TheThinkingAtheist

Many have expressed a desire to talk about Christopher Hitchens, his writings, his speeches, his influence on their lives.  In the wake of his much-too-early death, we spend time reflecting on Hitch's life and legacy.

How does your religious family handle your non-belief when you show up for the holiday gatherings?  Is it warm and fuzzy, or cold and confrontational? Share your stories, give your perspective, and let's talk about Christmas (otherwise known as the Festival of Pagan Traditions Surrounding a Plastic Baby Jesus). Your calls and emails (email address is editor@thethinkingatheist.com) 12 Noon Central USA (Time Zone Converter at http://www.timezoneconverter.com/cgi-bin/tzc.tzc)

There are no atheists in foxholes...right?  Actually, this statement couldn't be more incorrect.  We spend some time highlighting military men and women who have committed to serve their countries without serving a higher power. Your calls and emails (editor@thethinkingatheist.com) (Time Zone Converter at http://www.timezoneconverter.com/cgi-bin/tzc.tzc)

Seth spent an hour with the members of Oklahoma Atheists as the evening's featured speaker. In his presentation entitled "The Shell Game," he addresses the doubles standards and parlor tricks Christianity and other religious use to justify often contradictory, immoral and often ridiculous behavior. Obviously, the radio listener will miss the PowerPoint slides and visual cues in this speech, but most of it translates to the radio format. If you'd like to watch the original video on YouTube, here's the link:  http://youtu.be/mOJSOlPpDuE

Over the last 2 1/2 years, many of the same questions keep popping up.  About the site.  About the podcasts.  About the videos.  On this show, we'll take some time and answer the questions so often asked by the TTA community and others. 

We speak with the LITERAL Religious Antagonist from YouTube, Mike Lee, and spend a few minutes with Dave Silverman of American Atheists to talk about: 1)  Is mockery of religion appropriate? 2)  Is anger productive or counter-productive? 3)  Is anybody out there listening? Plus your calls and emails (editor@thethinkingatheist.com).  (Time Zone Converter at http://www.timezoneconverter.com/cgi-bin/tzc.tzc)

The God of the bible loves and honors women, right?  So why does a huge percentage of Yahweh's Good Book treat women like sub-humans? And what about other religions like Islam, where some regions don't even permit women to drive a car? Your calls and emails (editor@thethinkingatheist.com) (Time Zone Converter at http://www.timezoneconverter.com/cgi-bin/tzc.tzc)

Many who warn of the evils of Halloween are completely oblivious of the actual history of the holiday, with little idea that the celebrations of October 31st have been influenced heavily by the Catholic Church. We take a quick overview of the origins and practices of Halloween, and we talk about what religion is doing to counter and co-opt Satan's Day for other purposes.

It's October...the season for spooky stories.  Once again, we enjoy some frivolous ghost tales and examine some genuine questions about the things that go bump in the night. Your calls and emails (send to:  editor@thethinkingatheist.com) (Time Zone Converter at http://www.timezoneconverter.com/cgi-bin/tzc.tzc)

They isolate their followers emotionally and geographically.  They brainwash impressionable adults and innocent children.  They use and abuse trust for personal gain.  They are cult leaders, and those who've escaped their grasp have compelling and often horrifying stories to tell. Your calls and emails (send to:  editor@thethinkingatheist.com) (Time Zone Converter at http://www.timezoneconverter.com/cgi-bin/tzc.tzc)

Whatever you want to talk about.  It's an impromptu evening show featuring your calls and emails. Time Zone Converter (Oklahoma 7pm Central USA)  http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html

Video version is on YouTube at http://youtu.be/JJrtQTTcXiw Matt Dillahunty is a former Christian and current host of "The Atheist Experience," a public access TV show in Austin, TX which has generated fans (and foes) around the world via the internet. Every broadcast features debate and discussion about the incongruity and immorality of the bible, its god and religion as a whole.

Video version is on YouTube at http://youtu.be/pqc0roZTZSA Aron-Ra is an autodidact and recurring student listed among the most influential internet activists advocating rationalism in science education. His video series summarizing the 'Foundational Falsehoods of Creationism' has been mirrored, featured, referenced, and recommended by many professional scientists, secularists, and educators, and has attracted some 60,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/AronRa

Video version is on YouTube at http://youtu.be/c7ZIZ-Upalk A former Christian of 30 years (including 12 years as a Christian broadcaster), Seth ultimately found the bible's answers to Life, The Universe and Everything to be profoundly lacking. He finally became skeptical of the teachings of his religious upbringing and culture to began "thinking" for himself, and he encourages others to do the same. A professional video producer and recent apostate, he now challenges the claims of his former faith through videos, podcasts and the TTA online community: (www.thethinkingatheist.com).

YouTube video of this speech is online at http://youtu.be/afm3vjn0PuQ This is the audio from the July 30th, 2011 Oklahoma Freethought Convention.  Abbie Smith has a BS in Biology from Truman State and is currently finishing her Ph.D in Microbiology and Immunology at Oklahoma University. A frequent speaker at science and freethought events, Abbie's research focuses on the evolution of viruses like HIV-1, and how we can use that information to create better vaccines. Though her research focuses on retroviruses, she has a love of all things viral, and writes about them frequently on her blog, ERV (http://scienceblogs.com/erv/).