Thank God I'm Atheist

Επεισόδια

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  Catholicism is a Trip! 16.09.2026 1ώ 24λ

  Frank just got back from Italy and has some stories to tell! Catholic churches, baby Jesus art, so much Jesus blood, Mary's wedding ring, and a visit to Assisi to see St. Carlo's dead body. But first, there's a bunch of wacky religious news from the week: Eiffel Tower workers strike over hiding female staff, Trump leads a bizarre voting pledge, Austria bans hijabs for young girls in schools, a convicted pastor shows up at a Senate campaign event, OpenAI sued after ChatGPT feeds man's delusions, and Giuliani loses it over Mamdani attending the 9/11 ceremony.
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  Can Neurodivergent People Know God? 09.09.2026 1ώ 1λ

  Kate fills in for Frank this week, joining Dan for a conversation about neurodivergence, religious belief, and why some brains may process spiritual experiences differently than others. They compare religion to imagination, play, and believing in Santa, and wonder whether neurodivergent people may be less inclined to attach supernatural meaning to powerful emotional experiences. But first: A Texas evangelical takes matters into his own hands when the flag is lowered to honor Dolly Parton. Samaritan's Purse turns down $300 million from the Trump administration—and nobody seems quite sure why. Bethel Church racks up scandals, failed prophecies, and some remarkably durable forgiveness for badly behaved men. A Maine court rules that a father can restrict his daughter's exposure to a church whose teachings were causing her severe anxiety. Christian evangelists get kicked out of Burning Man and, naturally, call it persecution. Catholic televangelist Fulton Sheen is headed for beatification, complete with a miracle, a mysterious relic, and possibly a piece of the man himself.
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  Saint Dolly, Devilish Tim, and Radical Acceptance 02.09.2026 1ώ 13λ

  This week, we remember two iconic figures who helped make the world feel a little more accepting in very different ways. Dolly Parton embodied a version of Christianity rooted in love, generosity, and an instinctive refusal to exclude people who weren't like her. Tim Curry, meanwhile, helped bring transgressive sexuality, camp, and gender-bending performance into the cultural mainstream. Together, they represent two very different paths toward the same idea of giving people permission to be fully themselves Also: An Anglican church in hot water after a visit from a sex worker. Miss North Carolina loses her crown—and calls it Christian persecution. Catholic doctors push back against Illinois' assisted-dying law. Did New Jersey make prayer illegal? Milo Yiannopoulos gets an unexpected lesson in immigration enforcement. AI-generated religious influencers are gaining millions of followers.
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  Religious Freedom Guaranteed* (See Terms and Conditions) 26.08.2026 1ώ 17λ

  Texas conservatives are taking their anti-Muslim crusade to a new level: questioning whether Islam should even count as a religion. Frank and Dan look at the effort to redefine religious freedom so Christianity gets ever-expanding protections while Muslim beliefs and practices can be dismissed as merely "cultural" and therefore fair game for government restriction. Elsewhere, a transgender wedding in Bangladesh triggers a police inquiry; Israel turns away a delegation of American Christians headed to meet Palestinians; a pardoned January 6 rioter takes his anti-Muslim crusade to Dearborn; Arizona's Supreme Court says a pastor's recorded confession to child abuse isn't protected by clergy privilege; churches accuse DHS of spying on congregations protecting immigrants; and Texas's Ten Commandments classroom mandate moves closer to the U.S. Supreme Court.
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  The Power of Religious Symbols 18.08.2026 1ώ 26λ

  Who owns a symbol? And who gets to decide what it means? This week, we look at how symbols can be stolen, reclaimed, transformed, or ruined, from the swastika and pink triangle to the rainbow and the cross. Also this week: the sky evangelist picks a fight with Alaska Airlines, Canada's military makes room for nonbelievers, halal barbecue takes off in Texas, a Christian influencer says aliens harvested her eggs, the State Department sends billions through faith-based aid groups, and the White Sox celebrate their hometown pope.
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  Can the Religious Left Stop Christian Nationalism? 12.08.2026 1ώ 6λ

