TheThinkingAtheist

Steve Hill, Maryellen Hooper and Keith Lowell Jensen are professional comedians.  They are also atheists. In this roundtable discussion, Seth Andrews asks them about life on the road (and the stage), how their non-belief in the supernatural influences their material, facing the hecklers, and their desires to make people laugh while, perhaps, also making them think. Steve Hill:    http://www.steveh...

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:   http://www.harrys.com (promo code: thinkingatheist) Is it possible to "talk someone out of their faith?"  Is it even appropriate or worthwhile to make an attempt?  If so, how might atheists best approach those with deep-seated (and often lifelong) religious convictions to foster real discourse and encourage critical thinking? Dr. Peter Boghossian is author of the book, "A Ma...

Halloween is almost upon us, which means it's time again to turn down the lights, crank up the podcast, and share some ghost stories. Yes, skeptics can enjoy ghost stories, and this annual tradition has become hugely popular with the TTA audience.  So prepare to enter a world of ghosts, ghouls, footsteps in the dark, whispers from under the bed, and things that go bump in the night. Happy Hallowee...

Why do we become afraid?  Is it rational or irrational to fear the dark, spiders, the boogeyman, the things that go bump in the night? It's October, the month of frights. So, a week in advance of our Ghost Stories episode, we expore the concept of fear, and we talk about the things that keep us awake in the still of the night (or in the light of the day).  Special thanks to our special guest: Dr....

Christianity.  Where did it come from?  Who wrote the books of the Bible?  Is there any evidence for a god or man named Jesus?  Why has Christianity remained so popular over the ages?   This podcast features two interviews, conducted by Seth Andrews, with historians and researchers who speak about the origins the New Testament Gospels, the ever-changing face of Christianity, history versus myth, a...

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.audiblepodcast.com/thinkingatheist Muhammad Syed is the executive director and Sarah Haider is director of development of Ex-Muslims of North America.  Both are former Muslims.  Armin Navabi is a former Muslim from Iran and the founder of Atheist Republic. In this broadcast, the panel speaks with Seth Andrews about Islam, radical Islamism, cultural Muslims, "The Re...

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:   http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist Chris Matheson was co-screenwriter on the 1989 comedy film, "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure."  Chris' most recent adventure is an exploration of the Christian holy book, rewriting the "sacred" texts and releasing his synopsis of scripture as the new book, "The Story of God: a Biblical Comedy about Love (and Hate). In this broadcast,...

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  audiblepodcast.com/thinkingatheist A listener on the TTA Facebook page recently asked Seth Andrews to respond to a "Letter to the Editor" posted in Seth's hometown paper, the Tulsa World.  Usually, as skeptics, we let these kinds of posts slide, because they often don't accomplish much and/or they generate more trouble that they're worth. But in this case, Seth responded, and...

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:   http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist Gretta Vosper has been an atheist for many years, and she preaches/teaches from the perspective of a Bible skeptic, a rationalist, a humanist, and a non-believer in a literal god.   Now, the United Church of Canada is considering her removal from church leadership because of her atheism.  In this broadcast, we talk with Gretta persona...

Support our sponsor:   http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist Penn Jillette is half of the hugely popular duo, "Penn & Teller."  Over the decades, he's done appearances on Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show, Letterman, The Simpsons, The West Wing, Babylon 5, Fear Factor and a host of other shows.  Penn & Teller's Showtime series "Bullshit" ran for 8 seasons, and they're the feature show at La...

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:   http://www.harrys.com (coupon code: thinkingatheist) Relating to Chaos Theory, the term "butterfly effect" relates to the tiniest of influences leading to large differences in deterministic nonlinear systems.  One incarnation of the saying suggests that one flap of a single butterfly's wings in Beijing might change the weather in New York.  (Perhaps you remember Jurassic Par...

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:   http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist What is "transgender?"  How is sexual identity determined?  What are the challenges and opportunites facing those who don't fit into established cultural definitions of gender?  What is this all about? In this broadcast, we get an education and have some frank and positive discussion on the issue.  Joining us is Stephanie Guttormson o...

