atheist

Florida court gives atheists right to monument next to commandments

July 2, 2013 Carmen Russell Podcast, Politics 0 Comments

A Florida judge ruled that a privately funded monument of the 10 Commandments could indeed stay in front of a Stark County courthouse, and, if proponents of separation of state and church disagreed, they could install their own monument.

Host Jamila Bey spoke with David Silverman, president of American Atheists who went to Florida for the unveiling of the first of about 50 atheist monuments to come with will provide a counterpoint to these monuments around the country, to discuss the story.

 

Download audio file

Atheists unite behind Kickstarter campaign to support victim of Oklahoma tornado

June 7, 2013 Carmen Russell Culture, Podcast 00:17:38 0 Comments

When CNN’s Wolf Blitzer asked atheist mom Rebecca Vitsmun if she thanked the lord that she survived the tornado that ripped through Moore, Okla., foul-mouthed misanthrope Doug Stanhope had an idea: unite the atheist community and support this particular victim.

Through a Kickstarter campaign, Stanhope has raised more than $100,000 to help the Vitsmun family “get out of hell free.”

Host Jamila Bey spoke with Stanhope, who has built a career on knocking on all things sacred, to discuss the campaign and how he is proud of proving that atheists can be remarkably kind, generous and caring.

Part 1 :

Download audio file

Part 2 :

Download audio file

Wolf Blitzer’s ‘thank the Lord’ inspires Okla. atheist convention

June 4, 2013 Carmen Russell Culture, Podcast 0 Comments

Ever since CNN’s Wolf Blitzer said “You have to thank the Lord,” to an atheist when she was interviewed about nearly being killed in the tornado that leveled her home, atheist philanthropists have donated their money and their time to let the whole world know that they exist and they, too, deserve consideration.

Ty Tancredi joins Jamila Bey to talk about the upcoming convention, and other Oklahoma Freethinkers news:

 

Download audio file

An empty church. Photo credit: iStockphoto, Thinkstock.

From Pastors to Atheists, How Three Members of the Clergy Left the Church Behind

December 3, 2012 Carmen Russell Culture, Religion 00:14:50 0 Comments

When one leaves a city, a profession or group of friends behind, there are often times feelings of resentment. The clergy is no different.

The Clergy Project is an online community that helps members of the clergy to leave their vocation when they decide that they are no longer religious and that they no longer hold any belief in the supernatural.

Host Jamila Bey spoke with Dr. Annalise Fonza, Teresa MacBain and Jeff Satterwhite about their experiences in and outside of the clergy.

Part 1:

Download

Part 2:

Download

Part 3:

Download

“Unorthodox” Deborah Feldman

September 28, 2012 Carmen Russell Culture, Religion, Sex 00:27:04 0 Comments

Author Deborah Feldman discusses her memoir “Unorthodox” and her life since leaving her conservative Jewish Brooklyn Satmar community. From her childhood being raised by her Holocaust survivor grandparents, to her struggles to be a good Hasidic wife, and finally to her ultimate realization that she could not stay in a culture that didn’t allow her to be her authentic self, Deborah shares her memories with me.

 

 

 

Black Folks Don’t

August 2, 2012 Carmen Russell Culture 00:17:47 0 Comments

 

Angela Tucker’s web series, “Black Folks Don’t” takes on the topic of atheism.

She joins me, along with blogger Ian Cromwell to discuss the many myths that still exist around the flawed definition of African-American as being synonymous with “god-fearing.”

 

Rock Beyond Belief at Fort Bragg

March 12, 2012 Carmen Russell Culture, Religion 00:15:28 0 Comments

Secular soldiers at Ft. Bragg say they’ve been discriminated against for not taking part in religious activities and were incensed when they were forced to attend a Billy Graham, Junior concert with the express purpose of converting them.  It’s been an uphill battle, but they’re hosting “Rock Beyond Belief,” a daylong concert  event for the family.  They promise it will be a gods-free zone, and a true celebration of the First Amendment.  I talk with Justin Griffin, lead organizer, and journalist Ed Brayton about their expectations for the event.