Freethought Radio (Freedom From Religion Foundation)

Rev. Franklin Graham, an evangelical moralist, says the Stormy Daniel controversy is "no business" of anybody. Boy Scouts rebrand their image but still exclude nonbelievers. We listen to Representative Jared Huffman explain on C-Span why he created the first Congressional Freethought Congress. After hearing Irving Berlin's song "Pack Up Your Sins And Go To The Devil In Hades," we talk with New York City standup comedian (and atheist) Leighann Lord, who just made it to the finals (top 5 out of 200) in the American Black Film Festival-HBO Comedy Wings Competition and who will be performing at FFRF's annual convention in November.

Atheism pops up in pop culture as the co-hosts discuss the hit tv show 'Glee.' Veteran journalist and Isthmus editor Bill Lueders discusses his latest book Watchdog: 25 years of muckraking and rabble-rousing.

We announce the first atheist billboard in Africa! We report on a tsunami of Christian nationalist bills and executive orders at the federal and state levels, including Texas, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Iowa and Tennessee. In honor of Valentine's Day, we hear Dan Barker's secular love song "It's Only Natural." Then sociology Professor Ryan T. Cragun, author of Goodbye Religion: The Causes and Consequences of Secularization, shows us, with data, that religious people are not happier, healthier or more moral than nonreligious people.

We protest Kentucky Governor Bevin's declaration of "Christian Heritage Week." After we celebrate freethinking songwriter Stephen Sondheim's 88th birthday, FFRF Attorney Patrick Elliott tells us about the Ten Commandments plaque that we got removed from a Minnesota County courthouse. Annie Laurie memorializes former Wisconsin Attorney General Bronson La Follette, a friend to freethought. Then we talk with Mandisa Thomas, founder and president of Black Nonbelievers.

Guest: Sasha Sagan. It’s Mayday for women’s rights. We talk about state/church and women’s issues in Idaho, Arkansas, New Jersey and Arizona, and announce our full-page ad in the New York Times. After listening to philosopher Bertrand Russell (on the sesquicentennial of his birth) tell us why he was not a Christian, we hear Sasha Sagan, daughter of astronomer Carl Sagan and author Ann Druyan, tell us why the beauty of science is more awesome than religion.

FFRF Strategic Response attorneys Ryan Jayne and Andrew Seidel describe the dangers to state/church separation and to civil rights of Trump's nominee to the Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh. Then we talk with author and The Nation columnist Katha Pollitt about her essay in today's New York Times, "Roe Isn't Going Down Without a Fight," which details exactly what we can do to preserve women's rights and true religious liberty.

Happy Juneteenth and Happy Summer Solstice! FFRF attorney Patrick Elliott joins us to talk about today's Supreme Court Fulton decision over whether a publicly funded religious organization can refuse to place foster-care children with same-sex parents. Then we speak with journalist Helen Christophi about her article in the April/May Progressive magazine called "For Christ's Sake: Leonard Leo's Network Is Trying To Reshape the World Into the Kingdom of God.”

We talk about rogue priests, predator priests, sanctimonious senators, creationist lawmakers and charitable atheists. After hearing Dan Barker's first freethought song, "You Can't Win With Original Sin," we talk with Jennifer Taylor, the new president of the Rationalists of East Tennessee, about how she escaped the Jehovah's Witnesses to become a happy freethinker.

Meet high-school science teacher Kirk Mefford, faculty advisor for the West High School chapter of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, and learn how hard it is to be an open atheist on campus. This week’s show also announces many state/church victories and complaints made by FFRF’s legal staff, and features a very funny excerpt of the “Door to Door Atheist” video made by Australian filmmaker John Safran.

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.

After hearing televangelist Pat Robertson accuse the Freedom From Religion Foundation of being led by “the Devil,” we hear comedian Robin Williams lampoon the story of Mary and Joseph. We listen to jazz pianist/composer (and FFRF member) Addison Frei’s freethinking song “Clinging,” sung by Tahira Clayton. Then we interview Jim Helton, president of Tri-State Freethinkers, about the successful protest he organized against young-earth creationist Ken Ham’s publicly subsidized “Ark Encounter” in Kentucky, a monument to genocide and ignorance.

Happy Unholy New Year! Out with the old orthodoxies, in with a new year of freethought! This week's show is a relaxing sneak preview of FFRF's new musical CD, Adrift On A Star, including debuts of new songs by Dan Barker and friends. We end with Scottish singer Jim Malcolm's touching version of "Auld Lang Syne."

Hasa Diga Eebowai! An atheist songwriter tells us why we should "Not Be Mad At God." FFRF attorney Patrick updates us on government prayer controversies, as well as a victory stopping church discounts at Milwaukee's Mexican Fiesta. Then we speak with Gretta Vosper, a pastor in the United Church of Canada who is now a nonbeliever and author of the bestselling book, With Or Without God: Why the way we live is more important than what we believe.

