Freethought Radio

Beware prayer by pious politicians! FFRF sues Gov. Rick Perry

Scientific American columnist and author Michael Shermer discusses his new book, The Believing Brain: From Ghosts and Gods to Politics and Conspiracies -- How We Construct Beliefs and Reinforce Them as Truths. The cohosts talk about the successful 2011 July gathering at Lake Hypatia, hosted by FFRF's chapter, the Alabama Freethought Association, and other FFRF news.

Dylan Galos discusses his billboard that shocked a church so much, it had to be taken down. Sara Paretsky talks about her radical roots growing up in a godless household.

Evolution wins at the "Miss USA" pageant. Patrick Semple, former Church of Ireland (Anglican) clergyman explains why he is now an atheist, and why he was known as "the rector who wouldn't pray for rain."

Guests: Joe (Ojo) Taylor, Grammy Award winning Christian songwriter turned agnostic and Philip Appleman, Poet, Author (New book: Perfidious Proverbs)

The show will also celebrate Tony-nominated "The Book of Mormon" songbook. Victor Stenger says the universe was not designed for us.

Topic: Atheists in the Pulpit Did you know there are atheists and agnostics in the pulpit? Freethought Radio will announce the new Clergy Project, promoted by Dawkins, Dennett, Barker and a contingent of former ministers who are now atheists, to help nonbelieving clergy leave the pulpit. We'll interview "Chris," a nontheist "in the closet" who is a senior pastor at a Southern evangelical church. Also featured: Too much religion in Minnesota politics, and a sneak preview of "Book of Mormon" music.

Topic: Secular activism in the bible belt Damon Fowler talks about how things got ugly in his small Louisiana town and school when he courageously protested illegal graduation prayers last week. Oklahoma native and atheist Rhonda Dorle, local coordinator for FFRF's Tulsa "Out of the Closet" billboard campaign, talks about that exciting and positive new campaign.

Find out why Stephen Hawking and FFRF think the afterlife is a fairy tale. We talk with a brave high school student who wants to stop graduation prayers. Our guest is Janet Heimlich, author of Breaking Their Will, which looks at religious abuse and mistreatment of children.

Tune in - LAST SHOW before the rapture! Benjamin Burchall, a former preacher, shares his experiences with freethought in Atlanta.