Thethinkingatheist

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistReverend Bob Ripley was a minister for over 30 years, with 15 of those years as Senior Minister at Metropolitan United Church, one of the most prominent churches of the United Church of Canada.  He wrote a syndicated column discussing religion for 25 years.In his September 26, 2014 column on LFPress, he announced to the world that he no longer believed in God.  He's releasing a book which chronicles his journey, titled "Life Beyond Belief: a Preacher's Deconversion."Bob joins Seth Andrews for a candid discussion about his life, his beliefs, his doubts, and the transition from Christian minister to skeptic/humanist.BOB'S WEBSITE:  www.lifebeyondbelief.caBOB'S COLUMN:  http://www.lfpress.com/2014/09/26/ripley-how-my-mind-has-changedARONRA:  Theism is Irrational http://www.patreon.com/creation?hid=1042266&u=198656Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Support our sponsor:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistQuite often, religious people declare that all atheists are "angry atheists."  Is this an accurate statement, and what place does anger have in the battle against superstition?  What are the stories behind those who have been genuinely hurt by religion, and how does anger help and/or harm our ability to persuade others to embrace an evidence-based, dogma-free life?This podcast is about the angry atheist.  Seth's Patreon page:  http://www.patreon.com/sethandrewsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistCreated by the late science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology is a religion/cult which teaches that humans are actually immortal beings who, having forgotten their true nature, require intensive (and expensive) "auditing" techniques to rediscover their true, immortal selves.Reports and allegations have been made, by journalists, courts, and governmental bodies of several countries, that the Church of Scientology is an unscrupulous commercial enterprise that harasses its critics and brutally exploits its members.In this compelling episode, we explore Scientology's practices, and we hear from those who escaped its shadow. Tony Ortega "The Underground Bunker:"  http://tonyortega.orgTory Christman's YouTube page:  https://www.youtube.com/user/ToryMagoo44Mark Bunker's Knowledge Report: http://www.knowledgereport-themovie.comScientific American article "The Real Science Behind Scientology": http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-real-scie

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://absenceofclothing.comChildren raised in Christian homes are almost always surrounded by beautiful and inspiring tales hand-picked by parents for bedtime.  They're inspired by Jesus' miracles.  They learn about Zacchaeus and the sycamore tree.  They sing about Joshua and the walls of Jericho.  They read the joyous tale of Noah's Ark and the boat filled with (often colorfully-drawn) animals.In this podcast, we talk with Joey Kirkman, co-author of "Bedtime Bible Stories," about the darker tales of scripture and his recent book (complete with parental advisory label), and we take your calls and emails on the bible tales that might just keep Christian children wide awake with terror when the lights go out.Bedtime Bible Stories website:  http://www.bedtimebiblestories.comEd Suominen: Jehu's Jihad  http://blog.edsuom.com/p/jehus-jihad.htmlBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistMany skeptics and rationalists come from religions, cultures and behaviors that stand far apart from their current relationships with reality.  This show takes an entertaining look at the strange beliefs many atheists once held and explores how otherwise rational minds can entertain the irrational, the unusual and the bizarre.Want to tell your story?  Email podcast@thethinkingatheist.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistWe had to move some shows around at the last minute, so tonight is a "freestyle" podcast, where you talk about whatever's on your mind.  WEDDING GIFT BEYOND BELIEF (charity drive):  http://www.razoo.com/story/A-Wedding-Gift-Beyond-BeliefSeth's Patreon page:  http://www.patreon.com/sethandrewsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistGIVE A WEDDING GIFT:  http://www.razoo.com/story/A-Wedding-Gift-Beyond-BeliefSECULAR THERAPIST BLOG ARTICLE:  http://freethoughtblogs.com/greta/2014/08/20/secular-therapist-project/JERRY COYNE'S ARTICLE ON ROBIN WILLIAMS (with Stephen Fry letter): http://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/robin-williams-depression-and-stephen-fryIn recent weeks, we've been dealing with the human mind and its ability to accept irrational things.  This week, we're dealing directly with the complex issue of mental health, specifically things like depression, anxiety, grief, addiction, mood disorders and more.  Blogger, speaker and activist JT Eberhard has revealed publicly his own battles with depression, giving a talk at Skepticon 4 titled, "Mental Illness and Why The Skeptic Community Should Give a Shit."  (LINK: http://youtu.be/UI-YvrHZVvk) Michaelyn Eberhard has a bachelors degree in neuroscience and is a freethought activist.  Jeremiah Beene studies Ph.D

