Thank God I'm Atheist - podcast cover

Thank God I'm Atheist

Frank and Dan's off-the-cuff conversations focus on current events cast through the lens of their shared atheism. Episodes include a rundown of six news stories from the prior week, and the show occasionally features interviews with writers, thinkers, and leaders in the atheist community. As former Mormons, the hosts provide insight into the often misunderstood religious minority.
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Episodes

Mormon Customers #499

Exorcism at the Home Depot, Mississippi license plates, Italian prime minister stands up to Catholic Church, anglicans subject school children to a lesson in misogyny, a nun gets ejected from convent, Jim Bakker in hot water (again), and the Mormon Church slips up and calls its members "customers."

Jun 26, 20211 hr 21 minEp. 499

Ideas About God #498

Mormon 'American Idol' star comes out as LGBTQIA+, news from the Southern Baptist Convention, Michigan governor ends government funding of 'conversion therapy,' a new rug for the forgetful Muslim, Florida now requires daily moment of silence in schools, a mysterious donation to hate preacher, and the very strange ideas people have about god.

Jun 19, 20211 hr 11 min

Lots of Water #497

Drought-burdened Utah gets a little rain during weekend of prayer, two new christian apps, Uyghurs deported from Muslim countries, a hateful Nigerian pastor goes away, Burger King taunts Chick-Fil-A with support of LGBTQ organization, hats off to Justin Trudeau for calling out the pope, and the story of Noah's ark is just plain stupid.

Jun 12, 20211 hr 3 minEp. 497

Make It Rain #496

High school coaches force Jewish student to eat pork, indigenous schools in Canada, Louisiana votes to honor aborted fetuses, Catholics release new rule priests, Texas enacts law to target anyone aiding in abortions, high-profile anti-vaxxer goes to hospital with COVID-19, and Utah's governor tries to end drought with a weekend of prayer.

Jun 05, 20211 hr 7 minEp. 496

Entitled #495

Wheaton College disposes of offensive plaque, Southern Baptist numbers decline significantly, fetuses flee to Ohio town for safety, street artist takes on Vatican, Legos celebrates diversity, the shocking case of Saudi Arabia continues, and a discussion about religious titles and how we feel about honoring them.

May 29, 20211 hr 14 minEp. 495

Christian Tyranny #494

Saudi Arabia opens up a little to non-Muslims, why college turns people secular, 'religious knives' in Australia, abusive summer camp for future ministers, Muslims boycott White House celebration, anti-vaccine conspiracies come from the same twelve people, and the Christians are about to get everything they've ever wanted.

May 22, 20211 hr 17 minEp. 494

We're Confused #493

A god has died, German Priests defy Vatican, Hindu sect engages in forced labor, shop owner hides crosses in furniture, Lutherans ordain new bishop, Southern Baptists ordain new pastors, and we try to give some credit were credit is due (with a couple of caveats).

May 21, 202155 minEp. 493

A Godly Man #492

A stampede at an Israeli festival leads to dozens of deaths, Mormons and the COVID-19 vaccine, evangelicals promise to terrify Democrats, atheist 'prayers' at council meetings lead to similar responses in Florida, antisemitic crimes up in Germany, Jerry Falwell Jr. promises big party for graduates, and a discussion about Josh Duggar and why we usually don't talk about stories of religious types sexually abusing children.

May 08, 20211 hr 20 min

Think of the Children #491

This week, Kate fills in while Frank takes a much needed vacation, and tells us about leaving the church she had indoctrinated her children into. Catholic bishops are mad at Joe Biden, a Canadian MP tries to defend conversion therapy but ends up with a hashtag, bleach drinking "church" indicted and more! Find Kate and her amazing art on Instagram and TikTok @kebirch

May 01, 202152 min

Ditching Richard Dawkins #490

Liberty University wants its money back, activists seek more accurate Poland census, Bavaria orders secular crosses hung in public buildings, Pakistan calls on West to criminalize blasphemy against Islam, study finds poor health outcomes for women in sexist churches, Facebook announces a new prayer feature, and Richard Dawkins' fall from grace.

