545 episodes

Hemant Mehta and Jessica Greiff cover the latest news, politics, and pop culture with a focus on atheism and religion.
This is the official podcast for FriendlyAtheist.com.

Friendly Atheist Podcast Friendly Atheist Podcast

    • Religion & Spirituality
    • 4.6 • 1.3K Ratings

Hemant Mehta and Jessica Greiff cover the latest news, politics, and pop culture with a focus on atheism and religion.
This is the official podcast for FriendlyAtheist.com.

    Preacher Says MLK Was Not a Christian

    Preacher Says MLK Was Not a Christian

    Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free version of the show!
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    Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.
    — Texas State Rep. Matt Schaefer: Every elected official in America is required "to worship God." (0:40)
    — Preacher John MacArthur faces backlash after saying Martin Luther King, Jr. was "not a Christian at all." (7:52)
    — SPONSOR: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/atheist today to get 10% off your first month.
    — Researchers say Christian leaders will embezzle an estimated $86 billion in 2024. (21:27)
    — "God & Country" highlights the growing threat of Christian Nationalism. (32:32)
    — Indian state criminalizes "magical healing" in move widely seen as anti-Christian. (52:47)
    — Wyoming Supreme Court dismisses atheist's $24M lawsuit over religious invocations. (1:06:29)
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    • 1 hr 23 min
    Christian Nationalists vs. Heidi Przybyla

    Christian Nationalists vs. Heidi Przybyla

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    Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.
    — Christian Nationalists are furious at reporter Heidi Przybyla for accurately reporting on them. (1:45)
    SPONSOR: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/atheist today to get 10% off your first month.
    — Why Liberty University's $14 million fine from the Dept. of Education is well-deserved. (25:42)
    — Norwegian court upholds ban on state funding for Jehovah's Witnesses. (59:46)
    — Owners of Lighthouse Christian Academy arrested for alleged kidnapping. (1:13:26) 
    — President Biden restored protections for anyone getting help from faith-based, taxpayer-funded groups. (1:26:42)
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    • 1 hr 42 min
    The "Filth" in Oklahoma

    The "Filth" in Oklahoma

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    Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.
    — GOP lawmaker pushes anti-abortion propaganda bill with scientific, antisemitic lies. (1:45)
    — After non-binary teen's death, lawmaker says Christians don't "want that filth" in Oklahoma. (19:15)
    SPONSOR: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/atheist today to get 10% off your first month.
    — Violating IRS rules, hate-preacher Jack Hibbs endorses candidate from pulpit… again. (36:07)
    — California school board member claims Satanists are worse than literal Nazis. (59:04)
    — Christian Nationalist Sean Feucht threatens Spokane officials for condemning mayor's appearance at prayer event. (1:11:29)
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    • 1 hr 25 min
    Sam Alito's Fake Christian Persecution

    Sam Alito's Fake Christian Persecution

    Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free version of the show!
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    Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.
    — Alabama Supreme Court cites "wrath of a holy God" while claiming frozen embryos are "children." (0:43)
    SPONSOR: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/atheist today to get 10% off your first month.
    — Sam Alito is big mad that anti-gay Christians were struck from the jury in a case about a lesbian. (29:57)
    — Former Hillsong leader Brian Houston insists he wasn't searching for "ladies and girls" online. (47:42)
    — Texas school board trustees snuck an evangelical film crew into a public school. (1:01:18)
    — Congress members call out "ill-qualified hate preacher" who gave invocation. (1:09:07)
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    • 1 hr 22 min
    The Fair Reputation of White Evangelical Christians

    The Fair Reputation of White Evangelical Christians

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    Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.
    — Telling the truth about modern evangelical Christianity means admitting it's harmful. (1:12)
    — Christian Nationalist Jason Rapert thwarted in attempt to block funds for public libraries. (40:24)
    — After atheist’s invocation, Tavares (FL) City Council lets Christian give replacement prayer. (53:28)
    — Christian hate group leader claims fellow hate group isn't hate group. (59:50)
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    • 1 hr 15 min
    GOP Tries to Ban Satanic Displays

    GOP Tries to Ban Satanic Displays

    Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free version of the show!
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    Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.
    — Two students may have prevented a school board from saying Christian prayers at meetings. (0:49)
    — Arizona bill would ban Satanic displays on public property. (11:18)
    — Iowa Republican files bill to ban "Satanism on state property." (21:00)
    — Are pastors ethical? Survey shows their reputation for honesty is at an all-time low. (35:22)
    — Texas lawmaker: I want Christian chaplains in schools to "put God back in government." (44:36)
    — Iowa Republicans want public schools to hire untrained Christian chaplains. (49:35)
    — Florida lawmakers are trying to shove untrained religious chaplains in public schools. (54:08)
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    • 1 hr 7 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
1.3K Ratings

1.3K Ratings

DeenBfromEP ,

Really enjoy this it's rough but good :-)

I really enjoy this dynamic between the two hosts, Jess is fiery and funny and sharp and Hemant can deliver these stories with unbiased precision. The stories are poignant and necessary providing me with information I was absolutely not aware of. The are doing the lord's work lol.

silverbirch5 ,

On Biden Catholic faith

I have only listened to the episode on Biden’s Catholic faith being up for debate. Please don’t try claim an understanding of what it means to be Catholic as an Atheist. Because you clearly don’t. Yes, it is true MANY Catholics do not correctly understand or practice their faith correctly. It is pretty deep! Why I love it btw. For Biden, the President of the United States of America to not understand the Catholic faith is another issue all together! He stands for NOTHING if he can’t for the faith claims to have. Someone should let him know the Methodist & Episcopal exists already.

Mauipickle ,

One of my favorite podcasts!

I love the dynamic between Jessica and Hemant! They sound like wonderful friends who are truly passionate about the topics they discuss! Hemant brings interesting things to light and Jessica’s reaction to them is so real and she brings a much appreciated feminism and humanist perspective! I hope they see this and know they are both wonderful and appreciated for their efforts!

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