

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

Sep 17, 2020 • 1h 6min
Ep. 340 - The Don't-Say-The-S-Word Baptist Convention
Please support the show at https://www.patreon.com/friendlyatheistpodcast Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — If you're a pastor, maybe don't use your work email to send hateful racist messages based on a hoax. (0:55) — The Southern Baptist Convention is drifting away from the word "Southern." (11:45) — "Evangelicals for Social Action" is getting rid of the first word because it's too toxic. (19:18) — Scientific American issued its first-ever endorsement for Joe Biden. Will it matter? (22:19) — Don't be this mom complaining about a Bible reading in your daughter's English class. (38:00) — Democrats can and should reach out to non-religious voters. (51:00) — A Republican state senator who participated in a protest against climate change just lost his home due to the wildfires. (56:11) — A California church will finally stop its indoor services. It just took a fine of $112,750. (1:00:16)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 11, 2020 • 1h 17min
Ep. 339 - A Christian Hate-Preacher Was Banned On YouTube
Please support the show at https://www.patreon.com/friendlyatheistpodcast Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — Christian hate-pastor Steven Anderson no longer has his YouTube channels. I may have had something to do with that. (0:48) — Pastor John MacArthur's church has been shut down by a judge for violating COVID rules. (13:16) — A Hobby Lobby store urged people to vote for Trump. Now there's a call for a boycott. (17:33) — Donald Trump released a new Supreme Court shortlist, but will anyone care? (19:32) — A South Carolina school district lost a major church/state legal battle‚ but doesn't want to accept the settlement. (28:45) — Socialists hate the Bible, according to a Christian pollster who oversimplifies everything. (32:44) — Queensland, Australia will make priests report child abuse even if they learn about it during confession. (37:54) — Michael Cohen admitted there was a link between the Falwells' racy photos and his endorsement of Trump. (47:09) — A Ukrainian Orthodox Church leader who blamed COVID on gay marriage has COVID. (55:01) — A Brazilian gospel singer is involved in a murder case and it gets even weirder after that. (56:38) — Trump wants "patriotic education" in schools. But his version of that is pure indoctrination. (1:01:39)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 9, 2020 • 41min
BONUS: Interview with Seth Andrews, Author of "Confessions of a Former FOX News Christian"
You know Seth Andrews as the host of The Thinking Atheist podcast and his YouTube videos. And if you've listened to him before, you may also know that he's a former evangelical Christian, the kind who lived in the right-wing bubble, idolizing Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, and FOX News. So what caused that shift?
That's the focus of Seth's new book, "Confessions of a Former Fox News Christian."
We spoke about how Seth left the evangelical bubble, what it takes to question your core beliefs, and why the FOX News crowd is so susceptible to fear.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 4, 2020 • 58min
Ep. 338 - A Lying Pastor Claimed There's No Pandemic
Please support the show at https://www.patreon.com/friendlyatheistpodcast Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — Pastor John MacArthur told his congregation "There is no pandemic." Yes. There. Is. He misinterpreted scientific data. (0:54) — Christian Right activist Eric Metaxas sucker punched a protester after Trump's RNC speech. (10:45) — Ark Encounter finally settled its infamous rain damage lawsuit. (14:30) — Is Liberty University's investigation into Jerry Falwell, Jr.'s tenure going to be legitimate? (18:39) — This Christian radio host says men should avoid smart women because they have emotional needs in bed. (30:20) — Conservative Christians are complaining about California's SB 145 because they don't understand what it does. (36:10) — Research shows public schools may be discriminating against Muslim and atheist families. (47:41)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 28, 2020 • 1h 10min
Ep. 337 - Jerry Falwell's Holy Trinity
Please support the show at https://www.patreon.com/friendlyatheistpodcast Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. This week, they all revolved around Jerry Falwell, his wife Becki, and the Pool Boy. Side note: If you're curious about the siege at Waco, listen to the amazing American Scandal podcast series about it!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 21, 2020 • 1h 6min
Ep. 336 - Was the DNC's Faith Outreach Too Much?
