http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress Question. Think. Decide. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:36:18 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 2007-2011 john@americanfreethought.com (American Freethought) john@americanfreethought.com (American Freethought) atheism 1440 http://www.americanfreethought.com/images/podcastlogo144x144.jpg http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress 144 144 Question. Think. Decide. An atheist podcast. freethought, atheism, skepticism, religion, secularism, philosophy, atheist, skeptic American Freethought American Freethought john@americanfreethought.com yes no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2012/01/22/podcast-142-jessica-ahlquist-victorious-in-rhode-island/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2012/01/22/podcast-142-jessica-ahlquist-victorious-in-rhode-island/#comments Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:41:52 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=3152 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2012/01/22/podcast-142-jessica-ahlquist-victorious-in-rhode-island/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/12/20/podcast-140-remembering-christopher-hitchens/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/12/20/podcast-140-remembering-christopher-hitchens/#comments Wed, 21 Dec 2011 02:50:45 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=3136 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/12/20/podcast-140-remembering-christopher-hitchens/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/12/16/hitch-is-dead/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/12/16/hitch-is-dead/#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:12:17 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=3133 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/12/16/hitch-is-dead/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/12/03/atheists-as-bad-as-rapists/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/12/03/atheists-as-bad-as-rapists/#comments Sun, 04 Dec 2011 02:37:22 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=3118 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/12/03/atheists-as-bad-as-rapists/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/12/01/podcast-138-war-on-christmas-special-2011/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/12/01/podcast-138-war-on-christmas-special-2011/#comments Fri, 02 Dec 2011 01:40:56 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=3114 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/12/01/podcast-138-war-on-christmas-special-2011/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/11/20/podcast-137-attack-of-the-theocrats/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/11/20/podcast-137-attack-of-the-theocrats/#comments Mon, 21 Nov 2011 04:08:31 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=3106 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/11/20/podcast-137-attack-of-the-theocrats/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/11/09/podcast-136-reason-rally-update-with-david-silverman/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/11/09/podcast-136-reason-rally-update-with-david-silverman/#comments Thu, 10 Nov 2011 02:12:55 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=3097 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/11/09/podcast-136-reason-rally-update-with-david-silverman/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/10/29/ky-court-of-appeals-rules-against-american-atheists/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/10/29/ky-court-of-appeals-rules-against-american-atheists/#comments Sat, 29 Oct 2011 13:38:56 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=3061 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/10/29/ky-court-of-appeals-rules-against-american-atheists/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/10/17/podcast-134-alex-rosenberg-the-atheists-guide-to-reality/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/10/17/podcast-134-alex-rosenberg-the-atheists-guide-to-reality/#comments Mon, 17 Oct 2011 23:23:01 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=3048 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/10/17/podcast-134-alex-rosenberg-the-atheists-guide-to-reality/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/10/07/clarifying-myths-about-atheists/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/10/07/clarifying-myths-about-atheists/#comments Fri, 07 Oct 2011 05:01:57 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=3043 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/10/07/clarifying-myths-about-atheists/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/10/06/podcast-133-shocking-abuse-of-teens-in-christian-homes/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/10/06/podcast-133-shocking-abuse-of-teens-in-christian-homes/#comments Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:48:06 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=3037 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/10/06/podcast-133-shocking-abuse-of-teens-in-christian-homes/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/09/19/the-spirituality-of-atheism/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/09/19/the-spirituality-of-atheism/#comments Tue, 20 Sep 2011 02:44:45 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=3026 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/09/19/the-spirituality-of-atheism/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/09/09/podcast-131-live-at-dragoncon-2011/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/09/09/podcast-131-live-at-dragoncon-2011/#comments Fri, 09 Sep 2011 22:36:59 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=3009 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/09/09/podcast-131-live-at-dragoncon-2011/feed/ 0 1:00:20 We’re live from the Skeptrack at Dragon*Con, recorded Friday, September 1, 2011. Among the items discussed: the Virginia Earthquake, the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and the difference (if any) between skeptics and atheists. Thanks again to Derek[...] We’re live from the Skeptrack at Dragon*Con, recorded Friday, September 1, 2011. Among the items discussed: the Virginia Earthquake, the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and the difference (if any) between skeptics and atheists. Thanks again to Derek Colanduno for his hard work in organizing the Skeptrack, and to Mark Ditsler of Abrupt Media for A/V assistance. Announcements: Send us email!  For John Snider use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded September 1, 2011.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, humor, podcast, religion, skepticism American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/08/19/books-maybe-you-should-know-about-2/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/08/19/books-maybe-you-should-know-about-2/#comments Fri, 19 Aug 2011 15:14:21 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2996 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/08/19/books-maybe-you-should-know-about-2/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/08/18/tea-party-less-popular-than-atheists/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/08/18/tea-party-less-popular-than-atheists/#comments Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:09:07 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2992 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/08/18/tea-party-less-popular-than-atheists/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/07/23/sexism-in-the-atheist-community/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/07/23/sexism-in-the-atheist-community/#comments Sat, 23 Jul 2011 13:28:11 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2962 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/07/23/sexism-in-the-atheist-community/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/07/01/podcast-126-matthew-chapman-the-ledge/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/07/01/podcast-126-matthew-chapman-the-ledge/#comments Fri, 01 Jul 2011 22:01:17 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2907 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/07/01/podcast-126-matthew-chapman-the-ledge/feed/ 0 0:50:05 We interview Matthew Chapman, writer/director of the new philosophical thriller The Ledge. Starring Charlie Hunnam, Patrick Wilson and Liv Tyler, The Ledge explores a tragic love triangle involving an atheist, an evangelical Christian, and the woman[...] We interview Matthew Chapman, writer/director of the new philosophical thriller The Ledge. Starring Charlie Hunnam, Patrick Wilson and Liv Tyler, The Ledge explores a tragic love triangle involving an atheist, an evangelical Christian, and the woman they both love. The Ledge opens in NY and LA on July 8th, and in other parts of the country soon thereafter. If you don’t want to wait, you can screen it on-demand right now at SundanceNow.com. Aside from his successful film career, Matthew (who happens to be the great-great-grandson of Charles Darwin) is the author of two books touching on the creationism/evolution debate: Trials of the Monkey (in which he visits Dayton, TN, the site of the famous Scopes Monkey Trial) and 40 Days and 40 Nights (about the recent lawsuit in Dover, PA). Matthew is also the cofounder and current president of Science Debate, a nonprofit organization “dedicated to elevating science and engineering policy issues in the national dialogue of the United States.” For more about Matthew Chapman and his many projects, visit MatthewChapman.us. Also: More controversy from the Miss USA pageant! After Miss Tennessee answered a question about burning the Qur’an, Penn Jillette (one of the judges) tweeted “glad to help her lose.” Georgia is about to update the state’s license plates, and half of the six candidate designs feature “In God We Trust.” The public can vote online through mid-July, so even if you’re not a resident of the Peach State, you can visit this website and vote for your secular faves. Vote early and often! ANNOUNCEMENTS David Driscoll’s other project, Secular World podcast (formerly Secular Nation podcast) continues. John Snider will be repeating his 20th Century Twain presentation on July 3 for theFellowship of Reason at the Atlanta Freethought Hall. CONTACT Visit us online at AmericanFreethought.com. Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com. (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.) If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes page. Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups. Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com. If you’d like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to editor@scifidimensions.com. We promise not to spend it on beer. atheism, christianity, interviews, movies, podcast, politics, religion, science American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/06/24/podcast-125-sex-and-secularism/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/06/24/podcast-125-sex-and-secularism/#comments Sat, 25 Jun 2011 01:03:27 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2889 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/06/24/podcast-125-sex-and-secularism/feed/ 0 1:00:35 We interview researchers Dr. Darrel Ray and Amanda Brown about “Sex and Secularism,” their recently released survey of the sex lives of thousands of non-theists. Some of the answers may surprise you.  To download the survey visit IPCPres[...] We interview researchers Dr. Darrel Ray and Amanda Brown about “Sex and Secularism,” their recently released survey of the sex lives of thousands of non-theists. Some of the answers may surprise you.  To download the survey visit IPCPress.com. Also, be sure to visit AtheismResource.com, cofounded by Amanda and her husband, a site “designed to give easy access to loads of information on the subject of atheism from a historical, cultural, political, psychological, sociological, and scientific perspective.”  Darrel Ray is the author of The God Virus: How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture and Sex and God: How Religion Distorts Sexuality, due out this fall. Miss USA is a “huge science geek.”  Miss California Alyssa Campanella was crowned amid some controversy: among the questions asked of this year’s contestants was “Should evolution be taught in the schools?” The montage at the top of the show features the answers of Miss Alabama, Miss Alaska, Miss Arizona, Miss Arkansas and Miss California. Those with strong constitutions can listen to the entire 15-minute clip with the answers from all 51 contestants. Skepticamp Atlanta 2011 was a great success! The presentations were great overall, with two exceptions (one for a series of tragically comic technical glitches, and another for being, well, not rigorously skeptical).  And John’s Trivia Challenge was well-received. The winner was none other than Steve DeGroof, creator of Tree Lobsters. ANNOUNCEMENTS David Driscoll’s other project, Secular World podcast (formerly Secular Nation podcast) continues. John Snider will be repeating his 20th Century Twain presentation on July 3 for theFellowship of Reason at the Atlanta Freethought Hall. CONTACT Visit us online at AmericanFreethought.com. Email us at john@americanfreethought.com or david@americanfreethought.com.  (John and David are available, either together or separately, to speak in person to your group.) If you like what you hear, take a moment and leave feedback on our iTunes page. Join our communities at Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups. Shop through us at Amazon.com or at CafePress.com. If you’d like to donate to the operation of this podcast, you can contribute through PayPal to editor@scifidimensions.com.  We promise not to spend it on beer. atheism, interviews, religion, science American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/06/22/atheists-still-at-the-bottom-with-voters/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/06/22/atheists-still-at-the-bottom-with-voters/#comments Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:10:16 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2880 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/06/22/atheists-still-at-the-bottom-with-voters/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/06/14/billboard-company-requires-christian-insurance/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/06/14/billboard-company-requires-christian-insurance/#comments Wed, 15 Jun 2011 01:39:56 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2864 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/06/14/billboard-company-requires-christian-insurance/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/05/31/trailer-for-the-ledge/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/05/31/trailer-for-the-ledge/#comments Wed, 01 Jun 2011 02:20:11 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2823 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/05/31/trailer-for-the-ledge/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/05/23/the-dilemma-of-the-black-atheist/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/05/23/the-dilemma-of-the-black-atheist/#comments Mon, 23 May 2011 05:01:14 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2809 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/05/23/the-dilemma-of-the-black-atheist/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/05/16/stephen-hawking-doesnt-believe-in-heaven/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/05/16/stephen-hawking-doesnt-believe-in-heaven/#comments Mon, 16 May 2011 23:57:21 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2787 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/05/16/stephen-hawking-doesnt-believe-in-heaven/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/03/12/podcast-118-dave-silverman-president-american-atheists/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/03/12/podcast-118-dave-silverman-president-american-atheists/#comments Sat, 12 Mar 2011 21:17:12 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2623 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/03/12/podcast-118-dave-silverman-president-american-atheists/feed/ 0 0:53:20 Tide goes in.  Tide goes out.  Never a miscommunication with Dave Silverman, president of American Atheists.  We talk to Dave about the upcoming American Atheists national convention in Des Moines, Iowa (April 21-24), as well as recent court cases t[...] Tide goes in.  Tide goes out.  Never a miscommunication with Dave Silverman, president of American Atheists.  We talk to Dave about the upcoming American Atheists national convention in Des Moines, Iowa (April 21-24), as well as recent court cases that will have an impact on the freethinking community. (The show opener is a random clip from MSNBC.) Announcements: John Snider will be speaking to the Humanists of Georgia at 12:30PM on March 20th at the Atlanta Freethought Hall.  The topic of his presentation will be “20th Century Twain: Mark Twain’s Final Years and Freethought Legacy.” Send us email! For John Snider use john@americanfreethought.com; for David Driscoll use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. If you shop online, please use our Amazon.com link.  For cool American Freethought t-shirts, mugs, etc. visit our CafePress shop. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded March 3, 2011. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, interviews American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/26/podcast-117-andrea-steele-international-freethought-film-fest/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/26/podcast-117-andrea-steele-international-freethought-film-fest/#comments Sat, 26 Feb 2011 21:33:56 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2601 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/26/podcast-117-andrea-steele-international-freethought-film-fest/feed/ 0 0:31:55 We interview Andrea Steele, founder and executive director of the Freethought Film Festival Foundation.  Their first event–the International Freethought Film Festival–is May 13th-15th in Tampa, Florida.  TICKETS GO ON SALE March 3rd! In [...] We interview Andrea Steele, founder and executive director of the Freethought Film Festival Foundation.  Their first event–the International Freethought Film Festival–is May 13th-15th in Tampa, Florida.  TICKETS GO ON SALE March 3rd! In other movie news, Paul Bettany (The Da Vinci Code, Creation) is set to star in yet another movie that will drive the Catholic League crazy: Priest, based on an obscure but cultishly popular Korean comic book.  This is a movie that could be very bad or very cool: in a post-apocalyptic wilderness, a vampire-killing priest defies an all-powerful church that’s in denial about the resurgent threat.  Priest opens May 13th. Plus: Holey Scripture! Announcements: John Snider will be speaking to the Humanists of Georgia at 12:30PM on March 20th at the Atlanta Freethought Hall.  The topic of his presentation will be “20th Century Twain: Mark Twain’s Final Years and Freethought Legacy.” Send us email! For John Snider use john@americanfreethought.com; for David Driscoll use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. If you shop online, please use our Amazon.com link.  For cool American Freethought t-shirts, mugs, etc. visit our CafePress shop. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded February 12, 2011. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. arts, atheism, interviews, movies, podcast American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/26/billy-ray-cyrus-ignorant-bigot/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/26/billy-ray-cyrus-ignorant-bigot/#comments Sat, 26 Feb 2011 12:54:46 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2599 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/26/billy-ray-cyrus-ignorant-bigot/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/20/conservative-atheists-revisited/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/20/conservative-atheists-revisited/#comments Sun, 20 Feb 2011 13:20:54 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2590 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/20/conservative-atheists-revisited/feed/ 3 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/18/podcast-116-darwin-day-vs-in-god-we-trust/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/18/podcast-116-darwin-day-vs-in-god-we-trust/#comments Sat, 19 Feb 2011 00:54:40 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2586 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/18/podcast-116-darwin-day-vs-in-god-we-trust/feed/ 2 0:47:35 We look at two non-binding resolutions currently in the works within the new US House of Representatives: one in support of Darwin Day (February 12th), and another looking to reaffirm “In God We Trust” as the national motto.  Guess whic[...] We look at two non-binding resolutions currently in the works within the new US House of Representatives: one in support of Darwin Day (February 12th), and another looking to reaffirm “In God We Trust” as the national motto.  Guess which one is attracting more sponsors? Plus: We present an excerpt from David’s recent talk to the Washington Area Secular Humanists (WASH).  We discuss the president’s recent appearance at yet another National Prayer Breakfast.  And more Revelations weirdness in Holey Scripture. Announcements: John Snider will be speaking to the Humanists of Georgia at 12:30PM on March 20th at the Atlanta Freethought Hall.  The topic of his presentation will be “20th Century Twain: Mark Twain’s Final Years and Freethought Legacy.” Send us email! For John Snider use john@americanfreethought.com; for David Driscoll use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. If you shop online, please use our Amazon.com link.  For cool American Freethought t-shirts, mugs, etc. visit our CafePress shop. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded February 12, 2011. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, christianity, evolution, news, podcast, politics, religion, science American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/13/atlas-shrugged-movie-trailer/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/13/atlas-shrugged-movie-trailer/#comments Sun, 13 Feb 2011 19:13:23 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2583 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/13/atlas-shrugged-movie-trailer/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/09/three-days-of-atheism-in-ky-and-ohio/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/09/three-days-of-atheism-in-ky-and-ohio/#comments Wed, 09 Feb 2011 05:01:10 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2570 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/09/three-days-of-atheism-in-ky-and-ohio/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/08/humanists-of-georgia-now-have-a-website/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/08/humanists-of-georgia-now-have-a-website/#comments Tue, 08 Feb 2011 22:40:10 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2566 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/08/humanists-of-georgia-now-have-a-website/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/04/podcast-115-southeast-regional-atheist-meet-seram/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/04/podcast-115-southeast-regional-atheist-meet-seram/#comments Fri, 04 Feb 2011 05:01:39 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2562 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/04/podcast-115-southeast-regional-atheist-meet-seram/feed/ 0 0:55:45 John reports (almost) live from the American Atheists’ SERAM in Huntsville, Alabama–including interviews with AA president Dave Silverman, Secular Coalition for America executive director Sean Faircloth, and author Darrell Ray (The God V[...] John reports (almost) live from the American Atheists’ SERAM in Huntsville, Alabama–including interviews with AA president Dave Silverman, Secular Coalition for America executive director Sean Faircloth, and author Darrell Ray (The God Virus).  SERAM was a home run, with the 200-seat ballroom sold out.  There was also a hugely successful fundraising dinner, with proceeds going toward the AA legal fund. Announcements: John Snider will be speaking to the Humanists of Georgia at 12:30PM on March 20th at the Atlanta Freethought Hall.  The topic of his presentation will be “20th Century Twain: Mark Twain’s Final Years and Freethought Legacy.” Send us email! For John Snider use john@americanfreethought.com; for David Driscoll use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Facebook, Atheist Nexus, Think Atheist or Yahoo Groups Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. If you shop online, please use our Amazon.com link.  