Guest: Daniel C. Dennett

FromFreethought Radio

Start listening View podcast show

Guest: Daniel C. Dennett

FromFreethought Radio

ratings:

Length:

40 minutes

Released:

Jan 18, 2011

Format:

Podcast episode

Description

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.

Released:

Jan 18, 2011

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

A weekly show by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Slightly irreverent views, news, music and interviews.

Skip carousel

"Let There Be Light": Philip Appleman, known as the "Poet Laureate" of the freethought and humanist movement, and a noted Darwin scholar, is the special guest. Phil talks about his freethought views, Darwin (as editor of the Norton Critical Edition of Darwin),... by Freethought Radio
50 min listen
"Letting Go of God": Comedian/actress Julia Sweeney is interviewed about her amazing and hilarious new monolog, "Letting Go of God," on Freethought Radio, FFRF's weekly production co-hosted by Foundation co-presidents Dan Barker & Annie Laurie Gaylor. The... by Freethought Radio
47 min listen
One Nation, Indivisible: Guest: Mike Newdow, litigant of "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. Music: Newdow's "Those Pledge of Allegiance Need Some Old Religion Blues." Freethinkers' Almanac: featuring Irving Berlin, the godless composer of... by Freethought Radio
52 min listen
Veteran Declares War Against Military Proselytizing: Features an interview with Mikey Weinstein, who is suing the U.S. Air Forces for out-of-control Christian proselytizing and who blew the whistle on abuses at the Colorado Springs Air Force Academy. Music includes the song, "We, the People."... by Freethought Radio
45 min listen
The Evolving Religious Assault on Evolution: Features an interview with Prof. Lawrence Lerner, co-author of the Fordham Institute's report grading science and evolution standards in the United States state-by-state. (Hint: Wisconsin was one of many states to flunk.) Timely developments on... by Freethought Radio
48 min listen
Days of the Theocracy: Includes an interview with Lori Lipman Brown, the first fulltime secular lobbyist in D.C., working with the Secular Coalition for America, which the Freedom From Religion Foundation belongs to. Also a little commentary on religion in the news (Ken... by Freethought Radio
49 min listen
Fighting Words . . . Robin Morgan: Robin Morgan (Sisterhood Is Powerful) is an atheist whose new book Fighting Words is a counter to the religious right. Her novel The Burning Times is based on the true case of the first woman put to death as a witch by the Roman Catholic Church in... by Freethought Radio
45 min listen
State/Church Entanglement Prevented and Secular Reasons Against the Death Penalty: Features two guests: FFRF Life Member Jean Gams, an 87-year-old atheist, who will discuss how she and the Foundation averted a proposed state/church violation in Oshkosh, Wis. this fall; and Arthur Thexton, with the Wisconsin Coalition for the... by Freethought Radio
50 min listen
Nothing Fails Like Prayer: Featuring guest Richard Sloan, Ph.D., author of the forthcoming book, "Blind Faith," critiquing prayer and religion health studies. Music includes Dan Barker's "Beware of Dogma," Ask-an-Atheist tackles the myth that there are no... by Freethought Radio
47 min listen
An Atheist in a Foxhole: Features an in-depth interview with Philip Paulson, who courageously has been litigating a 29-foot cross on public property atop Mt. Soldedad in San Diego for 17 years. Last week, Pres. Bush signed into law a bill to seize federal control of the... by Freethought Radio
48 min listen
Vashti McCollum: Champion of the First Amendment: Features an interview with attorney Jim McCollum, whose experiences as a 4th grader in his Champaign, Illinois, public classroom with illegal religious instruction caused his mother, Vashti Cromwell McCollum, to challenge the violation in court.... by Freethought Radio
54 min listen
Religious War Against Gay Rights: Features a special look at the growing religion-based assault against gay rights around the country. Interviewed: former FFRF staff member Ellen Masters, a lesbian mom in a committed relationship who talks about what it's like to be denied equal... by Freethought Radio
47 min listen
"No Hurry to Die" - Y BSA: The May 27, 2006 broadcast of Freethought Radio features two timely interviews. The death penalty (a hot topic in Wisconsin) is discussed with humanist and attorney Arthur K. Thexton, of Madison, Wis. Also featured is an interview with Foundation... by Freethought Radio
47 min listen
Somewhere Over the Rainbow . . . Rhymes for the Irreverent: Featuring interview with Ernie Harburg, president of the Yip Harburg Foundation, on the great American lyricist Yip Harburg ("Somewhere Over the Rainbow," "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?," "April in Paris"), a... by Freethought Radio
49 min listen
