Thank God I'm Atheist

Vatican apologizes for pope's use of homophobic slur, Baptist theological seminary covers up sexual assault allegation, Oklahoma schools to allow religious classes during school hours, American missionaries killed in Haiti, Christian lifeguard sues Los Angeles over pride flags, an update about public education in the South, and a conversation about how difficult it is for Christians and atheists to communicate.

Florida priest assaults woman during communion, Scotland passes demographic milestone, Italian middle school teacher causes national uproar over Dante, new website for finding churches, fifteen year old boy sainted, holy relics at Vatican, and polling shows that the number of "nones" in US has plateaued.

Texas megachurch really wants a new traffic light, Vatican museum staff sues Vatican, imprisoned Rastafarian appeals to Supreme Court over cut hair, Chicago high school's quiet time crosses the line, Billy Graham statue headed to US Capitol, free books at Louisiana school, and Madonna's free concert in Brazil stokes new Satanic Panic.

City council in Australia bans same-sex parenting books, Southern Baptist membership numbers in decline, more 'nones' doesn't mean more atheists, college professor fired for not hating enough, school board in Texas edits text books, Boy Scouts rebrand doesn't mean they've gotten nicer to atheists, and in the face of population decline, Pope Francis calls on Catholics to have more babies.

Priest spends diocese money on Candy Crush, Mormon Church in trouble with investors again, United Methodists approve LGBTQ clergy, Catholics in Silicon Valley, bill to fight antisemitism faces backlash in Congress, Utah hate bill meets with trouble, and US Catholic Church pushes back against Vatican II reforms. And that link Dan wanted everyone to have: https://ut-sao-special-prod.web.app/sex_basis_complaint2.html

Texas nuns fight back, Spain takes action against Catholics, university students in Iran protest, Oklahoma lawmakers have an interesting idea, polling about Mormons and gay marriage, priest retires after uproar, and Mormons react to their leaders insisting they wear their magic underwear all the time.

Majority of Baltimore archdiocese parishes face closure, French court decision enrages Vatican, 'religious litter' gets cleaned up, Wisconsin politician identifies source of homelessness, New York State to enforce independent oversight of clergy sex abuse allegations in Brooklyn, Dublin priest barred from blessing planes, and the next big thing Republicans are pushing on America: chaplains in our public schools.

Chips commercial sparks outrage, Louisiana Supreme Court overturns victim amnesty law, Russians go after Ukrainian Christians, Arizona abortion law reveals rift among Republicans, Vatican misses opportunity for an easy win, Huntsman lawsuit against Mormon church, and should we even care about Mormon membership numbers (or any church's numbers for that matter)?

Trump promises to create 'Christian Visibility Day,' Kenyan priest 'sentenced' in child-rape case, Mormon leaders admit they're old, trend in Catholic parish closures, Tennessee changes law to allow anti-LGBTQ bigots to adopt LGBTQ children, possible changes to Mormon underwear, and this week's eclipse brings out the religious/superstitious crazies.

'Blasphemous' painting of Jesus slashed, anti-LGBTQ+ Christians stop traffic in New Zealand, an Easter tradition in the Philippines, Taliban resumes stoning women to death, French soccer federation ignores Ramadan, more Americans leave religion over anti-LGBTQ+ bigotry, and Trump's blasphemous entree into bible publishing.

Haiti and voodoo, church embezzlement, Supreme Court and parents of trans kid, female genital mutilation, House Speaker's Christianity hurts fundraising efforts, Hindus mad about yogurt, and Mormon women and authority.

A museum closes, victims compensated in France, Islamic police arrest snackers, problematic new law in India, Franklin Graham warns France, Wisconsin Supreme Court issues ruling, and the Mormons double down on controversial speech at BYU.

LDS Church buys important (to them) historical sites, right wing Catholic website is dying, Greek Orthodox Church responds to same-sex marriage vote, anti-semitism on the rise in Europe, Biden issues rule to prevent religious discrimination in social services, Liberty University is in trouble, and recent polling looking at who is leaving the Mormon Church.

Bill banning Pride flags from Utah classrooms fails, Spanish priest scolded, vast majority of Iranians want a secular government, Florida law, secularism law in Quebec upheld, a West Virginia lawmaker's view on abortion, and Samual Alito opines about fake anti-Christian bias.

France responds (overreacts?) to an Imam's criticism of the French flag, funeral at iconic New York church for trans woman, Arizona lawmakers reject bill banning Satanic displays, Georgia bill about christianity, Trump promises religious broadcasters he'll defend Christianity, revealing tweet from Hillsong pastor, and Alabama's Supreme Court declares embryos are people too.

Kate joins Dan because Frank's out of town. Greece OKs gay marriage, Israel and the Vatican in a spat, new animated series, Iowa wants to ban Satan, Christian Nationalist in Arkansas tries to de-fund libraries for Jesus, a survey asks if people trust pastors, and Dan and Kate discuss spoooooky woo!

