Why Smart People Believe Stupid Things (with Michael Shermer)

Every day, we see intelligent people embracing unintelligent things. They're skeptical in some areas of their lives, gullible in others. They seem to shift from logical to illogical at the drop of a hat.

Maybe this refers to another. Perhaps it describes ourselves.



In this conversation, Seth Andrews speaks with Dr. Michael Shermer of Skeptic Magazine about belief, intelligence, religion, conspiracy theories, and the brain.

This interview is part of a larger radio podcast, which includes listener-submitted content and host commentary: https://youtu.be/bj9_F0B8L6Q

The Story of God - A Biblical Comedy About Love (and Hate)

Chris Matheson was co-screenwriter on the 1989 comedy film, "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure." Chris' most recent adventure is an exploration of the Christian holy book, rewriting the "sacred" texts and releasing his synopsis of scripture as the new book, "The Story of God: a Biblical Comedy about Love (and Hate).

In this broadcast, Seth speaks with Chris about his sarcastic (yet accurate) take on the Bible, and he finishes the show by reading an excerpt from the book. Enjoy.

Skip the first 10 min. 30 sec of just rambling


TTA Podcast 239: The Story of God - A Biblical Comedy About Love (and Hate)

Who Invented Jesus? (with Dr. Robert M. Price)

Recent headlines have again prompted rabid debate over the origins of the Jesus story, the latest asserting that Christ was an invention of Rome.

In this podcast, and in advance of the holiday that celebrates Jesus' supposed birthday, we speak with Robert M. Price, a former Baptist minister (turned skeptic), professor of religion, and author of a number of books, including "Deconstructing Jesus," "Jesus is Dead," "The Case Against the Cast for Christ," and "The Amazing Colossal Apostle: The Search for the Historical Paul."



Robert M. Price's website: http://www.robertmprice.mindvendor.com

Sacred Cows (podcast)

In this podcast, Seth Andrews explores the notion of "sacred cows" (ideas, icons and customs supposedly sacred and immune from criticism), and he reads a full chapter from his new book of the same name.



If you'd like to pre-order an autographed copy of the book (shipping in April and May 2015), check out the website: http://www.sacredcowsbook.com

TTA Podcast 205: Sacred Cows
Show date: February 4, 2015 by The Thinking Atheist.

For Goodness' Sake (podcast)

Many claim that good and moral acts cannot exist outside of the concept of God. Many also believe that humanity has become increasingly turbulent, violent, sinful and wicked, and they yearn for the simple, moral days of old.

In this broadcast, we speak with three special guests about "goodness:"



1) John Figdor, Humanist Chaplain at Stanford University and co-author of the book, "Atheist Mind / Humanist Heart" http://www.atheistmindhumanistheart.com

2) Dale McGowan, educator on secular parenting and Executive Director of the Foundation Beyond Belief http://dalemcgowan.com

3) Michael Shermer, founding publisher of Skeptic Magazine


TTA Podcast 210: For Goodness' Sake
-
March 2015

The Unitarians (TTA Podcast)

Unitarian churches are essentially promoted as houses without walls, places were diverse opinions and cultures can converge in safety and without judgment. But how can churches not have doctrines, specific holy books and/or dogmas?

Does the Unitarian church have merit as a place of respectful discussion on topics relating to belief, purpose and truth?



What are the colors, cultures, branches, sects and flavors of Universalist churches out there?

Michael Werner's book "Regaining Balance: the Evolution of the UUA"

10 Women Christian Men Shouldn't Marry

A New York City pastor promotes the biblical ideal of a marriageable woman, and it's tragic. Seth Andrews responds.

TTA Podcast 199: 2014 - The Year in Review

It's our annual wrap-up of the best (and worst) of 2014. What are the things that made the headlines? Scientific breakthroughs? Best films? The most iconic figures? The biggest successes and failures of the year?

The Question of Christ (podcast)

Is there any evidence for a real Jesus? Was Jesus' story borrowed from earlier religions and cultures? Is Jesus really the reason for the Christmas season, which is being celebrated globally this week?

In this podcast, Seth Andrews speaks to three historians who have dedicated much of their lives and writings to the subject of Christ and Christianity: Dr. Richard Carrier, David Fitzgerald and Dr. Robert M. Price.



TTA Podcast 198: The Question of Christ
The Thinking Atheist, December 2014

What You Don't Know About Religion (but should) - with Dr Ryan Cragun

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.



TTA Podcast 197: What You Don't Know About Religion (but should) - with Dr. Ryan Cragun
The Thinking Atheist, December 2014

TTA Podcast 196: Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

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 psychological assessment, the neuropsychology of blindness, neuronal cell culture techniques, and computational neurophysiology.



Cara previously worked as a co-host and producer on the Pivot TV nightly live television show, "TakePart Live." Before that, she was the senior science correspondent for The Huffington Post and co-starred in "Hacking The Planet" and "The Truth About Twisters" on The Weather Channel.
She has made appearances on CNN, Fox News, TLC, Current TV, BBC America, G4, SundanceTV, Travel Channel, and Nat Geo WILD.

Cara currently hosts a weekly science podcast called "Talk Nerdy."


TTA Podcast 196: Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

The Thinking Atheist, December 2014

If The World Ended Tomorrow

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 realized that our finite lives were approaching the final ticks of the clock. What would you do if the world ended tomorrow?



Christmas video "Christmas: Behind the Curtain

TTA Podcast 195: If The World Ended Tomorrow
The Thinking Atheist, December 2014

Christmas: Behind the Curtain

Is Jesus the reason for the season? Seth Andrews takes a look at the origins of the Christmas holiday in this 14-minute special produced for AtheistTV (http://atheists.org/atheisttv)

No Longer Quivering (podcast)

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 episode, we explore The Quiverfull Movement, we speak with Kathryn Joyce, author of the book: "Quiverfull: Inside the Christian Patriarchy Movement," and we speak to some who once experienced this culture inside its walls, including Vykie Garrison, who hosts the online community, "No Longer Quivering."



TTA Podcast 193: No Longer Quivering
The Thinking Atheist, November 2014

TTA Podcast 192: Testing 1...2...3...

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.



TTA Podcast 192: Testing 1...2...3...
The Thinking Atheist, November 15, 2014

The Tipping Point (TTA podcast)

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.



TTA Podcast 191: The Tipping Point
The Thinking Atheist, November 2014

Should We Mock Religion

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 should we find other methods for exposing the cracks in religious foundations?



TTA Podcast 190: Should We Mock Religion
Show date: November 4, 2014

Ghost Stories 2014

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.



TTA Podcast 188: Ghost Stories 2014
The Thinking Atheist,

It Scares Me (TTA Podcast)

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.



TTA Podcast 187: It Scares Me
The Thinking Atheist, 2014

Bob Ripley - A Preacher's Deconversion (podcast)

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, Bob Ripley announced to the world that he no longer believed in God. He's releasing a book which chronicles his journey, titled "Life Beyond Belief: a Preacher's Deconversion."

Bob Ripley joins Seth Andrews for a candid discussion about his life, his beliefs, his doubts, and the transition from Christian minister to skeptic/humanist.

BOB'S WEBSITE: www.lifebeyondbelief.ca



TTA Podcast 186: Bob Ripley - A Preacher's Deconversion

The Thinking Atheist, October 2014