The Scathing Atheist

692: A Ross to Bear Edition

In this week’s episode, the Grand Canyon state creates an Arizona UNTRUTH, we learn that God has an atheist sense of humor with his weather-based smiting, and we’ll finally get the juicy personal Ross Douthat details you’ve been waiting for. --- To make a per episode donation at Patreon.com [http://Patreon.com], click here: http://www.patreon.com/ScathingAtheist [http://www.patreon.com/ScathingAtheist] To buy our book, click here: https://www.amazon.com/Outbreak-Crisis-Religion-Ruined-Pandemic/dp/B08L2HSVS8/ [https://www.amazon.com/Outbreak-Crisis-Religion-Ruined-Pandemic/dp/B08L2HSVS8/] If you see a news story you think we might be interested in, you can send it here: scathingnews@gmail.com [scathingnews@gmail.com] To check out our sister show, The Skepticrat, click here: https://audioboom.com/channel/the-skepticrat [https://audioboom.com/channel/the-skepticrat] To check out our sister show’s hot friend, God Awful Movies, click here: https://audioboom.com/channel/god-awful-movies [https://audioboom.com/channel/god-awful-movies] To check out our half-sister show, Citation Needed, click here: http://citationpod.com/ [http://citationpod.com/] To check out our sister show’s sister show, D and D minus, click here: https://danddminus.libsyn.com/ [https://danddminus.libsyn.com/] Report instances of harassment or abuse connected to this show to the Creator Accountability Network here: https://creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org/ [https://creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org/] --- Guest Links: Learn more about SkeptiCal 2026 here: https://www.skepticalcon.com/ [https://www.skepticalcon.com/] Check out Waldo’s YouTube channel here:  https://www.youtube.com/@waldospoliticalstream [https://www.youtube.com/@waldospoliticalstream]  --- Headlines: AZ law goes too far to protect against religious harassment: https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/06/10/critics-say-religious-service-protections-could-run-afoul-of-right-to-free-speech/ [https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/06/10/critics-say-religious-service-protections-could-run-afoul-of-right-to-free-speech/] The country’s largest Protestant adoption agency is dropping LGBTQ couples — again: https://religionnews.com/2026/06/10/the-countrys-largest-protestant-adoption-agency-is-dropping-lgbtq-couples-again/ [https://religionnews.com/2026/06/10/the-countrys-largest-protestant-adoption-agency-is-dropping-lgbtq-couples-again/] Muslims feel unwelcome in the bigot party: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/15/texas-republican-party-convention-muslims-sharia-law/ [https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/15/texas-republican-party-convention-muslims-sharia-law/] The Hill pretends Jewish services are just hanging out for a pray with your bros: https://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/5921285-religious-assembly-permit-lawsuit/ [https://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/5921285-religious-assembly-permit-lawsuit/] This week in Christian history: https://www.christianpost.com/news/this-week-in-christian-history-touchdown-jesus-destroyed.html [https://www.christianpost.com/news/this-week-in-christian-history-touchdown-jesus-destroyed.html]

