Antifa, Atheism, and the New War on Free Thought episode artwork

EPISODE · Sep 20, 2025 · 15 MIN

Antifa, Atheism, and the New War on Free Thought

from Atheistville with Mike Smithgall · host Atheistville Media

The U.S. government is testing the limits of the First Amendment. In one week, Pam Bondi promised prosecutions for “hate speech,” the FCC threatened ABC over Jimmy Kimmel’s jokes, and Trump labeled Antifa a terrorist organization.In this Mike Drop, I argue why labeling ideas as terrorism is a dangerous precedent. We explore the irony of targeting antifascists, the hypocrisy around January 6, and why both liberals and conservatives should resist this slide. Speech is the foundation of every other freedom, and defending it is not optional.💬 Viewer QuestionDo you think the government should ever be able to label an idea or philosophy as terrorism? Why or why not?📑 Chapter Headings1.                     Intro: When Ideas Become Threats2.                     From Pam Bondi to the FCC3.                     Antifa Declared Terrorist – The Historical Irony4.                     What Terrorism Actually Requires5.                     The First Tread on Free Speech6.                     Why Everyone Should Care7.                     What We Do Next📚 Suggested Reading List1.                     Nadine Strossen – HATE: Why We Should Resist It with Free Speech, Not Censorship https://amzn.to/3VIzE8d2.                     Timothy Garton Ash's "Free Speech: Ten Principles for A Connected World" https://amzn.to/3KsjPzOMary Anne Franks' "Fearless Speech: Breaking Free from the First Amendment" https://amzn.to/3KarHpB Visit us at www.Atheistville.com  for more content from Mike Smithgall and the Atheistville team 📺 Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@atheistville 💬 Want to be a guest or submit a question? Drop us a note at CONTACTCheck us out at: https://atheistville.buzzsprout.com  🔥 New episodes weekly from Atheistville — Mike Drop with Mike Smithgall, Ask an Atheist, and The Unholy Roundtable, Breakfast With a Heathen © 2025-2026 Atheistville Media 

The U.S. government is testing the limits of the First Amendment. In one week, Pam Bondi promised prosecutions for “hate speech,” the FCC threatened ABC over Jimmy Kimmel’s jokes, and Trump labeled Antifa a terrorist organization. In this Mike Drop, I argue why labeling ideas as terrorism is a dangerous precedent. We explore the irony of targeting antifascists, the hypocrisy around January 6, and why both liberals and conservatives should resist this slide. Speech is the foundation of every o...

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Antifa, Atheism, and the New War on Free Thought

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This episode was published on September 20, 2025.

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The U.S. government is testing the limits of the First Amendment. In one week, Pam Bondi promised prosecutions for “hate speech,” the FCC threatened ABC over Jimmy Kimmel’s jokes, and Trump labeled Antifa a terrorist organization.In this Mike Drop,...

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