For cool American Freethought t-shirts, mugs, etc. visit our CafePress shop. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded January 30, 2011. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, news, podcast American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/01/27/see-you-at-seram/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/01/27/see-you-at-seram/#comments Fri, 28 Jan 2011 03:10:00 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2555 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/01/27/see-you-at-seram/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/01/13/podcast-113-the-assassination-of-salman-taseer/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/01/13/podcast-113-the-assassination-of-salman-taseer/#comments Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:55:39 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2523 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/01/13/podcast-113-the-assassination-of-salman-taseer/feed/ 0 0:44:14 Salman Taseer, the governor of Pakistan’s Punjab province, has been assassinated by one of his bodyguards for his open criticism of the country’s draconian blasphemy laws. Taseer had been speaking out on behalf of Asia Bibi, a Christia[...] Salman Taseer, the governor of Pakistan’s Punjab province, has been assassinated by one of his bodyguards for his open criticism of the country’s draconian blasphemy laws. Taseer had been speaking out on behalf of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death for insulting the Prophet Mohammed.  With allies like these, who needs enemies? On a less serious note, and closer to home, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled the Mount Soledad Cross unconstitutional.  If you’re not familiar with it, this is a 29-foot-tall concrete monument that has been transformed into a “war memorial,” with advocates claiming that the cross is a universal symbol honoring fallen soldiers, and not inherently a religious symbol.  Go figure. Plus:  The Holey Scripture!  We continue our exploration of the psychedelic creepiness that is the Book of Revelation. Announcements: David will be speaking to the Washington Area Secular Humanists‘ Annual Winter Banquet on Saturday, January 22 at the Blair Mansion Inn in Silver Spring, MD. John and Allison will be attending the upcoming Southeast Atheist Regional Meet (SERAM) in Huntsville, Alabama, January 29-30.  Please say hi.  Speakers at SERAM include AA president Dave Silverman, AA legal director Edwin Kagin, AA communications director Blair Scott, Secular Coalition for America executive director Sean Faircloth, Brother Richard, Darrell Ray and actor/comedian Paul Provenza. Send us email!  For John Snider use john@americanfreethought.com; for David Driscoll use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded January 8, 2011.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, islam, podcast, politics, religion American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/01/04/aa-prez-david-silverman-on-oreilly-tonight/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/01/04/aa-prez-david-silverman-on-oreilly-tonight/#comments Tue, 04 Jan 2011 23:13:23 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2504 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/01/04/aa-prez-david-silverman-on-oreilly-tonight/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/12/31/the-sam-harris-nightline-interview/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/12/31/the-sam-harris-nightline-interview/#comments Fri, 31 Dec 2010 17:26:10 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2494 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/12/31/the-sam-harris-nightline-interview/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/12/03/american-atheists-launches-billboard-campaign/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/12/03/american-atheists-launches-billboard-campaign/#comments Sat, 04 Dec 2010 02:34:43 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2465 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/12/03/american-atheists-launches-billboard-campaign/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/12/02/dawkins-picks-hitch-as-2010-hero/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/12/02/dawkins-picks-hitch-as-2010-hero/#comments Thu, 02 Dec 2010 13:08:39 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2452 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/12/02/dawkins-picks-hitch-as-2010-hero/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/10/24/podcast-107-wynne-legrow-for-us-congress/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/10/24/podcast-107-wynne-legrow-for-us-congress/#comments Sun, 24 Oct 2010 05:01:17 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2400 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/10/24/podcast-107-wynne-legrow-for-us-congress/feed/ 2 0:55:11 We interview Dr. Wynne Legrow, candidate for the US House of Representatives in Virginia’s 4th Congressional District.  Legrow is a retired physician, a Democrat, and an self-identifying atheist.  His opponent is Republican incumbent Randy For[...] We interview Dr. Wynne Legrow, candidate for the US House of Representatives in Virginia’s 4th Congressional District.  Legrow is a retired physician, a Democrat, and an self-identifying atheist.  His opponent is Republican incumbent Randy Forbes, an outspoken Christian who has, among other things, sponsored legislation to reaffirm “In God We Trust” as the national motto and chairs the Congressional Prayer Caucus. For more about Wynne Legrow, visit LegrowforUSCongress.com. Plus: We talk to Nicholas Ivan Ladendorf–cartoonist, new dad, and Progressive Party candidate for Missouri’s 7th District.  Unfortunately, the Progressives didn’t gather enough signatures to be listed on the ballot, but Ladendorf continues his quest as a write-in candidate. For more about Nick Ladendorf, visit NILvsDCBS.com. Be sure to go to the polls and vote your conscience on November 2nd! Announcements: We’re going to Washington, DC for Jon Stewart’s Rally to Restore Sanity, noon to 3pm, October 30th on the National Mall!  If you want to join up with us at the Rally, subscribe to our Twitter feed at Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. Send us email!  For John Snider use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded October 20, 2010.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, interviews, podcast, politics American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/10/23/how-does-it-feel-being-lumped-in-with-atheists/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/10/23/how-does-it-feel-being-lumped-in-with-atheists/#comments Sat, 23 Oct 2010 12:39:27 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2397 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/10/23/how-does-it-feel-being-lumped-in-with-atheists/feed/ 4 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/10/19/vashti-mccollum/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/10/19/vashti-mccollum/#comments Tue, 19 Oct 2010 05:01:13 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2390 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/10/19/vashti-mccollum/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/10/07/podcast-104-the-tillman-story/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/10/07/podcast-104-the-tillman-story/#comments Thu, 07 Oct 2010 11:00:56 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2356 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/10/07/podcast-104-the-tillman-story/feed/ 2 0:42:49 We discuss the new documentary The Tillman Story, which exposes the massive cover-up of the death by friendly fire of pro football player-turned soldier Pat Tillman.  Was his death a tragic mistake, or the result of a malicious “fragging[...] We discuss the new documentary The Tillman Story, which exposes the massive cover-up of the death by friendly fire of pro football player-turned soldier Pat Tillman.  Was his death a tragic mistake, or the result of a malicious “fragging”?  It doesn’t help (from the Army’s perspective) that Tillman was a left-leaning atheist/agnostic openly critical of the “illegal” War in Iraq. For more about the film, visit TillmanStory.com. Plus: We’re going to Washington, DC for Jon Stewart’s Rally to Restore Sanity, noon to 3pm, October 30th on the National Mall!  If you’ll be there as well send us a note. The Eddie Long sex scandal is just beginning.  “Bishop” Eddie Long of Atlanta’s New Birth Missionary Baptist megachurch is the target of four lawsuits by young men who claim Long had homosexual affairs with them when they were teens. Atheists know more than believers: We discuss the new Pew Research Center’s U.S. Religious Knowledge Survey that shows nonbelievers score better on the basic facts of religion than are the faithful.  How can this be?  :) Finally, while the news has already circulated within the nontheistic community, we congratulate Dave Silverman on his selection as the new president of American Atheists. Announcements: Send us email!  For John Snider use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded September 29, 2010.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, commentary, military, movies, news, podcast American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/10/04/philip-roth-doesnt-believe-in-god/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/10/04/philip-roth-doesnt-believe-in-god/#comments Mon, 04 Oct 2010 23:53:46 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2343 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/10/04/philip-roth-doesnt-believe-in-god/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/28/atheists-know-more-about-religion-than-believers/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/28/atheists-know-more-about-religion-than-believers/#comments Tue, 28 Sep 2010 22:32:08 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2320 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/28/atheists-know-more-about-religion-than-believers/feed/ 2 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/26/podcast-102-the-chaplain-and-the-atheist/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/26/podcast-102-the-chaplain-and-the-atheist/#comments Sun, 26 Sep 2010 05:01:31 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2309 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/26/podcast-102-the-chaplain-and-the-atheist/feed/ 6 0:28:21 We discuss journalist Michael M. Phillips’ Wall Street Journal article “A Chaplain and an Atheist Go to War.”  It’s the story of Navy Chaplain Terry Moran (a fundamentalist and Young Earth Creationist) and his bodyguard Relig[...] We discuss journalist Michael M. Phillips’ Wall Street Journal article “A Chaplain and an Atheist Go to War.”  It’s the story of Navy Chaplain Terry Moran (a fundamentalist and Young Earth Creationist) and his bodyguard Religious Programs Specialist 2nd Class Philip Chute, a Dawkins-toting atheist, who serve the troops in Afghanistan. We’re also struck by the similarity of their relationship to that described between the Chaplain and Corporal Whitcomb in Joseph Heller’s novel Catch-22.  In Heller’s satirical classic, the Chaplain is a spineless Anabaptist who’s afraid of his own shadow, while Corporal Whitcomb–an atheist–undermines the Chaplain at every turn, while simultaneously dreaming up ways to increase troop participation in church services. Plus: Feedback!  We’re popular with the young folks (or at least, one young folk).  Why can’t David pronounce “Copenhagen” like a real American?  And what’s with our bleeping of all the swear words?  For what it’s worth, if you can’t get enough swearing check out this YouTube video of all the curses in Episode 1 Season 1 of Deadwood. Announcements: Send us email!  For John Snider use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded September 12, 2010.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, books, christianity, commentary, military, news, podcast, religion American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/18/dave-silverman-elected-president-of-american-atheists/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/18/dave-silverman-elected-president-of-american-atheists/#comments Sat, 18 Sep 2010 12:34:35 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2277 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/18/dave-silverman-elected-president-of-american-atheists/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/16/pope-equates-atheists-with-nazis/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/16/pope-equates-atheists-with-nazis/#comments Fri, 17 Sep 2010 02:37:26 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2275 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/16/pope-equates-atheists-with-nazis/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/16/bill-maher-says-his-atheism-cost-him-an-emmy/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/16/bill-maher-says-his-atheism-cost-him-an-emmy/#comments Thu, 16 Sep 2010 12:06:25 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2269 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/16/bill-maher-says-his-atheism-cost-him-an-emmy/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/09/podcast-100-live-at-dragoncon-2010/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/09/podcast-100-live-at-dragoncon-2010/#comments Thu, 09 Sep 2010 05:01:05 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2231 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/09/podcast-100-live-at-dragoncon-2010/feed/ 7 1:00:38 It’s our 100th episode, and it’s live on the Podcast Track at Dragon*Con 2010!  Aside from reminiscing about our previous 99 shows, we present our usual potpourri of items. Donald Crosby, founder and pastor of God’s Kingdom Builde[...] It’s our 100th episode, and it’s live on the Podcast Track at Dragon*Con 2010!  Aside from reminiscing about our previous 99 shows, we present our usual potpourri of items. Donald Crosby, founder and pastor of God’s Kingdom Builders Church of Jesus Christ in Macon, Georgia, is up in arms because nearby Warner Robins High School’s mascot is the Demon.  [Note:  John states during the podcast that he lived in Warner Robins in the late 90s.  It was actually the late 80s.] Holey Scripture:  Behold Behemoth!  The Old Testament waxes poetic in Job 40:15-24 about the monstrous behemoth, but a quick etymological study (courtesy of the July 28, 2010 Dictionary Word-of-the-Day) reveals that it’s not a monster at all, but rather a hippopotamus.  But that doesn’t stop the guys at T.R.U.T.H. (To Reach Understanding Through Him), who created a video for kids called “What’s a Behemoth?” Which Mohammad?  In this corner…Omid Safi,Islamic mystic and professor of Islamic studies at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.  His latest book is Memories of Muhammad, a generally positive look at the life and influence of the Prophet.  And in this corner…Wafa Sultan, a Syrian born American psychiatrist and author of A God Who Hates, a blistering condemnation of Islam as a backward, misogynistic, violent and insular cult.  She’s best known for her vigorous take-down of an imam on Al-Jazeera in 2006.  We compare the vastly different interpretations of each author of the marriages of Mohammad to Aisha (a six-year-old girl) and Safiyah (a Jewess taken as a spoil of war).  Was Mohammad a noble protector of women, or a pedophile and a rapist?  You decide. Feedback:  Listeners take David to task over his (incorrect) statement in show #99 that August 2010 won’t contain five Sunday-Monday-Tuesdays for another 800+ years.  What can we say?  The guy trusts his mother. Live Q&A:  What do we make of the Tea Party?  And how can those uppity non-Muslim (?!) women like Wafa Sultan, Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Irshad Manji criticize Islam? Thanks again to Swoopy for organizing the Podcast Track and giving us a slot on it. Announcements: Send us email!  For John Snider use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Theme music by Body Found. Thanks to David Price for the Con photo. Recorded September 3, 2010.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, books, christianity, evolution, history, islam, podcast, politics, religion, science American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/07/religious-vanity-plates/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/07/religious-vanity-plates/#comments Wed, 08 Sep 2010 02:30:58 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2227 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/07/religious-vanity-plates/feed/ 5 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/08/23/first-the-hitch-and-now-p-zed/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/08/23/first-the-hitch-and-now-p-zed/#comments Tue, 24 Aug 2010 00:41:53 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2203 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/08/23/first-the-hitch-and-now-p-zed/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/08/22/greydon-square-the-kardashev-scale/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/08/22/greydon-square-the-kardashev-scale/#comments Sun, 22 Aug 2010 17:59:24 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2198 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/08/22/greydon-square-the-kardashev-scale/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/08/21/books-maybe-you-should-know-about-pt-2/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/08/21/books-maybe-you-should-know-about-pt-2/#comments Sat, 21 Aug 2010 05:01:11 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2180 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/08/21/books-maybe-you-should-know-about-pt-2/feed/ 2 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/08/19/answering-seven-questions-you-should-ask-an-atheist/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/08/19/answering-seven-questions-you-should-ask-an-atheist/#comments Fri, 20 Aug 2010 02:32:32 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2185 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/08/19/answering-seven-questions-you-should-ask-an-atheist/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/08/02/gettin-rational-in-knoxville/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/08/02/gettin-rational-in-knoxville/#comments Tue, 03 Aug 2010 01:11:49 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2151 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/08/02/gettin-rational-in-knoxville/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/07/23/podcast-97-the-essential-freethought-library/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/07/23/podcast-97-the-essential-freethought-library/#comments Fri, 23 Jul 2010 05:01:30 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2146 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/07/23/podcast-97-the-essential-freethought-library/feed/ 4 1:04:44 We discuss the Essential Freethought Library, the result of a poll of dozens of notable personalities in the freethought community.  We asked them one simple question: “What ten books must the well-read freethinker have read?” Also, loc[...] We discuss the Essential Freethought Library, the result of a poll of dozens of notable personalities in the freethought community.  We asked them one simple question: “What ten books must the well-read freethinker have read?” Also, local craziness in the news: Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition!  A Georgia pastor is suing the state over a law that expands gun-carrying rights, but prohibits guns in places like government buildings and churches.  That’s right: a preacher wants the right to have a gun in his place of worship. Magic Jeff Goes Bye-Bye!  A Georgia youth minister and magician who performed for kids as “Magic Jeff” gets 20 years in prison for (among other things) child pornography. A Flock Put out to Pasture!  The Greater Works Assembly of Atlanta was evicted from their building for failing to pay the mortgage for TWO YEARS.  And not because of tough economic times, but apparently because the husband-and-wife team that headed up the church were engaged in an elaborate shell game whereby they moved money around amongst nearly ten shadowy non-profits. The Usual Announcements Look for David Driscoll, in his roll as regional ambassador for Atheist Alliance International, speaking August 1st in Knoxville to the Rationalists of East Tennessee. If you’ll be in metro Atlanta on August 8th, look for John Snider and David Driscoll speaking to the Atlanta Freethought Society.  The title of our main presentation:  The Crescent and the Moonpie. Dragon*Con (which includes SkepTrack) is just around the corner, September 3-6, right here in Atlanta.  And if you can join us a day early, the second annual Star Party will be hosted by Emory University’s Science and Math Center. Send us email at contact@americanfreethought.com.  For John Snider only use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll only use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded July 17, 2010.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, books, children, news, podcast, politics, religion American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/07/12/the-essential-freethought-library/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/07/12/the-essential-freethought-library/#comments Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:41:26 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2133 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/07/12/the-essential-freethought-library/feed/ 4 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/07/06/podcast-95-hitch-22/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/07/06/podcast-95-hitch-22/#comments Tue, 06 Jul 2010 05:01:13 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2105 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/07/06/podcast-95-hitch-22/feed/ 1 0:40:50 Writer/activist Christopher Hitchens has announced he’ll be stepping out of the public light to undergo chemotherapy to treat esophageal cancer.  This is bad and scary news and we’re hoping for a speedy and relatively painless recovery. [...] Writer/activist Christopher Hitchens has announced he’ll be stepping out of the public light to undergo chemotherapy to treat esophageal cancer.  This is bad and scary news and we’re hoping for a speedy and relatively painless recovery. Meanwhile, Hitchens has just published Hitch-22, a controversial memoir in which he reveals hitherto unknown details of his early life, and tries to explain his convoluted journey from hardcore Trotskyite to (for lack of a better term) neocon apologist.  It’s not a dull read, although much of the name-dropping will go over the heads of average American readers who only know Hitch from his recent elevation to the ranks of the Four Horsemen.  (Keep Wikipedia or Google handy and you’ll do just fine.) Hitch-22 is available in hardcover, as an audiobook (read by Hitch himself) and in Kindle format. For more Hitchedy goodness, listen to Podcast #6 for our discussion of The Portable Atheist (or read our review here). Meanwhile, Ed Buckner has announced he’ll be stepping down as president of American Atheists.  It’ll be hard to fill his soft-spoken, yet undaunted, shoes. The Usual Announcements Send us email at contact@americanfreethought.com.  For John Snider only use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll only use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded July 3, 2010.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, books, history, podcast American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/07/05/ed-buckner-stepping-down-from-aa/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/07/05/ed-buckner-stepping-down-from-aa/#comments Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:50:00 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2103 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/07/05/ed-buckner-stepping-down-from-aa/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/07/01/podcast-94-john-w-loftus-the-christian-delusion/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/07/01/podcast-94-john-w-loftus-the-christian-delusion/#comments Fri, 02 Jul 2010 02:13:08 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2096 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/07/01/podcast-94-john-w-loftus-the-christian-delusion/feed/ 1 0:46:44 We talk with minister-turned-atheist John W. Loftus, editor of The Christian Delusion: Why Faith Fails, a collection of essays from contributors including Dan Barker, David Eller, Robert Price and Richard Carrier.  