Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Another Goddamned Podcast #12:
April 24, 2008


THIS WEEK – The Chaplain on Deconversion ... and W on "Deal or No Deal"

The Herd interrogates fellow member of the Atheosphere - The Chaplain. This is our offering to any aspiring atheist who is somewhat skittish about the process of freeing himself or herself from superstition. (0:00)

We delve into the deconversion of the Chaplain and are surprised to find out what evolution had to do with it. (16:29)

Chappy tells us about her religious background and how she began moving away from it. "Put a nickel on the drum, save another drunken bum"... None of the Herd knows much about the Salvation Army and Chappy enlightens us. John Wilkes Booth wasn't the only holy horror with that surname back in 1865. Ex wants to know if Chappy is now trying to "save" religious folks. (32:31)

Why all the great Christian authors couldn't persuade the Chaplain to avoid atheism. Which atheist screeds had an impact on her. Making a clean break - denial, grief, anger, and finally acceptance. Moving into the Atheosphere and dealing with family and friends. Hiding the atheistic porn. (51:02)

Finally, what the fuck is "W" doing appearing on game shows and why do we need to know which celebrities support each of the candidates? Who is a bigger turn-off, Barbara Streisand or Oprah Winfrey? (1:02:02)

Opening Music [00:00]: excerpt from "Another Goddamned Draft"
Bridge Music [15:17]: excerpt from "Crouching Christian Hidden Atheist"
Bridge Music [31:30]: excerpt from "Jesus Loves Me feat. Satan"
Bridge Music [49:39]: excerpt from "One of Many"
Closing Music [1:13:27]: excerpt from "As Jazzy as I Get"
(All music: copyright 2008 by Rachel Murie)


22 comments:

John Evo said...

I don't like to be the first commenter, but I feel like what I'm going to do here is more of a continuation of the discussion.

A question came to mind as I listened back to the podcast. It might be good if the Deacon answered this if he's around.

When you described your initial dinner discussion with Deac in which you told him about your atheism, you said that he still believed in god but not in the way you guys have been taught in the Salvation Army. Now, this seems to be a position that you had reached a couple of years ago, before you also decided that atheism was the only logical position. But with Deacon, this was merely a few months ago. And literally within weeks he was joining you on your atheist blog as, apparently, a full-blown atheist himself. So how did THAT come about?

Anonymous said...

Evo:
The deacon had actually moved to a pretty liberal, perhaps quasi-deistic position several years ago too. He was just very careful about expressing it very openly. I'll let him fill in any more details if he wants to do so.

Sean Wright said...

Loved this episode. Thanks for sharing Chappy

Venjanz said...

The Chaplain is a woman?

Good interview.

Unknown said...

Yes, she is. You should read a bit at her blog.

Venjanz said...

I thought women were not allowed on the internet?

PhillyChief said...

Hide your porn bookmarks, Venjanz.

John Evo said...

I'm thinking Venjanz could add some explosive material to our Virginia Woolf discussion!

John Evo said...

By the way, thanks to Sean the Blogonaut for listening and commenting.

Any friend of Charles Darwin is a friend of ours!

Not that we discourage those who are against us from commenting.

Sean Wright said...

I am less a fan of your political stuff (I am Australian) and while the election of the next president of the US will effect me, I have no desire to listen to the ins and outs especially when you system is so drawn out - I think our political campaigning only lasts 6 weeks. :)

This was a good episode and it was interesting putting voices to bloggers.

Unknown said...

Sean, you might be pleasantly surprised with our next podcast if you're looking for non-political topics.

PhillyChief said...

I think we're all quite sick of ourselves talking politics. It's hard though, since it's all you get on the news now. I mean, Britney hasn't done anything in awhile, Anna Nicole is still dead and Michael Jackson is in Dubai so we really have nothing else going on here in the US. Occasionally you hear some things about natural disasters, the economy, and some war that's going on (which I guess we're winning since they never show any caskets with US flags on them or anything) but mostly it's all political stuff, provided some white girl doesn't get lost or a young celebrity white girl doesn't do something risque´

The Exterminator said...

In the current world environment, in which theocrats are vying for control of most countries, EVERY question is ultimately political. Societies control politics and ideas control societies. So any idea has political ramifications.

Even Philly's missing white girl is ultimately a political issue. Because why doesn't the American audience sit on the edges of their seats over a missing girl who's not white? Or a missing male adult? Or a missing animal species that hasn't been seen for a few years?

There we have racist, age-ist, sexist, and environmental issues -- all political -- reflected in our common anxiety levels.

PhillyChief said...

White girls are news, especially if young and/or hot. That's just the way it is. Animals will make the news if they're cute. You gotta love those pandas and we have to save the dolphins from getting killed and put into tuna cans. Tuna? Well they're ugly and anti-social so they go into cans. They're also quite tasty, especially that fatty part, fresh and raw with some soy sauce and wasabi.

Missing males aren't news. If they can't fend for themselves, tough. Haven't we all seen 300?

Most US news, at least tv news, is just appeals to what will get the most viewers. Cute, hot, and white works, as does tragedy and fear. Issues where you have to think or that can't be summed up in a catchy phrase just don't go over in the US. I mean come on, they're competing with Springer, Cheaters, American Idol, America's Next Top Model, and booby movies on the premium movie channels., and of course there's those intertubes that are monopolizing everyone's time. ;)

John Evo said...

Everything is political and this is a particularly political year - in the U.S. But I understand what Sean is saying.

Venjanz said...

What the hell is a "Virginia Wolf?"

Is that a male prostitute that robs your money and pants in back of an I-81 truck stop like the "Texas Wolfs" who do the same thing on I-35?

John, I'm not sure what "explosive material" you think I can add, and frankly I am a tad offended by the implication. I have never been to Virginia, and I have certainly never been robbed by a Texas male prostitute wearing a black cape and yellow Speedos calling himself "Bat-Man."

Sean Wright said...

A soon as I posted I thought to myself, "Ex is probably going to say something along the lines of everything political .." whoa I psychic :)

Seriously though I hope I didn't come across as being critical.

I did go back and listen to the abortion debate episode - that was quite good.

Keep up the good work guys

PhillyChief said...

Well Sean, being critical is not just encouraged around here, it's expected behavior.

From all of us here Venjanz, we're truly sorry to hear you've had some kind of negative experience with male prostitutes before. You don't have to elaborate, but we're here if you need to talk it out.

The Exterminator said...

Sean:
Never apologize for being critical.

But you probably knew I was going to say that, didn't you?

I guess if someone's going to be reading my mind, I'd much rather have it be you than Allison Dubois or Miss Cleo.

Sean Wright said...

Ex,

You crack me up (I hope that has the same meaning here as in Australia).

On being critical, I am all for constructive criticism and giving advice :)

I wasn't trying to be critical - unless of course your sole intention was to present this podcast for me. In which case, ex can you start talking like Barry White?

Spanish Inquisitor said...

ex can you start talking like Barry White?

I don't think that's within his vocal range.

PhillyChief said...

All criticism is constructive. The success of the constructiveness lies with the receiver.