Thank God I'm Atheist

Polish school cancels Halloween, Biden visits the pope, Sikh men rescue two hikers, Liberty University "think tank," Supreme Court lets Maine vaccine mandate stand, school revises clothing ban, and Christians can't help but be upset about Halloween.

Baylor students mock mormonism ahead of game with BYU, Southern Baptists lose leaders, Bangladesh reverting to secular constitution, Texas considers constitutional amendment to protect religious observance, Saudi Arabia welcomes bikini-clad sunbathers, a Baptist group judges fashion, and a chat about religious conservatives choosing to live in their own version of reality.

Lizzo says twerking is a spiritual expression, military archbishop says Catholic troops can claim religious exemption for COVID vaccine, Mormons double down on not wanting to be called Mormons, FFRF rids another school system of religious symbols, anti-kink pastor says Jesus plants dirty dreams to warn away sin, President Biden tries to save Christmas, and a discussion about whether we would ban all religions if we could?

Priests and nuns in India ordered to pay taxes, Tennessee's governor offers time-honored solution for COVID-19 outbreak, French commission uncovers shocking number of Catholic Church sex abuse cases, Daniel Ortega and Nicaragua, a priest actually doesn't sexually molest child, Pat Robertson makes way for next generation, and the Mormon prophet just said something mighty revealing about his real level of influence over membership.

Christian Facebook pages largely run by troll farms, fake pastor does the wrong scam, female prophet sentenced to death in Pakistan, Milo and Bannon cancelled in Baltimore,Taliban fails to keep their promise to the women of Afghanistan, Washington judge rules on Planned Parenthood case, and our theory about COVID deniers and why they're being such jerks.

Pro-Trump billboard, an orphanage, white Americans flock to evangelicalism, a mosque site in China, president of Egypt open to atheists, two famous pastors on COVID-19 (one will surprise you), and Christianity under review.

Arkansas hospital requires consistency from those seeking vaccine exemption, James Huntsman's lawsuit seeking refund of tithing money hits roadblock, Mormon Church responds to members seeking religious exemption to vaccine mandates, an Oklahoma town plans to erect massive "Christ tree", Mormons to pay $250M to abused Boy Scouts, Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster offers interesting religious exemption, and how will believers practice religion in space?

Guest host Andrea fills in for Frank. Coach Dave's fundraising scheme, a ruling on if a Catholic school can fire a gay man, some faith leaders aren't horrible on abortion, Mexico proves it's better than Texas, a Norwegian church holds an unusual ceremony, a Spanish bishop finds a good reason to leave the clergy, and Dan and Andrea discuss Harvard Law Today's take on polyamory (and reveal some stuff along the way).

Guest host Kate joins Dan for a religious news roundup: Kat Kerr can't control weather, Los Angeles forced to pay damages to a church for trying to keep their parishioners safe against their will, Christian network fires senior VP Dan Darling for encouraging intelligence, Myanmar is slightly less awful than they could have been, Ken Ham hoards all the Jesus for Earthlings, a new deity takes out his righteous anger against the Mormons, and Kate and Dan feel like they're taking crazy pills because the U.S. Supreme Court is packed with religious zealots who let an insane Texas law go into effect.

Zambian pastor's stunt leads to death, church in Australia fined for violating COVID restrictions, more Americans accept evolution than don't (FINALLY), Harvard has a new chaplain, the Taliban attempts to protect women (from the Taliban), belief in aliens, and a Mormon leader is gunning for dissenting professors at BYU.

Anti-vax cardinal on ventilator, COVID-denying pastor dead, inmate on Texas death row asks for pastor to join him during execution, thousands of new molestation cases emerge, whistleblower shares his story about Mormon funds, a Baptist university cancels far right event, and the Mormon prophet goes on the record encouraging the vaccine and calls of 'false prophet' emerge.

