FFRF attorney Ryan Jayne tells us what is wrong with President Trump and local officials using prayer to fight the coronavirus. Then we hear journalist and author Jeff Sharlet talk about his powerful exposé, a book which is now a Netflix series, The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power. Taking the cue of cellist Yo-Yo Ma, we end the show with some "comfort music" for these troubling times: "Love Walked In," by George and Ira Gershwin.

FFRF attorney Ryan Jayne tells us what is wrong with President Trump and local officials using prayer to fight the coronavirus. Then we hear journalist and author Jeff Sharlet talk about his powerful exposé, a book which is now a Netflix series, The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power. Taking the cue of cellist Yo-Yo Ma, we end the show with some "comfort music" for these troubling times: "Love Walked In," by George and Ira Gershwin.

Freethought Radio

Secret Fundamentalism

There is more to beware of this week than the Ides of March. Can the Corona Virus be cured by prayer? FFRF's Andrew Seidel tells us about how Vice President Pence is (unsuccessfully) trying just that. After reporting state/church news and listening to the optimistic Yip Harburg/Earl Robinson song "One Sweet Morning," we talk with journalist and author Katherine Stewart about her cautionary new book, The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism.

There is more to beware of this week than the Ides of March. Can the Corona Virus be cured by prayer? FFRF's Andrew Seidel tells us about how Vice President Pence is (unsuccessfully) trying just that. After reporting state/church news and listening to the optimistic Yip Harburg/Earl Robinson song "One Sweet Morning," we talk with journalist and author Katherine Stewart about her cautionary new book, The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism.

Power Worshippers

We filed our first lawsuit in Puerto Rico, with the Humanistas Seculares as plaintiffs. FFRF attorney Sam Grover explains that the public schools in Puerto Rico have been forcing Christian prayer on all students. Then we talk with investigative journalist Nandini Archer about her Open Democracy expose, "Trump-linked religious 'extremists' target women with disinformation worldwide," proving that American anti-abortion evangelicals are funding dishonest Crisis Pregnancy Centers all over the world.

We filed our first lawsuit in Puerto Rico, with the Humanistas Seculares as plaintiffs. FFRF attorney Sam Grover explains that the public schools in Puerto Rico have been forcing Christian prayer on all students. Then we talk with investigative journalist Nandini Archer about her Open Democracy expose, "Trump-linked religious 'extremists' target women with disinformation worldwide," proving that American anti-abortion evangelicals are funding dishonest Crisis Pregnancy Centers all over the world.

Pregnancy Center Crisis

Missouri school board sides with FFRF (and not the state attorney general) in disallowing coach-led prayer. FFRF Director of Communication Amit Pal tells us about Trump's "religious nationalism" visit to India this week. Then we talk with Erin Louis about her freethought "behind the scenes" book Expose Yourself: How to Take Risks, Question Everything and Find Yourself — Humor and Insights From My Life As A Stripper.

Missouri school board sides with FFRF (and not the state attorney general) in disallowing coach-led prayer. FFRF Director of Communication Amit Pal tells us about Trump's "religious nationalism" visit to India this week. Then we talk with Erin Louis about her freethought "behind the scenes" book Expose Yourself: How to Take Risks, Question Everything and Find Yourself — Humor and Insights From My Life As A Stripper.

Expose Yourself

This week we discuss state/church victories and defeats in Florida, Kentucky and Colorado, and celebrate the lives of February freethinkers such as NAACP founder W. E. B. Du Bois and actor Tony Randall. After hearing folksinger Malvina Reynolds sing about "This World," we talk with Swedish-born Yale professor Martin Hägglund about his book This Life: Secular Faith and Spiritual Freedom, in which he explains that the concept of eternity destroys true meaning and value.

This week we discuss state/church victories and defeats in Florida, Kentucky and Colorado, and celebrate the lives of February freethinkers such as NAACP founder W. E. B. Du Bois and actor Tony Randall. After hearing folksinger Malvina Reynolds sing about "This World," we talk with Swedish-born Yale professor Martin Hägglund about his book This Life: Secular Faith and Spiritual Freedom, in which he explains that the concept of eternity destroys true meaning and value.

This Life

We report stopping prayer at a Nevada school board and complain about an over-the-top pastoral prayer in the Virginia Legislature. FFRF's Legal Director Rebecca Markert tells us about our final victory allowing nontheistic invocations in Brevard County, Fla. After parsing the remarks by President Trump at the problematic National Prayer Breakfast, FFRF's Director of Governmental Affairs Mark Dann tells us how freethought values are being championed in Washington, D.C., through congressional legislation and governmental regulations.

