If humans possessed a soul, could that soul somehow be observed and measured scientifically? Can science properly speak for/against the claim that supernatural forces influence our minds, actions and behaviors? Is there a "Science of the Soul?" Join us for a conversation with Dr. Julien Musolino, a cognitive scientist who holds a dual appointment in the Psychology Department and the Center for Cognitive Science at Rutgers University. Musolino is author of the book, "The Soul Fallacy," which diss...
Aug 15, 2017•56 min
Do atheists believe in nothing? Are they really without a moral framework? Are they all angry and spiteful? This show explores many (often ill-informed) claims about the non-believers in gods. Support our sponsors: The Great Courses Plus: http://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/seth Stamps.com: www.stamps.com (promo code: sethandrews) Michael Sherlock's article "The Atheist Atrocities Fallacy" https://michaelsherlockauthor.wordpress.com/2014/10/21/the-atheist-atrocities-fallacy-hitler-stalin-pol-pot-...
Aug 08, 2017•1 hr 27 min
Seth Andrews does a (largely spontaneous) commentary about Cardinal George Pell, gluten-free communion wafers, the Flat Earth Society, and...guacamole! Support Seth on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/sethandrews Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support ....
Jul 25, 2017•57 min
No...these aren't the stories you're used to hearing at Sunday Sermon. These are stories that are often skipped over, ignored, or excused, lest they send Christians into a fit of head-scratching, guffaws and gasps. Let us explore The Good Book. (And if you can, share this episode with your Christian family and friends. They'll love it!) Support our sponsor: http://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/seth Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/sup...
Jul 18, 2017•1 hr 20 min
How do those with disabilities feel when religious people declare them sinners, a life lesson, or a miracle just waiting to happen? We explore this subject, and the stories of various listeners who have been labeled, named, claimed, prayed over, and in some cases, ignored. Link to Washington Post editorial: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/04/24/a-powerful-reddit-thread-reveals-what-its-like-to-be-disabled/?utm_term=.fbf5514598d5 Blog "What Christians Have Taught Me About My Disa...
Jul 11, 2017•1 hr 14 min
What's it like to emerge from a religious belief, and to navigate the complex, difficult and wonderous world beyond? Seth Andrews has a candid conversation with a young apostate who is currently walking this path. Her name is Sara. Her story is challenging, occasionally heartbreaking, and ultimately inspiring. Support Seth Andrews on patreon: http://www.patreon.com/sethandrews Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support ....
Jul 04, 2017•38 min
Seth Andrews speaks with two secular legal experts about several recent court decisions that reflect (or betray) the United States Constitution's Establishment Clause. Andrew Seidel is a Constitutional attorney for the Freedom From Religion Foundation, and Monica Miller is Senior legal Counsel for the American Humanist Association. Video of the Monica Miller interview: https://youtu.be/7kIjDPGOgiA Hemant Mehta's article on the Pensacola backlash against Monica Miller: http://www.patheos.com/blog...
Jun 29, 2017•38 min
Is Islam the most dangerous religion on the planet today? Is "Islamophobia" legitimate? What's an Atheist Muslim? How do we address the challenges that come with the world's fastest growing religion? Lots of contributors to this show, including: Ali Rizvi: author of "The Atheist Muslim" Muhammad Syed & Sarah Haider: Ex-Muslims of North America Armin Navabi: Founder of AtheistRepublic Yasmine Mohammed: Founder of "Confessions of an Ex-Muslim" Faisal Saeed Al-Mutar: Founder of "Global Secular Huma...
Jun 27, 2017•2 hr 43 min
Seth Andrews gave this speech June 3, 2017 in Toronto at the Imagine 7 conference. It's a humorous (and perhaps therapeutic) romp through Seth's religious past...and the often bizarre words and attitudes that reflected his Christian faith. VIDEO of this presentation: https://youtu.be/URr0O9aHW38 Support Seth Andrews on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/sethandrews Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support ....
Jun 20, 2017•40 min
Religious cultures are often distrustful of science and scientists. They're also often bound to debunked mythologies and bad information. We explore mis-education and the celebration of ignorance in the name of God. Support Our Sponsor:http://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/seth Links to Jonny Scaramanga's articles on ACE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/leavingfundamentalism/2014/09/01/revelations-from-a-former-ace-insider http://www.patheos.com/blogs/leavingfundamentalism/2016/09/13/out-among-the-sta...
