Author: Dan Barker, Annie Laurie Gaylor Running Time: 30 Min. Offered: Weekly

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Freethought Radio Podcast by Dan Barker

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Guest: Rich Bolton


Mon, May 21, 2012

Victory! This week we celebrate with FFRF's main litigation attorney Rich Bolton, talking about our recent victory from the Colorado appeals court declaring the governor's Colorado Day of Prayer proclamations unconstitutional. We also cover FFRF's complaint about Gideon bibles in a Texas elementary school, as well as discuss Franklin Graham and Mitt Romney's statements about gay marriage.

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.

Is the Freedom From Religion Foundation "roaming the country" looking for state/church violations? FFRF's lead staff attorney Rebecca Markert assures us it is the other way around, as she discusses the many complaints that come into the legal office. We also hear about Freethought in Australia, Philadelphia and North Carolina, legal complaints in Rhode Island and Tennessee, listen to Annie Laurie on FOX News talking about a cross at a fire station, and give tribute to nonbelieving composers Brahms and Tchaikovsky.

Dan and Annie Laurie report on their visit to the Global Atheist Conference in Melbourne, Australia, and Dan talks about his visit to the first atheist conference in the Philippines. Lots of U.S. state/church news to report, then an interview with Saloma Furlong about her book, Why I Left The Amish, followed by Australian songwriter Shelley Segal singing "Saved," from her new CD: An Atheist Album.

This week we talk with Paul Heffron, a former minister who is now part of the Freethought Band, and listen to some of their lively irreverent music. We also talk with Debbie Weisman, whose family were plaintiffs in the 1992 landmark Lee v. Weisman victory before the U.S. Supreme court that stopped clergy-led prayer at high-school graduations when she was a student at a Rhode Island high school.

We devote this entire show to the life and work of the freethinking songwriter Frank Loesser, who wrote Guys and Dolls, "Heart and Soul," How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, "Baby, It's Cold Outside," "What Are You Doing New Years," and many other songs. We talk with his daughter Susan Loesser, who wrote a memoir about her father called A Most Remarkable Fella: Frank Loesser and the Guys and Dolls In His Life.

During this Easter weekend, we discuss why the resurrection story is false. We play a tribute to the irreverent atheist songwriter Yip Harburg (born April 8, 1896) and then talk with Tara Ayres, artistic director of the Stage Q production of the docu-musical This Beautiful City, about gays, fundamentalists and atheists in Colorado Springs.

This week we announce FFRF's newest federal lawsuit challenging Pennsylvania's "2012 Year of the Bible." We play FFRF's new national TV ad featuring JFK, which ran on CBS and will also air on NBC and MSNBC. Then we discuss atheism around the world with Tanya Smith, president of Atheist Alliance International.

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

Nothing is as divisive as church in government. We talk with Mitch Kahle, who stopped Senate prayers in Hawaii. Mitch has just won a major lawsuit defending his rights.

Honoring International Women's Day, we talk with two women who have made a difference: one in high school and one in her 80s. (Note: Barbara Ehrenreich was announced, but was unable to join us due to a scheduling conflict.) Krystal Myers is the Tennessee high-schooler whose article on atheism was censored by her high-school newspaper, and Anne Nicol Gaylor is the founder of the Freedom From Religion Foundation as well as the Women's Medical Fund, the country's longest-lived abortion charity, helping needy women.

Is the separation of church and state "absolute," as JFK said, or does it make you want to vomit (as Rick Santorum said)? This week we talk about FFRF's challenge of Alabama school board prayers, and then interview Jim McCollum, whose family's landmark 1948 Supreme Court victory is the bedrock of modern law regarding religion in the schools. We also hear the song "I Don't Believe in Fairies" by atheist Australian singer/songwriter Shelley Segal.

Jessica’s victory, Santorum’s intolerance, Green Bay prayers, Annie Laurie’s open letter encouraging liberal Catholics to exit “en mass,” and an interview with Katherine Stewart, author of the eye-opening investigative book The Good News Club: The Christian Right’s Stealth Assault on America’s Children.

What don't we talk about on this week's show? God at the Grammys, atheism at the Golden Globes, Jon Stewart and the "attack on religion," prayers at county board meetings, Ten Commandments in City Hall. We also talk with Canadian professor Christopher DiCarlo, author of How To Become a Really Good Pain In The Ass: A Critical Thinker's Guide to Asking the Right Questions

This week we look at religion in politics, applaud Bill Maher and boo Denzel Washington for their comments on atheism, congratulate "The Book of Mormon" musical, and talk with First Amendment champion Ellery Schempp about how his 1963 Supreme Court victory over religion in high school compares with Jessica Ahlquist's current fight in Rhode Island.