Jeff Shott, the 17-year-old Tennessee student who dressed up as Jesus on "Fictional Character Day" at his high school, tells us the whole story. FFRF attorney Patrick Elliott brings us up-to-date on the religious legal shenanigans with our lawsuit challenging the Ten Commandments in a Virginia High School, and we celebrate Mother's Day with a tribute to The Women's Medical Fund, founded by FFRF founder Anne Nicol Gaylor.

What’s wrong with Senator Marco Rubio and Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin promoting bible reading? We report a victory removing scripture from a New Mexico public school and talk with FFRF attorney Maddy Ziegler about the 9th-Circuit decision telling a Bremerton, Wa. high-school football coach he cannot pray during games. After talking about romantic nonreligious weddings, we interview University of Kentucky assistant professor Will Gervais about his studies showing that because of the public distrust of nonbelievers, the number of atheists in the United States is highly under-reported.

We review secular highs and lows of the week. FFRF Legal Fellow Karen Heineman tells us why the Catholic Church cannot run public charter schools in Oklahoma. Then we hear the entertaining conversation between actress/comedian Julia Sweeney and Dan Barker at FFRF’s 2022 convention.

Peter Singer, atheist, author and Princeton professor, who is considered the world’s leading ethicist, joins us for an illuminating discussion on his book, “The Most Good You Can Do: How Effective Altruism Is Changing Ideas About Living Ethically,” and his newest book, “Ethics in the Real World.” We  celebrate FFRF's winter solstice “equal time” displays now up in the Wisconsin State Capitol and Daley Plaza (in conjunction with our Chicago chapter), and report on a state/church victory to remove an unconstitutional nativity display in Michigan. In honor of the 120th anniversary of the birth of lyricist Ira Gershwin, we play Ira’s irreverent classic about the bible, "It Ain’t Necessarily So.”

Secularism is growing around the world, and in the United States resistance to Christian nationalism is increasing. FFRF Legal Fellow Sammi Lawrence and FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line join us to talk about some of the encouraging state/church legal victories (in court and out of court) that the FFRF legal staff has been winning in recent weeks.

Guest: Alice Greczyn. FFRF attorney Sam Grover updates us on the oral arguments in our "Do mess with Texas" lawsuit before the federal 5th Circuit Court of Appeals challenging Gov. Greg Abbott's censorship of our Bill of Rights nativity display at the state Capitol. Then the actress and author Alice Greczyn offers a scientific explanation for ecstatic religious experiences, which she describes in her talk: "Drunk, High and Hypnotized: How Neurotheology Healed My Religious Trauma."

This week’s show is dedicated to the memory of FFRF’s principal founder Anne Nicol Gaylor, who died June 14 at the age of 88. After reporting some FFRF state/church victories (which continue Anne’s legacy), we listen to Anne’s voice (“Is it reasonable; is it kind?”), and read from the New York Times obituary/article about her. Then we read two of Anne Gaylor's articles from her 1983 book, Lead Us Not Into Penn Station.

The first-ever Atheist Flag, erected by FFRF member Richard Gagnon, appeared this week in Somersworth, New Hampshire. We announce the debut broadcast of FFRF's new TV Show, "Freethought Matters," beginning Sunday on CBS in Madison, Wisconsin. FFRF attorney Ryan Jayne tells us about stopping a $5,000 city grant to a church in Sitka, Alaska. Then we speak with former Southern Baptist minister John Compere, who is now an atheist working with The Clergy Project, helping other preachers and priests to leave the ministry.

After reporting state/church news in Ohio, North Carolina and Florida, we talk about the tragic religious persecution in Pakistan and Afghanistan. FFRF Senior Policy Counsel Ryan Jayne discusses the more than 1,000 state-level religiously based bills introduced in 2023 that we are monitoring and reports a "Health Care Sharing Ministry" victory in Missouri. Then we speak with Leonard Presberg, founder and president of the Association of Secular Elected Officials.

In the News: After analyzing Obama’s Prayer Breakfast remarks and chastising the “lovely couple" Antonin Scalia and Judge Roy Moore for resisting gay marriage, we announce a new federal lawsuit over religious proselytizing by teachers in a Georgia school. We celebrate the birthday of Susan B. Anthony and hear the freethought love song “It’s Only Natural,” then we talk with the leading feminist author, activist, blogger, radio host and atheist Robin Morgan about the plight of women in today’s religion-drenched society.

We listen to Seth Andrews, host of “The Thinking Atheist” podcast, read Dan Barker's article “The Top 10 Absolute Worst Old Testament Verses.” Then, we hear Washington Post columnist Kate Cohen's entertaining and thought-provoking speech at FFRF's 2024 convention called “Tampon Tim and the Long Reach of Religion.”