McDonald's advertising entices woman to sin, anti-gay 'treatment' group forced to pay $3.5 million in court case, 'moderate' Norwegian imam in trouble over antisemitic comments, Indonesian military ends virginity test for female recruits, Turkmenistan finds new way to enforce VPN ban, Christian group calls on Fisher-Price to modify one specific playset, and Christians scramble to find religious justification for their vaccine refusal (hint: there isn't one).

Wedding website designer loses case, Kent Hovind gets arrested, atheists face intolerance at work (says study), Israel's gold medalist can't marry, megachurch still designated a hate group (says court), romance novel loses award, and our musings on men who always think they're right.

More priests defend the indefensible with Canadian residential schools, the Museum of the Bible is in hot water... again, Missouri clergy jump on the vax train, meanwhile vaccine hesitancy in the U.S. is dropping (even among the religious!), new curriculum among New Zealand Maori rankles scientists, and Anchorage loses a strip club and gains some Jesus. Also- will somebody get Frank an Ark?

A new holiday hits Utah, abortion rights activists fight new Texas law, a top US official in the Catholic Church outed for Grindr use, women sue Liberty University, Alaska assistant attorney general outed as a Deseret nationalist (a far right, Mormon hate group), robots go to Hajj, and a discussion about Mormons and their wacky underwear.

Woman lets god drive and he wrecks her car, it turns out the Southern Baptist Convention isn't liberal after all, an alternative to traditional burial draws Catholic opposition, highest EU court rules that employers can restrict religious apparel, new numbers about religion in America, the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus causes controversy, and a chat about Bible translations.

A fatwa group declares fatwa about video games, a Florida couple sues school, the Catholic Church plays poor to avoid paying residential school survivors, a Canadian archbishop cries persecution, India jails activists for speaking undeniable truth about cow poop, the US Supreme Court refuses to hear religious bigotry case, and the Mormon Church quietly changes their doctrine about Mormons becoming gods in the afterlife.

Nigerian state bans mannequins, a Canadian priest is in hot water over defense of residential schools, Missouri offers itself up as a delta variant test case, Pat Robertson misunderstands what critical race theory is, an Air Force fighter pilot is suspended over refusal to wear a mask, a new conspiracy theory emerges about Bill Gates, and a discussion about some cute little cults and how religion ruins everything.

Exorcism at the Home Depot, Mississippi license plates, Italian prime minister stands up to Catholic Church, anglicans subject school children to a lesson in misogyny, a nun gets ejected from convent, Jim Bakker in hot water (again), and the Mormon Church slips up and calls its members "customers."

Mormon 'American Idol' star comes out as LGBTQIA+, news from the Southern Baptist Convention, Michigan governor ends government funding of 'conversion therapy,' a new rug for the forgetful Muslim, Florida now requires daily moment of silence in schools, a mysterious donation to hate preacher, and the very strange ideas people have about god.

Drought-burdened Utah gets a little rain during weekend of prayer, two new christian apps, Uyghurs deported from Muslim countries, a hateful Nigerian pastor goes away, Burger King taunts Chick-Fil-A with support of LGBTQ organization, hats off to Justin Trudeau for calling out the pope, and the story of Noah's ark is just plain stupid.

High school coaches force Jewish student to eat pork, indigenous schools in Canada, Louisiana votes to honor aborted fetuses, Catholics release new rule priests, Texas enacts law to target anyone aiding in abortions, high-profile anti-vaxxer goes to hospital with COVID-19, and Utah's governor tries to end drought with a weekend of prayer.

Wheaton College disposes of offensive plaque, Southern Baptist numbers decline significantly, fetuses flee to Ohio town for safety, street artist takes on Vatican, Legos celebrates diversity, the shocking case of Saudi Arabia continues, and a discussion about religious titles and how we feel about honoring them.

Saudi Arabia opens up a little to non-Muslims, why college turns people secular, 'religious knives' in Australia, abusive summer camp for future ministers, Muslims boycott White House celebration, anti-vaccine conspiracies come from the same twelve people, and the Christians are about to get everything they've ever wanted.

