EPISODE · Aug 27, 2025 · 11 MIN
Why “God Told Me To Do It” Can’t Stand in Court
from Atheistville with Mike Smithgall · host Atheistville Media
In this Mike Drop episode, Mike Smithgall explores Penn Jillette’s sharp observation that courts recognize insanity as a defense, but never “God told me to do it.” Why? Because the law must rest on evidence, not revelation.Mike unpacks the secular foundation of law, the distinction between mental capacity and religious belief, and the dangers of allowing divine authority into legal defenses. Drawing on history, cultural context, and real-world cases, this episode shows why secularism protects fairness and accountability for all.💬 Viewer QuestionDo you think the justice system handles religion fairly, or does it still give faith too much influence?________________________________________📑 Relevant Topics or Chapter Headings• Intro: Why “God Told Me To Do It” Isn’t in Courtrooms• The Secular Bedrock of Law ⚖️• Mental Capacity vs. Religious Conviction 🧠• The Problem with Divine Authority ✝️• Examples and Consequences 🔥• Power, Control, and Responsibility ⚡• What This Tells Us About Secularism 🌍• Outro________________________________________📚 Suggested Reading List1. The Demon-Haunted World by Carl Sagan — https://amzn.to/3IL1QUtA powerful defense of science and skepticism, showing why evidence must guide our beliefs instead of personal revelation.2. Breaking the Spell by Daniel Dennett — https://amzn.to/45JWYZfExplores religion from a scientific perspective, analyzing why humans believe and how belief systems shape society.3. God Is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens — https://amzn.to/3ZVLSg9A sharp critique of religion’s influence on law, politics, and morality, arguing for secularism as a safeguard of freedom.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
What this episode covers
In this Mike Drop episode, Mike Smithgall explores Penn Jillette’s sharp observation that courts recognize insanity as a defense, but never “God told me to do it.” Why? Because the law must rest on evidence, not revelation. Mike unpacks the secular foundation of law, the distinction between mental capacity and religious belief, and the dangers of allowing divine authority into legal defenses. Drawing on history, cultural context, and real-world cases, this episode shows why secularism protect...
NOW PLAYING
Why “God Told Me To Do It” Can’t Stand in Court
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
No similar episodes found.
Similar Podcasts
No similar podcasts found.