Freethought Radio

After reporting alarming Christian nationalist news, we talk with Amy Littlefield, author of "Killers of Roe: My Investigation into the Mysterious Death of Abortion Rights."

FFRF Director of Communications Amitabh Pal joins us as we interview journalist and author Sonia Faleiro about her book "The Robe and the Sword: How Buddhist Extremism is Shaping Modern Asia."

We hear excerpts of some of our favorite shows from the past two decades, including Gore Vidal, Christopher Hitchens, Ron Reagan, Ursula K. Le Guin, Sara Paretsky, Julia Sweeney, Daniel C. Dennett, Anne Gaylor, Cecile Richards, Ernie Chambers, Steve Benson, Anthony Pinn, Brent Michael Davids, Janeane Garofalo, Leighann Lord, Ann Druyan and Donald C. Johanson.

FFRF Legal Director Patrick Elliott tells us about the disappointing 5th-Circuit appeals decision allowing Ten Commandments in Texas public schools. Then, author and columnist Kate Cohen tells us "Why Exodus Needs a Rewrite."

After offering a fresh perspective on President Trump masquerading as Jesus and other news of the week, we interview Johnnie Cotton, a Texas band director who resigned rather than put up a Ten Commandments poster in his classroom.

Theocrats are active in our federal government and also from beyond the moon! After FFRF staff attorney Sammi Lawrence describes recent state/church victories, we honor the life, words and legacy of Ishmael Jaffree, whose 1985 Supreme Court victory removed prayer and bible reading from public schools.  

Attorney Sam Grover describes FFRF's court victory demanding the removal of the Ten Commandments from the Arkansas capitol. Then, activist Lucas F. W. Wilson, a survivor of "conversion therapy," discusses his book "Shame-Sex Attraction: Survivors' Stories of Conversion Therapy."

After reporting on a deluge of Christian nationalist rhetoric from Congress, the White House and the Pentagon, we talk with David G. McAfee, author of the book "Hi, I'm an Atheist! What That Means and How to Talk About It with Others."  

After we cover state/church news in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Maryland, FFRF attorney Chris Line dissects the so-called "Religious Liberty Commission" and FFRF attorney Nancy Noet tells us about this week's decision by an Arkansas court permanently enjoining the state from displaying the Ten Commandments in public classrooms.

We talk about the Iran war with Mother Jones national correspondent Kiera Butler, author of the article: "Trump's Holy Warriors Finally Got the Apocalypse They've Prayed For."

Moroccan feminist/activist/freethinker Ibtissame ("Betty") Lachgar is in prison for wearing a T-shirt that insulted Islam. Hear about her harrowing story and about how you can help to free her.

After reporting state/church news, we talk with Texas schoolteacher Gigi Cervantes who tells us why she quit her job rather than force the Ten Commandments on students.

FFRF Communications Director Amit Pal and FFRF Multimedia Producer Leo Costello break down the latest state-church headlines, including troubling rhetoric at the National Gathering for Prayer and Repentance led by House Speaker Mike Johnson. Then, historian Chris Cameron explores the freethinkers of color who helped build a powerful tradition of Black secularism in America.

FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence reports about a high school softball team in Missouri that had religion pushed on it, and how FFRF was able to put a stop to this. Then, U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman reviews this year's National Prayer Breakfast in D.C. and provides some insight into future plans for the Congressional Freethought Caucus.

FFRF Legal Director Patrick Elliott reports on FFRF's exciting new legal developments to protect state/church separation. Then as a memorial tribute, we play an interview of Barbara G. Walker, a provocative bestselling skeptic and feminist who died recently.

Peruvian journalist Paola Ugaz tells us how her investigation (with colleague Pedro Salinas) led to the downfall of the Sodalitium, a Catholic cult that was sexually, physically and psychologically abusing young people.

What is a "godman"? Tune in to find out. FFRF Senior Attorney Sam Grover gives an eyewitness account of oral arguments over Ten Commandments-in-schools court challenges. Next, Gauhar Raza, an Indian scientist, poet and social activist, tells us about his latest book, "From Myths to Science."

Before talking with David P. Barash about his provocative new book, "The Soul Delusion," Freethought Radio comments on timely national news and this week's major FFRF victories!

An ex-Muslim "artivist" — that's artist combined with activist — called Haram Doodles uses art to express dissent against the strictures of Islam.