A god has died, German Priests defy Vatican, Hindu sect engages in forced labor, shop owner hides crosses in furniture, Lutherans ordain new bishop, Southern Baptists ordain new pastors, and we try to give some credit were credit is due (with a couple of caveats).

A stampede at an Israeli festival leads to dozens of deaths, Mormons and the COVID-19 vaccine, evangelicals promise to terrify Democrats, atheist 'prayers' at council meetings lead to similar responses in Florida, antisemitic crimes up in Germany, Jerry Falwell Jr. promises big party for graduates, and a discussion about Josh Duggar and why we usually don't talk about stories of religious types sexually abusing children.

This week, Kate fills in while Frank takes a much needed vacation, and tells us about leaving the church she had indoctrinated her children into. Catholic bishops are mad at Joe Biden, a Canadian MP tries to defend conversion therapy but ends up with a hashtag, bleach drinking "church" indicted and more! Find Kate and her amazing art on Instagram and TikTok @kebirch

Liberty University wants its money back, activists seek more accurate Poland census, Bavaria orders secular crosses hung in public buildings, Pakistan calls on West to criminalize blasphemy against Islam, study finds poor health outcomes for women in sexist churches, Facebook announces a new prayer feature, and Richard Dawkins' fall from grace.

US Supreme Court continues push to officially establish Christianity as state religion, Mormon sex therapist faces excommunication for promoting sexual health, a Hindu holiday poses public health threat in India, bigger and better Jesus coming to a Brazilian town near you, Mormon Church growth slows, Planned Parenthood announces new board members, and a discussion about Mormon men and their odd public displays of emotion. Link to Conference on Religious Trauma 2021: https://pheedloop.com/CORT/site/home/

Tennessee wants to expand eligibility to serve in legislature (in a bad way), RCMP close down church in Alberta, Alabama allows atheists to vote, god worshipped by cargo cult dies, t-shirt angers Muslims in Kenya, COVID-19 vaccine required for entry to Mecca, and Mormon prophet has a message for anyone doubting Mormonism, "you're lazy."

Catholic Church lobbied against suicide prevention hotline, Christian schools reconsider mascots, new Arkansas law allows medical workers to refuse treatment to LGBTQ people, Panera Bread discriminates again pagan worker, fewer than half of Americans now belong to a church, a Christian school apologizes for the wrong thing, and a discussion about heaven and hell.

Jehovah's Witnesses face fines in Belgium, bakery faces another lawsuit, a US Air Force shooting range disrupts meditation, a poll of American values, Franklin Graham promotes vaccination, Texas lawmakers consider new HOA rules, and a wealthy former Mormon sues LDS Church over accusations of fraudulently using tithing money.

COVID-denying president of Tanzania dies, Georgetown University announces plan for reparations, the Mormons remodel Salt Lake Temple (and make it even more boring), the Vatican announces decision about same sex weddings, twelve house republicans oppose medals for Capitol Police who protected them, evangelicals have a penis problem, and we dive into the ongoing and developing story about the Atlanta shooter. He is a religious zealot.

Mormons cancel final year of the Hill Cumorah Pageant, prophet apologizes for wrong prediction, a study looks at atheists and health, a pastor who was right about Trump, Tennessee lawmaker tries (again) to make Bible 'state book,' pope experiences wardrobe malfunction, and 'Murder Among the Mormons' gets the Frank and Dan treatment.

CPAC features graven image of Trump, Methodists take step toward schism, Eurovision entry promotes devil worship, a satanic license plate approved in Alabama, pastor admonishes wives for not being thin enough, Christian adoption services extended to LGBT families, and a discussion about forgiveness and whether the canceled ones can ever come back into the fold.

Survey shows atheists know right from wrong, animated female characters must wear a hijab, more American adults identify as LGBT, Souther Baptists expel congregations, Catholic mom causes trouble for kids, Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia face prison, and cancel culture's next target (according to Fox News) is the Bible.

