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/2012/01/07/podcast-141-the-mocking-of-tim-tebow/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2012/01/07/podcast-141-the-mocking-of-tim-tebow/#comments Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:30:32 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=3147 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2012/01/07/podcast-141-the-mocking-of-tim-tebow/feed/ 3 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/12/10/podcast-139-war-on-christmas-continued/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/12/10/podcast-139-war-on-christmas-continued/#comments Sat, 10 Dec 2011 20:18:40 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=3129 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/12/10/podcast-139-war-on-christmas-continued/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/2011/11/06/science-and-faith-friends-or-foes-part-3-of-3/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/11/06/science-and-faith-friends-or-foes-part-3-of-3/#comments Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:50:26 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=3092 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/11/06/science-and-faith-friends-or-foes-part-3-of-3/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/11/02/science-and-faith-friends-or-foes-part-2-of-3/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/11/02/science-and-faith-friends-or-foes-part-2-of-3/#comments Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:18:21 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=3073 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/11/02/science-and-faith-friends-or-foes-part-2-of-3/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/10/30/science-and-faith-friends-or-foes-part-1-of-3/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/10/30/science-and-faith-friends-or-foes-part-1-of-3/#comments Sun, 30 Oct 2011 05:01:37 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=3065 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/10/30/science-and-faith-friends-or-foes-part-1-of-3/feed/ 3 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/2011/09/11/podcast-132-the-illogical-immortality-of-911-conspiracy-theories/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/09/11/podcast-132-the-illogical-immortality-of-911-conspiracy-theories/#comments Sun, 11 Sep 2011 05:01:34 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=3017 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/09/11/podcast-132-the-illogical-immortality-of-911-conspiracy-theories/feed/ 3 1:03:40 Show notes and mp3. Show notes and mp3. history, interviews, podcast, skepticism American Freethought no yes 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/2011/07/30/like-the-shoes-dont-minchin-it/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/07/30/like-the-shoes-dont-minchin-it/#comments Sat, 30 Jul 2011 15:52:03 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2977 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/07/30/like-the-shoes-dont-minchin-it/feed/ 6 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/07/24/pimp-my-turtle/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/07/24/pimp-my-turtle/#comments Sun, 24 Jul 2011 14:00:53 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2964 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/07/24/pimp-my-turtle/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/2011/07/13/podcast-127-atlanta-skepticamp-trivia-challenge/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/07/13/podcast-127-atlanta-skepticamp-trivia-challenge/#comments Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:09:33 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2950 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/07/13/podcast-127-atlanta-skepticamp-trivia-challenge/feed/ 0 0:48:00 This is an encore presentation of the Atlanta Skepticamp Trivia Challenge, presented by John C. Snider on Sunday, June 12th. We thought our listeners might want to take a whack at these questions and see how they do. Thanks to Abrupt Media for the r[...] This is an encore presentation of the Atlanta Skepticamp Trivia Challenge, presented by John C. Snider on Sunday, June 12th. We thought our listeners might want to take a whack at these questions and see how they do. Thanks to Abrupt Media for the recording. Click here for more pictures from the event. If you’re really into trivia, John will be doing ANOTHER Trivia Challenge this Saturday (July 16th) for the Atlanta Skeptics, 7PM at Manuel’s Tavern. There will be prizes. You’ll need to RSVP at the Atlanta Skeptics Meetup page. See you there! Also: Listener feedback! A teacher in Switzerland gets fired for challenging the intermingling of church and state (see also the Freethinkers Association of Switzerland), and a listener thinks we’re not skeptical enough about Bill Maher’s opinions on “agribusiness.” ANNOUNCEMENTS David Driscoll’s Secular World podcast (formerly Secular Nation podcast) continues. John and Allison will be attending the Tim Minchin concert at Atlanta’s Center Stage, Thursday, July 14th, along with several other members of the local skeptic and freethought communities. 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.   humor, podcast, science, skepticism American Freethought no yes 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/2011/06/23/tim-minchin-in-atlanta/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/06/23/tim-minchin-in-atlanta/#comments Fri, 24 Jun 2011 02:50:26 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2885 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/06/23/tim-minchin-in-atlanta/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/2011/03/28/songs-from-the-science-frontier/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/03/28/songs-from-the-science-frontier/#comments Mon, 28 Mar 2011 05:01:10 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2644 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/03/28/songs-from-the-science-frontier/feed/ 2 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/03/24/religion-makes-you-fat/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/03/24/religion-makes-you-fat/#comments Thu, 24 Mar 2011 22:20:50 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2634 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/03/24/religion-makes-you-fat/feed/ 2 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/2011/02/10/us-house-committee-considering-a-resolution-on-darwin-day/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/10/us-house-committee-considering-a-resolution-on-darwin-day/#comments Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:36:24 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2572 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/02/10/us-house-committee-considering-a-resolution-on-darwin-day/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/01/31/jack-kingston-georgias-latest-embarrassment/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/01/31/jack-kingston-georgias-latest-embarrassment/#comments Mon, 31 Jan 2011 12:17:37 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2557 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/01/31/jack-kingston-georgias-latest-embarrassment/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/01/27/barry-lynn-vs-ken-ham-on-the-ark-park/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/01/27/barry-lynn-vs-ken-ham-on-the-ark-park/#comments Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:50:39 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2550 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/01/27/barry-lynn-vs-ken-ham-on-the-ark-park/feed/ 0 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/2010/12/23/podcast-112-bluegrass-edition/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/12/23/podcast-112-bluegrass-edition/#comments Thu, 23 Dec 2010 21:58:48 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2491 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/12/23/podcast-112-bluegrass-edition/feed/ 1 1:13:57 The great Commonwealth of Kentucky has gotten itself in the news on several counts–none of them good. 1. It’s bad enough that Answers in Genesis’ Creation “Museum” in northern Kentucky is prospering.  It’s worse t[...] The great Commonwealth of Kentucky has gotten itself in the news on several counts–none of them good. 1. It’s bad enough that Answers in Genesis’ Creation “Museum” in northern Kentucky is prospering.  It’s worse that AIG plans to expand, building an “Ark Encounter” amusement park.  The worst part is the state government is offering millions of dollars of tax incentives to what amounts to a religious indoctrination center that peddles anti-scientific folderol.  But wait–there’s more!  Turns out that state officials never even saw the alleged feasibility study, and AIG isn’t sharing so much as the executive summary with the media.  Science academics in Kentucky are none too happy with the state’s implicit support of bad science for the sake of a few dozen low-paying jobs.  And AIG’s Ken Ham’s none too happy with the intellectual ass-whoopin’ he’s been getting. 2. Astronomer Martin Gaskell has gone to court with the University of Kentucky, claiming he was denied a position at the new observatory because of his religious views.  Given that Dr. Gaskell has been giving public presentations like this, in which he condemns the atheistic worldview as a path to destruction, and given that this new job has a very public face, it’s no wonder UK turned him down. 3. A judge recently ruled unconstitutional a Kentucky statute requiring the state’s Director of Homeland Security to recognize “Almighty God” in the department’s annual report.  The state is appealing, and nearly all the state legislators have signed on to amicus briefs in support of the law! 4. Finally, drivers in the Commonwealth will soon have the option to sport the national motto “In God We Trust” on their license plates.  Joy. Plus:  The Holey Scripture!  We continue our exploration of the psychedelic creepiness that is the Book of Revelation. Announcements: 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 December 21, 2010.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. christianity, evolution, history, news, podcast, politics, religion American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/12/05/academic-responds-to-ky-funding-of-creationism-park/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/12/05/academic-responds-to-ky-funding-of-creationism-park/#comments Sun, 05 Dec 2010 05:01:23 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2470 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/12/05/academic-responds-to-ky-funding-of-creationism-park/feed/ 4 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/12/02/ky-to-provide-tax-breaks-for-creationist-museum/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/12/02/ky-to-provide-tax-breaks-for-creationist-museum/#comments Thu, 02 Dec 2010 12:17:33 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2450 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/12/02/ky-to-provide-tax-breaks-for-creationist-museum/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/11/27/the-moral-landscape-chapter-5-the-future-of-happiness/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/11/27/the-moral-landscape-chapter-5-the-future-of-happiness/#comments Sat, 27 Nov 2010 05:01:09 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2436 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/11/27/the-moral-landscape-chapter-5-the-future-of-happiness/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/11/25/the-moral-landscape-chapter-4-religion/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/11/25/the-moral-landscape-chapter-4-religion/#comments Thu, 25 Nov 2010 05:01:38 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2434 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/11/25/the-moral-landscape-chapter-4-religion/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/11/23/the-moral-landscape-chapter-3-belief/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/11/23/the-moral-landscape-chapter-3-belief/#comments Tue, 23 Nov 2010 05:01:31 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2432 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/11/23/the-moral-landscape-chapter-3-belief/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/11/21/the-moral-landscape-chapter-2-good-and-evil/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/11/21/the-moral-landscape-chapter-2-good-and-evil/#comments Sun, 21 Nov 2010 19:42:42 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2427 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/11/21/the-moral-landscape-chapter-2-good-and-evil/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/10/10/the-moral-landscape-chapter-1-moral-truth/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/10/10/the-moral-landscape-chapter-1-moral-truth/#comments Sun, 10 Oct 2010 23:52:46 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2363 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/10/10/the-moral-landscape-chapter-1-moral-truth/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/10/05/the-moral-landscape-introduction/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/10/05/the-moral-landscape-introduction/#comments Tue, 05 Oct 2010 05:01:01 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2346 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/10/05/the-moral-landscape-introduction/feed/ 1 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/2010/09/05/in-which-i-get-stuck/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/05/in-which-i-get-stuck/#comments Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:51:19 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2221 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/05/in-which-i-get-stuck/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/01/man-obsessed-with-overpopulation-terrorizes-discovery-channel/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/01/man-obsessed-with-overpopulation-terrorizes-discovery-channel/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:33:04 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2217 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/01/man-obsessed-with-overpopulation-terrorizes-discovery-channel/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/08/31/bad-universe-is-good-tv/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/08/31/bad-universe-is-good-tv/#comments Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:00:06 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2213 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/08/31/bad-universe-is-good-tv/feed/ 3 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/08/28/podcast-99-mary-roach-packing-for-mars/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/08/28/podcast-99-mary-roach-packing-for-mars/#comments Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:18:50 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2209 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/08/28/podcast-99-mary-roach-packing-for-mars/feed/ 2 0:38:23 We interview Mary Roach, author of the bestselling science-humor book Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void.  