TheThinkingAtheist

From time to time, we do an unscripted broadcast where the listeners provide the theme and content.  This is one of those shows.  Lots of random stuff in here.  Enjoy.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

This podcast features the audio from Seth Andrews' presentation at FreeFlo 2015, the Freethought Florida Conference in Orlando.  The speech is an often lighthearted (but occasionally alarming) exploration of "sacred" ideas and practices in the 21st century, and it explores the merits of retiring damaging rituals in favor of better ones.SPEECH VIDEO:  https://youtu.be/biBULlkmBFEVIDEO WITH NATHAN PHELPS "Something Beautiful":  https://youtu.be/L6IPFyHEv3o  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Religious parents and institutions know the importance of a child's developmental years, and how difficult it is to tell/sell supernatural claims once the child reaches his or her teen years.  In this podcast, Seth Andrews explores the "programming" of young minds, and explores the difference between education and indoctrination.  Capping the show is the personal story of a young woman named Kaitlyn, whose apostasy prompted her devout Mormon parents to kick her out of her home.The Tiny Thinkers project:  https://www.gofundme.com/tinythinkersBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

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.stevehillcomic.comMaryellen Hooper:  http://www.maryellenhooper.comKeith Lowell Jensen:  http://www.rockass.netVideo link to "Evolution: What the Fossils Say" from Seth's monologue:  https://youtu.be/DjFgcOId-ZYBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Dr. Peter Boghossian and Anthony Magnabosco discuss talking people out of their faith, reconnecting philosophy with science, the relationship between faith and hope, reflecting on beliefs and questioning faith, and growing up with conflicting religious beliefs.

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 Halloween!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

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. Carolyn Rodriguez of Stanford University.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

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, and the Jesus storyIn separate interviews, David Fitzgerald and Dr. Robert Carrier each tackle the Bible and its deity.  VIDEO VERSIONS ON YouTube:DR. CARRIER:  https://youtu.be/WXou9IcH2BE  FITZGERALD:  https://youtu.be/DgPrKHsRpJ8  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: http://www.audiblepodcast.com/thinkingatheistMuhammad 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 Religion of Peace," the widely conflicting perspectives on Islam, and the difficult and often dangerous road faced by the apostate.Ex-Muslims of North America:  http://www.exmna.orgAtheist Republic:  http://www.atheistrepublic.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistChris 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, Seth speaks with Chris about his sarcastic (yet accurate) take on the Bible, and he finishes the show by reading an excerpt from the book.  Enjoy.CHRIS' BOOK ON AMAZON:  http://www.amazon.com/Story-God-Biblical-Comedy-about/dp/1634310241/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442329908&sr=8-1&keywords=the+story+of+godBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.