"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'll celebrate Roe v. Wade with journalist Sunsara Taylor. Then, we'll interview Jessica Ahlquist, the besieged 16 year old litigant in a Rhode Island school prayer lawsuit. Her harassment is an object lesson in why religion does not belong in our public schools.

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.

We'll take a cup of kindness and make a toast to freethought in the New Year. Then, we'll hear the "Good News" on "Why you don't have to go down into my basement." We'll cover end of the year violations, looking back and looking forward.

Life goes on . . . without a Hitch. Tune in to listen to the immortal provocateur, Christopher Hitchens, in his own voice. Freethought Radio will play a quintessential excerpt of Hitchens' Emperor Has No Clothes Award acceptance speech before a national FFRF convention in 2007 in Madison, Wis. The rest of the show will be devoted to "Reason's Greetings," a recap of FFRF's whirlwind actions this past week putting up equal time displays to counter nativity scenes on government property. Bonus song: Dan Barker's expurgated-for-radio version of South Park's "Merry Fricken Christmas."

Wishing all listeners a very merry Winter Solstice weekend!

We're bringing reason into the season. Its away with the manager on city property! Professor Stephen Hirtle of the University of Pittsburgh will give us an eye-witness account of one city's Holy War against the Constitution.

Tis the season for fa-la-la-la-lawsuits. We'll report on seasonal violations. Then, we'll interview an atheist who is African-American. Journalist Jamila Bey will talk about black women who use the "A" word.

How can the US motto be "In God We Trust" when so many Americans are Out of the Closet atheists? We'll talk with one of those out of the closet atheists: a former Roman Catholic priest, Steven Uhl, author of "Out of God's Closet." His motto is "Atheists work to make this life heavenly."

It's only November, but already the war on atheists and state/church separation has begun! Tune in for news updates, then hear Prof. Phil Zuckerman of Claremount talk about his new book, "Faith No More," the first major sociological study in book form about why believers lose their faith!

This week's show is devoted to FFRF state-church victories and complaints in South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Montana (with "hate mail" readings), and Colorado (a victory 3 years in the making). The show ends with Dan's song "The Stay Away Pope Polka" in commemoration of the planet's 7 billionth human inhabitant.

Guest: High school state/church activists Jessica Ahlquist and Harrison Hopkins

Atheists are not rapturous over the rapture, once again predicted by Harold Camping. Learn about FFRF's 40 billboards criticizing religion and the bible regarding Famly Radio's (once again) failed prediction that the world would end on October 21. We will also hear stories about what its like to be high school state/church activists from FFRF awardees Jessica Ahlquist and Harrison Hopkins.

Are those of us who work for state/church separation Satanists? Terrorists? No, we're first amendment fundamentalists. We'll talk about FFRF's demand that a Tennessee town remove a lighted cross from its water tower. We discuss with our attorney, Alvin Harris, of Nashville.

FFRF's complaint removing a cross from a water tower in Tennessee is getting attention. And so is Steven Pinker's hot off the press new book released this week, The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence is in Decline. We will talk with Steven Pinker about why he thinks humanism is triumphing.

If you had a choice, would you choose jail or church. We'll talk about FFRF's latest legal complaint. Then we'll talk with Penn Jillete, the well-known Las Vegas entertainer and magician is also a well-known atheist. He'll discuss his new book God No! Signs You May Already Be an Atheist.

This week's show will make you laugh and will make you groan over the many religious violations in public schools. We'll talk to FFRF staff attorney Stephanie Schmitt about how she is working hard to protect school children from illegal proselytizing.

The Virginia ACLU and FFRF are suing to remove the Ten Commandments from Virginia schools. We'll talk about the suit with ACLU attorney Rebecca Glenberg. Then, don't miss our interview with an Orthodox monk who lost his faith. Help us keep state and church separate at a special time, 10 a.m. on the Mic 92.1 FM.

Reading, writing, arithmetic and religion in public schools? Not if FFRF has its way.  After updating you on legal skirmishes we'll catch up with secular studies expert Phil Zuckerman. He'll announce the very exciting updates in the first ever Secular Studies department. It's about time.