She’s also the author of Stiff (about human cadavers), Spook (the scientific inquest on life after death), and Bo[...] We interview Mary Roach, author of the bestselling science-humor book Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void.  She’s also the author of Stiff (about human cadavers), Spook (the scientific inquest on life after death), and Bonk (the science of human sexuality).    Packing for Mars is both educational and laugh-out-loud funny.  It’s available in hardcover, audiobook, and for Kindle. If you can’t get enough of Mary Roach (and let’s face it, who can?), John interviewed her back in 2005 at SciFiDimensions.com, and reviewed both Stiff and Spook. 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!  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 August 26, 2010.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. books, humor, interviews, podcast, science American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/07/21/help-make-songs-from-the-science-frontier-a-reality/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/07/21/help-make-songs-from-the-science-frontier-a-reality/#comments Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:01:05 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2142 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/07/21/help-make-songs-from-the-science-frontier-a-reality/feed/ 0 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/2010/06/13/podcast-91-its-alive/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/06/13/podcast-91-its-alive/#comments Sun, 13 Jun 2010 22:06:47 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2039 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/06/13/podcast-91-its-alive/feed/ 1 1:00:19 We talk with Christina L. Graves, a biology student (and prebiotic chemistry researcher) at the Georgia Institute of Technology.  Christina walks us through the recent announcement by the J. Craig Venter Institute that they have created a self-repli[...] We talk with Christina L. Graves, a biology student (and prebiotic chemistry researcher) at the Georgia Institute of Technology.  Christina walks us through the recent announcement by the J. Craig Venter Institute that they have created a self-replicating, synthetic cell.  We also discuss the reaction to Venter’s news from religious groups like the Catholic Church, Creation Ministries International, and even the Raelians. Briefly mentioned: The new Adrien Brody/Sarah Polley film Splice, a sci-fi-horror shocker about genetic engineering gone very very wrong. Glossary of terms: Abiogenesis – the theory of how life on Earth could have arisen from inanimate matter. Prebiotic Chemistry – the field of study involving the spontaneous chemical reactions which may have led to the formation of biomolecules and/or life on early Earth. Stanley Miller (1930-2007) – an American chemist and biologist who is known for his studies into the origin of life, particularly the Miller-Urey experiment which demonstrated that organic compounds can be created by fairly simple physical processes from inorganic substances. Atheopath – A neologism, coined by Creation Ministries International’s Jonathan Sarfati and used (as far as we can tell) by no one else, which combines the word “atheist” and the suffix “-path” (“one afflicted by a specified disorder”) to create a word meaning something like “one afflicted by atheism.”  Apparently it’s intended to echo scary words like sociopath and psychopath.  Perhaps we should coin the counter-term “theopath.” The Usual Announcements Look for David Driscoll at  “Gods and Politics,” the Atheist Alliance International Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, June 18-20. Live in metro Atlanta?  Look for John Snider (and wifey Allison!) in attendance at Christopher Hitchens’ appearance (boosting his new memoir Hitch-22) at the Barnes & Noble in Buckhead, 7PM, Friday June 18th.  Also, 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 8, 2010.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. christianity, cults, interviews, news, podcast, religion, science American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/06/10/teach-the-controversy-russian-edition/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/06/10/teach-the-controversy-russian-edition/#comments Thu, 10 Jun 2010 10:44:06 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2036 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/06/10/teach-the-controversy-russian-edition/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/06/05/podcast-90-massimo-pigliucci-nonsense-on-stilts/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/06/05/podcast-90-massimo-pigliucci-nonsense-on-stilts/#comments Sat, 05 Jun 2010 16:21:32 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2030 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/06/05/podcast-90-massimo-pigliucci-nonsense-on-stilts/feed/ 2 0:59:05 We interview Dr. Massimo Pigliucci, evolutionary biologist, philosopher, science crusader, and author of Nonsense on Stilts: How to Tell Science from Bunk.  This new book explores the frontier between science and pseudoscience, the difficulty of def[...] We interview Dr. Massimo Pigliucci, evolutionary biologist, philosopher, science crusader, and author of Nonsense on Stilts: How to Tell Science from Bunk.  This new book explores the frontier between science and pseudoscience, the difficulty of defining exactly what is science (what Karl Popper dubbed “the demarcation problem”), and the attacks against science from the forces of anti-intellectualism and even from inside academia.  Highly recommended. Visit Dr. P on the web at RationallySpeaking.org, or listen to his new podcast–co-hosted with NYC Skeptics’ Julia Galeth–at RationallySpeakingPodcast.org. Listen to our previous interview with Dr. P (from way back in February 2008) in podcast #11. 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 2, 2010.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. books, evolution, podcast, science, skepticism American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/05/15/atlanta-skepticamp-3/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/05/15/atlanta-skepticamp-3/#comments Sat, 15 May 2010 13:03:45 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2016 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/05/15/atlanta-skepticamp-3/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/2010/04/23/atlanta-skepticamp-2/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/23/atlanta-skepticamp-2/#comments Fri, 23 Apr 2010 05:01:09 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1982 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/23/atlanta-skepticamp-2/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/2010/04/15/singh-wins-singh-wins-singh-wins/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/15/singh-wins-singh-wins-singh-wins/#comments Fri, 16 Apr 2010 02:30:37 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1950 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/15/singh-wins-singh-wins-singh-wins/feed/ 0 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/2010/03/07/homeschooled-evangelical/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/03/07/homeschooled-evangelical/#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 02:38:04 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1894 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/03/07/homeschooled-evangelical/feed/ 0 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/2010/02/26/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/2010/02/08/podcast-80-simon-singh/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/02/08/podcast-80-simon-singh/#comments Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:01:31 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1867 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/02/08/podcast-80-simon-singh/feed/ 3 0:57:27 We interview science journalist Simon Singh, co-author (with Dr. Edzard Ernst) of Trick or Treatment: The Undeniable Facts about Alternative Medicine (which both John and David highly recommend).  For more about Simon visit SimonSingh.net.  Please a[...] We interview science journalist Simon Singh, co-author (with Dr. Edzard Ernst) of Trick or Treatment: The Undeniable Facts about Alternative Medicine (which both John and David highly recommend).  For more about Simon visit SimonSingh.net.  Please also visit LibelReform.org, a website devoted to changing the United Kingdom’s disgraceful libel laws (Simon is currently in the midst of a court battle with the British Chiropractic Association over his reporting on chiropractic treatment of children in the UK’s Guardian newspaper.) Trick or Treatment is available at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. Continuing this episodes alternative medicine theme, we take a look at aromatherapy.  Can smells trigger the body’s healing ability, or do they offer only a temporary placebo? Also: 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. 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 6, 2010.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. books, news, podcast, science, skepticism American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/02/03/podcast-79-e-meters-for-haiti/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/02/03/podcast-79-e-meters-for-haiti/#comments Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:01:05 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1853 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/02/03/podcast-79-e-meters-for-haiti/feed/ 1 0:43:51 Earthquake-devastated Haiti has become a magnet for kooky, misguided (but perhaps well-intentioned) religious groups.  Scientologist John Travolta (disguised, apparently, as L. Ron Hubbard–see photo at right) has personally flown his private 7[...] Earthquake-devastated Haiti has become a magnet for kooky, misguided (but perhaps well-intentioned) religious groups.  Scientologist John Travolta (disguised, apparently, as L. Ron Hubbard–see photo at right) has personally flown his private 707 to Haiti, delivering food, medical supplies, and “volunteer ministers” who claim the ability to heal through therapeutic touch.  Meanwhile, a Christian group called Faith Comes By Hearing has sent 600 solar-powered audiobook Bibles.  Finally, a group of Idaho Baptists were arrested trying to transport Haitian orphans (some of whom weren’t actually orphans) across the border into the Dominican Republic. While America is spending billions to ensure a smooth transition of security responsibilities to the Iraqi military, the Iraqis are squandering millions on what are effectively divining rods that supposedly detect explosives, guns–even truffles!  The manufacturer of this quackery is UK-based ATSC, whose founder, one Jim McCormick, has been arrested by British authorities on suspicion of fraud, and his device has been banned for export. Scott Roeder, who murdered abortion doctor George Tiller in May of last year, has been given a life sentence by a Kansas jury.  Unfortunately, Roeder could be eligible for parole in 25 years. Also: We’re Number One!  Atlanta has been named the “Gayest City in America” by Advocate.com.  Take heart, Yankees: Portland, Maine is #8. We (meaning John and Allison) will be going to the American Atheists convention, April 2-4 in Newark, NJ.  We’ll be going up a couple of days early and staying a day after to enjoy some tourism in NYC, so any suggestions are welcome for cool stuff to do or cool people to see (email john@americanfreethought.com with your suggestions).  