This week we talk about SCOTUS, churches and COVID-19; Kansas schools and proselytizing Franklin Graham; praying Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and non-praying Hollywood celebrity John Davidson. Then we talk with former church music director Steven Phelps who is now an atheist songwriter and performer in Nashville. We hear his moving ballad "After The Last Amen" and his state/church song "Public Places."

FFRF's TV ads are censored in some places, accepted in others. FFRF's South Dakota billboards challenge "In God We Trust." We hear the debut of Dan Barker's song in Spanish, "Es Solo Natural." After talking with FFRF attorney Chris Line about a number of state-church victories in southern schools, we interview the winner of the Michael Hakeem Memorial College Student Essay Contest, Jack Buchanan, about why he now agrees with John Lennon that there is "no hell below us."

We review Wisconsin's Lt. Gov's historic welcome speech to the 33rd annual FFRF national convention in Madison, Wis. Rep. Pete Stark accepts the Emperor Has No Clothes Award as Congresses'only out non-believer. Melody Moore,  soprano opera singer, shares why FFRF is special to her.

Andrew Seidel and Liz Cavell, two FFRF attorneys, fill in this week to host Freethought Radio and discuss Andrew's Messin' with Texas tour. The Democratic National Committee recognized the contribution and value of nonreligious Americans, while a federal court declared that discrimination against atheists is permissible. We interview Chrissy Stroop, a writer, activist, and EXvangelical about her work and forthcoming book, Empty the Pews: Stories of Leaving the Church.

FFRF complains over the largest Christian cross in the country being depicted on government property in Effingham, Ill., and about the governor of Nebraska forcing his private religious views about abortion on the state. We parse some of the remarks President Trump made at a rally held in a Miami church. Then we hear professor and author Anthony B. Pinn talk about racism and religion and tell us why freethinkers should be concerned about social justice.

TOPIC: KEEPING RELIGION OUT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS

FFRF staff attorney Rebecca Markert reports on the prayer in school violation FFRF has contested that is turning Daisy Soddy School District and the rest of Tennessee upside down. This year's Thomas Jefferson Youth Activist Awardee Eric Workman talks about why, as class valedictorian, he sued his public school district over illegal commencement prayers, and how he won.

Just returning from our national convention in San Francisco, we hear the Moment of Bedlam at the annual Nonprayer Breakfast and hear parts of speeches by actor John de Lancie, Secular Coalition for America director Larry Decker, U.S. Representative (Ca.) Jared Huffman, and comedian Leighann Lord. After hearing Dan Barker's song "The Freethought Blues," we talk with Maryam Namazie, who is organizing the "International Sharia, Segregation & Secularism" conference in London this month.

Dan and Annie Laurie are back from one vacation, learn why they have been invited to some place a LOT warmer.  This week we'll talk with a fifth generation minister who saw the light is now a nonbeliever. John Compere's book is called Towards the Light: A fifth generation minister's journey from religion to nonbelief.

IN THE NEWS: FFRF files an amicus brief in the Hobby Lobby Supreme Court lawsuit challenging the Affordable Healthcare Act, and the government appeals FFRF’s federal court “Parish Exemption” victory to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. We honor the life of folksinger Pete Seeger, and then talk with artist and filmmaker Scott Burdick about his new film, “In Reason We Trust.”

This week we talk about abortion and the religious right in Ireland, Texas and Wisconsin. Then we interview science professor Jerry Coyne, author of Why Evolution is True, about the ongoing controversy at Ball State University (Indiana) where a creationist professor is preaching Intelligent Design in the science classroom.

After analyzing the erroneous remarks President Trump delivered before evangelicals at the White House this week, we describe FFRF's new ad in the New York Times: "It's Time to Consider Quitting the Catholic Church." We hear a clip of comedian Julia Sweeney as she was interviewed on FFRF's Freethought Matters TV show. Then we talk with William C. Stone, the lead attorney in the historic 1980 Supreme Court case Stone v. Graham, which declared the posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools to be unconstitutional.

FFRF lead staff attorney Rebecca Market reports a victory stopping a Mississippi school district from participating in a day of prayer for students, and tells us about more unconstitutional Christian crosses on public property. We celebrate the life of Robert Green Ingersoll, the 19th-century Great Agnostic, by listening to his actual recorded voice, hearing some of his words (some set to music) and by speaking with his relative Jeff Ingersoll, chair of the Robert Ingersoll Memorial Committee, who will speak at the dedication of the refurbished Ingersoll statue in Peoria, Illinois on Ingersoll’s August 11 birthday.

Arizona State Representative Juan Mendez

"Christmas is early this year!" Texas Governor Perry signed into law this month the "Merry Christmas" bill, encouraging public schools to promote religion, taking pot shots at FFRF. Hear coverage of our Florida school distribution lawsuit. Then we talk with Arizona State Representative Juan Mendez, who opened a session of the House of Representatives with a freethought invocation instead of a prayer.

