Thethinkingatheist

No...these aren't the stories you're used to hearing at Sunday Sermon. These are stories that are often skipped over, ignored, or excused, lest they send Christians into a fit of head-scratching, guffaws and gasps. Let us explore The Good Book. (And if you can, share this episode with your Christian family and friends. They'll love it!)Support our sponsor:  http://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/sethBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

How do those with disabilities feel when religious people declare them sinners, a life lesson, or a miracle just waiting to happen?  We explore this subject, and the stories of various listeners who have been labeled, named, claimed, prayed over, and in some cases, ignored.Link to Washington Post editorial: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/04/24/a-powerful-reddit-thread-reveals-what-its-like-to-be-disabled/?utm_term=.fbf5514598d5Blog "What Christians Have Taught Me About My Disability: https://profoundmetamorphosis.wordpress.com/2017/02/01/what-christians-have-taught-me-about-my-disabilitySupport our sponsor:  http://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/sethBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

What's it like to emerge from a religious belief, and to navigate the complex, difficult and wonderous world beyond?  Seth Andrews has a candid conversation with a young apostate who is currently walking this path. Her name is Sara.  Her story is challenging, occasionally heartbreaking, and ultimately inspiring.Support Seth Andrews on patreon: http://www.patreon.com/sethandrewsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Seth Andrews speaks with two secular legal experts about several recent court decisions that reflect (or betray) the United States Constitution's Establishment Clause.  Andrew Seidel is a Constitutional attorney for the Freedom From Religion Foundation, and Monica Miller is Senior legal Counsel for the American Humanist Association.Video of the Monica Miller interview: https://youtu.be/7kIjDPGOgiAHemant Mehta's article on the Pensacola backlash against Monica Miller: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2017/06/21/christians-are-harassing-the-atheist-lawyer-who-won-the-pensacola-cross-case/Support Seth Andrews on Patreon:  http://www.patreon.com/sethandrews Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Is Islam the most dangerous religion on the planet today? Is "Islamophobia" legitimate? What's an Atheist Muslim? How do we address the challenges that come with the world's fastest growing religion?Lots of contributors to this show, including:Ali Rizvi: author of "The Atheist Muslim"Muhammad Syed & Sarah Haider: Ex-Muslims of North AmericaArmin Navabi: Founder of AtheistRepublicYasmine Mohammed: Founder of "Confessions of an Ex-Muslim"Faisal Saeed Al-Mutar: Founder of "Global Secular Humanist Movement"Support our sponsor:  www.stamps.com (promo code: sethandrews) Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

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.