The convention’s speakers include CFI founder Paul Kurtz, Freedom from Religion’s Dan Barker, and biologist-turned-philosopher Massimo Pigliucci. And speaking of Massimo Pigliucci, check out the brand new Rationally Speaking Podcast!  Massimo has teamed up with fellow members of the New York City Skeptics to create this great addition to the skeptical podscape. 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 1, 2010.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. children, christianity, humor, news, podcast, religion, skepticism American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/12/08/phil-plait-steps-down-from-jref/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/12/08/phil-plait-steps-down-from-jref/#comments Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:03:02 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1773 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/12/08/phil-plait-steps-down-from-jref/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/11/05/eugenie-scott-v-ray-comfort-pt-2/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/11/05/eugenie-scott-v-ray-comfort-pt-2/#comments Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:51:41 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1720 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/11/05/eugenie-scott-v-ray-comfort-pt-2/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/11/02/eugenie-scott-v-ray-comfort/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/11/02/eugenie-scott-v-ray-comfort/#comments Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:33:34 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1638 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/11/02/eugenie-scott-v-ray-comfort/feed/ 2 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/24/the-tangled-bank/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/24/the-tangled-bank/#comments Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:40:43 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1617 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/24/the-tangled-bank/feed/ 2 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/20/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-13/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/20/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-13/#comments Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:24:25 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1610 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/20/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-13/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/19/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-12/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/19/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-12/#comments Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:54:15 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1607 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/19/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-12/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/19/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-11/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/19/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-11/#comments Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:06:28 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1603 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/19/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-11/feed/ 2 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/19/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-10/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/19/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-10/#comments Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:46:44 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1599 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/19/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-10/feed/ 3 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/18/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-9/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/18/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-9/#comments Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:47:46 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1596 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/18/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-9/feed/ 5 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/18/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-8/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/18/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-8/#comments Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:52:57 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1593 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/18/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-8/feed/ 5 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/17/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-7/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/17/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-7/#comments Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:34:52 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1590 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/17/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-7/feed/ 5 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/16/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-6/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/16/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-6/#comments Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:17:59 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1587 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/16/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-6/feed/ 7 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/15/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-5/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/15/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-5/#comments Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:38:26 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1581 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/15/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-5/feed/ 8 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/2009/10/14/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-4/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/14/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-4/#comments Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:00:45 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1573 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/14/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-4/feed/ 10 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/13/mr-deity-and-the-science-advisor/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/13/mr-deity-and-the-science-advisor/#comments Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:49:02 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1570 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/13/mr-deity-and-the-science-advisor/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/12/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-3/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/12/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-3/#comments Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:50:50 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1562 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/12/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-3/feed/ 14 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/12/podcast-70-randy-olson-dont-be-such-a-scientist/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/12/podcast-70-randy-olson-dont-be-such-a-scientist/#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:01:13 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1540 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/12/podcast-70-randy-olson-dont-be-such-a-scientist/feed/ 0 0:56:30 We interview Randy Olson, marine biologist turned filmmaker, and author of the new book Don’t Be Such a Scientist: Talking Substance in an Age of Style.  Randy is best known for the 2006 documentary Flock of Dodos: The Evolution-Intelligent De[...] We interview Randy Olson, marine biologist turned filmmaker, and author of the new book Don’t Be Such a Scientist: Talking Substance in an Age of Style.  Randy is best known for the 2006 documentary Flock of Dodos: The Evolution-Intelligent Design Circus and his 2008 global warming comedy Sizzle.  Don’t Be Such a Scientist is part memoir, part instructional guide, in which Randy offers advice to scientists and other intellectual types on how to better communicate to general audiences.  For more about Randy’s projects, visit DontBeSuchaScientist.com, SizzletheMovie.com and FlockofDodos.com. Read John’s review of Don’t Be Such a Scientist.  Don’t Be Such a Scientist is available at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. Read John’s review of Flock of Dodos. Listen to our first interview with Randy from waaay back in 2007 in American Freethought episode #2. Also discussed and presented for your amusement: Randy’s New Scientist review of Richard Dawkins’ The Greatest Show on Earth. Comedian Jon Stewart’s infamous appearance on Crossfire. Kirk Cameron’s ridiculous video drive-by defaming Charles Darwin. Randy’s first short science video “Barnacles Tell No Lies” The Usual Announcements: Send us email at contact@americanfreethought.com.  For John Snider only use john@americanfreethoughtcom; David 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 October 7, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. books, humor, interviews, podcast, science American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/11/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-2/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/11/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-2/#comments Sun, 11 Oct 2009 22:52:17 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1549 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/11/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-2/feed/ 12 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/10/heads-up-dc-skeptics-heavy-mental/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/10/heads-up-dc-skeptics-heavy-mental/#comments Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:54:09 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1538 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/10/heads-up-dc-skeptics-heavy-mental/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/10/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-1/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/10/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-1/#comments Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:13:37 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1530 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/10/the-greatest-show-on-earth-chapter-1/feed/ 20 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/09/dawkins-ix-for-charlotte-nc-still-available/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/09/dawkins-ix-for-charlotte-nc-still-available/#comments Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:58:00 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1525 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/09/dawkins-ix-for-charlotte-nc-still-available/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/2009/10/07/dont-be-such-a-scientist/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/07/dont-be-such-a-scientist/#comments Thu, 08 Oct 2009 02:24:58 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1500 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/07/dont-be-such-a-scientist/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/30/dvr-alert-dawkins-and-collins-on-colbert/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/30/dvr-alert-dawkins-and-collins-on-colbert/#comments Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:01:11 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1461 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/30/dvr-alert-dawkins-and-collins-on-colbert/feed/ 0 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/2009/09/26/darwin-film-gets-us-distributor/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/26/darwin-film-gets-us-distributor/#comments Sat, 26 Sep 2009 04:01:27 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1432 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/26/darwin-film-gets-us-distributor/feed/ 1 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/2009/09/24/gran-torino-md/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/24/gran-torino-md/#comments Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:37:26 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1427 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/24/gran-torino-md/feed/ 3 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/22/podcast-65-live-at-dragoncon/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/22/podcast-65-live-at-dragoncon/#comments Tue, 22 Sep 2009 04:01:22 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1409 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/22/podcast-65-live-at-dragoncon/feed/ 0 1:00:37 Here’s a recording of our live show, presented September 5th on the Dragon*Con Skeptics Track.  