TheThinkingAtheist

Ken Ham, co-founder of Answers in Genesis and the Creation Museum, discusses the controversies surrounding the funding and discriminatory hiring practices of the Ark Encounter. The speakers also explore the illegalities and lack of IRS investigation. They speculate on the future of the Ark Encounter as a long-term attraction.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistDr. Paul Offit is Director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, as well as the Maurice R. Hilleman Professor of Vaccinology, and a Professor of Pediatrics at the Perleman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.  He has received awards for his work from the University of Maryland, the Infectious Disease Society of America, the National Institutes of Health, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and more, and he was elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences in 2011.  An author of over 150 scientific papers, Dr. Offit is the co-inventor of the rotavirus vaccine, "Rotateq," and he released the book, "Bad Faith: When Religious Belief Undermines Modern Medicine," which was selected as an Editor's Choice by the New York Times in 2015.In this 2nd half of our "Medical Neglect" show, Dr. Offit speaks with Seth Andrews about faith, medicine, belief, and faith-based ideas which often harm those who embrace them.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

There are two words that, too often, mean the difference between life and death:  Religious.  Exemption.  Individuals and families who reject necessary medical care in favor of prayer and adherence to strict church restrictions often pay with their lives, or the lives of their children.  Rita Swan is the director of CHILD, INC, and she has firsthand experience with this.  Rita has since dedicated her life to child advocacy and the fight to protect children from (often well-meaning) parents who keep them far from hospital care, and far from the health solutions they desperately need.It's a difficult subject, but a necessary discussion about faith, parental responsibility, and the need for real-world solutions to real-world problems.This is part one of a two-part show on this subject.  Part two features Dr. Paul Offit, author of the book, "Bad Faith: When Religious Belief Undermines Modern Medicine," which airs February 2, 2016.CHILD, INC LINKS:http://www.childrenshealthcare.orghttp://www.idahochildren.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.comDr. Michael Shermer is the founding publisher of Skeptic Magazine and author of several books, including "The Moral Arc: How Science and Reason Lead Humanity Toward Truth, Justice and Freedom," and "Why People Believe Weird Things: Pseudoscience, Superstition and Other Confusions of our Time."  In this conversation with Seth Andrews, Dr. Shermer addresses some of the recent (and alarming) statements made by educated and (it would seem) very intelligent public figures, and we explore the relationship between the intelligent and the irrational brain.Video of the interview with Michael Shermer:  https://youtu.be/jLEQCipy6NMBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistThis podcast is a digression from our usual subject matter...a romp through the interesting explanations of random sayings, occurrences, facts and traditions.  What makes a cat purr?  Why do weddings have a "best man?"  Why do tennis scores use "love" instead of "zero?"  Why do people choose chopsticks over the fork?  Why is it "soccer" in America and "football" in Europe?  Can a human live for any length of time exposed in space?  Etc.We won't change the world with this show, but as seekers of knowledge (even trivial knowledge), we'll learn some interesting stuff, and we'll have some fun together.  EnjoyOATMEAL article "Who VS Whom:"  http://theoatmeal.com/comics/who_vs_whom Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Another year closes its doors, and we look forward to 2016.  In advance of the New Year holiday, we take a look back at many of the people and events that defined the past twelve months. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

David Silverman is a self-proclaimed "atheist billboard" and "firebrand atheist."  As President of American Atheists, he has been at the point position on many controversial issues (and the occasional lawsuit), and he has just released a new book called, "Fighting God: An Atheist Manifesto for a Religious World."David spoke with Seth Andrews about the book, the lightning rod of David's particular brand of activism, and the rise of non-belief in America.  This conversation can also be seen on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/9aSyjQjC2yoBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.harrys.com (promo code: thinkingatheist)This will be the last radio podcast until the Christmas holiday.  It's a romp around the globe, as we explore some Christmas traditions beyond Santa, Frosty the Snowman, holiday ham, and the baby Jesus. Get ready for Christmas witches, fried chicken feasts, Festivus ("for the rest of us"), the Spanish pooper, and of course, the Krampus.Seth writes about the Krampus (and many other things) in his book, "Sacred Cows: a Lighthearted Look at Belief and Tradition Around the World."Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

This is a 30-minute conversation between Seth Andrews and YouTube activist Steve Shives, recorded recently at the Pennsylvania Atheist/Humanist Conference in Harrisburg, PA.  Video of this conversation can be seen here:  https://youtu.be/2Q4Yv3rgv-0Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.evolvefish.com"War On Christmas" has been used so much in the media, it has become a parody of itself.  And yet many still hold to the belief that the baby Jesus is under attack by atheists and secular humanists, and the protests sound at full volume every December.In this broadcast, we talk about some of the noise out there, and we speak to Andrew Seidel of the Freedom From Religion Foundation about the holiday, church/state separation, lawsuits over nativity scenes, atheist holiday celebrations and more.Andrew Siedel onFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Andrew-L-Seidel-750945458347916/?fref=tsTwitter:  @AndrewLSeidelCHRISTMAS: BEHIND THE CURTAIN:YouTube:  https://youtu.be/kenbgMjRvlYFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/seth.andrews.31/videos/vb.100001992705053/931270510282697/?type=2&theaterBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.