Beyond Atheism Podcast

Christopher Hitchens was perhaps the wittiest and most vibrant of the atheist “Four Horsemen” until his passing in 2011. In addition to religious criticism, over his long career as a writer and journalist, “Hitch” turned his critical pen against many figures, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, Henry Kissinger, and even Mother Teresa. But his career was not without controversy, particularly his su...

In the past, critics contended that atheists were simply wrong. Now, however, we have found a critique saying that atheists have overreached in their claims. So says the Notre Dame professor Christian Smith in his new book, Atheist Overreach: What Atheism Can’t Deliver. In this episode, Todd and Nathan respond to the arguments made in Smith’s book about universal morality, rational cheating, the l...

This week’s guest drops some shocking information: not only is religion declining around the globe, but atheists are proving to be more moral than fundamentalist Christians. To discuss how this came to be, we’re joined by Phil Zuckerman, a professor of sociology at Pitzer College in Claremont, California, and the author of several books, including What It Means to be Moral, The Nonreligious, Livin...

In this episode, Todd and Nathan talk about the different labels we use to describe ourselves as nonreligious people. Terms like atheist, agnostic, secularist, freethinker, and bright all have specific definitions – but they are also loaded with connotations and carry different social stigmas. What do these terms mean and how should they be understood? We assign a highly scientific, highly objecti...

Atheism, narrowly defined, is only concerned with the absence of gods. To build a foundation that grounds ethics and morality we need a positive worldview free from dogma and the supernatural. In this episode, we examine one worldview that goes “beyond atheism”: namely, religious naturalism. To discuss this idea, we are joined by Carol Wayne White, the Presidential Professor of Philosophy of Relig...

In this episode, we talk with Sarah Levin, the founder of Secular Strategies, a political consulting firm that works with policymakers, lawmakers, and non-profit organizations to be effective champions of secularism in the United States. We discuss her political work – from the grassroots to lobbying to serving on the Democratic National Committee’s Interfaith Council. We also talk about why secul...

In this episode, we are joined by Lucien Greaves, the co-founder and spokesperson of the Satanic Temple. We have a wide-ranging conversation about the founding of the Satanic Temple, their various legal battles for religious neutrality, the Baphomet Statue, Lucien’s appearances on Fox News, Satanic rituals, and the place for atheists in the congregations. We also have a round of “Can a True Satani...

In this episode, we are joined by Thomas Lawson, a writer, eulogist, and crematory operator, to talk about his new book, The Secret Clergy Bible. The book reveals some surprising doubts among clergy members in the nineteenth century about the Bible, Jesus, hell, miracles, and religion itself. After discussing the book, we turn toward Tom’s work as a cremationist and the connections he has made del...

Do certain political views flow from atheism? This is the question we tackle in the podcast, with reference to the slogan, “No Gods, No Masters.” The discussion brings up many reasons to reject the rule of religious authorities. But with no gods and no masters, are there any legitimate authorities for atheists to follow? What does it mean for an authority to be legitimate? PRRI Report on the 2020...

Episode 16: Black Nonbelievers, with Mandisa Thomas In this episode, we talk with Mandisa Thomas, the president and founder of Black Nonbelievers. We discuss her unique journey to atheism, how she created Black Nonbelievers, and how they are building a community to address the needs of Black atheists and others. We also find out, among other things, if Mandisa thinks a “true” atheist can say “bles...

In this episode, we talk about the “Harm Principle.” This principle claims government should only prohibit actions that harm someone else, and it guides much of our political discussions. We talk about whether this principle is actually valid, with reference to – among other things – littering, polygamy, blasphemy, mask-wearing, and one very evocative example! For more on the “harm principle”: htt...

Even in the most secular countries, some regions are very religious while some are more secular. In this episode, Prof. Tina Block takes us through the history of irreligion in the Pacific Northwest, traditionally the region with the lowest church attendance, religious identification, and participation in both the US and Canada. She describes the factors that helped shape the secular culture there...

Today we talk about what happens when a government tries to create an atheist society. This was attempted at various times in the brief history of the USSR – with surprising results. To help us understand the Soviets’ campaign against religion, we are joined by Dr. Victoria Smolkin. We discuss the Soviets’ struggle against religion, from building a secular administrative state, to militant atheism...

