Sean Carroll: Has Science Refuted Religion Freedom From Religion Foundation 2014-12-31 | Sean Carroll is a theoretical physicist with the Department of Physics at the California Institute of Technology. Carroll specializes in dark energy and general relativity. He is an open atheist and occasionally takes part in formal debates.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Freethought Matters preview - March 9, 2023 FFRF 2023-03-09 | Elle Hardy is an Australian born freelance journalist and a writer whose new book is called Beyond Belief: How Pentecostal Christianity is Taking Over the World. It's a fascinating exposé of how Pentecostalism, a deep pocketed, tech savvy Christian movement, is reshaping our societies from within. Hardy is a foreign correspondent whose writing has appeared in GQ, The Guardian, Lonely Planet, Foreign Policy, Business Insider and ABC Australia.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Freethought Matters: Elle Hardy FFRF 2023-03-09 | Elle Hardy is an Australian born freelance journalist and a writer whose new book is called Beyond Belief: How Pentecostal Christianity is Taking Over the World. It's a fascinating exposé of how Pentecostalism, a deep pocketed, tech savvy Christian movement, is reshaping our societies from within. Hardy is a foreign correspondent whose writing has appeared in GQ, The Guardian, Lonely Planet, Foreign Policy, Business Insider and ABC Australia.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Satanic Panic! FFRF 2023-03-06 | FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line and FFRF Associate Counsel Liz Cavell examine the recent reemergence of the Satanic Panic! We’ll discuss Sam Smith’s satanic Grammy performance, Rihanna’s Super Bowl performance, and the emergence of After School Satan Clubs around the country.
Freethought Matters: Jonathan Larsen FFRF 2023-03-02 | Our guest this week, Jonathan Larsen, is an investigative reporter and managing editor with the news platform TYT. He has done superlative investigative reporting for TYT on the inside story of the annual National Prayer Breakfast, which occurs every year on the first Thursday in February and has the appearance of a government-sponsored event.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Freethought Matters preview - March 2, 2023 FFRF 2023-03-02 | Our guest this week, Jonathan Larsen, is an investigative reporter and managing editor with the news platform TYT. He has done superlative investigative reporting for TYT on the inside story of the annual National Prayer Breakfast, which occurs every year on the first Thursday in February and has the appearance of a government-sponsored event.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Freethought Matters: Barbara Walker FFRF 2023-02-23 | This week our Freethought Matters guest is a wise woman, Barbara G. Walker. She was originally known as a knitting expert, writing classics such as Treasury of Knitting Patterns. Then Walker became the famed author of the monumental and bestselling Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets, and at least 26 other books, including feminism and freethought titles such as The Skeptical Feminist, Manmade God, Belief and Unbelief and Feminist Fairy Tales.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Freethought Matters preview - Feb. 26, 2023 FFRF 2023-02-23 | This week our Freethought Matters guest is Barbara G. Walker, a famed author of the monumental and bestselling Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets, and at least 26 other books.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
How we won on the National Prayer Breakfast FFRF 2023-02-23 | We talk with Bishop Joseph Tolton, the Faith Engagement Coordinator for the Council for Global Equality and the president of Interconnected Justice. The Council for Global Equality and Interconnected Justice were key partners in FFRF’s efforts to remove Congressional support for the National Prayer Breakfast. We’ll talk about how we accomplished that and how Christian dominionism threatens the global LGBTQ community.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Freethought Matters preview - Feb. 19, 2023 FFRF 2023-02-16 | Our guest this week is Katha Pollitt, a writer of the award-winning column, Subject to Debate, for The Nation since 1995, and she's author of many books.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Freethought Matters: Katha Pollitt FFRF 2023-02-16 | Our latest guest is one of our favorite commentators, Katha Pollitt. She has been writing the award-winning column, Subject to Debate, for The Nation since 1995, and she's author of many books, including “Reasonable Creatures”; “Learning to Drive” and most relevant to our interview: “PRO: Reclaiming Abortion Rights.” Besides being a feminist, Pollitt is an atheist who has done much to move society forward, and has hence received FFRF’s Forward Award.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
