TheThinkingAtheist

On April 12th, 2014, Seth Andrews spoke in San Diego, California to a standing-room-only crowd at the VisionPulse Creative Event & Meeting Center.  His presentation, titled "The Ultimate Question," dealt with religion, indoctrination, curiosity, fear and the liberation from superstitious chains.  This is the audio of that presentation. VIDEO VERSION OF THE SPEECH:   http://youtu.be/csxLnEUNNS8 THE...

Merriam Webster defines the word apologetics as: 1)  systematic argumentative discourse in defense (as of a doctrine) 2)  a branch of theology devoted to the defense of the divine origin and authority of Christianity And apologists are everywhere, using lofty language and theological acrobatics to defend belief systems which can't otherwise be defended. This two-part podcast talks about many promi...

Merriam Webster defines the word apologetics as: 1)  systematic argumentative discourse in defense (as of a doctrine) 2)  a branch of theology devoted to the defense of the divine origin and authority of Christianity And apologists are everywhere, using lofty language and theological acrobatics to defend belief systems which can't otherwise be defended.   This two-part podcast talks about many pro...

Dr. Carolyn C. Porco is an American planetary scientist known for her work on the Voyager missions to Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune in the 1980s.  She leads the imaging scientist team on the Cassini mission currently in orbit around Saturn.  She’s also involved with the New Horizons mission launched to Pluto.  She has authored more than 100 scientific papers.  She has given two popular Ted T...

On Saturday, May 31st at the Marriot East in Memphis, TN, atheist Matt Dillahunty and presuppositional apologist Sye Ten Bruggencate took the stage before a live audience to debate the topic, "Is It Reasonable To Believe God Exists?" This is the audio of that exchange. The video version of this debate can be seen on The Thinking Atheist YouTube channel at:   http://youtu.be/OL8LREmbDi0   Become a...

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:   http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist Organizations like the Institute for Creation Research declare that fossils prove a young earth and in no way contradict the creation account of Genesis.  In fact, religious "scientists" and apologists worldwide declare that secular science isn't just incorrect about dinosaurs, fossils and the age of the planet, but that it might be a...

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:   http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist This podcast is all abour your email.  Share a story.  Vent about a topic important to you.  Ask a question.  Share a humorous anecdote.  Whatever. Email your letters 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 "The United States is a Christian nation!" We hear this charge quite often, usually accompanied by references to the Ten Commandments in government courthouses, references to God in the pledge of allegiance and on American currency, and most recently, in the ruling by the Supreme Court that government meetings can open with Christian...

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:   http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist Throughout history, pastors, preachers, healers and holy rollers have claimed to directly channel God in the performance of miracles.  The sick and afflicted stand in long lines to be touched and cured by these (supposed) conduits of divine healing power.   But how effective are these healers?  What types of miracles are claimed and r...

SPONSORED BY:   http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist It's one thing to reject a belief in gods.  It's another thing to actually broadcast that information to religious family, friends, employers, neighbors and even total strangers. In many instances, the consequences can be significant.  Families divide.  Friends disappear.  Voices are raised.  Accusations are made.  In certain regions and cul...

This podcast is titled after the new book by Suominen and Price, available here:    http://evolvingoutofeden.com Evolution has been proven beyond legitimate scientific dispute.  We are evolved creatures, a process of random mutation and DNA crossover, genetic drift, horizontal gene transfer and natural selection.  We are not the descendants of Adam. This is troubling to the believer in the Genesis...

What happens when you reject religion AFTER you've already raised your children to believe in God? How does a parent approach children to inform them that the years of church services, mealtime prayers, bible verses and godspeak were actually a mistake, and what are the potential repercussions and responses?  Anger?  Denial?  Relief?  Joy? This show talks about parents who, for whatever reason, ra...

Hollywood isn't generally known for popping out religious films, but in recent months (and periodically throughout the decades), they've become big box office and big business. In this lighthearted show, we look at religious films from the past century, from Cecil B. Demile fare to the recent "Son of God" and various non-Hollywood movies that have "blessed" theater screens with tales of divinity,...