Please support the show at https://www.patreon.com/friendlyatheistpodcast Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — Our thoughts on the Democratic National Convention. (0:22) — Evangelist Franklin Graham said there was an "absence of God" during the DNC. What was he watching?! (6:29) — Florida State Rep. Kim Daniels, one of the worst Democrats in the country, lost her primary. Thank goodness! (16:55) — Broadcaster Thom Brennaman said WHAT during a broadcast? (20:53) — A former LGBTQ-themed talk show host hurled anti-LGBTQ slurs at someone who told him to wear a mask. (27:41) — Should this Catholic mother have disconnected the internet to punish her atheist son? (30:14) — Rep. Rashida Tlaib has joined the Congressional Freethought Caucus! (38:00) — The likely QAnon congressional candidate from Georgia once tried to get two Muslim congresswomen to retake their oaths on the Bible. (42:13) — Can evangelicals convince other Christians to follow the science when it comes to COVID? (47:16) — Ark Encounter is planning a Christian music festival. Like everything they do, it's underwhelming. (53:27) — Singer James Blunt once got scurvy from eating only meat to prove his manliness. Go vegetarian, everyone. (56:00)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 19, 2020 • 1h 56min
BONUS: Jess and Mikey Discuss "Hardflip," the Movie
Since everyone is quarantined, Jess and her husband/film nerd Mikey have been watching and discussing movies. There are several bonus episodes available to Patreon donors, but we wanted to give listeners a sample!
This time, they watched the truly terrible 2012 film "Hardflip," about a guy who skateboards his way to Jesus... or something. Mikey discusses skating intricacies and cinematic failures of the movie as a whole. It's a mess.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 14, 2020 • 1h 10min
Ep. 335 - Conservatives Can't Handle WAP
Please support the show at https://www.patreon.com/friendlyatheistpodcast Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — Our friend Ed Brayton has died. (0:30) — How many people does Pastor John MacArthur want to hurt before he'll come to his senses? (5:55) — A Christian mom said masks and social distancing are Pagan rituals. The school board was listening. (11:55) — If you don't know her, you're going to love Wisconsin Democrat Kelda Roys who just won her primary for state senate. (16:29) — Here are all the non-religious candidates running for state and federal office in November. (21:30) — Secular Democrats of America are planning an incredible inaugural event. (24:08) — A 90-year-old man has come out as gay! (26:31) — Conservatives can't handle the new Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion song "WAP." (29:35) — Democrats are hardly a godless party no matter what MAGA cultist Robert Jeffress says. (40:15) — Liberty University has a new anti-gay Jerry at its helm. (42:40) — A long discussion about Kamala Harris. (45:00)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 7, 2020 • 60min
Ep. 334 - Joe Biden's Doing What To God?!
Please support the show at https://www.patreon.com/friendlyatheistpodcast Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — A Christian hate-pastor threatened a man over masks at a Dunkin' coffee shop. Now they're mandating masks. (1:20) — Trump claims Joe Biden will "hurt God" if he gets elected. How weak is this God? (7:00) — Donald Trump's lawyer Jenna Ellis says Michelle Obama needs more Jesus in her life. (13:50) — What is Jerry Falwell, Jr. doing on his yacht? (19:32) — A GOP state lawmaker who spoke at a celebration of a KKK leader was charged with felony theft. (30:57) — Judge Roy Moore is suing comedian Sacha Baron Cohen for defamation and it may backfire spectacularly. (37:04) — A Florida pastor says masks get in the way of praying. How? (41:00) — The Satanic Temple is now saying Satanic abortions are protected under religious liberty laws. (44:03) -- We heard some breaking news about Falwell... (50:30) — Aliens didn't build the pyramids, Elon Musk. (52:45) — A study found that the most anti-abortion states offer the least support for women and families. (53:56)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 1, 2020 • 1h 8min
Ep. 333 - The Demon Sex Doctor
Please support the show at https://www.patreon.com/friendlyatheistpodcast Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — Be sure to check out the Being Reasonable podcast if you enjoy street epistemology! — Women vandalized the Ten Commandments monument in Arkansas and I got threatened by a senator. (1:12) — Republican atheist Robert M. Price's anti-transgender, anti-feminist remarks in a fantasy anthology's introduction has angered many of the contributors. (11:30) — Do we seriously have to talk about the demon sex doctor? (21:00) — A Christian author says Jesus was white. Because of course he did. (27:45) — Sen. Tom Cotton said something else idiotic about slavery. (34:10) — Rep. Louie Gohmert is sick, Herman Cain is dead, and Republicans still don't care enough about the virus. (38:27) — Focus on the Family founder James Dobson is fear-mongering about the election just like he did in 2008. (46:53) — There's a large religious revival in the Chicago suburbs, creating pandemic concerns, and no one knows who gave them permission. (57:31) — A Giants pitcher wouldn't kneel for black lives because he's Christian. (58:59) — A Nevada sheriff says libraries shouldn't be able to call 911 if they support Black lives. (1:03:54)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.


