TheThinkingAtheist

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistThe late Christopher Hitchens once said that "Mockery of religion is one of the most essential things...one of the beginnings of the human emancipation is the ability to laugh at authority.  It's indispensable."  But does the mockery of religious belief close minds (and doors) as skeptics attempt to promote rationalism and disabuse superstitious people of their faiths (and is that even a goal)?  Should the ridiculous be ridiculed, or should we find other methods for exposing the cracks in religious foundations?Greta Christina's Blog "Is It OK to Mock Religion?" http://freethoughtblogs.com/greta/2009/05/28/is-it-okay-to-mock-religion/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistOur original podcast guest had to postpone, so AronRa jumps into the mix for a casual (and random) conversation with Seth Andrews about God, Satan, the shattered Ten Commandments monument, Governor Rick Perry, a host of pre-Christian deities and some details about the Australia leg of the Unholy Trinity Tour in 2015.Sit back, relax and enjoy this conversation among friends.ARON'S SKEPTOKON SPEECH:  http://www.patreon.com/creation?hid=1142790RA-MEN PODCAST:  http://www.thera-men.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.evolvefish.comIt's an annual tradition.  Each October, in advance of Halloween, we gather around the virtual campfire to share our favorite ghost stories.  (Yes, atheists often love tales of the supernatural, as we enjoy all manner of fiction and storytelling.)  So dim the lights, place a candle in the jack-o-lantern, and join us for some spooky tales of things that go bump in the night.History of Halloween podcast:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thethinkingatheist/2011/10/14/halloween-history-and-the-churchBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistIt's October, the season of Halloween and a time when we fright and delight each other with spooks, scares and things that go bump in the night.  In advance of next week's "Ghost Stories" podcast (a yearly tradition), we spend this episode talking about the things that scare us.  Rational fears.  Irrational fears.  The things that make us shudder.  The things that make us scream.Your calls and emails welcome.  Scared of something?  Email podcast@thethinkingatheist.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistReverend Bob Ripley was a minister for over 30 years, with 15 of those years as Senior Minister at Metropolitan United Church, one of the most prominent churches of the United Church of Canada.  He wrote a syndicated column discussing religion for 25 years.In his September 26, 2014 column on LFPress, he announced to the world that he no longer believed in God.  He's releasing a book which chronicles his journey, titled "Life Beyond Belief: a Preacher's Deconversion."Bob joins Seth Andrews for a candid discussion about his life, his beliefs, his doubts, and the transition from Christian minister to skeptic/humanist.BOB'S WEBSITE:  www.lifebeyondbelief.caBOB'S COLUMN:  http://www.lfpress.com/2014/09/26/ripley-how-my-mind-has-changedARONRA:  Theism is Irrational http://www.patreon.com/creation?hid=1042266&u=198656Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Support our sponsor:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistQuite often, religious people declare that all atheists are "angry atheists."  Is this an accurate statement, and what place does anger have in the battle against superstition?  What are the stories behind those who have been genuinely hurt by religion, and how does anger help and/or harm our ability to persuade others to embrace an evidence-based, dogma-free life?This podcast is about the angry atheist.  Seth's Patreon page:  http://www.patreon.com/sethandrewsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistCreated by the late science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology is a religion/cult which teaches that humans are actually immortal beings who, having forgotten their true nature, require intensive (and expensive) "auditing" techniques to rediscover their true, immortal selves.Reports and allegations have been made, by journalists, courts, and governmental bodies of several countries, that the Church of Scientology is an unscrupulous commercial enterprise that harasses its critics and brutally exploits its members.In this compelling episode, we explore Scientology's practices, and we hear from those who escaped its shadow. Tony Ortega "The Underground Bunker:"  http://tonyortega.orgTory Christman's YouTube page:  https://www.youtube.com/user/ToryMagoo44Mark Bunker's Knowledge Report: http://www.knowledgereport-themovie.comScientific American article "The Real Science Behind Scientology": http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-real-science-behind-scientology/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://absenceofclothing.comChildren raised in Christian homes are almost always surrounded by beautiful and inspiring tales hand-picked by parents for bedtime.  They're inspired by Jesus' miracles.  They learn about Zacchaeus and the sycamore tree.  They sing about Joshua and the walls of Jericho.  They read the joyous tale of Noah's Ark and the boat filled with (often colorfully-drawn) animals.In this podcast, we talk with Joey Kirkman, co-author of "Bedtime Bible Stories," about the darker tales of scripture and his recent book (complete with parental advisory label), and we take your calls and emails on the bible tales that might just keep Christian children wide awake with terror when the lights go out.Bedtime Bible Stories website:  http://www.bedtimebiblestories.comEd Suominen: Jehu's Jihad  http://blog.edsuom.com/p/jehus-jihad.htmlBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistMany skeptics and rationalists come from religions, cultures and behaviors that stand far apart from their current relationships with reality.  This show takes an entertaining look at the strange beliefs many atheists once held and explores how otherwise rational minds can entertain the irrational, the unusual and the bizarre.Want to tell your story?  Email podcast@thethinkingatheist.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistWe had to move some shows around at the last minute, so tonight is a "freestyle" podcast, where you talk about whatever's on your mind.  WEDDING GIFT BEYOND BELIEF (charity drive):  http://www.razoo.com/story/A-Wedding-Gift-Beyond-BeliefSeth's Patreon page:  http://www.patreon.com/sethandrewsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.