In his presentation “Breaking the Taboo of Atheism in Black Communities,” Leo Igwe said that “If there are people who should be religious and theistic today, it is not black people.” Yet black people are reputed to be the most religious people on earth, and the social stigma for the black atheist can be significant and often severe. As skeptics, how do we approach the issue of color in relation to...

"Personal Relationship With Reality" t-shirt (and more):   https://garmentdeli.com/thethinkingatheist On March 1st, 2014, The PalTalk chat room "Believers VS Non-Believers" asked Seth Andrews, host of The Thinking Atheist, to join the group for a lively discussion between atheists and advocates of religion/spiritualism.   This podcast is a presentation of audio from that conversation, slightly abr...

Fred Phelps, reviled (and excommunicated) pastor of Westboro Baptist Church, built his life upon a foundation of hatred: the protests of military funerals, the condemnation of homosexuals, professed gratitude to God for terrorist attacks, and much more. Recent news reports of Fred Phelps' death have again brought his name and face to worldwide attention, prompted by a public statement from his own...

CAMP QUEST DONATION LINK:   http://www.youcaring.com/nonprofits/2014-cqok-fundraising-drive/145726 It's the most popular religion on earth.  But are its claims easily refuted, dismantled and debunked?   In this episode, we talk to John W. Loftus, a former minister and Christian educator.  A prolific speaker, author and blogger, Loftus speaks about his own journey out of faith and what he feels are...

Podcast sponsored by http://ComputerLearningZone.net In the 70s, 80s and early 90s, a phenomenon known today as The Satanic Panic swept the United States, as the evangelical Christian community charged that a vast underground network of Satanists were controlling large parts of society.   Believers were warned about products subsidized by Satan, including over-the-counter items like detergent and...

Is atheism a replacement for religion?  Or is atheism simply another religion? As non-theists and freethought groups organize, gather and even sometimes attend things like the "Sunday assembly," the charge is often heard that the godless are acting religious, that their adherence to science is "faith," and that their gatherings are just anothe form of church. In this show, we explore the question....

Leaving any faith can be difficult...even traumatic.  In some faiths and in some cultures, it can be dangerous. This show features the voices and stories of several ex-Muslims.  We attempt to gain a better understanding of Islam and Muslim traditions, the reasons for their apostasy, and the potential consequences. Join us for a fascinating look at the life of an ex-Muslim. Imad Iddine Habib:   htt...

Romans 8:28 declares, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Luke 12 says that the very hairs on our heads are numbered, and that even the sparrows are not forgotten by God.  To the believer, God says "Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." But are the faithful truly insulated from calamity,...

Sponsored by Audible.  Get a free audiobook and 30-day trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/thethinkingatheist Is evolution a theory or fact?  Or both?  Is evolution "true?" Dr. Jerry Coyne has a Ph. D in evolutionary biology from Harvard, and he serves as professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Chicago.  He is a member of both the Committee on Genetics and the Co...

As The Thinking Atheist radio podcast originates in the United States (and because its host often speaks to his former faith, Christianity), the show often focuses on American culture, American politics, and American issues regarding religion and atheism. This week, we travel beyond the borders of the 50 states to explore Atheism Around the World.   Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www....

Does religion cheat people out of contentment and comfort with their views, their self-worth, their sexuality, etc? Dr. Darrel Ray is author of the book, "The God Virus: How Religion Affects Our Lives and Culture," and "Sex & God: How Religion Distorts Sexuality." In his writings and presentations, Darrel reveals the subtle (and not so subtle) ways that religion uses shame as a weapon against thos...

On February 4th, 2014, Bill Nye ("The Science Guy") has agreed to debate Ken Ham, president of Answers In Genesis and The Creation Museum.  The debate will take place on Ham's home turf, at The Creation Museum, and the 800 available tickets sold out almost immediately. This event raises the larger question:  Should scientists agree to these types of debates? Some (like Richard Dawkins) say "no," a...