Thethinkingatheist

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistThe Quiverfull Movement is a lifestyle among fundamentalist Christians which believes that an abundance of children is in compliance with God's perfect will.  Contraception equals abortion, a heinous sin against God, so the only "family planning" that's done is a prayer to the sky that His will be done.  The Quiverfull Movement is highly patriarchal and often has a dark side in relation to the rights of women and children.In this episode, we explore The Quiverfull Movement, we speak with Kathryn Joyce, author of the book: "Quiverfull: Inside the Christian Patriarchy Movement," and we speak to some who once experienced this culture inside its walls, including Vykie Garrison, who hosts the online community, "No Longer Quivering."Kathryn Joyce's book:  http://www.amazon.com/Quiverfull-Inside-Christian-Patriarchy-Movement/dp/0807010707/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233348792&sr=8-1Link to "The Onion" article:  http://www.theonion.com

Killing some time.  Testing some new gear.  Talking about whatever.  It's a casual evening among friends, and a very loose "unscheduled" radio podcast for the TTA audience.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistFor many who have escaped from religious beliefs and cultures, there was a single event (or series of events) which ultimately tipped them over the edge.  In this podcast, we hear the personal stories of apostates, and the "tipping points" which ultimately caused them to call themselves non-believers.Share your story at podcast@thethinkingatheist.com 

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistThe late Christopher Hitchens once said that "Mockery of religion is one of the most essential things...one of the beginnings of the human emancipation is the ability to laugh at authority.  It's indispensable."  But does the mockery of religious belief close minds (and doors) as skeptics attempt to promote rationalism and disabuse superstitious people of their faiths (and is that even a goal)?  Should the ridiculous be ridiculed, or should we find other methods for exposing the cracks in religious foundations?Greta Christina's Blog "Is It OK to Mock Religion?" http://freethoughtblogs.com/greta/2009/05/28/is-it-okay-to-mock-religion/

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistOur original podcast guest had to postpone, so AronRa jumps into the mix for a casual (and random) conversation with Seth Andrews about God, Satan, the shattered Ten Commandments monument, Governor Rick Perry, a host of pre-Christian deities and some details about the Australia leg of the Unholy Trinity Tour in 2015.Sit back, relax and enjoy this conversation among friends.ARON'S SKEPTOKON SPEECH:  http://www.patreon.com/creation?hid=1142790RA-MEN PODCAST:  http://www.thera-men.com

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.evolvefish.comIt's an annual tradition.  Each October, in advance of Halloween, we gather around the virtual campfire to share our favorite ghost stories.  (Yes, atheists often love tales of the supernatural, as we enjoy all manner of fiction and storytelling.)  So dim the lights, place a candle in the jack-o-lantern, and join us for some spooky tales of things that go bump in the night.History of Halloween podcast:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thethinkingatheist/2011/10/14/halloween-history-and-the-church

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistIt's October, the season of Halloween and a time when we fright and delight each other with spooks, scares and things that go bump in the night.  In advance of next week's "Ghost Stories" podcast (a yearly tradition), we spend this episode talking about the things that scare us.  Rational fears.  Irrational fears.  The things that make us shudder.  The things that make us scream.Your calls and emails welcome.  Scared of something?  Email podcast@thethinkingatheist.com

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistReverend Bob Ripley was a minister for over 30 years, with 15 of those years as Senior Minister at Metropolitan United Church, one of the most prominent churches of the United Church of Canada.  He wrote a syndicated column discussing religion for 25 years.In his September 26, 2014 column on LFPress, he announced to the world that he no longer believed in God.  He's releasing a book which chronicles his journey, titled "Life Beyond Belief: a Preacher's Deconversion."Bob joins Seth Andrews for a candid discussion about his life, his beliefs, his doubts, and the transition from Christian minister to skeptic/humanist.BOB'S WEBSITE:  www.lifebeyondbelief.caBOB'S COLUMN:  http://www.lfpress.com/2014/09/26/ripley-how-my-mind-has-changedARONRA:  Theism is Irrational http://www.patreon.com/creation?hid=1042266&u=198656

Support our sponsor:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistQuite often, religious people declare that all atheists are "angry atheists."  Is this an accurate statement, and what place does anger have in the battle against superstition?  What are the stories behind those who have been genuinely hurt by religion, and how does anger help and/or harm our ability to persuade others to embrace an evidence-based, dogma-free life?This podcast is about the angry atheist.  Seth's Patreon page:  http://www.patreon.com/sethandrews

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistCreated by the late science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology is a religion/cult which teaches that humans are actually immortal beings who, having forgotten their true nature, require intensive (and expensive) "auditing" techniques to rediscover their true, immortal selves.Reports and allegations have been made, by journalists, courts, and governmental bodies of several countries, that the Church of Scientology is an unscrupulous commercial enterprise that harasses its critics and brutally exploits its members.In this compelling episode, we explore Scientology's practices, and we hear from those who escaped its shadow. Tony Ortega "The Underground Bunker:"  http://tonyortega.orgTory Christman's YouTube page:  https://www.youtube.com/user/ToryMagoo44Mark Bunker's Knowledge Report: http://www.knowledgereport-themovie.comScientific American article "The Real Science Behind Scientology": http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-real-scie