Among the topics discussed: Homeopathic beer (with a tip o’ the hat to That Mitchell and Webb Look) The CieAura Patch of Woo Are skepticism [...] Here’s a recording of our live show, presented September 5th on the Dragon*Con Skeptics Track.  Among the topics discussed: Homeopathic beer (with a tip o’ the hat to That Mitchell and Webb Look) The CieAura Patch of Woo Are skepticism and science fiction fandom compatible? Holey Scripture (with a tip o’ the hat to TheBrickTestament.com) Media FAIL: A humorous look at bad media reporting on science and science history Audience Q&A Thanks once again to Derek of Skepticality and Mark Distler of Abrupt Media for audio/visual support.  Despite their best efforts, there were some unexpected technical issues with the sound, but as the late Pope John Paul II said of The Passion of the Christ, “It is as it was.” Announcements – We encourage you to leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com.  We have a Yahoo Group, a Facebook page, an Atheist Nexus page, and a Twitter feed.  Also, 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 September 5, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. commentary, humor, news, podcast American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/19/evolution-lucky-edition/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/19/evolution-lucky-edition/#comments Sat, 19 Sep 2009 05:46:18 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1383 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/19/evolution-lucky-edition/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/17/darwin-film-not-dead-in-us/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/17/darwin-film-not-dead-in-us/#comments Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:26:35 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1372 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/17/darwin-film-not-dead-in-us/feed/ 2 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/15/podcast-64-dragoncon-wrap-up/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/15/podcast-64-dragoncon-wrap-up/#comments Tue, 15 Sep 2009 04:01:45 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1358 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/15/podcast-64-dragoncon-wrap-up/feed/ 4 1:03:19 We’ll post the live episode we recorded on September 5th as soon as it’s available; meanwhile, we look back at our experience at Dragon*Con in general and the Skeptics Track in particular.  Kudos to: Derek & Swoopy of Skepticality f[...] We’ll post the live episode we recorded on September 5th as soon as it’s available; meanwhile, we look back at our experience at Dragon*Con in general and the Skeptics Track in particular.  Kudos to: Derek & Swoopy of Skepticality for all their hard work in making the Skeptics Track and the Podcasting Track so successful. Mark Distler of Abrupt Media for providing sound and video service at the Con. All the other cohorts, minions, sycophants and volunteers who helped make it happen. Atlanta Skeptics for pulling off a fantastic Star Party at the Agnes Scott College Bradley Observatory. Also mentioned in our Dragon*Con discussion: The Joe Nickell Files – John Snider’s series of interviews with the world-famous skeptical investigator, published at SciFiDimensions.com in 2000-2001. Surly Amy – An artist whose “Surly-Ramics” handmade ceramic jewelry has themes that will appeal to skeptics and science buffs. Center for Chemical Evolution -A research project which seeks “to understand and demonstrate the chemical origins of the first RNA-like polymers.” NOVA: Mystery of the Megavolcano – David recommends this PBS documentary that shows how scientists, working independently and across multiple disciplines, can arrive at corroborating conclusions about the timing of geological events.  In this case, the fact that science has proven a megavolcanic eruption 75,000 years ago probably won’t impress fundamentalists who still insist that the earth is only 6,000 years old. Richard Dawkins’ The Greatest Show on Earth – MC Dawky-Dawk’s latest book hits the shelves on September 22 and promises to be another bestseller.  Meanwhile, The Times Online has posted two excerpts! Scandal at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church – This story flew under the mainstream media’s radar back in July, but its twists and turns would make the most shameless soap opera pale in comparison.  David Molina is suing Lakewood after discovering that two of the pastors who counseled him and his wife knew that she was having an affair with a third pastor, who also counseled the couple–and was himself the person having the affair with Mrs. Molina!  We couldn’t make this stuff up if we tried. Feedback – We read several listener responses to episode #63 “Efficacy of Prayer.” Announcements – We encourage you to leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com.  We have a Yahoo Group, a Facebook page, an Atheist Nexus page, and a Twitter feed.  Also, 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. commentary, news, podcast, skepticism American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/14/norman-borlaug-1914-2009/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/14/norman-borlaug-1914-2009/#comments Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:02:21 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1355 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/14/norman-borlaug-1914-2009/feed/ 4 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/12/why-cant-darwin-film-find-a-us-distributor/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/12/why-cant-darwin-film-find-a-us-distributor/#comments Sat, 12 Sep 2009 21:28:47 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1342 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/12/why-cant-darwin-film-find-a-us-distributor/feed/ 5 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/08/bob-wright-on-the-behe-brouhaha-mea-culpa/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/08/bob-wright-on-the-behe-brouhaha-mea-culpa/#comments Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:39:14 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1333 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/08/bob-wright-on-the-behe-brouhaha-mea-culpa/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/04/dragoncon/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/04/dragoncon/#comments Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:56:22 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1327 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/04/dragoncon/feed/ 0 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/2009/09/02/more-fallout-from-the-behe-bloggingheads-tv-brouhaha/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/02/more-fallout-from-the-behe-bloggingheads-tv-brouhaha/#comments Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:55:21 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1319 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/02/more-fallout-from-the-behe-bloggingheads-tv-brouhaha/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/31/the-behe-brouhaha-at-bloggingheads-tv/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/31/the-behe-brouhaha-at-bloggingheads-tv/#comments Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:27:37 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1308 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/31/the-behe-brouhaha-at-bloggingheads-tv/feed/ 2 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/29/knack-out-smithereens-confirmed-for-charlotte-pop-fest/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/29/knack-out-smithereens-confirmed-for-charlotte-pop-fest/#comments Sat, 29 Aug 2009 12:26:57 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1301 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/29/knack-out-smithereens-confirmed-for-charlotte-pop-fest/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/26/why-should-the-health-care-debate-be-any-different/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/26/why-should-the-health-care-debate-be-any-different/#comments Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:27:16 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1289 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/26/why-should-the-health-care-debate-be-any-different/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/25/podcast-63-efficacy-of-prayer/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/25/podcast-63-efficacy-of-prayer/#comments Tue, 25 Aug 2009 04:01:34 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1270 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/25/podcast-63-efficacy-of-prayer/feed/ 9 1:05:00 It’s the p-p-p-p-power of prayer!  Or not.  We look at several anecdotes that point toward the efficacy (or inefficacy) of intercessory prayer, including: The tragic cases of two teenage girls (one in TN, one in KY), both of whom suffered ter[...] It’s the p-p-p-p-power of prayer!  Or not.  We look at several anecdotes that point toward the efficacy (or inefficacy) of intercessory prayer, including: The tragic cases of two teenage girls (one in TN, one in KY), both of whom suffered terrible injuries.  One recovered (more or less), the other is maimed for life.  Both were the beneficiaries of  the prayers of hundreds.  Why did God heal one and snub the other???  We’ll give you a hint: the answer can be found at www.whywontgodhealamputees.com. The Miracle of Colwich Man – A Kansas man was healed after thousands of parishioners prayed to the late Father Emil Kapaun, a Korean War hero who’s currently under “skeptical” investigation by the Vatican for possible sainthood. The Case of the Shriveling Glacier – Faithful Catholics in the Swiss towns of Fiesch and Feischertal have prayed for centuries that God protect them from the wintertime advance of the Aletsch Glacier.  Now the Aletsch is rapidly receding due to global warming, so now the townsfolk are seeking the Pope’s permission to reverse the prayer. Science has a few things to say about prayer.  Okay, actually science only has one thing to say: it don’t work. Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer (STEP) – The American Heart Association published the results of a double-blind study on the effects of prayer on patients undergoing heart surgery.  Those who were told they would be prayed for–and were actually prayed for–actually did worse than those who were not prayed for. A Governor’s Prayer for Rain (scroll down to find the article) – Skeptic magazine publishes a statistical study of Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue’s controversial prayer-for-rain organized on the steps of the state capitol in 2007.  Conclusion: Sonny’s God is a penurious God. Does TM reduce violent crime? – The World Peace Project claims that Transcendental Meditation en masse actually reduced violent crime during a six-week period in 1993–guaranteed to “less than two parts per billion.”  Skeptico thinks not. Plus: The Voyage that Shook the World!  Creation Ministries International has just released a $1 million documentary that insists Charles Darwin was a fantasy-prone nebbish and pathological liar who cherrypicked his data to crank out that addle-brained Theory of Evolution.  Plus Darwin was a racist.  Local skeptic/freethinker Douglas Scott joins us for the critique.  You can read John’s extensive review here or visit the movies official website. ANNOUNCEMENTS Dragon*Con is coming soon!  September 4-7 in Atlanta, to be exact.  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, 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.[...] children, christianity, commentary, evolution, movies, news, podcast, religion, science American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/20/are-georgia-peaches-kosher/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/20/are-georgia-peaches-kosher/#comments Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:39:43 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1266 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/20/are-georgia-peaches-kosher/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/19/the-voyage-that-shook-the-world/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/19/the-voyage-that-shook-the-world/#comments Wed, 19 Aug 2009 04:01:31 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1222 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/19/the-voyage-that-shook-the-world/feed/ 6 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/2009/08/14/podcast-62-freethought-and-power-pop/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/14/podcast-62-freethought-and-power-pop/#comments Fri, 14 Aug 2009 04:01:03 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1204 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/14/podcast-62-freethought-and-power-pop/feed/ 2 1:09:22 We talk to James Deem, organizer of Charlotte Pop Fest (Sep 24-25), a power pop music festival in North Carolina.  Why should freethinkers care about a pop music fest?  Because in an unprecedented partnership, proceeds from CPF will benefit the Rich[...] We talk to James Deem, organizer of Charlotte Pop Fest (Sep 24-25), a power pop music festival in North Carolina.  Why should freethinkers care about a pop music fest?  Because in an unprecedented partnership, proceeds from CPF will benefit the Richard Dawkins Foundation.  In fact, Richard Dawkins himself will speak in Charlotte in October. After the sign-off, stay tuned for James Deem performing the XTC classic “Dear God.”  