Jun 13, 2017•1 hr 22 min
Seth Andrews (apparently) lives in a house infected with dark, demonic power. In this 30-minute broadcast, the host explains how he came to reside in the Devil's Domain. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support .
Jun 09, 2017•31 min
Theoretical physicist Dr. Lawrence Krauss has written a new book about "The Greatest Story Ever Told...So Far," which examines and celebrates the human exploration of our universe. He discusses his book, and his perspective on the religious ideas of a "Greatest Story," with Seth Andrews in this short conversation. SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: http://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/seth Dr. Krauss' book is available at http://a.co/9GQP0SH VIDEO of this interview: https://youtu.be/rTtf1mzjOW8 Become a support...
Jun 06, 2017•33 min
A former Christian informs his wife that he's now an atheist. She threatens to divorce him. Seth Andrews has a short message for her, and for anyone who finds himself or herself "unequally yoked" with a non-believer. VIDEO "Letter to a Christian Spouse:" https://youtu.be/FQUA9Rh2MCY Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support ....
May 31, 2017•35 min
Andrea Garatshun is a former Christian fundamentalist. Now an atheist, she has spent the past decade as a Bible researcher, with a focus on biblical Hebrew, and understanding the gods of the Old Testament – the Tanakh. Garatshun asserts that Christian tradition’s archetypes of Satan are completely missing from the Old Testament, and that an exploration into the Hebrew reveals how Satan, Lucifer, Beelzebub and Devil have been completely misinterpreted and misunderstood by cultural Christianity. T...
May 23, 2017•41 min
On this 2nd part of a two-part podcast, we discuss the controversial subject of physical violence as a response to hate speech. Support our sponsor: Stamps.com http://www.stamps .com (promo code: sethandrews) Part 1 of this discussion can be heard here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thethinkingatheist/2017/05/16/when-to-punch-a-nazi-a-conversation-about-free-speech-part-1-of-2 Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support ....
May 17, 2017•1 hr 26 min
Recent headlines have seen violent responses toward the culture's more distasteful voices. White supremacist Richard Spencer is punched during an interview. Milo Yiannopoulos' Berkley speech prompts riots. Ann Coulter cancels her own Berkley appearance over security concerns. Justifiable outrage against outrageous people and ideas seems to spill over into fists, fires, calamity and chaos. But are these responses appropriate and/or helpful? Is it ever appropriate to respond to words and ideas wit...
May 16, 2017•1 hr 19 min
It's an impromptu show where our listeners pick the topics. Dial in and sound off! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support .
May 12, 2017•1 hr 3 min
Apologist Ravi Zacharias claims links to Oxford and Cambridge and education in quantum physics. But activist Steve Baughman (also known as the Friendly Banjo Atheist on YouTube) feels that there are good reasons to doubt RZ's claims. We discuss. LINKS: Ravi on the Run: https://youtu.be/x9GdG8i7xEI Ravi on Free Will: https://youtu.be/D64MiGLQ30w Ravi and Quantum Physics: https://youtu.be/zV75_f_zEbU RaviWatch website:http://www.raviwatch.com VIDEO of this interview: https://youtu.be/ncrIBxj1OGI B...
May 09, 2017•35 min
Noah Lugeons is an activist, author, and host of "The Scathing Atheist" podcast. Noah joins Seth Andrews for a conversation about religion, atheism, "God Awful Movies," and more. Noah's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Diatribes-Essays-Scathing-Atheist-Presents-ebook/dp/B06XQTJT4R Scathing Atheist: https://audioboom.com/channel/scathing-atheist God Awful Movies: https://audioboom.com/channel/god-awful-movies SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: http://www.evolvefish.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://w...
May 02, 2017•51 min
Christopher Hitchens is known for his famous book subtitle, "How Religion Poisons Everything." Is this a fair statement? Is religion always toxic? We discuss. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support .