The Christian Delusion is publishe[...] We talk with minister-turned-atheist John W. Loftus, editor of The Christian Delusion: Why Faith Fails, a collection of essays from contributors including Dan Barker, David Eller, Robert Price and Richard Carrier.  The Christian Delusion is published by Prometheus Books.  You should also check out Loftus’ first book Why I Became an Atheist. Also mentioned in the podcast: 57th Fighter Group, a WWII-themed restaurant with a view of the runway at Dekalb Peachtree Airport in north metro Atlanta. The Usual Announcements Send us email at contact@americanfreethought.com.  For John Snider only use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll only use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded June 26, 2010.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, books, christianity, interviews, podcast, religion American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/06/23/atheists-in-life-jackets/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/06/23/atheists-in-life-jackets/#comments Wed, 23 Jun 2010 23:54:47 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2084 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/06/23/atheists-in-life-jackets/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/06/22/podcast-93-gods-and-politics-in-copenhagen/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/06/22/podcast-93-gods-and-politics-in-copenhagen/#comments Tue, 22 Jun 2010 05:01:50 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2075 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/06/22/podcast-93-gods-and-politics-in-copenhagen/feed/ 0 0:30:11 David Driscoll reports on his adventures at the Gods and Politics conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, June 18-20.  The conference was co-sponsored by the Danish Atheist Society and Atheist Alliance International and featured such luminaries as [...] David Driscoll reports on his adventures at the Gods and Politics conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, June 18-20.  The conference was co-sponsored by the Danish Atheist Society and Atheist Alliance International and featured such luminaries as Richard Dawkins, Dan Barker, PZ Myers, Victor Stenger and James “The Amazing” Randi. The Usual Announcements Live in metro Atlanta?  Look for John and Allison in attendance at Michael Largo’s reading from his encyclopedic God’s Lunatics, 6:30 PM, Tuesday, June 22nd at Ivy Hall. Send us email at contact@americanfreethought.com.  For John Snider only use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll only use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded June 20, 2010.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, politics, religion American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/05/30/hitch-22-book-tour/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/05/30/hitch-22-book-tour/#comments Sun, 30 May 2010 18:44:12 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2027 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/05/30/hitch-22-book-tour/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/25/prepare-for-boobquake/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/25/prepare-for-boobquake/#comments Sun, 25 Apr 2010 05:01:42 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1990 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/25/prepare-for-boobquake/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/21/podcast-87-natl-day-of-prayer-unconstitutional/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/21/podcast-87-natl-day-of-prayer-unconstitutional/#comments Wed, 21 Apr 2010 05:01:33 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1970 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/21/podcast-87-natl-day-of-prayer-unconstitutional/feed/ 0 0:46:27 A judge has ruled the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional, handing Dan Barker’s Freedom from Religion Foundation a victory in its lawsuit against the federal government.  President Obama (who participated in the NDP last year) immediately [...] A judge has ruled the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional, handing Dan Barker’s Freedom from Religion Foundation a victory in its lawsuit against the federal government.  President Obama (who participated in the NDP last year) immediately said he would participate again this year.  The feds will appeal, and it’s likely this will be settled in the Supreme Court (although, the way that body has been ruling lately it’s likely the decision will be overturned).  And for those that are interested, there’s a counter-observance the same day as the NDP called the National Day of Reason. The British Chiropractic Association has dropped its lawsuit against science journalist Simon Singh.  While it’s not an outright victory for Singh, the BCA hasn’t exactly made itself look good in all this.  Singh will now sue the BCA for the cost of defending himself, and will continue his quest to reform British libel law. State legislators across America are pushing a surprising bit of preemptive legislation: banning the implantation of microchips into human beings without their consent.  What could be worrying these lawmakers so much that they take time away from solving the high unemployment and budget crises?  Could it be… Satan??? Just when we thought the proposal by Councilwoman Betty Price to begin Roswell (GA) city council meetings with prayer had been tamped down,the council entertained public comment on the subject, and AF’s John C. Snider stepped up to the mic. Finally, we talk to Andrew Bush, a documentary filmmaker whose work-in-progress–”Southern Reason“–features the eminent hosts of American Freethought.  Check out AndrewBushFilms.com to watch clips and to see the film as it develops .  Also, check out Andrew’s new documentary Heart, Soul and Perseverance, a documentary that demystifies and celebrates the art of the ninja. The Usual Announcements Send us email at contact@americanfreethought.com.  For John Snider only use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll only use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded April 19, 2010.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, interviews, movies, news, podcast, politics, science American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/20/missouri-atheist-runs-for-congress/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/20/missouri-atheist-runs-for-congress/#comments Tue, 20 Apr 2010 11:30:45 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1965 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/20/missouri-atheist-runs-for-congress/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/19/books-maybe-you-should-know-about/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/19/books-maybe-you-should-know-about/#comments Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:50:23 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1961 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/19/books-maybe-you-should-know-about/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/18/in-which-we-go-hollywood/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/18/in-which-we-go-hollywood/#comments Sun, 18 Apr 2010 18:01:45 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1952 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/18/in-which-we-go-hollywood/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/09/podcast-86-american-atheists-convention-part-2/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/09/podcast-86-american-atheists-convention-part-2/#comments Fri, 09 Apr 2010 13:09:32 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1941 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/09/podcast-86-american-atheists-convention-part-2/feed/ 0 0:31:12 Our second and final report on the American Atheists Convention in Elizabeth, New Jersey.  Day Two speakers included Secular Coalition for America’s Sean Faircloth, Mexican-American atheist Indra Zuno, activist and fundraiser extraordinaire T[...] Our second and final report on the American Atheists Convention in Elizabeth, New Jersey.  Day Two speakers included Secular Coalition for America’s Sean Faircloth, Mexican-American atheist Indra Zuno, activist and fundraiser extraordinaire Todd Stiefel, psychiatrist Andy Thomson, Freethought Radio’s Dan Barker and journalist Wendy Kaminer. Plus: More adventures in NYC: shameless tourism, good food, and bad jazz. The Usual Announcements Send us email at contact@americanfreethought.com.  For John Snider only use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll only use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded April 5, 2010.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, podcast, politics, science American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/07/podcast-85-american-atheists-convention-part-1/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/07/podcast-85-american-atheists-convention-part-1/#comments Thu, 08 Apr 2010 02:15:08 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1933 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/07/podcast-85-american-atheists-convention-part-1/feed/ 1 0:34:35 John reports (almost) live from the American Atheists Convention in Elizabeth, New Jersey.  Day One speakers included Center for Inquiry’s Paul Kurtz, biologist/philosopher Massimo Pigliucci, UK-based National Secular Society’s Keith Por[...] John reports (almost) live from the American Atheists Convention in Elizabeth, New Jersey.  Day One speakers included Center for Inquiry’s Paul Kurtz, biologist/philosopher Massimo Pigliucci, UK-based National Secular Society’s Keith Porteous Wood, The God Virus author Darrel Ray, and newly-elected Asheville (NC) city councilman Cecil Bothwell.  Plus: Sightseeing in NYC, including an unexpected sighting of… Mandy Patinkin. The Usual Announcements Send us email at contact@americanfreethought.com.  For John Snider only use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll only use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded April 3, 2010.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, commentary, news, podcast American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/03/31/podcast-84-bonus-material-newdow-in-2002/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/03/31/podcast-84-bonus-material-newdow-in-2002/#comments Wed, 31 Mar 2010 05:01:19 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1929 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/03/31/podcast-84-bonus-material-newdow-in-2002/feed/ 1 0:39:41 I’m packing up to head to Newark for the American Atheists convention this weekend, but meanwhile, here’s a blast from the past.  Waaay back in August 2002, I (John C. Snider) interviewed Michael Newdow when he was  just hitting the nati[...] I’m packing up to head to Newark for the American Atheists convention this weekend, but meanwhile, here’s a blast from the past.  Waaay back in August 2002, I (John C. Snider) interviewed Michael Newdow when he was  just hitting the national scene with his first lawsuit challenging the Constitutionality of the phrase “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance. And to get the Christian perspective on this issue, I interviewed Dr. Bob Allred, who at the time was pastor of Atlanta First United Methodist Church (the oldest church in Atlanta).  Dr. Allred went on to pastor at at least one other church in the metro area, but I lost track of him two or three years ago.   This interview is also from 2002. My apologies if the sound quality of these interviews isn’t as good as it could be; my apologies also if my delivery is flat and/or less-than-professional.  This was an early, early experiment in internet broadcasting, certainly predating the podcasting phenomenon by several years.  In any case, I hope you find it an interesting and enlightening listening experience.  Enjoy! atheism, children, christianity, commentary, interviews, religion American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/03/22/podcast-84-newdow-in-flames/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/03/22/podcast-84-newdow-in-flames/#comments Mon, 22 Mar 2010 05:01:56 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1914 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/03/22/podcast-84-newdow-in-flames/feed/ 3 0:44:58 The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals has denied activist Michael Newdow’s lawsuits to challenge “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance and “In God We Trust” on the currency.  We think the Court was cowardly and disingen[...] The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals has denied activist Michael Newdow’s lawsuits to challenge “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance and “In God We Trust” on the currency.  We think the Court was cowardly and disingenuous.  Unfortunately, this is likely to be the last gasp in the decades-long struggle.  You can find links to the full texts of the Court’s opinions (including Judge Stephen Reinhardt’s scathing 120-page dissent) here. In other news…the city council of Roswell, Georgia has resoundingly turned back a suggestion to begin council meetings with prayer.  A surprising victory, but one we welcome nonetheless. Plus: David reports on Secular Coalition executive director Sean Faircloth’s appearance at the Atlanta Freethought Society; meanwhile, John attends a Jewish funeral and a Buddhist wedding. John and Allison will also be at the upcoming American Atheists convention in Newark, NJ, April 2-4.  We’ll actually be in the greater NYC are March 31 – April 5, and we welcome suggestions for places to eat, things to do, or stuff to see. The Usual Announcements Send us email at contact@americanfreethought.com.  For John Snider only use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll only use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded March 21, 2010.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, buddhism, christianity, history, judaism, news, podcast, politics, religion American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/03/08/podcast-83-secular-coation-at-the-white-house/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/03/08/podcast-83-secular-coation-at-the-white-house/#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:01:44 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1887 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/03/08/podcast-83-secular-coation-at-the-white-house/feed/ 2 1:01:13 John C. Snider with Christopher Hitchens, Emory University, February 26, 2010 American Atheists president Ed Buckner reports on the recent meeting between representatives of the Secular Coalition for America with White House officials. Plus: We meet[...] John C. Snider with Christopher Hitchens, Emory University, February 26, 2010 American Atheists president Ed Buckner reports on the recent meeting between representatives of the Secular Coalition for America with White House officials. Plus: We meet the Hitch!  Allison joins us to talk about “The Only Subject Is Love,” a seminar we attended at Emory University featuring Salman Rushdie, Christopher Hitchens, and filmmaker Deepa Mehta (who is developing a film adaptation of Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children).  The event celebrates the opening of Rushdie’s archives at Emory.  Surprises included spontaneous recitations of poetry (Hitchens selecting the heartwrenching “Dulce et Decorum est,” Rushdie the humorous “The Walrus and the Carpenter.”)  And…we learned that Hitchens’ memoir–Hitch 22–is due out in June! John and Allison will also be at the upcoming American Atheists convention in Newark, NJ, April 2-4.  We’ll actually be in the greater NYC are March 31 – April 5, and we welcome suggestions for places to eat, things to do, or stuff to see. Congratulations to “PopeStevo,” who annihilated “johncsnider” last month in “Words With Friends” (the iPhone version of the classic Scrabble).  Steve wins a copy of the 2009 American Atheists convention program book signed by Richard Dawkins, a collection of freethoughtish books, and an American Freethought t-shirt and mug. The Usual Announcements Send us email at contact@americanfreethought.com.  For John Snider only use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll only use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded March 4, 2010.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. arts, atheism, interviews, podcast, politics, religion American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/03/06/the-reason-project-is-now-project-reason/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/03/06/the-reason-project-is-now-project-reason/#comments Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:26:30 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1884 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/03/06/the-reason-project-is-now-project-reason/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/03/05/hitchens-rewrites-the-10c/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/03/05/hitchens-rewrites-the-10c/#comments Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:23:26 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1881 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/03/05/hitchens-rewrites-the-10c/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/02/26/podcast-82-creation/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/02/26/podcast-82-creation/#comments Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:01:39 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1878 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/02/26/podcast-82-creation/feed/ 6 0:41:16 Allison’s back–yay!  She joins us to discuss the new Charles Darwin bio-pic Creation, starring real-life husband-and-wife Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly as Charles and Emma Darwin.  Creation is based on the nonfiction book Annie[...] Allison’s back–yay!  She joins us to discuss the new Charles Darwin bio-pic Creation, starring real-life husband-and-wife Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly as Charles and Emma Darwin.  Creation is based on the nonfiction book Annie’s Box (published in the US as Darwin, His Daughter, and Human Evolution, and reissued in conjunction with the film as Creation) by Darwin descendant Randal Keynes.  Creation is currently in limited release, so check your local art cinema to see if and when it might play in your neighborhood.  For more visit CreationtheMovie.com. Thanks to the many fellow science fans who joined us for the Creation screening at Atlanta’s Landmark Midtown Art Cinema.  And thanks to Royal Orchid Thai Cuisine for accommodating our unexpected horde. Also: David McAllister and Jason Bourque have been arrested in connection with a string of church arsons and burglaries in Texas.  There’s a minor storm of controversy in the media over reports that “books on demons and atheism” were found in Bourque’s home.  East Texas television station KLTV has offered reports from “anonymous sources” who claim that McAllister was troubled by the death of his mother and was looking to “save people from believing” and trying to “dislodge” church institutions.  Clearly, American Freethought condemns arson and vandalism of any kind.  And if it turns out that these young men committed these crimes out of some misguided notion of what atheism is, we condemn that as well. Upcoming events: John and Allison will be attending a rare joint appearance by Christopher Hitchens and Salman Rushdie at Emory University, Friday, February 26th.  If you’re there and you see us, be sure to say hello. John and Allison will also be at the upcoming American Atheists convention in Newark, NJ, April 2-4.  We’ll actually be in the greater NYC are March 31 – April 5, and we welcome suggestions for places to eat, things to do, or stuff to see. Can you spell C-O-N-T-E-S-T? We have a minor trove of nifty things to give away, including a 2009 American Atheists convention program signed by Richard Dawkins, a handful of books by famous critical thinkers, and an American Freethought t-shirt and coffee mug.  To win, simply challenge John C. Snider to a game of “Words With Friends” (the iPhone version of the classic Scrabble).  You’ll need an iPhone, of course; and you’ll need to download Words With Friends (created by game developer Newtoy, Inc.).  John’s user name is “johncsnider.”  The person who beats him by the most points during the month of February wins the tchoch. The Usual Announcements Send us email at contact@americanfreethought.com.  For John Snider only use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll only use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded February 24, 2010.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, books, buddhism, commentary, evolution, movies, news, podcast, religion, science American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/02/19/podcast-81-announcing-unity-2013/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/02/19/podcast-81-announcing-unity-2013/#comments Fri, 19 Feb 2010 05:01:08 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1872 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/02/19/podcast-81-announcing-unity-2013/feed/ 2 0:43:52 Margaret Downey (former president of Atheist Alliance International, now a “freethought free agent”) announces the formation of the Unity 2013 Event Committee.  What is Unity 2013?  Nobody knows just yet, but what we do know is that it[...] Margaret Downey (former president of Atheist Alliance International, now a “freethought free agent”) announces the formation of the Unity 2013 Event Committee.  What is Unity 2013?  Nobody knows just yet, but what we do know is that it’ll be big, it has the blessing of such notables as Daniel Dennett, and it’ll involve many (if not most) of the major freethought-friendly organizations.  To keep abreast of the details as they unfold, check out the Unity 2013 Facebook page. Also: David swells in righteous indigation over the misguidedness of a local religious school whose “philosophy of education” includes a lot of blither-blather about fearing God, the inerrancy of the Bible, and man’s dominion over the planet–but nary a word about, oh, curriculum. Black children are an endangered species! In other words, if you’re black, look out!  The evil atheist liberal abortionists are gunning for your fetuseseses. Upcoming events: See Creation with American Freethought!  We’re arranging an outing for the afternoon of Saturday, February 20th, to see the new Charles Darwin bio-pic starring Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly.  We’ll convene for Thai food immediately after the movie.  Details can be found here, or at this Facebook event page. John and Allison will be attending a rare joint appearance by Christopher Hitchens and Salman Rushdie at Emory University, Friday, February 26th.  If you’re there and you see us, be sure to say hello. John and Allison will also be at the upcoming American Atheists convention in Newark, NJ, April 2-4.  We’ll actually be in the greater NYC are March 31 – April 5, and we welcome suggestions for places to eat, things to do, or stuff to see. Atlanta SkeptiCamp 2010 is tentatively scheduled for May.  Keep an eye on the Atlanta Skeptics website for details as they unfold. Hey, what’s that waaay over there, just over the horizon?  Why, it’s Dragon*Con!  Yep, it’s time to start thinking about the all-encompassing pop culture juggernaut held every year in Atlanta, featuring (among other things) the increasingly popular Skeptrack!  Four-day memberships to the Con are only $80 through May 15th ($90 through July 15th).  We’ll see you there! Can you spell C-O-N-T-E-S-T? We have a minor trove of nifty things to give away, including a 2009 American Atheists convention program signed by Richard Dawkins, a handful of books by famous critical thinkers, and an American Freethought t-shirt and coffee mug.  To win, simply challenge John C. Snider to a game of “Words With Friends” (the iPhone version of the classic Scrabble).  You’ll need an iPhone, of course; and you’ll need to download Words With Friends (created by game developer Newtoy, Inc.).  John’s user name is “johncsnider.”  The person who beats him by the most points during the month of February wins the tchoch. The Usual Announcements Send us email at contact@americanfreethought.com.  For John Snider only use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll only use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Fans of science fiction can check out John’s other project on the web, SciFiDimensions.com. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded February 18, 2010.