In this "bonus" podcast, your humble host shares some (often humorous) stories from his recent Alaska wedding, and then he asks the radio audience for a wedding gift.  That gift...is probably not what you're expecting.VISIT THIS LINK TO GIVE YOUR WEDDING GIFT (and thanks!):  http://www.razoo.com/story/A-Wedding-Gift-Beyond-BeliefBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistIt's a topic we cover occasionally, partially because the issue of secular parenting is such a relevant issue, and partially because the subject is often as complex and unique as the families navigating through it.How does a godless parent approach the teaching of a child as opposed to the indoctrination of a child?  What are some successful methods for raising a genuine freethinker?  What are some of the potential problems?  In this episode, we share your perspectives and stories, and we also speak with Dan Arel, blogger, journalist and author of the new book, "Parenting Without God."  (http://www.parentingwithoutgod.com)Email the show: podcast@thethinkingatheist.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

In the spring of 2014, atheists AronRa, Seth Andrews and Matt Dillahunty teamed up for a 3-city tour bearing the tongue-in-cheek-titled name, "The Unholy Trinity."  This podcast features the audio from AronRa's San Antonio presentation, and it's part three of a 3-part podcast series from this tour.  Enjoy.  VIDEO of Aron's presentation is on YouTube:  http://youtu.be/bXHsFlizTbsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

In the spring of 2014, atheists AronRa, Seth Andrews and Matt Dillahunty teamed up for a 3-city tour bearing the tongue-in-cheek-titled name, "The Unholy Trinity."  Seth's speech video on YouTube:  http://youtu.be/8tVBtyDqD90This podcast features the audio from Seth Andrews' Albuquerque presentation, and it's part two of a 3-part podcast series from this tour.  Enjoy.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

In the spring of 2014, atheists AronRa, Seth Andrews and Matt Dillahunty teamed up for a 3-city tour bearing the tongue-in-cheek-titled name, "The Unholy Trinity."  This podcast features the audio from Matt Dillahunty's Amarillo presentation, and it's part one of a 3-part podcast series from this tour.Video of Matt's speech is here:  http://youtu.be/SBwv79WFqAc? Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

How does the human brain accept rationality AND irrationality?  What are the mechanisms at play when it comes to the acceptance of religious beliefs and claims?  Are some people more predisposed to superstitious thinking than others?  What are the best approaches to help promote science, reason, rationality and evidence-based thinking?Joining us for this show will be Dr. Caleb Lack (http://www.caleblack.com) a clinical psychologist and educator on psychology, critical thinking and science VS pseudoscience.  He writes the "Great Plains Skeptic" column on the Skeptic Ink Network (http://www.skepticink.com)BOOK:  13 Reasons to Doubt:  http://www.amazon.com/13-Reasons-Doubt-writers-Skeptic-ebook/dp/B00LRFK548/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Support our sponsor:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistThis week's special guest is Wanda Morris, CEO of the organization, "Dying with Dignity." Wanda has been on the front lines of the Right to Die Movement in Canada for many years, educating the public, challenging government officials and fighting for patients' rights regarding end-of-life choices.In this podcast, we explore death, the fear of death, and the question of how humanity should approach life, death, suffering, compassion and dignity.LINKS:http://www.dyingwithdignity.ca/https://www.facebook.com/DWDCanadahttps://twitter.com/DWDCanadahttp://www.worldrtd.net/Speech at IMAGINE NO RELIGION 4:  http://youtu.be/M3-6BIMkjRABecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Support our sponsor:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistThis week's show is a casual conversation where listeners submit questions and comments about the show, about activism in general, about their own lives and circumstances, and about whatever else might be on their minds.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

