Freethought Radio

Guest Sonia Johnson talks about how her activism for the Equal Rights Amendment got her excommunicated from the Mormon Church and turned her into a nonbeliever and a feminist activist. The lively show also features news clips by Marie Tillman and Bill Maher, as well as Katharine Hepburn (born on May 12) speaking in her own words about her disbelief. The weekly show is hosted by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-presidents of the Freedom From Religion Foundation. (MP3, 53 min, 24.7 MB)

Guest Ellory Schempp discusses how his complaints as a 16-year-old about devotional bible reading and prayer in his Pennsylvania public school turned into the landmark 1963 Supreme Court decision, Schempp v. Abington, ending such practices in the United States. The interview includes audio clips of his father, the late Ed Schempp, reminiscing about the lawsuit. The show includes a look at what's wrong with "The National Day of Prayer," music and Dan Barker's "Pagan Pulpit" on why nothing fails like prayer. The weekly show is hosted by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-presidents of the Freedom From Religion Foundation. (MP3, 44 min, 20.4 MB)

Freethought Radio's guest is Rob Boston of Americans United, discussing current state/church conflicts and myths, litigation and his books. "Eavesdrop" on what the Religious Right is saying about atheists and FFRF! Freethinkers Almanac pays homage to influential freethinkers, including Ulysses S. Grant and Mary Wollstonecraft. Freethought Radio is co-hosted by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor. (MP3, 47 min, 21.4 MB)

Tune in to hear Pulitizer Prize-winning journalist and author Edward Humes discuss his new book, "Monkey Girl," on Freethought Radio. The book chronicles the saga of the creationist trial in Dover, Penn., resulting in the recent landmark federal decision against "intelligent design" instruction in public schools. The show also includes discussion of timely state/church topics, including this week's antiabortion decision by the Catholic-dominated Supreme Court, and the efficacy of prayer in the face of gun violence. "Freethinkers Almanac" looks at the unorthodoxy of Shakespeare, born on April 23. Freethought Radio is co-hosted by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor. (MP3, 51 min, 23 MB)

David Randolph, famous conductor of the St. Cecilia Chorus (a secular, non-profit group), talks about his life and his nontheistic views. At age 92, Randolph has become the oldest person to conduct at Carnegie Hall, where he has performed for many decades, and where he will conduct Mendelssohnn and Orff next month. (MP3, 48 min, 22 MB)

Secular lobbyist Lori Lipman Brown, director of the Secular Coalition of America, is interviewed about current issues and bills before Congress and how seculars can make a difference. Updates on FFRF lawsuits and the faith-based initiative are offered. Philip Appleman's song, "Fleas," a literary parody of Joyce Kilmer's "Trees," is performed by Dan Barker. Dan's Pagan Pulpit issues an "Easter Challenge." The broadcast is hosted by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-presidents of the Freedom From Religion Foundation. (MP3, 50 min, 22.7 MB)

Rita Swan, founder of Children's Healthcare Is a Legal Duty, grants a powerful interview about losing a baby to Christian Science anti-medicine tenets, and her subsequent activism to repeal religious exemptions in laws governing healthcare for children. Dan Barker's Pagan Pulpit addresses the biblical defamation of atheists as "fools." Song: "Sunday Morning Blues." Freethinkers Almanac looks at eminent freethinkers born in late March. (MP3, 51 min, 23 MB)

Most of this show is devoted to the timely topic of Roman Catholic crimes against children. Special guest is Joe McGee, a Colorado freethinker who will talk about what it has been like, after nearly 50 years, to go public with crimes committed against him as a child by his family's priest. The show also includes a relevant poem, "Exegesis," read by Philip Appleman, music and a Pagan Pulpit, "The Genuine Atheist," by Dan Barker. Freethought Radio is co-hosted by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor. (MP3, 48 min, 22 MB)

News of the week includes U.S. Rep. Pete Stark's recent announcement that he is nonreligious. Nobel Laureate Paul D. Boyer, a Lifetime Member of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, is interviewed, and he talks about the overwhelming disbelief of "elite" scientists. The show also includes a brief, pithy poetry reading by "freethought laureate" Philip Appleman, and a discussion on common myths about atheists. Featured song: "God's Grandeur," words by Philip Appleman, music by Dan Barker. Freethought Radio is co-hosted by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor. (MP3, 53 min, 23.9 MB)

Tune in to hear the audio of last Sunday's ABC Evening World News segment featuring FFRF co-presidents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor. Then "eavesdrop" on comedian Julia Sweeney talking about atheism, "Letting Go of God" and the Freedom From Religion Foundation on a recent Stephanie Miller radio interview. Hear why bestselling atheist author Sam Harris thinks it's time for society to end faith. This week's show also includes a Pagan Pulpit freethought sermon by Dan Barker on the Jesus ossuary debacle, and a pithy poem, "A Simple Explanation for Everything," by Philip Appleman, read by Phil. Other state/church issues in the news are discussed. Freethought Radio is co-hosted by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor. (MP3, 52 min, 23.7 MB)