Thank God I'm Atheist

Churches adjust Sunday night activities to accommodate Super Bowl, using the Bible as a court room defense strategy, Trump fails to mention Jews in official Holocaust remembrance statement, dustup at the Knights of Malta, president of Philippines starts showdown with Vatican, Pakistan TV host taken off the air, and Trump bans Muslims from entering the country.

School principal cheats and credits power of prayer, Imam's prayer incites outrage, FFRF sues to stop public funding of church building maintenance, conservative Christians coming around on pot, JCCs targeted throughout the country, Church of England changes rules on clergy celibacy (not really), and our hopes for progress in America.

Russia set to decriminalize domestic violence, Vatican McDonald's to feed the homeless, Philippine government blocks popular sites, lesbian couple takes over Baptist congregation, federal prisoner sues for secular treatment program, After School Satan opens in Utah, and a discussion on religious tax exempt status.

Neo-nazis plan march in Montana, the family that prays together gets their SUV stolen, US military extends religious accommodations, then there were two (Shakers left in the world), LDS Church growth rate drops in US, Church of Norway status changes, and we talk with Fred Karger who is currently fighting to end the Mormon Church's tax exempt status. Support us on Patreon.

Scientology takes aim at A&E, NYPD makes accommodations to Sikh and Muslim officers, the Utah Secular Caucus takes form, pope on the run buys new shoes, MoTab member resigns over Trump inauguration, soccer and witches, and was 2016 really as bad as we're all making it out to be? Yes, maybe it was, but let's also remember that Scalia died, and that was pretty awesome.

"Charlie Brown Christmas" causes stir at Texas middle school, freaked out liberal christians return to church after Trump victory, LGBT community center opens across from Mormon temple, Oklahoma plans for anti-abortion signs in public buildings, LDS church changes mind about new song in young women's songbook, neopagan wins right to wear horns on driver's license, and an interview with Michael Ferguson about his experiences with gay conversion therapy and lawsuit after the fact. Support us on Patreon.

Vatican repeats itself about gay priests, German court rules that Muslim girls must take swimming class, Marriott makes big decision about the Bible, the world's largest nativity, the world is ending (again), Orthodox rabbis and converting to Judaism, and neuroscientist Michael Ferguson joins us to talk about faith and the brain.

Santa vs. Jesus board game ruffles Christian feathers, Catholic priest prevents gay man from singing at own grandmother's funeral, Norway fines Catholic church for falsifying membership numbers to get more taxpayer money, Pope Francis advocates for the climate (and science), new study shines positive light on psychedelic drugs in fighting depression, and sneaky ways Christian types try to block abortions.

Dan and Mark spend Thanksgiving in Savannah, Georgia.

Naughty and nice retailers, Georgia tries to outlaw hijabs in public, Duck Dynasty comes to a close, German protestants stop converting Jews, humanists sue, Catholic diocese in Minnesota, and maybe we need some new friends.

Self-appointed bishops, pope says no to female priests, China lures children away from church, Michelle Bachmann uses graph to show power of prayer, priest posts video with dead fetus, Oklahomans vote down constitutional amendment, and Dan and Frank take a moment to reflect on the election.

Trump robocaller calls third-party candidate 'closet homosexual', transgender Muslim woman hacked to death, rabbi discovers code in scripture predicting a Trump presidency, Oklahoma seeks to change state constitution, county commissioners in court for right to pray at meetings, Puerto Rico gubernatorial candidate comes out atheist, and talking to believers.

South Koreans experience their own funeral, Vatican says no to scattering ashes, prayer garden for pet lovers, BYU offers amnesty to rape victims, Pope Francis opens posh papal retreat to public, Mormon(s) and gay(s), and a tribute to Jack Chick.

Cardinals protest McDonald's opening near Vatican, Americans trust scientists and military over clergy, Sweden gets a cemetery free of religious symbols, pastor comes out as atheist and then runs back to the church, terrorism in Kansas, a Catholic charity in India surprises us (a little), and an independent presidential candidate in Utah within striking distance of winning the state.

Norwegian trickery trips up psychics, Temple Mount aggression, no more holiday displays on county courthouse grounds, US government releases report on religious freedom and many religious leaders are upset by its content, an angry pope takes on Germany, InterVarsity to fire employees who don't agree with them on gay marriage, and Mormon tithing settlement.

High school assembly about sex, Oklahoma's governor, Catholic diocese makes right on sex abuse scandal, an elderly bar mitzvah, not-so-shocking sculpture of Jesus shocks conservatives, clever polygamist defense, and Mormon Leaks.