In the week of the birthday anniversary of John Lennon, our program examines the concept of “Imagine no religion" from several angles. Freethought Radio features Congress’ lone “out” nonbeliever — U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman, in a fascinating interview in which he talks about being an ex-Mormon, the inside story on congressional issues regarding separation of state and church, and why he founded the Congressional Freethought Caucus.

The show examines new developments in the rise of Hindu nationalism in India, during this birth week of Gandhi. FFRF Director of Communications Amit Pal, an expert in the phenomenon, is interviewed briefly by solo host Annie Laurie Gaylor.

In the news segment, Freethought Radio excerpts TV news coverage of several major FFRF victories, and recounts FFRF’s newest national complaint over the judge in the Amber Guyger trial forcing a bible on her and instructing which passages to read. We play a poignant version of “Imagine,” arranged by native American composer Brent Michael Davids on flute, with Lenape Tribe member and absentee host Dan Barker accompanying on piano. The show passages of music not only by Lennon, but by nonreligious classical composer Guiseppe Verdi, also born this week in history.

Portland, Oregon, public high-school students disallowed from participating in a religious Catholic Grotto performance. Gideon bibles removed from Northern Illinois University hotel rooms. We announce Brooke Mulder as the winner of FFRF’s “Nothing Fails Like Prayer” contest for her secular invocation before Glendale, Arizona, city council. Then we hear veteran Steven Hewett (introduced by veteran Steve Trunk) talk about his successful lawsuit to remove a Christian War Memorial from the city of King, North Carolina.

We talk about freethought up north and freethought down south. We'll talk with the leader of a Minnesota chapter and a Mexican atheist Gerardo Romera Quijada "Ramas". We'll talk about the first national atheist conference in Mexico where FFRF will be participating.

Topics: Atheism in Oklahoma, Billboards in Atlanta

Which Senator Gore was an atheist? Find out on Freethought Radio. Also, FFRFs 50 billboards take Atlanta by storm. Hosts speak with Prof. Bill Doosenberry on why atheism OK in Oklahoma – and everywhere. This week only, Freethought Radio airs in Madison on the Mic 92.1 at 10 am (sports preempt).

After reporting on winter solstice signs FFRF has been posting around the country (one of which, in Boca Raton, was immediately vandalized) in response to nativity scenes on public property, we comment on two theocrats recently appointed by the president elect: Betsy Devos for Secretary of Education and Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt for the Environmental Protection Agency (who has attacked FFRF). In honor of the anniversary of the adoption of the Bill of Rights on December 15, 1791, we hear Rev. Billy and the Stop Shopping choir perform the song "The First Amendment." Then we talk with Ali A. Rizvi, who grew up in Libya, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, about his new book The Atheist Muslim: A Journey From Religion to Reason.

After reporting on state/church separation in Alabama, Florida and Arizona, and on blasphemy, book banning and abortion, we hear the optimistic song "Workin' on a World" by Iris DeMent. Then, we speak with NPR Correspondent Sarah McCammon about her new book The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church.

freethinking lyricist Yip Harburg, who wrote “Over the Rainbow,” and many other songs. Listen to Yip himself singing “If I Only Had a Brain,” “Over the Rainbow,” “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” and “Last Night When We Were Young.” Then we interview Yip’s son, Ernie Harburg, also an atheist, a scientist who is director of the Yip Harburg Foundation, about his father’s artistic life and social activism.

Air Force Academy, Ricky Gervais

Freethought Radio will memorialize two young women freethinkers, air rocker Frank Turner's new freethought anthem "Glory, Hallelujah," and feature as guest FFRF Lifetime Member Madison Arnold, a busy character actor who has appeared in many TV shows, films and stage plays.

We announce plans to sue the state of Texas over their new Ten Commandments edict, and we celebrate the upcoming National Day of Reason on May 4. After hearing Sammy Davis Jr. sing "It Ain't Necessarily So" (written by George and Ira Gershwin), we speak with Evan Clark, Executive Director of Atheists United, about the "Atheist Street Pirate" campaign to remove religious signs from public property.

This week we report on FFRF's victory in Ohio, removing a Jesus painting from Jackson High School. We hear George Carlin's monologue on God and Religion. Then we talk with Mandisa Thomas, president of Black Nobelievers, who is planning the historic "Blackout Rally" in New York On July 27, celebrating the contributions of nonbelievers of color.

Guest: Samuel L. Perry. We announce two victories in federal lawsuits this week stopping city council prayer and religious instruction in West Virginia schools. We talk about Alito’s leaked abortion decision. The popular actor Jon Huertas tells us why he is a nontheist. In light of the tragic massacre in Buffalo, we speak with Professor Samuel L. Perry about his new book (with co-author Philip Gorski), The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy.