Are hurricanes and earthquakes really acts of god? Why worship such a diety? We'll talk about more state/church violations in public schools. We talk with a brand new atheist and ex-minister who just left a pentecostal church in Louisana. Jerry DeWitt talks about why life is better without god.

Its our back to school special. We'll report on school/church entanglements that FFRF has already nipped in the bud. Then we will talk to atheist high school teacher, James Corbett, whose academic freedom was upheld this month by an appeals court.

Learn about FFRFs victory against CareNet in Wisconsin. Lead ACLU attorney Matt Douglas will talk about their victory stopping a scheme in Colorado to use public money for religious schools.

We'll talk about FFRF's suit against Texas Gov. Rick Perry with state/church activist Kay Staley. Then we'll talk with the fascinating Frank Schaeffer, the fallen son of the religious right icon Francis Schaeffer, who criticizes the bible and the religious right in his new book, Sex, Mom, and God: How the Bible's Strange Take on Sex Led to Crazy Politics

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."

An update on FFRF vs. Gov. Rick Perry will air, along with an interview of Larry Beinhart, author of Salvation Boulevard, a mystery- turned-into-new-movie starring Pierce Brosman and Greg Kinnear, a study of faith vs. atheism wrapped inside a comic thriller.

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.

Scientific American columnist and author Michael Shermer discusses his new book, The Believing Brain: From Ghosts and Gods to Politics and Conspiracies -- How We Construct Beliefs and Reinforce Them as Truths. The cohosts talk about the successful 2011 July gathering at Lake Hypatia, hosted by FFRF's chapter, the Alabama Freethought Association, and other FFRF news.

Dylan Galos discusses his billboard that shocked a church so much, it had to be taken down. Sara Paretsky talks about her radical roots growing up in a godless household.

Evolution wins at the "Miss USA" pageant. Patrick Semple, former Church of Ireland (Anglican) clergyman explains why he is now an atheist, and why he was known as "the rector who wouldn't pray for rain."

Guests: Joe (Ojo) Taylor, Grammy Award winning Christian songwriter turned agnostic and Philip Appleman, Poet, Author (New book: Perfidious Proverbs)

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.

Topic: Secular activism in the bible belt 
Damon Fowler talks about how things got ugly in his small Louisiana town and school when he courageously protested illegal graduation prayers last week. Oklahoma native and atheist Rhonda Dorle, local coordinator for FFRF's Tulsa "Out of the Closet" billboard campaign, talks about that exciting and positive new campaign.

Find out why Stephen Hawking and FFRF think the afterlife is a fairy tale. We talk with a brave high school student who wants to stop graduation prayers. Our guest is Janet Heimlich, author of Breaking Their Will, which looks at religious abuse and mistreatment of children.

Tune in - LAST SHOW before the rapture! Benjamin Burchall, a former preacher, shares his experiences with freethought in Atlanta.

If congress can make no law respecting the establishment of religion, then why has the US congress set a side the first Thursday in May as the National Day of Prayer. Ayanna Watson discusses bridging the gap between atheism and the black community.

FFRF's cool, new interactive web application, its "Out of the Closet Freethinkers" virtual billboard campaign, will be announced. Prof. Paul Bender,  who argued Arizona Christian Tuition Organization v. Winn before the U.S. Supreme Court, will discuss why the Supreme Court erred earlier this month in denying standing to Arizona taxpayers to challenge indirect voucher subsidy benefiting religious schools.

What is atheist bliss? Religion in public schools is the topic of discussion with Jay Rosenstein, writer and director of the documentary The Lord Was Not On Trial.

We'll talk about the hit musical "The Book of Mormon" by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Dan and Annie Laurie speak with author Hemant Mehta, who left Jainism and sold his soul on e-bay. Mehta founded the Friendly Atheist blog.

Find out which famous people have come out of the closet this week. You can receive a genuine certificate of debaptism. We talk with science and atheism blogger PZ Myers.

FFRF asks the SCOTUS to remove the words "under god" from pledge of allegiance. Dan and Annie Laurie examine how religion promotes child abuse. FFRF chapter Triangle Freehthought Society President Mark Zumbach discusses the Raleigh-area "Out of the Closet" billboard campaign.

Is religion going extinct? Census data from several countries suggest it might. Fundamentalist homophobia is alive and active in the US. Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert discusses a variety of important legal victories.

Richard W. Morris, co-counsel in FFRF v. Jan Brewer, will talk about FFRF's newest lawsuit, seeking to enjoin Gov. Brewer from calling an Arizona Day of Prayer. Sikivu Hutichinson, author of Moral Combat: Black Atheists, Gender Politics and the Values War, will talk about what it's like being a black, feminist atheist in a religious nation.

