SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist Dr. Ryan Cragun is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Tampa, and he specializes in the sociology of religion. A former Mormon (now atheist), Cragun has released his new book for which this show is titled. Join us as we talk about religion around the world, its claims versus reality, and the stuff about religion which isn't known (or being taught), but should be. Link to Dr. Cragun's book: http://www.amazon.com/Wh...
Dec 16, 2014•1 hr 21 min
SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: http://www.harrys.com (coupon code: thinkingatheist) Cara Santa Maria has dedicated her life to improving science literacy by communicating scientific principles across media platforms. A North Texas native, she currently lives in Los Angeles. Prior to moving to the west coast, Cara taught biology and psychology courses to university undergraduates and high school students in Texas and New York. Her published research has spanned various topics, including clinical psychologi...
Dec 10, 2014•1 hr 10 min
SUPPORT OUR (NEW) SPONSOR: http://www.harrys.com (use promo code: thinkingatheist to get $5 off your purchase) Imagine this. You receive the news that today will be your last day on earth. Your last day anywhere. How would you populate the final hours of your life? What people would you see? What foods would you eat? What things would you do? Would you react with fear and panic, or would you bask in the warm glow of inevitability? This show allows us to think about what we might do if we realize...
Dec 02, 2014•59 min
SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: http://www.evolvefish.com It's a holiday week. In this relaxed show, listeners submit various things for Seth to read on the air. No real rules on this one, so if you have something interesting for the host to lend voice to, send it in for consideration: [email protected] ROBERT GREEN INGERSOLL "What I Want For Christmas:" http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/What_I_Want_for_Christmas THE ONION ARTICLE: http://www.theonion.com/articles/horribly-awkward-first-sexual-enc...
Nov 25, 2014•1 hr 15 min
SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist The Quiverfull Movement is a lifestyle among fundamentalist Christians which believes that an abundance of children is in compliance with God's perfect will. Contraception equals abortion, a heinous sin against God, so the only "family planning" that's done is a prayer to the sky that His will be done. The Quiverfull Movement is highly patriarchal and often has a dark side in relation to the rights of women and children. In this episo...
Nov 18, 2014•1 hr 16 min
Killing some time. Testing some new gear. Talking about whatever. It's a casual evening among friends, and a very loose "unscheduled" radio podcast for the TTA audience. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support .
Nov 15, 2014•1 hr 13 min
SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist For many who have escaped from religious beliefs and cultures, there was a single event (or series of events) which ultimately tipped them over the edge. In this podcast, we hear the personal stories of apostates, and the "tipping points" which ultimately caused them to call themselves non-believers. Share your story at [email protected] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingathei...
Nov 11, 2014•1 hr 22 min
SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist The late Christopher Hitchens once said that "Mockery of religion is one of the most essential things...one of the beginnings of the human emancipation is the ability to laugh at authority. It's indispensable." But does the mockery of religious belief close minds (and doors) as skeptics attempt to promote rationalism and disabuse superstitious people of their faiths (and is that even a goal)? Should the ridiculous be ridiculed, or sho...
Nov 04, 2014•1 hr 25 min
SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist Our original podcast guest had to postpone, so AronRa jumps into the mix for a casual (and random) conversation with Seth Andrews about God, Satan, the shattered Ten Commandments monument, Governor Rick Perry, a host of pre-Christian deities and some details about the Australia leg of the Unholy Trinity Tour in 2015. Sit back, relax and enjoy this conversation among friends. ARON'S SKEPTOKON SPEECH: http://www.patreon.com/creation?hid...
Oct 28, 2014•1 hr 25 min
SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: http://www.evolvefish.com It's an annual tradition. Each October, in advance of Halloween, we gather around the virtual campfire to share our favorite ghost stories. (Yes, atheists often love tales of the supernatural, as we enjoy all manner of fiction and storytelling.) So dim the lights, place a candle in the jack-o-lantern, and join us for some spooky tales of things that go bump in the night. History of Halloween podcast: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thethinkingatheist/2...