Christian missionaries convince Brazilian tribes against vaccine, Utah school district ends equity reading program due to it being too inclusive, Evangelicals in trouble in Jordan, Biden reestablished White House Office of Faith-Based Initiatives, lawmaker wants women to get permission for abortions, Catholics try to hide money from abuse victims, and we talk about what a horrible person Rush Limbaugh was and his lasting legacy in America.

President of Tanzania denies COVID-19, an unexpected Christian rock album hits the top of the charts, new data shows evangelicals sliding further from reality, new abortion law requires women to argue with call center worker, Catholic school system shows signs of collapse, the Supreme Court sides with churches (again), and Jeep tries to sell us a crock of s#!t.

Waterboarding infants for Jesus, the very real consequences of anti-gay laws, ultra-orthodox Jewish communities and the spread of COVID-19, a survey about online harassment, Rick Warren makes fun and gets in trouble, the tale of an exorcism, and our take on the popular sci-fi series "Raised By Wolves" (hint: we hate it).

Jewish leaders in UK draw focus to Uighur genocide, immigrants take sanctuary in churches, a new Mormon temple 'opens' in Salt Lake City, COVID denying preacher faces legal consequences, conspiracy theories run rampant in American churches, lawmakers attempt to limit abortion, and we chat about the effect the pandemic has had on faith in America.

Cadbury Creme Eggs ad draws wrath of One Million Moms, lawsuits against Trump administration, North Dakota considers new law, rabbi predicts side effect from COVID vaccine, indecent cakes cause trouble in Egypt, harsh measures against LGBT people in Malaysia, and our take on how religious the inauguration was.

Pastor urges parishioners to keep guns loaded, PayPal blocks fundraising site that helped provide funds to insurrectionists, survey reveals religious composition of the 117th Congress, progress made toward ending female genital mutilation, Dave Ramsey is a crappy boss, megachurch pastor in trouble, and Mormon leadership tries to calm the masses.

Frank and Dan break their normal format to talk about the events of January 6, 2021 at the US Capitol.

Abused scouts sue Mormon church, uptick in faith amongst UK teens, juror listens to 'holy spirit' instead of evidence, a German Catholic bishop sees writing on the wall, Liberty University students surprise us, churches fined by state of New Mexico, and guest Teresa English tells us what she learned running for office in Massachusetts.

Christians offer offensive prayers at Native American sacred site, Christian rocker excluded from Rockin' New Year's Eve, Pat Robertson faces reality, religious leaders ignore pork and abortions, Kirk Cameron is being a real douche, Christmas will happen in LA County, and Mormon leadership tries to stay current with new handbook.

Pastor buys jet with PPP money, religious organization funds "election fraud" attack, religious leaders call for end to gay conversion therapy, T**** administration protects religious discrimination, Australian rehab horror, some Evangelical pastors aren't idiots, and it turns out that the Southern Baptists might just be racist after all.

Labor department legalizes workplace discrimination, one fire department's toxic work environment, a back to school guide, a white supremacist church opens in small Minnesota town, a Supreme Court ruling, megachurch pastor urges congregants to not get COVID-19 vaccine, and a storm's a-brewin' amongst Mormon laity.

Secular Democrats respond to the rise of Christian nationalism, Jehovah Witnesses in Australia face losing tax exempt status, a live nativity annoys passersby, upcoming super spreader events announced by republicans, a new group of Methodists, a monolithic mystery solved, and Noah Lugeons joins us to talk about his new book "Outbreak: A Crisis of Faith: How Religion Ruined Our Global Pandemic."

List of naughty and nice retailers according to evangelicals, religious sentiments hurt over a kiss in an Indian Netflix show, US Supreme Court does't understand science (and that's troubling), Florida court decision about conversion therapy, update on priests abusing children in New York, and the Mormon Church found a way to be even more annoying than usual this week with their hashtag #givethanks.

Vatican demands answers about pope's like, Muslim woman kicked off flight because white man complains, Jehovah's Witnesses force girl to listen to recording of her own rape, a pastor gets COVID, a Tennessee mayor consults with Holy Spirit about everything, a pretty bridge in Edmonton, and with all the crap in the world, Frank and Dan go to their happy place.