Visit JamesDeem.com for info on how to download a copy for yourself! Also, David asks for advice on behalf of a friend in what we’re calling The Texas Preschool Dilemma. Plus: Lots of feedback! ANNOUNCEMENTS Dragon*Con is only three weeks 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, 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, including episodes on Mormon homosexuals and an essay from Nathan Phelps (estranged son of Fred Phelps, leader of the infamous Westboro Baptist Church).  AtheistAlliance.org/podcast. Interested in science fiction?  Then check out John’s other online project, SciFiDimensions.com. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded August 12, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. interviews, music, news, podcast, science American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/13/youre-not-doin-fine-oklahoma/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/13/youre-not-doin-fine-oklahoma/#comments Fri, 14 Aug 2009 01:34:00 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1208 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/13/youre-not-doin-fine-oklahoma/feed/ 1 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/2009/08/09/peter-singer-on-healthcare-rationing/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/09/peter-singer-on-healthcare-rationing/#comments Mon, 10 Aug 2009 02:04:35 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1179 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/09/peter-singer-on-healthcare-rationing/feed/ 0 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/2009/08/06/the-strange-case-of-francis-collins/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/06/the-strange-case-of-francis-collins/#comments Thu, 06 Aug 2009 04:01:18 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1170 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/06/the-strange-case-of-francis-collins/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/04/intelligence-without-design-a-third-way/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/04/intelligence-without-design-a-third-way/#comments Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:43:36 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1142 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/04/intelligence-without-design-a-third-way/feed/ 2 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/2009/07/31/huffpo-spews-cam-poo/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/31/huffpo-spews-cam-poo/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:05:17 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1118 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/31/huffpo-spews-cam-poo/feed/ 4 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/29/science-music-for-the-kiddies/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/29/science-music-for-the-kiddies/#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:39:35 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1093 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/29/science-music-for-the-kiddies/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/27/sam-harris-on-francis-collins/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/27/sam-harris-on-francis-collins/#comments Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:12:30 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1084 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/27/sam-harris-on-francis-collins/feed/ 5 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/22/dragoncon-skeptrack-schedule-available/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/22/dragoncon-skeptrack-schedule-available/#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:04:09 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1064 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/22/dragoncon-skeptrack-schedule-available/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/21/a-total-eclipseof-reason/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/21/a-total-eclipseof-reason/#comments Tue, 21 Jul 2009 05:01:09 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1061 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/21/a-total-eclipseof-reason/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/19/podcast-60-40th-anniv-of-apollo-11-with-seth-shostak/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/19/podcast-60-40th-anniv-of-apollo-11-with-seth-shostak/#comments Sun, 19 Jul 2009 05:01:47 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1028 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/19/podcast-60-40th-anniv-of-apollo-11-with-seth-shostak/feed/ 3 0:56:14 We celebrate the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11!  On July 20, 1969 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first human beings to set foot on another world.  Our special guest this time is Seth Shostak, senior astronomer with the SETI Ins[...] We celebrate the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11!  On July 20, 1969 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first human beings to set foot on another world.  Our special guest this time is Seth Shostak, senior astronomer with the SETI Institute, co-host of the Are We Alone? radio show, and author of the book Confessions of an Alien Hunter (available at Amazon.com and/or Amazon.co.uk). 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 will podcast new episodes of Secular Nation soon.  AtheistAlliance.org/podcast. Interested in science fiction?  Then check out John’s other online project, SciFiDimensions.com. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded July 16, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. history, interviews, paranormal, podcast, science, skepticism American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/17/lro-images-apollo-sites/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/17/lro-images-apollo-sites/#comments Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:56:49 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1045 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/17/lro-images-apollo-sites/feed/ 0 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/2009/07/12/what-does-francis-collins-mean-for-the-nih/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/12/what-does-francis-collins-mean-for-the-nih/#comments Sun, 12 Jul 2009 13:51:19 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=990 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/12/what-does-francis-collins-mean-for-the-nih/feed/ 6 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/30/carving-a-niche-for-official-superstitions/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/30/carving-a-niche-for-official-superstitions/#comments Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:25:23 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=946 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/30/carving-a-niche-for-official-superstitions/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/26/podcast-57-bruce-m-hood/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/26/podcast-57-bruce-m-hood/#comments Fri, 26 Jun 2009 05:01:36 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=931 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/26/podcast-57-bruce-m-hood/feed/ 0 1:07:08 We interview Bruce M. Hood, author of SuperSense, which theorizes a genetic predisposition toward religious belief, superstition, and other irrational behaviors (and that includes you, too, atheists!). Read John’s review of SuperSense, or buy [...] We interview Bruce M. Hood, author of SuperSense, which theorizes a genetic predisposition toward religious belief, superstition, and other irrational behaviors (and that includes you, too, atheists!). Read John’s review of SuperSense, or buy your very own copy (highly recommended) at Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk. Visit Bruce M. Hood‘s Official Website. 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 June 24, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. books, evolution, interviews, paranormal, podcast, religion, science, skepticism, superstitions American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/25/charlotte-rocks-dawkins/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/25/charlotte-rocks-dawkins/#comments Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:19:11 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=944 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/25/charlotte-rocks-dawkins/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/24/harris-v-ball-on-science/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/24/harris-v-ball-on-science/#comments Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:38:00 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=929 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/24/harris-v-ball-on-science/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/22/may-i-recommend/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/22/may-i-recommend/#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2009 05:01:06 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=923 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/22/may-i-recommend/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/21/3-more-years-of-this-and-youll-wish-it-was-the-end-of-the-world/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/21/3-more-years-of-this-and-youll-wish-it-was-the-end-of-the-world/#comments Sun, 21 Jun 2009 13:32:26 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=921 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/21/3-more-years-of-this-and-youll-wish-it-was-the-end-of-the-world/feed/ 2 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/20/its-better-to-look-scientific-than-be-scientific/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/20/its-better-to-look-scientific-than-be-scientific/#comments Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:30:41 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=915 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/20/its-better-to-look-scientific-than-be-scientific/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/19/podcast-56-tim-farley-whatstheharmnet/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/19/podcast-56-tim-farley-whatstheharmnet/#comments Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:01:38 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=903 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/19/podcast-56-tim-farley-whatstheharmnet/feed/ 1 1:06:38 We interview Tim Farley, creator of the website WhatstheHarm.net (an invaluable database of death and destruction caused by alternative medicine, superstition, lack of critical thinking, etc.).  Tim has also given talks and organized seminars to tea[...] We interview Tim Farley, creator of the website WhatstheHarm.net (an invaluable database of death and destruction caused by alternative medicine, superstition, lack of critical thinking, etc.).  Tim has also given talks and organized seminars to teach skeptics how to be better communicators–check out Skeptical Software Tools. Look for Tim at Dragon*Con in September, but first! he’ll be seminarifying at The Amazing Meeting, July 9-12 in Las Vegas (yes…Nevada). Father’s Day is this Sunday (June 21st)!  That means a very special patriarchal installment of Holey Scripture.  Hide the children. More great listener feedback!  Also mentioned on the ‘cast are two books and on DVD that shed light on the thorny ethical considerations surrounding abortion and the theological problem of suffering: God’s Problem by Bart Ehrman Letting Go of God by Julia Sweeney Rethinking Life and Death by Peter Singer 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. Bonus material after the sign-off:  The duo Garfunkel and Oates sing “Sex with Ducks.”  