Actor, comedian and broadcaster John Fugelsang describes his new book, Separation of Church and Hate. FFRF's Legal Director Patrick Elliott sums up our many accomplishments in 2025.

Donald Trump's niece, Mary L. Trump, explains why her uncle is the real Grinch.

Celebrating with music and readings, we explain why the Winter Solstice is the true "Reason for the Season."

Celebrating with music and readings, we explain why the Winter Solstice is the true "Reason for the Season."

Dr. Leo Igwe, who is a noted human rights activist in Nigeria, talks about the religious violence in Nigeria and explains why Trump's saber-rattling isn't helping. The video version of this interview is also available on YouTube.

Pamela Nickel Williams, author of the memoir Clearly Lies Are True, tells us what it was like growing up in Scientology, and how she escaped that abusive cult.

We are thankful for the many speakers and performers at FFRF's 48th annual convention. We listen to 20 clips from that entertaining and enlightening event.

Herb Silverman tells us how he fought the state of South Carolina to allow atheists to run for public office, and Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, describes the state of abortion rights across the country.

New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie tells us how we can defend democracy against the threat of Christian nationalism.

After talking about warning labels on bibles and reporting on state/church news, we hear Brandi Carlile's new song "Church and State." FFRF Senior Litigation Counsel Sam Grover joins us to talk about our newest lawsuit with South Carolina plaintiff Jim Reel, who was denied becoming a poll worker because he could not swear "so help me God."

Harvard Professor Steven Levitsky, author of How Democracies Die, tells us about "The Great Abdication: America's Descent into Authoritarianism."

After reporting state/church victories and complaints in California, Massachusetts, Kentucky, Tennessee, Washington, Texas and Arkansas, we speak with Mother Jones national correspondent Kiera Butler about her article, God's "Blank Check": Christian Zionists Are Pouring Billions of Dollars Into Israeli Extremism.

Journalist William J. Kole tells us about his book, "In Guns We Trust: The Unholy Trinity of White Evangelicals, Politics, and Firearms." Then, we speak with historian and poet Jennifer Michael Hecht, author of "The Wonder Paradox: Embracing the Weirdness of Existence and the Poetry of Our Lives."

U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., explains how California's Proposition 50 is trying to fight religious-right authoritarianism. Legal Fellow Kyle Steinberg describes FFRF's new federal lawsuit challenging a religious oath in South Carolina.

After reporting on state/church news, we hear the song "Friendly Atheist T-shirt" by the Freethought Band of Humanists of Minnesota. Then, we speak with University of Toronto Professor of Religion Kevin Lewis O'Neill about his book, Unforgivable: An Abusive Priest and the Church That Sent Him Abroad.

After covering state/church news, we report on the "war-mongering" Christian nationalist rhetoric at Charlie Kirk's memorial. Then, we hear distinguished attorney Richard Katskee speaking at the Scopes Trial Centennial conference about his role in the 2005 lawsuit in Dover, Pa., defending the teaching of evolution in the public schools.

We celebrate a court victory in Arkansas, where a federal court issued a second preliminary injunction blocking a state law requiring the posting of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. We criticize a "faith-based disaster recovery event" at the National Mall in which Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner proclaimed that "faith is back in our government." We speak with Rep. Mark Pocan about the whitewashing of history in the wake of Christian nationalist Charlie Kirk's murder and the ever-growing importance of the separation between church and state.

Christian nationalists in government are ramping up the rhetoric. We report how FFRF is protesting the White House "America Prays" initiative and a bill to put "In God We Trust" on federal buildings. Then, we speak with journalist Haley Cohen Gilliland, author of A Flower Traveled in My Blood: The Incredible True Story of the Grandmothers Who Fought to Find a Stolen Generation of Children, about right-wing Argentine dictator Jorge Rafael Videla, whose government kidnapped, tortured and killed thousands of protesters and stole hundreds of their babies to be raised with "Western Christian values."

We report on state/church victories and challenges in Arkansas, South Carolina, Texas, Morocco, Minnesota and Florida. Then, we hear Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Ed Larson (Summer for the Gods) tell us the story of the 1925 Scopes Trial, the "Trial of the Century," pitting science against religion in Dayton, Tenn., 100 years ago.

We are not retreating from our lawsuit challenging the Ten Commandments in Texas public schools, in spite of the Texas attorney general's warning that he won't back down from posting them. After covering state/church news in Texas, Arkansas, Minnesota and Colorado, we hear Rachel Maddow's warning about authoritarianism. Then, we speak with April Ajoy, author of the book Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding A True Faith.

