Freethought Radio

Topics: Jazz as "Religion", FFRF Legal Victory in Denver Schools
A unique legal victory for the Freedom From Religion Foundation, ending a religious endorsement by Cherry Creek Public Schools in Denver, Colo., will be discussed by the always-interesting guest, Robert R. Tiernan, the attorney who brought the case. And jazz legend/great Ben Sidran will join the cohosts in studio for a conversation about music, irreverence and lots of jazz music.

Co-host Dan Barker will talk about recently experiencing the bizarre creationism museum in Kentucky. Brad Pitt's nonreligion and new Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayer's request for "divine guidance" will get some play. Interviewed will be linguist and Daniel Everett, author of Don't Sleep, There are Snakes: Life and Language in the Amazonian Jungle (2008). In an amazing adventure, Everett--a missionary to the Pirahas dedicated to learning their language in order to proselytize them--left the Amazon free of religion.

David Diskin will talk about the hullabaloo over the Freedom From Religion Foundation's request to the City Council in Lodi, Calif., that it drop prayers to open the meetings. David was one of the organizers of a rally on Aug. 5 to counter religious zealots who descended on the town. And Jeff Sharlet will be a returning guest. The author of the timely book exposing the nefarious fundamentalist group at the heart of power in Washington, D.C., The Family, will discuss The Family's relationship with born-again politicians in the news for adultery, including Gov. Mark Sanford, U.S. Sen. John Ensign, and former U.S. Rep. Charles "Chip" Pickering.

After news--the huge coverage of FFRF's complaint about city prayers in Lodi, Calif., and the conviction of a parent for letting his daughter die of untreated diabetes for religious reasons--Wisconsin folksingers Lou and Peter Berryman perform in the studio. They will perform their favorite songs touching on religion, including the song that inspired FFRF to name its crime blotter, 'Black Collar Crime.' Tune in for a fun show!

Irreverent thoughts and thinkers will be featured this week. The August Freethinkers Almanac will highlight the contributions of famous unbelievers born in the month of August, many of whom are quoted in award-winning journalist Joan Konner's charming book, "The Atheist Bible: An Illustrious Collection of Irreverent Thoughts." Konner is dean emerita of the Columbia Gradutate school of Journalism and will also explain why she felt "inspired" to compile this collection of provocative, sage and humorous quotations.