The Good Atheist

This week, my special guest is Jonny Scaramanga, a talented young musician from England who is one of the finalists in my ‘Next Generation’ of Good Atheists (or T-Gang for short). If you liked him on the show, please be sure to voice your support so he can become a full time participant! Video of Jonny as a young child defending creationism: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoQmfgK4oOw His blog about leaving fundamentalism: http://leavingfundamentalism.wordpress.com/

This week, my guest is activist AJ Johnson, who has started a new business called “Be Secular”. She joins me as we talk of transitioning from activism to business, and why the new generation of unbelievers need to pick up where we left off. Don’t miss this one! For those of you wanting to visit her site, here are the links: Main site: http://www.besecular.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/besecular Facebook Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/besecularbracelets

This week, a shocking announcement as The Good Atheist hangs up his hat, and also takes the time to discuss some of the challenges of the future.

This week, my special guest is author Bridget Gaudette, who joins me to talk about her important upcoming book Grieving for the Living: Effects of Disownment in Adulthood. As I mentioned on the show, there’s only a few more days to support her Kickstarter project, so if you’re feeling generous, please don’t hesitate to donate! http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1433423258/grieving-for-the-living http://grievingfortheliving.com/

This week, part 2 of our “History of Scientology” podcast. Ryan joins me as we talk about Miscaviage’s weird obsessions, Cardinal Cruise and his helm of Charisma, and why Indiana Jones is a murderer. - 62 of 157 reported zero book sales – Website by Mike Rinder criticizing the pyramid scheme of Orgs – Scientology members leaving because of pressure of over-regging (over taxing) – The incredible amount of waste that results in poor renovation, use of unskilled labor, and unpaid contractors – The perfect synergy of Cruise as a pitchman for a Hollywood cult of celebrity – Tom Cruise was thirsty for religious experience. Energetic, and exuberant to the point of naiveté, Miscaviage enjoys the cool factor Cruise gives him, but also enjoys the humiliating details of the actor’s sex life, something he uses to feel superior – Miscaviage is not particularly educated, and seems to react violently to criticism. He may believe that the Org program is working, even though they are taxing their members to the breaking point, holding 8 hour fundraising sessions, several times a year to pay for renovations http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKazxeh-O3o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alLZWxkDf30 http://idleorgs.com/page/3/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Rinder

This week, Ryan joins me for a very special 2 part episode about Scientology. First up, we discuss the early history of the church, some of its scandals, and the way it operates. We also discuss what the different elements of a cult are, and I try to break Scientology down with it. Don’t miss this one!

This week, we “pontificate” on the Pope’s replacement, and we also talk about the new HBO documentary “Mea Maxima Culpa“, on the sexual abuse of children at the hands of the Catholic Church, and the cover-up by the Vatican. The movie is available for free here for a limited time, so be sure to watch it!

This week, Ryan and I break the big announcement from the Vatican, and speculate as to why the Pope is running home with his tail between his legs. With things at TGA slowly starting to get back to normal (whatever that is), we’ve got a big show for you at over an hour. Enjoy! For those of you interested in becoming one of the 300, please upgrade your account and let me know what number you would like to have!

This week, I recorded a short show with Ryan, a sort of off-the-cuff show on a huge variety of topics, ranging from the economy to right wing terrorism. We’re wrapping up the DVD this week, which explains the short show, but things will be back to normal next week.

This week, a sad announcement about Carisa and me, but also a new hope for the future among this heartbreak: the announcement of ‘The 300′, a group I’m creating to finally bring solvency to TGA, and ensure the growth of a full fledged organisation. Interested people can email me or leave comments on the site, or on Facebook. You can also nab a hard-core membership now: NOTE: FAN ONLY SHOW

This week, I interview Josh Sobel, who is trying to fund an interesting and exciting Kickstarter project. Please, go to the site and donate any amount you can. Let’s help our fellow atheists achieve their very reasonable goals! Kickstarter Project [1] Booklet “Be Rational” [2] [1] http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/joshsobel/the-animated-freethought-project [2] http://www.mediafire.com/?t8292f992oabtc8

This week, my guest is veteran activist Margaret Downey, who shares her ‘deconversion’ story, her fight with the Boy Scouts of America, and her recent projects. After this interview, you may want her to adopt you! Margaret Downey - Freethought Society President [1] - Founder of the Thomas Paine Memorial Committee [2] - Margaret Downey Fanpage [3] - Video of her Thomas Paine presentation in schools [4] [1]http://www.ftsociety.org/tag/margaret-downey/ [2]http://www.ftsociety.org/menu/thomas-paine-memorial-committee/ [3]http://www.margaretdowney.com/ [4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi_y35-dPVs

After building a makeshift recording setup, I was able to interview Professor of Native Archeology Dean R. Snow to talk about the legend of the Great Peacemaker, the structure of Native society, and how things might have played out differently if not for the European Invasion. NOTES: Dr. Dean R. Snow, Professor of Archeology at Penn State. Author of “Archeology of North America”, Difficulty finding reliable material on the subject that wasn’t marred by attempts to mythologize and aggrandize Native History. Is that fair?. Part 1: The Great Peacemaker An attempt is made on his life, by a family relative at a young age He is persecuted by his own people who do not understand him. Claims to be speaking on behalf of a greater power to establish new laws and ensure a new peace after a time of strife. In order to prove his claim, he performs a series of superhuman feats. Was there an element of Native society that in fact precipitated the spread of illness? Were longhouses inadequate to the task of natural quarantine barriers? The meaning of Hiawatha or Hayonwhatha, Ha-yon-wha-tha, is “he who seeks his lost mind and knows where to find it,” or possibly a more spiritual rendering might be “he who seeks his ideal and knows where to realize it.” The Great Peace seems to coincide with Samuel de Champlain’s arrival and subsequent war with the Natives. Was this a civilizing pressure? And external threat they could rally around? Dr. Snow’s Books: 1. Archeology of Native North America[1] 2. The Iroquois (Peoples of America)[2] [1]http://www.amazon.com/Archaeology-Native-North-America-Dean/dp/013615686X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357943004&sr=1-2 [2] http://www.amazon.com/Iroquois-Peoples-America-Dean-Snow/dp/1557869383

This week, my audio setup is totally messed, but that didn’t stop Jeff and me from trying to record a show anyways. WARNING: the sound quality is extremely low, but I thought this would be better than nothing. Enjoy this throw away show!

This week, I offer my list of the 11 worst quotes from public figures regarding the politicisation of the Sandy Hook killings. Also on the show, we contemplate the future, how justice in America has two tiers, and what are some of the causes of these types of mass murders.