"He Gets Us" Still Doesn't Get It (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #622)

— The “He Gets Us” campaign has a PR problem no Super Bowl ad can solve. (1:23)

— Oklahoma finally scraps Bible-heavy, conspiracy-laced Social Studies standards. (22:24)

— Trump’s “Religious Liberty Commission” just got sued for its pro-Christian bias. (36:49)

— Court rules against anti-trans Christian teacher who demanded right to misgender students. (47:23)

— Judge refuses to toss The Satanic Temple’s lawsuit, putting Boston’s flag policy on trial. (57:29)

— South Carolina’s bill to force the Ten Commandments in school is doomed to fail. (1:07:31)
Interview: 

https://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2026/02/12/he-gets-us-still-doesnt-get-it/

The Catholic League’s Bizarre Epstein Defense (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #610)

— Supreme Court declines case involving loudspeaker prayers at high school football games. (1:45)

— The Catholic League’s Epstein defense is even worse than you think. (21:45)

— New Hampshire town pulls plug on open forum after Satanists hoist flag. (40:26)

— How the Assemblies of God became a safe haven for sexual predators. (49:15)

— Colorado’s “first public Christian school” isn’t a mistake. It’s a test case. (1:05:15)

— Florida’s proposed loyalty oath for educators would ban atheists from becoming teachers. (1:13:40)

— U.S. Catholic bishops double down on anti-trans policies in new hospital rules. (1:18:00)
Interview: 

https://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2025/11/20/the-catholic-leagues-bizarre-epstein-defense/

The Deadly Cost of Religious Extremism (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #589)

— Vance Boelter and the deadly cost of religious extremism. (0:40)

— Christian music icon Michael Tait’s fall from grace. (17:50)

— Sean Duffy turns military graduation into blatant ad for Christian Nationalism. (34:20)

— Appeals Court blocks Louisiana law forcing Ten Commandments displays in classrooms. (53:05)

— Trump has earned $1.3 million (so far) from his MAGA Bible grift. (1:07:44)

— Christian parents let their baby die because of their faith. Now they’re going to prison. (1:15:22)

— Colorado Springs City Council members target Pride Parade after “Hail Satan” shout-out. (1:25:37)
Interview: 

https://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2025/06/26/the-deadly-cost-of-religious-extremism/

News Roundup on topics of religion (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #565)

— Why did an Ohio Catholic school get $5 million intended for water infrastructure in West Virginia? (0:45)

— One new member of Congress is openly agnostic. Another’s religion? “None.” (18:04)

— Oklahoma lawmaker’s “covenant marriage” bill would make it harder to get divorced. (32:32)

— Texas Supreme Court to decide if Southern Methodist U. can break from the United Methodist Church. (50:18)

— Orthodox Christian confesses to vandalizing Satanic statue in Concord, NH. (1:02:25)

— Texas Republicans file bill to install state-sponsored Nativity scene in Capitol. (1:10:15)

— Christian Nationalist: Not having chaplains in schools “creates mental disease.” (1:14:20)
Interview: 

https://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2025/01/09/the-religious-makeup-of-the-new-congress/

Iowa officials ban Satanic event over made-up claim that it'd be "harmful to minors”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RGzJXtt5yQ

Predictable Fury Over Satanic Displays (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #562)

— After vandalism, a new Satanic display is up outside the New Hampshire Capitol. (0:28)

— Iowa officials ban Satanic event over made-up claim that it’d be “harmful to minors.” (5:52)

— California Bible college vows to remain open after state orders it to shut down. (15:30)

— Democrats didn’t “weaponize” the government to “target” Christian schools. (33:50)

— Supreme Court to decide if Catholic-aligned group deserves tax exemption. (53:25)

— Citing legal concerns, two Florida districts vote against allowing school chaplains. (1:02:22)

— Catholic group unveils anti-atheist holiday billboard: “THIS IS OUR SEASON—NOT YOURS.” (1:11:28)
Interview: 

https://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2024/12/19/predictable-fury-over-satanic-displays/

A Satanic display was destroyed outside the New Hampshire Capitol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXShpoVP1gk

Who Wants to Buy Noah’s Ark? (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #561)

— A Satanic display was destroyed outside the New Hampshire Capitol. (0:33)

— A Dutch-made Noah’s Ark “replica” is being auctioned off to the highest bidder. (16:08)

— A California public school district may put the Ten Commandments in classrooms. (28:30)

— Man sues Catholic school in battle over whose faith counts for vaccine mandates. (40:54)

— A West Virginia mayor kicked a Pagan group out of a Christmas parade. (51:27)
Interview: 

https://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2024/12/12/who-wants-to-buy-noahs-ark/

Ron DeSantis’ War on Christmas (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #560)

— Thanks to Christians, kids in Ohio can take classes in Satanism during school hours. (0:28)

— Christian Nationalist GOP lawmaker calls for making “gay marriage illegal again.” (19:37)

— Federal judge: Churches can receive “Historic Preservation Grants” in NJ county. (32:05)

— New Humanist ad campaign targets Ron DeSantis’ “War on Christmas.” (47:15)

— UK politicians advance assisted dying bill to ease suffering of terminally ill patients. (55:10)

— Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sues Christian ministry that helps the homeless. (1:04:52)
Interview: 

https://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2024/12/05/ron-desantis-war-on-christmas/

Satanic Temple to offer religious program for elementary school students in Ohio | Ohio | The Guardian

The Satanic Temple's programming will include "self-directed learning, good works in the community, compassion and empathy, problem solving skills, creative expression, critical thinking, inspirational guest speakers and tons of fun!" It will remove students from school once a month to participate...

