The Thinking Atheist Podcast

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.harrys.com (promo code: thinkingatheist)Proverbs 13:24 says, "Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them."  Is this a healthy approach to child-rearing and the discipline of children?This is the second part of our 2-part broadcast on (often religiously-motivated) corporal discipline for children, where we hear more of our listeners' perspectives, examine more of the data supporting or refuting the effectiveness of spanking, and we speak with Janet Heimlich, author of the book "Breaking Their Will: Shedding Light on Religious Child Maltreatment."  An Open Letter to Roy Lessin:  http://cdugan0.tripod.com/RoyLessinOpenLetter.htmlHemant Mehta's article:  http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2016/05/18/this-christian-is-selling-child-beating-sticks-but-he-doesnt-want-the-internet-to-find-out/Phil Ferguson's podcast (show 168): http://philfergusonshow.secularmediagroup.com/category/pfs/

SUPPORT THIS SHOW on Patreon:  http://www.patreon.com/sethandrewsProverbs 13:24 says, "Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them."  Is this a healthy approach to child-rearing and the discipline of children?We explore many religious rules for parenting, and we share the perspectives of listeners who have firsthand experience with strict (and not-so-strict) homes, physical punishments, and the often lasting consequences.This is part one of a 2-part series.  The second half airs next week. 

The Bible says in John 14:13-14, "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."  Mark 11:24 assures the faithful, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."Christians (and those of other religions) worldwide pray fervently for the cures to cancer, disease, and all manner of malady and misfortune.  Are those prayers activating the healing hand of God as promised in scripture? This is a difficult and often unpopular conversation, but a necessary one.  And amid the global avalanche of human suffering, we must address and understand what prayer is, why we do it, what results it does (or doesn't) bring, and the nature of the god who receives our desperate pleas.  We must also reevaluate our models for compassion, help and healing...and the agents of rescue and goodness who are so often, tragically, ignored.This presentation by Seth Andrews, given at the "Shift to Reason" conference in Regina, Saskatchewan on April 30, 2016, is far from a complete examination of the subject, but it explores some important, key questions regarding faith, divine protection, suffering, prayer and healing intervention. The video of this speech can be seen HERE:  https://youtu.be/Qht73MF6C84 

John W. Loftus is a former Church of Christ minister. Today, he's an atheist, author and activist. He joins Seth Andrews to talk about his journey.Video of this interview: https://youtu.be/C794qlswPzI

In this short, unscheduled broadcast, Seth Andrews addresses the recent mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, as well as the responses peppering social media, the connection to radical Islam, the indoctrination of bigotry and hate, and a few reasons to remain vigilant and hold onto hope.Kaveh Mousavi's article "Orlando Shooter: The Sinful Executioner:"  http://www.patheos.com/blogs/marginoferr/author/kmousavi/

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.casper.com/sethandrews Eli Bosnick, Heath Enwright, and Noah Lugeons are hosts of a podcast called "God Awful Movies," which skewers the hideously bad (and unintentionally funny) religious films produced by God's public relations department here on earth.Seth Andrews joins the GAM team to examine - and skewer - three specific religious movies:1)  A Matter of Faith2)  If Footmen Tire You, What Will Horses Do?3)  International GuerrillasThere is VIDEO of this podcast (complete with many actual film clips):  https://youtu.be/4r-GT4OgblAGOD AWFUL MOVIES LINKS:podcast page:  http://godawfulmovies.libsyn.comFacebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/GodAwfulMoviesThe Scathing Atheist YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/user/NoahLugeons  

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.harrys.com (promo code: thinkingatheist)Ed Suominen is an engineer, inventor, recovering fundamentalist Christian, and author.  His books include, "An Examination of the Pearl," and "Evolving out of Eden," which Ed co-wrote with Dr. Robert M. Price.  Ed also writes "Ed Suominen's Shitty Little Blog," which can be found at http://blog.edsuom.com, and one year ago, his retelling of the biblical story of Abraham was read by Seth Andrews in a podcast titled, "Abraham's Excellent Adventure."  (LISTEN HERE:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thethinkingatheist/2015/06/23/abrahams-excellent-adventure)In a story written and produced specifically for this broadcast (and again performed by Seth Andrews), Ed explores the implications of Yahweh's commands in Deuteronomy 22, prompting the listener to (hopefully) review and re-examine the goodness of the Bible...the supposedly Good Book.Written version with footnotes:  http://tellectual.com/TBT-Stones-of-Tribulation.html