Oct 22, 2014•1 hr 6 min
SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist It's October, the season of Halloween and a time when we fright and delight each other with spooks, scares and things that go bump in the night. In advance of next week's "Ghost Stories" podcast (a yearly tradition), we spend this episode talking about the things that scare us. Rational fears. Irrational fears. The things that make us shudder. The things that make us scream. Your calls and emails welcome. Scared of something? Email po...
Oct 14, 2014•1 hr 23 min
SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist Reverend Bob Ripley was a minister for over 30 years, with 15 of those years as Senior Minister at Metropolitan United Church, one of the most prominent churches of the United Church of Canada. He wrote a syndicated column discussing religion for 25 years. In his September 26, 2014 column on LFPress, he announced to the world that he no longer believed in God. He's releasing a book which chronicles his journey, titled "Life Beyond Bel...
Oct 07, 2014•57 min
Support our sponsor: http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist Quite often, religious people declare that all atheists are "angry atheists." Is this an accurate statement, and what place does anger have in the battle against superstition? What are the stories behind those who have been genuinely hurt by religion, and how does anger help and/or harm our ability to persuade others to embrace an evidence-based, dogma-free life? This podcast is about the angry atheist. Seth's Patreon page: http://www...
Sep 30, 2014•2 hr 37 min
SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist Created by the late science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology is a religion/cult which teaches that humans are actually immortal beings who, having forgotten their true nature, require intensive (and expensive) "auditing" techniques to rediscover their true, immortal selves. Reports and allegations have been made, by journalists, courts, and governmental bodies of several countries, that the Church of Scientology is an unscru...
Sep 23, 2014•2 hr 32 min
SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: http://absenceofclothing.com Children raised in Christian homes are almost always surrounded by beautiful and inspiring tales hand-picked by parents for bedtime. They're inspired by Jesus' miracles. They learn about Zacchaeus and the sycamore tree. They sing about Joshua and the walls of Jericho. They read the joyous tale of Noah's Ark and the boat filled with (often colorfully-drawn) animals. In this podcast, we talk with Joey Kirkman, co-author of "Bedtime Bible Stories," ...
Sep 16, 2014•1 hr 22 min
SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist Many skeptics and rationalists come from religions, cultures and behaviors that stand far apart from their current relationships with reality. This show takes an entertaining look at the strange beliefs many atheists once held and explores how otherwise rational minds can entertain the irrational, the unusual and the bizarre. Want to tell your story? Email [email protected] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www....
Sep 09, 2014•1 hr 10 min
SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist We had to move some shows around at the last minute, so tonight is a "freestyle" podcast, where you talk about whatever's on your mind. WEDDING GIFT BEYOND BELIEF (charity drive): http://www.razoo.com/story/A-Wedding-Gift-Beyond-Belief Seth's Patreon page: http://www.patreon.com/sethandrews Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support ....
Sep 02, 2014•1 hr 12 min
SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist GIVE A WEDDING GIFT: http://www.razoo.com/story/A-Wedding-Gift-Beyond-Belief SECULAR THERAPIST BLOG ARTICLE: http://freethoughtblogs.com/greta/2014/08/20/secular-therapist-project/ JERRY COYNE'S ARTICLE ON ROBIN WILLIAMS (with Stephen Fry letter): http://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/robin-williams-depression-and-stephen-fry In recent weeks, we've been dealing with the human mind and its ability to accept irrational thin...
Aug 20, 2014•1 hr 24 min
In this "bonus" podcast, your humble host shares some (often humorous) stories from his recent Alaska wedding, and then he asks the radio audience for a wedding gift. That gift...is probably not what you're expecting. VISIT THIS LINK TO GIVE YOUR WEDDING GIFT (and thanks!): http://www.razoo.com/story/A-Wedding-Gift-Beyond-Belief Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support ....
Aug 14, 2014•1 hr
SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist It's a topic we cover occasionally, partially because the issue of secular parenting is such a relevant issue, and partially because the subject is often as complex and unique as the families navigating through it. How does a godless parent approach the teaching of a child as opposed to the indoctrination of a child? What are some successful methods for raising a genuine freethinker? What are some of the potential problems? In this ep...
