Thethinkingatheist

In March of 2015, the Atheist Foundation of Australia hosted atheist activists Matt Dillahunty, Aron Ra and Seth Andrews (under the tongue-in-cheek tour title, "The Unholy Trinity Down Under").  TThe speakers' presentations from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne are posted on AFA's tour website: http://www.unholytrinitydownunder.comSpecial thanks to the AFA:  http://atheistfoundation.org.au

SPONSORED BY:  http://www.evolvefish.comIn March of 2015, the Atheist Foundation of Australia hosted atheist activists Matt Dillahunty, Aron Ra and Seth Andrews (under the tongue-in-cheek tour title, "The Unholy Trinity Down Under"). The speakers' presentations from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne are posted on AFA's tour website: http://www.unholytrinitydownunder.comSpecial thanks to the AFA:  http://atheistfoundation.org.au

SPONSORED BY:  http://www.evolvefish.comIn March of 2015, the Atheist Foundation of Australia hosted atheist activists Matt Dillahunty, Aron Ra and Seth Andrews (under the tongue-in-cheek tour title, "The Unholy Trinity Down Under").  The speakers' presentations from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne are posted on AFA's tour website: http://www.unholytrinitydownunder.comSpecial thanks to the AFA:  http://atheistfoundation.org.au    

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistTonight's show is a casual conversation about...whatever.  Is a certain issue on your mind?  Have a perspective, story, opinion or rant you want to share?  What "random reason" would you like to bring to the show?Tonight's your night to sound off.  Your calls and emails:  podcast@thethinkingatheist.com

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistGeorge Perdikis was one of the founding members of the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) group, the Newsboys.  In January 2015, he came out as an atheist.  In this broadcast, George speaks about his experience as a Christian artist/minister and his apostasy, and we also hear from others who once played to packed houses on the CCM stage.How much of CCM is ministry?  And how much is money?  We ask those questions (and more) tonight.

What happens when ire meets insomina?  Join your humble host for a late-night (and impromptu) rant about religion, reason, "proofs" for the supernatural and the often-claimed charge that everybody should simply hold hands, celebrate their differences and "coexist."

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistCecil and Tom are hosts of the irreverent radio podcast, Cognitive Dissonance, which addresses current events from the atheist and skeptical perspective.  They join Seth Andrews for an entertaining (and random) hour of conversation.  Cognitive Dissonance podcasts can be heard at http://www.dissonancepod.comSeth's guest appearance on CD 2-9-15:  http://ec.libsyn.com/p/f/c/8/fc88cd6c56430443/cd206.mp3?d13a76d516d9dec20c3d276ce028ed5089ab1ce3dae902ea1d06ca8334d7ce58ec8b&c_id=8329027

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistMany claim that good and moral acts cannot exist outside of the concept of God.  Many also believe that humanity has become increasingly turbulent, violent, sinful and wicked, and they yearn for the simple, moral days of old.In this broadcast, we speak with three special guests about "goodness:"  1)  John Figdor, Humanist Chaplain at Stanford University and co-author of the book, "Atheist Mind / Humanist Heart" http://www.atheistmindhumanistheart.com2)  Dale McGowan, educator on secular parenting and Executive Director of the Foundation Beyond Belief   http://dalemcgowan.com3)  Michael Shermer, founding publisher of Skeptic Magazine and author of the new book, "The Moral Arc: How Science and Reason Lead Humanity Toward Truth, Justice, and Freedom.  http://www.amazon.com/The-Moral-Arc-Science-Humanity/dp/0805096914  

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistUnitarian churches are essentially promoted as houses without walls, places were diverse opinions and cultures can converge in safety and without judgment.  But how can churches not have doctrines, specific holy books and/or dogmas?  Does the Unitarian church have merit as a place of respectful discussion on topics relating to belief, purpose and truth?  What are the colors, cultures, branches, sects and flavors of Universalist churches out there?  Michael Werner's book "Regaining Balance: the Evolution of the UUA"  http://huumanists.org/store/regaining-balance-evolution-uua 

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistThere are few experiences like attending a religious elementary school, high school or university.  Some religious institutions of "learning" are mild, moderate and relatively benign.  Others operate like puritan prisons.  And the strict (and often bizarre) rules imposed by these schools can be interesting, entertaining, and often alarming.This show features the experiences and stories of those raised in religious school environments.  Have something you want to share?  Email podcast@thethinkingatheist.com 