Sarah McNair will talk protesting Ten Commandments in Giles County schools and Justin Griffith, an atheist in a foxhole, will talk about the distasteful favoritism for Christianity by the military at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Santa in February? Ten Commandments in schools? Atheists arrested for talking during prayer? Tune in to hear these stories and more, including an interview with Florida activist Ellenbeth Wachs about protesting prayer at the school board in Polk County, Florida, and other Florida state/church violations.

Featuring news updates on the Ten Commandments controversy in Giles Co., Va., freethinking labor songs and an interview with an atheist activist welcomed at a Lutheran University. 

Dan and Annie Laurie discuss religious extremism at the CPAC conference. Congressman Pete Stark, the only open nonbeliever in congress, discusses his resolution to honor Charles Darwin.

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.

Air Force Academy, Ricky Gervais

Guest Mitch Kahle, an FFRF member and state/church activist in Hawaii, will talk about how he persuaded the Hawaii Senate earlier this month to drop government prayer. The hosts will also be joined in studio by lawyer Sarah Braasch to talk about FFRF's new campaign to stop pervasively Christian prayers in the Wisconsin State Assembly. Don't miss the amusing audio clips of out of control government prayers. There will also be coverage of FFRF's headline-creating complaint about the posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools in Giles Co., Va.

The January 1, 2011 show, "Name that secular songwriter!" will be replayed (due to cohosts both being felled by ailments which are not life-threatening, but kept them from the studio this week). This is a chance to enjoy the enormous contributions of nonreligious composers and songwriters who have built the Great American Songbook if you missed the New Year's Show, or to enjoy a repeat performance.

Victories and other updates in state/church news. Dan discusses his new book, "The Good Life." Prof. Dennett discusses "Breaking the Spell," his study on clergy leaving the pulpit.

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.

Welcome the New Year with a fun game: "Name That Secular Songwriter!" Learn of the enormous impact made by nonreligious composers and lyricists who have built the Great American Songbook.

To put the "saturn back in Saturnalia," Freethought Radio will play Dan Barker's broadcastable version of South Park's "Merry F------- Christmas" as well as Dan's "Solstice Tribute." After sharing news coverage of FFRF seasonal state/church actions, including placement of its Winter Solstice sign in the Mississippi State Capitol to counter a nativity display, the hosts will look at the best of "freethought at the flicks." Memorable clips about atheism and religion in film history will air.

Happy Winter Solstice! We'll keep you up to date on all the latest December state/church violations. We speak with Mike Newdow about his ongoing litigation regarding the pledge of allegiance.

Reason's Greetings? Heathen's Greetings? FFRF discusses the French burka ban with lawyer Sarah Braasch who just returned from France.

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.

Did you know the least religious segment of the population is young, teens and twenty-somethings. This week we talk with Jesse Galef, Communications Director of the Secular Student Alliance about the growing number of young nonbelievers. We celebrate Mark Twain's birthday, Nov. 30.

A "blasphemous student," Sawyer Frey of Ohio, will talk about why he decided to dress up like Jesus for "Fictional Character" day at his public school, and what the school made him change! Also discussed: why "under god" in the Pledge of Allegiance continues to divide our nation, and the latest in FFRF's litigation efforts to remove it.

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.

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.

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.

FFRF unveils the "Out of the Closet" bus sign and billboard campaign for atheists and agnostics. Atheist and comedian extrodinaire Julia Sweeney previews her speech at the FFRF convention next weekend.

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.

The co-hosts remember John Lennon. Dan and Annie Laurie speak with Madison cartoonist and illustrator of People's History of American Empire (co-authored by Howard Zinn). Mike talks about his exhibit at the FFRF national convention in Madison over Halloween weekend. The exhibit shows the perils of living in "One nation under god."

Topic: Supreme Challenges

In a sneak preview for FFRF's upcoming national convention, convention speaker Linda Greenhouse, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who covered the Supreme Court for The New York Times for 30 years, will talk about her new book on Roe v. Wade, and state/church issues before the high court. The hosts will also play amusing clips about religion and Christine O'Donnell, include coverage of a "war of the billboards" inaugurated by its Tulsa "Atheism is OK in Oklahoma" billboard, and talk about why atheists and agnostics fared so well on this week's PEW survey finding biblical illiteracy among believers.

