Whether we call ourselves atheists, agnostics, nonbelievers, freethinkers or none of the above, we have likely all given some thought to the consequences of our non-belief. One of those consequences is the way that we view the concept of death, and more specifically the knowledge that we will one day die, as will every living being in existence. It can be quite a daunting topic to think about. As we well know, there are many ways that human beings comfort and protect themselves against the idea of death, but many of them are focused on the idea of an afterlife, reincarnation or other supernatural ideas, which leaves nonbelievers and skeptics out in the proverbial cold.
Here to continue the conversation of how non-believers perceive the ideas and field the existential questions surrounding death and the meaning of a finite life is Greta Christina with her newly published book Comforting Thoughts About Death That Have Nothing To Do With God. Greta Christina tackles hard philosophical questions in a relaxed, conversational tone, and one cannot help but be...comforted...by the thoughts and ideas that she lays out.
Greta Christina joins Atheists Talk this Sunday December 21st. We do hope you can join us.
Atheists Talk is produced with funding from the Minnesota Atheists and the Humanists of Minnesota. This radio program is put together by dedicated volunteers and the generous donations of listeners. If you are able to help with a tax-deductible donation please consider doing so at our Radio Fund page. If you're interested in advertising on air, contact us at the email address below.
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.orgduring the live show.
When we talk about how nonreligious people negotiate ethics and morality, we often speak theoretically--in terms of the sources of morality--or anecdotally--about people we know who provide examples to counter stereotypes of both believers and nonbelievers. Why do we do this? Much of the reason is that we haven't had good data to work with. Until recently, very few people studied nonbelievers.
Phil Zuckerman helped to change this when he founded the country's first Department of Secular Studies at Pitzer College. He has continued to change the discussion around nonbelievers with his recent book, Living the Secular Live: New Answers to Old Questions. From the publisher's description:
Drawing on innovative sociological research, Living the Secular Life illuminates this demographic shift with the moral convictions that govern secular individuals, offering crucial information for religious and nonreligious alike. Living the Secular Life reveals that, despite opinions to the contrary, nonreligious Americans possess a unique moral code that allows them to effectively navigate the complexities of modern life. Spiritual self-reliance, clear-eyed pragmatism, and an abiding faith in the Golden Rule to adjudicate moral decisions, such common principles—among others—are shared across secular society. Living the Secular Life demonstrates these principles in action and points to their usage throughout daily life.
Phil joins us this Sunday to talk about the book and the ethical lives of nonbelievers.
Atheists Talk is produced with funding from the Minnesota Atheists and the Humanists of Minnesota. This radio program is put together by dedicated volunteers and the generous donations of listeners. If you are able to help with a tax-deductible donation please consider doing so at our Radio Fund page. If you're interested in advertising on air, contact us at the email address below.
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.orgduring the live show.
Red kettles and bells. They're ubiquitous right now. It's nearly impossible to shop right now without seeing and hearing Salvation Army bell ringers. It isn't just holiday shopping either. The bell ringers are down at the grocery store right now. Not even being a grinch will save you from having to eat.
Seeing all those kettles, hearing all those bells, watching people drop their change, listening to children begging for the chance, it's hard to do anything but come away with the idea that donating to the Salvation Army is just what we do this time of year. Don't. Not only does the Salvation Army have a long history of religion-based discrimintation in its programs, it's also supported and lobbied for legal discrimination. Put that money where it will do good without doing harm.
This Sunday, Dale McGowan, Executive Director of the Foundation Beyond Belief, will join us to talk about better ways to spend your charitable donations.
Atheists Talk is produced with funding from the Minnesota Atheists and the Humanists of Minnesota. This radio program is put together by dedicated volunteers and the generous donations of listeners. If you are able to help with a tax-deductible donation please consider doing so at our Radio Fund page. If you're interested in advertising on air, contact us at the email address below.
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.orgduring the live show.
As the Muslim population of the U.S. and Canada have grown, so necessarily has the population of ex-Muslim non-believers. Ex-Muslims are still a minority within a minority here, however, and they don't always find what they need in a mainstream atheist movement geared predominantly toward former Christians. Last year, Ex-Muslims of North America (EXMNA) was formed to bring ex-Muslims together into communities that meet their unique needs.
This Sunday, we'll speak with Heina Dadabhoy, a speaker affiliated with EXMNA and one of the most prominent voices in the U.S. on navigating life as an ex-Muslim, about why an organization like EXMNA is needed.
Atheists Talk is produced with funding from the Minnesota Atheists and the Humanists of Minnesota. This radio program is put together by dedicated volunteers and the generous donations of listeners. If you are able to help with a tax-deductible donation please consider doing so at our Radio Fund page. If you're interested in advertising on air, contact us at the email address below.
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.orgduring the live show.