Church referendum electioneering: Features an interview with Mike McCabe, Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, who has filed a complaint to the State Election Board about electioneering by Bishop Morlino, Madison (Wis.) diocese, among other church electioneering concerns about upcoming... by Freethought Radio
49 min listen
Sam Harris and the End of Faith: Features an interview with Sam Harris, author of the New York Times bestseller, The End of Faith, whose new book is Letter to a Christian Nation. Music: Reincarnation, words by Wallace Macrae, music by Dan Barker. Freethinkers Almanac looks at... by Freethought Radio
48 min listen
Rise of Christian Nationalism: Features an interview with Michelle Goldberg, the lively contributing writer of Salon.com, whose new book, Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism, covers the threat of the ascendancy of the religious right. The show also includes an... by Freethought Radio
51 min listen
Onward, Christian Soldier: Featured guest is investigative reporter Bill Sizemore of the Virginian-Pilot daily (Norfolk), discussing his exposes and articles on the scandal-ridden Christian empire of the Rev. Pat Robertson. Includes sound bites of some of Robertson's... by Freethought Radio
49 min listen
Author Ann Druyan talking about Carl Sagan and her views on religion: Features an interview with author and science popularizer Ann Druyan, who was married to Carl Sagan, and co-wrote and co-produced the movie, "Contact," based on Carl Sagan's novel. Ms. Druyan has written the foreward to a new book by... by Freethought Radio
51 min listen
"Gideons and Guantanamo": Timely commentary on the (bad) news of the week, a "Pagan Pulpit" on the biblical claims to Israel, and features as guest distinguished civil rights attorney George Daly, of North Carolina. Mr. Daly discusses state/church separation in... by Freethought Radio
47 min listen
The Religious War Against Women: Freethought Radio's featured guest is Feminist Majority president and 3-decade feminist activist Eleanor Smeal, previously named a "Freethought Heroine" by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Ellie discusses religion's role in fighting... by Freethought Radio
51 min listen
Scopes II: Includes a timely Theocracy Alert, and features a lively interview with attorney Alvin Harris of Tennessee. Mr. Harris capably represented the Freedom From Religion Foundation in its "Scopes II" lawsuit in Dayton, Tenn.,... by Freethought Radio
46 min listen
Supreme Court Post-Mortem, and Fraudulent Prayer Studies: The first segment of the show involves a candid post-mortem by the co-hosts of what it was like to be taxpayer plaintiffs in a lawsuit heard by the U.S. Supreme Court this week! The pair give the inside scoop, discuss the astronomical growth of... by Freethought Radio
49 min listen
Religion's Harm to Women: Reports on legal developments in the Freedom From Religion Foundation's major lawsuit against the Department of Veteran Affairs for intermingling faith with medical care. Annie Laurie Gaylor, author of Woe to the Women: The Bible Tells Me So and... by Freethought Radio
53 min listen
From priest to atheist: Features an interview with Tom Reed, formerly a Roman Catholic priest, now a longtime Freedom From Religion Foundation member and atheist. In his honor, the featured song will be Dan Barker's version of Tom Lehrer's "Vatican Rag." The... by Freethought Radio
47 min listen
Robert Sapolsky: Featured guest is bestselling science author, Stanford scientist and atheist Robert Sapolsky, with a lively discussion of primates, atheism, evolution and naturalistic explanations for the origin of religions. The show includes an update on the... by Freethought Radio
51 min listen
Fighting Creationism: Highlights ways in which creationism is being combated, including an innovative piece of legislation recently introduced in Wisconsin by State Rep. Terese Berceau. Also interviewed is a well-known national spokesperson for science education, Eugenie... by Freethought Radio
47 min listen
Rescinding South Dakota's Abortion Ban: Features an interview with Jan Nikolay, spokeswoman and co-chair of the South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families. Ms. Nikolay was in the South Dakota Legislature for many years and is a Republican who is part of the nonpartisan group. The... by Freethought Radio
52 min listen
Secular Nation: Susan Jacoby, a journalist and author of six books, is interviewed about her popular book, Freethinkers: A History of American Secularism. The show is co-hosted by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-presidents of the Freedom From Religion... by Freethought Radio
46 min listen
Agnostic Recalled from Office over Pledge Issue: An interview with a public official recalled from office last year in Estes Park, Colo., simply for failure to recite the religious pledge of allegiance. David Habecker, who received an award at last year's FFRF convention, updates his case, in... by Freethought Radio
47 min listen