Watch the “Sex with Ducks” video on YouTube. Recorded June 17, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. interviews, podcast, skepticism American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/18/whats-up-with-zicam/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/18/whats-up-with-zicam/#comments Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:15:26 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=906 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/18/whats-up-with-zicam/feed/ 4 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/14/boy-hit-by-meteorite-maybe/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/14/boy-hit-by-meteorite-maybe/#comments Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:01:02 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=869 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/14/boy-hit-by-meteorite-maybe/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/09/just-in-time-for-d-day/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/09/just-in-time-for-d-day/#comments Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:23:12 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=843 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/09/just-in-time-for-d-day/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/06/newsweek-jumps-on-oprah/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/06/newsweek-jumps-on-oprah/#comments Sat, 06 Jun 2009 05:01:09 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=838 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/06/newsweek-jumps-on-oprah/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/04/superstition-belief-in-the-age-of-science/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/04/superstition-belief-in-the-age-of-science/#comments Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:52:33 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=822 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/04/superstition-belief-in-the-age-of-science/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/03/guidestones-update/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/03/guidestones-update/#comments Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:47:11 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=820 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/03/guidestones-update/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/01/wired-on-the-georgia-guidestones/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/01/wired-on-the-georgia-guidestones/#comments Mon, 01 Jun 2009 05:01:30 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=800 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/01/wired-on-the-georgia-guidestones/feed/ 3 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/29/mcleroy-out-as-tx-boe-chair/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/29/mcleroy-out-as-tx-boe-chair/#comments Fri, 29 May 2009 19:18:41 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=796 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/29/mcleroy-out-as-tx-boe-chair/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/28/supersense/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/28/supersense/#comments Thu, 28 May 2009 22:07:51 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=757 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/28/supersense/feed/ 5 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/2009/05/21/is-it-religion-or-insanity-killing-these-kids/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/21/is-it-religion-or-insanity-killing-these-kids/#comments Thu, 21 May 2009 05:01:27 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=729 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/21/is-it-religion-or-insanity-killing-these-kids/feed/ 4 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/10/religiosity-rematch/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/10/religiosity-rematch/#comments Sun, 10 May 2009 21:33:29 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=699 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/10/religiosity-rematch/feed/ 0 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/2009/04/27/evolution-and-human-nature/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/27/evolution-and-human-nature/#comments Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:01:46 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=672 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/27/evolution-and-human-nature/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/25/way-to-go-malawi/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/25/way-to-go-malawi/#comments Sat, 25 Apr 2009 05:02:15 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=662 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/25/way-to-go-malawi/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/21/hawking-expected-to-recover/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/21/hawking-expected-to-recover/#comments Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:26:58 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=644 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/21/hawking-expected-to-recover/feed/ 0 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/2009/04/14/creflo-dollar-liar-or-dupe/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/14/creflo-dollar-liar-or-dupe/#comments Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:51:30 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=611 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/14/creflo-dollar-liar-or-dupe/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/13/why-are-we-religious/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/13/why-are-we-religious/#comments Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:27:15 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=590 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/13/why-are-we-religious/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/10/camel-fishing-in-idaho/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/10/camel-fishing-in-idaho/#comments Fri, 10 Apr 2009 05:01:43 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=565 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/10/camel-fishing-in-idaho/feed/ 3 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/09/check-it-out/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/09/check-it-out/#comments Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:07:26 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=575 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/09/check-it-out/feed/ 2 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/05/ot-scary-gary/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/05/ot-scary-gary/#comments Sun, 05 Apr 2009 13:15:41 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=547 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/05/ot-scary-gary/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/02/only-our-bullshit-is-the-real-shit/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/02/only-our-bullshit-is-the-real-shit/#comments Thu, 02 Apr 2009 05:01:21 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=511 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/02/only-our-bullshit-is-the-real-shit/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/01/atlanta-student-coalition-for-inquiry-launches-at-ksu/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/01/atlanta-student-coalition-for-inquiry-launches-at-ksu/#comments Wed, 01 Apr 2009 05:01:05 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=464 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/01/atlanta-student-coalition-for-inquiry-launches-at-ksu/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/27/squeaker-in-texas/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/27/squeaker-in-texas/#comments Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:38:24 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=475 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/27/squeaker-in-texas/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/26/anyone-who-bets-against-science-is-goin-down/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/26/anyone-who-bets-against-science-is-goin-down/#comments Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:01:34 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=450 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/26/anyone-who-bets-against-science-is-goin-down/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/22/time-to-de-fund-nccam/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/22/time-to-de-fund-nccam/#comments Sun, 22 Mar 2009 18:52:05 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=442 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/22/time-to-de-fund-nccam/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/19/were-on-skepticality/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/19/were-on-skepticality/#comments Thu, 19 Mar 2009 05:01:24 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=422 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/19/were-on-skepticality/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/12/podcast-46-supreme-court-on-summum/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/12/podcast-46-supreme-court-on-summum/#comments Thu, 12 Mar 2009 05:01:35 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=358 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/12/podcast-46-supreme-court-on-summum/feed/ 5 0:49:15 We analyze three recent developments nationwide that affect the integrity of church-state separation: an Oklahoma legislator condemns evolution; an Arkansas legislator seeks to end discrimination against atheists in his state constitution; and the S[...] We analyze three recent developments nationwide that affect the integrity of church-state separation: an Oklahoma legislator condemns evolution; an Arkansas legislator seeks to end discrimination against atheists in his state constitution; and the Supreme Court rules against an obscure New Age sect called the Summum. Oklahoma legislator Todd Thomsen (member of the House Education Committee and chairman of the House Higher Education and Career Tech Committee!) filed a House Resolution 1014, condemning his state’s university system for teaching–gasp!–the “doctrinal dogmaticism” of evolution and for daring to invite that rapscallion Richard Dawkins to speak.  This resolution has not (thus far) been acted on by the legislature; in fact, in provided humorous fodder for Dawkins during his scheduled appearance on March 6th–view the YouTube video of it here. Newly elected Arkansas legislator Richard Carroll has filed House Joint Resolution 1009, aimed at REMOVING discrimination against atheists from his state’s constitution.  Article 19 Section 1 of the Arkansas constitution says “No person who denies the being of a God shall hold any office in the civil departments of this state, nor be competent to testify as a witness in a court.”  This provision has already effectively been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in Torcaso v. Watkins (which struck down a similar provision in the Maryland constitution); a warning shot fired by the US 8th Circuit Court of Appeals via a footnote in Flora v. White.  This is a much-need bit of housecleaning that even Rep. Carroll admits probably won’t even make it to a floor vote.  Check out this YouTube video posted by the Arkansas Society of Freethinkers. Allison is back!  Our resident attorney explains the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Pleasant Grove (Utah) vs. Summum.  The Court concluded that government entities are not obligated to accept any old religious monument offered as a gift from a private organization.  How does this affect the thousands of Ten Commandment monuments that pepper the American landscape? Also mentioned in the podcast: Becket, the Academy Award winning 1964 film starring Richard Burton and Peter O’Toole.  It tells the story of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury assassinated by the knights of Henry II in 1170.  It’s a thought-provoking look at the historical struggle between church and state. 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 8, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. evolution, news, podcast, politics, religion, science American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/10/the-stem-cell-wars-have-only-begun/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/10/the-stem-cell-wars-have-only-begun/#comments Tue, 10 Mar 2009 05:01:46 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=373 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/10/the-stem-cell-wars-have-only-begun/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/07/un-papa-esceptico/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/07/un-papa-esceptico/#comments Sat, 07 Mar 2009 05:01:26 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=349 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/07/un-papa-esceptico/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/2009/03/03/happy-square-root-day/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/03/happy-square-root-day/#comments Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:49:28 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=316 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/03/happy-square-root-day/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/28/pope-condemns-genetic-screening-except-for-priests/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/28/pope-condemns-genetic-screening-except-for-priests/#comments Sat, 28 Feb 2009 13:07:45 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=303 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/28/pope-condemns-genetic-screening-except-for-priests/feed/ 2 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/25/its-official-were-goin-to-dragoncon/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/25/its-official-were-goin-to-dragoncon/#comments Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:35:35 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=286 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/25/its-official-were-goin-to-dragoncon/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/24/podcast-44-urotherapy/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/24/podcast-44-urotherapy/#comments Tue, 24 Feb 2009 05:01:22 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=255 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/24/podcast-44-urotherapy/feed/ 5 1:04:46 It’s our TMI edition!  First, we respond to recent listener feedback, and revisit our analysis of Joshua 10:12-13.  What would really happen if God made the sun “stand still” in the sky for a whole day?  Next, we tell you more than[...] It’s our TMI edition!  First, we respond to recent listener feedback, and revisit our analysis of Joshua 10:12-13.  What would really happen if God made the sun “stand still” in the sky for a whole day?  Next, we tell you more than you ever wanted to know about urotherapy.  What is it?  What benefits do its advocates claim?  And what does medical science have to say about it?  [Caution: While we don't go into graphic detail, some listeners may nonetheless find this discussion distasteful (no pun intended).] ANNOUNCEMENTS 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 February 23, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. podcast, science American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/23/phil-the-pundit-plait-on-bloggingheadstv/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/23/phil-the-pundit-plait-on-bloggingheadstv/#comments Mon, 23 Feb 2009 05:01:20 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=272 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/23/phil-the-pundit-plait-on-bloggingheadstv/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/22/religulous-on-dvd/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/22/religulous-on-dvd/#comments Sun, 22 Feb 2009 05:01:36 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=265 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/22/religulous-on-dvd/feed/ 3 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/21/wrap-the-bacon-of-your-mind-around-the-fig/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/21/wrap-the-bacon-of-your-mind-around-the-fig/#comments Sat, 21 Feb 2009 13:11:11 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=261 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/21/wrap-the-bacon-of-your-mind-around-the-fig/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/20/237/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/20/237/#comments Fri, 20 Feb 2009 05:01:00 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=237 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/20/237/feed/ 2 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/17/podcast-43-phil-plait/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/17/podcast-43-phil-plait/#comments Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:01:57 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=230 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/17/podcast-43-phil-plait/feed/ 3 1:08:55 We interview Phil Plait, Bad Astronomy blogger, new president of the James Randi Educational Foundation, booster for the International Year of Astronomy, and author of the pop-science book Death from the Skies. Yes, he is busy.  [Late-breaking news:[...] We interview Phil Plait, Bad Astronomy blogger, new president of the James Randi Educational Foundation, booster for the International Year of Astronomy, and author of the pop-science book Death from the Skies. Yes, he is busy.  [Late-breaking news: Bad Astronomy was just named as one of the Top 25 blogs in the world by Time magazine!] You can read our review of Death from the Skies here.  You can buy your very own copy at Amazon.com or (if you live in the United Kingdom) at Amazon.co.uk. Also discussed: DARWIN DAY 2009 - Metro Atlanta’s DD celebration at Decatur’s Thinking Man Tavern saw a much larger than expected turn-out, with as many as 60 science buffs turning out to wish Charles Darwin a Happy 200th Birthday. EVOLUTION WEEKEND 2009 – Believe it or not, a number of churches and synagogues nationwide contributed to the discussion of the relationship between science and faith.  It’s an encouraging development, but… good luck on that one. HAPPY (BELATED) VALENTINE’S DAY – Except in India, where Hindu hardliners called the Sri Rama Sena do battle with the Consortium of Pubgoing, Loose and Forward Women.  We kid you not. For astronomy lovers, David recommends the podcast lectures by Ohio State University’s Professor Richard Pogge, as well as George Hrab’s new video for the song “Far,” which is the theme song for the International Year of Astronomy’s 365 Days of Astronomy podcast. ANNOUNCEMENTS Visit our CafePress store!  Buy cool American Freethought swag, including t-shirts and mugs. 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.  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 February 16, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. books, interviews, podcast, science American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/15/the-sound-of-inevitability/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/15/the-sound-of-inevitability/#comments Sun, 15 Feb 2009 14:21:44 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=228 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/15/the-sound-of-inevitability/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/13/darwin-day-success-in-atlanta/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/13/darwin-day-success-in-atlanta/#comments Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:01:25 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=226 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/13/darwin-day-success-in-atlanta/feed/ 3 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/12/atlanta-darwin-day-enthusiasts-unite/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/12/atlanta-darwin-day-enthusiasts-unite/#comments Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:01:15 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=225 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/12/atlanta-darwin-day-enthusiasts-unite/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/11/photos-from-atlanta-skepticamp/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/11/photos-from-atlanta-skepticamp/#comments Wed, 11 Feb 2009 23:46:38 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=224 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/11/photos-from-atlanta-skepticamp/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/10/podcast-42-ken-miller-on-darwin-day/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/10/podcast-42-ken-miller-on-darwin-day/#comments Tue, 10 Feb 2009 05:01:28 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=220 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/10/podcast-42-ken-miller-on-darwin-day/feed/ 1 1:11:57 Happy 200th Birthday, Charles Darwin!  To celebrate, we interview Ken Miller (a.k.a. Dr. Kenneth R. Miller), Professor of Biology at Brown University and co-author (with Joseph S. Levine) of Prentice-Hall’s Biology, one of the most-used and mo[...] Happy 200th Birthday, Charles Darwin!  To celebrate, we interview Ken Miller (a.k.a. Dr. Kenneth R. Miller), Professor of Biology at Brown University and co-author (with Joseph S. Levine) of Prentice-Hall’s Biology, one of the most-used and most-respected high school textbooks in the world.  Ken strikes a thoughtful balance between his Roman Catholicism and a deep appreciation of the reality of evolution.  He was a key witness for the plaintiffs in the 2005 Kitzmiller-v-Dover trial, which overturned an attempt by intelligent design creationists to infiltrate the local high school biology curriculum.  Ken is also the author of two science memoirs: Finding Darwin’s God and Only a Theory. For more about Ken and his work visit MillerandLevine.com. Read Jerry Coyne’s extensive critique of Ken Miller’s Only a Theory at The New Republic. Kudos to the organizers of Atlanta SkeptiCamp!  John and David recorded a live segment with Skepticality’s Derek and Swoopy.  To see video of all the presentations (including the joint Skepticality/American Freethought panel) go to Qik.com/DoctorAtlantis. DARWIN DONATIONS - Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday is coming up.  To celebrate, mark your calendars for February 12th; on that day, contact the charity of your choice and tell them you’re making the donation “in honor of Charles Darwin.” DARWIN DAY 2009 – If you live in metro Atlanta, join us at Decatur’s Thinking Man Tavern, 7:30PM, Thursday, February 12th.  Look for a crowd of attractive, well-dressed, extraordinarily intelligent people. Lest he get lost in the Darwin shuffle, let us remember Abraham Lincoln (born on the exact same day in 1809 as Charles Darwin).  As David points out, there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that Lincoln was a freethinker. ANNOUNCEMENTS We now have a CafePress store!  Buy cool American Freethought swag, including t-shirts and mugs. 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.  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 February 9, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. christianity, evolution, interviews, podcast, religion, science American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/07/atlanta-skepticamp-a-spectacular-success/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/07/atlanta-skepticamp-a-spectacular-success/#comments Sun, 08 Feb 2009 01:57:34 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=222 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/07/atlanta-skepticamp-a-spectacular-success/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/06/join-us-tonight-at-atlanta-skepticamp/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/06/join-us-tonight-at-atlanta-skepticamp/#comments Fri, 06 Feb 2009 05:01:00 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=221 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/06/join-us-tonight-at-atlanta-skepticamp/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/05/righteous-stuff-2-of-2/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/05/righteous-stuff-2-of-2/#comments Thu, 05 Feb 2009 05:01:33 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=219 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/05/righteous-stuff-2-of-2/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/04/righteous-stuff-1-of-2/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/04/righteous-stuff-1-of-2/#comments Wed, 04 Feb 2009 05:01:23 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=218 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/04/righteous-stuff-1-of-2/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/03/podcast-41-neil-degrasse-tyson/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/03/podcast-41-neil-degrasse-tyson/#comments Tue, 03 Feb 2009 05:01:58 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=214 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/03/podcast-41-neil-degrasse-tyson/feed/ 3 1:05:05 We interview Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist, science advocate, and author of The Pluto Files, a look at the cosmic dust-up that resulted from the demotion of the planet Pluto to “dwarf planet” by the International Astronomical U[...] We interview Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist, science advocate, and author of The Pluto Files, a look at the cosmic dust-up that resulted from the demotion of the planet Pluto to “dwarf planet” by the International Astronomical Union.  Dr. Tyson occupies the Frederick P. Rose Directorship of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of National History in NYC.  For more on Dr. Tyson visit HaydenPlanetarium.org/Tyson. The Pluto Files is available at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. If you haven’t already, you can read our review of The Pluto Files here. GET WELL SOON!  Father Reginald Foster, the Discalced Carmelite who is the Vatican’s chief Latinist (best known for his brief appearance in Bill Maher’s documentary Religulous, in which he openly scoffed at concepts like the Virgin Birth, the Resurrection, etc. – and this is a guy who resides in the Vatican!) has been having health problems since taking a bad fall last summer.  While Catholics are encouraged to pray for him (preferrably in Latin), freethinkers are encouraged to send their best wishes to Father Foster for a speedy recovery. DARWIN DONATIONS - Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday is coming up.  To celebrate, mark your calendars for February 12th; on that day, contact the charity of your choice and tell them you’re making the donation “in honor of Charles Darwin.” ANNOUNCEMENTS We’re giving away 2 free tix to the upcoming conference “The Religious-Secular Divide,” organized by the New School in NYC.  Just email us by February 7th at contact@americanfreethought.com or post your request on our Facebook Wall and you’ll be eligible to win. Speaking of February 7th, if you’ll be in metro Atlanta, join John and David at the first-ever Atlanta SkeptiCamp!  SkeptiCamp is a special kind of conference in which the content is provided by the attendees.  For fast-changing details visit BarCamp.org/AtlantaSkeptiCampFeb2009. We now have a CafePress store!  Buy cool American Freethought swag, including t-shirts and mugs. 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.  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 February 2, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. books, commentary, interviews, news, podcast, science American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/30/atlanta-skepticamp/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/30/atlanta-skepticamp/#comments Fri, 30 Jan 2009 05:01:53 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=213 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/30/atlanta-skepticamp/feed/ 0 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/2009/01/28/neil-degrasse-tyson-on-the-daily-show/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/28/neil-degrasse-tyson-on-the-daily-show/#comments Wed, 28 Jan 2009 05:01:09 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=212 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/28/neil-degrasse-tyson-on-the-daily-show/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/27/podcast-40-the-galapagos-mountain-boys/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/27/podcast-40-the-galapagos-mountain-boys/#comments Tue, 27 Jan 2009 05:01:36 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=209 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/27/podcast-40-the-galapagos-mountain-boys/feed/ 0 1:04:28 We interview Dr. Stephen Baird, frontman for the Galapagos Mountain Boys, a (mostly) bluegrass band based in the San Diego area.  