Apr 25, 2017•1 hr 15 min
Netflix has a new film profiling Madalyn Murray O'Hair, founder of American Atheists and once called "The Most Hated Woman in America." But is the film fair and factual, and does the dramatized story of O'Hair bear any resemblance to the real-life story? In this podcast, we profile this atheist icon, and we discuss the film with Frank Zindler, former interim president of AA and someone who knew Madalyn Murray O'Hair personally. This broadcast will discuss specific plot points, so understand that...
Apr 18, 2017•1 hr 19 min
Alcoholics Anonymous and other recovery programs often invoke (or require) a "Higher Power." How effective is this, and are there better alternatives for beating addiction and overcoming ? We explore 12-step programs, the often religious language they use, and some secular alternatives. Support Our Sponsor: The Great Courses Plus: http://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/seth Jon Stewart’s blog: “Leaving AA, Staying Sober” https://jonsleeper.wordpress.com Jon Stewart’s article in The Guardian: https:/...
Apr 11, 2017•2 hr 11 min
More and more every day, the claims of a literal, historical Jesus are coming into question. Many atheists still think the Jesus-as-God story traces back to a literal person, but author Historical researcher David Fitzgerald is among a growing number of mythicists who think that that Jesus never existed in any human form. David joins Seth Andrews for a discussion about Jesus, the claims, the evidence (and lack of), and David's new book on the subject, "Jesus: Mything in Action Volume 1." Support...
Apr 04, 2017•56 min
Lucien Greaves is co-founder of The Satanic Temple, an organization which has gained global attention with its attempts to have its Baphomet monument displayed next to Christian monuments (like the Ten Commandments) on taxpayer-funded property. It also distributes children's books at various public schools as counters to the distribution of Gideon bibles and Christian literature. We speak to Lucien about his activism, his perspective on the supernatural and the Devil, and the mission and goals o...
Mar 28, 2017•1 hr 9 min
From the Jesus fish stick, to weeping Mary statues, to the staged "cures" sold by self-acclaimed faith healers, this lighthearted show explores some of the bizarre (and often hysterically funny) miracle claims from around the world. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: The Great Courses Plus: http://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/seth Stamps.com: http://www.stamps.com (promo code sethandrews) Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support ....
Mar 21, 2017•1 hr 21 min
This is a previously unscheduled, totally off-topic, "bonus" show. Because sometimes, we just need to take a break and hang out. Of course, this broadcast won't be for everyone, but if you're just looking for something to listen to, crank it up and enjoy. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support ....
Mar 18, 2017•1 hr 10 min
Ron Miscavige is father of David Miscavige, leader of the Church of Scientology. Ron tells the story of his son, Scientology, and his escape from the church's controlling grasp. Ron's book, "Ruthless:" https://www.amazon.com/Ruthless-Scientology-Son-David-Miscavige/dp/1250096936/ref =sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487075049&sr=8-1&keywords=ron+miscavige SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: The Great Courses Plus: http://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/seth Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/t...
Mar 14, 2017•1 hr 7 min
How reliable is our memory? Can fake memories be planted through suggestion? Cognitive psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Loftus is an expert on memory who has served as an expert witness or consultant in hundreds of memory-related cases, including the famous McMartin preschool trial, the Rodney King trial, litigation involving Michael Jackson, Martha Stewart and others. She joins Seth Andrews for an exploration of memory and the human brain. Dr. Loftus' TED Talk: https://youtu.be/PB2OegI6wvI Dr. Loftus...
Mar 07, 2017•39 min
On the date which would traditionally see the U.S. President's annual State of the Union speech, Seth Andrews gives his own secular State of the Union address...a look at America through the eyes of a private citizen, and an examination of patriotism, protest, the presidency, and the world stage on which this nation stands. Transcript of the speech: http://www.thethinkingatheist.com/blog/123/A-Secular-State-of-the-Union-Address Support our sponsor: The Great Courses Plus: http://www.thegreatcour...
Feb 28, 2017•48 min
Apologist Ken Ham and others have declared Donald Trump's presidency a divine appointment. But is Trump a true representative of the divine, or of the (secular) U.S. Constitution? This broadcast is the first of a two-part series relating to Trump's America. Today's show features: Steven Newton: geologist and rep for the National Center for Science Education Larry Decker: Executive Director - Secular Coalition for America Andrew Seidel: attorney for the Freedom From Religion Foundation Andrew Tor...
Feb 27, 2017•1 hr 8 min
