Atheists Talk

Iran is never far from U.S. news headlines. Nuclear threats, unfair elections, captive reporters, a lack of religious freedom, all seem to demand that we do something. But what is to be done? What are the actual conditions in Iran, and what kind of leverage do we in the Western world, and particularly in the U.S. have to effect change? Last summer, Stephanie Zvan was privileged to chat with Dr. William Beeman, professor of anthropology at the University of Minnesota and a leading Western scholar of Iran. They discussed the intersection of religion and politics in Iran, U.S.-Iranian relations, and the culture of Iran, including conditions for women. Some of what she learned surprised her. It may surprise you too.

 

• William Beeman at Wikipedia
• Culture and International Affairs
• Iran's Current Turmoil Has Deep Roots
• The Great Satan vs. the Mad Mullahs: How the United States and Iran Demonize Each Other

Brother Sam will be in Saint Paul on July 11th presenting his newest play "Patriarchs and Penises" at Sweeney's Saloon starting at 8pm. After the show, feel free to stay and have a brew with Brother Sam. 

 

Sweeney’s Saloon and Cafe is at 96 Dale St., N. in St. Paul

Tickets are $12 at Sam's Web Page, or $15 at the door

• Brother Sam Singleton: Atheist Evangelist
• Brother Sam on YouTube
• Sweeney's Saloon

 

 

 

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Email us at radio@mnatheists.org.

Missionaries tell us that they are saving the world, traveling to foreign lands to help the natives. Of course, "saving the world" means something a little different to those of us who don't believe there's a Satan who needs to be battled at every turn. We usually mean saving lives and bettering standards of living, actions that have meaning in the here and now. How do missionaries do in that regard?

Biological anthropologist Greg Laden joins Stephanie Zvan to talk about his experiences with missionaries in the remotest parts of Africa and answer questions about what missions really offer the indigenous populations. He'll tell us about the good and the bad and let us know where we need to step up to provide secular help uncomplicated by the religion of the missionaries.

This will be the final live Atheists Talk on the radio and the last podcast for a while, until we get the details of the ongoing podcast worked out. If you're not attending the Pride Parade with the Minnesota Atheists delegation, please consider joining us at Q.Cumbers after the show to celebrate our long and successful radio run.

• Dirty poor people living in slime: Missionaries and American Idol, Greg Laden's Blog
• Greg's series on his experiences with missionaries
• Greg's Congo Memoirs or start at The Zodiac
• Greg's Lost Congo Memoirs
• Strategy for religious missions, Africa Mission Resource Guide

"Atheists Talk" is produced by Minnesota Atheists. Mike Haubrich, Director and Host.

 

First, let's suppose that Jehovah God is real.  Good News for the religious, right? Then, let's twist it a bit and see what happens should Jehovah die.  This would cause a major problem for at least the Abrahamic religions.  After all, how could we hope for eternal life if the Provider Himself is subject to mortality?  The guarantee of eternal life in His Presence would at that time become null and void.  Steps must be taken and a cover up must be carried out.  Hiding bodies is difficult enough, but when the body of Jehovah falls from Heaven and turns out to be two miles long, complications multiply.  The beauty of novels is that they allow absurdities to shed light on reality, and James Morrow uses the device of the dead god to illuminate our notions on religion and philosophy.  Scott Lohman, President of the Humanists of Minnesota, will interview Morrow on our show. 

 

"Atheists Talk" is produced by The Minnesota Atheists Mike Haubrich is the host and director for today's show.

 

Weblinks for the show:

 

Towing Jehovah - Amazon.com, including reader reviews
"The Passionate Rationalist" James Morrow's LiveJournal Blog
James Morrow's Novels

Wikipedia page on James Morrow
Review of Another Roadside Attraction, Tom Robbins' novel on the corpse of Jesus

 

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Listen to AM 950 KTNF on Sunday at 9 a.m. Central to hear Atheists Talk, produced by Minnesota Atheists. Stream live online.  Call in to the studio  952-946-6205, or send an e-mail to radio@mnatheists.org  during the lvie show.