They dont get it. FFRF 2023-02-16 | On this episode of FFRF's "Ask an Atheist," FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line and FFRF Co-President Dan Barker take a critical look at the "He Gets Us" ads that have been popping up everywhere. Most recently, these ads were part of a billion dollar campaign that included two ads during the Super Bowl this past weekend.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Freethought Matters preview - Feb. 12, 2023 FFRF 2023-02-09 | Our Freethought Matters guest is Emily Olson - a wife, mother, small business owner and a new member of the City Council in the town of Owosso, Michigan. We will hear about what happened after Olson politely asked the council to reconsider its practice of opening with prayer.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Freethought Matters: Emily Olson FFRF 2023-02-09 | Our Freethought Matters guest is Emily Olson - a wife, mother, small business owner and a new member of the City Council in the town of Owosso, Michigan. We will hear about what happened after Olson politely asked the council to reconsider its practice of opening with prayer.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
#TaxtheChurches FFRF 2023-02-09 | On this episode of FFRF's "Ask An Atheist," we discuss financial privileging of tax-exempt churches with Professor Ryan T. Cragun. Professor Cragun is a prominent sociology professor at the University of Tampa and a sociologist of religion.Note: This episode originally aired on August 18, 2021.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Freethought Matters Preview - Feb. 5, 2023 FFRF 2023-02-02 | Our guest on this episode of "Freethought Matters" is Maryam Namazie. She is an international activist, atheist, feminist and secularist, who is leading protests against Iran in the UK and EU.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Freethought Matters: Maryam Namazie FFRF 2023-02-02 | Our guest on this episode of "Freethought Matters" is Maryam Namazie. She is an international activist, atheist, feminist and secularist, who is leading protests against Iran in the UK and EU. Namazie has received many awards and recognitions for her activism, including FFRF's first Henry Zumach Freedom from Religious Fundamentalism Award in 2017.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Government prayer invites government discrimination FFRF 2023-02-02 | On this episode of FFRF's "Ask an Atheist," FFRF Associate Counsel Liz Cavell and FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line talk to FFRF member and Florida activist Joseph Richardson. Richardson is on the board of directors of the Central Florida Freethought Community, and shares what happened after he delivered a secular invocation at the Lake County Board of Commissioners meeting on Dec. 6.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Freethought Matters: Ron Reagan FFRF 2023-01-26 | “Unabashed atheist” Ron Reagan is this week’s entertaining and eloquent guest on “Freethought Matters,” FFRF's weekly TV show.Ron, who has so generously recorded an iconic 30-second TV commercial for FFRF, is, of course, the son of Nancy and President Ronald Reagan. He’s had a dancing career, including at the Joffrey Ballet. And he has worked as a broadcast and print journalist and TV and radio commentator. During the interview, Ron discusses being a near-lifelong atheist.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Its not over: Commemorating Roe v. Wades 50th anniversary FFRF 2023-01-26 | On this episode of FFRF's "Ask an Atheist," FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor and FFRF Contributing Writer Barbara Alvarez commemorate what should have been the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Key points include the religious crusade against abortion, the latest developments and upcoming legislation expected this year.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Joseph Richardson speech to the Board of County Commissioners FFRF 2023-01-25 | FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote a letter last month to the Lake County Board of County Commissioners after a secular invocation given by Director of the Central Florida Forethought Community Joseph Richardson was followed by a "corrective" prayer invocation. The Board of County Commissioners has neither acted to correct this mistake nor has it made any official comment regarding the insult. Watch Richardson's speech given on Jan. 23 before the board.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Thomas Paine Birthdate Proclamation Celebration FFRF 2023-01-19 | The “Thomas Paine Birthdate Proclamation Celebration,” will take place on Sunday, Jan. 29, at 2 p.m. Central. The celebration will be accessible via Zoom.The two-hour event entitled “Proclamation Celebration,” will celebrate the recent important legislative milestone, and will include an update from Congressman Jamie Raskin, who championed the bill and is a Paine aficionado. Congresswoman Victoria Spartz, a Republican who provided bipartisan support, will also deliver a welcome address. The keynote will be by University of London Professor Emeritus of History Greg Claeys. Musical selections will come from a new musical, “The Crossing,” which places Thomas Paine and his American Crisis front and center.