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. abortion, atheism, children, christianity, interviews, news, podcast, religion American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/01/02/podcast-76-stuart-bechman-pres-of-atheist-alliance-international/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/01/02/podcast-76-stuart-bechman-pres-of-atheist-alliance-international/#comments Sat, 02 Jan 2010 05:01:16 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1823 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/01/02/podcast-76-stuart-bechman-pres-of-atheist-alliance-international/feed/ 0 0:45:16 Happy New Year!  We kick off 2010 by interviewing Stuart Bechman, president of Atheist Alliance International (AtheistAlliance.org).  AAI is planning its first-ever Australian convention in Melbourne on March 12-14, 2010.  For details visit AtheistC[...] Happy New Year!  We kick off 2010 by interviewing Stuart Bechman, president of Atheist Alliance International (AtheistAlliance.org).  AAI is planning its first-ever Australian convention in Melbourne on March 12-14, 2010.  For details visit AtheistConvention.org.au–tickets are going fast! Also discussed in this episode: Crazy Christmas: Pope Ratzinger gets jumped by a wingnut at Christmas Mass, and another Muslim whackjob tries to blow up an airplane (last time it was shoes; this time it’s underpants). Congratulations, Mississippi!  You lead the nation in religiosity.  And poverty.  And teen pregnancy.  And poor health.  And federal support.   Coincidence, cause or correlation?  Oh, and check out this bonus graphic showing the correlation between Southern Baptism and teen pregnancy. The Usual Announcements Send us email at contact@americanfreethought.com.  For John Snider only use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll only use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Fans of science fiction can check out John’s other project on the web, SciFiDimensions.com. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded December 31, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, christianity, interviews, news, podcast, religion American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/12/22/wright-v-hitch-part-deux/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/12/22/wright-v-hitch-part-deux/#comments Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:01:49 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1814 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/12/22/wright-v-hitch-part-deux/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/12/21/podcast-75-can-atheists-hold-office-in-nc/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/12/21/podcast-75-can-atheists-hold-office-in-nc/#comments Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:01:43 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1806 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/12/21/podcast-75-can-atheists-hold-office-in-nc/feed/ 1 0:37:08 Cecil Bothwell has just been elected to the city council of Asheville, North Carolina.  He happens to be an atheist.  The North Carolina state constitution bars atheists from holding elected office.  (For what it’s worth, seven other states st[...] Cecil Bothwell has just been elected to the city council of Asheville, North Carolina.  He happens to be an atheist.  The North Carolina state constitution bars atheists from holding elected office.  (For what it’s worth, seven other states still have constitutional provisions that discriminate against non-believers.)  Is this a case of continuing institutionalized bigotry, or just an amusingly unenforceable “quirk” left over from the 19th century?  (For more on Mr. Bothwell visit cecilbothwell.wordpress.com) Also discussed in this episode: There’s a War on Christmas: haven’t you heard?  South Carolina Congressman Henry Brown has introduced (nonbinding) House Resolution 951, which “seeks to express the sense…that the symbols and traditions of Christmas should be protected.”  Dozens of Brown’s (mostly Southern, mostly Republican) peers have jumped on the Save-Christmas-from-the-Multicultural-Heathen bandwagon, but HR951 is destined to die in committee.  Is this really how our elected representatives spend their time? The Washington, DC city council has okayed same-sex marriage.  But the District is under Congressional oversight: Congress has 30 days to reverse any actions of the council.  This puts Republicans (currently in the minority) in an interesting pickle.  They’re against gay marriage, but they crow all the time about the rights of state and local governments to run their own affairs.  So which way’s it gonna be, fellas? Disturbing News Alert: Another case of a child endangered by kooky, dangerous religious beliefs.  In Brazil, a man has confessed to inserting 42 needles (and leaving them in place!) into his two-year-old stepson, as part of a series of black magic rituals directed by a trance-tripping woman. Plus: It’s David’s turn to do jury duty, and he’s amazed to read a local journalist’s confession that you have to be irrational to be Christian. The Usual Announcements Send us email at contact@americanfreethought.com.  For John Snider only use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll only use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Fans of science fiction can check out John’s other project on the web, SciFiDimensions.com. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded December 17, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, christianity, cults, podcast, politics, religion American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/12/13/an-atheist-city-councilman-but/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/12/13/an-atheist-city-councilman-but/#comments Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:23:25 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1797 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/12/13/an-atheist-city-councilman-but/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/12/07/podcast-74-margaret-downey/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/12/07/podcast-74-margaret-downey/#comments Mon, 07 Dec 2009 05:01:58 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1767 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/12/07/podcast-74-margaret-downey/feed/ 0 0:47:17 We interview Margaret Downey, former Atheist Alliance International president and founder of the Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia (FSGP.org), about her experiences coordinating the annual Tree of Knowledge in Chester County, Pennsylvania,[...] We interview Margaret Downey, former Atheist Alliance International president and founder of the Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia (FSGP.org), about her experiences coordinating the annual Tree of Knowledge in Chester County, Pennsylvania, which is intended to offer an alternative to the traditional Nativity scene displayed on public property.  For more about Margaret visit secular-celebrations.com. We review Oh My God, a new documentary by writer/director/producer Peter Rodger, in which he travels around the world asking people the question: What is God?  For more info, including upcoming screenings near you, visit omgmovie.com. Also discussed in this episode: The Atheists Guide to Christmas, a book edited by Ariane Sherine (the woman behind the original Atheist Bus Campaign in London) with contributions by 42 nonbelievers, including Richard Dawkins and Phil Plait.  The book is available at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. And if you thought the new 150th anniversary edition of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species (with “special” introduction by Ray “The Atheist’s Nightmare” Comfort) was completely useless, think again.  A copy signed by skeptics Joe Nickell, Dan Barker, Rebecca Watson, PZ Myers, DJ Grothe and others is being auctioned on eBay, with the proceeds going to the Missouri State University Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster to help them organize next year’s Skepticon III conference).  Bidding ends December 11th, so check it out now!  For more visit Skepticon.org. The Usual Announcements Send us email at contact@americanfreethought.com.  For John Snider only use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll only use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Fans of science fiction can check out John’s other project on the web, SciFiDimensions.com. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded December 3, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, books, interviews, movies, news, podcast, religion American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/11/09/goddess-of-the-market/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/11/09/goddess-of-the-market/#comments Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:20:58 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1732 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/11/09/goddess-of-the-market/feed/ 2 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/11/09/podcast-72-jennifer-burns-goddess-of-the-market/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/11/09/podcast-72-jennifer-burns-goddess-of-the-market/#comments Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:01:28 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1737 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/11/09/podcast-72-jennifer-burns-goddess-of-the-market/feed/ 1 1:18:39 We interview Jennifer Burns, assistant professor of history at the University of Virginia and author of the new biography Goddess of the Market: Ayn Rand and the American Right.  It’s a timely book considering the recent resurgence of Rand[...] We interview Jennifer Burns, assistant professor of history at the University of Virginia and author of the new biography Goddess of the Market: Ayn Rand and the American Right.  It’s a timely book considering the recent resurgence of Rand’s works (especially her novels The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged)  as a reaction to the country’s current economic situation.  For more about Prof. Burns visit www.JenniferBurns.org.  Read John Snider’s review of Goddess of the Market and/or order you very own copy at Amazon.com. Readers may also be interested in But Is It Science Fiction? Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged (essay by John C. Snider from 2000) and Five Questions with Nathaniel Branden (interview by John C. Snider from 2005). The Usual Announcements: Send us email at contact@americanfreethought.com.  For John Snider only use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll only use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Fans of science fiction can check out John’s other project on the web, SciFiDimensions.com. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded November 7, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, books, history, interviews, podcast, politics American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/14/huffpo-covers-aai-2009/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/14/huffpo-covers-aai-2009/#comments Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:18:37 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1576 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/14/huffpo-covers-aai-2009/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/09/dvr-alert-dawkins-vs-oreilly-tonight/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/09/dvr-alert-dawkins-vs-oreilly-tonight/#comments Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:47:13 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1522 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/09/dvr-alert-dawkins-vs-oreilly-tonight/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/04/podcast-69-almost-live-from-aai-2009-pt-2/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/04/podcast-69-almost-live-from-aai-2009-pt-2/#comments Mon, 05 Oct 2009 03:21:51 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1480 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/04/podcast-69-almost-live-from-aai-2009-pt-2/feed/ 7 0:22:22 David gives us his second and final report from the Atheist Alliance International 2009 Convention, October 2-4 in Los Angeles (Burbank, actually), CA.  Another great line-up of speakers, including Lawrence Krauss, Carolyn Porco, Daniel Dennett and [...] David gives us his second and final report from the Atheist Alliance International 2009 Convention, October 2-4 in Los Angeles (Burbank, actually), CA.  Another great line-up of speakers, including Lawrence Krauss, Carolyn Porco, Daniel Dennett and Richard Dawkins.  Plus: Find out which city will be host to AAI 2010! Announcements – We encourage you to leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com.  We have a Yahoo Group, a Facebook page, an Atheist Nexus page, a Think Atheist page, and a Twitter feed.  If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Fans of science fiction can check out John’s other project on the web, SciFiDimensions.com. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded October 4, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, news, podcast American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/03/podcast-68-almost-live-from-aai-2009/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/03/podcast-68-almost-live-from-aai-2009/#comments Sat, 03 Oct 2009 18:11:19 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1475 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/03/podcast-68-almost-live-from-aai-2009/feed/ 0 0:23:52 David reports on Day One of the Atheist Alliance International 2009 Convention, October 2-4 in Los Angeles (Burbank, actually), CA.  It’s an A-list of celebrity speakers.  And there’s a minor controversy over the awarding of this year[...] David reports on Day One of the Atheist Alliance International 2009 Convention, October 2-4 in Los Angeles (Burbank, actually), CA.  It’s an A-list of celebrity speakers.  And there’s a minor controversy over the awarding of this year’s Richard Dawkins Award to comedian Bill Maher.  Bill’s on the same page with most atheists on the problems with religion, but he occasionally raises eyebrows with his offhanded statements about the effectiveness of modern medicine and the safety of everyday food.  Will the atheists storm the stage with pitchforks and torches?  Or will Bill emerge with his skin–and his reputation–intact?  Listen in and find out! Announcements – We encourage you to leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com.  We have a Yahoo Group, a Facebook page, an Atheist Nexus page, a Think Atheist page (NEW!), and a Twitter feed.  If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Fans of science fiction can check out John’s other project on the web, SciFiDimensions.com. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded October 3, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, news, podcast American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/28/podcast-66-freethought-in-mexico/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/28/podcast-66-freethought-in-mexico/#comments Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:01:37 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1446 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/28/podcast-66-freethought-in-mexico/feed/ 2 0:43:47 We interview Danny Zepeda, a skeptical blogger living in Morelia, a city in central Mexico.  He talks about the state of freethought South of the Border, the prevalence of superstition and alt-medicine quackery in Mexican society, and the challenges[...] We interview Danny Zepeda, a skeptical blogger living in Morelia, a city in central Mexico.  He talks about the state of freethought South of the Border, the prevalence of superstition and alt-medicine quackery in Mexican society, and the challenges of raising children to be critical thinkers.  Visit Danny’s Spanish-language blog Un Papá Escéptico (A Skeptical Papa) at papaesceptico.wordpress.com.  If you can’t read Spanish, try pasting the URL into the Babel Fish text translation tool: the results are sometimes a bit iffy but readable. Announcements – We encourage you to leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com.  We have a Yahoo Group, a Facebook page, an Atheist Nexus page, a Think Atheist page (NEW!), and a Twitter feed.  Also, if you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. Say “hi” to David if you’re planning to attend the upcoming Atheist Alliance International 2009 Convention, October 2-4 in Los Angeles (Burbank, actually), CA. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Fans of science fiction can check out John’s other project on the web, SciFiDimensions.com. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded September 25, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, children, christianity, podcast, religion, skepticism, superstitions American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/25/charlotte-pop-fest-happening-now/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/25/charlotte-pop-fest-happening-now/#comments Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:49:17 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1435 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/25/charlotte-pop-fest-happening-now/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/23/marilyn-loeffels-wrong-perspective/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/23/marilyn-loeffels-wrong-perspective/#comments Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:59:24 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1421 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/23/marilyn-loeffels-wrong-perspective/feed/ 3 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/21/freethought-film-festival/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/21/freethought-film-festival/#comments Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:33:51 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1417 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/21/freethought-film-festival/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/20/were-now-on-think-atheist-too/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/20/were-now-on-think-atheist-too/#comments Sun, 20 Sep 2009 13:30:12 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1399 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/20/were-now-on-think-atheist-too/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/03/nasa-flies-religious-artifact-aboard-shuttle-discovery/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/03/nasa-flies-religious-artifact-aboard-shuttle-discovery/#comments Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:13:41 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1323 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/03/nasa-flies-religious-artifact-aboard-shuttle-discovery/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/27/hey-god-stop-protecting-kentucky/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/27/hey-god-stop-protecting-kentucky/#comments Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:30:26 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1291 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/27/hey-god-stop-protecting-kentucky/feed/ 5 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/21/sam-harris-on-bill-maher-tonight/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/21/sam-harris-on-bill-maher-tonight/#comments Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:57:40 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1276 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/21/sam-harris-on-bill-maher-tonight/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/18/mooneykirschenbaum-sic-darwin-on-dawkins/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/18/mooneykirschenbaum-sic-darwin-on-dawkins/#comments Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:19:14 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1238 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/18/mooneykirschenbaum-sic-darwin-on-dawkins/feed/ 4 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/15/a-freethought-manifesto/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/15/a-freethought-manifesto/#comments Sat, 15 Aug 2009 04:01:31 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1213 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/15/a-freethought-manifesto/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/11/ben-stein-loses-nyt-gig-grip-on-reality/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/11/ben-stein-loses-nyt-gig-grip-on-reality/#comments Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:26:15 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1183 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/11/ben-stein-loses-nyt-gig-grip-on-reality/feed/ 4 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/10/better-late-than-never/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/10/better-late-than-never/#comments Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:51:30 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1181 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/10/better-late-than-never/feed/ 3 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/07/pharyngulites-descend-on-creation-museum/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/07/pharyngulites-descend-on-creation-museum/#comments Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:23:20 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1176 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/07/pharyngulites-descend-on-creation-museum/feed/ 2 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/05/iphone-app-for-atheists/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/05/iphone-app-for-atheists/#comments Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:12:21 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1167 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/05/iphone-app-for-atheists/feed/ 5 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/04/meet-and-greet-richard-dawkins/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/04/meet-and-greet-richard-dawkins/#comments Tue, 04 Aug 2009 04:01:33 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1158 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/04/meet-and-greet-richard-dawkins/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/03/podcast-61-adventures-in-cobb-county/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/03/podcast-61-adventures-in-cobb-county/#comments Mon, 03 Aug 2009 04:01:22 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1090 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/03/podcast-61-adventures-in-cobb-county/feed/ 6 1:08:27 “Ufologist” and Young Earth Creationist Gary Bates of Creation Ministries International presented “Aliens, UFOs and the Bible” on July 18th at the Sewell Mill Baptist Church in Marietta, GA.  We (John and Allison) were there[...] “Ufologist” and Young Earth Creationist Gary Bates of Creation Ministries International presented “Aliens, UFOs and the Bible” on July 18th at the Sewell Mill Baptist Church in Marietta, GA.  We (John and Allison) were there, but the building did not spontaneously burst into flame, nor were there any clear-skies lightning strikes to manifest the ire of YHWH at the presence of infidels.  As for Bates…thanks a LOT, Australia!  For general creationist debunkage visit TalkOrigins.org.  [Late-breaking Bonus:  If you can stomach it, you can listen to Bates's entire baloneython in podcast format at the church's website--including the very session we sat in on!] American Atheists president Ed Buckner delivers the invocation before a meeting of the Cobb County (Georgia) Board of Commissioners in Marietta.  Yes, we know that “atheist invocation” is an oxymoron, but Ed used the opportunity to go meta, delivering a four-minute invocation on the idiocy of invocations.  Go get ‘em, Ed! More Cobb Craziness: Pelphry v Cobb – The ACLU (with Ed Buckner among the plaintiffs) sued the county over sectarian invocations before meetings of the BOC.  The ACLU lost, but the BOC has loosened up on who may deliver the invocation. Evolution Stickers – The county was sued–and lost–over stickers placed in school biology texts that read “Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things.  The material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully, and critically considered.” Olympic Scandal – In the mid-1990s the BOC passed a resolution declaring that homosexuality was “incompatible with the standards to which this community subscribes.”  