TheThinkingAtheist

Santa's not the only one getting letters this holiday season.  This podcast highlights letters you've sent into the show (and we'll take a few calls, too).  Got something you'd like to ask or comment on?  Email: podcast@thethinkingatheist.com  

It's the holiday season, and once again we gather a few of our favorite infidels around the fireplace to talk about whatever comes to mind.  Sure, we'll address atheism, activism and the usual stuff, but we'll also shift gears and enjoy a more personal side.  So grab some hot cider and join Matt Dillahunty, Jamila Bey, AronRa and Seth Andrews for a fireside chat. Email the show:  podcast@thethinkingatheist.com

In this impromptu podcast, we explore the phenomenon of Black Friday, and we chat about whatever comes to mind.  No rules, just some relaxed, holiday conversation.

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

Valerie Tarico's website:  awaypoint.wordpress.com The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word "psychoanalyze" as:   to treat the mental and emotional problems of (a patient) by having the patient talk about dreams, feelings, memories, etc. : to treat (someone) by means of psychoanalysis In this podcast, we attempt to psychoanalyze God himself (actually, we'll deal with several deities claiming the One True God" title), and we'll talk to Dr. Valerie Tarico, psychologist and author of the book "Trusting Doubt: A Former Evangelical Looks at Old Beliefs in a New Light." http://www.amazon.com/Trusting-Doubt-Former-Evangelical-Beliefs/dp/0977392937 Dr. Tarico has tackled the psychoanalysis of God on her YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/TrustingDoubt, and she lectures across the country.  She joins us for the show and takes your calls. Podcast with Dr. Andy Thomson: "Religion and the Placebo Effect" http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thethinkingatheist/2013/09/24/religion-and-the-placebo-effect-with-dr-andy-thomson

Surveys from Pew and other organizations show non-belief as the fastest growing "religious group" (for lack of a better term) in the United States. Some are simply unconcerned about religious.  But many are self-professed atheists.   However, many of these atheists have only professed their non-belief to a select few, and some haven't told anyone at all. This show deals with atheists who aren't "out."  What are the reasons for remaining silent?  What are the consequences of going public?  And how is the culture shifting to perhaps make it easier for the non-theist to step out of the shadows. We Are Atheism Article "10 Tips For Coming Out As An Atheist"  http://www.weareatheism.com/resources/10-5-tips-for-coming-out/   Podcast:  "World Full of Woo":  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thethinkingatheist/2012/08/21/a-world-full-of-woo Podcast:  "You're Not Alone & You're Not Crazy" http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thethinkingatheist/2013/09/03/youre-not-alone-and-youre-not-crazy

Is there a method or manual for creating atheists?  Is that even a proper way to phrase our goal(s) as proponents of science and reason?  What is the Faith Virus? In this show, we speak with Dr. Peter Boghossian, Instructor of Philosophy at Portland State University and author of the book, "A Manual For Creating Atheists," BOOK:  http://www.amazon.com/Manual-Creating-Atheists-Peter-Boghossian/dp/1939578094/ref=zg_bs_12764_5   Peter's TAM talk: http://www.richarddawkins.net/news_articles/2013/10/26/peter-boghossian-authenticity-tam-2013-youtube   Peter Boghossian's Conversation with Richard Dawkins: http://www.richarddawkins.net/news_articles/2013/10/24/richard-dawkins-in-conversation-with-peter-boghossian Plus, your calls and emails (podcast@thethinkingatheist.com)  

We are skeptics.  We are proponents of science.  But we are also human, susceptible to the odd phobia and irrational fear. Perhaps it's a shadow in the corner of the bedroom.  Spiders, snakes or other slithery creatures.  Certain sounds, people or places. In this Halloween-themed show, we explore some of the interesting irrational fears and phobias that plague us. Email yours to podcast@thethinkingatheist.com

It's the Halloween season, and it's time for another fun, frivolous evening of ghost stories and spooky tales about things that go bump in the night. Happy Halloween.

