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/2011/12/01/podcast-138-war-on-christmas-special-2011/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/12/01/podcast-138-war-on-christmas-special-2011/#comments Fri, 02 Dec 2011 01:40:56 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=3114 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2011/12/01/podcast-138-war-on-christmas-special-2011/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/12/04/blitzkrieg-on-grinchitude/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/12/04/blitzkrieg-on-grinchitude/#comments Sat, 04 Dec 2010 13:28:00 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2467 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/12/04/blitzkrieg-on-grinchitude/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/11/28/podcast-109-war-on-christmas-special/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/11/28/podcast-109-war-on-christmas-special/#comments Sun, 28 Nov 2010 05:01:12 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2442 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/11/28/podcast-109-war-on-christmas-special/feed/ 4 0:54:48 Wow, this year there really is a War on Christmas!  Nineteen-year-old Mohamed Osman Mohamud, a Somali immigrant, has been arrested for his involvement in plotting to car-bomb the Portland, Oregon Christmas Tree lighting ceremony.  Fortunately it was[...] Wow, this year there really is a War on Christmas!  Nineteen-year-old Mohamed Osman Mohamud, a Somali immigrant, has been arrested for his involvement in plotting to car-bomb the Portland, Oregon Christmas Tree lighting ceremony.  Fortunately it was all part of an FBI sting. Meanwhile, Advertising Age reports that the War on the War on Christmas is succeeding.  The American Family Association reports that the number of businesses explicitly using “Christmas” in their seasonal sales propaganda is dramatically up.  So no more of this “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings” baloney–we pagans should know our place. Plus:  Barack Obama’s Kenyan Grammy is on a pilgrimage to Mecca, and she’s praying that her American grandson will convert to Islam.  With 1 in 5 Americans thinking our president is already a secret Muslim, this can’t be helping. And as always, we present our Top Five Picks for Holiday Gift-Giving for Nonbelievers: #5 David:  Make a contribution on a family members’ behalf to the Freedom From Religion Foundation. John: Make one to the American Atheists’ Todd Stiefel Challenge. #4 David:  DVD set from the Atheist Alliance International “Darwin’s Legacy” 2009 Convention. John:  Prejudices: The Complete Series by H. L. Mencken, a two-volume boxed set, from the Library of America, of collected essays by the famed journalist, social critic (and atheist) best known for his acerbic coverage of the Scopes Monkey Trial. #3 David:  His favorite non-fiction titles this year: Packing for Mars by Mary Roach and C Street by Jeff Sharlet. John:  Genographic Project Participation Kit–from National Geographic, this allows participants to send in a cheek swab and get an analysis of their deep prehistoric ancestry. #2 David:  A Year of the Night Sky 2011 Calendar John:  The Devil in Design: The Krampus Postcards, a collection of Victorian Era illustrations from central Europe highlighting the tradition of Santa’s evil helper.  Complementary titles include Krampus: The Devil of Christmas and Christmas Curiosities. #1 David:  For older folks and/or technophobes, an iPod, along with assistance in setting it up–including how to download freethought podcasts like ours! John:  A “Caganer,” part of the centuries-old Catalonian tradition of putting a pooping figurine in the Nativity scene.  No shit. [Sound clip at the top of the show from the film Love Actually.] Announcements: Send us email!  For John Snider use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded November 27, 2010.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. christianity, humor, news, podcast, religion American Freethought no yes http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/12/21/podcast-75-can-atheists-hold-office-in-nc/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/12/21/podcast-75-can-atheists-hold-office-in-nc/#comments Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:01:43 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1806 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/12/21/podcast-75-can-atheists-hold-office-in-nc/feed/ 1 0:37:08 Cecil Bothwell has just been elected to the city council of Asheville, North Carolina.  He happens to be an atheist.  