Freethought Radio

After reporting a slew of Christian Nationalist nonsense from pastors, government officials and our President, FFRF Action Fund's Senior Policy Counsel Ryan Jayne and State Policy Manager Ryan Dudley describe a slew of good and bad state-church bills in state legislatures so far this year.

We look at a new federal "religious liberty" report that could significantly reshape church-state separation in the United States, along with a Supreme Court ruling allowing states to ban transgender girls from school sports. We feature award-winning essays by three students – Gabrielle Williams , Jaianah Hightower and MeKah'E LeClair . We also hear Dan Barker's opening statement from a recent deb...

We first get the lowdown on the back and forth that Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., has gotten into with the Freedom From Religion Foundation regarding our objection to the Auburn University men's baseball program being suffused with religion. Then, we listen to writer Chrissy Stroop talk about her journey from evangelical schools to leading counternarratives about the Christian right.

Neurosurgeon Dr. Vivekanand Palavali joins us to examine how science unravels near-death and out-of-body experiences. Then, we hear from members of the Congressional Freethought Caucus who are pushing back against Christian nationalism and the false claim that America was founded as a Christian nation.

Historian Steven K. Green 's new book, "American Infidelity: The Gilded Age Battle Over Freethought, Free Love and Feminism," describes how 19th-century freethinkers fought religious laws such as the Comstock Act.

Founder and President of Black Nonbelievers Mandisa Thomas tells us about the June 12–14 "Revival of Reason" in Atlanta, celebrating the lives and views of Black Americans who live without religion. We also talk about Ten Commandments monuments, FFRF victories removing religion from public schools, and public officials discussing "aliens and demons."

What to do about religion at graduation ceremonies? FFRF State Policy Manager Ryan Dudley gives a roundup of state legislative actions this past spring. Then, Harvard student Ash Bu talks about her op-ed in The Crimson newspaper asking, "Where Are All the Atheists Hiding?"

We report on Trump's Christian-nationalist " Rededicate 250" rally in Washington, D.C., last Sunday. Then, Hope Pisoni of Uncloseted Media and John Washington of Lookout tell us about their joint report, " Your License Plate Might Be Funding an Anti-LGBTQ Extremist Group."

After reporting alarming Christian nationalist news, we talk with Amy Littlefield , author of "Killers of Roe: My Investigation into the Mysterious Death of Abortion Rights."

FFRF Director of Communications Amitabh Pal joins us as we interview journalist and author Sonia Faleiro about her book "The Robe and the Sword: How Buddhist Extremism is Shaping Modern Asia."

We hear excerpts of some of our favorite shows from the past two decades, including Gore Vidal, Christopher Hitchens, Ron Reagan, Ursula K. Le Guin, Sara Paretsky, Julia Sweeney, Daniel C. Dennett, Anne Gaylor, Cecile Richards, Ernie Chambers, Steve Benson, Anthony Pinn, Brent Michael Davids, Janeane Garofalo, Leighann Lord, Ann Druyan and Donald C. Johanson.

FFRF Legal Director Patrick Elliott tells us about the disappointing 5th-Circuit appeals decision allowing Ten Commandments in Texas public schools. Then, author and columnist Kate Cohen tells us "Why Exodus Needs a Rewrite."

After offering a fresh perspective on President Trump masquerading as Jesus and other news of the week, we interview  Johnnie Cotton, a Texas band director who resigned rather than put up a Ten Commandments poster in his classroom.

Theocrats are active in our federal government and also from beyond the moon! After FFRF staff attorney Sammi Lawrence describes recent state/church victories, we honor the life, words and legacy of Ishmael Jaffree , whose 1985 Supreme Court victory removed prayer and bible reading from public schools.  

Attorney Sam Grover describes FFRF's court victory demanding the removal of the Ten Commandments from the Arkansas capitol. Then, activist Lucas F. W. Wilson , a survivor of "conversion therapy," discusses his book " Shame-Sex Attraction: Survivors' Stories of Conversion Therapy. "

After reporting on a deluge of Christian nationalist rhetoric from Congress, the White House and the Pentagon, we talk with David G. McAfee , author of the book " Hi, I'm an Atheist! What That Means and How to Talk About It with Others. "  

After we cover state/church news in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Maryland, FFRF attorney Chris Line dissects the so-called "Religious Liberty Commission" and FFRF attorney Nancy Noet tells us about this week's decision by an Arkansas court permanently enjoining the state from displaying the Ten Commandments in public classrooms.

We talk about the Iran war with Mother Jones national correspondent Kiera Butler , author of the article: "Trump's Holy Warriors Finally Got the Apocalypse They've Prayed For."

Moroccan feminist/activist/freethinker Ibtissame ("Betty") Lachgar is in prison for wearing a T-shirt that insulted Islam. Hear about her harrowing story and about how you can help to free her.

After reporting state/church news, we talk with Texas schoolteacher  Gigi Cervantes  who tells us why she quit her job rather than force the Ten Commandments on students.

FFRF Communications Director Amit Pal and FFRF Multimedia Producer Leo Costello break down the latest state-church headlines, including troubling rhetoric at the National Gathering for Prayer and Repentance led by House Speaker Mike Johnson. Then, historian Chris Cameron explores the freethinkers of color who helped build a powerful tradition of Black secularism in America.

FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence reports about a high school softball team in Missouri that had religion pushed on it, and how FFRF was able to put a stop to this. Then, U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman reviews this year's National Prayer Breakfast in D.C. and provides some insight into future plans for the Congressional Freethought Caucus.

FFRF Legal Director Patrick Elliott reports on FFRF's exciting new legal developments to protect state/church separation. Then as a memorial tribute, we play an interview of Barbara G. Walker, a provocative bestselling skeptic and feminist who died recently.

Peruvian journalist Paola Ugaz tells us how her investigation (with colleague Pedro Salinas) led to the downfall of the Sodalitium, a Catholic cult that was sexually, physically and psychologically abusing young people.

What is a "godman"? Tune in to find out. FFRF Senior Attorney Sam Grover gives an eyewitness account of oral arguments over Ten Commandments-in-schools court challenges. Next, Gauhar Raza , an Indian scientist, poet and social activist, tells us about his latest book, "From Myths to Science."