When I talk to believers, one of the "good things" religion is supposed to do is create a social network of people.  It is supposed to bring people together and make families of strangers.  It does this by allowing people to get to know each other quickly and in a friendly way.  But is religion really good at this?  What about beer?

Sure I think people who share an imaginary friend can find other things in common and quickly bond, but I think the same thing can happen over beer and barbeque.  And which scenario is preferable?  Which is the one that makes better bonds?

Do you have an opinion?  Call in and share it!!

The awesome returns!!

June 4, 2016 was the second Reason Rally in Washington DC.  It was so awesome to be there!!  I got to hug so many of my friends, meet so many new friends, and just hang out with some of the most amazing people on the planet!!  

But not everyone at the Reason Rally was there to support reason.  Some Christian protesters showed up, too.  They were forced to hang out on the sidelines, making them the literal side show at the Rally.

I took a moment to stop by.  I had a recorder on me.  This is what happened.

I'm afraid this episode will NOT be my triumphant come-back to podcasting regularly.  My wife is still going through chemo, and that is going to take another month or so.  I want to thank all my listeners for all their patience and support in this time!! 

YOU ARE ALL THE SOURCE OF AWESOME SAUCE!!

We always hear from so many of the same atheists.  How about a new one?  This is Robert Burks.  Just a guy.  A fellow free-thinker and someone who wants to do more in the atheist movement.  He's a new voice in atheism, and I am honored to host his first podcast interview.

Robert and I talk about his deconversion, and I throw a few of the questions every theist asks at him.  I think Robert's answers are as good as any.

The awesomeness will not be denied!!

From the doctor's office in Indy, to a knock at my front door, I seem to be getting a lot of tracts these days.  Lots of people want to give me small pamphlets that tell me that I need saving.

Let's talk about this form of "witnessing" and what I have to say about it.

Plus, your calls.

Guaranteed to be more awesome than a Chick Tract!!

I've had lots of conversations with believers.  Some were good apologists, others were just okay.  Who was the best aplogist I ever met?  Who made the arguments that I had the hardest time trying to refute?  Whose arguments drove me off the wall?

It may surprise you to learn that while I was deconverting, I was the best apologist I knew.  I knew just how to argue with me.  I knew the reasons I believed, and I knew why I had doubts.  

Today, those internal arguments serve as my starting point for many of my conversations with believers.  

I'll explain why, and how I think this makes me better equiped today.

Plus, your calls.

Let the awesomeness flow!

My wife recently found out she had ovarian cancer.  Most people just offered support and kindness.  A few offered prayers.  How does an atheist react to that?  How SHOULD an atheist react to that?  

I'll give my thoughts, as well as my real life reactions.  You may be surprised what did or did not happen.

Plus, your calls.

The awesomeness has returned!!

I've gone on record saying religion is a net evil.  That is, the good religion does is outwieghed by the bad.  So does that mean that I think if religion dissappeared things would be better?  The answer may surprise you.

I'll talk about what I think would happen, what would not happen, and why.  

This episode is a return to the rambling stream of thoughts this show does when it doesn't do interviews.

So you could call in and give your two cents!

Oh, the awesomeness!!

Trav Mamone is the host of the Bi Any Means podcast.  A humanist, bisexual, genderqueer, powerhouse of awesomeness, Trav brings such a wonderful, amazing voice to the podcasting world.  If you haven't found the treasure that is the Bi Any Means Podcast, do yourself a favor and give it a listen.

Trav and I discuss their journey of self-discovery.  From diving into religion to swimming out, from always feeling like a square peg in a world of round holes, to the awesome person they are today.  Trav has a genuine quality about them that is just the best.

http://www.bianymeans.com/

http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/bi-any-means-podcast

https://www.facebook.com/bianymeanspodcast/

www.facebook.com/tmamone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAsK2Jbpc7c

Women breastfeed.  It's a fact, and it shouldn't have to be shouded in taboo or under a banket.  At the 2nd Atheists of Facebook Online Convention, Ayla Braodnax presented on the Free the Nipple campaign, aimed at removing the taboo suurounding mothers feeding their children.  

Somehow, we find ourselves in a society where it is okay to sell breasts, but not wear them.  What is up with that?!  Ayla talks about why we need to Free the Nipple and allow mothers to feed children when they are hungry, and not cater to the squeamish prudes that would attack a mother for doing what comes naturally for breasts.

The awesomeness overflows!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu_37aJwROo

January 2, 2016 will be the Second Atheists of Facebook Online Convention.  Adam Collins is the man putting it all together.  The first convention was filled with amazing people, both new and veterans in the atheist movement.  Adam has even invited me to do a presentation in the upcoming event.  This is my first atheist presentation!!

Adam is so awesome.  His passion for the movement, his humor and wit, along with his tireless efforts to make this movement something great make him the source of all awesome sauce.

Mark your calendars!!  1/2/16!!