Oklahoma's Superintendent of Public Education Ryan Walters is going after FFRF for complaining about that state's creation of a "public" religious charter school. FFRF Legal Fellow Sammi Lawrence tells us about the new amicus brief we filed in favor of Southwest Airlines enforcing their policy against religious harassment. Then we hear from three eloquent 18-year-old college students who read their winning essays at FFRF's annual convention: Luci Green, Skylar Blumenauer, and Michelle Liao.

FFRF's Winter Solstice and Natural Nativity are back at the Wisconsin Capitol. After talking about a victory stopping a "Keep Christ in Christmas" parade in Piedmont, Alabama, we celebrate the birthdays of secular songwriters Ira Gershwin and Jay Gorney. Then we talk with FFRF intern and activist Jarvis Idowu, a 3rd-year law student at UW-Madison, about the Secular Law Students Society that he started and his work to keep state and church separate.

Hey Rick Perry! Get off your knees and get to work. After discussing FFRF v. Perry, FFRF's newest federal lawsuit, the hosts talk with Matthew Chapman, screenwriter and director of the new movie with an atheist protagonist, The Ledge. Chapman, an author, is the great-great grandson of Charles Darwin.

We begin by criticizing anti-science resistance to vaccinations and masking. After reporting an FFRF state/church victory in Florida, stopping a high-school baseball coach from praying with students, we hear the 1986 rock song "Dear God" by atheist Andy Partridge. Then we speak with Professor and author Juan Cole of the University of Michigan, an expert on the Middle East and South Asia, about what is happening with the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.

We announce the victory in our lawsuit challenging the “The Lord’s Prayer” at a West Virginia city council meeting. Attorney Liz Cavell describes FFRF’s “Know Your Rights” campaign for students. Then we hear Christopher Hitchens explain why God is not great.

After listening to the “Moment of Bedlam” at FFRF’s annual Non-prayer breakfast, we hear the Newseum Institute’s shout-out to the Freedom From Religion Foundation as a “well-organized” and “very effective” force fighting for the “nones” in today’s society. We play the new song, “Life After You,” then talk with the songwriter, Carter Warden, a former evangelical Church of Christ minister and founding member of The Clergy Project who came out as an atheist at FFRF’s convention in Pittsburgh this month. Carter describes why he left the ministry and how difficult it was to find employment outside the church.

Guests: Sam Grover; Ian Millhiser. After we report on national state/church news, FFRF attorney Sam Grover joins us to talk about the oral arguments he gave last week before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in our lawsuit challenging a Texas judge who opens sessions with a prayer. Then we speak with journalist and author Ian Millhiser about his new book The Agenda: How a Republican Supreme Court is Reshaping America.

After honoring “Champions of the First Amendment” Roy Torcaso (1961, Torcaso vs. Watkins) and Ed and Ellery Schempp (1963 Abington vs. Schempp), we talk about atheist rock climber Alex Honnold, who this month made history by ascending Yosemite’s El Capitan free-style with no rope. We hear Roy Zimmerman’s hilarious song “Creation Science 101,” and then talk about the 1925 Scopes Trial with historian Andrew Kersten, author of the book Clarence Darrow: American Iconoclast.

Fifteen groups join an Americans United amicus brief supporting FFRF’s federal court victory against a large public cross in Pensacola, Florida. Dan Barker asks for help in his appeal of a DC judge’s dismissal of his lawsuit challenging the Congressional chaplain’s refusal to allow a secular invocation before the House of Representatives. After learning the history behind the song “It Ain’t Necessarily So”, we talk with Larry Decker, Executive Director of the Secular Coalition For America, about how to improve the image of nonbelievers and lobby for secular law.

FFRF attorney Andrew Seidel relates his adventure filming our pro-science ad inside Ken Ham's "Ark Park" in Kentucky and describes how fundamentalist teachings are harmful to the education of children. After celebrating the 200th birthday of freethinking feminist Mathilde Franziska Giesler Anneke by hearing the German freethought anthem "Die Gedanken Sind Frei," we talk with former Tulsa Christian radio host Seth Andrews, now the host of The Thinking Atheist podcast and author of Deconverted: A journey from religion to reason.

Students complain about graduating in a church. We talk about women pastors, Catholic charter schools, Ten Commandments and prayer in public schools, child marriage and book banning. We talk with Sheryl Monk, a brave South Carolinian who is complaining about the "Lord's Prayer" at school board meetings. Then we interview Jon Ward, chief correspondent for Yahoo! News, about his new book Testimony: Inside the Evangelical Movement that Failed a Generation.

Guest: Minnesota state Rep. Mike Freiberg. After hearing the late Loretta Lynn sing the feminist song “The Pill,” we hear freethinkers Joni Mitchell and James Taylor perform “Circle of Time." Then we speak with Minnesota state Representative Mike Freiberg about the new Secular Government Caucus he co-founded in the state legislature with the purpose of “resisting Christian nationalism and defending state/church separation.”

