Christian Student Blames Persecution for Failed Assignment (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #612)

— She turned in a Bible sermon instead of an essay and failed. Now conservatives say she’s the victim. (3:06)

— A Minnesota church told kids to hug and forgive their abuser. Then he found more victims. (44:15)

— Because of religion, a West Virginia judge just torched the state’s best public health policy. (58:40)

— Florida Attorney General declares war on adults-only holiday drag show. (1:06:18)

— Religious leaders demand “immediate cancellation” of “Merry Gothmas” festival. (1:16:11)

— Texas families file class action lawsuit to halt Ten Commandments display in every school district. (1:19:49)

— UK Supreme Court strikes down N. Ireland’s pro-Christian Religious Education curriculum. (1:23:29)
Interview: 

https://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2025/12/04/christian-student-blames-persecution-for-failed-assignment/

We decide if homosexuality is a sin

Interview: 

https://youtu.be/CUD7Fhvb7Ec?si=Hkl9qU5ZJ-hFEa2d

Drag queen (and ordained minister) Bella DuBalle won't be silenced by new Tenn. (Terry Gross; Fresh Air podcast)

Tennessee native Bella DuBalle is an ordained minister and also the show director and host at Atomic Rose, the largest drag club in Memphis. She says the Tennessee law was written by legislators who don't understand what drag is.

"The idea that they think that every drag performer is doing something hypersexual or obscene obviously means they don't know very much about it," DuBalle says. "I cannot succinctly put into words what the entire art of drag is, and the fact that these legislators who know far less about the art than I do and have never been to a drag show are sitting out there making these laws — that's a little upsetting."
Interview: 

https://www.npr.org/2023/03/16/1163815547/tennessee-drag-law-queen-bella-duballe

Christian Predator Josh Duggar is Going to Jail (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #404)

— The future of the Friendly Atheist blog. (1:12)

— Christian predator Josh Duggar is going to jail after being found guilty in his child sex abuse image trial. (3:22)

— Can you be friends with someone from the other political party? (21:08)

— The Supreme Court seems like it will force taxpayers to subsidize religious schools. (24:40)

— Evangelist Joshua Feuerstein, who spread vaccine lies, now has COVID. (31:05)

— Evangelist Franklin Graham can’t decide whether or not he wants vaccines to work. (34:10)

— Should we tell Pastor Joel Osteen, to his face, that he’s horrible? (41:15)

— People are mad over Rep. Madison Cawthorn‘s anti-abortion “earthen vessels” speech for the wrong reasons. (57:01)

— A Methodist church fired its pastor after he had a drag makeover on TV to show his allyship. (1:00:17)

— MAGA world’s “gun girl” says she’s ditching atheism for Catholicism. (1:04:58)

— Christian pseudo-historian David Barton says the Second Amendment gives people the right to own nuclear weapons. (1:09:23)

— A Catholic diocese is officially banning unrepentant trans people from receiving the sacraments. (1:13:42)
Interview: 

https://audioboom.com/posts/7994718-ep-404-christian-predator-josh-duggar-is-going-to-jail

Lisa Littman‘s Bogus Trans Studies, Part 1 (Thomas Smith; Serious Inquiries Only podcast SIO314)

Recently, a study by Lisa Littman has been making the rounds among the anti-woke. You may remember Littman mentioned in the amazing 2 part series debunking The End of Gender. She is the inventor of the transphobic bull shit concept "rapid onset gender dysphoria" which is science words for "kids these days." In this two part series, Dr. Lindsey Osterman breaks down both of her bogus studies and why they are terrible science thingies.

Interview: 

https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-4wzmi-10c2bb40

Lisa Littman‘s Latest Trans Study is Garbage -- part 2 (Thomas Smith; Serious Inquiries Only podcast SIO315)

It's part 2 of our Littman breakdown, find out what her latest junk study says. This time it's about detransitioning and it suffers from many of the same problems as her first study we covered in part 1. Also, friend of the show Aaron Rabinowitz, host of Embrace the Void, dug up some of the questions Littman asked. Which ones were and were not included says a ton about what the answers must have been.

