

Friendly Atheist Podcast
Friendly Atheist Podcast
Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke Greiff cover the latest news, politics, and pop culture with a focus on atheism and religion. This is the official podcast for FriendlyAtheist.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 26, 2025 • 1h 34min
589 - The Deadly Cost of Religious Extremism
Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free version of the show!Join our private Facebook group and Discord server!Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.— Vance Boelter and the deadly cost of religious extremism. (0:40)— Christian music icon Michael Tait's fall from grace. (17:50)— Sean Duffy turns military graduation into blatant ad for Christian Nationalism. (34:20)— Appeals Court blocks Louisiana law forcing Ten Commandments displays in classrooms. (53:05)— Trump has earned $1.3 million (so far) from his MAGA Bible grift. (1:07:44)— Christian parents let their baby die because of their faith. Now they’re going to prison. (1:15:22)— Colorado Springs City Council members target Pride Parade after "Hail Satan" shout-out. (1:25:37)This content is CAN credentialed, which means you can report instances of harassment, abuse, or other harm on their hotline at (617) 249-4255, or on their website at creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jun 19, 2025 • 1h 8min
588 - The Southern Baptist Convention's Annual Meeting (with Kate Shellnutt)
Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free version of the show!Join our private Facebook group and Discord server!Kate Shellnutt is editorial director of news for Christianity Today. She has been a religion reporter and editor for more than 15 years, previously at the Houston Chronicle. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, The New York Times, and Vox and has been recognized by the Religion News Association and the Evangelical Press Association. I wanted to talk to her because she's spent last week at the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting. What is happening with the largest Protestant denomination in the country? Let's find out.This content is CAN credentialed, which means you can report instances of harassment, abuse, or other harm on their hotline at (617) 249-4255, or on their website at creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jun 12, 2025 • 1h 46min
587 - Rep. Mary Miller's Hateful Invocation Blunder
Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free version of the show!Join our private Facebook group and Discord server!Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.– He's Sikh, not Muslim: GOP Rep. Mary Miller's bigoted blunder goes viral. (0:41)– Arizona court blocks predator's confession from trial—because it was made to a pastor. (17:44)– A Christian Nationalist will lead the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. (31:15)– An Oklahoma City employee moonlights as a pastor who preaches death for LGBTQ people. (56:11)– Thou shalt not ignore the law: Illinois county sued over Ten Commandments monument. (1:12:15)– Supreme Court hands win to Catholic Charities in case that could gut worker protections. (1:31:30)This content is CAN credentialed, which means you can report instances of harassment, abuse, or other harm on their hotline at (617) 249-4255, or on their website at creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jun 5, 2025 • 1h 37min
586 - Sen. Joni Ernst Uses Jesus to Distract from Death
Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free version of the show!Join our private Facebook group and Discord server!Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.– Sen. Joni Ernst defends "we all are going to die" comment with pitch to embrace Jesus. (0:48)– Christian Nationalist Sean Feucht accused of massive financial misconduct by former ministry insiders. (14:05)– Colorado passed a law to protect trans people. These pastors repeatedly lied about it. (31:39) – Quincy (MA) faces lawsuit over taxpayer-funded Catholic statues at police HQ. (49:20)– Catholic bishops file lawsuit to protect the secrets of sex predators. (1:06:46)– In California, students with disabilities can now attend religious schools on the public dime. (1:24:35)This content is CAN credentialed, which means you can report instances of harassment, abuse, or other harm on their hotline at (617) 249-4255, or on their website at creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 29, 2025 • 1h 29min
585 - The Censorship of The Crucible
Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free version of the show!Join our private Facebook group and Discord server!Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.– Georgia high school cancels "The Crucible" after complaints of "demonic" themes. (0:30)– Texas Democrat exposes GOP hypocrisy in bill forcing Ten Commandments in classrooms. (17:45)– Tennessee teen sues Christian school for withholding diploma after she posted about her girlfriend. (39:48)– Dept. of Justice targets small Idaho town over zoning dispute with extremist church. (57:50)– At long last, Delaware enacts "death with dignity" law to ease human suffering. (1:17:55)This content is CAN credentialed, which means you can report instances of harassment, abuse, or other harm on their hotline at (617) 249-4255, or on their website at creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 22, 2025 • 1h 22min