  As Christian nationalism tightens its grip on the nation's politics, a new crop of progressive candidates is putting faith front and center. From James Talarico to Abdul El-Sayed, the religious left is making a more explicit play for political power (and challenging the idea that Republicans get to own God). Can religious progressives provide an effective counterweight to Christian nationalism, or are we just inviting more religion into a political system that could use a lot less of it? Also on the show: Christians find God on both sides of the fight over massive AI data centers; Florida's attorney general picks a fight with Catholic schools over vaccine exemptions; the Arizona Supreme Court hands the Mormon Church a win in a horrific child-abuse case; anti-Muslim opposition to a proposed mosque lands an Oklahoma city in court; new data reveals just how differently Mormons practice their religion around the world; and Texas' mandatory Ten Commandments displays face a new legal challenge.
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  Mourning Without an Afterlife 05.08.2026 1ώ 2λ

  Death comes for all of us, but what does grief look like without belief in an afterlife? Frank is joined by Rachel for a personal conversation about scattering her father's ashes five years after his death, finding closure without religion, and whether mourning is different when this life is the only one we have. Also this week: Christian men create women-free gyms to avoid "lust," Kim Davis is accused of hiding assets to dodge paying a civil rights judgment, a Texas deputy uses a massive license-plate camera network to track a woman who had an abortion, OpenAI faces a wrongful death lawsuit after ChatGPT allegedly encouraged a vulnerable user toward suicide, an airline finally says "enough" to an in-flight evangelist, and a West Virginia pastor would rather empty his food bank than accept donations from LGBTQ-supporting organizations.
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  Pioneers, Persecution & Selective Memory 29.07.2026 1ώ 5λ

  Pioneer Day is one of Utah's biggest celebrations, but how much of the Mormon pioneer story is history? And how much is mythology? Frank and Dan take a fresh look at the conflict that drove the Mormons west, why the word "persecution" doesn't tell the whole story, and how the familiar handcart-and-heroism narrative leaves out a lot of the truth. Also this week: preparations begin for the 2,000th anniversary of Jesus' baptism, two Catholic nuns launch an order dedicated to helping survivors of church abuse, the USDA faces a lawsuit over explicitly Christian government emails, a new poll reveals what Jewish Americans think about Israel and Gaza, West Virginia stands firm on school vaccine requirements despite pressure for religious exemptions, and a prominent Black Baptist leader argues that not voting is a sin.
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  The Truth About Religious Conversion 22.07.2026 58λ

  This week's final segment tackles a surprisingly tricky question: what is a religious conversion? Does becoming an atheist count, or is it something entirely different? We explore where Americans are actually moving religiously, why the "nones" continue to grow, and what it really means to change (or leave) your faith. Also this week: a Utah man is arrested after allegedly plotting an attack on Muslims, Idaho's abortion laws drive another community's OB-GYNs away, Brazil's evangelical boom gets blamed for the national soccer team's decline, a Christian tech company asks investors to keep the faith, and Orthodox Jews lobby for permanent daylight saving time.
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  Why Do Mormon Temples Look Like Luxury Hotels? 15.07.2026 1ώ 10λ

  Frank and Dan explore why modern Mormon temple interiors resemble upscale hotel lobbies rather than awe-inspiring sacred spaces. They compare Mormon architecture with historic cathedrals, discuss the church's increasing architectural homogenization, and argue that Mormon aesthetics have become more corporate than spiritual. We also tease organizing a TGIA group visit when the renovated Salt Lake Temple opens to the public. Also this week: Turkey bars an LGBTQ+ cruise from coming ashore, Indiana's lieutenant governor declares America a Christian nation, the Church of England stumbles into a conversion therapy controversy, a new poll reveals which religions Americans like (and really don't like), a MAGA preacher insists Jesus had a six-pack, and a Catholic hospital sale restores access to reproductive healthcare previously blocked by church doctrine. Support the show! www.thankgodimatheist.com/donate
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  The Problem With Hearing God's Voice 08.07.2026 1ώ 3λ