This week we comment on the overtly religious nature of President Trump's inaugural "Christian Coronation," including invocations and benedictions claiming we are "one nation under God." Then, we speak with journalist Gareth Gore about his book on the Opus Dei called OPUS: The Cult of Dark Money, Human Trafficking, and Right-Wing Conspiracy inside the Catholic Church.

Nonbelievers in the news! Tornado victim interviewed on CNN says she is an atheist, while Ricky Gervais sends money, not prayers, to Oklahoma relief. An Arizona representative delivers a secular humanist invocation before the assembly, and an Australian TV host delivers an "Aussie" version of the Ten Commandments. Then we talk with high-school activist Gage Pulliam, whose complaint to FFRF resulted in the Muldrow, Oklahoma, schools removing hundreds of Ten Commandments plaques from the walls of public classrooms.

This week we talk about Christian nationalism, leaving the Mormon Church, and religion in the classroom. After listening to part of our TV interview with Rep. Jared Huffman about the theocratic Speaker of the House, we talk with historian Robin Vose, author of The Index of Prohibited Books: Four Centuries of Struggle Over Word and Image for the Greater Glory of God.

After discussing some of Trump's religiously motivated executive orders and appointments, we focus on some of the bad bills in the states, including Oklahoma, Idaho, Alabama, Kentucky, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin. Then we speak with David Clohessy, a survivor of childhood sexual molestation by clergy, who is the former director of SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. He outlines the severity of the problem and offers hope for dealing with the dangers of pedophilic priests and ministers.

Guest: Philip S. Gorski. This week we listen to the moving testimony before the National Capital Memorial Advisory Committee in favor of a new monument to honor America's "forgotten founder" Thomas Paine — testimony by Rep. Jamie Raskin, Margaret Downey (president of the Thomas Paine Memorial Association), military veteran Greg Jones and Black Nonbelievers President Mandisa Thomas. Then we talk with Philip S. Gorski, co-author of The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy.

"Everything's Coming Up Roses." This week we talk with the intrepid freethinking Connecticut florist (of Glimpse of Gaia) who delivered flowers to the victorious teenage Rhode Island atheist litigant Jessica Ahlquist after nobody in Rhode Island would do it. We also celebrate a victory 30+ years in the making, and announce the filing of FFRF's newest lawsuit challenging the Jesus Statue on federal land in Montana.

This week we celebrate the Fourth of July, as well as the Supreme Court’s decision on abortion rights. We announce FFRF billboard activism in Mississipi, Minnesota, and Cleveland, Ohio, where we welcome visitors to the RNC this month with the face of Ronald Reagan advocating for state/church separation. We report legal victories in Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado and California. After hearing the music (!) of actor and atheist Kevin Bacon, we talk with author George H. Smith, whose classic 1974 book, Atheism: The Case Against God, has been reprinted with a Foreword by Lawrence Krauss.

Texas Governor Abbot censors FFRF’s “Bill of Rights Nativity” from the state capitol; Wisconsin lawmaker Scott Allen uses government resources to convert non-Christians. Idaho post office removes Christmas greeting from window. After hearing Paul Robeson sing “The Bill of Rights,” we talk with Thomas Sheedy who won the Richard and Beverly Hermsen Student Activist award for successfully fighting to establish a secular student club at his high school.

In the News: FFRF banners and signs have been stolen or defaced, so we announce a "Resurrection Pledge Campaign" to help replace them. New banners go up in Olympia, Washington and Illinois courthouse. After hearing Richard Dawkins reading the Foreword he wrote for the audiobook of Dan Barker's book Godless, we end the year with some relaxing freethought and seasonal music from FFRF's "Adrift on a Star" CD.

Major court win! FFRF attorney Liz Cavell joins us to talk about FFRF's successful lawsuit blocking the state of Alabama from requiring the religious "So Help Me, God" oath on voter registration forms, a victory for state/church separation as well as voting rights. After listening to freethinker Yip Harburg sing "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?", we hear Ron Reagan, son of president Ronald and Nancy Reagan, tell us why he is a life-long "unabashed atheist" who is "not afraid of burning in hell."

A new national survey of 12,000 nonreligious individuals conducted by FFRF reveals that secular voters are "values voters." After describing the new state/church billboard in Knoxville, Tenn. that was erected by FFRF and its East Tennessee chapter, we announce the winners of the first essay contest for secular students in Puerto Rico. Then we speak with Oxford professor David Nash about his new book, Acts Against God: A Brief History of Blasphemy.

After listening to state/church news and decrying the religious anti-vaxxers, we hear Shelley Segal's song "I Don't Believe in Fairies" from her "Atheist Album." Then we talk with cognitive psychologist, linguist and author Steven Pinker (FFRF's Honorary Chair) about his book Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Humanism, Science, and Progress.

Since there is no radio show this week, Dan Barker put together a collection of freethought music. Enjoy this discussion of irreverent tunes!

