Another Goddamned Podcast #4: February 21, 2008

THIS WEEK – Irrational Atheists?, Proselytizing for Reason, and Arguing with Theists ... plus Another Goddamned Poll

Ex thinks some atheists sound irrational when discussing politics. Are we more likely to give so-called liberals an unearned pass on providing evidence for their assertions? Do we have unreasonable “faith” in them? And what about our “faith” in accepting science when we aren’t experts? The Herd gives the word “faith” a hard examination. (0:00)

Hallelujah! It’s the Gospel of Reason Hour! Step into the tent, brothers and sisters in rationality, as we ponder the question – should we proselytize? What’s the difference between trying to convert someone to rational thinking and merely responding to people who vocalize their irrational beliefs? In our daily, non-blogging lives, should we always bother to respond to such people? (17:45)

How about on our blogs? What do we stand to gain from debates with Christians and other theists? Why do they seem to be in such need of converting us to Jesus (or whatever)? Are atheists falling further behind by not responding? Babs declares “Fuck it!” let’s have an atheist agenda. (30:00)

The result of the first AGP random sample, double-blind, peer-reviewed (by Evo) study concludes… well, you have to listen if you want the latest science on atheists and their pets! (47:00)

Each member of the Herd gets stranded on a desert island with one other person — who’s an adherent of a religion. But the atheist is allowed to choose the religion. Find out which forms of nonsense we godless castaways would be prepared to tolerate, and why. (48:30)

Opening Music [00:00]: excerpt from "Another Goddamned Draft"
Bridge Music [14:15]: excerpt from "Middle Earth"
Bridge Music [29:10]: excerpt from "Jesus Loves Me feat. Satan"
Bridge Music [45:40]: excerpt from "Crouching Christian, Hidden Atheist"
Closing Music [57:20]: excerpt from "As Jazzy As I Get"
(All music: copyright 2008 by Rachel Murie)

Original audio source

This Week's Goddamned Links
A typical atheist vs. theist flame war
Why Christians proselytize
Get your tracts here!

According to Wikipedia
Buddhism
Wicca
Amish
Secular Jews
Catholic Schoolgirl Uniform
Unitarian Universalism

Evo's Co-Castaway
SI's Co-Castaway
Bab's Co-Castaway
Ex's Co-Castaway
Philly's Co-Castaway
OG's Co-Castaway

Another Goddamned Podcast #3: February 13, 2008

THIS WEEK – An Anti-Atheist Billboard, Clinton Sneakily Plays the Race Card, the FISA Senate Vote, and Casting Another Goddamned Podcast: The Movie

It's ALIVE! The Chambersburg billboard, that is. Has the issue now evolved into one of “hate speech”? How can free-thinkers respond? Does the new sign subliminally accuse atheists of racial hatred? (0:00)

Ex (pissed off yet again) points out how Senator Clinton’s desperate campaign is also making racial insinuations. All of us are disgusted! And why the hell is she missing key Senate votes that most progressives believe are critical to protecting our Constitutional rights? Is it OK for someone who is supposed to be one of the "leaders" of the party to be off on the campaign trail at times like this? And why aren't more Democrats pissed off about granting immunity to telecom companies for cooperating in illegal warrantless wiretapping? (15:00)

Not that we have grandiose ideas or anything. But for Another Goddamned Podcast: The Movie, the members of the Herd become casting directors. We're looking for actors to play us and our fellow bloggers in the Atheosphere. YOU can be a casting director, too. Just leave your suggestions as a comment. (32:25)

Opening Music [00:00] excerpt from "Another Goddamned Draft"
Bridge Music [14:00]: excerpt from "Jesus Loves Me feat. Satan"
Closing Music [44:25]: excerpt from "As Jazzy As I Get"
(All music: copyright 2008 by Rachel Murie)