More Episodes from Freethought Radio

Skip carousel

Ex-vangelicals: 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... by Freethought Radio
50 min listen
Future of the World's Largest Secular Democracy: Guest host Amitabh Pal, FFRF Communications Director, begins by talking about the various ways the Freedom From Religion Foundation is making waves: at Capitol Hill receptions, during major conferences and in the media. Then, the show has an... by Freethought Radio
49 min listen
Rise of the Nones: FFRF attorney Sam Grover joins us to describe our newest amicus brief ("friend of the court") over an Arizona school board member who refuses to stop pushing her religion at the meetings. We announce FFRF's "Godless Gospel" musical show to be... by Freethought Radio
50 min listen
Earth Day: "Christian nationalists are truly in la-la land," says Annie Laurie Gaylor. We cover state/church news in Tennessee, Arizona, Maine, Wisconsin and Louisiana. To honor Earth Day (April 22), after hearing satiric songwriter Roy Zimmerman perform his... by Freethought Radio
49 min listen
Reagan and the Media: We talk about Charlie Chaplin, the “Lucy” fossil, the eclipse, and state/church issues in Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, Arizona, Utah, Louisiana and Uganda. Then, we speak with journalism Professor Diane Winston about her new book Righting... by Freethought Radio
50 min listen
Woman, Church and State: We talk about the eclipse, an intersex atheist, and a freethinking songwriter. We report on state/church complaints and victories. Then we speak with Danielle Nagle, director of the Matilda Joslyn Gage Museum in upper New York State dedicated to the... by Freethought Radio
50 min listen
Bodies Under Siege: Abortion is in the news this week. FFRF attorneys analyze oral arguments in the mifepristone (abortion pill) case before the Supreme Court that was taken by religious-right groups. Then, we speak with U.K. journalist Siân Norris about her book Bodies... by Freethought Radio
49 min listen
FFRF Action: FFRF Senior Counsel Patrick Elliott tells us about FFRF's newest federal lawsuit challenging religious discrimination against the Satanic Temple's desire to host afterschool club meetings for children in Memphis, Tenn. Then, FFRF Director of... by Freethought Radio
50 min listen
A Secular Coalition: Many FFRF victories and legal complaints to talk about this week. Since today is "Pi Day," and π is irrational, we hear the irreverent Joe Hill song about the irrational belief of "pie in the sky" called "The Preacher and the Slave." Then we speak... by Freethought Radio
50 min listen
Atheist Public Official: After we report on state/church violations and victories in Illinois, California, Kentucky, Alabama, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, FFRF's Senior Policy Counsel Ryan Jayne tells us "everything you need to know about public school chaplain... by Freethought Radio
49 min listen
Flourishing Love: “Welcome to the end of democracy,” said a Christian nationalist leader. This week, we parse many of such anti-democratic comments made by evangelical leaders. After hearing a Spanish-language version of the love song “It's Only Natural,”... by Freethought Radio
49 min listen
God or Country?: FFRF's Equal Justice Works Legal Fellow Kat Grant describes the amicus (friend-of-the-court) brief they wrote for FFRF in a case involving an Oregonian Christian who is challenging the law prohibiting her from discriminating against LGBTQ+ children in... by Freethought Radio
50 min listen
Prohibited Books: 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,... by Freethought Radio
50 min listen
State-Church Watchdogs: Prayer is the target of this week's show: the National Prayer Breakfast and school-board prayer. For Valentine's Day, we hear Susan Hofer sing Dan Barker's freethought love song, "It's Only Natural." Then, we speak with FFRF attorneys Sammi Lawrence... by Freethought Radio
49 min listen
Tiny Titanic Acts: This week, we call out governmental prayer at the National Prayer Breakfast and an egregious Christian nationalist invocation before the House of Representatives. Then we hear Kate Cohen, Washington Post contributing columnist and author of the book... by Freethought Radio
