This month we have lots to cover, including the latest school shooting, church/state violations in schools, and a 'religious freedom' challenge to the Lexington Fairness Ordinance. 

For Black History Month, we recognise A. Philip Randolph, a famous civil rights activist who was also a freethinker. 

Here are the relevant links for topics we discuss.

Sessions Has Installed “Religious Freedom” Monitors at U.S. Attorneys’ Offices

Freedom from Religion group takes issue with 'blatant praying' at Carter County School

The problem is Toxic Masculinity, not Mental Illness

Discrimination or religious freedom? Bevin weighs in on gay pride t-shirt lawsuit

This month's topics:
The Paducah LGBT Fairness Ordinance
The "Bible Marathon" in Frankfort
HB134 and SB36 in the Kentucky Legislature
The Hawaii Missile Scare
'shithole countries'

Guest speaker Nate Crawford discusses Paducah Freethinkers. We also talk about political events around Kentucky, including the news about Rep. Dan Johnson and the new challenge to Kim Davis for the office of Rowan County Clerk. 

Paducah Freethinkers

Kim Davis Denied Him a Marriage License. He's Running to Replace Her. (New York Times)

The Pope's Long Con (about late Ky Rep. Dan Johnson)

Johnny Pike talks about the Humanist Forum of Central Kentucky in Lexington, we discuss Ken Ham's claims about Ark Encounter attendance, the flat-earth rocket man, and potential legislation for the 2018 Frankfort General Assembly. 

Also, stay tuned after the regular podcast recording to hear Mandisa Thomas of Black Nonbelievers of Atlanta address the 2017 Kentucky Freethought Convention!

Links related to our discussion:

The Flat-Earth Rocket Man 

http://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a13938643/rocket-mad-mike-hughes-government/

Ark Encounter

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/opinion/contributors/2017/11/25/ark-encounter-park-packs-tourists-ken-ham-column/880424001/

Kentucky "Religious Freedom" Bill

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/kentuckys-religious-freedom-bill-mean-lgbtq-students

This month we discuss, among other things, the work on Owensboro Area Humanists at the Pitino Shelter, the rollback of the ACA contraceptive mandate and other reproductive justice news, and the town hall meeting hosted by AU Louisville featuring Rep John Yarmuth, Attica Scott, and Dan Canon.

Owensboro Area Humanists on Facebook

Owensboro Area Humanists Facebook Group

Here is the link to the live-streamed video of the AU Town Hall. Fast-forward to the 11 minute mark to skip to the start of the meeting. https://www.facebook.com/aulouisville/videos/10156964013315620/

Reproductive Justice issues:

H.R.147: The Prenatal Nondescrimination Act

The Real Cost of Birth Control

Not mentioned in the podcast, but relevant to Louisville: The Local Reproductive Freedom Index report for Louisville. We get 1 1/2 starts out of 5. You can also look up the scores for other cities on the site.

http://localrepro.org/location/louisville-ky/

This month we recap the Kentucky Freethought Convention and the FFRF national convention. The full audio of Seth Andrews' presentation on The Satanic Panic is included after the podcast discussion.

Seth Andrews' video on our trip to Ark Encounter

Seth Andrews' talk at the 2017 Kentucky Freethought Convention

October 17: Americans United presents Church-State Separation with John Yarmuth

In this months episode we talk about faith-based initiatives in Louisville, Governor Bevin's painted-rock-based opioid awareness plan, an Ark Encounter update, and more. 

Also, at the end after the regular podcast session, stay tuned to hear FFRF Student of Color Essay Scholarship Winner Lydia Mason present her story and her essay "Breaking the Chain" to the Louisville Atheists & Freethinkers.

In this episode we discuss the recent Ark Park Protest, the Trinity Lutheran playground SCOTUS decision, and other church/state issues. We also have a discussion with Detryck Von-Doom and his background and activism, issues affecting black atheists, and Gov. Bevin's 'prayer walk' solution to crime.

Upcoming Events with Louisville Atheists & Freethinkers

July 24: League of Women Voters President Dee Pregliasco

August 14: Lydia Mason, FFRF Student of Color EssayScholarship Winner

See the full LAF events calendar here: http://www.louisvilleatheists.com/wordpress/calendar/

Kentucky Freethought Convention 2017

http://www.kyfreethoughtconvention.org/

Kentucky Secular Society

https://kysecularsociety.org/

In this episode we talk about Gov. Bevin's proposed prayer walks to address crime in the west end, the proposal of a safety buffer zone at the EMW Women's Surgical Center -- the final operating abortion clinic in Kentucky, and, in recognition of Pride Month, the issues of the LGBTQ community and how we can support them.

Relevant Links:

The buffer zone

http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/metro-government/2017/06/13/aclu-advises-metro-council-create-buffer-zone-outside-abortion-clinic/391160001/

http://www.wdrb.com/story/35668f428/local-pastor-tells-metro-council-he-will-not-obey-a-safety-zone-outside-abortion-clinic

Reactions to the Governor's prayer walk plan

http://www.courier-journal.com/story/opinion/contributors/2017/06/02/yes-im-embarrassed-christianity-joe-phelps/364928001/

http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/crime/2017/06/01/gov-matt-bevin-meet-religious-leaders-family-members-murder-victims-thursday/360136001/

The Fairness Campaign

http://www.fairness.org/

The 2017 Kentucky Freethought Convention

http://www.kyfreethoughtconvention.org

Louisville Atheists and Freethinkers

http://www.louisvilleatheists.com

It's the return of Blasphemy In The Bluegrass! We are now recording in a new location, and with a new set of hosts -- all of which will be explained in the show.

We talk about Pascal's Wager, FCA intrusions into public school sports programs, charter schools, attempts by Christian extremists to disrupt the last open abortion clinic in Kentucky. And the upcoming Kentucky Freethought Convention!

Relevant links:

http://www.kyfreethoughtconvention.org

https://everysaturdaymorning.net/2017/05/13/extremists-fail-to-close-kys-only-clinic/

http://www.LouisvilleAtheists.com