Freethought Radio will catch up with legal complaints and victories by FFRF's lead staff attorney Rebecca, Markert, who will cohost this week's show while Dan Barker is on the road for freethought. Guest Jon Lindgren, former mayor of Fargo, N.D., professor emeritus of economics and President of Red River Freethinkers, will talk about how he dropped prayers from city commission meetings, and about an 8-year legal battle in Fargo to remove a Ten Commandments monument from city property.

Secular songwriter and secular billboards

Brother, can you spare a buck? This week we talk about secular songwriter Jay Gorney, who wrote the music to the famous and influential Depression-era song, "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" (with atheist lyricist Yip Harburg). Our guest is Jay Gorney's widow, the actress Sondra K. Gorney, who wrote a biography about her nonbelieving husband. We'll also catch up with this week's exciting FFRF actions, legal challenges, and billboards in Atlanta, Oklahoma, and elsewhere around the country.

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).

This week Freethought Radio hosts Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker will parse the godly tenor of Glenn Beck's D.C. rally, discuss other news developments and interview an 82-year-old Wisconsin farmer about why he dreamed up and paid for FFRF's billboard, recently defaced in Watertown, Wis., saying "Enjoy Life Now: There Is No Afterlife." The show will also air comedian Steve Martin's "atheist hymn."

This week Freethought Radio hosts Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker interview Wynne LeGrow, M.D., the Democratic challenger of U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes, who came out last week as an atheist, about his decision to announce his lack of faith as a political candidate. The hosts also catch up with Steve Benson, the Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist of the Arizona Republic, who will reprise Tunes N Toons with Dan at the 33rd annual FFRF convention in Madison, Wis., Oct. 29-30. Also discussed: the war against religious progress in light of a federal court ruling last week halting federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.

This week Freethought Radio hosts Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker interview the internationally lauded Prof. James F. Crow, for whom the new evolution institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has been named. The nonagenarian will talk about inspiring generations of students, why he is a freethinker and what the new center for evolution will mean for science education. The hosts will also talk about the mosque controversy, FFRF's New Orleans billboard campaign and celebrate the upcoming 90th anniversary of the adoption of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote in the U.S. (Aug. 26, 1920).

TOPICS: BILLBOARDS, CITY PRAYER, AND ATHEIST JAZZ

This week Freethought Radio hosts Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker interview the award-winning California jazz vocalist Tokeli and talk about her career and life as an atheist Mom. Listen to clips from Tokeli's CD "Where Do You Start?," including "The Nearness of You," "I've Got the World On a String," and "As Time Goes By." Also hear two TV news stories about FFRF's blitz of 20 new billboards in Tampa, Florida, and an update on the city prayer controversy in Aiken, South Carolina.

TOPICS: ANSEL ADAMS & FREETHOUGHT; REMEMBERING ROBERT G. INGERSOLL
Freethought Radio will interview the daughter of photographer Ansel Adams, who is a freethinker and Lifetime Member of FFRF, about her life, her famous father, what it was like growing up in Yosemite, current exhibits, and will also interview Ken Helms, a former Unitarian minister and FFRF Lifetime Member. In honor of 19th century "infidel" Robert G. Ingersoll's Aug. 11 birthdate anniversary, the show will play a clip from a famous 1950s movie that pays homage to Ingersoll, and play some of his famous poems set to music. Also featured: How FFRF is stirring things up in South Carolina!

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.

The highly intelligent and hardworking Sam Grove, FFRF's summer intern from the law school at Boston University, will talk about his varied legal experiences working for FFRF, and promises to give the "inside story" on what it's like to work for FFRF. The hosts also report on the Vatican's decision to go after pedophile priests. Not!

This week we celebrate the historic 162nd anniversary of the Seneca Falls Women's Rights Convention by speaking with the daughter of the authors of Bloomer Girls, an atheist hit. Dan and Annie Laurie also examine some "unfriendly" friend-of-the-court briefs filed in appeal to the National Day of Prayer ruling

News clips include excerpts of Sen. Diane Feinstein's quizzing of Supreme Court nominee (now justice) Elena Kagin over the Hein v. FFRF Supreme Court decision, a clip on the National Day of Prayer issue from the Keith Olbermann Show, and news excerpts about the outcry over Iran's plan to stone an "adulteress" to death (now in abeyance). The cohosts also debunk U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert's portrayal of July 4 as a religious event!