Aug 13, 2014•1 hr 10 min
In the spring of 2014, atheists AronRa, Seth Andrews and Matt Dillahunty teamed up for a 3-city tour bearing the tongue-in-cheek-titled name, "The Unholy Trinity." This podcast features the audio from AronRa's San Antonio presentation, and it's part three of a 3-part podcast series from this tour. Enjoy. VIDEO of Aron's presentation is on YouTube: http://youtu.be/bXHsFlizTbs Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support ....
Aug 07, 2014•27 min
In the spring of 2014, atheists AronRa, Seth Andrews and Matt Dillahunty teamed up for a 3-city tour bearing the tongue-in-cheek-titled name, "The Unholy Trinity." Seth's speech video on YouTube: http://youtu.be/8tVBtyDqD90 This podcast features the audio from Seth Andrews' Albuquerque presentation, and it's part two of a 3-part podcast series from this tour. Enjoy. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support ....
Aug 06, 2014•35 min
In the spring of 2014, atheists AronRa, Seth Andrews and Matt Dillahunty teamed up for a 3-city tour bearing the tongue-in-cheek-titled name, "The Unholy Trinity." This podcast features the audio from Matt Dillahunty's Amarillo presentation, and it's part one of a 3-part podcast series from this tour. Video of Matt's speech is here: http://youtu.be/SBwv79WFqAc ? Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support ....
Aug 05, 2014•37 min
How does the human brain accept rationality AND irrationality? What are the mechanisms at play when it comes to the acceptance of religious beliefs and claims? Are some people more predisposed to superstitious thinking than others? What are the best approaches to help promote science, reason, rationality and evidence-based thinking? Joining us for this show will be Dr. Caleb Lack ( http://www.caleblack.com ) a clinical psychologist and educator on psychology, critical thinking and science VS pse...
Jul 29, 2014•1 hr 15 min
Support our sponsor: http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist This week's special guest is Wanda Morris, CEO of the organization, "Dying with Dignity." Wanda has been on the front lines of the Right to Die Movement in Canada for many years, educating the public, challenging government officials and fighting for patients' rights regarding end-of-life choices. In this podcast, we explore death, the fear of death, and the question of how humanity should approach life, death, suffering, compassion a...
Jul 22, 2014•1 hr 11 min
Support our sponsor: http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheist This week's show is a casual conversation where listeners submit questions and comments about the show, about activism in general, about their own lives and circumstances, and about whatever else might be on their minds. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support ....
Jul 16, 2014•2 hr 35 min
On April 12th, 2014, Seth Andrews spoke in San Diego, California to a standing-room-only crowd at the VisionPulse Creative Event & Meeting Center. His presentation, titled "The Ultimate Question," dealt with religion, indoctrination, curiosity, fear and the liberation from superstitious chains. This is the audio of that presentation. VIDEO VERSION OF THE SPEECH: http://youtu.be/csxLnEUNNS8 THE LETTER: http://www.thethinkingatheist.com/blog/86/A-Letter-of-Encouragement Special thanks to: The Huma...
Jul 08, 2014•1 hr 9 min
Merriam Webster defines the word apologetics as: 1) systematic argumentative discourse in defense (as of a doctrine) 2) a branch of theology devoted to the defense of the divine origin and authority of Christianity And apologists are everywhere, using lofty language and theological acrobatics to defend belief systems which can't otherwise be defended. This two-part podcast talks about many prominent apologists and their arguments, addressing many of the most commonly heard apologetic claims and ...
Jul 01, 2014•1 hr 19 min
Merriam Webster defines the word apologetics as: 1) systematic argumentative discourse in defense (as of a doctrine) 2) a branch of theology devoted to the defense of the divine origin and authority of Christianity And apologists are everywhere, using lofty language and theological acrobatics to defend belief systems which can't otherwise be defended. This two-part podcast talks about many prominent apologists and their arguments, addressing many of the most commonly heard apologetic claims and ...
Jun 24, 2014•1 hr 23 min
Dr. Carolyn C. Porco is an American planetary scientist known for her work on the Voyager missions to Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune in the 1980s. She leads the imaging scientist team on the Cassini mission currently in orbit around Saturn. She’s also involved with the New Horizons mission launched to Pluto. She has authored more than 100 scientific papers. She has given two popular Ted Talks lectures. She has won numerous awards, including the Carl Sagan Medal presented by the American Ast...
Jun 18, 2014•55 min