The North Carolina state constitution bars atheists from holding elected office.  (For what it’s worth, seven other states st[...] Cecil Bothwell has just been elected to the city council of Asheville, North Carolina.  He happens to be an atheist.  The North Carolina state constitution bars atheists from holding elected office.  (For what it’s worth, seven other states still have constitutional provisions that discriminate against non-believers.)  Is this a case of continuing institutionalized bigotry, or just an amusingly unenforceable “quirk” left over from the 19th century?  (For more on Mr. Bothwell visit cecilbothwell.wordpress.com) Also discussed in this episode: There’s a War on Christmas: haven’t you heard?  South Carolina Congressman Henry Brown has introduced (nonbinding) House Resolution 951, which “seeks to express the sense…that the symbols and traditions of Christmas should be protected.”  Dozens of Brown’s (mostly Southern, mostly Republican) peers have jumped on the Save-Christmas-from-the-Multicultural-Heathen bandwagon, but HR951 is destined to die in committee.  Is this really how our elected representatives spend their time? The Washington, DC city council has okayed same-sex marriage.  But the District is under Congressional oversight: Congress has 30 days to reverse any actions of the council.  This puts Republicans (currently in the minority) in an interesting pickle.  They’re against gay marriage, but they crow all the time about the rights of state and local governments to run their own affairs.  So which way’s it gonna be, fellas? Disturbing News Alert: Another case of a child endangered by kooky, dangerous religious beliefs.  In Brazil, a man has confessed to inserting 42 needles (and leaving them in place!) into his two-year-old stepson, as part of a series of black magic rituals directed by a trance-tripping woman. Plus: It’s David’s turn to do jury duty, and he’s amazed to read a local journalist’s confession that you have to be irrational to be Christian. The Usual Announcements Send us email at contact@americanfreethought.com.  For John Snider only use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll only use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Fans of science fiction can check out John’s other project on the web, SciFiDimensions.com. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded December 17, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, christianity, cults, podcast, politics, religion American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/12/12/house-reps-declare-war-on-the-war-on-christmas/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/12/12/house-reps-declare-war-on-the-war-on-christmas/#comments Sat, 12 Dec 2009 14:36:45 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1789 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/12/12/house-reps-declare-war-on-the-war-on-christmas/feed/ 3 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/11/23/podcast-73-war-on-christmas-special/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/11/23/podcast-73-war-on-christmas-special/#comments Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:01:19 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1756 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/11/23/podcast-73-war-on-christmas-special/feed/ 3 1:01:31 Okay, no War on Christmas per se, but… the festive season approaches, and it’s time for us to share our Top Five suggestions for holiday gifts for nonbelievers!  It’s your opportunity to warm the cockles of the family atheist and/o[...] Okay, no War on Christmas per se, but… the festive season approaches, and it’s time for us to share our Top Five suggestions for holiday gifts for nonbelievers!  It’s your opportunity to warm the cockles of the family atheist and/or make pious relatives squirm as you share presents around the pagan tree. David’s suggestions (in no particular order): Nonfiction Two-Fer – Don’t Be Such a Scientist by Randy Olson and Worlds of Their Own by Robert J. Schadewald (David’s favorite nonfiction books of 2009). DVD Two-Fer – Troy Conrad’s The Comedy Jesus Show (www.comedyjesusshow.com) and the AAI 2009 Convention 2009 video (coming soon from www.atheistalliance.org). A telescope. American Freethought tchoch: t-shirts, coffee mugs and more (www.cafepress.com/amerfreethought). Membership in Atheist Alliance International (www.atheistalliance.org/Membership.html). John’s suggestions (in no particular order): A Very Haeckel Christmas (greeting cards inspired by the artwork of 19th century biologys Ernst Haeckel) (www.cafepress.com/therhinobird). Surly-Ramics Jewelry (www.surlyramics.com). Honorable Mention goes to Made with Molecules (www.madewithmolecules.com). Here Comes Science (CD and DVD for kids) by alt-rock legends They Might Be Giants. Bible Comics Two-Fer – The Book of Genesis Illustrated by Robert Crumb and The Wolverton Bible by Basil Wolverton Charitable donation to your local college skeptics or atheists club.  