In this episode, Nathan and Todd are joined by Dr. Clare Stainthorp, an expert in atheism and freethought in nineteenth-century Britain. We talk about Clare’s exploration of the brief but amazing life of freethinking scientist/poet Constance Naden. We draw links between freethought and radical politics, and also make connections between the way freethinkers created community in the past and ‘zine...

In this episode, Todd and Nathan discuss Nathan’s recent article, “Reading John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty in the Age of ‘Cancel Culture’ and ‘Fake News’.” We discuss Mill’s famous defense of free speech and its limits. Along the way, we talk about the implications for present-day issues like “cancel culture,” Antifa’s answer to hate speech, and religious tolerance in a secular world. Reading John S...

In this episode, Nathan and Todd discuss the book, The Seven Types of Atheism, by John Gray. We talk about the seven types and offer comments and criticism along the way. Among the questions we raise are: Must atheists be miserable? Can atheists celebrate Christmas? Is there meaning in life for atheists? It’s not necessary to read the book before listening, but if you want a shorter entry into Gra...

In this episode, Todd and Nathan talk with Dr. Charles Devellennes about atheism in the French Enlightenment, the recent gilets jaunes (yellow vests) protests in France, next year’s French presidential election, and France’s model of secularism. Charles is a Senior Lecturer in Political and Social Thought at the School of Politics and International Relations, University of Kent, and the author of...

In this episode, Todd and Nathan talk with Dr. Greg Sharzer about his new book, Late Escapism and Contemporary Neoliberalism: Alienation, Work and Utopia (Routledge). We talk about religion as a means of escapism, as well secular ways of escaping the current neoliberal moment through things like video games, BTS fandom, DisneyLand, and the alternatives to market capitalism that informed his previo...

In this episode, Nathan and Todd talk with Dr. Kimberly Hamlin about her new book, Free Thinker: Sex, Suffrage, and the Extraordinary Life of Helen Hamilton Gardener. Gardener (1853-1925) lived a fascinating life: she was a freethought lecturer, a world traveler, and a key organizer for women’s suffrage. She was described as the “most potent factor” in the passage – in 1919 – of the 19th Amendment...

In this episode, Todd and Nathan discuss the history of atheism and its lessons for the present. How have atheists in the past lived? What barriers did they face? What values and politics did they espouse? We uncover some surprising commonalities and differences. Nathan’s article on the history of agnosticism:   https://thehumanist.com/magazine/march-april-2019/philosophically-speaking/philosophic...

In this episode, Nathan and Todd talk with Andrew Grossen, the Communications Manager at Secular Coalition for America. Among other things, we talk about the referendum campaigns Andrew worked on while in Ireland for the legalization of abortion, same-sex marriage, and blasphemy, and his current work with the Secular Coalition. Secular Coalition for America: https://secular.org/ Twitter: https://t...

In this episode, Todd and Nathan are joined by their first ever guest, Dr. Juhem Navarro-Rivera, the Research Director and Managing Partner at Socioanalitica Research and a scholar of politics, race, and religion. We talk about his latest project, the Secular Communities Survey, and learn a lot as he details some of the remarkable findings from his past research on the politics of nonreligious peo...

In this episode, Todd and Nathan discuss whether atheists can be moral. Is everything permitted without God? Where do we get our morality from? And what does jaywalking (or lack thereof) say about different societies? Secular Community Survey: https://secularcommunities.com/scs2021 Follow Nathan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NathGAlexander Follow Todd on Medium: https://todd-tavares.medium.com/...

Our most controversial episode yet! In this episode, Nathan and Todd ask: what is identity politics? Is ALL politics really identity politics? Todd has some thought experiments for Nathan. Le Chiffre (atheist villain in Casino Royale): https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=62&v=J0U0oY_nqbg&feature=youtu.be Secular Community Survey: https://secularcommunities.hfa.ucsb.edu/ Follow Nathan on Twitter: https...

In this episode, Nathan and Todd discuss atheist and other nonreligious voters and the 2020 American presidential election. We ask: why did these voters support Biden and the Democrats at such a high rate? For more, see their article: https://thehumanist.com/magazine/winter-2021/up-front/nonreligious-americans-the-key-demographic-that-no-one-is-talking-about