Christian ASMR offers whispery bible readings, The Taliban continues their long struggle against mannequins, a prayer log of the January 6th attack on the US Capitol, African beauty queens don hijab, Pope Francis criticizes Catholicism, researchers chart Catholic priest pedophile network, and a discussion about New Year's resolutions and why Kate and Frank like them.
Megachurch goes exclusively online, wounded rabbi charged with financial crimes, Mother Teresa's charity targeted by Indian government, COVID outbreak hits Mormon missionary training facility, Oklahoma law would allow preachers and bibles into classrooms, Utah tech nazi sends antisemitic email to industry leaders, and the pope calls adopting pets "selfish".
Catholic Church imports clergy to US, ultra-Orthodox Jews vs. COVID-19, Putin insults our intelligence, California offers abortion vacations, theologians help NASA ahead of alien life discoveries, Israel makes exception to their travel ban, and speaking out against the prejudice of a top Mormon leader puts anti-prejudice resources in jeopardy.
A sample of the "Frank and Dan Diaries." Bonus content for financial supporters on Patreon.
Rainbow toys deemed un-Islamic, Mormon billionaire resigns from church with a splash, all-Muslim government takes over small Michigan city, state capitol dressed up for the holidays, Donald Trump Jr. suggests conservatives aren't playing rough enough, charity run by Christian couple ousts them for being wretched people, and a 'pep talk' as a new (possibly worse) year approaches.
Italian bishop denounces Santa Claus to a group of children, a camel revolts during Kansas nativity, 'nones' are growing fast, Dave Ramsey sued for religious discrimination, South Dakota schoolchildren will soon have to be quiet for at least one minute a day, Greg Locke's church blown over, and we take a moment to remember Christopher Hitchens.
War on Christmas rages in Europe, minister dismissed over drag performance, Pope dismisses French bishop's sexual harassment, witched and right wing both mad, teacher refuses Covid-19 testing citing religious exemption, Jewish billionaire hoards stolen antiquities, and a conversation about grief without all that god and heaven stuff involved.
Dr. Oz announces run for US Senate, Richard Dawkins doubles down on trans stance, proposed Mormon temple remodel draws criticism from some members, Christian mother kills her child to send them to heaven, UK Premier League promotes LGBTQ+ equality, famous TV pastor dies of COVID-19, and how the State of Utah has farmed out welfare responsibilities to the Mormon Church.
Church kicks woman out for bringing in herb, Southern hospitals limit legal abortion, misogynist pastor endorses marital rape, hospital bandages statue's broken arm, Mormon church numbers slip, pastor fund raises from prison, and a quick talk about surviving the Xmas holiday season.
Kate fills in for Frank who does NOT have Covid! Italians reverse their baptisms, Texans want to send their pregnant women out to pasture, Mormon leader Dallin Oaks lies through his dentures, the Archdiocese of New Orleans adds fraud to their already full rap-sheet, and Dan and Kate discuss worship spaces and the architecture of awe.
Billionaire funds work to prove there's an afterlife, toxic foam fails to stop holy dip, Middle East countries ban Marvel film, restaurant responds to anti-masker wrath, and a discussion about anecdotal evidence in light of Dan catching Covid.
No exorcisms for Covid-19, the Supreme Court does the right thing by doing nothing at all, Christian radio host imprisoned for Ponzi scheme, a Qanon influencer, Indigenous lawyer fights to keep U.S. missionaries out of Amazon, a report on religious affiliation in Canada, and a chat about whether or not Christian conservatives seem happy to us.
Polish school cancels Halloween, Biden visits the pope, Sikh men rescue two hikers, Liberty University "think tank," Supreme Court lets Maine vaccine mandate stand, school revises clothing ban, and Christians can't help but be upset about Halloween.
Baylor students mock mormonism ahead of game with BYU, Southern Baptists lose leaders, Bangladesh reverting to secular constitution, Texas considers constitutional amendment to protect religious observance, Saudi Arabia welcomes bikini-clad sunbathers, a Baptist group judges fashion, and a chat about religious conservatives choosing to live in their own version of reality.
Lizzo says twerking is a spiritual expression, military archbishop says Catholic troops can claim religious exemption for COVID vaccine, Mormons double down on not wanting to be called Mormons, FFRF rids another school system of religious symbols, anti-kink pastor says Jesus plants dirty dreams to warn away sin, President Biden tries to save Christmas, and a discussion about whether we would ban all religions if we could?
Priests and nuns in India ordered to pay taxes, Tennessee's governor offers time-honored solution for COVID-19 outbreak, French commission uncovers shocking number of Catholic Church sex abuse cases, Daniel Ortega and Nicaragua, a priest actually doesn't sexually molest child, Pat Robertson makes way for next generation, and the Mormon prophet just said something mighty revealing about his real level of influence over membership.