691: 31 Flavors Edition

In this week’s episode, Pete Hegseth whittles down America’s list of real religions, we lament the shutdown of the storied Riverstone Christian Academy in the strip mall behind the Staples, and we’ll get to know Don Ford biblically. Again. --- To make a per episode donation at Patreon.com [http://Patreon.com], click here: http://www.patreon.com/ScathingAtheist [http://www.patreon.com/ScathingAtheist] To buy our book, click here: https://www.amazon.com/Outbreak-Crisis-Religion-Ruined-Pandemic/dp/B08L2HSVS8/ [https://www.amazon.com/Outbreak-Crisis-Religion-Ruined-Pandemic/dp/B08L2HSVS8/] If you see a news story you think we might be interested in, you can send it here: scathingnews@gmail.com [scathingnews@gmail.com] To check out our sister show, The Skepticrat, click here: https://audioboom.com/channel/the-skepticrat [https://audioboom.com/channel/the-skepticrat] To check out our sister show’s hot friend, God Awful Movies, click here: https://audioboom.com/channel/god-awful-movies [https://audioboom.com/channel/god-awful-movies] To check out our half-sister show, Citation Needed, click here: http://citationpod.com/ [http://citationpod.com/] To check out our sister show’s sister show, D and D minus, click here: https://danddminus.libsyn.com/ [https://danddminus.libsyn.com/] Report instances of harassment or abuse connected to this show to the Creator Accountability Network here: https://creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org/ [https://creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org/] --- Guest Links: Get tickets to see Seth and Noah in Cincinnati! https://www.sethandrews.com/cincinnati [https://www.sethandrews.com/cincinnati] Learn moe about SkeptiCal Con here: https://www.skepticalcon.com/ [https://www.skepticalcon.com/] --- Headlines: Pete Hegseth shrinks military's recognized religions list, erasing atheists and Humanists: https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/pete-hegseth-shrinks-militarys-recognized [https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/pete-hegseth-shrinks-militarys-recognized] And https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2026/06/06/lds-church-left-off-defense/ [https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2026/06/06/lds-church-left-off-defense/] and https://atheists.org/news/federal-policy/american-atheists-demands-answers-from-pentagon-following-removal-of-faith-belief-codes/ [https://atheists.org/news/federal-policy/american-atheists-demands-answers-from-pentagon-following-removal-of-faith-belief-codes/] Under guise of fighting anti-Catholic bias, Kash Patel fires FBI analysts who kept us safe: https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/under-guise-of-fighting-anti-catholic [https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/under-guise-of-fighting-anti-catholic] Priest Who Said Aliens Were Demons Removed as Exorcist for Washington: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/04/us/catholic-exorcist-demon-ufo.html [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/04/us/catholic-exorcist-demon-ufo.html] MyPillow site gets hacked, Lindell lies, and he loses GOP endorsement for MN governor: https://www.wonkette.com/p/mypillow-guys-gubernatorial-dreams [https://www.wonkette.com/p/mypillow-guys-gubernatorial-dreams] Colorado’s ‘first public Christian school’ closes permanently: https://www.denverpost.com/2026/06/03/colorado-public-christian-school-closed/ [https://www.denverpost.com/2026/06/03/colorado-public-christian-school-closed/] --- This Week in Misogyny: TPUSA tradwife-con claims feminism is anti-woman: https://religionnews.com/2026/06/08/at-tpusas-womens-summit-christian-influencers-say-feminism-threatens-motherhood/ [https://religionnews.com/2026/06/08/at-tpusas-womens-summit-christian-influencers-say-feminism-threatens-motherhood/] SBC amends constitution to be more explicitly sexist: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/religion/article/sbc-female-pastors-vote-22299028.php [https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/religion/article/sbc-female-pastors-vote-22299028.php] Catholics challenge Illinois employment law on religious grounds: https://www.ncregister.com/cna/illinois-diocese-asks-court-to-block-law-requiring-it-to-hire-nonbelievers [https://www.ncregister.com/cna/illinois-diocese-asks-court-to-block-law-requiring-it-to-hire-nonbelievers]

690: Gospel of Lies Edition

In this week’s episode, Trump puts the generosity in genocide, we'll learn that communion could taste a lot worse, and Promise Backlund will be here with this year’s hottest beach read. --- To make a per episode donation at Patreon.com [http://Patreon.com], click here: http://www.patreon.com/ScathingAtheist [http://www.patreon.com/ScathingAtheist] To buy our book, click here: https://www.amazon.com/Outbreak-Crisis-Religion-Ruined-Pandemic/dp/B08L2HSVS8/ [https://www.amazon.com/Outbreak-Crisis-Religion-Ruined-Pandemic/dp/B08L2HSVS8/] If you see a news story you think we might be interested in, you can send it here: scathingnews@gmail.com [scathingnews@gmail.com] To check out our sister show, The Skepticrat, click here: https://audioboom.com/channel/the-skepticrat [https://audioboom.com/channel/the-skepticrat] To check out our sister show’s hot friend, God Awful Movies, click here: https://audioboom.com/channel/god-awful-movies [https://audioboom.com/channel/god-awful-movies] To check out our half-sister show, Citation Needed, click here: http://citationpod.com/ [http://citationpod.com/] To check out our sister show’s sister show, D and D minus, click here: https://danddminus.libsyn.com/ [https://danddminus.libsyn.com/] Report instances of harassment or abuse connected to this show to the Creator Accountability Network here: https://creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org/ [https://creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org/] --- Guest Links: You can pick up a copy of Promise’s book here: https://medialabbooks.com/products/9781964487557_gospel-of-lies [https://medialabbooks.com/products/9781964487557_gospel-of-lies] Find more from Promise here: https://linktr.ee/eve_wasframed [https://linktr.ee/eve_wasframed] Get tickets to see Noah and Seth Andrews in Cincinnati: https://www.sethandrews.com/cincinnati [https://www.sethandrews.com/cincinnati] Learn more about the Ark Park Protest here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1734215087598856/ [https://www.facebook.com/events/1734215087598856/] --- Headlines: Trump approves aid for Cuba, as long as it violates church state separation: https://theconversation.com/trump-administration-pledges-100m-in-aid-for-cuba-but-only-if-catholic-or-other-faith-based-groups-distribute-it-283451 [https://theconversation.com/trump-administration-pledges-100m-in-aid-for-cuba-but-only-if-catholic-or-other-faith-based-groups-distribute-it-283451] AIs don't like religion – particularly Jehovah's Witnesses, study claims: https://www.theregister.com/ai-ml/2026/05/27/ais-dont-like-religion-particularly-jehovahs-witnesses-study-claims/5247286 [https://www.theregister.com/ai-ml/2026/05/27/ais-dont-like-religion-particularly-jehovahs-witnesses-study-claims/5247286] GOP Senator Mike Lee says Talarico will sacrifice your children to the demon Moloch: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gop-senator-bizarrely-accuses-james-talarico-of-religious-child-sacrifice_n_6a19bd4ce4b005ae4180807f [https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gop-senator-bizarrely-accuses-james-talarico-of-religious-child-sacrifice_n_6a19bd4ce4b005ae4180807f] Pastor makes kid eat a Bible page on stage: https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/swallow-it-a-christian-prophet-told [https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/swallow-it-a-christian-prophet-told] One Million Moms wants FCC to change TV rating to be more conservative: https://onemillionmoms.com/current-campaigns/help-1mm-stand-up-for-parental-rights/ [https://onemillionmoms.com/current-campaigns/help-1mm-stand-up-for-parental-rights/]