Dallas megapastor Robert Jeffress attacks FFRF on Fox. Nancy Pelosi calls for prayer. Ventura, Calif., proposes removing religious bigot Junipero Serra from its seal. After hearing James Taylor's freethinking song "Up From Your Life," we talk with Andrew Whitehead, co-author of the book (with Samuel Perry) Taking America Back For God, about how Christian Nationalists react differently to the coronavirus pandemic.

Many FFRF state/church victories to report, including stopping prayers over the loudspeakers at high-school football games. After celebrating the birthdays of the freethinking songwriters P. G. Wodehouse and Ralph Vaughan Williams, we talk with Nikki Moungo, a Missouri mother who successfully convinced the city of Ballwin not to display "In God We Trust" on government property.

Freethought Radio takes a trenchant look at recent insensitive religious absurdities by Rev. Pat Robertson, Bishop Robert Morlino, President Trump and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. We play Roy Zimmerman’s satiric “To the Victims of This Tragedy” as commentary on “thoughts and prayers” substituting for action. FFRF Patrick O’Reiley Legal Fellow Chris Line joins us to talk about the hysterical hullabaloo over his recent victory ending football prayer at a Georgia high school. Investigative reporter Katherine Stewart, author of The Good News Club, returns to talk about her new piece about another threat to secular public education, “The Proselytizers and the Privatizers,” appearing in this month’s American Prospect.

Topic: Atheists in the Pulpit

Did you know there are atheists and agnostics in the pulpit? Freethought Radio will announce the new Clergy Project, promoted by Dawkins, Dennett, Barker and a contingent of former ministers who are now atheists, to help nonbelieving clergy leave the pulpit. We'll interview "Chris," a nontheist "in the closet" who is a senior pastor at a Southern evangelical church. Also featured: Too much religion in Minnesota politics, and a sneak preview of "Book of Mormon" music.

Freethought Radio will play an excerpt of Arizona State Rep. Juan Mendez' Emperor Has No Clothes Award acceptance speech at the recent national FFRF convention. Mendez is the only "out" atheist in elected state government and talks about why he gave a freethought invocation before the Arizona State Legislature last spring and what happened when he did.

Candace R. Gorham, author of the new book, "The Ebony Exodus Project: Why Some Black Women Are Walking Out on Religion — and Others Should Too." Candace was an ordained evangelist who holds a master's degree from Wake Forest University, is a credentialed counselor and founder of www.EbonyExodus.org.

Indiana dad Craig Scarberry discusses the custody battle for his kids hinging on his lack of belief. Steve Trunk reports his legal victory this week when an appeals court ruled the Mount Solidad cross must move off public property.

Hear moving excerpts of speeches at the Conference on Freedom of Conscience and Expression which took place in London in July, including Maryam Namazie, Bonya Ahmed, Zineb El Rhazoui, Mohammed Alkhadra, A.C. Grayling and Richard Dawkins. After enjoying the atheist song “Like Moths To The Flame” by the Tasmanian group Mama K and the Big Love, we talk with Óscar Pineda, vice president of Guatemala Humanists about their exciting new billboard and video campaign raising the awareness of freethinkers in Central America.

FFRF attorney Liz Cavell discusses the recent disappointing Supreme Court Masterpiece Bakery decision, explaining that it is not as bad it could have been, and that it is still illegal to discriminate on the basis of religion. After hearing the song "Poor Little Me," written by Dan Barker and Broadway composer Charles Strouse (whose 90th birthday is today), we talk with Irish-American actor/author/politician and radio host Malachy McCourt, whose most recent book is Death Need Not Be Fatal.

After we report on state/church news and victories in Florida, California and North Carolina, FFRF Legal Director Patrick Elliott describes FFRF's new lawsuit challenging proposed bible distribution in Oklahoma public schools. Then we hear author and journalist Katherine Stewart, accepting FFRF's "Freethought Heroine" award, warn of the dangers of religious nationalism.

FFRF's "Equal Justice Works Fellow" Kat Grant describes the letter they wrote to the president of West Texas A&M University protesting his cancellation, for religious reasons, of a student-hosted drag show. Then we speak with former minister and religion scholar Bradley Onishi about his new book Preparing For War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism—And What Comes Next.

FFRF attorney Patrick Elliott tells us about two "friend of the court" briefs we recently filed in Florida and Texas regarding religion in the public schools. After hearing the scary "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream" (from The Book of Mormon musical), we talk with Pennsylvania freethinker Jeff Prebeg about the denial of his "ATHE1ST" license plate that was finally allowed after FFRF wrote a letter to the Department of Transportation. Then we hear comedian Samantha Bee excoriate Catholic hospitals over their cavalier treatment of women's health.