This podcast sponsored by http://www.evolvefish.com INTERVIEW VIDEO:  http://youtu.be/aS0sjzUmIEk On September 24th, Richard Dawkins' new book, "An Appetite For Wonder: the Making of a Scientist" released worldwide.  Four days later in Washington DC, Dawkins sat down for a one-hour conversation with Seth Andrews to talk about a variety of subjects...including childhood, music, evolution, apologist "fleas," Christopher Hitchens and the memoir itself. This is the audio of that conversation. Time Zone Converter:  http://www.timezoneconverter.com/cgi-bin/tzc.tzc

"One Nation Under God." Those words are in the United States pledge of allegiance, but do they represent the wishes of this nations' founders?  In this show, we speak with Sean Faircloth about his "Ten Point Vision for a Secular America," CJ Werleman talks about his book, "Crucifying America," and David Niose weighs in on the fight to protect the rights of non-theists in the courts. Website for CJ Werleman:  http://www.cjwerleman.com Sean Faircloth “Attack of the Theocrats! How the Religious Right Harms Us All – and What We Can Do About it.”  http://www.amazon.com/Attack-Theocrats-Religious-Right-Harms/dp/0984493255/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381275217&sr=8-1&keywords=sean+faircloth+attack+of+the+theocrats   Sean’s email for those interested in supporting the Iowa secular event:  sfaircloth@gwi.net David Niose “Nonbeliever Nation: The Rise of Secular Americans”  http://www.amazon.com/Nonbeliever-Nation-Rise-Secular-Americans/dp/B00DVPMOSW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381275279&sr=8-1&keywords=david+niose   VIDEO: “A Christian Nation”  http://youtu.be/QQrD1ty-yzs

David Smalley is founder and president of Dogma Debate, a popular radio podcast which deals with topics related to religion, civil rights, politics, science and more. David is a former Christian and author of "Baptized Atheist."  He currently serves on the National Speakers Bureau for the Secular Student Alliance and is a sought-after presenter across the nation. In this show, it's a meeting of radio hosts, and whatever else it might be, it won't be boring. Your calls and emails:  podcast@thethinkingatheist.com MORALITY PODCAST:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thethinkingatheist/2013/04/09/morality

Dr. Andy Thomson, MD, is a staff psychiatrist for Counseling and Psychological Services at the University of Virginia Student Health Center, as well as the University of Virginis Institute for Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy. He joins us for a fascinating look at the human brain as it relates to belief, and he'll share a perspective on The Placebo Effect that might not be what you expect. LINKS: Book: "Why We Believe in God(s) by Dr. Andy Thomson  Dr. Andy Thomson Speech: “Morality: From the Heavens or from Nature” “The Moral Life of Babies” “The Moral Instinct" by Steven Pinker   "Science in Hollywood" - Carolyn Porco

Sponsored by Audible.com.  Get a FREE audiobook and 30-day trial today by signing up at www.audiblepodcast.com/thinkingatheist It's is one of the most unusual and mysterious churches (cults?) in the world.   But what, exactly, is a Jehovah's Witness?  What do JWs believe?   Do they truly believe that only 144,000 will achieve God's Kingdom, and what does that mean?  (And is it true that a Jehovah's Witness is forbidden to buy Girl Scout Cookies?) Our special guests include: John Hoyle, a former Jehovah's Witnesses who is now behind the websites www.aawa.co, Ex-JW.com, watchtowerwatch.com and insidethewatchtower.com.     James Zimmerman, author of the upcoming book, Deliverance at Hand!: The Redemption of a Devout Jehovah's Witness Plus your calls and emails: podcast@thethinkingatheist.com  

Many of the people who have made the greatest impact on our lives - through literature, art, nnovation, technology and scientific discovery - did so without any belief in gods. Some of the stories we'll share are familiar.  Some will take you by surprise. Join us as we take a look at Atheists Who Changed The World. Links Halloween History and the Church: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thethinkingatheist/2011/10/14/halloween-history-and-the-church Pale Blue Dot:  http://youtu.be/KMjEVG2rrFQ