Thank God I'm Atheist

Public grant to protect churches, English courts offer same protection to ethical veganism as religious belief, United Methodists separate over LGBT issues, anti-gay pastor blamed Australian fires on his being denied entry into the nation, atheist are cat people, a muslim's perspective on fake pork, and the case of the very strange lawsuit against the Mormon church.

Pope Francis gets slappy, fried chicken restaurant sends hijab wearing employee home, Brazilian production company firebombed for "gay Jesus" Christmas special, Mormon fanboy makes trailer for upcoming General Conference (see it here... https://youtu.be/UL5YojeR598), man who quit job over 666 on his paycheck doing fine, and a discussion about the status of the atheist movement and the religious right's response at the start of a new decade.

A look back at the stories we covered in 2019: Saudi phone app for men to track "their" women (from 2/9/2019); foster agencies allowed to discriminate against LGBT community (from 2/3/2019); measles outbreak among Orthodox Jews in NYC (from 4/20/2019); the distribution of religious materials at Veteran Administration hospitals (from 7/13/2019); China harvests organs from religious and political prisoners (from 06/22/2019); members of attacked synagogue oppose death penalty for shooter (from 8/31/2019); and a discussion about the rise of antisemitism (from 5/26/2019). Happy New Year, everyone!!

Christian couple looking to raise $100k for daughter's resurrection, church elder offers Arby's for sex, new guidelines for Muslim inmates at federal prisons, Pope Francis issues new rule about secrecy, Netflix releases new Christmas classic featuring a gay Jesus (Christians respond), prominent evangelical publication sides with Donald Trump's impeachment, and news breaks about Mormon Church's $100 billion stash.

Millennials' flight from religion appears permanent, men go on trial under Nigeria's anti-homosexuality laws, flight crew rejects passenger's 'Hail Satan' t-shirt, inappropriate speaker at White House Hanukkah event, trends in baby names, Vatican keeps charitable donations for themselves, and what to do when a display of devotion happens right in front of you.

Roy Moore back from the dead, family hopes for dad's resurrection (while keeping him in the other room), Jesus' manger makes a grand return to Bethlehem, a prison chaplain pleads guilty to sexual abuse, atheists take over holiday display, Jewish schools in UK try to avoid sex ed, and a talk about letting Christmas get you down.

Uproar over proposed float in Christmas parade, a judge rules on religious freedom, man in India fights for recognition of his atheism, Pope honestly answers a question, LDS Church wants to turn community garden into parking lot, Iranian cleric says the Quran mandates torture, and yet another take on the War on Xmas.

Americans' perception of Evangelicals, religious exemption for doctors not to treat LGBTQ patients struck down, freedom of the press, publisher refuses to print an Alabama magazine, a school board in Florida makes the right decision, a student body's response to a very large donation to their college, and a woman is charged with lewdness for baring her breasts in her home.

Project Blitz gets a new name, court rules Kentucky atheist can have vanity plate, BYU-Idaho stops accepting medicaid, Ohio students may gain religious exemption for being wrong, US latinos have begun leaving church, and a discussion about polygamy and whether it should be legalized in the US.

The literal cost of religion, Trump's new rules, Rusty Nelson preaches prosperity gospel, judge knocks down rules, evangelical leaders gather with Trump, Germany bans conversion therapy, and the fictitious war on xmas.

Frank and Dan discuss the weeks news and muse about the harmful beliefs they grew up with.

Anti-LGBTQ preacher banned from another country, Halloween tips for Christians, God as clown, too many Americans believe in ghosts, baptists talking smack on baptists, new poll on religious affiliation in America, and a discussion about forgiving yourself vs. being let off the hook.

US Supreme Court pleases atheists by doing nothing, Ugandan government seeks death penalty for gay sex, a Bible Museum update, an Australian archbishop has a message for reformers, Michele Bachmann is such a Karen, POS art teacher gets the boot, and William Barr likes his little straw men.

Melbourne wants to warn citizens about a very specific risk, firm markets Jesus shoes, Beto O'Rourke is the gift that keeps giving, that judge and that murder lady, the Catholics have an idea about the Amazon, Iranian women arrested for dancing, and a preview of this year's holiday season.

Iowa city causes crosswalk kerfuffle, cop abuses power in novel way, transphobic Christian doctor loses case, interesting theory about bicarbonate soda, crazy woman almost kills kids, how much woo can you do before you too have too much woo to do?