After gay rights activists threatened to disrupt the Olympic Torch Relay (which was scheduled to go through Cobb on its way to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta), the Olympic organizers rerouted the torch.  Cobb rescinded the anti-gay resolution in 1997. Annette Kesting – Cobb’s first black Commissioner got in hot water for stating, while speaking at a black church, “I love my enemies.  I pray every day with my enemies because I have to go up on the third floor and work with white women,” and “You would be amazed seeing the people I work with at the county.  They are not Christian people.”  Kesting lost the next election to Woody Thompson; to exact revenge, Kesting hired a South Carolina voodoo priestess to put a curse on Thompson that would kill him.  The curse failed; actually, it was never cast, since both of Kesting’s checks bounced.  In July 2009 Kesting and her husband were arrested for allegedly stealing a truck they had borrowed from a friend and failed to return. ANNOUNCEMENTS Dragon*Con is only a month away!  Four day memberships are $90 (plus Ticketmaster charges) through August 15th.  After that, you’ll have to buy tickets at the door ($100 for four days, less for other packages).   American Freethought will record a live podcast at 11:30AM, Saturday, September 5th with the Skeptics Track. We (meaning John and David and respective redheads) will also be attending the Star Party at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA on Thursday, September 3rd.  The Star Party is organized by the Atlanta Skeptics, will feature dinner, drinks, an opportunity to chat with Phil Plait (Bad Astronomy) and Pamela Gay (Astronomy Cast podcast), and stargazing through the Bradley Observatory telescope.  Proceeds go to the American Cancer Society in honor of the late Jeff Medkeff (Blue Collar Scientist). Participation and Feedback: Email contact@americanfreethought.com – attach voicemail in mp3 or wav format. American Freethought on Twitter.  We’re new on Twitter!  Get auto-tweets every time we post something to the website, plus the occasional random news item. American Freethought on Atheist Nexus – What’s Atheist Nexus?  Well, [...] atheism, christianity, evolution, history, news, paranormal, podcast, politics, religion, science American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/01/aas-buckner-delivers-county-invocation/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/01/aas-buckner-delivers-county-invocation/#comments Sat, 01 Aug 2009 12:00:21 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1123 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/01/aas-buckner-delivers-county-invocation/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/29/defining-anti-theism/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/29/defining-anti-theism/#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:28:31 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1097 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/29/defining-anti-theism/feed/ 6 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/20/robert-wright-takes-on-the-new-atheists-including-me-part-deux/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/20/robert-wright-takes-on-the-new-atheists-including-me-part-deux/#comments Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:29:19 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1059 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/20/robert-wright-takes-on-the-new-atheists-including-me-part-deux/feed/ 3 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/16/podcast-59a-bill-maher-stand-up-tour/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/16/podcast-59a-bill-maher-stand-up-tour/#comments Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:05:34 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1042 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/16/podcast-59a-bill-maher-stand-up-tour/feed/ 0 1:01:58 David gives us a report on Bill Maher’s stand-up tour; specifically, Maher’s recent appearance at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta. We also give listeners a heads-up on several upcoming events, including: Atheist Allianc[...] David gives us a report on Bill Maher’s stand-up tour; specifically, Maher’s recent appearance at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta. We also give listeners a heads-up on several upcoming events, including: Atheist Alliance International 2009 Convention (Oct 2-4 in Los Angeles) featuring Bill Maher, Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Brian Keith Dalton (“Mr. Deity”), Lawrence Krauss, Eugenie Scott and more.  (Say “hi” to David Driscoll, since he’ll be in attendance as well.) Charlotte Pop Fest (Sep 24-26), a power-pop music festival in North Carolina with headliners The Knack.  Proceeds benefit the Richard Dawkins Foundation.  Also, Herr Dawkins will lecture at Queens University of Charlotte on Oct 14. Speaking of Richard Dawkins, his new book The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution is set for publication on Sep 22 from Free Press.  Pre-order your very own copy at Amazon.com and/or Amazon.co.uk. Speaking of new books, you might be interested in Goddess of the Market: Ayn Rand and the American Right, a new biography of the controversial author and founder of Objectivism, written by University of Virginia professor Jennifer Burns.  If all goes as planned, we’ll have both a review of the book and an interview with the author.  Goddess of the Market will be published by Oxford University Press in October.  Pre-order your very own copy at Amazon.com and/or Amazon.co.uk. Plus: Lots of detailed feedback on our interview with Robert Wright (The Evolution of God), including a response from Wright himself on John’s review of the book.  Wright encourages our readers/listeners to check out his interview with Daniel Dennett.  We also explore the connection between Wright and the Templeton Foundation (which sponsors the “Percontations” series of diavlogs at Wright’s bloggingheads.tv). ANNOUNCEMENTS Participation and Feedback: Email contact@americanfreethought.com – attach voicemail in mp3 or wav format. American Freethought on Twitter.  We’re new on Twitter!  Get auto-tweets every time we post something to the website, plus the occasional random news item. American Freethought on Atheist Nexus – What’s Atheist Nexus?  Well, it’s like Facebook for nonbelievers.  Join up! American Freethought on Facebook American Freethought Yahoo Group – Chat with fellow freethinkers. iTunes – If you listen to us via iTunes, take a moment and leave feedback. Shop or Donate: CafePress – Buy cool American Freethought swag, including t-shirts and mugs. Amazon.com – Click-through and buy whatever you want. PayPal – Drop some change in our virtual tip-jar.  You’ll help offset the cost of maintaining the website and producing the podcast. Visit us online at AmericanFreethought.com.  We post new content (nearly) every day! David is podcasting new episodes of Secular Nation.  AtheistAlliance.org/podcast. Interested in science fiction?  Then check out John’s other online project, SciFiDimensions.com. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded July 7, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, books, christianity, commentary, evolution, islam, judaism, music, news, podcast, religion, science American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/15/robert-wright-takes-on-the-new-atheists/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/15/robert-wright-takes-on-the-new-atheists/#comments Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:13:12 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1010 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/15/robert-wright-takes-on-the-new-atheists/feed/ 8 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/05/harry-potter-is-an-atheist/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/05/harry-potter-is-an-atheist/#comments Mon, 06 Jul 2009 02:15:09 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=973 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/05/harry-potter-is-an-atheist/feed/ 2 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/16/whatever-happened-to-wafa-sultan/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/16/whatever-happened-to-wafa-sultan/#comments Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:55:19 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=881 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/16/whatever-happened-to-wafa-sultan/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/09/secular-pinky-swear/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/09/secular-pinky-swear/#comments Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:22:01 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=847 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/09/secular-pinky-swear/feed/ 3 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/01/an-opportunity-to-help-fl-freethinkers/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/01/an-opportunity-to-help-fl-freethinkers/#comments Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:01:53 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=805 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/01/an-opportunity-to-help-fl-freethinkers/feed/ 3 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/28/the-creationists-are-getting-desperate/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/28/the-creationists-are-getting-desperate/#comments Thu, 28 May 2009 05:01:25 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=762 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/28/the-creationists-are-getting-desperate/feed/ 5 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/24/freethinkers-by-susan-jacoby/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/24/freethinkers-by-susan-jacoby/#comments Sun, 24 May 2009 05:01:12 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=741 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/24/freethinkers-by-susan-jacoby/feed/ 2 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/23/dear-margo-religious-fanatics-on-the-lunatic-fringe/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/23/dear-margo-religious-fanatics-on-the-lunatic-fringe/#comments Sat, 23 May 2009 05:01:04 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=735 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/23/dear-margo-religious-fanatics-on-the-lunatic-fringe/feed/ 4 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/22/twelve-virtues-of-rationality/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/22/twelve-virtues-of-rationality/#comments Fri, 22 May 2009 12:44:54 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=733 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/22/twelve-virtues-of-rationality/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/12/harris-launches-reason-project/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/12/harris-launches-reason-project/#comments Tue, 12 May 2009 12:45:44 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=704 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/12/harris-launches-reason-project/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/07/podcast-52-feedback/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/07/podcast-52-feedback/#comments Thu, 07 May 2009 05:01:54 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=694 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/07/podcast-52-feedback/feed/ 0 1:14:33 We read and respond to lots of feedback we’ve gotten from listeners to the show.  We talk about (among other things) Christian opinions on the Creation Museum, Christian license plates in North Carolina and Florida, urotherapy, one-star iTunes[...] We read and respond to lots of feedback we’ve gotten from listeners to the show.  We talk about (among other things) Christian opinions on the Creation Museum, Christian license plates in North Carolina and Florida, urotherapy, one-star iTunes feedback and the problem of confirmation bias,  our communist boosterism(?), our racist tendencies(!),  whether or not atheism is compatible with conservatism, and how to pronounce “Hiroshima.” Plus: The Christian blogger “Daniel” at twoorthree.net has launched a project to find the best atheist/secularist/anti-theist podcasts, and American Freethought is in his crosshairs!  We’ll let you know how it turns out. ANNOUNCEMENTS Participation and Feedback: Email contact@americanfreethought.com – attach voicemail in mp3 or wav format. American Freethought on Twitter.  We’re new on Twitter!  Get auto-tweets everytime we post something to the website, plus the occasional random news item. American Freethought on Atheist Nexus – What’s Atheist Nexus?  Well, it’s like Facebook for nonbelievers.  Join up! American Freethought on Facebook American Freethought Yahoo Group – Chat with fellow freethinkers. iTunes – If you listen to us via iTunes, take a moment and leave feedback. Shop or Donate: CafePress – Buy cool American Freethought swag, including t-shirts and mugs. Amazon.com – Click-through and buy whatever you want. PayPal – Drop some change in our virtual tip-jar.  You’ll help offset the cost of maintaining the website and producing the podcast. Visit us online at AmericanFreethought.com.  We post new content every day! David is podcasting new episodes of Secular Nation.  AtheistAlliance.org/podcast. Interested in science fiction?  Then check out John’s other online project, SciFiDimensions.com. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded May 5, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, commentary, ethics, humor, podcast, politics, religion American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/29/nytimes-on-atheism/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/29/nytimes-on-atheism/#comments Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:37:24 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=675 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/29/nytimes-on-atheism/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/18/were-on-atheist-nexus/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/18/were-on-atheist-nexus/#comments Sat, 18 Apr 2009 05:01:53 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=602 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/18/were-on-atheist-nexus/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/17/conservative-atheists/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/17/conservative-atheists/#comments Fri, 17 Apr 2009 05:01:33 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=604 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/17/conservative-atheists/feed/ 3 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/16/podcast-50-american-atheists-convention/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/16/podcast-50-american-atheists-convention/#comments Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:01:13 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=622 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/16/podcast-50-american-atheists-convention/feed/ 3 1:01:35 We discuss our experience at the recent America Atheists National Convention, which was held at the beautiful Emory Conference Center Hotel in Decatur, Georgia.  How did the impressive slate of presenters (including activist and retired evolutionary[...] We discuss our experience at the recent America Atheists National Convention, which was held at the beautiful Emory Conference Center Hotel in Decatur, Georgia.  How did the impressive slate of presenters (including activist and retired evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins) do?  What’s “the vibe” at AA nowadays?  And what is it with atheists and microphones? ANNOUNCEMENTS Participation and Feedback: Email contact@americanfreethought.com – attach voicemail in mp3 or wav format. American Freethought on Twitter.  We’re new on Twitter!  Get auto-tweets everytime we post something to the website, plus the occasional random news item. American Freethought on Atheist Nexus – What’s Atheist Nexus?  Well, it’s like Facebook for nonbelievers.  Join up! American Freethought on Facebook American Freethought Yahoo Group – Chat with fellow freethinkers. iTunes – If you listen to us via iTunes, take a moment and leave feedback. Shop or Donate: CafePress – Buy cool American Freethought swag, including t-shirts and mugs. Amazon.com – Click-through and buy whatever you want. PayPal – Drop some change in our virtual tip-jar.  You’ll help offset the cost of maintaining the website and producing the podcast. Visit us online at AmericanFreethought.com.  We post new content every day! David is podcasting new episodes of Secular Nation.  AtheistAlliance.org/podcast. Interested in science fiction?  Then check out John’s other online project, SciFiDimensions.com. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded April 14, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, christianity, commentary, interviews, news, podcast, skepticism American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/11/godless/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/11/godless/#comments Sat, 11 Apr 2009 05:01:53 +0000 daviddriscoll http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=567 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/11/godless/feed/ 2 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/07/my-new-gig-at-examinercom/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/07/my-new-gig-at-examinercom/#comments Tue, 07 Apr 2009 05:01:26 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=558 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/07/my-new-gig-at-examinercom/feed/ 5 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/31/the-kenya-connection/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/31/the-kenya-connection/#comments Tue, 31 Mar 2009 05:01:20 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=489 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/31/the-kenya-connection/feed/ 6 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/30/podcast-48-morality-without-gods/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/30/podcast-48-morality-without-gods/#comments Mon, 30 Mar 2009 05:01:16 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=453 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/30/podcast-48-morality-without-gods/feed/ 3 1:30:04 We present a recording of “Morality without Gods,” a debate held on the campus of Georgia State University on March 16th, 2009.  Sponsored by GSU’s Revolution Club (which is affiliated with the Revolutionary Communist Party USA), [...] We present a recording of “Morality without Gods,” a debate held on the campus of Georgia State University on March 16th, 2009.  Sponsored by GSU’s Revolution Club (which is affiliated with the Revolutionary Communist Party USA), the event was moderated by Associate Professor of Sociology Jim Ainsworth, and featured communist activist and journalist Sunsara Taylor, who is touring the country in support of RCP chairman Bob Avakian’s new book Away with All Gods (available at Amazon.com).  For this appearance, Ms. Taylor was joined by Dr. Kenneth L. Samuel of Victory for the World Church in Stone Mountain and Martin Cowen, founder of the Fellowship of Reason, a non-theistic organization based in metro Atlanta. ANNOUNCEMENTS We’ll be attending the America Atheists national convention, April 9-12 in Atlanta, Georgia.  Guest speakers include Richard Dawkins and AA president Ed Buckner. Visit our CafePress store!  Buy cool American Freethought swag, including t-shirts and mugs. We also have an Amazon.com store–click through and buy whatever you want.  You get the same great Amazon prices, and we get a small commission.  Everybody wins! …And if you’re so-inclined, you can plop some change into our virtual tip jar via PayPal. A reminder that we post new material (news, commentary, links of interest) virtually every day at AmericanFreethought.com. If you’d like to talk about anything you’ve heard on our podcast (or anything related to freethought in general) join us at the American Freethought Yahoo Group.  And don’t forget our Facebook page. If you pick us up via iTunes please take a moment to leave feedback on our iTunes page. David will soon be podcasting new episodes of Secular Nation.  AtheistAlliance.org/podcast. Interested in science fiction?  Then check out John’s other online project, SciFiDimensions.com. Send feedback to contact@americanfreethought.com – attach voicemail in mp3 or wav format. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded March 25, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, christianity, commentary, ethics, podcast, politics, religion American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/23/podcast-47-freethought-in-nz/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/23/podcast-47-freethought-in-nz/#comments Mon, 23 Mar 2009 05:01:41 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=429 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/23/podcast-47-freethought-in-nz/feed/ 2 1:01:18 It’s our first “international” episode!  We talk to Ross Eddington, a self-described atheist from Christchurch, New Zealand.  Ross gives us the low-down on freethought Down Under, the influence of religion on Kiwi politics, and ho[...] It’s our first “international” episode!  We talk to Ross Eddington, a self-described atheist from Christchurch, New Zealand.  Ross gives us the low-down on freethought Down Under, the influence of religion on Kiwi politics, and how New Zealanders view us Bible-crazed Yanks.  (Ross was the winner of our recent “suggest an improvement to the podcast” contest, little realizing he was also volunteering himself as our first out-of-country guest.) Ross is a member of (but not a spokesman f0r!) the New Zealand Association of Rationalists and Humanists. In keeping with our international theme, we also hear from Dave in the United Kingdom, and from Mexico’s Danny Zepeda–check out Danny’s skeptical blog  Un Papá Escéptico (The Skeptical Dad). ANNOUNCEMENTS We’ll be attending the America Atheists national convention, April 9-12 in Atlanta, Georgia.  Guest speakers include Richard Dawkins and AA president Ed Buckner. Visit our CafePress store!  Buy cool American Freethought swag, including t-shirts and mugs. We also have an Amazon.com store–click through and buy whatever you want.  You get the same great Amazon prices, and we get a small commission.  Everybody wins! …And if you’re so-inclined, you can plop some change into our virtual tip jar via PayPal. A reminder that we post new material (news, commentary, links of interest) virtually every day at AmericanFreethought.com. If you’d like to talk about anything you’ve heard on our podcast (or anything related to freethought in general) join us at the American Freethought Yahoo Group.  And don’t forget our Facebook page. If you pick us up via iTunes please take a moment to leave feedback on our iTunes page. David is podcasting new episodes of Secular Nation.  AtheistAlliance.org/podcast. Interested in science fiction?  Then check out John’s SciFiDimensions Podcast.  SciFiDimensions.com. Send feedback to contact@americanfreethought.com – attach voicemail in mp3 or wav format. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded March 19, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, interviews, podcast, politics, religion American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/20/philip-pullman-in-the-times/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/20/philip-pullman-in-the-times/#comments Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:19:05 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=437 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/20/philip-pullman-in-the-times/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/20/godless-congregations/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/20/godless-congregations/#comments Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:01:32 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=426 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/20/godless-congregations/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/15/the-rise-of-the-godless/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/15/the-rise-of-the-godless/#comments Sun, 15 Mar 2009 18:07:55 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=408 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/15/the-rise-of-the-godless/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/05/buckner-bocchino-debate-at-ga-tech/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/05/buckner-bocchino-debate-at-ga-tech/#comments Thu, 05 Mar 2009 05:01:16 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=325 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/05/buckner-bocchino-debate-at-ga-tech/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/27/join-us-at-the-aa-natl-convention/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/27/join-us-at-the-aa-natl-convention/#comments Fri, 27 Feb 2009 05:01:13 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=293 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/27/join-us-at-the-aa-natl-convention/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/31/the-atheismagnosticism-relationship/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/31/the-atheismagnosticism-relationship/#comments Sat, 31 Jan 2009 05:01:13 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=215 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/31/the-atheismagnosticism-relationship/feed/ 2 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/29/carpe-diem-and-tough-luck/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/29/carpe-diem-and-tough-luck/#comments Thu, 29 Jan 2009 05:01:59 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=211 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/29/carpe-diem-and-tough-luck/feed/ 3 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/15/is-atheism-a-religion-laci-responds/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/15/is-atheism-a-religion-laci-responds/#comments Thu, 15 Jan 2009 05:01:49 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=200 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/15/is-atheism-a-religion-laci-responds/feed/ 4 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/10/podcast-38-youtuber-laci-gogreen18/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/10/podcast-38-youtuber-laci-gogreen18/#comments Sat, 10 Jan 2009 16:58:38 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=195 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/10/podcast-38-youtuber-laci-gogreen18/feed/ 20 1:03:57 We interview Laci, a.k.a. “gogreen18″ of YouTube fame.  In just a few short months, Laci’s intelligent commentary on religion and rationalism (not to mention her charm and good looks) have attracted a legion of likeminded fans.  He[...] We interview Laci, a.k.a. “gogreen18″ of YouTube fame.  In just a few short months, Laci’s intelligent commentary on religion and rationalism (not to mention her charm and good looks) have attracted a legion of likeminded fans.  Her bluntness has also raised the hackles of religionists, who succeeded in getting her suspended from the ‘Tube for two weeks in late 2008 – that’s when her videos went viral.  Now fellow nonbelievers (including uber-blogger PZ Myers and us at American Freethought) take heart that Laci is now a role model and secular spokeswoman for America’s up-and-coming generation.  Visit Laci’s YouTube channel at YouTube.com/user/gogreen18. ANNOUNCEMENTS Listen to this episode to find out how you can win a package of cool freethought tchoch including Phil Zuckerman’s book Society without God, Stephen Uhl’s audiobook No Gods, No Guilt, and the 2009 Skepchick and Skepdude calendars.  The deadline for entries is January 31st. We now have a CafePress store!  Buy cool American Freethought swag, including t-shirts and mugs.  Sport your support for patriotism through rational thought! A reminder that we post new material (news, commentary, links of interest) several times a week at AmericanFreethought.com. If you’d like to talk about anything you’ve heard on our podcast (or anything related to freethought in general) join us at the American Freethought Yahoo Group [link].  And don’t forget our Facebook page. If you pick us up via iTunes please take a moment to leave feedback on our iTunes page. David is podcasting new episodes of Secular Nation.  AtheistAlliance.org/podcast. Interested in science fiction?  Then check out John’s SciFiDimensions Podcast.  SciFiDimensions.com. Send feedback to contact@americanfreethought.com – attach voicemail in mp3 or wav format. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded January 10, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, christianity, interviews, podcast, religion American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/08/the-masters-james-brown-and-now/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/08/the-masters-james-brown-and-now/#comments Thu, 08 Jan 2009 04:01:10 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=193 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/08/the-masters-james-brown-and-now/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/06/charlie-daniels-is-a-miserable-idiot/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/06/charlie-daniels-is-a-miserable-idiot/#comments Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:07:09 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=191 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/06/charlie-daniels-is-a-miserable-idiot/feed/ 3 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/12/15/there-are-atheists-in-foxholes/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/12/15/there-are-atheists-in-foxholes/#comments Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:15:19 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=174 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/12/15/there-are-atheists-in-foxholes/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/12/12/godless-browsing-just-got-better/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/12/12/godless-browsing-just-got-better/#comments Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:35:47 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=171 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/12/12/godless-browsing-just-got-better/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/12/08/bloggingheads-talk-atheism/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/12/08/bloggingheads-talk-atheism/#comments Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:31:38 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=167 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/12/08/bloggingheads-talk-atheism/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/12/06/podcast-35-war-on-christmas/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/12/06/podcast-35-war-on-christmas/#comments Sat, 06 Dec 2008 17:35:04 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=166 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/12/06/podcast-35-war-on-christmas/feed/ 7 1:03:47 We take a look at the (alleged) War on Christmas and the various over-reactions to it. But first…some Thanksgiving leftovers!  Columnist Jim Griffith of the Newnan (Georgia) Times-Herald paints a bleak picture for atheists on Turkey Day. Lest [...] We take a look at the (alleged) War on Christmas and the various over-reactions to it. But first…some Thanksgiving leftovers!  Columnist Jim Griffith of the Newnan (Georgia) Times-Herald paints a bleak picture for atheists on Turkey Day. Lest you think it’s only small town news hounds who blame everything on the infidels, get a load of the recent essay by Daniel Henniger in The Wall Street Journal.  Who knew the economic implosion was triggered by the scrooges who don’t like to hear the words “Merry Christmas”. Bloviatin’ Bill O’Reilly has his loufa in a bunch over the fact that Washington State allowed an atheist display next to a Nativity scene on the capitol grounds.  But don’t worry Bill – some enterprising Christian kneecapped the Eighth Commandment and stole that pesky display.  Oh wait, it’s back! Who needs another installment of “Holey Scripture” when retired Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong is on the job?  Spong has spent a career letting the air out of the “Bible as literal history” tires, and his opinion of the Christmas Story is no exception.  Thus sayeth the Spong: “The gospel writers knew that they were not writing history, they knew they were creating an interpretive portrait.”  (I wouldn’t be so sure of that, but with Christians like Spong, who wants to argue?)  Sign up for the Bishop’s weekly newsletter at JohnShelbySpong.com. Our faithful listener Liz from Texas (who is allowed to play the AF podcast out loud at the office) shares her ingenious solution to obnoxious office Christmas Parties – hijack ‘em!  In a scenario worth of The Office, Liz convinced her boss to let her organize the year-end holiday bash, due to the fact that she can “keep it religion neutral and thus HR friendly.”  Nobody likes the end result except Liz, HR, and the Jews. Tom Melchiorre (the new editor of the Secular Nation newsletter) proves his uber-atheist street cred by refusing any observance or participation in holiday cheer.  (He responds to wishes of “Merry Christmas” with either a “No, thanks” or a Glare of Death.  He ‘splains himself in the current issue of Secular Nation magazine, which David will cover in an upcoming episode of the Secular Nation Podcast. Finally, we share our Top Five Holiday Gifts for the Nonbeliever!  Presented more or less in order from least-to-most recommended: John’s recommendations: 5. “How to Start Your Own Cult for Fun and Profit” by Heidi Lampietti.  A great stocking stuffer at $5, this 27-page chapbook helps you lay the groundwork for future fleecing of the dumb masses.  RedJackBooks.com 4. “The Resurrection and the Life” - a satirical retelling of the resurrection of Lazarus from the Book of John, this is a limited edition, handbound volume written by horror-meister Brian Keene, with woodcut engravings from Canadian artist George Walker.  Pricey and hard to come by, but worth the chase.  BitingDogPress.com 3.  There Will Be Blood (DVD) – Daniel Day Lewis and Paul Dano get biblical with a bowling pin in director Paul Thomas Anderson’s epic and unforgettable fable set in the oil fields of early 20th century California.  I… drink… your… milkshake!!! 2.  Fossils – From $10 bugs-in-amber to a $22K slab o’ Selenopeltis Buchii, the remains of creatures past are sure to please science lovers and annoy the yokels who still think the earth is 6,000 years old.  If you don’t have a local rock shop, try eBay.com. 1.  The Complete Discography of George Hrab – Musician, comedian, podcaster, freethinker, Hrab has accumulated a cult-like following to his Geologic Podcast.  His five albums are kinda nifty, too!  Buy the entire Hrab ouevre at CDBaby.com or check out GeologicRecords.net. David’s recommendations: 5.  Give the Gift of Godless Power Brokering [...] atheism, books, christianity, humor, movies, music, news, podcast, religion American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/11/22/podcast-34-mel-lipman/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/11/22/podcast-34-mel-lipman/#comments Sat, 22 Nov 2008 22:31:52 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=160 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/11/22/podcast-34-mel-lipman/feed/ 2 1:12:31 Interview with Mel Lipman (approx. 42 minutes into the show), president of the American Humanist Association (and, incidentally, the father of Lori Lipman Brown, lobbyist for the Secular Coalition for American, whom we talked to in podcast #23).  We[...] Interview with Mel Lipman (approx. 42 minutes into the show), president of the American Humanist Association (and, incidentally, the father of Lori Lipman Brown, lobbyist for the Secular Coalition for American, whom we talked to in podcast #23).  We talk to Mel about the AHA’s holiday ad campaign, which puts the message “Why believe in a god?  Just be good for goodness’ sake!” on buses in Washington, DC. But first!… Carl Raschke (Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Denver), commenting on fans of the role-playing game Playing Gods (created by Ben Radford, editor of Skeptical Inquirer), compares (some) atheists to jihadists. We discuss the new DVD release of Expelled.  Basically, refried baloney is still baloney.  If you must buy it, buy it at Amazon.com through us.  Also, a lover of science has created a way to insert fact-checking subtitles as you watch Expelled on your computer.  Here’s how. It’s three weeks after the elections, but there are still undecided Senate races around the country, including an upcoming runoff in Georgia between incumbent Senator Saxby Chambliss (R) and challenger Jim Martin (D). Gay rights advocates around the country are protesting the passage of California Proposition 8 (which bans gay marriage via amendment to the state constitution).  Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich characterizes these protests as “fascist”. The Supreme Court hears a lawsuit seeking to force a Utah town to post the “Seven Aphorisms of Summum” next to the Ten Commandments. USA Today publishes a rare article that shows atheism in a positive light. We’re giving away a copy of Guy Harrison’s book 50 Reasons People Give for Believing in a God.  The first person who posts a request on our Facebook wall gets it. Announcements A reminder that we post new material (news, commentary, links of interest) every day at AmericanFreethought.com. If you’d like to talk about anything you’ve heard on our podcast (or anything related to freethought in general) join us at the American Freethought Yahoo Group [link]. If you pick us up via iTunes please take a moment to leave feedback on our iTunes page. David is podcasting new episodes of Secular Nation.  AtheistAlliance.org/podcast. Interested in science fiction?  Then check out John’s SciFiDimensions Podcast.  SciFiDimensions.com. Send feedback to contact@americanfreethought.com – attach voicemail in mp3 or wav format. Music by Body Found. Recorded November 20, 2008.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, commentary, interviews, news, podcast, politics, religion American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/11/17/usa-today-tackles-playing-gods/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/11/17/usa-today-tackles-playing-gods/#comments Tue, 18 Nov 2008 02:35:32 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=158 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/11/17/usa-today-tackles-playing-gods/feed/ 2 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/31/what-does-cnn-have-against-atheists/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/31/what-does-cnn-have-against-atheists/#comments Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:14:57 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=146 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/31/what-does-cnn-have-against-atheists/feed/ 5 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/29/the-atheism-tapes-6-of-6-colin-mcginn/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/29/the-atheism-tapes-6-of-6-colin-mcginn/#comments Wed, 29 Oct 2008 10:00:09 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=125 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/29/the-atheism-tapes-6-of-6-colin-mcginn/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/26/podcast-32-potpourri-and-feedback/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/26/podcast-32-potpourri-and-feedback/#comments Mon, 27 Oct 2008 02:03:44 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=145 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/26/podcast-32-potpourri-and-feedback/feed/ 0 0:43:51 In this episode we throw in a potpourri of items in the news or random events we think our subscribers will find interesting, plus we discuss some interesting listener feedback. Religulous Kicks Expelled‘s Ass – Comedian Bill Maher[...] In this episode we throw in a potpourri of items in the news or random events we think our subscribers will find interesting, plus we discuss some interesting listener feedback. Religulous Kicks Expelled‘s Ass – Comedian Bill Maher’s anti-religion documentary Religulous has earned $10.6M in four weeks on roughly 500 screens.  Compare that to Ben Stein’s “evolution means genocide” screed Expelled, which brought in $7.7M during its entire eight-week run on over 1,000 screens.  So maybe Americans aren’t as nuts as we’d feared. W – We talk briefly about Oliver Stone’s not-great-not-terrible biopic of our current lame-duck president.  Bottom line: it’s worth seeing but offers no new insights into how a mediocrity like George W. Bush could wrangle his way into two full terms as the most powerful man on the planet.  Visit WtheFilm.com for more info. Wicked – The hit musical Wicked (based on the novel by which turns the premise of The Wizard of Oz upside-down) is playing at the historic Fox Theatre in Atlanta.  This of course leads to sidewalk preachers descending upong Peachtree Street like a plague of locusts to decry the desensitization of our youth to witchcraft and moral relativism (just like that brat Harry Potter). Track Rock Archaeological Site near Brasstown Bald is the only known example of prehistoric petroglyphs in Georgia.  Nobody – not even the Cherokee Indians – knows who carved them or when.  Paleontologists tell us that humans have lived in Georgia for as long as 15,000 years (but of course this estimate raises the hackles of some fundamentalists, who “know” the earth was created in 4,004 BC).  Atlanta’s Fernbank Museum of Natural History organizes occasional guided hikes, and if you’re ever available they’re well worth your while.  For more visit FernbankMuseum.org. Anti-Discrimination Survey – Margaret Downey (recently retired president of Atheist Alliance International) is working with the Anti-Discrimination Support Network.  If you have a few minutes, visit Atheist Research Online [link] and take their brief, anonymous survey [link]. Listener Feedback – Bill objects to our sarcastic asides about Arkansas from podcast #30.  Referencing our September 20 blog entry at AmericanFreethought.com, Jerry thinks Sam Harris is an elitist snob.  David shares a response to Secular Nation Podcast #17 from a listener who apparently wasn’t listening. Announcements A reminder that we post new material (news, commentary, links of interest) every day at AmericanFreethought.com. If you’d like to talk about anything you’ve heard on our podcast (or anything related to freethought in general) join us at the American Freethought Yahoo Group [link]. If you pick us up via iTunes please take a moment to leave feedback on our iTunes page. David is podcasting new episodes of Secular Nation.  AtheistAlliance.org/podcast. Interested in science fiction?  Then check out John’s SciFiDimensions Podcast.  SciFiDimensions.com. Send feedback to contact@americanfreethought.com – attach voicemail in mp3 or wav format. Recorded October 23, 2008.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, christianity, commentary, history, humor, movies, news, podcast, politics, religion, science American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/18/the-atheism-tapes-5-of-6-steven-weinberg/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/18/the-atheism-tapes-5-of-6-steven-weinberg/#comments Sat, 18 Oct 2008 10:00:21 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=124 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/18/the-atheism-tapes-5-of-6-steven-weinberg/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/14/the-atheism-tapes-4-of-6-arthur-miller/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/14/the-atheism-tapes-4-of-6-arthur-miller/#comments Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:18:36 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=123 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/14/the-atheism-tapes-4-of-6-arthur-miller/feed/ 3 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/01/the-atheism-tapes-3-of-6-richard-dawkins/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/01/the-atheism-tapes-3-of-6-richard-dawkins/#comments Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:36:56 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=122 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/01/the-atheism-tapes-3-of-6-richard-dawkins/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/29/podcast-29-report-2-on-aai-convention-2008/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/29/podcast-29-report-2-on-aai-convention-2008/#comments Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:32:09 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=134 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/29/podcast-29-report-2-on-aai-convention-2008/feed/ 1 0:29:25 David Driscoll gives a wrap-up on the 14th annual Atheist Alliance International convention in Long Beach, California, including his descriptions of presentations by Julia Sweeney, PZ Myers, Eddie Tabash, Michael Shermer and Michael Newdow.  Details[...] David Driscoll gives a wrap-up on the 14th annual Atheist Alliance International convention in Long Beach, California, including his descriptions of presentations by Julia Sweeney, PZ Myers, Eddie Tabash, Michael Shermer and Michael Newdow.  Details on the convention can be found here [link]. Announcements A reminder that we post new material (news, commentary, links of interest) every day at AmericanFreethought.com. If you’d like to talk about anything you’ve heard on our podcast (or anything related to freethought in general) join us at the American Freethought Yahoo Group [link]. If you pick us up via iTunes please take a moment to leave feedback on our iTunes page. David is podcasting new episodes of Secular Nation.  AtheistAlliance.org/podcast. Interested in science fiction?  Then check out John’s SciFiDimensions Podcast.  SciFiDimensions.com. Send feedback to contact@americanfreethought.com – attach voicemail in mp3 or wav format. Recorded September 29, 2008.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, news, podcast, politics American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/27/podcast-28-report-from-aai-convention-2008/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/27/podcast-28-report-from-aai-convention-2008/#comments Sat, 27 Sep 2008 19:15:40 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=133 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/27/podcast-28-report-from-aai-convention-2008/feed/ 0 0:19:23 David Driscoll reports (almost) live from the 14th annual Atheist Alliance International convention in Long Beach, California.  Details on the convention – including the opportunity to watch it from home via live streaming – can be found[...] David Driscoll reports (almost) live from the 14th annual Atheist Alliance International convention in Long Beach, California.  Details on the convention – including the opportunity to watch it from home via live streaming – can be found here [link]. Announcements A reminder that we post new material (news, commentary, links of interest) every day at AmericanFreethought.com. If you’d like to talk about anything you’ve heard on our podcast (or anything related to freethought in general) join us at the American Freethought Yahoo Group [link]. If you pick us up via iTunes please take a moment to leave feedback on our iTunes page. David is podcasting new episodes of Secular Nation.  AtheistAlliance.org/podcast. Interested in science fiction?  Then check out John’s SciFiDimensions Podcast.  SciFiDimensions.com. Send feedback to contact@americanfreethought.com – attach voicemail in mp3 or wav format. Recorded September 27, 2008.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, news, podcast American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/27/the-atheism-tapes-2-of-6-denys-turner/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/27/the-atheism-tapes-2-of-6-denys-turner/#comments Sat, 27 Sep 2008 10:00:35 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=121 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/27/the-atheism-tapes-2-of-6-denys-turner/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/26/ok-if-youre-an-atheist/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/26/ok-if-youre-an-atheist/#comments Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:00:38 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=131 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/26/ok-if-youre-an-atheist/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/21/the-atheism-tapes-1-of-6-daniel-dennett/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/21/the-atheism-tapes-1-of-6-daniel-dennett/#comments Sun, 21 Sep 2008 10:00:18 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=120 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/21/the-atheism-tapes-1-of-6-daniel-dennett/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/20/podcast-27-ed-buckner/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/20/podcast-27-ed-buckner/#comments Sat, 20 Sep 2008 21:59:09 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=128 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/20/podcast-27-ed-buckner/feed/ 6 0:46:51 Interview with Ed Buckner, the newly appointed president of American Atheists.  