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/2010/12/02/dawkins-picks-hitch-as-2010-hero/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/12/02/dawkins-picks-hitch-as-2010-hero/#comments Thu, 02 Dec 2010 13:08:39 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2452 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/12/02/dawkins-picks-hitch-as-2010-hero/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/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/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/2009/10/12/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/2009/10/11/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/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/2009/09/30/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/2009/09/25/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/2009/09/15/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/2009/08/29/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/2009/08/18/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/2009/08/04/meet-and-greet-richard-dawkins/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/04/meet-and-greet-richard-dawkins/#comments Tue, 04 Aug 2009 04:01:33 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1158 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/04/meet-and-greet-richard-dawkins/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/16/podcast-59a-bill-maher-stand-up-tour/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/16/podcast-59a-bill-maher-stand-up-tour/#comments Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:05:34 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1042 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/16/podcast-59a-bill-maher-stand-up-tour/feed/ 0 1:01:58 David gives us a report on Bill Maher’s stand-up tour; specifically, Maher’s recent appearance at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta. We also give listeners a heads-up on several upcoming events, including: Atheist Allianc[...] David gives us a report on Bill Maher’s stand-up tour; specifically, Maher’s recent appearance at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta. We also give listeners a heads-up on several upcoming events, including: Atheist Alliance International 2009 Convention (Oct 2-4 in Los Angeles) featuring Bill Maher, Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Brian Keith Dalton (“Mr. Deity”), Lawrence Krauss, Eugenie Scott and more.  (Say “hi” to David Driscoll, since he’ll be in attendance as well.) Charlotte Pop Fest (Sep 24-26), a power-pop music festival in North Carolina with headliners The Knack.  Proceeds benefit the Richard Dawkins Foundation.  Also, Herr Dawkins will lecture at Queens University of Charlotte on Oct 14. Speaking of Richard Dawkins, his new book The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution is set for publication on Sep 22 from Free Press.  Pre-order your very own copy at Amazon.com and/or Amazon.co.uk. Speaking of new books, you might be interested in Goddess of the Market: Ayn Rand and the American Right, a new biography of the controversial author and founder of Objectivism, written by University of Virginia professor Jennifer Burns.  If all goes as planned, we’ll have both a review of the book and an interview with the author.  Goddess of the Market will be published by Oxford University Press in October.  Pre-order your very own copy at Amazon.com and/or Amazon.co.uk. Plus: Lots of detailed feedback on our interview with Robert Wright (The Evolution of God), including a response from Wright himself on John’s review of the book.  Wright encourages our readers/listeners to check out his interview with Daniel Dennett.  We also explore the connection between Wright and the Templeton Foundation (which sponsors the “Percontations” series of diavlogs at Wright’s bloggingheads.tv). ANNOUNCEMENTS Participation and Feedback: Email contact@americanfreethought.com – attach voicemail in mp3 or wav format. American Freethought on Twitter.  We’re new on Twitter!  Get auto-tweets every time we post something to the website, plus the occasional random news item. American Freethought on Atheist Nexus – What’s Atheist Nexus?  Well, it’s like Facebook for nonbelievers.  Join up! American Freethought on Facebook American Freethought Yahoo Group – Chat with fellow freethinkers. iTunes – If you listen to us via iTunes, take a moment and leave feedback. Shop or Donate: CafePress – Buy cool American Freethought swag, including t-shirts and mugs. Amazon.com – Click-through and buy whatever you want. PayPal – Drop some change in our virtual tip-jar.  You’ll help offset the cost of maintaining the website and producing the podcast. Visit us online at AmericanFreethought.com.  We post new content (nearly) every day! David is podcasting new episodes of Secular Nation.  AtheistAlliance.org/podcast. Interested in science fiction?  Then check out John’s other online project, SciFiDimensions.com. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded July 7, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, books, christianity, commentary, evolution, islam, judaism, music, news, podcast, religion, science American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/15/robert-wright-takes-on-the-new-atheists/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/15/robert-wright-takes-on-the-new-atheists/#comments Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:13:12 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1010 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/15/robert-wright-takes-on-the-new-atheists/feed/ 8 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/25/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/2009/04/16/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/2009/03/12/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/2008/10/01/the-atheism-tapes-3-of-6-richard-dawkins/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/01/the-atheism-tapes-3-of-6-richard-dawkins/#comments Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:36:56 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=122 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/01/the-atheism-tapes-3-of-6-richard-dawkins/feed/ 0