We talk about the three "I" words in the news: insurrection, impeachment and inauguration. We hear part of Amanda Gorman's inaugural poem, "The Hill I Climb," freethinker John Legend's Inauguration-Day performance of "Feeling Good," and Sharon Jones' rendition of "This Land Is Your Land." FFRF attorney Patrick Elliott describes our newest lawsuit challenging a discriminatory Trump administration regulation. Then U.S. Representative Jared Huffman, co-founder of the Congressional Freethought Caucus, joins us to describe his experience during the insurrection, the impeachment of Trump and the Inauguration of President Biden.

Learn how you can take action to stop religion from invading our secular government: complain about the bible as the state book of Arkansas, “Choose Life” license plates in Nebraska, a Christian cross in a Florida city hall, state bills banning life-saving research, and the federal attack on women’s reproductive rights. After we play the peace/spring anthem “One Sweet Morning” by Yip Harburg and Earl Robinson, FFRF staff attorneys Sam Grover and Patrick Elliott, fresh back from lobbying in DC, tell us what it was like to “Educate Congress” about the school voucher program and the effort to repeal the Johnson Amendment.

FFRF Co-President Dan Barker discusses his recent debate at Oxford University on the topic "Is God a Delusion?" Then we have some fun hearing comedian, activist and political satirist Lizz Winstead, co-founder of "The Daily Show" and founder of Abortion Access Front, tell us how "to bring joy and fun to expose hypocrisy and to have hope."

FFRF attorney Andrew Seidel tells us how we know George Washington did not say "So help me, God" at his inauguration. Dan Barker performs the song "Poor Little Me" that he co-wrote with Broadway composer Charles Strouse, whose birthday is this week. Then we talk with internationally acclaimed sculptor and atheist Zenos Frudakis about the bronze statue of Clarence Darrow he is making, which will be unveiled in July at the courthouse in Dayton, Tennessee, where the 1925 Scopes Trial took place.

Today we celebrate Bertrand Russell's birthday by listening to his own voice commenting on Christianity and the afterlife. Hear Annie Laurie read Russell's "Ten Thoughts" alternative to the Ten Commandments, and Dan's song "Reincarnation" about the after-life. Then we talk with FFRF attorney Patrick Elliott about the successful removal of Ten Commandments posters in Oklahoma and Kentucky schools, and (it's that time of year) the ongoing problem with the distribution of Gideo bibles in public schools.

Ash, one of FFRF's outstanding summer legal interns, will talk about his work for FFRF, and how he became the atheist son of a Shiite father from Iraq and a Roman Catholic mom from Iowa! Brave Rhode Island high school student Jessica Ahlquist, 16, who will receive a $1,000 student activist award at FFRF's October national convention in Hartford, Conn., will talk about why she became a plaintiff in an ongoing federal lawsuit against a religious painting at her high school ... and how she lost a few "friends."

We celebrate Black History Month by honoring the many prominent Black Americans and Africans who were/are nonreligious. After parsing Trump's religious remarks in his State of the Union speech, we hear Paul Robeson sing "The Bill of Rights." Filmmaker Jeremiah Camara tells us about his newest movie, Holy Hierarchy: The Religious Roots of Racism in America. Then we hear atheist rapper Greydon Square tell us why he does not believe in God.

Mitch Kahle discusses why he was physically removed in the Hawaii Senate Chambers by the Sargent at Arms. Stephanie Meyers talks about what to get an atheist for Christmas.

We love Paris, and detest religious terrorism. In The News: Governor Kasich calls for an agency to spread “Judeo-Christian values,” but American values are from the Enlightenment, not religion. Mormons are leaving the church over their gay-marriage stance. After hearing John Lennon’s “Imagine,” we talk with Fernando Alcántar, a Mexican immigrant who was converted by American missionaries, became a Christian leader, and then became a gay atheist activist. His new book is To The Cross and Back: An Immigrant’s Journey from Faith to Reason.

Public school football games don't have a prayer! Hear about 30 (!) recent FFRF victories removing prayer and other religious intrusions from government around the country. Then we talk with Lorena Rios of Hispanic American Freethinkers.

This week we announce FFRF's new lawsuit in state court, challenging official city prayer and City Chaplain in Pismo Beach, California. We hear Dan Savage's "Emperor Has No Clothes" award acceptance speech. Then we talk with Peter Boghossian, author of the new best-seller A Manual For Creating Atheists.

Breaking (and taking down) the Ten Commandments! Hear about FFRF's victory in Kentucky schools that are now removing the Ten Commandments after complaints from students and FFRF attorneys. Then we talk with Australian singer/songwriter Shelley Segal -- the new poster girl for the international atheism movement -- and play some of the songs from her CD, An Atheist Album.

Guests: Chris Line; Ann Druyan. After we report on national and regional news, FFRF attorney Chris Line updates us on the many state/church complaints and victories he has been handling around the country. Then we hear author, educator and Emmy-winning producer of the "Cosmos" TV series Ann Druyan (along with her daughter Sasha Sagan) as she accepts FFRF's "Emperor Has No Clothes" award.