After we cover state/church news around the country, FFRF Senior Litigation Counsel Sam Grover recounts FFRF's recent victory stopping the Ten Commandments from being posted in Texas public schools. Then, journalist Mary Annette Pember, a citizen of the Red Cliff Band of Wisconsin Ojibwe, describes her new book Medicine River: A Story of Survival and the Legacy of Indian Boarding Schools.

FFRF Legal Director Patrick Elliott tells us some breaking good news about a Christian nationalist legal attack against FFRF by Oklahoma state Superintendent Ryan Walters. Then, we'll hear a chilling warning about encroaching Christian fascism by author Katherine Stewart.

We announce a great victory from the Arkansas courts blocking the state from displaying the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom. After reporting state/church news in California, West Virginia, Iowa and West Point Military Academy, we hear the Tom Lehrer song "I Got it from Agnes" and the "1919 Influenza Blues" by Essie Ray Jenkins. Then, we listen to the talk given at the Scopes Trial Centennial last month by Brenda Wineapple, author of Keeping the Faith: God, Democracy, and the Trial that Riveted a Nation.

Incursions of Christian nationalism at the federal and state level are increasing, and we are fighting back. We report a quick legal victory removing a Ten Commandments monument from an Illinois county courthouse. Then, we remember the lives of two precious freethinkers who died this month: long-time FFRF member Dick Hewetson, an Episcopal priest turned gay/atheist activist, who died at age 95; and satirical songwriter Tom Lehrer ("Vatican Rag"), who died at age 97.

This week on Freethought Radio, guest hosts Ryan Jayne and Leo Costello talk about a Christian state representative in Texas who's speaking out against a new law that would place the Ten Commandments in every public school in the state. Plus, we listen to debates featuring FFRF Co-Presidents Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker as they address the questions: "Is religion a force for good?" and "Can religion cure the loneliness epidemic?"

We report on state/church violations in the White House, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Then, FFRF Rapid Response Attorney Chris Line tells us what it means now that the IRS has announced that places of worship can endorse political candidates. Finally, we speak with distinguished Dartmouth historian Randall Balmer, who is an Episcopal priest, about his new book, America's Best Idea: The Separation of Church and State.

We criticize Texas Governor Gregg Abbott for using the flood devastation as an opportunity to preach his personal religious views. We point out that in spite of the IRS decision not to punish two churches for politicking from the pulpit, the Johnson Amendment prohibiting such action is still the law of the land. After honoring the life of our friend, the Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist Steve Benson, who died this week at age 71, we talk with attorney Kat Grant about their Freethought Now "Pride Month" blog: "Don't make sacrifices on the altar of authoritarianism."

FFRF announces another Ten Commandments lawsuit, this one in Texas. After covering state/church news at the federal, state and local levels, we talk with Joe Gerstein, M.D., founder of SMART Recovery, a secular program for dealing with alcoholism and other addictions that is based on science and evidence, not faith.

We discuss the Supreme Court decision allowing states to defund Planned Parenthood and we decry many attempts by Christian nationalists to force religious conformity on a diverse nation. After celebrating the life of the irreverent comedian, actor, filmmaker, songwriter and playwright Mel Brooks (who turns 99 this month), we hear opening statements in two debates in the United Kingdom that FFRF co-presidents participated in. We hear the Opening Statement by Dan Barker in a debate at Oxford University on the topic: "This House Believes God Is a Delusion." Then we hear the Opening Statement by Annie Laurie Gaylor at Cambridge University on the topic: "This House Believes Religion and Feminism Are Incompatible."

We celebrate Juneteenth, recognizing the end of slavery, and World Humanism Day, which occurs at the Summer Solstice as a secular alternative to religious holidays. After covering national and FFRF news, we speak with FFRF's Senior Policy Counsel Ryan Jayne and Regional Governmental Affairs Manager Mickey Dollens about the slew of good and bad bills dealing with religion at the state level around the country.

We announce that FFRF is a sponsor of the "No Kings Day of Action" protesting the erosion of democratic and constitutional safeguards against a monarchical administration, especially its embrace of Christian nationalism. After hearing Dan Barker's protest song "We, The People," we introduce three new FFRF lawsuits. FFRF Senior Litigation Counsel Sam Grover and FFRF Legal Fellow Hirsh Joshi join us to talk about the new lawsuits challenging religious symbols on government property in Illinois, Arkansas and Massachusetts.