The show includes clips of Australia's new atheist prime minister. Guests include: Prof. Mark Silk, an expert on the topic of religion in America, who questions a new Gallup poll on church attendence, and lighthearted filmmaker Roger Nygard, whose new documentary takes on the "Nature of Existence."

Nonbelief relief for Haiti and the biblical roots of Islamist brutality toward rape victims will be discussed. Guest Jerry Coyne is professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Chicago, where he speciallizes in evolutionary genetics. His new book, Why Evolution is True, has been much praised by Richard Dawkins, next week's guest!

Tune in for "the ABCs of atheism," a look at the threat posed by the bible and bible-toting evangelists to Uganda gays, and an interview with Dann Glenn, internationally known jazz musician and nonbeliever.

Editorial cartoonist Steve Benson unveils his brand-new Seattle bus sign that he designed for the foundation (HO! HO! HO!). Ernie Harburg, retired scientist and son of famous songwriter Yip Harburg will discuss the smash Broadway success of the revival of Finian's Rainbow and tell us about his new book.

Freethought Radio will discuss new billboards in Indianapolis, bus signs in San Francisco, and the furor Foundation complaints over government prayer is creating in Tehachapi, Calif. (a TV news clip will play on the controversy there). A teaser trailer for the new film, Creation, concentrating on Darwin's loss of faith and starring major actors, will play, with discussion about how the film so far has been rejected by film distributions in the United States, while it is being praised worldwide. The guest, Gregory S. Paul, a researcher, will talk about the correlation between lack of social safety nets (such as the timely topic of America's lack of health care for all) and religiosity. He will advance the notion that no "culture wars" were necessary in Europe in order for belief in religion to fade; "pie in the sky" is not necessary when needs are taken care of here on earth.

Freethought Radio will interview 2 timely guests: Foundation member Ed Hensley, who will talk about why he is 1 of 9 plaintiffs challenging an egregious Kentucky law requiring "dependence on God" by the state Department of Homeland Security, and bestselling atheist author and scientist Victor Stenger. Stenger will talk about his hot-off-the-press book, The New Atheists: Standing Up for Science & Reason. The show will include brief commentary on the prosecution of a Sudanese feminist for wearing slacks.

Featured guest is Fred Karger, founder of Californians Against Hate, who allegations of unreported Mormon activity to help pass Prop 8, banning same-sex marriage in California, are being investigated by the Fair Political Practices Commission, which oversees state campaign finance laws. Also interviewed will be Southern California FFRF member Mark Monninger, to discuss the uproar over FFRF's "Imagine No Religion" billboard in Cucamonga. The paid-for, contracted-for message was removed after only a week by the billboard company amid allegations that the City had recommended its removal. FFRF's new lawsuit in federal court suing the City of Rancho Cucamonga will also be discussed!

Since it's summertime and the living is easy, Freethought Radio will play an excerpt from Julia Sweeney's hilarious CD, "Letting Go of God." After a quick Theocracy Alert, Mike Christensen of Seattle will be interviewed. Mike, 28, is an FFRF Lifetime Member who will talk about why he is a freethinker and is sponsoring the current "Imagine No Religion" billboard in Seattle.

Jim McCollum, who at age 10 became the center of a huge legal battle against religious instruction in the public schools, will talk about the 60th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision, McCollum v. Board of Education, keeping schools free of indoctrination. The show will also pay homage to several other anniversaries of significant Supreme court decisions affirming separation between church and state. Listen for cameos of famed litigants Roy Torcaso, Ed Schempp and Vashti McCollum.

Elissa Wall, author of "Stolen Innocence," will talk about being married against her will at age 14 to an adult in her polygamous Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints community in Utah. Wall was the key witness in the criminal trial which convicted FLDS patriarch Warren Jeffs of being an accomplice to rape. The show will also feature Sarah Braasch, FFRF's legal intern, who will talk about her research into unlawful Christian prayers opening the Wisconsin State Assembly. Her interview will include sound bites of a legislator casting the "Evil One" out of the chambers!

Freethought Radio reports on a state/church violation involving a city with a mission to "strive to serve God," plays a fun TV interview of Julia Sweeney ("Letting Go of God") and interviews Christoph Wilcke, a researcher with Human Rights Watch about its campaign to save the life of a Saudi Arabian woman who has been convicted of a nonexistent crime: witchcraft. The show also celebrates the birthdate and achievements of freethinker W.E.B. DuBois, cofounder of the NAACP, and play an ode to the coming of spring and peace, "One Sweet Morning," by lyricist E.Y. Harburg, author of "Rhymes for the Irreverent".