Christian Facebook pages largely run by troll farms, fake pastor does the wrong scam, female prophet sentenced to death in Pakistan, Milo and Bannon cancelled in Baltimore,Taliban fails to keep their promise to the women of Afghanistan, Washington judge rules on Planned Parenthood case, and our theory about COVID deniers and why they're being such jerks.
Pro-Trump billboard, an orphanage, white Americans flock to evangelicalism, a mosque site in China, president of Egypt open to atheists, two famous pastors on COVID-19 (one will surprise you), and Christianity under review.
Arkansas hospital requires consistency from those seeking vaccine exemption, James Huntsman's lawsuit seeking refund of tithing money hits roadblock, Mormon Church responds to members seeking religious exemption to vaccine mandates, an Oklahoma town plans to erect massive "Christ tree", Mormons to pay $250M to abused Boy Scouts, Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster offers interesting religious exemption, and how will believers practice religion in space?
Guest host Andrea fills in for Frank. Coach Dave's fundraising scheme, a ruling on if a Catholic school can fire a gay man, some faith leaders aren't horrible on abortion, Mexico proves it's better than Texas, a Norwegian church holds an unusual ceremony, a Spanish bishop finds a good reason to leave the clergy, and Dan and Andrea discuss Harvard Law Today's take on polyamory (and reveal some stuff along the way).
Guest host Kate joins Dan for a religious news roundup: Kat Kerr can't control weather, Los Angeles forced to pay damages to a church for trying to keep their parishioners safe against their will, Christian network fires senior VP Dan Darling for encouraging intelligence, Myanmar is slightly less awful than they could have been, Ken Ham hoards all the Jesus for Earthlings, a new deity takes out his righteous anger against the Mormons, and Kate and Dan feel like they're taking crazy pills because...
Zambian pastor's stunt leads to death, church in Australia fined for violating COVID restrictions, more Americans accept evolution than don't (FINALLY), Harvard has a new chaplain, the Taliban attempts to protect women (from the Taliban), belief in aliens, and a Mormon leader is gunning for dissenting professors at BYU.
Anti-vax cardinal on ventilator, COVID-denying pastor dead, inmate on Texas death row asks for pastor to join him during execution, thousands of new molestation cases emerge, whistleblower shares his story about Mormon funds, a Baptist university cancels far right event, and the Mormon prophet goes on the record encouraging the vaccine and calls of 'false prophet' emerge.
McDonald's advertising entices woman to sin, anti-gay 'treatment' group forced to pay $3.5 million in court case, 'moderate' Norwegian imam in trouble over antisemitic comments, Indonesian military ends virginity test for female recruits, Turkmenistan finds new way to enforce VPN ban, Christian group calls on Fisher-Price to modify one specific playset, and Christians scramble to find religious justification for their vaccine refusal (hint: there isn't one).
Wedding website designer loses case, Kent Hovind gets arrested, atheists face intolerance at work (says study), Israel's gold medalist can't marry, megachurch still designated a hate group (says court), romance novel loses award, and our musings on men who always think they're right.
More priests defend the indefensible with Canadian residential schools, the Museum of the Bible is in hot water... again, Missouri clergy jump on the vax train, meanwhile vaccine hesitancy in the U.S. is dropping (even among the religious!), new curriculum among New Zealand Maori rankles scientists, and Anchorage loses a strip club and gains some Jesus. Also- will somebody get Frank an Ark?
A new holiday hits Utah, abortion rights activists fight new Texas law, a top US official in the Catholic Church outed for Grindr use, women sue Liberty University, Alaska assistant attorney general outed as a Deseret nationalist (a far right, Mormon hate group), robots go to Hajj, and a discussion about Mormons and their wacky underwear.
Woman lets god drive and he wrecks her car, it turns out the Southern Baptist Convention isn't liberal after all, an alternative to traditional burial draws Catholic opposition, highest EU court rules that employers can restrict religious apparel, new numbers about religion in America, the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus causes controversy, and a chat about Bible translations.
A fatwa group declares fatwa about video games, a Florida couple sues school, the Catholic Church plays poor to avoid paying residential school survivors, a Canadian archbishop cries persecution, India jails activists for speaking undeniable truth about cow poop, the US Supreme Court refuses to hear religious bigotry case, and the Mormon Church quietly changes their doctrine about Mormons becoming gods in the afterlife.
Nigerian state bans mannequins, a Canadian priest is in hot water over defense of residential schools, Missouri offers itself up as a delta variant test case, Pat Robertson misunderstands what critical race theory is, an Air Force fighter pilot is suspended over refusal to wear a mask, a new conspiracy theory emerges about Bill Gates, and a discussion about some cute little cults and how religion ruins everything.