On April 12th, 2014, Seth Andrews spoke in San Diego, California to a standing-room-only crowd at the VisionPulse Creative Event & Meeting Center.  His presentation, titled "The Ultimate Question," dealt with religion, indoctrination, curiosity, fear and the liberation from superstitious chains.  This is the audio of that presentation.VIDEO VERSION OF THE SPEECH:  http://youtu.be/csxLnEUNNS8THE LETTER:  http://www.thethinkingatheist.com/blog/86/A-Letter-of-EncouragementSpecial thanks to:The Humanist Fellowship of San Diegohttp://www.hfsd.infohttp://www.meetup.com/humanistfellowshipThe San Diego Coalition of Reasonhttp://unitedcor.org/san-diego/page/homehttp://www.SDCoR.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Merriam Webster defines the word apologetics as:1)  systematic argumentative discourse in defense (as of a doctrine)2)  a branch of theology devoted to the defense of the divine origin and authority of ChristianityAnd apologists are everywhere, using lofty language and theological acrobatics to defend belief systems which can't otherwise be defended.This two-part podcast talks about many prominent apologists and their arguments, addressing many of the most commonly heard apologetic claims and examining those claims logically, rationally, morally and against the evidence.Last week's episode featured specific information about apologist arguments and tactics.  This show is exclusively dedicated to listener calls with comments/questions.  THE ATHEIST EXPERIENCE:  http://www.atheist-experience.comJT EBERHARD:  http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wwjtdARONRA:  http://www.aronra.com  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Merriam Webster defines the word apologetics as:1)  systematic argumentative discourse in defense (as of a doctrine)2)  a branch of theology devoted to the defense of the divine origin and authority of ChristianityAnd apologists are everywhere, using lofty language and theological acrobatics to defend belief systems which can't otherwise be defended.  This two-part podcast talks about many prominent apologists and their arguments, addressing many of the most commonly heard apologetic claims and examining those claims logically, rationally, morally and against the evidence.This episode is a discussion between several experience debaters: Matt Dillahunty, Tracie Harris and AronRa.  Next week's show will be fully dedicated to listener calls with comments and questions (podcast@thethinkingatheist.com)FRANKEN-KAT PHOTO:  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=672053969537687&set=a.474510282625391.1073741825.100001992705053&type=1&theaterBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podc

Dr. Carolyn C. Porco is an American planetary scientist known for her work on the Voyager missions to Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune in the 1980s.  She leads the imaging scientist team on the Cassini mission currently in orbit around Saturn.  She’s also involved with the New Horizons mission launched to Pluto.  She has authored more than 100 scientific papers.  She has given two popular Ted Talks lectures.  She has won numerous awards, including the Carl Sagan Medal presented by the American Astronomical Society for Excellence in the Communication of Science to the Public, she was named one of the 25 most influential people in space by Time magazine in 2012, and she was recently elected to be a laureate of the International Academy of Humanism.On this podcast, we talk with Dr. Porco about her work, about the exploration of our solar system and beyond, about science versus anti-science, and about this new age of discovery that has opened windows into the vast reaches of space.CAROLYN PORCO WEBSITE:  http:

On Saturday, May 31st at the Marriot East in Memphis, TN, atheist Matt Dillahunty and presuppositional apologist Sye Ten Bruggencate took the stage before a live audience to debate the topic, "Is It Reasonable To Believe God Exists?"This is the audio of that exchange.The video version of this debate can be seen on The Thinking Atheist YouTube channel at:  http://youtu.be/OL8LREmbDi0 Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.