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Freethought Matters: Zenos Frudakis FFRF 2023-01-19 | On this episode of "Freethought Matters," FFRF Co-Presidents Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker visit world renowned sculptor Zenos Frudakis to talk about the inspiration behind his work.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
We get phone calls! FFRF 2023-01-19 | On this episode of FFRF's "Ask an Atheist," FFRF Legal Fellow Sammi Lawrence talks with FFRF Director of First Impressions Lisa Treu about some of the interesting messages that turn up on our answering machine.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Freethought Matters: Gloria Steinem FFRF 2023-01-12 | FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor interviewed the world’s most famous feminist at FFRF’s 2021 national convention in Boston. Steinem, the embodiment of someone who has moved society forward, was presented with FFRF’s Forward Award.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
The status of nonbelievers in India FFRF 2023-01-12 | Today on FFRF's "Ask an Atheist," FFRF Litigation Legal Assistant Greta Martens and FFRF State Policy Manager Ryan Dudley will be interviewing FFRF Co-President Dan Barker, who will be joining us live from India. Barker will be talking about the freethought events he and FFRF Communications Director Amit Pal have been attending. Additionally, we will be hearing a bit about the history of religion and conflict in India, and what is happing in the country now.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Freethought Matters: Andre Forbes FFRF 2023-01-05 | Andre Forbes is a former gospel musician, songwriter, film composer, producer and engineer. He has worked with many gospel artists, including the Clark Sisters, Donald Lawrence, Byron Cage, Kim Burrell, the Georgia Mass Choir, Troy Sneed, FAMU Gospel Choir and the Wardlaw Brothers, just to name a few. Andre has also made several appearances on BET, Word Network and the Trinity Broadcasting Network. His most recent project is FFRF's Godless Gospel.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Godless Gospel FFRF 2023-01-05 | At FFRF's 45th annual National Convention, musicians Andre Forbes and Dan Barker collected an all-star group of non-believing singers and musicians to present Godless Gospel.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
What were watching in 2023 FFRF 2023-01-05 | On this episode of "Ask an Atheist," FFRF Associate Counsel Liz Cavell and FFRF Fellow Kat Grant give a preview of 2023. They discuss what we at FFRF are watching and expecting in secularism this year - from the courts to Congress! Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Freethought Matters: Elle Harris and Adrienne Martin FFRF 2022-12-29 | This episode of “Freethought Matters” presents to its viewers two inspirational grassroots secularists — one of them all of 11 years old. Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Grieving without God FFRF 2022-12-29 | On this episode of FFRF's Ask an Atheist we are joined with Peggi Johnson and Rebecca Hensler to discuss grieving without God. Peggi works with The Compassionate Friends, an organization that supports families who’ve lost a child, and Rebecca Hensler is the founder of Grief Beyond Belief, a popular Facebook page devoted to faith-free grief support.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Freethought Matters: Music of Freethought Matters FFRF 2022-12-22 | Steve Martin once humorously wrote a song, “Atheists Don’t Have No Songs,” — a joke belied by the many musical moments from past “Freethought Matters” TV programs. Featured musicians include jazz singer Ben Sidran, folksinger Kristin Lems, songwriter/piano player Dan Barker, vocalist Susan Hofer, and former minister-turned-atheist Carter Warden.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Why are you an atheist? FFRF 2022-12-22 | On this episode of FFRF's "Ask an Atheist," we hear from PJ Slinger and Raghen Lucy as they discuss why they are atheists. Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Freethought Matters: Winter Solstice FFRF 2022-12-15 | Co-hosts Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor guide us on a warm personal and historical tour of the real holiday. FFRF Attorney Patrick Elliott takes us on the road to explain constitutional versus unconstitutional Christmas displays. We also get a musical treat in the form of Barker and guest vocalist Susan Hofer performing freethinking tunes.The Solstice heralds the symbolic rebirth of the sun, the lengthening of days and the natural New Year. Nonbelievers are quite willing to celebrate the fun parts of anybody's holidays but want to be spared the schmaltz, the superstition — and the state/church entanglements.