Original audio source

This Week's Goddamned Links
Hemant on the first two billboards
Hemant on the anti-atheist billboard
Public Opinion's billboard story
In God We Trust (Click if you must, but don't say we didn't warn you)
Church Attendance, according to the Barna Group
Religious Service Attendance by Gender and Race (thanks, Venjanz)
Clinton supporter Ed Rendell injects race into the campaign
The New York Times on the FISA vote
Whistling in the Bathroom (The Freesound Project)

Our Cast
Babs
OG
SI
Evo
Ex
Philly

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Another Goddamned Podcast #2: February 7, 2008

THIS WEEK - Huckabee, Evangelical Buzz-Phrases, A Billboard Controversy, Atheist Victims, and Cats

SI has a pleasant dream about Mike Huckabee and Ex turns it into a nightmare. The Herd adds a few wake-up calls of their own. (0:00)

Everyone on the panel agrees that atheists should recognize and reject evangelical buzz-phrases, including “pro-life,” “family values,” and “teach the controversy.” Listen to hear even more. (12:00)

Ex defends the Christian owners of a billboard who chose to “rebut” an atheist ad that had been previously displayed there. The Herd weighs in. SI is cranky about his own reluctant answer. (23:15)

Do atheists have a victim mentality? Do too many of us love the “poor wittle atheist” ploy? Evo draws a distinction between being a victim and having to fight battles. Ex wonders if he, himself, doesn’t just have a chip on his shoulder. Listeners are asked and encouraged to leave their own victim stories — if they have any. (35:49)

The Herd refuses to buy OG’s self-characterization as "a quiet little mouse.” Which leads us to a closing commentary on cats. (47:31)

Opening Music [00:00]: excerpt from "Another Goddamned Draft"
Bridge Music [11:35]: excerpt from "for Evo"
Bridge Music [19:30]: excerpt from "Middle Earth"
Bridge Music [39:10]: excerpt from "Waltz of the Dead"
Closing Music [52:55]: excerpt from "As Jazzy As I Get"
(All music copyright 2008 by Rachel Murie)

Original audio source

This Week's Goddamned Links
James Dobson/Focus on the Family
Huckabee on changing the Constitution
Senate Seats up in 2008
This one's our Bill: Donohue vs. Maher
There's no controversy to teach
Another Goddamned Soundtrack by Babs
Pennsylvania atheist billboard
Freedom from Religion Foundation
Dueling Billboards
An example of an atheist victim
Holy Cats!
Cat and Dog

Another Goddamned Podcast #1: January 31, 2008

THIS WEEK - Barack Obama: Pandering to the Pious

Exterminator expresses outrage over Barack Obama’s “Committed Christian” flyer. Do we vote for a Democratic candidate when he or she openly panders to religious voters? OG vigorously agrees with Ex and says “no way.” But Evo thinks this is not a time for anyone to take that stand. SI and Babs, although outraged by Obama's posturing, are ambivalent about what to do.

Is Obama going to be a Faith Warrior for Christians, or is his talk just to cover his ass with Muslim-haters in America? Evo thinks it’s the latter. OG doesn’t trust Obama for a minute.

Should atheists take a long or short political view? SI puts the question to Ex. Oddly, despite being the old fart on the panel, Ex argues for long-term success, even though that will surely mean some immediate failures.

Is Babs a Southern Lady or not?
Listen to the outtakes and decide for yourself.

Opening Music [00:00]: excerpt from "Another Goddamned Draft"
Bridge Music [14:30]: excerpt from "Jesus Loves Me feat Satan"
Bridge Music [33:00]: excerpt from "As Jazzy As I Get"
(All music: copyright 2008 by Rachel Murie)

Original audio source

This Week's Goddamned Links
Obama’s "Committed Christian" Flyer
Christian Coalition Agenda
Obama interview with Christianity Today
Media Matters on "Islam Smear" on Obama
Obama’s religious webpage
Religion and the Constitution
Abe Lincoln on God
Barry Lynn
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Babs' Stinky Penis video
Fiddle-dee-dee