Friendly Atheist Podcast

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.— Washington bill ends clergy loophole: Confessions no longer shield child abusers. (0:30)— Catholic hospital ditches "pro-life" rhetoric to avoid malpractice lawsuit payout. (16:25)— Arkansas Republicans just fired the state's Library Board to please one Christian Nationalist. (30:20)— Tennessee’s "Success Sequence" law ignores what really makes kids successful. (48:08)— Sen. James Lankford knows the IRS isn’t targeting churches—he just hopes you don’t. (1:00:23)— See something, snitch something: The State Department’s "anti-Christian bias" witch hunt begins. (1:13:12)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.

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.— A church told members how to vote. The IRS officially says that's fine. (1:10)— A public school district in Arizona agreed to build a Mormon seminary on campus. (29:35)— “Close the doors!”: Bishop Marvin Sapp's tithing ultimatum sparks outrage. (43:43)— It's mold, not a miracle: The Catholic Church’s latest eucharistic blunder. (55:36)— Minnesota lawmaker's bill to "advance critical thinking" actually pushes Christian mythology. (1:04:00)— Two influential atheist groups have finally settled a case involving a donor's wishes. (1:08:40)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.

Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free version of the show!Join our private Facebook group and Discord server!Kristi Burke is an ex-evangelical Christian who began deconstructing her faith at 19. She creates YouTube content that supports others navigating their own deconstruction journeys, offering insight, solidarity, and encouragement. As the political climate in the U.S. has intensified, her work has expanded to confront the rise of Christian nationalism and authoritarianism. Through a thoughtful, balanced lens rooted in critical thinking, empathy, and a commitment to productive action, she aims to empower others to resist and engage meaningfully with the world around them.You can subscribe to her channel at Jezebel Vibes: https://www.youtube.com/@kristiburke/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.— Paula White’s pay-to-pray scam: Trump’s faith advisor wants your cash. (0:32)— Columbus school district bans candy bribes used to lure kids to Bible classes. (15:00)— Catholic college faces backlash for inviting former Irish president Mary McAleese to speak at graduation. (24:33)— South Dakota governor gives employees time off to "celebrate the resurrection" of Jesus. (39:55)— The global religious exodus: Why people are switching—and ditching—faith. (44:15)— Utah law now allows religious franchise owners to remain closed on Sundays. (1:00:25)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.

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.— Lawmakers & Catholic leaders flip out over Satanic "Black Mass" at Kansas Capitol. (1:20)— Quincy’s $850,000 statue scandal: Mayor pushes Catholic icons at public safety HQ. (38:39)— Megachurch founder Robert Morris indicted on charges of "lewd acts" with a child. (49:25)— Peter Popoff’s "Miracle Spring Water" scam costs religious TV network £150,000. (1:08:48)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.

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.— Amid measles outbreak, Christian school brags about having the worst vaccination rates in Texas. (0:42)— How Aaron Renn’s “Negative World” myth fuels Christian victimhood. (15:57)— Lee Greenwood joins Ryan Walters' desperate Bible stunt after GOP budget snub. (40:25)— Christian Nationalism is "hardly an existential threat," argues deluded professor. (51:07)— Right-wing Christian worship leader now faces life in prison for child sex crimes. (1:08:41)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.

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.— Prominent atheists are weaponizing the "War on Science" to push right-wing grievances. (4:07)— Rep. Mark Alford tells fired KC federal workers “God has a plan” at hostile town hall. (26:00)— Former Secular Coalition for America leader wins special election for Maine legislature. (31:15)— Survey: Christianity's decline has slowed down... for now. (34:57)— WV Republicans want their Constitution to say the Bible is a "foundational text." (42:16)— Christian lawmaker still wants teachers to be able to hit students with disabilities. (45:19)— Iowa lawmaker rages against colleagues for passing anti-trans bill: "Shame on you, Christians!" (1:01:53)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.

Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free version of the show!Join our private Facebook group and Discord server!Katherine Stewart has long been the canary in the coal mine when it comes to Christian Nationalism. In 2020, just before the presidential election, she published "The Power Worshippers," all about the threat of that movement. It even inspired the documentary "God & Country."Her new book is even scarier, in part because she is so good at knowing what's coming down the pipeline. It's called "Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy," and it reveals the connection between Christian Nationalism, wealth, and the death of American democracy.Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4hAzeKdSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.— Alabama schools could lose funding if they don't mandate daily Christian prayers. (0:22)— Oklahoma lawmaker: I don't want "pink-haired" atheists teaching the Bible in schools. (11:56)— Oklahoma lawmakers shoot down slew of Christian Nationalist bills. (21:48)— Tim Barton: We "arrest students that break the Ten Commandments," so we should put the list up in schools. (42:15)— Australia will keep screwing up the religion question in its 2026 Census. (49:15)— Survey finds low levels of "Religious Nationalism" in America. Why doesn't it feel that way? (1:07:35)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.

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.— Donald Trump's task force to "eradicate anti-Christian bias" is a complete waste of time. (0:29)— Wheaton College praised alum Russell Vought, Project 2025 leader, before deleting post. (20:08)— South Carolina school district to pay family $75,000 after teacher assaults girl for not saying the Pledge. (33:25)— North Dakota Republicans are pushing a resolution to honor the "Kingship of Jesus Christ." (40:12)— North Dakota Republicans push bill to force "Intelligent Design" in science classrooms. (49:55)— An Idaho bill would force public schools to read from the King James Bible every day. (53:50)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.