UAE builds a religious complex for Jews, Muslims, and Christians; New York Catholic Dioceses in trouble; Trump's holds a religious summit for himself; god owns stake in bus manufacturer; republican lawmakers in various states working to ban marriage equality; Saudi Arabia wants to build tourism industry; and a brief discussion about leadership of the atheist movement.

Praying (and punching) the gay away in Oklahoma, the price (literally) to avoid hearing 'thoughts and prayers,' feds threaten to defund program at Duke, artists in Arizona, Pakistani officials attempt to veil order, Indonesia outlaws sex outside of marriage, and why do atheists continue to do good in the world.

Survey about belief and anxiety, man cuts phallus off statue, Jerry Falwell Jr. and Liberty University, ABC rejects FFRF ad, weeping Mary saves church, rapture index, a discussion about protecting sacred places. https://www.patreon.com/tgiatheist

An argument between pastors' wives, conservative groups confront Utah Board of Education over sex-ed, Swedish imam fined for hate speech, the Deaf Bible Society, Clemson football coach takes players to church, book banning, and a discussion about mockery.

Mormons ban guns at church, women in Bangladesh no longer have to declare virginity on marriage certificates, straight pride fail, court okays ban on atheist prayers, Jerry Falwell Jr.'s boys, opposition to Pittsburg synagogue shooter receiving death penalty, and a discussion about how to promote secularism in America.

Drag queen interrupted, shit gets real for white supremacist Texas marriage law, specialized citizen training, Wyoming investigation, and surviving the apocalypse isn't for everyone.

Nonreligious facing harassment in growing number of countries, scary group of young men being trained in "biblical warfare," racist dog costs woman job, survey on abortion in America, Pennsylvania seal, a clever school district in Kentucky, and the LDS Church clarifies stance on coffee, tea, and tobacco.

Male police trainer refuses to work with female recruit, pastor scams $631,000 from charities, El Paso shooter and hate crime charges, Mormon Church sued under racketeering laws, Josh Harris asks for forgiveness, Lutheran policy change, and a discussion about mass shootings and the right's attempts to cast it as a lack-of-prayer problem.

Frank and Dan celebrate their 400th episode of Thank God I'm Atheist with a visit Mormonism's most holy site... Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City. Watch the video... https://youtu.be/FVpxc6ZbTYo

Lebanese pop band offends believers, religious monument honors police officers, baby selling nun denied bail, US State Department tries to redefine human rights, church refuses to host funeral over gay son's involvement in service, what Americans know about religion, and mandatory reporting and the clergy exemption.

Christian family forced to pay taxes after claiming religious exemption, Christian book company changes name to avoid confusion, Rusty Nelson is a strange man in a strange land, House Republicans pressure Amazon to sell gay conversion therapy books, Trump takes the "Lord's name in vain" upsetting some Christians, Christians can be made to care about climate change if we use the right words, and "Nuns and Nones."

HOA gets fussy about Pride flags, the Veterans Administration takes action to "protect" religious liberty, Atlanta church adds psychic medium to ministerial staff, Russian Orthodox Church questions the blessing of military weapons, Trump's trade war may increase Bible prices threatening religious freedom, school principal pulls holocaust curriculum, and a discussion about judges giving lenient sentences to sex offender ministers.

New York ends religious exemption for vaccinations, atheist banners rile up Fort Worth, man claims religious exemption for parking tickets, Rami Malek takes a stand about new Bond role, Haredi rabbi apposes ultrasounds, IKEA fires employee over violent religious comments, and a discussion about what sexual predators mean for the LDS Church.

LGBTQ prom canceled over safety concerns after Christians threaten the event, PBS children's show airs gay wedding, nudists and burkini bathers face off over swimming pool dress code, straight pride parade scheduled for Boston, nudity abounds during German heatwave, UK woman lands in court after harassing neighbor for being a witch, and for our Pride Month wrap up we ask ourselves whether we feel more or less safe in recent years.

Light rail opponent claims higher authority, tribunal releases details about China harvesting organs from religious detainees, drag bingo raises money and ire, church leaves school board in the lurch for fines and legal costs, Quebec bans religious clothing for government workers, hate website fined, and a discussion about homophobia and suggestions on how to respond when harassed in public.

US Embassies defy Trump administration orders, restaurant closures in Tehran (I bet it's not for health code violations), Christian florists want special rights, seminary represents Christianity poorly, Wiccan professor sues for discrimination, "post-Christian" cities, and a discussion about the clergy and sex abuse.

Frank and Dan discuss the news of the day from an atheist perspective and worry about the current efforts to undermine LGBT rights in America.