Utah legislative candidate comments online, female chess players face obstacles, untouchables find way out, Confederate flag removed from Washington National Cathedral, change comes to Billy Graham's ministry, Danish anti-migrant spray, and Mormons and their get-rich-quick schemes.

Priest delivery service, Pakistani Christian jailed for online blasphemy, the Sistine Chapel visits Texas, J-Dubs face judicial review in Canada, study about Nones, update about American hate pastor in Africa, and appropriating eastern spirituality in the west.

Religion's economic value, Arizona pastor denied entrance into South Africa, arson, Mormons shying away from Republican party, hijab emoji, only 'natural families' should get child care tax credit, and atheists are no longer the most hated group in America.

Obama nominates Muslim to Federal bench, Kaepernick is not muslim, I won't watch that icky video, Midwest hospital chain rebrands, atheist minister, a mother files charges, and how our views on Islam have evolved over the fifteen years since the attacks of September 11, 2001.

Georgia county bans new churches, ISIS declares Pope enemy number one, Christian woman told to remove headscarf for DMV photo, a gay bishop, Indiana religious freedom act, Icelandic elves stop construction project, and Mormon seminary is just plain awful.

Atheists run for office in Arizona, homophobic pastor arrested for child molestation, federal judge lets strict vaccination law stand in CA, US State Department makes international call, saga of atheist donor in Oklahoma, new Vatican handbook about sex, and the French try to ban burkinis at the beach.

Louisiana flood exposes hypocrisy, Lutherans want to reconcile with Rome, gay bashing, Pokemon Go linked to demonic plot, the Norwegian Church loses members thanks to online registration, prayer and religion banned at Chinese hospitals and four 'lamanites' sue LDS Church.

Mormons build high-profile temple in Philadelphia, Trump ask evangelicals for help (with Mormons!), Satanic Temple is at it again, Hillary Clinton writes a letter to Utah, woman denied vanity plate settles lawsuit, Christian pastors sue Illinois for right to perform 'conversion therapy,' and faith at the Olympics.

Public school adopts problematic logo, Pope Francis follows through on a promise, Satan clubs test public schools' after-school club policies, Josh Duggar sued by the face of his online sex presence, church promises to drop Bibles onto ISIS, a day for 'burkinis' at French waterpark, and a lack of evidence supporting flossing's health benefits tests our commitment to basic dental hygiene.

Tattoos leave marks at BYU-Hawaii, Ben-Hur for a new generation, France attacks, a new law in Illinois, Kansas City sued, non-believers campaign to affect Australian census, and being an atheist in an election year.

China bans churches over safely concerns, Muslim clerics issue fatwa against ISIS, Garden of Eden becomes World Heritage Site, Pokemon, marriage laws challenged, pastor starts club, and Pioneer Day!

A Kentucky judge refuses to marry atheist couple, FLDS news, Pakistan's own Kim Kardashian murdered in honor killing, mosques shouldn't be polling stations (but neither should churches and synagogues), 'Meet the Mormons: Part 2', Newt Gingrich has a big fat mouth, and superstitious atheists.

Texas governor's new rule affecting abortion, Catholic priests in Montreal banned from children, Trump's Star of David, driver's license photo error, post-Brexit bigotry, Russia limits religious proselytizing, and Noah's Ark theme park opens in Kentucky.

Turns out the Book of Mormon isn't historical, Satanic Temple strikes again, demon possession, Kansas church calls for sexual assault victims to be outed, Mississippi 'religious freedom' law struck down for trampling on religious freedom, Christian website must make room for gays, and our take on the 4th of July.

Kim Davis declares victory in fight against gay marriage, wishing Muslims happy Ramadan, European Islamophobia summit scheduled, Osteen hecklers, UK asylum seekers, satanists vs anti-satanists, and proof there is a god.

Pope Francis pets a tiger, a clash at the Western Wall, Mormon missionaries in trouble, atheist scholarships, Amish PAC, the many smells of Jesus, and the Orlando shooting.

Passion of the Christ 2, religious freedom is just for Christians, Evangelicals are feeling a little left out, Iowa's governor, Mecca turns mega, and Dan interviews newly minted atheist Shannon Low of the Order of Elijah.

Women and church attendance, to hajj or not to hajj, judge hands down a creative sentence, inappropriate test question, Mormon church takes anti-gay fight to Mexico, Muslim killed by mob may have been eating beef, and celebrities and atheism.