John recommends the Kennesaw State University Student Coalition for Inquiry (www.ksusci.com) or the University or Missouri’s Skeptics Atheists Secular Humanists Agnostics (MU SASHA) Also discussed in this episode: Jennifer Burns‘ (Goddess of the Market) lecture at the Margaret Mitchell House in Atlanta. Massimo Pigliucci’s recent series of lectures in Atlanta. Darwin’s Origin of Species is 150 years old on November 24th!  We’re celebrating with a bottle of Evolution Wine (www.evolutionwine.com). The American Freethought Podcast is 2 years old on November 26th. Hominid - A stage play at Emory University produced by Out of Hand Theater (www.outofhandtheater.com) and inspired by the chimpanzee research of Frans de Waal. Listener feedback. The Usual Announcements Send us email at contact@americanfreethought.com.  For John Snider only use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll only use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Fans of science fiction can check out John’s other project on the web, SciFiDimensions.com. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded November 22, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. arts, commentary, news, podcast American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/12/06/podcast-35-war-on-christmas/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/12/06/podcast-35-war-on-christmas/#comments Sat, 06 Dec 2008 17:35:04 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=166 Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/12/06/podcast-35-war-on-christmas/feed/ 7 1:03:47 We take a look at the (alleged) War on Christmas and the various over-reactions to it. But first…some Thanksgiving leftovers!  Columnist Jim Griffith of the Newnan (Georgia) Times-Herald paints a bleak picture for atheists on Turkey Day. Lest [...] We take a look at the (alleged) War on Christmas and the various over-reactions to it. But first…some Thanksgiving leftovers!  Columnist Jim Griffith of the Newnan (Georgia) Times-Herald paints a bleak picture for atheists on Turkey Day. Lest you think it’s only small town news hounds who blame everything on the infidels, get a load of the recent essay by Daniel Henniger in The Wall Street Journal.  Who knew the economic implosion was triggered by the scrooges who don’t like to hear the words “Merry Christmas”. Bloviatin’ Bill O’Reilly has his loufa in a bunch over the fact that Washington State allowed an atheist display next to a Nativity scene on the capitol grounds.  But don’t worry Bill – some enterprising Christian kneecapped the Eighth Commandment and stole that pesky display.  Oh wait, it’s back! Who needs another installment of “Holey Scripture” when retired Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong is on the job?  Spong has spent a career letting the air out of the “Bible as literal history” tires, and his opinion of the Christmas Story is no exception.  Thus sayeth the Spong: “The gospel writers knew that they were not writing history, they knew they were creating an interpretive portrait.”  (I wouldn’t be so sure of that, but with Christians like Spong, who wants to argue?)  Sign up for the Bishop’s weekly newsletter at JohnShelbySpong.com. Our faithful listener Liz from Texas (who is allowed to play the AF podcast out loud at the office) shares her ingenious solution to obnoxious office Christmas Parties – hijack ‘em!  In a scenario worth of The Office, Liz convinced her boss to let her organize the year-end holiday bash, due to the fact that she can “keep it religion neutral and thus HR friendly.”  Nobody likes the end result except Liz, HR, and the Jews. Tom Melchiorre (the new editor of the Secular Nation newsletter) proves his uber-atheist street cred by refusing any observance or participation in holiday cheer.  (He responds to wishes of “Merry Christmas” with either a “No, thanks” or a Glare of Death.  He ‘splains himself in the current issue of Secular Nation magazine, which David will cover in an upcoming episode of the Secular Nation Podcast. Finally, we share our Top Five Holiday Gifts for the Nonbeliever!  Presented more or less in order from least-to-most recommended: John’s recommendations: 5. “How to Start Your Own Cult for Fun and Profit” by Heidi Lampietti.  