689: Circling the Drain Edition

In this week’s episode, the Pope gets around to calling slavery “our bad,” a Christian apostle hopes to follow in the footsteps of Arnold Schwarzenegger, and we’ll pull the plug on James Drain’s miracle. --- To make a per episode donation at Patreon.com [http://Patreon.com], click here: http://www.patreon.com/ScathingAtheist [http://www.patreon.com/ScathingAtheist] To buy our book, click here: https://www.amazon.com/Outbreak-Crisis-Religion-Ruined-Pandemic/dp/B08L2HSVS8/ [https://www.amazon.com/Outbreak-Crisis-Religion-Ruined-Pandemic/dp/B08L2HSVS8/] If you see a news story you think we might be interested in, you can send it here: scathingnews@gmail.com [scathingnews@gmail.com] To check out our sister show, The Skepticrat, click here: https://audioboom.com/channel/the-skepticrat [https://audioboom.com/channel/the-skepticrat] To check out our sister show’s hot friend, God Awful Movies, click here: https://audioboom.com/channel/god-awful-movies [https://audioboom.com/channel/god-awful-movies] To check out our half-sister show, Citation Needed, click here: http://citationpod.com/ [http://citationpod.com/] To check out our sister show’s sister show, D and D minus, click here: https://danddminus.libsyn.com/ [https://danddminus.libsyn.com/] Report instances of harassment or abuse connected to this show to the Creator Accountability Network here: https://creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org/ [https://creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org/] --- Headlines: Pope Leo apologizes for Vatican’s role in slavery: https://apnews.com/article/pope-apologizes-slavery-role-holy-see-vatican-78df993c5604eb098b19f255b89b3155 [https://apnews.com/article/pope-apologizes-slavery-role-holy-see-vatican-78df993c5604eb098b19f255b89b3155] BoardGameGeek fires veteran advertising manager for rejecting campaign due to firsthand experiences of demonic possession: https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2026/05/20/boardgamegeek-fires-veteran-advertising-manager-for-rejecting-campaign-due-to-firsthand-experiences-of-demonic-possession/ [https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2026/05/20/boardgamegeek-fires-veteran-advertising-manager-for-rejecting-campaign-due-to-firsthand-experiences-of-demonic-possession/] https://gamefound.com/en/projects/dukes-of-nukes-gaming/possess-me-satan [https://gamefound.com/en/projects/dukes-of-nukes-gaming/possess-me-satan] A secretive Christian sect is pressuring members to purge their pets: https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/a-secretive-christian-sect-is-pressuring [https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/a-secretive-christian-sect-is-pressuring] Arkansas group rejected woman's land purchase due to jewish ancestry, black husband: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/arkansas-group-rejects-womans-land-offer-over-race-and-religionlawsuit_n_6a0f3492e4b084c012e3c251 [https://www.huffpost.com/entry/arkansas-group-rejects-womans-land-offer-over-race-and-religionlawsuit_n_6a0f3492e4b084c012e3c251] https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/20/us/arkansas-return-to-the-land-discrimination-lawsuit [https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/20/us/arkansas-return-to-the-land-discrimination-lawsuit] Ché Ahn says drug users must choose between Christian rehab or Bible lessons in prison: https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/che-ahn-says-drug-users-must-choose [https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/che-ahn-says-drug-users-must-choose] --- This Week in Misogyny: PA court finds reproductive autonomy protected by state ERA: https://feminist.org/news/pennsylvania-court-recognizes-reproductive-autonomy-under-state-equal-rights-amendment/ [https://feminist.org/news/pennsylvania-court-recognizes-reproductive-autonomy-under-state-equal-rights-amendment/] OK Senate unanimously prohibits child marriage: https://oksenate.gov/press-releases/senate-unanimously-approves-hamilton-bill-prohibit-underage-marriage [https://oksenate.gov/press-releases/senate-unanimously-approves-hamilton-bill-prohibit-underage-marriage] NC law would classify abortion as first degree murder: https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/north-carolina-bill-abortion-murder-1798733 [https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/north-carolina-bill-abortion-murder-1798733]