Florida lawmaker follows God's direct instruction, female singer in Iran charged for singing, anti-protest tactics in Tel Aviv, Catholic church makes bad landlord, Michigan Attorney General, a British nurse, and conservative Christians see second American civil war coming.

Bleach "cure" spread by Christian pastor, sex-abuse victim attacked for claims, high school yearbook quote causes stir in Georgia, professor at university in Cairo faces undue pressure, America takes a stand about kosher meat in Europe, Ontario takes stand on abortion, and a discussion about Rick Wiles and the emboldened antisemitic voices in America.

Texas courthouse defiantly displays Christian crosses, the fall of Jerry Falwell Jr., new law at the Vatican, trends amongst American voters, Ramadan causes trouble for thirsty child in Abu Dhabi, anti-gay preacher banned from yet another nation, and our take on anti-vaxxers.

LDS Church changes stance on temple marriages, city government in hot water over racist leaders, how far-right hate groups get funded, anti-science bills in Florida, Poland enforces blasphemy laws against artist, Massachusetts lawmakers try to take "so help me god" out of public oaths, and a discussion about how to ask taxi drivers to change the radio station.

Chris sits in for Dan and updates us on Saudi Arabia's wife-tracking app and tells us about why predators are attracted to careers in the clergy. Other topics covered include: an elementary school in the UK suspends lessons on inclusion after parental outcry, Madison church offers marijuana as sacrament, Sri Lanka bans face veils in response to bombings, Iranian clerics issue fatwa over TV game shows, and a discussion about BYU's gay valedictorian and what that means for the oppressive school.

Anti-semitic ritual resurrected in Poland, Notre Dame cathedral fire god's retribution for treatment of Jews, atheist invocations, a gun store and a muslim customer, woman threatens Easter service in San Diego, new theory about what "causes" homosexuality, and a discussion about Sri Lanka bombings.

Pence causes stir at Christian university, case to open India's mosques to women, Church of Sweden issues pamphlet for LGBTW children, Pope Benedict breaks his silence, new law in Missouri, no foot is safe in the presence of Pope Francis, and a chat about Notre Dame cathedral.

Turns out yoga does not make inmates gay, Mormon General Conference winds up being total snoozefest, NYC faces measles outbreak due to one particular religious community, a legislature and a prayer, an Easter celebration, Texan and their executions, and why oh why is Easter still a thing?!

Catholic priests burn Harry Potter books in Poland, one Iranian woman's take on hijabs, Quebec's National Assembly takes down cross, airport refreshments with a conscience, Utah legalizes sex, the pope and the women, and Mormon General Conference.

Frank and Dan discuss the news of the week and tackle the topic of gender.

Are you Jewish enough?, State Department phone call, abortion laws in Kentucky, Bible classes in school, Supreme Court rejects LGBTQ discrimination case, yoga in the schools, and our response to the shooting in New Zealand.

Iranian couple breaks cultural norms, churches closing in Canada, stats on humanist marriages in Scotland, a French Cardinal, Texas judge in hot water, China wants west's religious influence out, and strategies for combatting conspiracy theories.

Spouses of gay and lesbian Anglican bishops not invited to world conference, judge rules man can't go to church, Missouri bill targets atheists, Pope Pius XII's archives to open ahead of schedule, religious buildings denied preservation funds, Finland revokes JW exemption from military service, and anthropologists find universal morals among world cultures.

Priest offers special help to parishioners, international boxing organization changes rules to allow hijabs, sham resurrection, cross memorial faces legal challenges, new monastic order revives transgender role in Hinduism, YouTube, and we discuss whether or not Mormonism is a cult.

Souther Baptists face clergy abuse, (Dis)United Methodists, Portland passes a new anti-discrimination law, Catholics test credit card machines, Vatican looks at unbelief, researchers look into Shroud of Turin, and our predictions for the LDS Church.

US Supreme Court denies muslim man imam for execution, Christian school issues onerous dress code for annual dance, Pope Francis acknowledges sexual abuse of nuns, efforts to end religious exemptions for school vaccinations, Arizona has a problematic "In God We Trust" license plate program, polls of highly religious Americans skew depending on how questions are asked, and a clever tactic for getting truth to loved ones.

Mormon filmmaker exposed for abuse, Christian student groups visit Sundance film festival, composting our dead loved ones, child killed because he didn't learn his bible verses, oppressive Saudi app exposed, an update about an Oklahoma state senator, and what a new poll suggests about faith and happiness.

New York passes landmark LGBTQ rights laws, another ding-dong American missionary, Christian foster agencies enforce their own rules, Louisiana schools, Muslim extremism, god on the souls of their shoes, and what Mormons believe about their temples.