Dr. Baird talks about the term “scientific gospel,” the GMBs’ new album Darwin, Darn It!, and their u[...] We interview Dr. Stephen Baird, frontman for the Galapagos Mountain Boys, a (mostly) bluegrass band based in the San Diego area.  Dr. Baird talks about the term “scientific gospel,” the GMBs’ new album Darwin, Darn It!, and their upcoming gigs celebrating Darwin Day 2009.  For details visit ScientificGospel.com. Plus: The fallout from President Obama’s nod to “non-believers” in his inaugural address, and lots of listener feedback. DARWIN DONATIONS - Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday is coming up.  To celebrate, mark your calendars for February 12th; on that day, contact the charity of your choice and tell them you’re making the donation “in honor of Charles Darwin.” 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; the 2009 Skepchick and Skepdude calendars; and the CD “Darwin, Darn It!” by the Galapagos Mountain Boys.  The deadline for entries is January 31st. We’re also giving away 2 free tix to the upcoming conference “The Religious-Secular Divide,” organized by the New School in NYC.  Just email us by February 7th at contact@americanfreethought.com or post your request on our Facebook Wall and you’ll be eligible to win. We now have a CafePress store!  Buy cool American Freethought swag, including t-shirts and mugs. 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 25, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. christianity, commentary, evolution, humor, interviews, music, news, podcast, politics, religion, science American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/22/meet-the-new-boss/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/22/meet-the-new-boss/#comments Thu, 22 Jan 2009 05:01:06 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=206 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/22/meet-the-new-boss/feed/ 2 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/21/darwin-darn-it/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/21/darwin-darn-it/#comments Wed, 21 Jan 2009 05:01:43 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=202 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/21/darwin-darn-it/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/20/podcast-39-tellus-museum/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/20/podcast-39-tellus-museum/#comments Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:53:06 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=205 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/20/podcast-39-tellus-museum/feed/ 1 1:00:15 We discuss our recent visit to the brand new Tellus Northwest Georgia Science Museum with Tellus marketeer Joe Schulman.  Tellus is just 45 miles north of Atlanta, with an extensive mineral collection, impressive dino-displays, a planetarium, a 20-i[...] We discuss our recent visit to the brand new Tellus Northwest Georgia Science Museum with Tellus marketeer Joe Schulman.  Tellus is just 45 miles north of Atlanta, with an extensive mineral collection, impressive dino-displays, a planetarium, a 20-inch telescope, and more.  For details visit TellusMuseum.org. Plus: How many preachers does it take to inaugurate a president?  US Airways Flight 1549: “Miracle” or Expertise + Good Luck? DARWIN DONATIONS - Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday is coming up.  To celebrate, mark your calendars for February 12th; on that day, contact the charity of your choice and tell them you’re making the donation “in honor of Charles Darwin.” 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; the 2009 Skepchick and Skepdude calendars; and the CD “Darwin, Darn It!” by the Galapagos Mountain Boys.  The deadline for entries is January 31st. We’re also giving away 2 free tix to the upcoming conference “The Religious-Secular Divide,” organized by the New School in NYC.  Just email us by February 7th at contact@americanfreethought.com or post your request on our Facebook Wall and you’ll be eligible to win. We now have a CafePress store!  Buy cool American Freethought swag, including t-shirts and mugs. 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 19, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. christianity, evolution, interviews, news, podcast, politics, religion, science American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/19/the-pluto-files/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/19/the-pluto-files/#comments Mon, 19 Jan 2009 04:01:34 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=183 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/19/the-pluto-files/feed/ 3 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/18/photos-from-the-new-tellus-museum/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/18/photos-from-the-new-tellus-museum/#comments Sun, 18 Jan 2009 05:01:16 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=204 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/18/photos-from-the-new-tellus-museum/feed/ 6 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/09/the-death-of-inadequate-myths/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/09/the-death-of-inadequate-myths/#comments Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:01:14 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=194 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/09/the-death-of-inadequate-myths/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/05/365-days-of-astronomy-podcast/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/05/365-days-of-astronomy-podcast/#comments Mon, 05 Jan 2009 04:01:19 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=189 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/05/365-days-of-astronomy-podcast/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/04/new-science-museum-sweet/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/04/new-science-museum-sweet/#comments Sun, 04 Jan 2009 04:01:22 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=187 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/04/new-science-museum-sweet/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/03/sam-harris-wants-to-read-your-mind/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/03/sam-harris-wants-to-read-your-mind/#comments Sat, 03 Jan 2009 04:01:14 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=186 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/03/sam-harris-wants-to-read-your-mind/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/02/for-the-san-diego-darwinists-out-there/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/02/for-the-san-diego-darwinists-out-there/#comments Fri, 02 Jan 2009 04:01:23 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=185 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/02/for-the-san-diego-darwinists-out-there/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/12/28/podcast-37-year-end-wrap-up/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/12/28/podcast-37-year-end-wrap-up/#comments Sun, 28 Dec 2008 04:01:47 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=180 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/12/28/podcast-37-year-end-wrap-up/feed/ 1 0:39:08 As we look forward to 2009, we take a moment to review the success and progress of the American Freethought Podcast in 2008.  What was our best episode?  What could we have done better? We also unveil a new contest for our listeners with an impressi[...] As we look forward to 2009, we take a moment to review the success and progress of the American Freethought Podcast in 2008.  What was our best episode?  What could we have done better? We also unveil a new contest for our listeners with an impressive stack of cool prizes.  Tune in to find out how YOU could be the recipient of this treasure trove of nifty freethought-ish tchoch. Finally, Dr. Eugenie Scott of the National Center for Science Education (NCSEweb.org) gets the last word on Ben Stein’s ridiculous “Evolution = Nazi Holocaust” documentary Expelled.  This 5-minute segment of conversation was trimmed from our interview with her in episode #31 (in which we talked about the Texas BOE putting out-of-state creationists on the committee that reviews the science curriculum).  It was intended for inclusion in our coverage of the Expelled DVD in episode #34, but… we forgot (okay, I forgot – David shares none of the blame!).  Anyway, we thought it was worth hearing, even it we’re delivering it a tad late. ANNOUNCEMENTS 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 December 18, 2008.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. evolution, interviews, podcast, science American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/12/09/itunes-picks-skeptics-guide-5x5-for-top-list/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/12/09/itunes-picks-skeptics-guide-5x5-for-top-list/#comments Wed, 10 Dec 2008 03:39:19 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=169 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/12/09/itunes-picks-skeptics-guide-5x5-for-top-list/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/11/21/on-this-day-in-forgotten-history/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/11/21/on-this-day-in-forgotten-history/#comments Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:40:41 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=159 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/11/21/on-this-day-in-forgotten-history/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/11/17/140-years-of-ufo-photos/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/11/17/140-years-of-ufo-photos/#comments Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:55:43 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=157 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/11/17/140-years-of-ufo-photos/feed/ 3 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/11/13/bigfoot-in-your-mouth/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/11/13/bigfoot-in-your-mouth/#comments Fri, 14 Nov 2008 01:48:31 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=156 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/11/13/bigfoot-in-your-mouth/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/11/07/podcast-33-election-2008/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/11/07/podcast-33-election-2008/#comments Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:42:33 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=152 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/11/07/podcast-33-election-2008/feed/ 0 1:06:43 Congratulations to President-Elect Barack Obama!  The possible ramifications of an Obama presidency will be shaking out for weeks and months to come, but freethinkers are particularly interested in the effect it will have on separation of church and[...] Congratulations to President-Elect Barack Obama!  The possible ramifications of an Obama presidency will be shaking out for weeks and months to come, but freethinkers are particularly interested in the effect it will have on separation of church and state, the integrity of government-funded science, gay rights, women’s rights, etc.  We’ll also take a look at various election results from across the country. 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 6, 2008.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. commentary, news, podcast, politics, religion, science American Freethought no yes 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/2008/10/26/atlanta-science-tavern-hears-e-o-wilson/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/26/atlanta-science-tavern-hears-e-o-wilson/#comments Sun, 26 Oct 2008 16:51:40 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=144 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/26/atlanta-science-tavern-hears-e-o-wilson/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/24/podcast-31-eugenie-scott/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/24/podcast-31-eugenie-scott/#comments Fri, 24 Oct 2008 21:05:28 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=143 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/24/podcast-31-eugenie-scott/feed/ 1 0:51:00 We talk to Dr. Eugenie Scott, executive director of the National Center for Science Education (NCSE) about the recent action by the Texas Board of Education [www.tea.state.tx.us/sboe] that places three creationists on the six-member committee that r[...] We talk to Dr. Eugenie Scott, executive director of the National Center for Science Education (NCSE) about the recent action by the Texas Board of Education [www.tea.state.tx.us/sboe] that places three creationists on the six-member committee that reviews science standards [link].  How damaging could this move be to the rest of the country? For more about NCSE visit NCSEweb.org – consider becoming a member, since the NCSE operates part on membership dues. Also visit the Texas Freedom Network at TFN.org, one of the major pro-science groups within the state. 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. christianity, evolution, interviews, podcast, politics, religion, science American Freethought no no