what he said when Bill Clinton was in office. (3:14) -- The Natural History Museum in Jerusalem is covering up an evolution exhibit so they don't offend ultra-Orthodox Jews. (12:47) -- The 13-year-old "miracle boy" from Alabama, who survived brain trauma, isn't a miracle at all. (14:52) -- Southern Baptist leader Paige Patterson has apologized... kind of. Not really. (20:40) -- The Mormon Church says it'll cut all ties with the Boy Scouts. (34:12) -- Not everyone was happy with the Met Gala theme: "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination." (41:54) -- The rally for gay conversion drew tens of people. (51:45) -- Christian schools often censor student journalists, according to a new survey. (56:40) -- We answer listener mail! (1:03:11)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. -- Paige Patterson, a leader of the Southern Baptists, has horrible advice for abused wives. (0:42) -- The problem with Incels. (17:52) -- A Michigan Catholic school told girls they'd have to wear "Modesty Ponchos" at Prom if they were dressed too sluttily, but they caved after backlash. (31:09) -- We learned about a new fossil that marks a transition between dinosaurs and modern birds. Creationist Ken Ham isn't buying it. (36:45) -- A Pulse nightclub massacre survivor says he's no longer gay because of Jesus. (44:44) -- Mike Pence takes great "joy" in Michelle Wolf's jokes about him. He should've read further on in the Bible. (50:10) -- Iowa has banned abortions after 6 weeks... because they want to get sued over this. (55:24) -- The House Chaplain is back on the job after getting booted. (1:02:11) -- Liberty University is the second largest Christian school in the country. But not by their math. (1:03:41) -- Survey featuring "Islamophobia Index" finds Nones are largely supportive of Muslims' rights. (1:09:10) -- Matt Walsh said something dumb on Twitter about man caves. (1:14:03) -- We answer listener mail! (1:22:00)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. -- The Ten Commandments monument outside the Arkansas Capitol... again. (3:12) -- The Congressional Freethought Caucus has finally formed! (13:13) -- Why did the House chaplain resign? Maybe he deserved to. (24:15) -- There's an open atheist in the NFL once again: The Arizona Cardinals' Josh Rosen. (37:42) -- There's no good reason to prevent your kids from learning about sex education. (41:50) -- A Tennessee school district wants to celebrate Billy Graham Day. No... just no. (59:13) -- GQ says the Bible isn't an essential read. They're right. (1:04:48) -- Oklahoma is on the verge of passing a bill allowing taxpayer-funded adoption agencies to discriminate against gay couples and non-Christians. (1:09:47) -- When FOX News is too tough on you, Donald Trump just goes to Christian television. (1:15:44) -- Jessica has some thoughts on recent mass shootings. (1:19:14) -- We answer listener mail! (1:23:40)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. -- Kent Hovind is advertising his new Creationist theme park using a meme mocking Creationists. (1:41) -- White evangelical Christian support for Donald Trump is at an all-time high. (7:37) -- The frighteningly conservative White House Bible studies being run by Capitol Ministries' Ralph Drollinger. (13:40) -- A Stanford study doesn't really show that the most religious kids do best in school. (17:56) -- Pope Francis lied to a kid about whether or not his dead atheist father was in Heaven. (26:18) -- This is a fairly accurate assessment of why people think Christians are "A**holes." (32:36) -- Liberty University makes bank through its online education program. Too bad it's not good for students. (34:50) -- Focus on the Family is legally a "church" now, and you should see how they pulled it off... (41:23) -- Students at "Christian Hogwarts" are doing something called "grave sucking" and trying to walk through walls. (52:06) -- Was Democratic National Committee vice chairman Keith Ellison right to say, "Women are dying" because his party loses elections? (57:34) -- We answer listener mail! (1:09:21)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. -- Why was David Silverman fired from American Atheists? Because of this. (1:05) -- Attendance at Catholic churches is going down. (33:16) -- Evangelical Christians can't save their "brand" from Donald Trump since it was a problem to begin with. (35:22) -- Liberty University doesn't want student reporters to report on a progressive Christian event. (43:37) -- Oklahoma just named its "Official Inspirational Song" and it's a Christian rock ballad. (51:55) -- Senator Cory Booker grilled Secretary of State nominee Mike Pompeo over his anti-gay views. (54:55) -- Focus on the Family has quietly ended its anti-LGBTQ "Day of Dialogue." (58:34) -- Creationist Ken Ham is mad that people said he's loosening restrictions in his hiring... even though he is. (1:02:05) -- Missouri interfaith leaders are speaking out against a bill allowing concealed carry weapons in churches. (1:07:43) -- We answer listener mail! (1:09:54)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. -- Whether atheists are indeed "veering dangerously" toward the alt-right. (0:15) -- Why Creationist Ken Ham has a lot of job openings, but no takers. (30:20) -- Some incredibly manipulative faith-based backstabbing in Victoria, Australia. (34:57) -- Why Christians must disavow Donald Trump, according to a Christian. (40:15) -- Little Free Libraries are becoming havens for religious proselytizing. (45:50) -- The backlash to a vaccination bill in New Jersey. (50:50) -- A Christian author says we have to avoid vaccines since the Bible never mentions them. (54:58) -- After 73 years of marriage, this Canadian couple chose to end their lives together... and some people are furious. (59:13) -- God's Not Dead 3 tanked at the box office. (1:05:05) -- This "perfect" way to stop gay couples from renting a wedding venue may backfire. (1:09:15) -- This is depressing: A third of Americans ages 18-24 aren't sure the Earth is round. (1:13:09) -- Many people want to kill women who have abortions. (1:16:55) -- We answer listener mail! (1:26:15)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. -- Gwyneth Paltrow's pseudoscience repository Goop is now worth a quarter-billion dollars because America is an embarrassment. (0:50) -- One of the most liberal federal judges in the nation has died. He was so liberal, he agreed "Under God" in the Pledge was unconstitutional. (7:17) -- Evangelical Christians still, by and large, support Donald Trump. (15:10) -- A Houston pastor who delivered benediction at President George W. Bush's inauguration has been charged with wire fraud (and more!). (23:34) -- Liberty University now has a gun range. Just like Jesus wanted. (31:22) -- The Pope doesn't believe in Hell, according to an atheist journalist who didn't take notes and has way too much access to the Catholic leader. (37:14) -- A survey says even religious people don't take the Ten Commandments seriously. (41:16) -- The Mormon Church finally says women shouldn't stay in abusive relationships. (46:54) -- Who needs more representation on TV? Not atheists, according to this survey. (54:34) -- We answer listener mail! (59:45)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.