Interview: 

https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-yegbw-10cdc7de

Christian Apologist Josh McDowell Just Realized He‘s Racist (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Athiest podast #393)

— Creationist Kent Hovind will spend a month in jail for domestic violence. (1:50)

— Christian apologist Josh McDowell made racist comments at a conference, and he’s now stepping back from his ministry. (9:40)

— Is it really sticking it to Chick-fil-A if you get a sandwich from them on a Sunday? (34:55)

— The Transformed Wife, Lori Alexander, wants you to know that love isn’t a prerequisite for marriage. (40:32)

— Benet Academy in Illinois hired, fired, then rehired a lesbian lacrosse coach. And here’s a link to Jessica’s interview with comedian and Benet grad Cameron Esposito. (46:24)

— Can a middle school principal be fired for what he says in the pulpit as a pastor? (59:30)

— MAGA cultist Pastor Robert Jeffress admitted there’s no “credible religious argument” against COVID vaccines. (1:08:12)

— An Italian priest was arrested for stealing Church cash for a drug-fueled gay orgy. (1:10:19)

Interview: 

https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-qi8u3-102fec95

The Garland DoJ Coverage is Completely Wrong (Opening Arguments podcast OA498)

This episode is exactly why this show exists. Two stories about Merrick Garland's DoJ came out recently that gave the strong impression that Garland was defending Trump policies and even joining forces with religious bigots against LGBTQ rights. These stories are COMPLETELY misleading. As always with complicated legal stories, the truth faces a steep, uphill battle. Come along as Andrew explains why Garland is doing exactly what he should be, and would be doing even under a Bernie Sanders administration.

In the first segment, we discuss the Women's Health Protection Act. Can it save us from the Supreme Court overturning Roe? Find out!
Interview: 

https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-e7tdj-ecfe6a9

What Makes a "Good" Atheist? (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Athiest podast #375)

— Sinéad O’Connor says ripping up a picture of the former pope on Saturday Night Live back in 1992 was the right move. (3:09)

— Another Christian rock star is leaving evangelicalism. (12:43)

— A priest wants to know if we’re “good” atheists. What does that even mean? (20:42)

— A social justice activist said he was related to Robert E. Lee. That’s not true. Now what? (36:40)

— A furniture seller hides tiny crosses in pieces to bless everyone’s homes. Is this harmless or a problem? (46:49)

— If Southern Baptists are praising your work, you’ve done something horribly wrong. (51:55)

— The White House met with atheist group leaders. Is that significant or merely symbolic? (1:02:35)

— Tennessee has mandated signs about transgender bathroom use. (1:10:03)

— In England, COVID death rates are lower for people with no religion. (1:15:40)
Interview: 

https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-6fa95-e7e077e

A Christian School Expelled a Girl with a Same-Sex Crush (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Athiest podast #359)

— A Christian school kicked out a child who told another girl she had a crush on her. (4:00)
— Is Joe Biden an anti-Catholic Catholic? (9:28)
— If half of Protestant pastors hear conspiracies in church, what does it say about them? (18:00)
— The mayor of a California city took part in a Christian COVID super-spreader event. (25:48)
— Christian liar Sarah Huckabee Sanders is running for governor of Arkansas. (28:21)
— An Australian bigot, who happens to be a tennis star, is receiving an honor, and people are furious. (36:49)
— What is Kellyanne Conway doing to her daughter? (44:58)
— Poland’s near-total abortion ban is now in effect. (53:08)
— Joe Biden has reversed anti-abortion orders signed by Donald Trump. (55:59)
— 14 states have already proposed laws targeting LGBTQ people. (1:07:28)

Interview: 

https://soundcloud.com/friendly-atheist-podcast/ep-359-a-christian-school-expelled-a-girl-with-a-same-sex-crush

Friendly Atheist Podcast · Ep. 359 - A Christian School Expelled a Girl with a Same-Sex Crush

Freedom To Be Yourself (Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor, Freethought Radio podcast)

We celebrate this week's Supreme Court Bostock decision affirming civil-rights protections to the LGBTQ community. FFRF attorney Patrick Elliott explains how that case relates to religious liberty. After hearing the song "Freedom From Religion," we talk with Jon Steingard, the former lead singer of the Christian rock band Hawk Nelson, who just announced on Instagram that he no longer believes in God.
Interview:
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/freethought-radio/e/71461621

Trump's Church Photo Ops Pleased Nobody (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Athiest podast #325)

— Donald Trump‘s photo ops in front of two churches pleased nobody. (1:07)
— Is Trump finally losing some of that white evangelical support? (10:44)
— Southern Baptist churches had their largest membership drop in a century. (18:28)
— Should a high school graduate be denied college acceptance for a racist comment online? (25:49)
— According to the Lt. Governor of Texas, we can’t fix racism without Jesus. (39:53)
— Pope Francis condemned the murder of George Floyd. (48:44)
— The Department of Education, under Betsy DeVos, says allowing trans athletes to compete in high school sports could lead to government defunding of those schools. (1:00:33)
Interview:
https://soundcloud.com/friendly-atheist-podcast/ep-325-trumps-church-photo-ops-pleased-nobody

Friendly Atheist Podcast · Ep. 325 - Trump's Church Photo Ops Pleased Nobody

Bryan Fischer Says Hallmark Caved to the 'Gay Gestapo' - RWW News

Bryan Fischer complains that after his organization pressured the Hallmark Channel to stop running an ad featuring two brides kissing, the network reversed course and caved to "the gay gestapo." https://youtu.be/2cqJMZgQYx4

From Gavin Grimm to Jeffrey Epstein (Opening Arguments podcast OA306)

Today’s episode combines some very, very good news regarding young trans advocate Gavin Grimm… to some rather less good news regarding a proposed rule at the Department of Labor… to some truly bizarre news and a plea for sanity given the ever-changing circumstances surrounding Jeffrey Epstein.