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.harrys.com (promo code thethinkingatheist)Faith healers!  Crystals!  Power bracelets!  Kinoki pads!  Applied kinesiology!  Chakras, Chi and Positive Vibrations!There's a lot of bunk out there.  In this podcast, a panel of three "debunking" experts join Seth Andrews for a lively (and often hysterical) conversation about science, scams and our weird world of woo.ON THE PANEL:Dr. Harriet Hall (the SkepDoc) is an MD, a retired family physician and former Air Force flight surgeon.  She's a columnist for Skeptic and Skeptical Inquirer, and she's one of the founders of the Science-Based Medicine website. Dr. Hall recently co-authored the textbook, "Consumer Health: a Guide to Intelligent Decisions.  Her websites:  http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org and http://www.skepdoc.infoJames Underdown has been the Executive Director of the Center for Inquiry Los Angeles since 1999.  He has written for Skeptical Inquirer and Free Inquiry magazine, and he is founder and chairman of the Independe

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistIt's one thing to "come out" as an atheist (or even someone with doubts) to associates, friends and family.  It's another thing to be "outed" by someone else, often against your knowledge or wishes.  This podcast talks about the challenges, both personal and professional, of those who've had their non-belief exposed on someone else's terms.Seth's "letter" of encouragement:  http://www.thethinkingatheist.com/blog/86/A-Letter-of-Encouragement

In this podcast, Seth Andrews explores the notion of "sacred cows" (ideas, icons and customs supposedly sacred and immune from criticism), and he reads a full chapter from his new book of the same name.  If you'd like to pre-order an autographed copy of the book (shipping in April and May 2015), check out the website:  http://www.sacredcowsbook.com 

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistBelievers in Heaven look forward to an afterlife.  But does their belief in posthumous existence alleviate their fears about death and dying?  How does the atheist approach the reality that, one day, the curtain will close on his/her life?Join us for an intriguing exploration of the subject of death. Your calls and emails:  podcast@thethinkingatheist.comCarol Fiore's book "Flight Through Fire" - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0989700402/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687602&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0989700429&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1HKP5XK3JJJ866XQ16PN AFTERLIFE VIDEO:  http://youtu.be/eeMoOJpvUlU

The Atheist Foundation of Australia is hosting a "Down Under" tour with Matt Dillahunty, AronRa and Seth Andrews in March 2015.  Join them for a casual chat about the "trinity," the trip, and whatever else comes up in conversation.TOUR DETAILS:  http://www.unholytrinitydownunder.comVIDEO OF THIS CONVERSATION ON YOUTUBE:  http://youtu.be/NLndXednlT4 

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistOften in conversations regarding religion, one party (or both) will declare that they're offended by a statement, belief, position or action.  But what does it mean to take offense, and should we be concerned about what others might consider offensive?We explore the issue.  Your calls and emails:  podcast@thethinkingatheist.comDan Arel's article: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/danthropology/2015/01/charlie-hebdo-has-a-right-to-offend-you-and-it-is-not-a-double-standard/

On January 7, 2015, two masked gunmen killed 12 people, 11 of whom worked for the French satirical newspaper, "Charlie Hebdo," a publication with a reputation for lampooning Islam and its prophet.Terror alerts remain high, and in the wake of the killings, Charlie Hebdo remained defiant, publishing a caricature of Muhammad on its very next issue.  Millions of copies immediately sold.Soon after, Pope Francis declared his condemnation of the attack and hi support for free speech, but also declared that "you cannot insult people's faith."The debate rages on.  Did these attackers truly represent the religion of Islam?  Should the attack have been expected because it was provoked?  Should satire expect protection in all of its forms, or are there limits?  And what should responsible media outlets do in regard to religion, free speech and the safety of its employees.Guests include Brian Dalton (Mr. Deity), Ali A. Rizvi, Faisal Saeed Al Mutar and others.  Plus your calls and emails (podcast@thethinkingatheist.com)fTh

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistRyan Bell, a former Seventh-day Adventist pastor, lived as an atheist for the entire year of 2014, chronicling the journey on his blog, http://www.patheos.com/blogs/yearwithoutgod.In December of 2014, Bell announced in an NPR interview that he no longer believes in God.  Both Christians and atheists have rallied around this declaration, for good and for ill. In this very special broadcast, we speak personally with Ryan Bell about his faith, his year without God, and about the circumstances which led to his desire to take such an unusual (and drastic) step.Charisma News article featuring Ryan:  http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/watchman-on-the-wall/46618-why-are-so-many-christians-turning-into-atheistsSeth's response video to "10 Women Christian Men Shouldn't Marry:  http://youtu.be/m1ugVyuRUv0 

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistSeth Andrews joins a live audience for this very special 200th episode.  Kick off the New Year with this celebration of the big 2-0-0. 

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistIt's our annual wrap-up of the best (and worst) of 2014.  What are the things that made the headlines?  Scientific breakthroughs?  Best films?  The most iconic figures?  The biggest successes and failures of the year?Join us for the final broadcast of the year.  Salon Article:  http://www.salon.com/2014/12/20/were_putting_an_end_to_religion_richard_dawkins_bill_maher_and_the_exploding_new_american_secularism