Thethinkingatheist

Seth Andrews gave this speech June 3, 2017 in Toronto at the Imagine 7 conference.  It's a humorous (and perhaps therapeutic) romp through Seth's religious past...and the often bizarre words and attitudes that reflected his Christian faith.VIDEO of this presentation: https://youtu.be/URr0O9aHW38Support Seth Andrews on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/sethandrewsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Religious cultures are often distrustful of science and scientists. They're also often bound to debunked mythologies and bad information. We explore mis-education and the celebration of ignorance in the name of God.Support Our Sponsor:http://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/sethLinks to Jonny Scaramanga's articles on ACE:http://www.patheos.com/blogs/leavingfundamentalism/2014/09/01/revelations-from-a-former-ace-insiderhttp://www.patheos.com/blogs/leavingfundamentalism/2016/09/13/out-among-the-stars-defeating-the-legacy-of-religious-indoctrinationhttp://www.patheos.com/blogs/leavingfundamentalism/2014/08/18/a-readymade-toolkit-for-institutionalised-oppressionBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Seth Andrews (apparently) lives in a house infected with dark, demonic power.  In this 30-minute broadcast, the host explains how he came to reside in the Devil's Domain.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Theoretical physicist Dr. Lawrence Krauss has written a new book about "The Greatest Story Ever Told...So Far," which examines and celebrates the human exploration of our universe.He discusses his book, and his perspective on the religious ideas of a "Greatest Story," with Seth Andrews in this short conversation.SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/sethDr. Krauss' book is available at http://a.co/9GQP0SHVIDEO of this interview:  https://youtu.be/rTtf1mzjOW8   Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

A former Christian informs his wife that he's now an atheist. She threatens to divorce him. Seth Andrews has a short message for her, and for anyone who finds himself or herself "unequally yoked" with a non-believer.VIDEO "Letter to a Christian Spouse:" https://youtu.be/FQUA9Rh2MCYBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Andrea Garatshun is a former Christian fundamentalist.  Now an atheist, she has spent the past decade as a Bible researcher, with a focus on biblical Hebrew, and understanding the gods of the Old Testament – the Tanakh.Garatshun asserts that Christian tradition’s archetypes of Satan are completely missing from the Old Testament, and that an exploration into the Hebrew reveals how Satan, Lucifer, Beelzebub and Devil have been completely misinterpreted and misunderstood by cultural Christianity.This is a conversation about “The Devil You Don’t Know.”VIDEO of this conversation is on YouTube:  (coming soon)SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/sethBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

On this 2nd part of a two-part podcast, we discuss the controversial subject of physical violence as a response to hate speech.  Support our sponsor:  Stamps.com http://www.stamps.com (promo code: sethandrews)Part 1 of this discussion can be heard here:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thethinkingatheist/2017/05/16/when-to-punch-a-nazi-a-conversation-about-free-speech-part-1-of-2Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Recent headlines have seen violent responses toward the culture's more distasteful voices. White supremacist Richard Spencer is punched during an interview. Milo Yiannopoulos' Berkley speech prompts riots.  Ann Coulter cancels her own Berkley appearance over security concerns.  Justifiable outrage against outrageous people and ideas seems to spill over into fists, fires, calamity and chaos.  But are these responses appropriate and/or helpful?  Is it ever appropriate to respond to words and ideas with a physical blow?On this two-part episode, we discuss this controversial subject.  Your calls and emails: podcast@thethinkingatheist.comSupport our sponsor:  The Great Courses Plus http://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/sethPart 2 of this discussion releases May 17th, 2017 at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thethinkingatheist/2017/05/17/when-to-punch-a-nazi-a-conversation-about-free-speech-part-2-of-2 Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