We begin with what looks like the close of a saga that began more than five years ago, when a Virginia public school board — at the instigation of bigots in the larger community — forced Gavin Grimm into “separate but hardly equal” accomodations in his high school. Today, at least, it looks like Grimm has finally won, as we break down a truly monumental decision from the Eastern District of Columbia.

Then, it’s time to look at proposed rulemaking from the Department of Labor that would modify one of the most important Executive Orders of all time: EO 11246, in which Lyndon Johnson required government contractors not to discriminate in their hiring practices. What does Trump propose to do to this EO? Listen and find out… and maybe someday you’ll worship at the Church of Chick-Fil-A. (Seriously!)

After that, it’s time to check in with the conspiracy theories that abound in the world of Jeffrey Epstein. Is there really a sinister motive to think that someone had Epstein killed? Will documents continue to come out that will shed light on what really happened? (Yes.)

We end, as always, with a brand new #T3BE… and yes, it’s another dreaded real property question. If you sell property you don’t own, and later come to own it, have you merely foolishly squandered your tomato juice? Listen and find out!
Interview:
https://openargs.com/oa306-from-gavin-grimm-to-jeffrey-epstein/

The Polish government is stigmatizing minorities. It’s time to take a stand - The Washington Post

This week, next to the name of our newspaper, we have put the sentence: “There is no freedom without solidarity.” We used it for the first time when we were reclaiming freedom back in 1989. It expressed our joint efforts to build a new state based on principles of democracy, solidarity and community.....
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/07/31/polish-government-is-stigmatizing-minorities-its-time-take-stand/

Atheists Know More About Religion Than Christians (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Athiest podast #280)

— A Pew survey finds that Jews and atheists know more about religion than every kind of Christian. Let’s take the quiz! (0:27, with analysis at 19:08)
— An anti-LGBTQ Republican lawmaker from TN resigned amidst allegations that he was using Grindr to meet men. (25:09)
— The Mormon Church knew about a pedophile but never reported him to authorities. (30:30)
— Iceland has lost a glacier. A freaking glacier. (36:45)
— The congregation revolted after a pastor put up a sign saying “America: Love or Leave It.” (39:59)
— The Tega Cay Police Department in South Carolina put up a Christian monument, then quickly took it down. (42:40)
— The governor of Texas wants you to know Chick-fil-A is safe. (45:58)
— Secular “churches” are struggling to stay relevant. (48:36)
— A woman violently pushed a priest off stage. Was it justified? (55:50) (***Update***: We discussed what the priest said before the woman pushed him. It turns out that is false!)
— Another Alabama candidate for Senate wants to create a theocracy. (58:35)

Anti-Gay Preacher Stuns Congregation, Confesses to Molesting Underage Boys - Newsweek

An anti-gay preacher has been arrested after confessing to his congregation that he had a sexual relationship with a young boy. John Thomas Martin, lead pastor at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Florence, Alabama, broke down in the pulpit while telling stunned churchgoers about his "affair" with an underage male.
https://www.newsweek.com/anti-gay-preacher-stuns-congregation-confesses-molesting-underage-boy-1447795

50 Years Since Stonewall: The Moment's Mark On LGBTQ History (On Point)

It’s been fifty years since patrons of the Stonewall Inn fought back against a police raid and called for gay rights. We’ll consider the meaning of Stonewall and the state of the LGBTQ movement now. How much has changed?
Interview:
https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2019/06/28/50-years-stonewall-lgbtq-history

US Catholic archdiocese cuts ties with school that refused to fire gay teacher

Brebeuf Jesuit prep school was ordered to let employee go ‘because this teacher’s marital status does not confirm to church doctrine’ ...
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/20/catholic-archdiocese-indianapolis-school-brebeuf-jesuit

A cop preached that the government should execute LGBTQ people - The Washington Post

The Knox County district attorney announced this week that prosecutors are reviewing all pending cases involving Pastor Grayson Fritts, who spent 30 years as a detective in the sheriff's office...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/06/14/they-are-worthy-death-cop-preached-that-government-should-execute-lgbtq-people/