Friendly Atheist Podcast

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.