Thank God I'm Atheist

Oklahoma’s ultra-conservative education chief Ryan Walters wants to keep schools “smut-free”—but apparently forgot to turn off his retro porn before a state board meeting. Frank and Dan break down the jaw-dropping hypocrisy and the political fallout. Also in this episode: Indiana’s lieutenant governor proposes the death penalty as a condition for abortion in cases of rape A prominent Christian activist pleads guilty to child porn charges Clergy are quietly letting AI write their sermons Mike Johnson celebrates the IRS giving up on church-politics enforcement And an entire Welsh diocese is caught binge-drinking for Jesus

Ever wondered what it means when a church goes full corporate? Frank and Dan wrap up the episode with a deep dive into the Mormon Church’s 26-story office tower and the billions behind it. But first: witches selling spells on Etsy (and why it violates Etsy’s own rules), Texas making it illegal for secular celebrants to perform weddings, the Magnolia Network featuring a gay couple and triggering conservative outrage, Pride organizers in Newfoundland banning Recovering From Religion, Japan moving to classify forced religious participation as child abuse, and Billy Graham’s family suing over his words being used against Trump.

The IRS just made a quiet but explosive decision: it will no longer enforce the Johnson Amendment, effectively giving churches a tax-free license to play politics. Frank and Dan break down how this opens the floodgates for dark money, bribes disguised as “donations,” and full-blown corruption in America’s pulpits. Also this week: The bizarre satanic panic over viral Labubu dolls Baylor University rejects LGBTQ research funding after backlash A church publicly shames an abuse survivor Pope Leo XIV keeps same-sex blessings—but is it really progress? Catholics promotes a convicted child rapist priest in France And pandemic relief funds mysteriously flow into a Catholic trade school It’s religion, politics, and jaw-dropping hypocrisy—served with a side of laughter and disbelief. Support us on Patreon... www.thankgodimatheist.com/donate

Christian influencers are bringing fatphobia back in the name of Jesus—and Frank and Dan are not having it. This week, they dive into the toxic rise of Christian diet culture and how it ties into purity, control, and righteousness. Plus: Iran issues a fatwa targeting Trump and Netanyahu, Canterbury Cathedral starts handing out indulgences, Americans try to evangelize North Korea via plastic bottles, a Michigan teen sues her school over the Pledge of Allegiance, Utah's governor asks the state to pray for rain (again), and the Dalai Lama stirs up international drama by announcing his reincarnation plans.

The LDS Church just quietly published a long-suppressed 1886 letter from prophet John Taylor—declaring polygamy an eternal commandment. Frank and Dan dig into the implications for Mormon doctrine. Also in this episode: A Catholic diocese in the UK fires an atheist accountant after she adopts a child Pennsylvania considers declaring a “Day of the Bible” A Saudi journalist is executed for tweets criticizing the regime Pew Research shows disturbing levels of support for school prayer in US Rastafarian prisoner’s dreadlocks cut by prison guards And the World Humanist Congress ditches Washington, D.C. Stick around for emails, voicemails, and some truly unhinged Christian nationalism.

A failed preacher is arrested for the shocking murder of a Minnesota state senator. Frank and Dan dig into the disturbing religious and political motivations behind the crime—and the dangerous rhetoric fueling it. Also in this episode: • Jimmy Swaggart is somehow still alive • A surprising number of Christians are “cheating” on their churches • A UK town removes a Pride flag after bookstore complains • Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law hits a legal wall • Mike Huckabee sends a terrifying message to Trump • Atheists barely register in federal prison stats Listener mail, petty flags, big questions, and more. Email us: podcast@thankgodimatheist.com Support us on Patreon: www.thankgodimatheist.com/donate

A shooting at a Salt Lake City protest. Two state legislators are shot in Minnesota. As political violence grabs headlines across the country, Frank and Dan reflect on a disturbing new reality—and explore the religious rhetoric fueling it. Also in this episode: Iran expands its ban on dog walking Arkansas and Illinois fight to post the Ten Commandments Southern Baptists target gay marriage A far-right Christian gets a top U.S. religious freedom post Faith-healing parents sentenced after their newborn’s death Pope Leo gets worried about AI… and Dan lets ChatGPT suggest how to fix Catholicism Plus, a listener email about Mormonism and modern revelation, and a final segment reflecting on how close we may be to a breaking point—and why peaceful protest still matters. Support us on Patreon... www.thankgodimatheist.com/donate