Children afflicted in Peru, father interprets Bible literally with horrendous consequences, landmark court ruling in New Jersey, Swiss Muslims face fine, sacred objects auctioned off to offense of Native Americans, Saudi doctor shot for doing his job, and religious folks once again try to spruce up the Bible.

Changes in Mormon missionary attire, abuse sticks, abuse by clergy on the rise, International Religious Freedom Act, town sells plot of land under cross, Church of Scotland explores way to remotely baptize, and a quick talk about suicide and non-believers.

American Atheists sues Tennessee sheriff for promoting Jesus, Arabic speakers loving on Dawkins, Ohio megachurch can't force insurance company to pay for child abuse, criminal sentenced to read Ben Carson book, Missouri school's field trip to Jesus, Alabama chief justice KOed by drag queen, and Dan and Mark discuss the great trans panic of 2016!

Angel washes up on the shore, first amendment needs defending, marrying off your quiverfull, restraining order against God, Hindus are jerks too, troubles at the Target bathroom, and Jake and Dan talk about God telling candidates to run only to fail.

Denny Hastert sentenced to jail time, Oklahoma knows how to pay for lawsuits, Utah Pride festival bans gay site, Kevin Swanson compares gays to Nazis and cannibals, Mormon university blames the (rape) victim, Scientology leader's father write tell-all book, and Dan and Mark discuss parents who kill their children through prayer.

Iowa schools shut down, Hitchens converted, Americans and prayer, poll shows UK muslims sympathize with violence, leader of Conservative rabbis resigns, Utah , and Dan and Jake discuss Mormon communism.

The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster declared "not a real religion," giant crucifix proposed in Australia, a "relic in the making" sold to highest bidder, governor of Tennessee rejects the Bible, parents object to Bible placement in schools, Sarah Palin insults Bill Nye, and a very scary Christian daycare in Alabama.

Bangladeshi atheist killed by Muslim mob, Russian nonbeliever in trouble, new poll on gender and religious belief, giant cross in Corpus Cristi, Trump's proposed ban on Muslims would allow his rich friends to enter US, conservative Christians gather to discuss , and a Mormon general authority claims divine protection for LDS missionaries in Brussels' bombing.

Frank and Dan speculate about why Utah has more plastic surgeons per capita than any other state in the US and include a discussion about how the Mormon obsession with perfection comes at a high cost for Mormon women. Also: Catholic cardinal takes money from charity to renovate his luxury apartment, Donald Trumps makes some sense, Mississippi approves Church Protection Act, Easter stunt in Louisiana, Colorado school district in showdown over religious literature in schools, and Alabama's governor in sex scandal.

Frank and Dan discuss Joseph Smith's "Thirteen Articles of Faith" and how the Mormons live them today. Also: Utah might vote for a democrat this year, parents react to yoga in the schools, North Carolina blocks LGBT protections, Obama defunds abstinence only education, Shawna Cox sues federal employees for ungodly amount, and Catholic bishop bans Muslims from praying in churches.

Mark and Frank continue their conversation about art, this time focusing on attempts to censor art. Also: Mother Teresa on track for September sainthood, Oklahoma lawmakers seek to change state constitution, Bernie Sanders needs to "meet Jesus," majority of GOP supports ban on Muslim immigration, and an evolution warning appears in text books.

Frank and Mark discuss the role art plays in religious settings. Also: Americans are officially getting less religious, Christians turn to faith-based groups to pay medical bills, gays ruin Easter, faith exemptions for businesses and bad parents, and a Christian pastor gets buttocks bitten off by lion.

Sexual healing in Arizona, Mormon leader denies existence of homosexuals, faithful couple loses septuplets, Sikh man sues US Army, Best Picture shockingly pleases Catholics, new online religious literacy class, and it turns out that religion plays a very different role in voters' minds than one might expect.

Frank and Mark discuss recent examples of LDS leadership officially meddling in Utah's lawmaking process. Other stories include: Eleven FLDS leaders have been indicted in food stamps fraud, NYC teacher claims anti-Irish discrimination, an orthodox Israeli bashes up TV screens mid-flight, Catholic archbishop wants alternative to Girl Scouts, the political clout of the "nones," holy milk.

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's death at 79 has left some conservatives wondering if foul play was involved. Plus, we talk about some of his influential statements and what this means for atheists in the United States.

New bill in West Virginia, clerk harasses lesbian couple, horrific get rich quick scheme in Africa, Ted Cruz is the face of God, Mardi Gras, and miracles. Mark sits in for Frank.