Introduction

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 objective score out of 10 to each label! We also discuss whether a “true atheist” can lie about their beliefs or use money with a monarch on it.
In the bonus content, available exclusively for Patrons on our Patreon page, Todd describes a recent run-in with the mayor of his town in New Jersey and describes how he used what he learned from previous guests to get his point across to a political leader.
Nathan’s article, “An Atheist with a Tall Hat On: The Forgotten History of Agnosticism”: https://thehumanist.com/magazine/march-april-2019/philosophically-speaking/philosophically-speaking-an-atheist-with-a-tall-hat-on-the-forgotten-history-of-agnosticism/
How Humanist Are You? (Quiz from Humanists UK): https://humanists.uk/humanism/how-humanist-are-you/
On the “Brights”: https://ahsplus.blog/2021/08/23/were-the-brights-really-such-a-bad-idea/
Upcoming virtual book launch (September 15th) for the two-volume Cambridge History of Atheism: https://atheismsecularismhumanism.wordpress.com/seminars/
Follow Nathan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NathGAlexander
Nathan’s website: https://www.nathangalexander.com/
If you find the podcast valuable and want to support it, check out our Patreon page, where you will also find bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/beyond_atheism You can also contribute by going to https://anchor.fm/beyond-atheism and clicking the “Support” button. We are grateful for every contribution.