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://absenceofclothing.comChildren raised in Christian homes are almost always surrounded by beautiful and inspiring tales hand-picked by parents for bedtime.  They're inspired by Jesus' miracles.  They learn about Zacchaeus and the sycamore tree.  They sing about Joshua and the walls of Jericho.  They read the joyous tale of Noah's Ark and the boat filled with (often colorfully-drawn) animals.In this podcast, we talk with Joey Kirkman, co-author of "Bedtime Bible Stories," about the darker tales of scripture and his recent book (complete with parental advisory label), and we take your calls and emails on the bible tales that might just keep Christian children wide awake with terror when the lights go out.Bedtime Bible Stories website:  http://www.bedtimebiblestories.comEd Suominen: Jehu's Jihad  http://blog.edsuom.com/p/jehus-jihad.html

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistMany skeptics and rationalists come from religions, cultures and behaviors that stand far apart from their current relationships with reality.  This show takes an entertaining look at the strange beliefs many atheists once held and explores how otherwise rational minds can entertain the irrational, the unusual and the bizarre.Want to tell your story?  Email podcast@thethinkingatheist.com

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistWe had to move some shows around at the last minute, so tonight is a "freestyle" podcast, where you talk about whatever's on your mind.  WEDDING GIFT BEYOND BELIEF (charity drive):  http://www.razoo.com/story/A-Wedding-Gift-Beyond-BeliefSeth's Patreon page:  http://www.patreon.com/sethandrews

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistGIVE A WEDDING GIFT:  http://www.razoo.com/story/A-Wedding-Gift-Beyond-BeliefSECULAR THERAPIST BLOG ARTICLE:  http://freethoughtblogs.com/greta/2014/08/20/secular-therapist-project/JERRY COYNE'S ARTICLE ON ROBIN WILLIAMS (with Stephen Fry letter): http://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/robin-williams-depression-and-stephen-fryIn recent weeks, we've been dealing with the human mind and its ability to accept irrational things.  This week, we're dealing directly with the complex issue of mental health, specifically things like depression, anxiety, grief, addiction, mood disorders and more.  Blogger, speaker and activist JT Eberhard has revealed publicly his own battles with depression, giving a talk at Skepticon 4 titled, "Mental Illness and Why The Skeptic Community Should Give a Shit."  (LINK: http://youtu.be/UI-YvrHZVvk) Michaelyn Eberhard has a bachelors degree in neuroscience and is a freethought activist.  Jeremiah Beene studies Ph.D

In this "bonus" podcast, your humble host shares some (often humorous) stories from his recent Alaska wedding, and then he asks the radio audience for a wedding gift.  That gift...is probably not what you're expecting.VISIT THIS LINK TO GIVE YOUR WEDDING GIFT (and thanks!):  http://www.razoo.com/story/A-Wedding-Gift-Beyond-Belief

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistIt's a topic we cover occasionally, partially because the issue of secular parenting is such a relevant issue, and partially because the subject is often as complex and unique as the families navigating through it.How does a godless parent approach the teaching of a child as opposed to the indoctrination of a child?  What are some successful methods for raising a genuine freethinker?  What are some of the potential problems?  In this episode, we share your perspectives and stories, and we also speak with Dan Arel, blogger, journalist and author of the new book, "Parenting Without God."  (http://www.parentingwithoutgod.com)Email the show: podcast@thethinkingatheist.com

In the spring of 2014, atheists AronRa, Seth Andrews and Matt Dillahunty teamed up for a 3-city tour bearing the tongue-in-cheek-titled name, "The Unholy Trinity."  This podcast features the audio from AronRa's San Antonio presentation, and it's part three of a 3-part podcast series from this tour.  Enjoy.  VIDEO of Aron's presentation is on YouTube:  http://youtu.be/bXHsFlizTbs

In the spring of 2014, atheists AronRa, Seth Andrews and Matt Dillahunty teamed up for a 3-city tour bearing the tongue-in-cheek-titled name, "The Unholy Trinity."  Seth's speech video on YouTube:  http://youtu.be/8tVBtyDqD90This podcast features the audio from Seth Andrews' Albuquerque presentation, and it's part two of a 3-part podcast series from this tour.  Enjoy.  

In the spring of 2014, atheists AronRa, Seth Andrews and Matt Dillahunty teamed up for a 3-city tour bearing the tongue-in-cheek-titled name, "The Unholy Trinity."  This podcast features the audio from Matt Dillahunty's Amarillo presentation, and it's part one of a 3-part podcast series from this tour.Video of Matt's speech is here:  http://youtu.be/SBwv79WFqAc? 

How does the human brain accept rationality AND irrationality?  What are the mechanisms at play when it comes to the acceptance of religious beliefs and claims?  Are some people more predisposed to superstitious thinking than others?  What are the best approaches to help promote science, reason, rationality and evidence-based thinking?Joining us for this show will be Dr. Caleb Lack (http://www.caleblack.com) a clinical psychologist and educator on psychology, critical thinking and science VS pseudoscience.  He writes the "Great Plains Skeptic" column on the Skeptic Ink Network (http://www.skepticink.com)BOOK:  13 Reasons to Doubt:  http://www.amazon.com/13-Reasons-Doubt-writers-Skeptic-ebook/dp/B00LRFK548/