Ed was formerly an executive director of the Council for Secular Humanism, and at the time of his appointment to this new post was the Treasurer of the Atlanta Freethoug[...] Interview with Ed Buckner, the newly appointed president of American Atheists.  Ed was formerly an executive director of the Council for Secular Humanism, and at the time of his appointment to this new post was the Treasurer of the Atlanta Freethought Society. For more about American Atheists, visit Atheists.org. Announcements A call for listener input! We’re thinking of doing a show about the challenges atheists face in relationships, particularly in families with a mix of atheists and believers.  Send your stories to contact@americanfreethought.com (attach voice files in mp3 or wav format).  If you don’t know how to make a voice file, we can offer some assistance.  No deadline, but the sooner the better. David will be at the Atheist Alliance International convention in Long Beach, CA, Sept 25-28 [AtheistAlliance.org]. If you like science fiction, check out John’s SciFiDimensions Podcast [SciFiDimensions.com/podcast]. David’s Secular Nation Podcast [AtheistAlliance.org/podcast] has new episodes. Join us for discussion at the American Freethought Yahoo Group [link]. We also have a new Facebook page. Do you shop at Amazon.com?  If so, add [this link] to your browser Favorites (alternatively, you can just click through the Amazon.com link in the right-hand column of the AmericanFreethought.com website.  It won’t cost you a penny more; your purchases remain anonymous; and American Freethought gets a small percentage that will help offset our modest expenses and hopefully keep us out of the poor house. Send feedback to contact@americanfreethought.com – attach voicemail in mp3 or wav format. Music by Body Found [brickhouse-acoustics.com]. Recorded 09/19/2008.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, interviews, podcast American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/13/american-atheists-name-buckner-new-president/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/13/american-atheists-name-buckner-new-president/#comments Sat, 13 Sep 2008 13:10:32 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=117 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/13/american-atheists-name-buckner-new-president/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/08/06/podcast-23-lori-lipman-brown/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/08/06/podcast-23-lori-lipman-brown/#comments Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:46:22 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=93 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/08/06/podcast-23-lori-lipman-brown/feed/ 4 0:58:41 We talk to Lori Lipman Brown, director and lobbyist for the Secular Coalition for America [secular.org].  Until recently, Lori was the only full-time lobbyist working with Congress on behalf of non-theistic citizens.  She recently got an assistant. [...] We talk to Lori Lipman Brown, director and lobbyist for the Secular Coalition for America [secular.org].  Until recently, Lori was the only full-time lobbyist working with Congress on behalf of non-theistic citizens.  She recently got an assistant. Announcements We’ll be at Dragon*Con [dragoncon.org] August 29-September 1 in Atlanta, Georgia, participating in both the Skeptics track and the Podcasting track – including a LIVE episode of American Freethought at 5:30PM, Saturday, August 30. David will be at the Atheist Alliance International convention in Long Beach, CA, Sept 25-28 [atheistalliance.org]. If you like science fiction, check out John’s SciFiDimensions Podcast [SciFiDimensions.com/podcast]. David’s Secular Nation Podcast [AtheistAlliance.org/podcast] has new episodes. Join us for discussion at the American Freethought Yahoo Group [link]. We also have a new Facebook page. Do you shop at Amazon.com?  If so, add [this link] to your browser Favorites (alternatively, you can just click through the Amazon.com link in the right-hand column of the AmericanFreethought.com website.  It won’t cost you a penny more; your purchases remain anonymous; and American Freethought gets a small percentage that will help offset our modest expenses and hopefully keep us out of the poor house. Send feedback to contact@americanfreethought.com – attach voicemail in mp3 or wav format. Music by Body Found [brickhouse-acoustics.com]. Recorded 08/05/2008.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, interviews, podcast, politics, religion American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/07/20/american-freethought-podcast-22/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/07/20/american-freethought-podcast-22/#comments Sun, 20 Jul 2008 14:40:11 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=90 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/07/20/american-freethought-podcast-22/feed/ 13 1:12:32 PZ Myers – We talk to the University of Minnesota Morris biologist and author of the popular science blog Pharyngula [scienceblogs.com/pharyngula].  Dr. Myers is an atheist whose outspokenness often raises the hackles of fundamentalists.  His [...] PZ Myers – We talk to the University of Minnesota Morris biologist and author of the popular science blog Pharyngula [scienceblogs.com/pharyngula].  Dr. Myers is an atheist whose outspokenness often raises the hackles of fundamentalists.  His recent missives on the controversy centering on University of Central Florida student Webster Cook’s “stealing” of a Eucharist wafer has brought him to the attention of Blowhard Bill Donahue and his Catholic League. Announcements We’ll be at Dragon*Con [dragoncon.org] August 29-September 1 in Atlanta, Georgia, participating in both the Skeptics track and the Podcasting track – including a LIVE episode of American Freethought at 5:30PM, Saturday, August 30. David will be at the Atheist Alliance International convention in Long Beach, CA, Sept 25-28 [atheistalliance.org]. If you like science fiction, check out John’s SciFiDimensions Podcast [SciFiDimensions.com/podcast]. David’s Secular Nation Podcast [AtheistAlliance.org/podcast] will have new episodes soon. Join us for discussion at the American Freethought Yahoo Group [link]. Do you shop at Amazon.com?  If so, add [this link] to your browser Favorites (alternatively, you can just click through the Amazon.com link in the right-hand column of the AmericanFreethought.com website.  It won’t cost you a penny more; your purchases remain anonymous; and American Freethought gets a small percentage that will help offset our modest expenses and hopefully keep us out of the poor house. Send feedback to contact@americanfreethought.com – attach voicemail in mp3 or wav format. Music by Body Found [brickhouse-acoustics.com]. Recorded 07/19/2008.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, christianity, interviews, news, podcast, religion, science American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/06/28/american-freethought-podcast-20/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/06/28/american-freethought-podcast-20/#comments Sun, 29 Jun 2008 01:46:57 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=85 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/06/28/american-freethought-podcast-20/feed/ 1 1:30:13 Barbara Forrest - We talk to Dr. Barbara Forrest about SB 733 [link], the so-called Louisiana Science Education Act, a piece of legislation sitting on the desk of Governor Bobby Jindal that, if signed, would enable teachers and administrators in sta[...] Barbara Forrest - We talk to Dr. Barbara Forrest about SB 733 [link], the so-called Louisiana Science Education Act, a piece of legislation sitting on the desk of Governor Bobby Jindal that, if signed, would enable teachers and administrators in state schools to sneak Creationism/Intelligent Design in under the radar.  Dr. Forrest is a professor of philosophy at Southeastern Louisiana University, the co-author of Creationism’s Trojan Horse [link], and was one of the star witnesses in the celebrated Kitzmiller v. Dover court case.  She’s also a co-founder of the Louisiana Coalition for Science [lasciencecoalition.org] and active in defending science against religio-political encroachment at the national level. Happy 150th Birthday, Evolution! – In 2009, the thinking world will celebrate Darwin’s 200th birthday and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his Origin of Species [link].  But we’re popping the cork early - a landmark in the history of science occurred on July 1, 1858.  That’s the day that the theory of evolution by natural selection had its first public reading (at London’s famous Linnean Society).  We’ll talk about how Charles Darwin and his associates gave naturalist Alfred Wallace the subtle shaft, ensuring that religious nutjobs in the 21st century would be railing about “Darwinism” instead of “Wallacism”.  (For an excellent analysis of this episode, read Robert Wright’s fantastic book The Moral Animal [link].) Independence Day- Now, here’s a holiday even the grumpiest atheist can get behind.  Everybody knows that on July 4th, 1776, the American Colonists told the Brits where they could shove it.  Sort of.  We’ll look at some of the myths surrounding the birth of America, and revisit that pesky semi-religious language that has the fundies crowing about how this is a Christian Nation. Goodbye, George Carlin- The skeptical world lost one of its funniest and most adamant stars.  Carlin fought for free speech (and even pissed off politically correct left-wingers in the process) during the course of his five-decade career.  He will be missed. Announcements Penn Jillette chimes in on the ongoing Atheist/Agnostic debate [link]. We’ll be at Dragon*Con [dragoncon.org] August 29-September 1 in Atlanta, Georgia, participating in both the Skeptics track and the Podcasting track.  No schedules are finalized yet, but we’ll let you know as soon as they are. Check out episode #10 of the SciFiDimensions Podcast [SciFiDimensions.com/podcast], featuring an interview with Sci-Fi&Fantasy satirist (and freethinker) James Morrow.  His latest book, The Philosopher’s Apprentice [link], is a send-up of everything from human cloning to abortion to global capitalism.  What can I say?  The man swings a wide scythe. And if you like science fiction, you can pre-order the upcoming anthology Aberrant Dreams I: The Awakening (which includes a short story written by American Freethought co-host John C. Snider) from publisher HD-Image [link].  Visit hd-image.com/store. David’s Secular Nation Podcast [AtheistAlliance.org/podcast] will have new episodes soon. Join us for discussion at the American Freethought Yahoo Group [link]. Do you shop at Amazon.com?  If so, add [this link] to your browser Favorites (alternatively, you can just click through the Amazon.com link in the right-hand column of the AmericanFreethought.com website.  It won’t cost you a penny more; your purchases remain anonymous; and American Freethought gets a small percentage that will help offset our modest expenses and hopefully keep us out of the poor house. Send feedback to contact@americanfreethought.com – attach voicemail in mp3 or wav format. Recorded 06/28/2008.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, commentary, evolution, history, humor, interviews, news, podcast, politics, religion, science American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/06/19/american-freethought-podcast-19/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/06/19/american-freethought-podcast-19/#comments Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:34:01 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=84 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/06/19/american-freethought-podcast-19/feed/ 3 0:55:34 South Carolina Approves I Believe License Plates – The SC legislature just approved specialty license plates that include the words “I Believe” along with a Christian cross and a stained glass window.  Florida tried the same trick [...] South Carolina Approves I Believe License Plates – The SC legislature just approved specialty license plates that include the words “I Believe” along with a Christian cross and a stained glass window.  Florida tried the same trick and failed.  We’ll talk to Herb Silverman, longtime SC resident and president of the Secular Coalition for America (www.secular.org), about their opposition to this. City Halls Display In God We Trust – A listener in California alerted us to a movement intent on convincing city councils across the country to display the national motto.  The fact that the motto is “In God We Trust” has nothing whatsoever to do with religion, of course. Feedback – We respond to some of the excellent and thoughtful emails we’ve been getting from our listeners.  Keep that feedback coming! Announcements Visit us online at AmericanFreethought.com. David is podcasting for Secular Nation magazine.  AtheistAlliance.org/podcast John’s SciFiDimensions podcast is going strong.  SciFiDimensions.com/podcast It’s official!  We’ll both be at Dragon*Con.  DragonCon.org Join us for discussion at the American Freethought Yahoo Group [link]. If you’re picking us up on iTunes, take a moment and leave feedback [link]. Send us feedback at contact@americanfreethought.com – you can attach voicemails in mp3 or wav format. Hosted by John Snider and David Driscoll.  Recorded 6/18/2008. atheism, christianity, interviews, news, podcast, politics, religion American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/05/12/american-freethought-podcast-17/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/05/12/american-freethought-podcast-17/#comments Mon, 12 May 2008 15:58:08 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=80 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/05/12/american-freethought-podcast-17/feed/ 0 1:04:33 Controversies Galore – We take a look at the ongoing feud between Senator Barack Obama and his former pastor Reverend Jeremiah Wright.  To see Wright’s National Press Club appearance start here [link]. Not only is John McCain kowtowing t[...] Controversies Galore – We take a look at the ongoing feud between Senator Barack Obama and his former pastor Reverend Jeremiah Wright.  To see Wright’s National Press Club appearance start here [link]. Not only is John McCain kowtowing to the worst elements of the Religious Right, he’s also a superstitious nut [link]. Why was President Ellen Johnson fired from American Atheists Inc.?  The leadership has issued vague and contradictory statements.  We’re not asking them to wallow in the mud, but it would be nice if they gave their membership and the taxpaying public a straightforward explanation.  Visit nogodblog.com for more (or less) info. New French shrine recognized by the Catholic Church – Notre Dame du Laus is the latest tourist trap where the credulous can be shaken down for a few bucks [link].  Meanwhile, they have dug up infamous stigmata-monger Padre Pio, slapped a mask on him and propped him up for display [link].  Nice. Florida legislature is considering blatantly religious I Believe license plates [link]. Illinois man wants to change his name to In God We Trust.  Should we call him “God” or “Mr. Trust”? [link] ANNOUNCEMENTS Visit us online at AmericanFreethought.com. How could we pass up Rollerderby at a Shrine Temple?  AtlantaRollergirls.com David is now podcasting for Secular Nation magazine.  AtheistAlliance.org/podcast John’s SciFiDimensions podcast is going strong.  SciFiDimensions.com/podcast It’s official!  We’ll both be at Dragon*Con.  DragonCon.org Join us for discussion at the American Freethought Yahoo Group [link]. If you’re picking us up on iTunes, take a moment and leave feedback [link]. Send us feedback at contact@americanfreethought.com – you can attach voicemails in mp3 or wav format. Hosted by John Snider and David Driscoll.  Recorded 4/11/2008. atheism, christianity, commentary, ethics, news, podcast, politics, religion, superstitions American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/04/28/national-day-of-reason-is-may-1-2008/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/04/28/national-day-of-reason-is-may-1-2008/#comments Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:05:51 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=79 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/04/28/national-day-of-reason-is-may-1-2008/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/04/21/american-freethought-podcast-16/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/04/21/american-freethought-podcast-16/#comments Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:50:39 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=78 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/04/21/american-freethought-podcast-16/feed/ 5 0:52:58 Expelled – We discuss Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, the new crock-umentary starring Ben Stein.  For a thorough critique of Expelled, visit Expelled Exposed. Also mentioned in the podcast: A follow-up regarding our report of the Creation M[...] Expelled – We discuss Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, the new crock-umentary starring Ben Stein.  For a thorough critique of Expelled, visit Expelled Exposed. Also mentioned in the podcast: A follow-up regarding our report of the Creation Museum, including info on The Unicorn Museum and the YouTube sensation Charlie the Unicorn Goes to Candy Mountain.  As penance for blowing $20 at the Creation Museum, John Snider has sent $40 to Science Debate 2008. More on stem-cell research – find out what US and state policies are at hinxtongroup.org. The Atlanta Freethought Society is now holding meetings in their new un-church facility!  Donate to the cause by visiting AtlantaFreethought.org. Visit us online at www.AmericanFreethought.com. Email us at contact@americanfreethought.com – attach voicemail in mp3 or wav format. Join us for chat at the American Freethought Yahoo Group. Theme music by Body Found. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.  Recorded 4/20/2008. atheism, commentary, evolution, history, movies, podcast, politics, religion, science American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/04/03/american-freethought-podcast-15/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/04/03/american-freethought-podcast-15/#comments Fri, 04 Apr 2008 02:37:02 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/04/03/american-freethought-podcast-15/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/04/03/american-freethought-podcast-15/feed/ 1 0:49:29 Creation Museum – We discuss a recent expedition to the Creation Museum in Northern Kentucky.  You can read more about it in John Snider’s report titled “The Creation Museum Is Full of Sh!t”.  We’ll also talk about [...] Creation Museum – We discuss a recent expedition to the Creation Museum in Northern Kentucky.  You can read more about it in John Snider’s report titled “The Creation Museum Is Full of Sh!t”.  We’ll also talk about “Everything You Always Wanted to Know about the Separation of Church and State but Were Afraid to Ask”, a recent event co-sponsored by Americans United for the Separation of Church and State and the Interfaith Alliance Foundation. In other news, AF’s John Snider and David Driscoll are guests on the most recent Reason Driven Podcast, and will be guests on an upcoming episode of Skepticality! Visit us online at www.AmericanFreethought.com. Email us at contact@americanfreethought.com – attach voicemail in mp3 or wav format. Join us for chat at the American Freethought Yahoo Group. Theme music by Body Found. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.  Recorded 4/2/2008. atheism, christianity, evolution, history, podcast, religion, science American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/04/01/snider-and-driscoll-guest-on-the-reason-driven-podcast/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/04/01/snider-and-driscoll-guest-on-the-reason-driven-podcast/#comments Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:59:53 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/04/01/snider-and-driscoll-guest-on-the-reason-driven-podcast/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/04/01/snider-and-driscoll-guest-on-the-reason-driven-podcast/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/03/13/american-freethought-podcast-14/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/03/13/american-freethought-podcast-14/#comments Thu, 13 Mar 2008 23:19:39 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/03/13/american-freethought-podcast-14/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/03/13/american-freethought-podcast-14/feed/ 5 0:44:21 Pi Day - March 14 is Pi Day, a celebration of that irrational and transcendental number.  Pi Day has grown to become a celebration of all things mathematical.  For more check out Mike Keith’s cool page, including a mnemonic poem which captures[...] Pi Day - March 14 is Pi Day, a celebration of that irrational and transcendental number.  Pi Day has grown to become a celebration of all things mathematical.  For more check out Mike Keith’s cool page, including a mnemonic poem which captures nearly 4,000 digits of pi.  March 14 also happens to be Albert Einstein’s birthday. We also talk about the documentary film Article VI: Faith * Politics *America. We discuss Daniel Dennett’s suggestion that comparative religion classes be compulsory for American schoolchildren. Finally, a California man stored a dead woman on dry ice “for religious reasons”. Visit us online at www.AmericanFreethought.com. Email us at contact@americanfreethought.com – attach voicemail in mp3 or wav format. Join us for chat at the American Freethought Yahoo Group. Theme music by Body Found. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.  Recorded 3/31/2008. atheism, christianity, commentary, movies, news, podcast, politics, religion American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/02/24/american-freethought-podcast-12/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/02/24/american-freethought-podcast-12/#comments Sun, 24 Feb 2008 23:34:09 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/02/24/american-freethought-podcast-12/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/02/24/american-freethought-podcast-12/feed/ 2 0:43:30 John McCain – We talk about Senator John McCain‘s likely stance on church-state issues.  We also interview Steve Yothment, president of the Atlanta Freethought Society (www.atlantafreethought.org), about AFS’s new permanent facilit[...] John McCain – We talk about Senator John McCain‘s likely stance on church-state issues.  We also interview Steve Yothment, president of the Atlanta Freethought Society (www.atlantafreethought.org), about AFS’s new permanent facility.  Plus a discussion of Calvin Wayne Inman, a Texas youth minister who recently confessed to a murder committed 14 years ago. Announcements:  John C. Snider has launched a science fiction podcast at www.scifidimensions.com/podcast.  David Driscoll has jumped on the pro-cycling bandwagon with Ride for Silence (http://www.rideofsilence.org/), which raises awareness for bicycling related fatalities. Visit us online at www.AmericanFreethought.com. Send us feedback at contact@americanfreethought.com. Join us for chat at the American Freethought Yahoo Group. Theme music by Body Found. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.  Recorded 2/24/2008. atheism, christianity, commentary, interviews, news, podcast, politics, religion American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/02/20/the-subtle-knife-and-the-amber-spyglass/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/02/20/the-subtle-knife-and-the-amber-spyglass/#comments Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:27:25 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/02/20/the-subtle-knife-and-the-amber-spyglass/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/02/20/the-subtle-knife-and-the-amber-spyglass/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/02/10/american-freethought-podcast-11/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/02/10/american-freethought-podcast-11/#comments Sun, 10 Feb 2008 19:15:36 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/02/10/american-freethought-podcast-11/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/02/10/american-freethought-podcast-11/feed/ 1 1:04:46 Darwin Day 2008 – Charles Darwin‘s birthday is February 12, which is as good a day as any to celebrate his achievements and those of science in general.  We talk to evolutionary biologist, philosopher and popular science writer Massimo P[...] Darwin Day 2008 – Charles Darwin‘s birthday is February 12, which is as good a day as any to celebrate his achievements and those of science in general.  