Apr 24, 20211 hr 4 min

For Crying Out Loud #489

US Supreme Court continues push to officially establish Christianity as state religion, Mormon sex therapist faces excommunication for promoting sexual health, a Hindu holiday poses public health threat in India, bigger and better Jesus coming to a Brazilian town near you, Mormon Church growth slows, Planned Parenthood announces new board members, and a discussion about Mormon men and their odd public displays of emotion. Link to Conference on Religious Trauma 2021: https://pheedloop.com/CORT/si...

Apr 17, 20211 hr 17 min

Rehearse Your Doubts #488

Tennessee wants to expand eligibility to serve in legislature (in a bad way), RCMP close down church in Alberta, Alabama allows atheists to vote, god worshipped by cargo cult dies, t-shirt angers Muslims in Kenya, COVID-19 vaccine required for entry to Mecca, and Mormon prophet has a message for anyone doubting Mormonism, "you're lazy."

Apr 10, 20211 hr 8 min

The Wong Motivations #487

Catholic Church lobbied against suicide prevention hotline, Christian schools reconsider mascots, new Arkansas law allows medical workers to refuse treatment to LGBTQ people, Panera Bread discriminates again pagan worker, fewer than half of Americans now belong to a church, a Christian school apologizes for the wrong thing, and a discussion about heaven and hell.

Apr 03, 20211 hr 12 min

LDS Church Accused of Fraud #486

Jehovah's Witnesses face fines in Belgium, bakery faces another lawsuit, a US Air Force shooting range disrupts meditation, a poll of American values, Franklin Graham promotes vaccination, Texas lawmakers consider new HOA rules, and a wealthy former Mormon sues LDS Church over accusations of fraudulently using tithing money.

Mar 27, 20211 hr 21 min

The Atlanta Shooter and His Religion #485

COVID-denying president of Tanzania dies, Georgetown University announces plan for reparations, the Mormons remodel Salt Lake Temple (and make it even more boring), the Vatican announces decision about same sex weddings, twelve house republicans oppose medals for Capitol Police who protected them, evangelicals have a penis problem, and we dive into the ongoing and developing story about the Atlanta shooter. He is a religious zealot.

Mar 20, 20211 hr 7 min

Murmur Among the Mormons #484

Mormons cancel final year of the Hill Cumorah Pageant, prophet apologizes for wrong prediction, a study looks at atheists and health, a pastor who was right about Trump, Tennessee lawmaker tries (again) to make Bible 'state book,' pope experiences wardrobe malfunction, and 'Murder Among the Mormons' gets the Frank and Dan treatment.

Mar 13, 20211 hr 11 min

Path to Forgiveness #483

CPAC features graven image of Trump, Methodists take step toward schism, Eurovision entry promotes devil worship, a satanic license plate approved in Alabama, pastor admonishes wives for not being thin enough, Christian adoption services extended to LGBT families, and a discussion about forgiveness and whether the canceled ones can ever come back into the fold.

Mar 06, 20211 hr 16 min

Canceling Christianity #482

Survey shows atheists know right from wrong, animated female characters must wear a hijab, more American adults identify as LGBT, Souther Baptists expel congregations, Catholic mom causes trouble for kids, Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia face prison, and cancel culture's next target (according to Fox News) is the Bible.

Feb 27, 20211 hr 7 min

Rushin' to Hell #481

Christian missionaries convince Brazilian tribes against vaccine, Utah school district ends equity reading program due to it being too inclusive, Evangelicals in trouble in Jordan, Biden reestablished White House Office of Faith-Based Initiatives, lawmaker wants women to get permission for abortions, Catholics try to hide money from abuse victims, and we talk about what a horrible person Rush Limbaugh was and his lasting legacy in America.