  How do you tell the difference between a prophet and someone experiencing a delusion? This week, Frank and Dan explore the uneasy intersection of religion and mental illness, asking how believers decide whether a voice in someone's head is divine revelation or a symptom of psychosis. Also this week: the Vatican excommunicates hundreds of traditionalist Catholics, a Mormon general authority apologizes after racist remarks about African American spirituals, Christian missionaries descend on Trump's sparsely attended America 250 celebration, FLDS leader Samuel Bateman is convicted on additional child abuse charges, scientists create a synthetic cell that can grow and divide, and the San Francisco Archdiocese agrees to a $395 million clergy abuse settlement. Support the show! www.thankgodimatheist.com/donate
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  Did the Founders Want a Christian Nation? 30.06.2026 1ώ 5λ

  As America approaches its 250th birthday, we're asking a simple question: Is this what the Founders wanted? Christian nationalists insist the United States was established as a Christian nation, but what did the men who actually wrote the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution believe? Frank and Dan separate historical fact from modern mythology while exploring whether the secular government envisioned by the Founders has drifted from its original course. Also this week: a Mormon family sues a California school district over LGBTQ-inclusive lessons, the Supreme Court leaves a Rastafarian prisoner without a remedy after guards shaved his dreadlocks, Seattle's Pride World Cup match pits Iran against Egypt, reports of rising anti-Christian violence in Israel raise uncomfortable questions, Texas votes to require Bible stories in its public-school curriculum, and a gay Tennessee student reaches a settlement after being punished by her Christian school for coming out.
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  If Aliens are Real, What Happens to Religion? 26.06.2026 1ώ 9λ

  What happens to religion if humanity discovers we're not alone in the universe? This week, Frank and Dan explore one of the biggest theological questions imaginable: aliens. Would Christianity survive first contact? Would extraterrestrials need their own Jesus? Could they arrive with a religion more advanced than our own? Along the way, we also discuss an Iranian singer punished for performing without a hijab, RFK Jr.'s push for faith-based addiction treatment, anti-Muslim opposition to a new Islamic center in New Mexico, Christian nationalism, and a bizarre fight over Bible verses on MLB Pride hats.
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  Christian Nationalists, Mormon Drama, and Route 666 19.06.2026 59λ

  With Frank under the weather this week, Dan takes the reins solo for a special live-stream edition of Thank God I'm Atheist. Along the way he digs into Christian nationalists attempting to build a new religious stronghold in Washington state, revisits the ongoing debate over whether Mormons are considered Christian by their evangelical neighbors, and looks at Donald Trump's latest honor from an Orthodox Christian leader. Dan also checks in on the Ark Encounter as it approaches its tenth anniversary, discusses new Catholic abuse-prevention guidelines, celebrates the return of the infamous Route 666 to Hell, and spends plenty of time chatting with listeners from around the world. Support the show! www.thankgodimatheist.com/donate
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  Are Mormons Christian? The Pentagon Has an Answer 12.06.2026 1ώ 13λ

  Are Mormons Christian? It's a question that's sparked debates for generations, and now the Pentagon has unexpectedly weighed in. This week Frank and Dan discuss the Department of Defense's new list of recognized faith categories, which places The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints outside its Christian classifications while simultaneously removing atheists, humanists, pagans, and several other minority belief groups from the list altogether. Elsewhere, we discuss a Christian employee suing over a Pride flag at work, a Presbyterian debate over polyamory, a Colorado gubernatorial candidate's unbelievable personal claims, the rise of megachurch-run colleges, and a UFO religion's latest attempt to prepare humanity for alien contact. Plus a Pride Month conversation about whether churches belong at Pride events. Support the show! www.thankgodimatheist.com/donate
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  They Saved a Buffalo Because It Looked Like Trump 04.06.2026 1ώ 4λ

