#232 Debate - Matt Dillahunty vs Cliffe Knechtle - Does God Exist - 2013

Interview:
https://youtu.be/coF5Ia8be4g

Atheist Calls for Unity and Decency in Secular Invocation at Jacksonville (FL) City Council Meeting

On Tuesday in Jacksonville, Florida, First Coast Freethought Society founder Earl Coggins delivered the city council’s first-ever secular invocation...
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2016/03/25/atheist-calls-for-unity-and-decency-in-secular-invocation-at-jacksonville-fl-city-council-meeting/

#226 Debate - Massimo Pigliucci vs William Lane Craig - Does The Christian God Exist - 2001

Interview:
https://youtu.be/N5sCQIt-ARA

Atheism and virtuousness (Essay by Samuel Chan Sai Hay)

Without religion, how can one be good, or even want to be good? As an international student from Hong Kong studying in the U.S., I nd the previous statement offensive to nonbelievers. The theory that there is an incompatibility between morality and atheism is far too common and prevalent in the United States. In light of this, I would like to introduce Hong Kong as an an- swer to how atheism and morality can coexist and illustrate how an atheistic society can be as ethical as any other type of society. 

According to government docu- ments, about 50% of the city’s pop- ulation, which is approximately 3.5 million people, do not consider them- selves religious. In fact, as studies in recent years indicate, 77% of China’s population describe themselves as nonreligious people, while 47% con- sider themselves atheists. 

Hong Kong is often applauded as one of the most civilized, orderly and peaceful cities, having only a total of 11.95 crimes per 1,000 citizens, which is almost four times less than the num- ber in the heavily religious United States. And atheism does not necessar- ily spell violence or savagery. In 2014, Hong Kong only had 27 homicides, while New York City, which is also a city of 8 million people, had 333 homi- cides. The incarceration rate of Hong Kong also hit a record low in 2014, with only 123 people per 100,000 in prison, which is 125th in the world. Although nonreligious factors must not be over- looked, one can see that the degree of religiosity does not necessarily have direct links to a population’s savagery. That being said, one’s civility is actually subject to a collection of many other factors, such as education, rather than only religion. 

Hong Kong, despite, or perhaps because of, its nonreligiousness, also displays outstanding numbers in term of city safety, human development and sustainability. The list goes on, but it just proves that it is possible and real- istic for a largely atheistic society to be as moral, civilized and advanced as any other societies, no matter what their religiosities are.

https://ffrf.org/images/uploads/fttoday/2016/FT_April_2016.pdf

'Strange Gods' Chronicles The History Of Secularism And Conversion (Terry Gross, Fresh Air)

"I think very few people realize how much the separation of church and state has to do with the fact that Americans are not only more religious than a lot of other people in the world but that conversions are much more common here."
Interview:
http://www.npr.org/2016/02/17/467067269/strange-gods-chronicles-the-history-of-secularism-and-conversion

Justin Scott on Interviewing Presidential Candidates (The Humanist Hour #189)

n this week’s show, Stephanie Zvan introduces interviewer Peggy Knudtson, and Peggy and Jenn Wilson talk to Justin Scott about his work to get politicians on record on the separation of church and state.

As an Iowan, activist, and atheist, Justin Scott has had a unique opportunity to represent nontheists in the political process. The timing of the Iowa caucuses means that 2016 presidential candidates spend a lot of time answering questions from average citizens, and Justin has used this opportunity to press the candidates on church-state separation and issues of religious privilege. His YouTube videos of the candidate’s answers have propelled the debate over religion in the public sphere into the headlines.
Interview:
http://thehumanist.com/multimedia/podcast/humanist-hour-189-justin-scott-interviewing-presidential-candidates

Sex and the Safely Satisfied, with Jaclyn Friedman (Valentine’s Day Special) (Point of Inquiry)

Jaclyn Friedman is a writer, speaker, and sex education activist, challenging misconceptions about what it means to have consenting, satisfying sex. She’s the author of What You Really Really Want: The Smart Girl’s Shame-Free Guide to Sex & Safety, and she joins us on this special Valentine’s Day episode to bring some freethought to love and sex.