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:   http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist What's on your mind?  Well...this is your chance to sound off.  Call the broadcast to speak with Seth Andrews, or send an email to podcast@thethinkingatheist.com   Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support .

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:   http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist This show is dedicated to the more unusual, bizarre, weird, wild, and often jaw-droppingly offensive apologetics defenses of religious beliefs.  What's most surprising is that many making these claims aren't actually deviating very far from the edicts of their various religions and holy texts.   Steve Shives' YouTube page:   https://w...

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:   http://www.evolvefish.com SHOP THE TTA STORE:   http://www.evolvefish.com/The-Thinking-Atheist-s/1840.htm Wait.  Sex addiction is a myth?   This podcast features two major parts: 1)  The June 20th, 2015 presentation by Dr. Darrel Ray at FreeOK on this very subject.  VIDEO HERE:   https://youtu.be/zzmQsjeqOyk 2)  A follow-up radio conversation between Seth Andrews with Dr. Ra...

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:   http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist Three special guests join us for tonight's broadcast.  Joshua Roseneau is an evolutionary biologist and serves as Programs and Policy Director for the National Center for Science Education (NCSE).  Dr. Barbara Forrest is a professor of philosophy at Southeastern Louisiana University and author of "Creationism's Trojan Horse: the Wedge...

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:   http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist In his June 20, 2015 speech at the Oklahoma Freethought Convention, Seth Andrews explored how easily we, as human beings, become infatuated with ideas over facts, often leading to incorrect and even damaging assumptions that keep us in the dark. What happens when we'd rather believe than know?  This presentation explores the question...

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:   http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist Beat Magazine calls Shelley's voice an "enchanting, knowing croon...with brilliant pop melodies."  Raised in a traditional Jewish culture, Shelley Segal ultimately found herself an atheist with a new zest for life and a message of encouragement for others to do the same.  Her music can often be heard at freethought conventions, and he...

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:   http://www.harrys.com (promo code: thinkingatheist) Today's show is, simply, a reading of the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac.  However, author Ed Suominen has fleshed out the story in alarming detail...and he has added a bizarre twist to the tale. How do most people feel about Abraham's deed (or "almost deed")?  His faith?  His character?  And after they hear this versi...

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:   http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist They're often known as PKs.  Preacher's kids.  Children of clergy who often grow up either embracing or condemning the often strict church cultures imposed upon them.  They've seen the "ministry" from behind closed doors, and their stories are enlightening. In this broadcast, we explore the life of a Preacher's Kid. Become a supporter...

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:   http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist This is a fun one.  Seth Andrews explores some religions borne or (or influenced by) iconic films.  In this episode, he interviews a representative of The Temple of the Jedi Order (Star Wars), and a Dudeist Priest from The Church of the Latter Day Dude (The Big Lebowski). These are likely not the churches you'd see on a neighborhood s...

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:   http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist In last week's episode, Seth Andrews mentioned that his laptop was stolen from a parked car.  This scenario sparked an intense debate about criminals, victims, responsibility, society, poverty and privilege.  The opportunity was too good to pass up, so we're continuing the discussion on this broadcast. Featuring Dr. Jerry Coyne, and D...

Sponsored by the Freethought Florida Convention.  Tickets and details at http://www.free-flo.org Change.  It's the universal constant.  Seth Andrews spends a candid evening speaking about the unexpected, difficult, scary and often exhilarating idea of change, and some interesting changes in his own life. Also support TTA content at:   http://www.thethinkingatheist.com (CONTRIBUTE tab) Become a sup...

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:   http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist Seth's original show topic fell through this week.  So, this podcast ISN'T the show he'd planned, but it will be an enjoyable potpourri of emails, calls, topics and ideas.  Sometimes, the unplanned parties are the best ones.  Come join us.   David Thorne "The Permission Slip":   http://27bslash6.com/easter.html Become a supporter of t...

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:   http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist Two special guests share their perspective on tonight's show: Todd Stiefel is a graduate of Duke University and spent 12 years as a key player at Stiefel Laboratories.  Now a full-time activist, Todd is one of the driving forces behind the Openly Secular site and campaign.  He also involves himself with secular humanist causes and cha...