Feb 20, 20211 hr

Where is the Middle? #480

President of Tanzania denies COVID-19, an unexpected Christian rock album hits the top of the charts, new data shows evangelicals sliding further from reality, new abortion law requires women to argue with call center worker, Catholic school system shows signs of collapse, the Supreme Court sides with churches (again), and Jeep tries to sell us a crock of s#!t.

Feb 13, 202153 min

Atheists on TV #479

Waterboarding infants for Jesus, the very real consequences of anti-gay laws, ultra-orthodox Jewish communities and the spread of COVID-19, a survey about online harassment, Rick Warren makes fun and gets in trouble, the tale of an exorcism, and our take on the popular sci-fi series "Raised By Wolves" (hint: we hate it).

Feb 06, 20211 hr 6 min

Any Port in a Storm #478

Jewish leaders in UK draw focus to Uighur genocide, immigrants take sanctuary in churches, a new Mormon temple 'opens' in Salt Lake City, COVID denying preacher faces legal consequences, conspiracy theories run rampant in American churches, lawmakers attempt to limit abortion, and we chat about the effect the pandemic has had on faith in America.

Jan 30, 20211 hr 2 min

The New Guy #477

Cadbury Creme Eggs ad draws wrath of One Million Moms, lawsuits against Trump administration, North Dakota considers new law, rabbi predicts side effect from COVID vaccine, indecent cakes cause trouble in Egypt, harsh measures against LGBT people in Malaysia, and our take on how religious the inauguration was.

Jan 23, 20211 hr 8 min

Mormon Insurrection #476

Pastor urges parishioners to keep guns loaded, PayPal blocks fundraising site that helped provide funds to insurrectionists, survey reveals religious composition of the 117th Congress, progress made toward ending female genital mutilation, Dave Ramsey is a crappy boss, megachurch pastor in trouble, and Mormon leadership tries to calm the masses.

Jan 16, 20211 hr 12 min

The Meltdown #475

Frank and Dan break their normal format to talk about the events of January 6, 2021 at the US Capitol.

Jan 09, 202156 min

Keep Calm and Run for Office #474

Abused scouts sue Mormon church, uptick in faith amongst UK teens, juror listens to 'holy spirit' instead of evidence, a German Catholic bishop sees writing on the wall, Liberty University students surprise us, churches fined by state of New Mexico, and guest Teresa English tells us what she learned running for office in Massachusetts.

Jan 02, 20211 hr 7 min

Mormons Seek Reliable Sources #473

Christians offer offensive prayers at Native American sacred site, Christian rocker excluded from Rockin' New Year's Eve, Pat Robertson faces reality, religious leaders ignore pork and abortions, Kirk Cameron is being a real douche, Christmas will happen in LA County, and Mormon leadership tries to stay current with new handbook.

Dec 26, 20201 hr 14 min

Racist Believers #472

Pastor buys jet with PPP money, religious organization funds "election fraud" attack, religious leaders call for end to gay conversion therapy, T**** administration protects religious discrimination, Australian rehab horror, some Evangelical pastors aren't idiots, and it turns out that the Southern Baptists might just be racist after all.

Dec 19, 20201 hr 3 min

Hey Mormons, Are You Guys Alright? #471

Labor department legalizes workplace discrimination, one fire department's toxic work environment, a back to school guide, a white supremacist church opens in small Minnesota town, a Supreme Court ruling, megachurch pastor urges congregants to not get COVID-19 vaccine, and a storm's a-brewin' amongst Mormon laity.

Dec 12, 202059 min

A Dangerous Mix #470

Secular Democrats respond to the rise of Christian nationalism, Jehovah Witnesses in Australia face losing tax exempt status, a live nativity annoys passersby, upcoming super spreader events announced by republicans, a new group of Methodists, a monolithic mystery solved, and Noah Lugeons joins us to talk about his new book "Outbreak: A Crisis of Faith: How Religion Ruined Our Global Pandemic."

Dec 05, 20201 hr 5 min
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