  A rare albino buffalo in Bangladesh was headed for ritual sacrifice during a Muslim holiday (until people noticed it looked remarkably like Donald Trump). After the buffalo went viral, government officials stepped in, canceled the sacrifice, and gave the animal a new home at a zoo. Also this week: a Muslim principal loses her job after a backlash campaign in Texas, a Christian job applicant demands protection from Pride flags and pronouns, Oklahoma lawmakers debate whether children should be allowed to marry, Congress considers spending $1 billion on security for houses of worship, and Rome's famous "hot priest" calendar turns out to feature models instead of clergy. Plus, Frank and Dan discuss why atheists are surprisingly expensive targets for political campaigns. 💸 No gods. No guilt. Some hosting fees. 💸 Support the show at www.thankgodimatheist.com/donate
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  The UFO Files Dropped… and Pastors Lost It 29.05.2026 1ώ 8λ

  The government dumped a fresh batch of UFO files into the public record, and Christian pastors are already racing to explain what we're seeing. Are they aliens? Secret military tech? Weather balloons? Or… angels and demons?!! Frank and Dan dive into the newly released footage, the religious panic surrounding it, and why "we don't know" remains the most honest (and apparently least popular) answer. In other news: pastors in Nashville are accused of running a medication rebate scam through a church clinic, a Chick-fil-A franchise gets hit with a religious discrimination lawsuit over Sabbath scheduling, and a former Christian pop star reclaims one of his biggest hits after coming out as gay. Also... protest zones outside houses of worship, student loans for "useless" degrees, and Pope Leo XIV's surprisingly serious warnings about the ethics of artificial intelligence. Support the show! www.thankgodimatheist.com/donate
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  Trump's America 250 Celebration Is Exactly What You Fear 22.05.2026 1ώ 5λ

  America is turning 250… and Christian nationalists are determined to make sure the birthday party belongs to them. This week, Frank and Dan dive into the bizarre "Rededicate 250" event in Washington D.C., where Trump allies, religious activists, and culture war celebrities are pushing the idea that the United States was founded as a Christian nation (and therefore should become one again). Elsewhere: Rudy Giuliani claims he had a heavenly near-death experience, Hillsong founder Brian Houston accidentally posts porn to his followers, Christian nationalist culture warrior Ryan Walters files for divorce, and Texas officials shut down a Muslim community Eid celebration at a water park because apparently even modest swimwear is too threatening for Greg Abbott.  Support the show! www.thankgodimatheist.com/donate
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  The God Delusion… Meets AI Delusion 15.05.2026 57λ

  Richard Dawkins spent decades convincing people to think critically about religion. Now he's wondering if a chatbot might actually be conscious. After an extended conversation with an AI he nicknamed "Claudia," the famed atheist author published a baffling article arguing that modern AI may be far more self-aware than we think. Frank is away this week, so Dan and Kate dive into one of the strangest (and most unintentionally hilarious) AI meltdowns we've seen yet. Also this week: France reckons with stolen Nazi-looted artwork, Norway restores government funding to Jehovah's Witnesses despite their shunning practices, a new Christian phone company promises to protect kids from YouTube and "dangerous" ideas, Southern Baptists continue losing members, anti-Semitic incidents show signs of decline after years of spikes, and the Catholic Church cautiously opens the door to listening to gay Catholics about the damage caused by conversion therapy. Support the show! www.thankgodimatheist.com/donate 
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  Christian Marriage Expert Had TWO Wives!! 08.05.2026 1ώ 9λ

  A Florida pastor who wrote a book about "biblical marriage" has been arrested after allegedly marrying a second woman while still married to his first wife. Frank and Dan dive into the very awkward collision between Christian marriage advice, secret spouses, and a pastor who may have taken "biblical marriage" a little too literally. Also this week: TikTokers are "speedrunning" Scientology buildings, a strange UK religious cult faces slavery and forced marriage charges, Trump's "anti-Christian bias" task force releases a report full of grievances and very little evidence, a liberal megachurch pastor shakes up Kansas politics, and the Mormon church somehow makes their youth programs even weirder. Support the show: www.thankgodimatheist.com/donate