This week on Thank God I’m Atheist: A Republican lawmaker freaks out over a Muslim prayer in Congress—except it turns out the man praying wasn’t Muslim at all. Frank and Dan break down the ignorance and bigotry on display. Plus, a new study explores what happens when clergy take psilocybin (the active compound in magic mushrooms). The results? Surprisingly spiritual. Also in this episode: Denmark pushes stricter bans on burqas and niqabs in schools Christian nationalism is thriving in Moscow, Idaho A Texas pastor demands access to Pride events to spread his anti-LGBTQ message The Community of Christ church names its first female prophet Final segment: AI-generated Bible videos go viral—what happens when religion looks like a fantasy movie? Link to video... https://youtu.be/zzDZeNhmqeg?si=dTwG6dziuQ0BJHDo Support us on Patreon! www.thankgodimatheist.com/donate

Frank and Dan tackle a full slate of religious absurdities this week: a Halloween costume sparks Christian outrage in Arizona, Utah quietly buries its own study on gender-affirming care, and a UK teacher sues for the right to misgender students. Meanwhile, school cancels a student play for being too “controversial,” and Delaware legalizes medical aid in dying. In the second half of the show, the guys dig into why young men are turning to conservative religion—and what secular folks can offer instead.

Frank is joined by guest host Rachel to unpack a week’s worth of religious overreach, political absurdity, and moral panic dressed up as righteousness. From Oklahoma’s conspiracy-laced curriculum changes to France’s proposed hijab ban for girls under 15, this episode explores how authority figures use “values” to mask control. Plus: the Pope’s childhood home might be seized, Rushdie’s attacker is sentenced, and new data reveals why more people are leaving belief behind.

It’s our 700th episode! Frank and Dan celebrate the milestone with some reflection—but first dive headfirst into the usual madness. Catholic bishops in Washington state refuse to comply with mandatory reporting laws for child abuse. Trump’s appeal to Jewish voters is falling flat. The Episcopal Church is cutting ties with the federal government over sham refugee policies. Plus, attacks on Catholic churches are on the rise, and Jehovah’s Witnesses are suing a whistleblower. There’s also listener email, mosh pit therapy, and a game idea involving a MAGA punching booth.

Jim Bakker begs for $1M, NJ town wants to bulldoze church, Christian crowdfunding service defends racist woman's campaign, Texas give Christians an entire month, televangelist given 'gold-plated' AR-15, Southern Baptists continue to hemorrhage members, and the Catholics have a new pope.

Bibles exempted from Trump's tariffs, Trump health adviser cites "demonic forces" as source of childhood diseases, more bad news for Kim Davis, Sikhs shut down Pride parade in northern India, Mormons defeat Texas town, Utah governor says America should be more like Utah, and Donald J. Trump is a ridiculous buffoon who also wants to be pope.

This easter egg roll has been brought to you by, Veteran Affairs Administration joins crusade against anti-Christian bias, Target boycott continues past lent, state resolutions declaring Christ is king, cardinal who oversaw child sex abuse oversees the closing of Pope Francis' coffin, a Mormon education building on school grounds in Arizona, and apparently there's going to be another pope.

Cholera outbreak linked to holy water, BYU grad student deported, a rundown of Mormon numbers, Washington state makes clergy mandatory reporters, architect Gaudí on path to sainthood, quite the Easter costume contest in San Francisco, and those Mormons win in court once again.

Vicar has a theory about why church attendance is down, IRS actually investigates church over Johnson amendment violations, Catholic hospital argues fetus isn't a person (wait, what?), Heritage Foundation drafts new law in Tennessee, US State Department encourages employees to rat each other out for anti-Christian bias, church rasslin', and we hold a vigorous debate about debating.

Most American Christians don't believe in the trinity, Oklahoma's Ryan Walters sues FFRF, Trump supporters just noticed who's getting deported, reverend sues for discrimination, Poland releases shocking numbers about child sex abuse, shadow Catholics in Ireland, and Frank and Dan have a problem with Easter.

Preacher in hot water after asking congregation for $40k, tech CEO starts Christian services company, Mel Gibson's got a new Jesus movie, Japan shuts down dangerous church, Pete Hegseth's Islamophobic tattoos, a cracker miracle has been disproven, and why not let some woo in if you know it's woo (and it makes you feel better)?

Catholic Archbishop accuses Satanists of stealing consecrated host, Arizona jumps on school chaplain bandwagon, school board amends religious release policy, evangelicals don't believe in science (surprise!), federal judge in Utah sides with psychedelic sacrament group in freedom of religion case, LDS podcasters in trouble with church after being a little too honest on their show, and the terrifying stance of many conservative Christians against empathy.

Minneapolis cancels religious event on government property, Southern Baptist investigation update, pastor regrets money-back guarantee on tithes, Oklahoma bible update, Catholic Church faces setback in efforts to keep clergy sex abuse secret, water fraudsters held accountable, and what to do when someone starts telling you about a miracle.