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Show 554: A Discussion with Waleed Al-Husseini

A Discussion with Waleed Al-Husseini

Religion and the problems it can cause was one of the first topics we discussed on this show, way back in 2002; and with the rise of religious fundamentalism, it still remains a very important issue. We have addressed all three monotheistic religions, and even Buddhism once or twice, in an attempt to explore how they affect society. Of course, with the 16th anniversary of 9/11 earlier this month, Islam has been at the forefront of criticism by both religious and secular conservatives, as well as many prominent atheists like Sam Harris and Hirsi Ali. We have had a variety of discussions on this show about Islam and the sociopolitical landscape on the Middle East – as well as the global west’s influence in helping prop up and support radical Islamist groups and governments.

Today we will talk with Waleed Al-Husseini about his personal trials with Islam, and how he went from believer to blasphemer and prisoner… and ultimately was able to begin a new life in Western Europe. His autobiographical book is called The Blasphemer: The Price I Paid for Rejecting Islam which was published by Arcade in 2015. Waleed, who is Palestinian, was born in Qalqilya, West Bank. After his release from custody of the Palestinian Authority in 2011, he moved to France and eventually founded the Council of Ex-Muslims of France.

Audio can be found here!

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Show 242: Chris Hedges

Chris Hedges Doesn’t Believe in Atheists!

Audio here!

From the Publisher:

From the New York Times bestselling author of American Fascists and the NBCC finalist for War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning comes this timely and compelling work about the “new atheists”, those who attack religion to advance the worst of global capitalism, intolerance and imperial projects.

Chris Hedges, who graduated from seminary at Harvard Divinity School, has long been a courageous voice in a world where there are too few. He observes that there are two radical, polarized and dangerous sides to the debate on faith and religion in America: the fundamentalists who see religious faith as their prerogative, and the “new atheists” who brand all religious belief as irrational and dangerous. Both sides use faith to promote a radical agenda, while the religious majority, those with a commitment to tolerance and compassion as well as to their faith, are caught in the middle.

Continue reading “Show 242: Chris Hedges”

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Show 238: 1-Hour Easter Day Special: From Sacred to Secular Cruelty & Vengeance

Audio here!

The story of the events of Easter Day in combination with the events leading up to it is a narrative so loaded with dysfunctional, anti-humanistic, and delusional content, it has served as a virtually inexhaustible wellspring of toxicity for two thousand years, providing support for most of the very worst ideas in our society which are still with us today.Belief in universal sin, belief that universal sin could somehow be relieved through someone’s torture, and belief in an immortal soul that rises up after we die, are just some of the problematic lessons of Christ’s Passion.

A major example of an inhumane institution which derives legitimacy from beliefs which can be traced back to the Easter narrative can be found in our American system of criminal justice. Joining us to facilitate our examination of our modern prison system will be author of “American Furies,” Sasha Abramsky, and Dr. Philip Zimbardo, author of “The Lucifer Effect,” and Chief Researcher and designer of the famous “Stanford Prison Experiment.”

And we’ll also be replaying the now classic confrontation between Jesus and the Easter Bunny, first played on this program, in which we’re given the best argument to date for why we should jettison all the suffering, blood and gore and instead celebrate the Spring for the natural “miracle” it is.