There's a war on men in this country (according to Christian pastor), Australian teen ordered to have cancer treated, an alternative to the National Prayer Breakfast, churches and solar panel rebates, Utah lawmaker wants to expand definition of lewdness, faith on display at the Super Bowl, and Christians fear civil war is coming (at the hand of liberals).

Christian school bans mother from dropping off kids, CVS sued by former employee, Satanic Temple display vandal charged with hate crime, Idaho constitutional amendment attempt, 'Take Our Border Back' convoy is a total mess, a radio preacher gets in trouble, and we discuss the phenomenon Mormon swingers.

TurboTax ad ruffles feathers, new polling about 'nones', pastor admits to steeling from followers ("the Lord told us to"), gays are the new colonizers, "God's army" heads to the US/Mexico border, who gets to choose the chief rabbi, and the demographic group of the religious but not spiritual kinda blows our mind.

Mike Johnson admits Joe Biden's presidency is 'God's will', filmmakers hurt some feelings, Prince William told to back Christianity, new Utah bill, Community of Christ appoints woman as prophet, natural disaster hits Greg Locke (guess who didn't send it), and what should disqualify a church from being legally recognized.

Iran's got some screwed up criminal punishments, Baptists selling insurance to Methodists, the pope reminds us he's Catholic, Buddha Boy, Martin Scorsese is making another film about Jesus, a really nutty tunnel in New York, and 'cultural evangelicals' might be crazier (and scarier) than the church going type.

Italian priest speaks schismatically and gets the boot, judge rules school not responsible for child conversion, Michigan state representative works for God, Southern Baptists settle law suit, Republicans are convinced Trump is a person of faith, Vivek Ramaswamy answers atheist question, and it's a US presidential election year and things are going to get rough. Here's our survival tips.

Christian university sued for false advertising, white Christians upset about Jesus art, Navajo Nation objects to NASA moon mission, wrestlers need snacks, Church of Scotland is selling off churches fast, surprising data about Mormon population in Utah, and getting preachy about New Years resolutions.

Atheists are nicer to Christians than the other way around, pope has words about decision to bless gay couples, Vatican holds cardinal accountable, Catholic college update, Lindsey Graham declares war on New York, Greek lawmakers vow to keep promise to allow gay marriage, and the Catholic League advises people to avoid joyless atheists.

This week, Kate fills in for Frank, who might be dying... but is actually just in Hawaii making Dan jealous. Stories: death penalty troubles in Alabama, Church of England is going too far, or not far enough, holy sexuality is a nonsense term, small towns STILL don't understand what's wrong with governments promoting Jesus in front of the firehouse, Satanic Temple statue bravely destroyed by Christian hero, and the Supreme Court makes the best decision they've made all year. In the final segment, Kate and Dan discuss Christmas in a secular household.

US Speaker of the House thinks he's Moses, holiday tradition at Vatican turns 800 years old, Denmark officially outlaws burning the Quran, Pew study about our spiritual-but-not-religious comrades, school board member takes oath on stack of banned books, Catholic women's college decides to admit trans women, and it turns out that all the fun Christmas songs were written by Jews and that pisses some Christians off.

Diplomas for sale, Pope Francis wants more women involved in church, the pope punishes another vocal critic, Oregon Christian group bad for foster kids, the Mormons keep buying up farmland, monsignor relieved of duties after music video causes stir, and what are all the religious rules for?

Catholic health system takes down crucifixes, Pope Francis is worried about how nice German Catholics are being, Pope Francis invites group of trans women to lunch, lawsuit over trans athlete, Baptist pastor apologizes for creationism seminar, Christian books in schools, and sorry for the sexist title... we're not sexist, but maybe the Mormon patriarchy is?

Rio de Janeiro wants to honor Taylor Swift; Church of England agonizes over baby steps; Speaker Mike Johnson has some bad ideas about separation of church and state; a bad Wisconsin law; Pope Francis fires priest; imprisoned atheists win in court; and Ayaan Hirsi Ali leaves the atheist movement for Christianity, and we wonder what retirement could look like if we followed along (hint: $$$).

Churches in Utah open as winter warming centers for the unhoused (guess who isn't participating!), court dismisses suit against Mormon Church, America passes major milestone in evolution acceptance, India bans protest, Vatican issues surprising guidance about trans community, preacher claims victory that isn't his, and the new US Speaker of the House has a strange relationship with his son.

Someone smashed some pumpkins in Czech Republic, Texas justice of the peace sues to not do gay marriages, Catholic priest hosts gay orgy, a crappy amicus brief, Italian priest causes liturgical horror, the Synod on Synodality, and a Christian nationalist officially takes over the US House of Representatives.

School trustee posts truly offensive meme and uses the 'but the Holy Ghost told me to' defense, our favorite Catholic cardinal tasked with solving current conflict in 'Holy Land', new student housing at the University of Utah comes with strict code of conduct, another ruling on controversial teaching in school, Oklahoma attorney general sues to stop public funds from going to religious charter school, police chief uses archaic law to harass business owner, and how something truly awesome--like a total eclipse--can break your brain.