49 min listen
An Atheist Chaplain: FFRF Director of Communications Amit Pal describes how India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a Hindu temple on the site of a demolished mosque in a political effort to establish Hindu nationalism in that country. Then we speak with... by Freethought Radio
51 min listen
Anti-Caste Activist: Margaret Downey, president of the Thomas Paine Memorial Association, tells us about an exciting celebration of the birth of the “Forgotten Founder" Thomas Paine on his Jan. 29 birthday. Then, FFRF Director of Communications Amit Pal speaks with the... by Freethought Radio
49 min listen
Disobedient Women: After we hear from atheists Ron Reagan and Richard Dawkins, we listen to U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan greet attendees at FFRF's annual convention. Then we speak with author and essayist Sarah Stankorb about her new book, Disobedient Women: How a... by Freethought Radio
49 min listen
Atheists in Africa: Emily Olson, a very brave member of the Owosso, Michigan city council, tells us what happened when she challenged prayer at board meetings. Then we speak with the founder and president of Atheists in Kenya Harrison Mumia about that group's... by Freethought Radio
49 min listen
Happy Secular New Year!: We report on FFRF state/church victories and complaints and honor the 2023 "Secularist of the Year." After welcoming the New Year by hearing the sparkling performance of Godless Gospel, we speak with FFRF contributing writer Barbara Alvarez about... by Freethought Radio
50 min listen
Reason's Greetings: On this important date, we remind listeners of the real reason for the season: the Winter Solstice. After reporting on FFRF’s Solstice and “Bill of Rights nativity” scenes erected on public property to counter religious displays, we hear from... by Freethought Radio
50 min listen
Secularism Is Growing: 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... by Freethought Radio
50 min listen
Making Activism Fun: 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... by Freethought Radio
49 min listen
They Won't Back Down: We are asking Oklahoma's Superintendent of Education to resign for pushing religion in the schools and for verbally attacking FFRF. After honoring the life of freethinking TV correspondent Betty Rollin, we hear from two brave students — Marcus... by Freethought Radio
49 min listen
Give thanks . . . where it is due.: Our Thanksgiving 2023 show features Godless Gospel performing “Let’s All Give Thanks,” interviews FFRF Counsel Sam Grover on FFRF’s new brief against religious censorship of drag shows, and features law Professor Mary Ziegler warning... by Freethought Radio
49 min listen
Freedom From Fundamentalism: This week we announce a Triumphant Trifecta of legal victories, ending high-school proselytizing in West Virginia, eliminating a religious test for public office in New Jersey, and stopping $1.5 million of South Carolina state funds from going to a... by Freethought Radio
51 min listen
How Fascism and Nazism Influenced Hindu Nationalism: Guest host FFRF Communications Director Amitabh Pal first recounts the state/church watchdog's achievements over the past few days — and the resulting media coverage. Then, he talks with University of Turin Professor Marzia Casolari about her... by Freethought Radio
49 min listen
Students Win in West Virginia: FFRF Legal Director Rebecca Markert and FFRF Attorney Liz Cavell fill in as guest hosts this week. They discuss the alarming election of a Christian nationalism devotee to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. FFRF Senior Counsel Patrick... by Freethought Radio
49 min listen
For Heaven's Sake: For a special themed show, FFRF co-presidents Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker discuss the harm of belief in heaven and hell. Songs include "Heaven" by Rupert Brooke, "Pack Up Your Sins (and Go to the Devil in Hades)" by Irving... by Freethought Radio
49 min listen
We Won't Back Down: 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... by Freethought Radio
49 min listen

Discover this podcast and so much more

Guest: Daniel C. Dennett

Guest: Daniel C. Dennett

Description

Titles in the series (100)

More Episodes from Freethought Radio