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/04/ohio-satanic-temple-elementary-school   

The Satanic Temple is taking on the Christian right. It’s fun to watch | Arwa Mahdawi | The Guardian

Recognized as a religion by the IRS, the group uses the religious right's tactics, and their victories, against them…

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/19/satanic-temple-fight-against-religious-right

Denver Churches Battle Free Pre-K Program (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #550)

— Denver churches, prioritizing bigotry, continue lawsuit over free pre-K program. (1:15)

— Iowa taxpayers challenged a pastor’s unfair tax exemptions. A new law got in their way. (18:45)

— After Satanic event at Iowa courthouse, local leaders want to change the rules (again). (37:03)

— Christian pastor, a former reality TV contestant, found guilty of child cruelty. (50:32)
Interview: 

https://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2024/09/26/denver-churches-battle-free-pre-k-program

Maine Churches Demand Tax Dollars Despite Bigotry (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #548)

— A discussion about the presidential debate. (1:00)

— After Satanists and Humanists speak up, Florida district rejects school chaplains. (5:38)

— Evangelical writer faces backlash after saying public schools might be worthwhile. (22:19)

— Maine churches continue legal fight to maintain taxpayer-funding bigotry. (49:30)

— Christian school goes back to court after facing consequences for anti-trans bigotry. (58:15)

— Researchers say Christian Nationalism fuels violence against non-Christians. (1:08:55)
Interview: 

https://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2024/09/12/maine-churches-demand-tax-dollars-despite-bigotry/

Florida Hits Satanic Snag in School Chaplain Law (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #547)

— Mark Robinson‘s hypocrisy about sex shops and abortion should be disqualifying. (2:05)

— Iowa officials tried to block a Satanic event. They hurt homeless veterans instead. (18:25)

— Evangelical broadcasters sue IRS for right to endorse candidates without penalty. (30:18)

— Florida district rejects school chaplains (for now) after Satanists pledge to participate. (47:33)

— Federal judge dismisses Christians’ lawsuit to stop teaching evolution in Indiana schools. (1:03:32)

— The American Humanist Association’s new leader has a unique history with the group. (1:11:20)
Interview: 

https://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2024/09/05/florida-hits-satanic-snag-in-school-chaplain-law/

Florida district rejects school chaplains after Satanists pledge to participate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6kYCPQwntM

Satanists to volunteer in Florida schools in protest at DeSantis religious bill

Greaves said the temple was prepared to take legal action if the state of Florida attempted to block its access to schools. 

"When [DeSantis] stood at the podium and told people they were going to put chaplains in schools, but satanists wouldn't be allowed to, he was straight up lying to the school districts, and opening up them up to a liability that he's not going to cover," he said.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/08/florida-satanic-temple-ron-desantis

Sunday school – Monday through Friday: Oklahoma joins states with ‘release time’ laws letting K-12 kids leave school for religious lessons

In a move likely to generate controversy, the Satanic Temple – a nontheistic religious group that advocates for separation of church and state, along with such ideas as rationality, compassion and bodily autonomy – announced its intention to offer classes on its Facebook account.

https://theconversation.com/sunday-school-monday-through-friday-oklahoma-joins-states-with-release-time-laws-letting-k-12-kids-leave-school-for-religious-lessons-231995

Oklahoma’s Bible Class ”Released Time” (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #534)

— After proselytizing at graduation, did a Kentucky student deserve his diploma? (0:21)

— If Oklahoma allows Bible class “released time,” Satanists are ready to pounce. (13:00)

— Voucher programs are expanding, propping up religious schools with tax dollars. (32:00)

— Southwest Airlines: We didn’t fire that flight attendant because of her Christianity. (42:44)

— Christian zealot who destroyed Satanic display in Iowa Capitol accepts plea deal. (56:35)
Interview: 

https://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2024/06/06/oklahomas-bible-class-released-time/

Christian zealot who destroyed Satanic display in Iowa Capitol accepts plea deal

Michael Cassidy, the Christian zealot who vandalized The Satanic Temple’s display in the Iowa Capitol last December, will plead guilty to criminal mischief in exchange for the prosecution dropping a (much more serious) felony charge. His decision also means he’ll avoid getting charged with a hate crime and spending any time in jail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Slj329lLzn4

Man arrested for allegedly throwing pipe bomb at Satanic Temple

Sean Patrick Palmer, 49, of Perkins, Oklahoma, was arrested on charges of "using an explosive to cause damage to a building used in interstate or foreign commerce", the United States' attorney office for the district of Massachusetts said in a statement. 

The Satanic Temple does not actually worship the devil or believe in the existence of Satan or the supernatural, but rather uses Satan as a symbol of free will, humanism and anti-authoritarianism. It regularly angers rightwingers and Christians...

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/18/satanic-temple-bombing-massachusetts-arrest