In addition to having written extensively on the topic of healthy sexuality and the myriad hang-ups and myths surrounding sex and pleasure, she’s also in the process of producing a new multimedia project, including a podcast about female sexual power and freedom.
Interview:
http://www.pointofinquiry.org/sex_and_the_safely_satisfied_with_jaclyn_friedman_valentines_day_special/

The Top 9 Most Inconvenient Verses In The Bible! (for Christians, that is)

https://youtu.be/BuNDrZUO6ZI

Stephen Prothero, Author Of Why Liberals Win The Culture Wars (Hemant Mehta, The Friendly Atheist)

Stephen Prothero is a professor in the department of religion at Boston University and the author of several books, including Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know — and Doesn’t. You may have seen him on his appearances on The Daily Show or The Colbert Report. His latest book is called Why Liberals Win the Culture Wars (Even When They Lose Elections).

We spoke with him about why conservatives back losing issues, what issues will get liberals out to vote this November, and what surprised him during his research for the book.
Interview:
http://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2016/02/28/stephen-prothero-author-of-why-liberals-win-the-culture-wars/

The Humanist Hour #188: Black Nonbelievers: The Author’s Circle (The Humanist Hour)

In this episode, Jenn Wilson introduces our new producer, Stephanie Zvan, and Kim Ellington talks to Frank Edwards, Ronald F. Murphy, Cheryl Abram, and Darrell Smith – authors who presented at the Black Nonbelievers fifth anniversary celebration in Atlanta last month.

On January 16, 2016, Black Nonbelievers from all over gathered together in Atlanta to celebrate the organization’s five year anniversary. One of the day’s panels focused on black atheist and humanist authors. Kim Ellington attended the anniversary celebration and took the opportunity to talk to these panelists.

Frank Edwards is the author of the Jupiter Strong series, books designed for children and parents. The focus of this series was to showcase images of African people in dignifying terms and rebuild family values. From our series, children will learn critical thinking skills, self love, communal responsibility and have fun doing it!
Interview:
http://thehumanist.com/multimedia/podcast/humanist-hour-188-black-nonbelievers-authors-circle

The Darwin Day Lecture 2016, with Jerry Coyne | Evolution and atheism: best friends forever?

A packed auditorium of almost 1,000 people attended the Darwin Day Lecture 2016 in London on 12 February, which was presented by Professor Jerry Coyne, author of Why Evolution is True and Faith vs Fact. The lecture explored whether comprehension of evolution was inimical to religious belief. It was chaired by British Humanist Association Patrons Professor Steve Jones and Professor Alice Roberts.
Interview:
https://youtu.be/sazo1J4Zsj4

Who Needs Bible Study? An Atheist Arizona Legislator Will Lead Secular Studies for His Colleagues

Now, Mendez is preparing to challenge Christian privilege in a new way...
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2016/03/01/who-needs-bible-study-an-atheist-arizona-legislator-will-lead-secular-studies-for-his-colleagues/

Religiously unaffiliated Americans are the new powerhouse political bloc. But only if they vote.

Religiously unaffiliated voters may be the most important political group that no one talks about...
https://www.yahoo.com/politics/religiously-unaffiliated-americans-are-the-new-124459554.html

The Flying Spaghetti Monster EXPLAINED - The Flying Spaghetti Monster and His relation to PIRATES

The Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe, much as it is today, but for reasons unknown made it appear that the universe is billions of years old (instead of thousands) and that life evolved into its current state (rather than created in its current form). Whenever a scientist carbon-dates an object, The Flying Spaghetti Monster is there to change the results with his noodly appendage, so only the TRUE BELIEVERS understand the truth. May you too be touched by His noodly appendage and be blessed. RAMEN.
https://youtu.be/0XebqnAf4Zw

What is Pastafarianism?

There are lots of religions out there; Pastafarianism is a strong contender for the best one.
https://youtu.be/7sfnnJBk3aY

#148 Debate - Bart Ehrman vs Michael Brown - Biblical Answer to Suffering - 2010

https://youtu.be/iNVnAQrETmo

Stephen Fry: The Importance of Unbelief

If you assume there's no afterlife, Stephen Fry says, you'll likely have a fuller, more interesting life.
Interview:
https://youtu.be/CqibqD4fJZs

Stephen Fry: The Importance of Unbelief

https://youtu.be/CqibqD4fJZs

Can a Christian Party Survive?

Growth in the religiously unaffiliated is a demographic catastrophe for a GOP that only speaks to the faithful.
http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/the-republican-god-gap/

The God Distraction: Introduction

This is the introduction to my new ten part series, The God Distraction: I don't care if God exists, and neither should you...
https://youtu.be/yVVH071-5Ws