We report stopping prayer at a Nevada school board and complain about an over-the-top pastoral prayer in the Virginia Legislature. FFRF's Legal Director Rebecca Markert tells us about our final victory allowing nontheistic invocations in Brevard County, Fla. After parsing the remarks by President Trump at the problematic National Prayer Breakfast, FFRF's Director of Governmental Affairs Mark Dann tells us how freethought values are being championed in Washington, D.C., through congressional legislation and governmental regulations.

God and Government

We celebrate Black History Month by honoring the many prominent Black Americans and Africans who were/are nonreligious. After parsing Trump's religious remarks in his State of the Union speech, we hear Paul Robeson sing "The Bill of Rights." Filmmaker Jeremiah Camara tells us about his newest movie, Holy Hierarchy: The Religious Roots of Racism in America. Then we hear atheist rapper Greydon Square tell us why he does not believe in God.

We celebrate Black History Month by honoring the many prominent Black Americans and Africans who were/are nonreligious. After parsing Trump's religious remarks in his State of the Union speech, we hear Paul Robeson sing "The Bill of Rights." Filmmaker Jeremiah Camara tells us about his newest movie, Holy Hierarchy: The Religious Roots of Racism in America. Then we hear atheist rapper Greydon Square tell us why he does not believe in God.

Holy Hierarchy

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers comes out as a nonbeliever. We celebrate the life of former congressman Pete Stark, condemn White House "spiritual advisor" Paula White, parse Trump's outrageous "Rally For Life" remarks, and balance that with the song "Every Sperm is Sacred," co-written by Terry Jones. FFRF attorney Patrick Elliott tells us what is wrong with Vice President Michael Pence's "celebration" of school choice. Then we hear FFRF "Freethought Heroine” Mandisa Thomas, founder and president of Black Nonbelievers.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers comes out as a nonbeliever. We celebrate the life of former congressman Pete Stark, condemn White House "spiritual advisor" Paula White, parse Trump's outrageous "Rally For Life" remarks, and balance that with the song "Every Sperm is Sacred," co-written by Terry Jones. FFRF attorney Patrick Elliott tells us what is wrong with Vice President Michael Pence's "celebration" of school choice. Then we hear FFRF "Freethought Heroine” Mandisa Thomas, founder and president of Black Nonbelievers.

Freethought Heroine

This week we respond to President Trump's guidelines for prayer in school. FFRF litigation attorney Sam Grover tells us about the friend-of-the-court brief we filed in the U.S. Supreme Court dealing with state money for religious schools. After hearing atheist comedian and actor Patton Oswalt talk about "the insanity of faith," retired Kentucky postal worker Ben Hart tells us what it feels like, after three years of litigation, to finally mount his irreverent "I'M GOD" license plate on his vehicle.

This week we respond to President Trump's guidelines for prayer in school. FFRF litigation attorney Sam Grover tells us about the friend-of-the-court brief we filed in the U.S. Supreme Court dealing with state money for religious schools. After hearing atheist comedian and actor Patton Oswalt talk about "the insanity of faith," retired Kentucky postal worker Ben Hart tells us what it feels like, after three years of litigation, to finally mount his irreverent "I'M GOD" license plate on his vehicle.

"I'M GOD"

Despite a dismissal on standing, FFRF's IRS lawsuit about church accountability will continue. We reply to former Attorney General Jeff Sessions after he criticized FFRF for complaint about coach-led baptisms, analyze Trump’s proposal for prayer in schools, discuss FFRF's Reagan ad on CNN, and denounce the Pentagon for blessing an official Bible. After honoring Rush drummer Neil Peart, we talk with Susan Sackett, who for 17 years was the personal executive assistant for Gene Roddenberry, the creator of "Star Trek."

Despite a dismissal on standing, FFRF's IRS lawsuit about church accountability will continue. We reply to former Attorney General Jeff Sessions after he criticized FFRF for complaint about coach-led baptisms, analyze Trump’s proposal for prayer in schools, discuss FFRF's Reagan ad on CNN, and denounce the Pentagon for blessing an official Bible. After honoring Rush drummer Neil Peart, we talk with Susan Sackett, who for 17 years was the personal executive assistant for Gene Roddenberry, the creator of "Star Trek."