We talk to evolutionary biologist, philosopher and popular science writer Massimo Pigliucci of the State University of New York in Stony Brook, the organizer of SUNY’s Darwin Day events, and who organized the University of Tennessee’s first Darwin Day in 1997.  Massimo maintains several web presences, including RationallySpeaking.org, PlatoFootnote.org, and GenotypebyEnvironment.org.  We’ll also feature a special “scientific gospel” song from the California based band The Galapagos Mountain Boys. Massimo’s books include Tales of the Rational, Denying Evolution and (with Jonathan Kaplan) Making Sense of Evolution. If you live in metro Atlanta, you might consider celebrating Darwin Day at Darwin’s, a jazz/blues club in Marietta (“Where Great Music Evolves”).  [PLEASE NOTE: We discovered after the podcast was recorded that Darwin's will NOT be open on Tuesday, February 12th!] Also, the audio problems with show #10 have been corrected.  If you had problems with that episode, you can now reload it and it should be fine.  Our apologies for the glitch. Send us feedback at contact@americanfreethought.com. Join us for chat at the American Freethought Yahoo Group. Theme music by Body Found. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.  Recorded 2/5/2008. atheism, evolution, interviews, music, podcast, religion, science American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/02/07/letting-go-of-god/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/02/07/letting-go-of-god/#comments Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:39:03 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/02/07/letting-go-of-god/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/02/07/letting-go-of-god/feed/ 4 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/24/american-freethought-podcast-8/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/24/american-freethought-podcast-8/#comments Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:32:29 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/24/american-freethought-podcast-8/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/24/american-freethought-podcast-8/feed/ 1 0:33:17 News Item Potpourri - Mike Huckabee wants to amend the Constitution to conform with God’s laws.  Archbishop Earl Paulk fined and given 10 years’ probation for perjury.  Colorado lawmaker Douglas Bruce kicks a photographer during a praye[...] News Item Potpourri - Mike Huckabee wants to amend the Constitution to conform with God’s laws.  Archbishop Earl Paulk fined and given 10 years’ probation for perjury.  Colorado lawmaker Douglas Bruce kicks a photographer during a prayer service.  A Muslim teen athlete’s uniform violate’s track federation rules.  The Kite Runner movie is banned in Afghanistan.  And Matthew McConaughey says “God bless evolution.” Send us feedback at contact@americanfreethought.com. Join us for chat at the American Freethought Yahoo Group. Theme music by Body Found. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.  Recorded 1/19/2008. atheism, commentary, ethics, evolution, islam, movies, news, podcast, politics, religion, science American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/23/the-agnostic-gospel-of-susan-werner-pt-3-of-3/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/23/the-agnostic-gospel-of-susan-werner-pt-3-of-3/#comments Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:10:01 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/23/the-agnostic-gospel-of-susan-werner-pt-3-of-3/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/23/the-agnostic-gospel-of-susan-werner-pt-3-of-3/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/22/the-agnostic-gospel-of-susan-werner-pt-2-of-3/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/22/the-agnostic-gospel-of-susan-werner-pt-2-of-3/#comments Tue, 22 Jan 2008 11:10:05 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/22/the-agnostic-gospel-of-susan-werner-pt-2-of-3/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/22/the-agnostic-gospel-of-susan-werner-pt-2-of-3/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/21/the-agnostic-gospel-of-susan-werner-pt-1-of-3/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/21/the-agnostic-gospel-of-susan-werner-pt-1-of-3/#comments Mon, 21 Jan 2008 22:27:59 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/21/the-agnostic-gospel-of-susan-werner-pt-1-of-3/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/21/the-agnostic-gospel-of-susan-werner-pt-1-of-3/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/20/american-freethought-podcast-7/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/20/american-freethought-podcast-7/#comments Sun, 20 Jan 2008 15:14:24 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/20/american-freethought-podcast-7/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/20/american-freethought-podcast-7/feed/ 5 0:50:33 Religion and Insanity - Recent, tragic cases in the news involving filicide and/or suicide by insane and possibly religiously motivated people (Banita Jacks, John Violette and Marcelle Thibault). - A look back at the sad story of Andrea Yates, who i[...] Religion and Insanity - Recent, tragic cases in the news involving filicide and/or suicide by insane and possibly religiously motivated people (Banita Jacks, John Violette and Marcelle Thibault). - A look back at the sad story of Andrea Yates, who infamously drowned all five of her children. - An academic study investigates the link between religious fundamentalism and mental illness. - A man cuts off and microwaves his hand because he thought it bore the Mark of the Beast. Plus two garden-variety crazies: - Marguerite “Dark-Sided” Perrin (from the TV show Trading Spouses). - Pastor Fred “God Hates Fags” Phelps of Westboro Baptist Church. Send us feedback at contact@americanfreethought.com Join us for chat at the American Freethought Yahoo Group. Theme music by Body Found. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.  Recorded 01/19/2008. atheism, commentary, news, podcast, religion, science, superstitions American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/11/american-freethought-podcast-6/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/11/american-freethought-podcast-6/#comments Fri, 11 Jan 2008 20:59:07 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/11/american-freethought-podcast-6/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/11/american-freethought-podcast-6/feed/ 0 1:02:48 The Portable Atheist by Christopher Hitchens – We take a look at the latest collection of writing selected and introduced by the Bad Boy of Unbelievers! Links of interest: Christopher Hitchens: An Online Directory (official website?) Christoph[...] The Portable Atheist by Christopher Hitchens – We take a look at the latest collection of writing selected and introduced by the Bad Boy of Unbelievers! Links of interest: Christopher Hitchens: An Online Directory (official website?) Christopher Hitchens Web (links to articles, interviews, etc.) Christopher Hitchens Watch (critical blog) Send us feedback at contact@americanfreethought.com Join us for chat at the American Freethought Yahoo Group. Theme music by Body Found. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.  Recorded 01/09/2008. atheism, books, commentary, islam, podcast, politics, religion, science, superstitions American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/01/american-freethought-podcast-5/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/01/american-freethought-podcast-5/#comments Tue, 01 Jan 2008 20:37:42 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/01/american-freethought-podcast-5/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/01/american-freethought-podcast-5/feed/ 0 1:19:25 Recorded 12/31/2007.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. Politics and Faith: The Presidential Candidates and how their religious beliefs will affect the race for the White House.  We’ll listen to and comment on excerpts from several [...] Recorded 12/31/2007.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. Politics and Faith: The Presidential Candidates and how their religious beliefs will affect the race for the White House.  We’ll listen to and comment on excerpts from several speechs and debates, including: John F. Kennedy’s 1960 speech, Mitt Romney’s “Faith in America” Speech, Mike Huckabee’s Christmas Commercial, Rudy Guiliani (and Mitt and Mike!) at the YouTube Debate, Barack Obama at an MTV forum, and Hillary Clinton interviewed on CNN. Plus: More Holey Scripture, and an update on The Golden Compass! Feedback – Email your comments to contact@americanfreethought.com and we might read ‘em on the air (attach “voicemails” in mp3 or wav format). Discuss – We’ve set up a message board at Yahoo Groups. Theme music by Body Found. atheism, commentary, podcast, politics, religion American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/01/book-review-the-portable-atheist/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/01/book-review-the-portable-atheist/#comments Tue, 01 Jan 2008 20:31:49 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/01/book-review-the-portable-atheist/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/01/01/book-review-the-portable-atheist/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/12/17/american-freethought-podcast-4/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/12/17/american-freethought-podcast-4/#comments Tue, 18 Dec 2007 02:05:10 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/12/17/american-freethought-podcast-4/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/12/17/american-freethought-podcast-4/feed/ 1 0:40:39 Recorded 12/15/2007.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. Show Notes: Our “War on Christmas” Special! - We look at the myths and misconceptions surrounding the holiday season. Gifts for Non-Believers- We countdown our Top Five s[...] Recorded 12/15/2007.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. Show Notes: Our “War on Christmas” Special! - We look at the myths and misconceptions surrounding the holiday season. Gifts for Non-Believers- We countdown our Top Five suggestions for gifts for non-believers. Driscoll’s List: 5. Flying Spaghetti Monster decal 4. The God Who Wasn’t There (DVD) 3. An all-expenses-paid trip to Cincinnati, including a visit to the Creation Museum in nearby Petersburg, KY. 2. Donation to Charity – For the nonbeliever who has everything, why not give a gift in his/her name to a relevant non-profit?  David’s suggestions: The Freedom from Religion Foundation or the Secular Coalition. 1. Four Horsemen Gift Pack containing God Is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens, The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins, The End of Faith by Sam Harris, Breaking the Spell by Daniel Dennett, and a copy of The Bible (so you’ll know what the fuss is all about). Snider’s List: 5. The Portable Atheist, a collection of skeptical writings from antiquity to the present, edited by Christopher Hitchens. 4. Museum Membership to a local natural history, science or art museum.  If the recipient doesn’t have access to such big-city facilities, try subscriptions to magazines like National Geographic, Scientific American, or Skeptical Inquirer? 3. Flying Spaghetti Monster Paraphernalia 2. A Copy of The Bible signed by the Author – If you’re participating in a “white elephant” gift exchange, a great gag would be to toss in a copy of the Good Book and add an inscription; e.g. “To Whom It May Concern – Sorry about the mess.  Best Regards, God.”  Be sure to conceal your handwriting and be prepared to maintain a good poker face.  If you’re really daring, try a copy of The Satanic Bible. 1. From So Simple a Beginning – This bug-crushing 1,700-page hardcover contains all four of Charles Darwin’s classic books: The Voyage of the Beagle, The Origin of Species, The Descent of Man, and The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals.  It comes in a nice slipcase, with a forward by self-proclaimed “provisional deist” Edward O. Wilson. Feedback – Email your comments to contact@americanfreethought.com and we might read ‘em on the air (attach “voicemails” in mp3 or wav format). Discuss – We’ve set up a message board at Yahoo Groups. Theme music by Body Found.  Special holiday end-song “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” by the La Brea Stompers, from the CD The Mother of All Flagpole Christmas Albums. atheism, commentary, podcast, religion American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/12/16/american-freethought-podcast-3/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/12/16/american-freethought-podcast-3/#comments Sun, 16 Dec 2007 17:24:04 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/12/16/american-freethought-podcast-3/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/12/16/american-freethought-podcast-3/feed/ 1 0:43:02 Recorded 12/15/2007.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. Show Notes: The Golden Compass – We discuss Philip Pullman’s novel The Golden Compass (the first volume of the trilogy His Dark Materials), the feature film adaptation st[...] Recorded 12/15/2007.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. Show Notes: The Golden Compass – We discuss Philip Pullman’s novel The Golden Compass (the first volume of the trilogy His Dark Materials), the feature film adaptation starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, and the controversy surrounding the story’s content.  We’ll analyze the protest organized by the Catholic League, and look at the reactions of other religious organizations and conservative pundits. Visit the movie’s Official Website. Buy His Dark Materials trilogy in unabridged audio, narrated by Philip Pullman himself - you won’t be sorry.  (This makes a great holiday gift, regardless of what the critics say!) Read the Catholic League‘s protest manifesto, The Golden Compass: Agenda Unmasked – for free! (They’ll charge you “fi’ dollahs”.) Holey Scripture – We introduce a new recurring segment, in which David exposes the inaccuracies, inconsistencies, contradictions (and sometimes downright cruelty) contained in so-called sacred texts.  In this first installment, he discusses “dust”. Feedback – Email your comments to contact@americanfreethought.com and we might read ‘em on the air (attach “voicemails” in mp3 or wav format). Discuss – We’ve set up a message board at Yahoo Groups. Theme music by Body Found. atheism, commentary, movies, podcast, religion American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/12/08/movie-review-the-golden-compass/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/12/08/movie-review-the-golden-compass/#comments Sat, 08 Dec 2007 14:14:33 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/12/08/movie-review-the-golden-compass/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/12/08/movie-review-the-golden-compass/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/12/02/american-freethought-podcast-2/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/12/02/american-freethought-podcast-2/#comments Mon, 03 Dec 2007 03:50:07 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/12/02/american-freethought-podcast-2/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/12/02/american-freethought-podcast-2/feed/ 3 0:51:47 Recorded 12/01/2007.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. Show Notes: Flock of Dodos – We discuss the independent documentary film Flock of Dodos, which explores the tactics used by both sides of the Intelligent Design/Evolution debat[...] Recorded 12/01/2007.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. Show Notes: Flock of Dodos – We discuss the independent documentary film Flock of Dodos, which explores the tactics used by both sides of the Intelligent Design/Evolution debate.  Read our review here.  Look for the film on Showtime and at film festivals, or purchase the DVD.  Visit the official website at www.flockofdodos.com. Randy Olson – Interview with the writer/director of Flock of Dodos.  Randy is a former evolutionary ecologist who left a tenured position in academia to become a fulltime filmmaker. Judgment Day - We also discuss the two-hour PBS documentary from NOVA – Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial, which delves into the recent court case Kitzmiller vs. Dover, PA.   The DVD is already available for advance purchase. Feedback – Email your comments to contact@americanfreethought.com and we might read ‘em on the air (attach “voicemails” in mp3 or wav format). Discuss – We’ve set up a message board at Yahoo Groups. Theme music by Body Found. atheism, commentary, evolution, interviews, movies, podcast, politics, religion, science American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/11/30/book-review-the-golden-compass/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/11/30/book-review-the-golden-compass/#comments Sat, 01 Dec 2007 01:30:22 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/11/30/book-review-the-golden-compass/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/11/30/book-review-the-golden-compass/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/11/29/catholic-league-unmasks-golden-compass-agenda/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/11/29/catholic-league-unmasks-golden-compass-agenda/#comments Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:36:44 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/11/29/catholic-league-unmasks-golden-compass-agenda/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/11/29/catholic-league-unmasks-golden-compass-agenda/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/ffrf-atlanta-billboard-update/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/ffrf-atlanta-billboard-update/#comments Wed, 28 Nov 2007 02:02:00 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/ffrf-atlanta-billboard-update/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/ffrf-atlanta-billboard-update/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/11/26/american-freethought-podcast-1/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/11/26/american-freethought-podcast-1/#comments Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:05:42 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/11/26/american-freethought-podcast-1/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/11/26/american-freethought-podcast-1/feed/ 2 0:44:03 Recorded 11/24/2007.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. Show Notes: Introductions – Who are we and what’s this podcast all about? The Sam Harris “Problem with Atheism” Controversy – Author Sam Harris raised a[...] Recorded 11/24/2007.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. Show Notes: Introductions – Who are we and what’s this podcast all about? The Sam Harris “Problem with Atheism” Controversy – Author Sam Harris raised a ruckus with his October 2007 essay “The Problem with Atheism”.  Self-identified atheists, particularly members of organizations with the A-word in their title, were quick to respond, refusing to back down.  Harris isn’t alone, however – bestselling Canadian science fiction writer Robert J. Sawyer said essentially the same thing in April 2007 with “A Bright Idea for Atheists” and Neil deGrasse Tyson touched on this issue in his recent interview with Point of Inquiry podcast. Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue Prays for Rain on the steps of the Georgia Capitol – and we are not amused.  Okay, we’re a little amused, but we’re also a little miffed.  David tells us about his participation in the Atlanta Freethought Society’s prayer protest. Ten Commandments Displays in GA and KY – It’s happening again!  Politicians just can’t get enough of posting the Big Ten in courthouses and other government buildings.  Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher, in a desperate bid, ordered the Ten Commandments posted (along with other “historical documents” in the Kentucky Capitol rotunda (Ernie lost, by the way).  And in Albany, Georgia, the city commissioners voted unanimously to post a similar display in the Dougherty County judicial building. “Imagine No Religion” Billboard Going up in Atlanta – The Freedom From Religion Foundation launches a billboard campaign in Atlanta in a follow-up to a similar campaign in Madison, Wisconsin. Will Smith Is a Thetan! – Actor Will Smith comes out as a Scientologist, equating its tenets with those of Christianity.  He’s got one thing right: Scientology’s no crazier than Christianity. Mitt Romney Is a Mormon! – JFK fielded questions about his Catholicism 45 years ago. Now Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney is fielding questions about his magic underwear.  In the era of Faith-Based Initiatives and Global Crusades, how much should voters care about the religious beliefs of their elected officials? Feedback – Email your comments to contact@americanfreethought.com and we might read ‘em on the air (attach “voicemails” in mp3 or wav format). Theme music by Body Found. atheism, commentary, news, podcast, politics, religion American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/11/21/imagine-no-religion-billboard-debuts-in-atlanta/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/11/21/imagine-no-religion-billboard-debuts-in-atlanta/#comments Wed, 21 Nov 2007 22:46:59 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/11/21/imagine-no-religion-billboard-debuts-in-atlanta/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/11/21/imagine-no-religion-billboard-debuts-in-atlanta/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/11/18/urgent-appeal-please-help-protect-ayaan-hirshi-ali/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/11/18/urgent-appeal-please-help-protect-ayaan-hirshi-ali/#comments Sun, 18 Nov 2007 14:53:34 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/11/18/urgent-appeal-please-help-protect-ayaan-hirshi-ali/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/11/18/urgent-appeal-please-help-protect-ayaan-hirshi-ali/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/10/18/atlas-shrugged-50th-anniversary-celebration-part-1-of-2/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/10/18/atlas-shrugged-50th-anniversary-celebration-part-1-of-2/#comments Fri, 19 Oct 2007 02:37:09 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/10/18/atlas-shrugged-50th-anniversary-celebration-part-1-of-2/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/10/18/atlas-shrugged-50th-anniversary-celebration-part-1-of-2/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/10/18/is-freethought-radio-a-new-war-on-religion/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/10/18/is-freethought-radio-a-new-war-on-religion/#comments Thu, 18 Oct 2007 23:37:02 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/10/18/is-freethought-radio-a-new-war-on-religion/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/10/18/is-freethought-radio-a-new-war-on-religion/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/10/06/five-questions-with-sam-harris/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/10/06/five-questions-with-sam-harris/#comments Sun, 07 Oct 2007 00:25:34 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/10/13/five-questions-with-sam-harris/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/10/06/five-questions-with-sam-harris/feed/ 4 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/10/05/sam-harris-vs-the-atheist-movement/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/10/05/sam-harris-vs-the-atheist-movement/#comments Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:54:12 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/10/05/sam-harris-vs-the-atheist-movement/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/10/05/sam-harris-vs-the-atheist-movement/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/09/27/crystal-clear-atheism-this-weekend/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/09/27/crystal-clear-atheism-this-weekend/#comments Fri, 28 Sep 2007 00:52:30 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/09/27/crystal-clear-atheism-this-weekend/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/09/27/crystal-clear-atheism-this-weekend/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/09/25/book-review-the-god-delusion-by-richard-dawkins/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/09/25/book-review-the-god-delusion-by-richard-dawkins/#comments Wed, 26 Sep 2007 01:46:28 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/09/25/book-review-the-god-delusion-by-richard-dawkins/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/09/25/book-review-the-god-delusion-by-richard-dawkins/feed/ 0