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Reflections on todays Supreme Court FFRF 2022-12-15 | Watch Daniel Mach's speech from our recent national convention in San Antonio. Mach is the director of the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief, and accepted on behalf of the ACLU FFRF's Henry Zumach Freedom From Religious Fundamentalism Award. He leads a wide range of religious liberty litigation, advocacy and public education efforts nationwide, and often writes, teaches and speaks publicly on religious freedom issues.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Freethought Matters: Amy Hagstrom Miller FFRF 2022-12-08 | Amy Hagstrom Miller is the founder of Whole Woman's Health, a series of clinics providing abortion and gynecological services in many parts of the nation. She also founded the nonprofit Whole Woman's Health Alliance in 2014, which exists to remove the stigma around providing quality abortion care. On this episode of Freethought Matters, Amy Hagstrom Miller tells us what she's doing to protect access to abortion rights.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
SCOTUS strikes again: The latest wedding case FFRF 2022-12-08 | FFRF Associate Counsel Liz Cavell, FFRF Fellow Kat Grant, and FFRF Senior Counsel Patrick Elliot hosted this week's "Ask an Atheist." We discussed the recent Supreme Court hearing where a business owner challenged anti-discrimination laws due to her religious beliefs. During the episode, we break down the case and talk about how the arguments went before the court.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Freethought Matters: Andrew Seidel FFRF 2022-12-01 | Andrew Seidel is Vice President of Strategic Communications for Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. Before that, he was a constitutional attorney and strategic response director here at the Freedom from Religion Foundation. His first book, The Founding Myth - Why Christian Nationalism is Un-American, was published in 2019. Seidel's latest book is titled American Crusade: How the Supreme Court Is Weaponizing Religious Freedom.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Theology Off My Biology: Catholic health care FFRF 2022-12-01 | On this episode of FFRF's "Ask an Atheist," we talk with Evan Minton, who was denied critical health care from California’s largest hospital provider, Dignity Health, because he is a transgender man. Dignity Health is a Catholic health care provider. We discuss with Minton about what happened to him, how his story caught the attention of members of Congress, and how he is fighting back.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Celebrate Thanksgiving with FFRF FFRF 2022-11-24 | We hosted a pre-Thanksgiving celebration this week on FFRF's "Ask an Atheist." Emceed by staff members Sam Grover, Greta Martens and Sammi Lawrence, we recounted stories about being an atheist at the holiday table, along with other holiday memories. There is also a performance by our co-president Dan Barker, as well as a tofurkey vs. turkey taste test.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Freethought Matters: Daniel Mach FFRF 2022-11-23 | Daniel Mach is the director of the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief. He leads a wide range of religious liberty litigation, advocacy and public education efforts nationwide, and often writes, teaches and speaks publicly on religious freedom issues. Mach currently serves as an adjunct professor of law at the George Washington University Law School, focusing on constitutional law and religious liberty. At FFRF’s recent convention in San Antonio, he accepted on behalf of the ACLU FFRF’s Henry Zumach Freedom From Religious Fundamentalism Award.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Freethought Matters: John Irving FFRF 2022-11-17 | Author John Irving discusses his fourteen novels, including his latest "The Last Chairlift" and his lifelong devotion to freethought.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Leaving Mormonism and Right-Wing Politics FFRF 2022-11-17 | We talk with Matthew Sheffield, a national correspondent for TYT. Before leaving right-wing media, Matthew ran a marketing and technology company which catered to Republican campaigns, organizations, and publications. He is credited with the campaign to get Dan Rather fired, and then went on to create other right-wing information sites such as NewsBusters. He became the founding online managing editor of the Washington Examiner, a conservative newspaper. He grew up in a far-right Mormon family, and is now a non believer. Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Ensaf Haidar on behalf of Raif Badawi: Avijit Roy Courage Award FFRF 2022-11-15 | Raif Badawi received in absentia FFRF’s Avijit Roy Courage Award presented jointly by Bonya Ahmed, which is $5,000. Badawi was finally released this year after 10 years in prison in Saudi Arabia for “apostasy.” He was also sentenced to 1,000 lashes. After being subjected to 50 lashes, an international outcry halted that punishment. Saudi Arabia is holding him in house detention for the next 10 years and imposing massive fines.His wife and Saudi activist Ensaf Haidar will accept the plaque and award in Badawi’s absence. Ensaf earlier received FFRF’s Henry Zumach Freedom From Religious Fundamentalist Award in 2018. She and their two children fled to Quebec, where both Raif and Ensaf have been granted political asylum. She established the Raif Badawi Foundation for Freedom to spread progressive values in the Middle East and work for Badawi’s release. "Freedom of speech is the air that any thinker breathes; it's the fuel that ignites the fire of an intellectual's thoughts," Badawi has said. His writings are collected in a book, “1000 Lashes: Because I Say What I Think.” The award memorializes Bangladeshi-American atheist activist and writer Avijit Roy, who was assassinated by Islamists on the streets of Dhaka, in an attack that nearly killed his wife Bonya Ahmed.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Black Activists & Nonbelief Panel: Why I left religion FFRF 2022-11-15 | Rogiérs Fibby, André Forbes, Candace Gorham, Cynthia McDonald, DeAngela Morant & Mandisa Thomas (moderator), speakers on the Black Activists & Nonbelief Panel, hosted a discussion on "Why I left religion". All panelists also sang in FFRF's sponsored "Godless Gospel" debut at the 2022 San Antonio convention.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Daryl Cobranchi: Freethinker of the Year Award FFRF 2022-11-15 | Daryl Cobranchi, of West Virginia, received FFRF’s “Freethinker of the Year” Award (along with Eric Engle, who could not attend in person), as successful plaintiffs in FFRF’s federal court challenge of recitation of the “Lord’s Prayer” to open meetings of the Parkersburg City Council.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Jim Hightower: Clarence Darrow Awardee FFRF 2022-11-15 | Jim Hightower is FFRF's 2022 Clarence Darrow Awardee. The award is an all-purpose award to recognize civil libertarians, those who promote science and evolution, and/or freethought, as Darrow advocated.The two-time Texas Agriculture Commissioner is a national radio commentator heard on more than 150 commercial and public stations. He writes a rousing newsletter, “The Hightower Lowdown” and has been dubbed a “populist road warrior.” A New York Times bestselling author, he’s written seven books, most recently, “Swim Against the Current: Even a Dead Fish Can Go with the Flow.” He embodies the old Yugosloavian proverb, “You can fight the gods and still have fun.”Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Legal/Legislative/Lobbying Reports FFRF 2022-11-15 | Rebecca Markert, Patrick Elliott, Chris Line, Mark Dann & Ryan Jayne report on FFRF's legal efforts.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Will Larkins & Max Nibert: Student Activist Awardees FFRF 2022-11-15 | Will Larkins spoke about his internationally-covered protests of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law. As a junior at Winter Park High School, he was one of the organizers of the impressive Say Gay Anyway walkout of 500 students in March. He also testified in person before the Florida Legislature against the punitive measure.Max Nibert gained notoriety following his initiation and orchestration of a walk-out at Huntington High School over a religious revival sermon held on campus with students forced to attend. He is a lead plaintiff in the FFRF lawsuit against his school. Max is proud to claim his Appalachian upbringing as a driving force behind his political and humanitarian passions.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
U.S. Reps. Jared Huffman & Jamie Raskin: Congressional Freethought Caucus FFRF 2022-11-15 | U.S. Reps. Jared Huffman and Jamie Raskin have been stalwart defenders of secularism in Congress, as founding members and co-chairs of the Congressional Freethought Caucus.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
Conversation with Julia Sweeney FFRF 2022-11-15 | FFRF's co-president, Dan Barker, interviewed Julia Sweeney at our 2022 National Convention in San Antonio.Sweeney, an actress, comedian, author and director, was cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1990 to 1994 and has created several one-person comedy shows. Her third one-person show, “Julia Sweeney: Older & Wider” has run in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and at an FFRF convention. It was filmed and will be released in 2023. She is also a recipient of FFRF’s “Emperor Has No Clothes” Award.Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.