Inside Star Trek

FFRF complains over the largest Christian cross in the country being depicted on government property in Effingham, Ill., and about the governor of Nebraska forcing his private religious views about abortion on the state. We parse some of the remarks President Trump made at a rally held in a Miami church. Then we hear professor and author Anthony B. Pinn talk about racism and religion and tell us why freethinkers should be concerned about social justice.

FFRF complains over the largest Christian cross in the country being depicted on government property in Effingham, Ill., and about the governor of Nebraska forcing his private religious views about abortion on the state. We parse some of the remarks President Trump made at a rally held in a Miami church. Then we hear professor and author Anthony B. Pinn talk about racism and religion and tell us why freethinkers should be concerned about social justice.

No God On Our Side

Attorney General Bill Barr thinks Americans are going to hell. Katherine Stewart and Caroline Fredrickson's New York Times column reveals how President Trump is being played by evangelicals. After hearing the freethought song "Experiment" by the atheist songwriter Cole Porter, we listen to author and professor Isaac Kramnick tell us how "God" got inserted into the Pledge of Allegiance, explaining the faulty legal reasoning that allows it to remain.

Attorney General Bill Barr thinks Americans are going to hell. Katherine Stewart and Caroline Fredrickson's New York Times column reveals how President Trump is being played by evangelicals. After hearing the freethought song "Experiment" by the atheist songwriter Cole Porter, we listen to author and professor Isaac Kramnick tell us how "God" got inserted into the Pledge of Allegiance, explaining the faulty legal reasoning that allows it to remain.

Godless Citizens

Happy New Year! Christianity Today did the right thing by condemning Trump's morality. We talk on the phone from Mumbai with India's well-known film and TV actor Sushant Singh, who lost his job as a TV host after publicly condemning the Hindu nationalist violence against students protesting the government's new laws that would discriminate against Muslims. Then we welcome 2020 with Scottish singer Jean Redpath's lovely rendition of Auld Lang Syne written by freethinker Robert Burns.

Happy New Year! Christianity Today did the right thing by condemning Trump's morality. We talk on the phone from Mumbai with India's well-known film and TV actor Sushant Singh, who lost his job as a TV host after publicly condemning the Hindu nationalist violence against students protesting the government's new laws that would discriminate against Muslims. Then we welcome 2020 with Scottish singer Jean Redpath's lovely rendition of Auld Lang Syne written by freethinker Robert Burns.

Trouble in India

Hear about the visit to Freethought Hall of the legendary actor Ed Asner (Lou Grant, “Up"). This week's show is an antidote to traditional Christmas music. We play a number of funny, irreverent (and sometimes positive) Winter Solstice songs, such as "O Isthmus Tree" by Ken Lohnquist, "Solstice Song" by Kristin Lems, "Christmas Carol" by Tom Lehrer, "Blah Blah Bethlehem" by Ian Assersohn, "Christmas is Pain" by Roy Zimmerman and "White Wine in the Sun" by Tim Minchin.

Hear about the visit to Freethought Hall of the legendary actor Ed Asner (Lou Grant, “Up"). This week's show is an antidote to traditional Christmas music. We play a number of funny, irreverent (and sometimes positive) Winter Solstice songs, such as "O Isthmus Tree" by Ken Lohnquist, "Solstice Song" by Kristin Lems, "Christmas Carol" by Tom Lehrer, "Blah Blah Bethlehem" by Ian Assersohn, "Christmas is Pain" by Roy Zimmerman and "White Wine in the Sun" by Tim Minchin.

It's That Time of Year

We complain about prayer and worship in the White House, and report a number of FFRF state/church victories. Tom Cara, president of the FFRF Metropolitan Chicago Chapter, tells us about the un-holy holiday displays chapter members have erected in the Chicago area to counter Nativity scenes and religious displays. Then we hear Rachel Laser, President and CEO of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, accepting FFRF's "Henry Zumach Freedom From Religious Fundamentalism" award.

We complain about prayer and worship in the White House, and report a number of FFRF state/church victories. Tom Cara, president of the FFRF Metropolitan Chicago Chapter, tells us about the un-holy holiday displays chapter members have erected in the Chicago area to counter Nativity scenes and religious displays. Then we hear Rachel Laser, President and CEO of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, accepting FFRF's "Henry Zumach Freedom From Religious Fundamentalism" award.

Americans United

A weekly show by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Slightly irreverent views, news, music and interviews.

hubhopper

Freethought Radio

hubhopper