688: Welcome to the Jingle Edition

In this week’s episode, America celebrates its birthday with 250 year old ideas about pluralism, all the holy water and anointing oil in Vatican City can't lubricate the arid mouth of Marco Rubio, and that’s only one of the similarities Marco Rubio’s mouth shares with Ben Shapiro’s wife’s vagina. --- To make a per episode donation at Patreon.com [http://Patreon.com], click here: http://www.patreon.com/ScathingAtheist [http://www.patreon.com/ScathingAtheist] To buy our book, click here: https://www.amazon.com/Outbreak-Crisis-Religion-Ruined-Pandemic/dp/B08L2HSVS8/ [https://www.amazon.com/Outbreak-Crisis-Religion-Ruined-Pandemic/dp/B08L2HSVS8/] If you see a news story you think we might be interested in, you can send it here: scathingnews@gmail.com [scathingnews@gmail.com] To check out our sister show, The Skepticrat, click here: https://audioboom.com/channel/the-skepticrat [https://audioboom.com/channel/the-skepticrat] To check out our sister show’s hot friend, God Awful Movies, click here: https://audioboom.com/channel/god-awful-movies [https://audioboom.com/channel/god-awful-movies] To check out our half-sister show, Citation Needed, click here: http://citationpod.com/ [http://citationpod.com/] To check out our sister show’s sister show, D and D minus, click here: https://danddminus.libsyn.com/ [https://danddminus.libsyn.com/] Report instances of harassment or abuse connected to this show to the Creator Accountability Network here: https://creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org/ [https://creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org/] --- Guest Links: The links mentioned in the Farnsworth Quote: Creating Dangerously podcast:  https://www.shawnafoundation.org/general-6 [https://www.shawnafoundation.org/general-6] Florence on Tubi: https://tubitv.com/movies/100050205/florence [https://tubitv.com/movies/100050205/florence] Florence on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Florence-Blu-ray-Skip-Shea/dp/B0GSCFXQ5F [https://www.amazon.com/Florence-Blu-ray-Skip-Shea/dp/B0GSCFXQ5F] --- Headlines: Rededicate 250: https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/white-house-to-host-taxpayer-funded [https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/white-house-to-host-taxpayer-funded] and https://www.scrippsnews.com/life/faith-and-religion/national-mall-prayer-event-sparks-concern-about-trump-administration-eroding-the-wall-between-church-and-state [https://www.scrippsnews.com/life/faith-and-religion/national-mall-prayer-event-sparks-concern-about-trump-administration-eroding-the-wall-between-church-and-state] Christian megachurch founder Brian Houston shared adult content on social media again: https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/christian-megachurch-founder-brian [https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/christian-megachurch-founder-brian] Christian nationalists try to undercut liberal education, accidentally hit religious schools: https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/the-gop-wanted-to-punish-liberal [https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/the-gop-wanted-to-punish-liberal] Ryan walters is getting divorced: https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/oklahoma-schools-chief-ryan-walters-files-divorce-after-ordering-schools-teach-mandate-christian-1796793 [https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/oklahoma-schools-chief-ryan-walters-files-divorce-after-ordering-schools-teach-mandate-christian-1796793] Marco Rubio meets with Pope Leo and gives him a very embarrassing gift: https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/06/politics/pope-leo-rubio-meeting [https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/06/politics/pope-leo-rubio-meeting] https://www.huffpost.com/entry/marco-rubio-gift-pope-leo_n_69fdc1d2e4b0cb033e513b3c [https://www.huffpost.com/entry/marco-rubio-gift-pope-leo_n_69fdc1d2e4b0cb033e513b3c]