A great stocking stuffer at $5, this 27-page chapbook helps you lay the groundwork for future fleecing of the dumb masses.  RedJackBooks.com 4. “The Resurrection and the Life” - a satirical retelling of the resurrection of Lazarus from the Book of John, this is a limited edition, handbound volume written by horror-meister Brian Keene, with woodcut engravings from Canadian artist George Walker.  Pricey and hard to come by, but worth the chase.  BitingDogPress.com 3.  There Will Be Blood (DVD) – Daniel Day Lewis and Paul Dano get biblical with a bowling pin in director Paul Thomas Anderson’s epic and unforgettable fable set in the oil fields of early 20th century California.  I… drink… your… milkshake!!! 2.  Fossils – From $10 bugs-in-amber to a $22K slab o’ Selenopeltis Buchii, the remains of creatures past are sure to please science lovers and annoy the yokels who still think the earth is 6,000 years old.  If you don’t have a local rock shop, try eBay.com. 1.  The Complete Discography of George Hrab – Musician, comedian, podcaster, freethinker, Hrab has accumulated a cult-like following to his Geologic Podcast.  His five albums are kinda nifty, too!  Buy the entire Hrab ouevre at CDBaby.com or check out GeologicRecords.net. David’s recommendations: 5.  Give the Gift of Godless Power Brokering [...] atheism, books, christianity, humor, movies, music, news, podcast, religion American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/12/17/american-freethought-podcast-4/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/12/17/american-freethought-podcast-4/#comments Tue, 18 Dec 2007 02:05:10 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/12/17/american-freethought-podcast-4/ Continue reading →]]> http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2007/12/17/american-freethought-podcast-4/feed/ 1 0:40:39 Recorded 12/15/2007.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. Show Notes: Our “War on Christmas” Special! - We look at the myths and misconceptions surrounding the holiday season. Gifts for Non-Believers- We countdown our Top Five s[...] Recorded 12/15/2007.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. Show Notes: Our “War on Christmas” Special! - We look at the myths and misconceptions surrounding the holiday season. Gifts for Non-Believers- We countdown our Top Five suggestions for gifts for non-believers. Driscoll’s List: 5. Flying Spaghetti Monster decal 4. The God Who Wasn’t There (DVD) 3. An all-expenses-paid trip to Cincinnati, including a visit to the Creation Museum in nearby Petersburg, KY. 2. Donation to Charity – For the nonbeliever who has everything, why not give a gift in his/her name to a relevant non-profit?  David’s suggestions: The Freedom from Religion Foundation or the Secular Coalition. 1. Four Horsemen Gift Pack containing God Is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens, The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins, The End of Faith by Sam Harris, Breaking the Spell by Daniel Dennett, and a copy of The Bible (so you’ll know what the fuss is all about). Snider’s List: 5. The Portable Atheist, a collection of skeptical writings from antiquity to the present, edited by Christopher Hitchens. 4. Museum Membership to a local natural history, science or art museum.  If the recipient doesn’t have access to such big-city facilities, try subscriptions to magazines like National Geographic, Scientific American, or Skeptical Inquirer? 3. Flying Spaghetti Monster Paraphernalia 2. A Copy of The Bible signed by the Author – If you’re participating in a “white elephant” gift exchange, a great gag would be to toss in a copy of the Good Book and add an inscription; e.g. “To Whom It May Concern – Sorry about the mess.  Best Regards, God.”  Be sure to conceal your handwriting and be prepared to maintain a good poker face.  If you’re really daring, try a copy of The Satanic Bible. 1. From So Simple a Beginning – This bug-crushing 1,700-page hardcover contains all four of Charles Darwin’s classic books: The Voyage of the Beagle, The Origin of Species, The Descent of Man, and The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals.  It comes in a nice slipcase, with a forward by self-proclaimed “provisional deist” Edward O. Wilson. Feedback – Email your comments to contact@americanfreethought.com and we might read ‘em on the air (attach “voicemails” in mp3 or wav format). Discuss – We’ve set up a message board at Yahoo Groups. Theme music by Body Found.  Special holiday end-song “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” by the La Brea Stompers, from the CD The Mother of All Flagpole Christmas Albums. atheism, commentary, podcast, religion American Freethought no no