584 - The Price to Make Jerry Falwell, Jr. Go Away
Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free version of the show!Join our private Facebook group and Discord server!Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.– Good news! The Supreme Court deadlocked on allowed the first-ever taxpayer-funded religious charter school in Oklahoma. (0:20) – Liberty University paid Jerry Falwell, Jr. $15 million to make him—and his lawsuits—disappear. (10:45)– Trump admin drops $37.7M fine against Christian school that lied about tuition. (26:17)– After a decade, a Florida city has finally given up defending an illegal prayer vigil. (36:50)– Indicted megachurch pastor Robert Morris abused a kid. Now he's suing for retirement pay. (53:13)– Texas Senate passes bill to force Christian date labels (B.C. and A.D.) in public schools. (1:06:37)– Appeals court: Southwest's lawyers don't have to go through right-wing "religious freedom" training. (1:14:35)This content is CAN credentialed, which means you can report instances of harassment, abuse, or other harm on their hotline at (617) 249-4255, or on their website at creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 15, 2025 • 1h 35min
583 - Jehovah’s Witnesses Target Longtime Critic
Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free version of the show!Join our private Facebook group and Discord server!Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.– There’s a new pope! (0:10)– Jehovah’s Witnesses are suing a reporter for "wiretapping"—after inviting him on the call. (5:45)– Conservative Christian pastor Josh Buice trolled himself out of power. (22:16)– Despite credible misconduct allegations, Christian radio host returns to ministry. (39:03)– Kentucky cops are paying Christian ministries to train their dogs at Ark Encounter. (1:04:49)– How Ethnos360 turned its back on abuse victims... again. (1:15:30)This content is CAN credentialed, which means you can report instances of harassment, abuse, or other harm on their hotline at (617) 249-4255, or on their website at creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 8, 2025 • 1h 29min
582 - NJ City Aims to Seize Church
Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free version of the show!Join our private Facebook group and Discord server!Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.– Trump Justice Dept. sides with Catholic Church to fight law requiring priests to report abuse. (0:49)– "How much God do you need?" School board member slams invocation plan. (18:00)– Pickleball over people? NJ town moves to seize church and block homeless shelter. (44:05)– Texas lawmakers want a month-long celebration of God's promises in the Bible. (1:10:00)– A curriculum coup: Oklahoma Republicans allow right-wing rewrite of history. (1:13:13)This content is CAN credentialed, which means you can report instances of harassment, abuse, or other harm on their hotline at (617) 249-4255, or on their website at creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 1, 2025 • 1h 26min
581 - Atheists Are Rejecting Trump
Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free version of the show!Join our private Facebook group and Discord server!Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.— The Supreme Court heard a case to decide if taxpayers should fund a religious charter school. (0:26)— Southern Baptist membership hits 50-year low as Americans keep walking away. (14:15)— "Satanology" activist challenges cities that raised Christian flags. (33:38)— "No respect for God": Florida mayor denies "Day of Reason" proclamation. (40:01)— An Arizona school board member on a religious crusade has cost her district over $218,000. (49:31)— White evangelicals still see Trump as ethical and honest, but atheists know better. (1:03:45)— California court upholds $1.2 million fine against church that ignored COVID restrictions. (1:15:25)This content is CAN credentialed, which means you can report instances of harassment, abuse, or other harm on their hotline at (617) 249-4255, or on their website at creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 24, 2025 • 1h 35min
580 - The (Real) Legacy of Pope Francis
Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free version of the show!Join our private Facebook group and Discord server!Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.— Don’t let nostalgia rewrite the real legacy of Pope Francis. (0:45)— After public outcry, a Mormon seminary will not be built at an Arizona public school. (38:30)— Oklahoma Republicans pass controversial "Christ is King" resolution. (50:49)— Indiana resolution declares "unified" allegiance to "the Lord, Jesus Christ." (1:03:56)— City of Hartford flies Christian flag at City Hall, despite warning from lawyer. (1:07:20)— Ohio schools face lawsuit threats over candy-fueled Christian recruiting. (1:14:41)This content is CAN credentialed, which means you can report instances of harassment, abuse, or other harm on their hotline at (617) 249-4255, or on their website at creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.