Thank God I'm Atheist

Iran's got some screwed up criminal punishments, Baptists selling insurance to Methodists, the pope reminds us he's Catholic, Buddha Boy, Martin Scorsese is making another film about Jesus, a really nutty tunnel in New York, and 'cultural evangelicals' might be crazier (and scarier) than the church going type.

Italian priest speaks schismatically and gets the boot, judge rules school not responsible for child conversion, Michigan state representative works for God, Southern Baptists settle law suit, Republicans are convinced Trump is a person of faith, Vivek Ramaswamy answers atheist question, and it's a US presidential election year and things are going to get rough. Here's our survival tips.

Christian university sued for false advertising, white Christians upset about Jesus art, Navajo Nation objects to NASA moon mission, wrestlers need snacks, Church of Scotland is selling off churches fast, surprising data about Mormon population in Utah, and getting preachy about New Years resolutions.

Atheists are nicer to Christians than the other way around, pope has words about decision to bless gay couples, Vatican holds cardinal accountable, Catholic college update, Lindsey Graham declares war on New York, Greek lawmakers vow to keep promise to allow gay marriage, and the Catholic League advises people to avoid joyless atheists.

This week, Kate fills in for Frank, who might be dying... but is actually just in Hawaii making Dan jealous. Stories: death penalty troubles in Alabama, Church of England is going too far, or not far enough, holy sexuality is a nonsense term, small towns STILL don't understand what's wrong with governments promoting Jesus in front of the firehouse, Satanic Temple statue bravely destroyed by Christian hero, and the Supreme Court makes the best decision they've made all year. In the final segment, Kate and Dan discuss Christmas in a secular household. 

US Speaker of the House thinks he’s Moses, holiday tradition at Vatican turns 800 years old, Denmark officially outlaws burning the Quran, Pew study about our spiritual-but-not-religious comrades, school board member takes oath on stack of banned books, Catholic women’s college decides to admit trans women, and it turns out that all the fun Christmas songs were written by Jews and that pisses some Christians off.

Diplomas for sale, Pope Francis wants more women involved in church, the pope punishes another vocal critic, Oregon Christian group bad for foster kids, the Mormons keep buying up farmland, monsignor relieved of duties after music video causes stir, and what are all the religious rules for?

Catholic health system takes down crucifixes, Pope Francis is worried about how nice German Catholics are being, Pope Francis invites group of trans women to lunch, lawsuit over trans athlete, Baptist pastor apologizes for creationism seminar, Christian books in schools, and sorry for the sexist title... we're not sexist, but maybe the Mormon patriarchy is?

Rio de Janeiro wants to honor Taylor Swift; Church of England agonizes over baby steps; Speaker Mike Johnson has some bad ideas about separation of church and state; a bad Wisconsin law; Pope Francis fires priest; imprisoned atheists win in court; and Ayaan Hirsi Ali leaves the atheist movement for Christianity, and we wonder what retirement could look like if we followed along (hint: $$$).

Churches in Utah open as winter warming centers for the unhoused (guess who isn't participating!), court dismisses suit against Mormon Church, America passes major milestone in evolution acceptance, India bans protest, Vatican issues surprising guidance about trans community, preacher claims victory that isn't his, and the new US Speaker of the House has a strange relationship with his son.

Someone smashed some pumpkins in Czech Republic, Texas justice of the peace sues to not do gay marriages, Catholic priest hosts gay orgy, a crappy amicus brief, Italian priest causes liturgical horror, the Synod on Synodality, and a Christian nationalist officially takes over the US House of Representatives.

School trustee posts truly offensive meme and uses the 'but the Holy Ghost told me to' defense, our favorite Catholic cardinal tasked with solving current conflict in 'Holy Land', new student housing at the University of Utah comes with strict code of conduct, another ruling on controversial teaching in school, Oklahoma attorney general sues to stop public funds from going to religious charter school, police chief uses archaic law to harass business owner, and how something truly awesome--like a total eclipse--can break your brain.

School board member banned from reading Bible verses during meetings, NJ political candidate, consequences for selling bleach as COVID-19 cure, poll about religion and well being, Northern Ireland's new abortion protest buffer zone law, an update about the Louisiana principal, and the Christian response to Hamas and Israel.

COVID-19 update, the pope and the environment, high school student punished by Christian principal for dancing, thing go wrong for preacher family, drag queen arrested in the Philippines, football game doesn't happen, and it's going to take atheists coming out and getting involved to save American democracy.

Faith leaders about to be deported from US, religious education in Greece, Danish artists react to 'Quran Law', poll about political figures' religiosity, majority of America now not religious, unusual Detroit church closes, and a new video game got us thinking about the human experience.

Decapitated Jesus Halloween display disturbs neighbors, drama continues for Jerry Falwell Jr, Turkish president might be a little too sensitive, pastor privacy lawsuit, Indonesian TikToker eats pork on camera, a tale of two high schools, and the founder of OUR gets in trouble with Mormon Church and things might get ugly.

Kim Davis ordered to pay $100,000 in same-sex marriage case, new podcast about surviving Bob Jones University, Belgian public schools set on fire, Florida recognizes alternative college admissions exam, ultra-Orthodox Jewish pilgrims enter war zone, a lawsuit against American Family Association, and the Michigan state legislature recently passed a law recognizing an assortment of religious holidays.

Weddings are a huge deal in our culture, but they can be deeply problematic. This week, along with our standard news stories, guest host Andrea is here with Dan to discuss the worst wedding traditions, and their deeply sexist religious roots. 

NYC approves Muslim noise pollution, proposed law in Denmark would ban burning of "holy" books, France bans Muslim robes in schools, New Jersey town harasses Jewish residents (and is forced to pay), Michigan lawmaker wants "Christian foundations" taught to school children, Christian school lawsuit, and the Mormons have some wacky beliefs but this one is a doozy... Adam-ondi-Ahman.

Texas chaplains urge school boards not to use chaplains; amputees in Oregon can keep their parts, thanks to native tribe beliefs; Christians invade artist retreat because of om symbol in a chapel; San Francisco archdiocese declares bankruptcy; and BYU updates honor code, and the unique mix of religion and spirituality at Burning Man.