School board member banned from reading Bible verses during meetings, NJ political candidate, consequences for selling bleach as COVID-19 cure, poll about religion and well being, Northern Ireland's new abortion protest buffer zone law, an update about the Louisiana principal, and the Christian response to Hamas and Israel.

COVID-19 update, the pope and the environment, high school student punished by Christian principal for dancing, thing go wrong for preacher family, drag queen arrested in the Philippines, football game doesn't happen, and it's going to take atheists coming out and getting involved to save American democracy.

Faith leaders about to be deported from US, religious education in Greece, Danish artists react to 'Quran Law', poll about political figures' religiosity, majority of America now not religious, unusual Detroit church closes, and a new video game got us thinking about the human experience.

Decapitated Jesus Halloween display disturbs neighbors, drama continues for Jerry Falwell Jr, Turkish president might be a little too sensitive, pastor privacy lawsuit, Indonesian TikToker eats pork on camera, a tale of two high schools, and the founder of OUR gets in trouble with Mormon Church and things might get ugly.

Kim Davis ordered to pay $100,000 in same-sex marriage case, new podcast about surviving Bob Jones University, Belgian public schools set on fire, Florida recognizes alternative college admissions exam, ultra-Orthodox Jewish pilgrims enter war zone, a lawsuit against American Family Association, and the Michigan state legislature recently passed a law recognizing an assortment of religious holidays.

Weddings are a huge deal in our culture, but they can be deeply problematic. This week, along with our standard news stories, guest host Andrea is here with Dan to discuss the worst wedding traditions, and their deeply sexist religious roots.

NYC approves Muslim noise pollution, proposed law in Denmark would ban burning of "holy" books, France bans Muslim robes in schools, New Jersey town harasses Jewish residents (and is forced to pay), Michigan lawmaker wants "Christian foundations" taught to school children, Christian school lawsuit, and the Mormons have some wacky beliefs but this one is a doozy... Adam-ondi-Ahman.

Texas chaplains urge school boards not to use chaplains; amputees in Oregon can keep their parts, thanks to native tribe beliefs; Christians invade artist retreat because of om symbol in a chapel; San Francisco archdiocese declares bankruptcy; and BYU updates honor code, and the unique mix of religion and spirituality at Burning Man.

School board member fights against inclusive classrooms, indicted pastor in Trump RICO case, the poor are going to hell, the great chicken nugget caper, church computers used to view porn (at an alarming rate), religious schools exempt from the law, and the Mormon Church behaves like a giant bully.

A snake falls from heaven (onto woman), Christian eBay retailer arrested, the Quran gets burned (again) causing riots (again), sham charity raises money to send Bibles to China, Jesus films are all the rage these days, an new AI app responds as Jesus, and Christians seem to be souring on Christ.

"In God We Trust" foisted on school children, company settles religious discrimination lawsuit, court rules Connecticut can enforce vaccinations for school children, AI in the military, Muslims stab gay man to death in NYC, new song tops Christian music charts, and we've had it with Richard Dawkins.

Jews and Muslims unite, Jewish stock photos, Texas church firebombed, belief in spiritual entities, update on the hijabless Iranian chess player, Fox News and the devil, and Sinead O'Connor was right about the pope and was canceled for it.

Muslims protest LGBT movement in Canada, Christians design chatbot with biblical worldview, man arrested in Turkey for looking gay, Fort Worth rejects Atheist groups banners, court blocks religious prison program in West Virginia, Einstein letter for sale, and a chat about Utah's Pioneer Day holiday.

Sweden is the place for religious book burning, Trump delivers a bunch of dog whistles, LDS Church pushes Constitution celebration, transphobic salon owner in Michigan, the UN enters the discussion about Qur'an burning, a school clinic closes, and a new museum in Scotland prompts us to talk about witches.

Minneapolis City Council dust up, religious chalk art at Arkansas governor mansion, Taliban outlaws beauty salons, denied dean, turns out Josh Hawley might be a Christian nationalist, a proposed satanic concert, and the crazy things we do when we leave religion.

Frank really ties to give us all some good news this week: US church attendance officially lower than before the pandemic (and continues to fall), SCOTUS and the mail carrier, German Catholic Church hemorrhages members, amendments to military code, atheists emerging as an important voting bloc, Mormon mom sues school district, and some confusing protests in Iraq over something an Iraqi did in Sweden.

AI-gerenated images stoke more satanic panic, a fake priest takes confessions at California restaurant, the road to Hel leads to a very beautiful place, survey in the UK, Muslim majority city council acts just like you'd expect (unless you're one of the town's liberals), Catholic hospitals, and a discussion about religions getting super fussy over the minutiae.

Prankster Democrat angers Arizona Republicans, Southern Baptists in upheaval over female clergy, study shows many American Atheists hide their non-belief, states remove statute of limitations, Utah city bans Pride Month Displays and then threatens employees, an AI clergy delivers sermon, and a conversation about the usefulness of the word "cult".