It's an impromptu show where our listeners pick the topics.  Dial in and sound off!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Apologist Ravi Zacharias claims links to Oxford and Cambridge and education in quantum physics. But activist Steve Baughman (also known as the Friendly Banjo Atheist on YouTube) feels that there are good reasons to doubt RZ's claims. We discuss.LINKS:Ravi on the Run:  https://youtu.be/x9GdG8i7xEIRavi on Free Will:  https://youtu.be/D64MiGLQ30wRavi and Quantum Physics:  https://youtu.be/zV75_f_zEbURaviWatch website:http://www.raviwatch.comVIDEO of this interview: https://youtu.be/ncrIBxj1OGIBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Noah Lugeons is an activist, author, and host of "The Scathing Atheist" podcast. Noah joins Seth Andrews for a conversation about religion, atheism, "God Awful Movies," and more.Noah's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Diatribes-Essays-Scathing-Atheist-Presents-ebook/dp/B06XQTJT4RScathing Atheist: https://audioboom.com/channel/scathing-atheistGod Awful Movies: https://audioboom.com/channel/god-awful-moviesSUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.evolvefish.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Christopher Hitchens is known for his famous book subtitle, "How Religion Poisons Everything."  Is this a fair statement?  Is religion always toxic?  We discuss.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Netflix has a new film profiling Madalyn Murray O'Hair, founder of American Atheists and once called "The Most Hated Woman in America." But is the film fair and factual, and does the dramatized story of O'Hair bear any resemblance to the real-life story?In this podcast, we profile this atheist icon, and we discuss the film with Frank Zindler, former interim president of AA and someone who knew Madalyn Murray O'Hair personally.This broadcast will discuss specific plot points, so understand that there might be some spoilers.  If that's a concern, we encourage you to see the film before listening to the show.Support our sponsor: The Great Courses Plus http://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/seth Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Alcoholics Anonymous and other recovery programs often invoke (or require) a "Higher Power." How effective is this, and are there better alternatives for beating addiction and overcoming ?  We explore 12-step programs, the often religious language they use, and some secular alternatives.Support Our Sponsor:The Great Courses Plus:  http://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/sethJon Stewart’s blog: “Leaving AA, Staying Sober” https://jonsleeper.wordpress.comJon Stewart’s article in The Guardian:  https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/nov/29/alcoholics-anonymous-saved-my-life-but-i-lost-my-faithRecovery resources suggested on the show:https://www.seculartherapy.org/http://lifering.org/https://www.the-sinclair-method.com/http://www.sossobriety.org/http://www.smartrecovery.org/http://www.refugerecovery.org/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

More and more every day, the claims of a literal, historical Jesus are coming into question. Many atheists still think the Jesus-as-God story traces back to a literal person, but author Historical researcher David Fitzgerald is among a growing number of mythicists who think that that Jesus never existed in any human form. David joins Seth Andrews for a discussion about Jesus, the claims, the evidence (and lack of), and David's new book on the subject, "Jesus: Mything in Action Volume 1."Support our sponsor:  The Great Courses Plushttp://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/sethKindness campaign for Doug Clark:  https://www.youcaring.com/dougclarke-731585  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Lucien Greaves is co-founder of The Satanic Temple, an organization which has gained global attention with its attempts to have its Baphomet monument displayed next to Christian monuments (like the Ten Commandments) on taxpayer-funded property.  It also distributes children's books at various public schools as counters to the distribution of Gideon bibles and Christian literature.We speak to Lucien about his activism, his perspective on the supernatural and the Devil, and the mission and goals of one of the most controversial Satanist organizations in the United States. Support our sponsor:  http://www.hellofresh.com (promo code: sethandrews)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

From the Jesus fish stick, to weeping Mary statues, to the staged "cures" sold by self-acclaimed faith healers, this lighthearted show explores some of the bizarre (and often hysterically funny) miracle claims from around the world.SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:The Great Courses Plus:  http://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/sethStamps.com:  http://www.stamps.com (promo code sethandrews)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

This is a previously unscheduled, totally off-topic, "bonus" show.  Because sometimes, we just need to take a break and hang out.Of course, this broadcast won't be for everyone, but if you're just looking for something to listen to, crank it up and enjoy.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Ron Miscavige is father of David Miscavige, leader of the Church of Scientology.  Ron tells the story of his son, Scientology, and his escape from the church's controlling grasp.Ron's book, "Ruthless:"  https://www.amazon.com/Ruthless-Scientology-Son-David-Miscavige/dp/1250096936/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487075049&sr=8-1&keywords=ron+miscavigeSUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:The Great Courses Plus:  http://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/seth   Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

How reliable is our memory? Can fake memories be planted through suggestion? Cognitive psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Loftus is an expert on memory who has served as an expert witness or consultant in hundreds of memory-related cases, including the famous McMartin preschool trial, the Rodney King trial, litigation involving Michael Jackson, Martha Stewart and others.  She joins Seth Andrews for an exploration of memory and the human brain.Dr. Loftus' TED Talk: https://youtu.be/PB2OegI6wvIDr. Loftus' page at the University of California, Irvine:  http://www.law.uci.edu/faculty/full-time/loftus/SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.stamps.com (promo code: sethandrews)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.