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.lootcrate.com/sethandrews (promo code sethandrews) "The Order of Elijah" is a metalcore band from Joplin, Missouri.  Since their debut album "Accession" released in 2012, they have been identified as a Christian band.  Yet lead singer Shannon Low recently declared that he - and the band - no longer held to the Christian faith.  Low is an atheist, and he is being very public about it.Shannon Low joins Seth Andrews for a candid discussion about Christianity, the business of Christian music, his apostasy, the backlash, and the future of a "formerly Christian" band.VIDEO OF THIS INTERVIEW:  https://youtu.be/NdA2IWwiZXoThe Order of Elijah pages:FACEBOOK:  https://www.facebook.com/theorderofelijahLUXOR RECORDS:  http://www.luxor-records.com/#!the-order-of-elijah/c1ighHemant Mehta's article:  http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2016/05/22/the-lead-singer-of-a-christian-metal-band-just-came-out-as-an-atheist

Sponsored by The Phil Ferguson Show:  http://polarisfinancialplanning.com/polaris-blog/the-phil-ferguson-show-podcastTracie Harris is one of the co-hosts of the Austin-based television show, "The Atheist Experience."  She joins Seth Andrews for a conversation about religion, atheism, God, family, boundaries, and the reasons that someone who dislikes debate would host a debate broadcast.Plus, viewer comments and questions.The Atheist Experience website:  http://www.atheist-experience.comWATCH the video of this conversation on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/z4fBE-9O_pw

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.lootcrate.com/sethandrewsWatch this conversation on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/A_URlDunFD8Trae Crowder is a Tennessee comedian (and definitely not a southern conservative).  His recent video on transgender bathrooms went viral, and his redneck rants on social issues have made international news.Trae joined Seth Andrews for a brief yet entertaining conversation about his recent internet fame, the south, God, and the trials and joys of being a "Liberal Redneck.ON TWITTER:  @traecrowderON YOUTUBE:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTHsQd-vRXK1bp4vpifl6yACOMEDY WEBSITE:  http://wellredcomedy.com

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.lootcrate.com/sethandrewsIn 2012, Steve and Tally Cass founded the atheist band, "Monster on Sunday."  MoS's 2015 debut album (titled "Baby Eater") is an in-your-face wall of anti-religion rock, and a labor of love by this husband/wife team based in San Diego.  In this departure from our usual "talk radio" format, Seth introduces the players and highlights some of the music.  No doubt, this particular flavor of loud, firebrand activism won't be for everyone, but if you're interested in grass-roots, guitars and godlessness, Monster on Sunday just might be your ticket.VIDEO of this conversation on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/CHzEyuhXv8QMonster on Sunday's website:  http://www.monsteronsunday.com 

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.lootcrate.com/sethandrewsVeteran actor John de Lancie is a featured speaker at the 2016 Reason Rally.  He joins Seth Andrews to discuss his own views on reason, religion, the 2016 rally in Washington DC, and of course, his decades as film and television icon.John de Lancie's website:  http://delancie.com

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.evolvefish.comAlix Jules is a secular activist, writer, and President of Black Nonbelievers of Dallas, Texas.  He chairs the Dallas-Fort Worth Coalition of Reason's Diversity Council, is a founding member of the Fellowship of Freethought, and is an advisor to the Council for Secular Humanism's Africal Americans for Humanism Initiative.His atheism and activism have gained national attention.In this one-hour conversation with Seth Andrews (recorded in Dallas on April 9th, 2016), Alix speaks candidly about religion, race, politics, equality, and the rise of black secularism throughout the United States.VIDEO of this conversation is here:  https://youtu.be/OkP0eCMn1XQAlix Jules' blog on Patheos:  http://www.patheos.com/blogs/thegraffitiwall 

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:   http://www.casper.com/sethandrews (promo code: sethandrews)Is religion a virus of the mind?  Three mental health experts join us.Dr. Andy Thomson is a psychiatrist, a trustee for the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science, on staff with the University of Virginia, and author of "Why We Believe in God(s): a Concise Guide to the Science of Faith."Dr. Valerie Tarico is a psychologist, columnnist for AlterNet, and author of "Trusting Doubt: A Former Evangelical Looks at Old Beliefs in a New Light."Dr. Darrel Ray is a psychologist, co-founder of Recovering From Religion, author of "Sex & God" and "The God Virus," and host of the Secular Secuality podcast.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.hellofresh.com (promo code thinkingatheist)Seth Andrews joins Dogma Debate host David Smalley in the DD studio for two hours of candid discussion about their shows, the guests, the fans and critics, and some of the opportunities, challenges and quirks of producing "heathen" radio.Obviously, they had no trouble finding things to talk about.  Enjoy!DOGMA DEBATE:  www.dogmadebate.com