Thethinkingatheist

This podcast features the audio from Seth Andrews' presentation at FreeFlo 2015, the Freethought Florida Conference in Orlando.  The speech is an often lighthearted (but occasionally alarming) exploration of "sacred" ideas and practices in the 21st century, and it explores the merits of retiring damaging rituals in favor of better ones.SPEECH VIDEO:  https://youtu.be/biBULlkmBFEVIDEO WITH NATHAN PHELPS "Something Beautiful":  https://youtu.be/L6IPFyHEv3o  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Religious parents and institutions know the importance of a child's developmental years, and how difficult it is to tell/sell supernatural claims once the child reaches his or her teen years.  In this podcast, Seth Andrews explores the "programming" of young minds, and explores the difference between education and indoctrination.  Capping the show is the personal story of a young woman named Kaitlyn, whose apostasy prompted her devout Mormon parents to kick her out of her home.The Tiny Thinkers project:  https://www.gofundme.com/tinythinkersBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Steve Hill, Maryellen Hooper and Keith Lowell Jensen are professional comedians.  They are also atheists.In this roundtable discussion, Seth Andrews asks them about life on the road (and the stage), how their non-belief in the supernatural influences their material, facing the hecklers, and their desires to make people laugh while, perhaps, also making them think.Steve Hill:   http://www.stevehillcomic.comMaryellen Hooper:  http://www.maryellenhooper.comKeith Lowell Jensen:  http://www.rockass.netVideo link to "Evolution: What the Fossils Say" from Seth's monologue:  https://youtu.be/DjFgcOId-ZYBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.harrys.com (promo code: thinkingatheist)Is it possible to "talk someone out of their faith?"  Is it even appropriate or worthwhile to make an attempt?  If so, how might atheists best approach those with deep-seated (and often lifelong) religious convictions to foster real discourse and encourage critical thinking?Dr. Peter Boghossian is author of the book, "A Manual for Creating Atheists."  Anthony Magnabosco is a YouTube activist and advocate of "street epistemology."  Both men join Seth Andrews for this interesting discussion.Miguel Video  https://youtu.be/D8LYTy4DmEsJamil Video  https://youtu.be/_99dy6doEqsMakayla Video  http://youtu.be/F_3ys05tReUBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Halloween is almost upon us, which means it's time again to turn down the lights, crank up the podcast, and share some ghost stories.Yes, skeptics can enjoy ghost stories, and this annual tradition has become hugely popular with the TTA audience.  So prepare to enter a world of ghosts, ghouls, footsteps in the dark, whispers from under the bed, and things that go bump in the night.Happy Halloween!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Why do we become afraid?  Is it rational or irrational to fear the dark, spiders, the boogeyman, the things that go bump in the night?It's October, the month of frights. So, a week in advance of our Ghost Stories episode, we expore the concept of fear, and we talk about the things that keep us awake in the still of the night (or in the light of the day).  Special thanks to our special guest: Dr. Carolyn Rodriguez of Stanford University.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Christianity.  Where did it come from?  Who wrote the books of the Bible?  Is there any evidence for a god or man named Jesus?  Why has Christianity remained so popular over the ages?  This podcast features two interviews, conducted by Seth Andrews, with historians and researchers who speak about the origins the New Testament Gospels, the ever-changing face of Christianity, history versus myth, and the Jesus storyIn separate interviews, David Fitzgerald and Dr. Robert Carrier each tackle the Bible and its deity.  VIDEO VERSIONS ON YouTube:DR. CARRIER:  https://youtu.be/WXou9IcH2BE  FITZGERALD:  https://youtu.be/DgPrKHsRpJ8  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: http://www.audiblepodcast.com/thinkingatheistMuhammad Syed is the executive director and Sarah Haider is director of development of Ex-Muslims of North America.  Both are former Muslims.  Armin Navabi is a former Muslim from Iran and the founder of Atheist Republic.In this broadcast, the panel speaks with Seth Andrews about Islam, radical Islamism, cultural Muslims, "The Religion of Peace," the widely conflicting perspectives on Islam, and the difficult and often dangerous road faced by the apostate.Ex-Muslims of North America:  http://www.exmna.orgAtheist Republic:  http://www.atheistrepublic.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistChris Matheson was co-screenwriter on the 1989 comedy film, "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure."  Chris' most recent adventure is an exploration of the Christian holy book, rewriting the "sacred" texts and releasing his synopsis of scripture as the new book, "The Story of God: a Biblical Comedy about Love (and Hate).In this broadcast, Seth speaks with Chris about his sarcastic (yet accurate) take on the Bible, and he finishes the show by reading an excerpt from the book.  Enjoy.CHRIS' BOOK ON AMAZON:  http://www.amazon.com/Story-God-Biblical-Comedy-about/dp/1634310241/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442329908&sr=8-1&keywords=the+story+of+godBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  audiblepodcast.com/thinkingatheistA listener on the TTA Facebook page recently asked Seth Andrews to respond to a "Letter to the Editor" posted in Seth's hometown paper, the Tulsa World.  Usually, as skeptics, we let these kinds of posts slide, because they often don't accomplish much and/or they generate more trouble that they're worth.But in this case, Seth responded, and this show chronicles the exchange, the fallout, and the curious tactics of the indignant commenters who couldn't prove the god they were defending.Yes...it's a rant.  (Gonna be one of those shows.)  Enjoy.Sam Harris: An Atheist Manifesto:  http://www.truthdig.com/dig/item/200512_an_atheist_manifestoBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistGretta Vosper has been an atheist for many years, and she preaches/teaches from the perspective of a Bible skeptic, a rationalist, a humanist, and a non-believer in a literal god.  Now, the United Church of Canada is considering her removal from church leadership because of her atheism.  In this broadcast, we talk with Gretta personally and ask: Why does an atheist minister belong in a church? Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Support our sponsor:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistPenn Jillette is half of the hugely popular duo, "Penn & Teller."  Over the decades, he's done appearances on Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show, Letterman, The Simpsons, The West Wing, Babylon 5, Fear Factor and a host of other shows.  Penn & Teller's Showtime series "Bullshit" ran for 8 seasons, and they're the feature show at Las Vegas' Rio casino.  Penn, like his on-stage partner, is a fearless critic of the Bible and claims of the supernatural.In advance of his appearance at Apostacon in Dallas on September 18, 2015, Penn Jillette joined Seth Andrews for a casual conversation about God, atheism, magic and much more.Penn & Teller website:  http://pennandteller.netPenn's Sunday School:  http://pennsundayschool.comApostacon:  http://www.apostacon.orghttp://www.apostacon.orgVIDEO of this interview:  https://youtu.be/2lbBtUcJ1y0Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.harrys.com (coupon code: thinkingatheist)Relating to Chaos Theory, the term "butterfly effect" relates to the tiniest of influences leading to large differences in deterministic nonlinear systems.  One incarnation of the saying suggests that one flap of a single butterfly's wings in Beijing might change the weather in New York.  (Perhaps you remember Jurassic Park's Ian Malcolm waxing about Chaos Theory in advance of the park's inevitable meltdown.)We're not spending much time on the hard science of Chaos Theory.  This show is more interested in the stories - the human stories - about the small intersections of life, the tiny changes, the unexpected encounters which changed the trajectory of people's lives.What was a moment or encounter which seemed inconsequential at the moment, but ultimately came to re-frame and re-define you?  Share your stories and perspective at podcast@thethinkingatheist.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinking

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistWhat is "transgender?"  How is sexual identity determined?  What are the challenges and opportunites facing those who don't fit into established cultural definitions of gender?  What is this all about?In this broadcast, we get an education and have some frank and positive discussion on the issue.  Joining us is Stephanie Guttormson of the Richard Dawkins Foundation and Thinking Stephtically, YouTube activist Zinnia Jones, Callie Wright of the Gaytheist Manifesto podcast, and activist Danielle Muscato...all transgender individuals.GoFundMe page for the 19-year-old ex-cult member:  http://www.gofundme.com/7c23etf3Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistWhat's on your mind?  Well...this is your chance to sound off.  Call the broadcast to speak with Seth Andrews, or send an email to podcast@thethinkingatheist.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistThis show is dedicated to the more unusual, bizarre, weird, wild, and often jaw-droppingly offensive apologetics defenses of religious beliefs.  What's most surprising is that many making these claims aren't actually deviating very far from the edicts of their various religions and holy texts.  Steve Shives' YouTube page:  https://www.youtube.com/user/stevelikes2curseSteve and Stuffy Burn In Hell:  https://youtu.be/_wYzh7WGxCAGod of Evolution article: "Theory of Evolution Disproven by Video Posted on Facebook"  http://www.godofevolution.com/theory-of-evolution-disproven-by-video-posted-on-facebook/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.evolvefish.comSHOP THE TTA STORE:  http://www.evolvefish.com/The-Thinking-Atheist-s/1840.htmWait.  Sex addiction is a myth?  This podcast features two major parts:1)  The June 20th, 2015 presentation by Dr. Darrel Ray at FreeOK on this very subject.  VIDEO HERE:  https://youtu.be/zzmQsjeqOyk2)  A follow-up radio conversation between Seth Andrews with Dr. Ray to explore some of these issues in more detail.Darrel is the founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Recovering From Religion. Dr. Ray has been a psychologist for over thirty years and is the author of four books: two on organizational teamwork as well as “The God Virus-How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture” and “Sex and God-How Religion Distorts Sexuality”.  He has been a student of religion most of his life and holds a Masters Degree in religion as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology/Anthropology with a Doctorate in psychology. He is also the director of the Recovering From Religion program called The

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistThree special guests join us for tonight's broadcast.  Joshua Roseneau is an evolutionary biologist and serves as Programs and Policy Director for the National Center for Science Education (NCSE).  Dr. Barbara Forrest is a professor of philosophy at Southeastern Louisiana University and author of "Creationism's Trojan Horse: the Wedge of Intelligent Design."  And Dr. Donald Prothero is a paleontologist, geologist, educator and author of over 30 books, including "Reality Check: How Science Deniers Threaten Our Future" and "Evolution: What the Fossils Say and Why it Matters."Our panel discusses how Creationism's champions either distort or misuse "science" in an attempt to co-opt the public into believing Intelligent Design.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistIn his June 20, 2015 speech at the Oklahoma Freethought Convention, Seth Andrews explored how easily we, as human beings, become infatuated with ideas over facts, often leading to incorrect and even damaging assumptions that keep us in the dark.What happens when we'd rather believe than know?  This presentation explores the question in a compelling and entertaining way.SPEECH VIDEO:  https://youtu.be/tZiYgZ3HvagBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistBeat Magazine calls Shelley's voice an "enchanting, knowing croon...with brilliant pop melodies."  Raised in a traditional Jewish culture, Shelley Segal ultimately found herself an atheist with a new zest for life and a message of encouragement for others to do the same.  Her music can often be heard at freethought conventions, and her new album, "Strange Feeling" just released.Shelley Segal joins Seth Andrews for some conversation.  And...she's bringing her guitar.  Shelley Segal's website:  http://www.shelleysegal.comPatreon supporters can watch the video version of this broadcast.  Thanks for your support.  http://www.patreon.com/sethandrews Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.