Beyond Atheism Podcast

Atheists United Studios
  • 4.9 (23)
  • RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY

The Beyond Atheism Podcast moves beyond questions of God’s existence to ask: what now? What should atheists and other nonreligious people be doing next in a godless world? What does it mean to be an atheist today? Is there an atheist worldview? Is there an atheist politics? Hosted by Nathan Alexander, a historian of atheism and author of Race in a Godless World: Atheism, Race, and Civilization, 1850-1914, and Todd Tavares, a political science scholar and atheist organizer, the podcast asks big questions and aims to discover answers through discussion and debate. Join us!

  1. Ep. 75: The Awakening – Joseph Lyttleton

    FEB 23

    Ep. 75: The Awakening – Joseph Lyttleton

    Faith seems to have been a part of the human experience for as long as we have existed. But what would happen if all belief in God disappeared over night? How would the behavior of believers change after their faith was stripped away? This is the concept that Joseph Lyttleton’s newest novel, The Awakening, sets out to explore. We talk to Joseph about his latest book, how his upbringing with evangelical religion informs his writing, and how living in ten cities in ten years provided the rich color and detail in his writing. We also find out how a true atheist should feel about religion’s decline and the vandalism of once holy and sacred spaces. Joseph’s website: https://www.josephlyttleton.com/ More info on The Awakening: https://linktr.ee/theawakeningjl Joseph’s Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/10cities10years.bsky.social Joseph’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/10cities10years Follow Nathan on Bluesky: @nathgalexander.bsky.social Nathan’s website: https://www.nathangalexander.com/  Beyond Atheism is produced and distributed by Atheists United Studios: https://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios

    1h 11m
  2. Ep. 74: Humanism and Neurodiversity – Alastair Lichten

    07/02/2025

    Ep. 74: Humanism and Neurodiversity – Alastair Lichten

    In this episode, we are joined again by Alastair Lichten, a humanist community builder and the author of the blog, Humanist Dad.  We discuss his recent work in community organizing and the importance of creating welcoming, inclusive spaces. Alastair has been giving particular attention to autism and neurodiversity, especially related to humanism. We learn what neurodiversity is, the different shapes it can take, and the research showing links between autistic people and atheism. Alastair also gives us tips about how organizers can make their events more inclusive for neurodivergent people. And we learn whether a true humanist can feel awkward around others. Check out Alastair’s blog, Humanist Dad: https://humanistdad.uk/  10 tips for neurodiversity inclusion in humanist communities: https://humanistdad.uk/2025/04/25/10-tips-for-neurodiversity-inclusion-in-humanist-communities/  And other articles about “neurodiversity”: https://humanistdad.uk/tag/neurodiversity/  Follow Nathan on BlueSky: @nathgalexander.bsky.social Nathan’s website: https://www.nathangalexander.com/  Beyond Atheism is produced and distributed by Atheists United Studios: https://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios

    1h 5m
  3. Ep. 73: Unbelief in Iran, Past and Present – Arash Ghajarjazi

    05/27/2025

    Ep. 73: Unbelief in Iran, Past and Present – Arash Ghajarjazi

    In this episode, we’re joined by Arash Ghajarjazi, a scholar of Iranian Studies at Utrecht University and author of the new book, Remembering Khayyam: Episodes of Unbelief in the Reception Histories of Persian Quatrains. We delve into the history of Iran to discuss the long legacy of secular culture by way of the figure of Omar Khayyam, a Persian poet and polymath from the 11th century. There are plenty of surprises along the way as we learn how religious elites leveraged modern technology to monopolize power, the role Victorian love of poetry had on Iranian culture, and how secular monuments continue to inspire and allow protest in a theocratic country. We also learn whether a true atheist can hide their atheism and if it may prove to be an absolute necessity. For more on Arash: www.linkedin.com/in/arash-ghajarjazi-036621176 On X: @arashghajarjazi Arash’s new book, Remembering Khayyam: Episodes of Unbelief in the Reception Histories of Persian Quatrains: https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783111626017/html And the video trailer of the book: https://youtu.be/A7Z4ZtUQlnU?si=NO8nX3eZjBNNqzJd Beyond Sharia project: https://beyondsharia.nl/ Register for Nathan Alexander’s upcoming webinar (July 8): https://freethinker.co.uk/2025/05/freethought-history-webinar-4-atheism-and-vegetarianism-in-the-19th-and-20th-centuries-a-match-made-in-heaven-with-nathan-alexander-8-july-2025/  Follow Nathan on BlueSky: @nathgalexander.bsky.social Nathan’s website: https://www.nathangalexander.com/  Beyond Atheism is produced and distributed by Atheists United Studios: https://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios

    1h 13m
  4. Ep. 72: The Omega Course – Paul Clark

    03/04/2025

    Ep. 72: The Omega Course – Paul Clark

    In this episode, we’re joined by Paul Clark, author of The Omega Course, a coming-of-age novel about guilt, redemption, and loss of faith. We learn about the central plot of the book, where 17-year-old Ross kills another driver in a car accident and seeks to find redemption, initially through the real-life “Alpha Course,” which pushes a conservative approach to Christianity. However, at the same time, Ross also takes a fictional “Omega Course” which presents a more critical perspective about the origins of Christianity and the Bible. In the episode, we talk extensively about the research that went into the novel, with special focus on the actual Alpha Course and what makes it so dreadful, as well as the choice to present this topic through fiction. We also discuss the history of monotheism, the authorship of the Bible, evidence for the historical Jesus, and why it all matters. Paul also explains to us whether or not a true atheist can believe in redemption. Order The Omega Course here: https://books2read.com/omega-course  Paul’s website: https://paulclark42.com/  Follow Nathan on BlueSky: @nathgalexander.bsky.social Nathan’s website: https://www.nathangalexander.com/  Beyond Atheism is produced and distributed by Atheists United Studios: https://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios

    1h 6m
  5. Ep. 71: What is a Humanist Celebrant? – Sarah Ray

    12/30/2024

    Ep. 71: What is a Humanist Celebrant? – Sarah Ray

    In this episode, we’re joined by Sarah Ray, the President of the Humanist Society and an Endorsed Humanist Celebrant and Invocator. We learn about how these roles are secularizing, the deep roots they have to humanism, as well as (because we know you are afraid to ask) what exactly humanist celebrants and invocators are. The discussion also includes how the Humanist Society aids the training and professionalization of aspiring chaplains, even those who hold the position in a religious function but have left their faith. Sarah also schools Todd and Nathan on why a “true” humanist would prefer Star Wars to Star Trek. The Humanist Society: thehumanistsociety.org Humanist Trek Podcast: humanisttrek.com Follow Nathan on BlueSky: @nathgalexander.bsky.social Beyond Atheism is produced and distributed by Atheists United Studios: https://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios

    1h 12m
  6. Ep. 70: How to Build a Secular Country – Maggie Ardiente

    10/25/2024

    Ep. 70: How to Build a Secular Country – Maggie Ardiente

    In this episode, we talk with Maggie Ardiente, the board president of the Secular Coalition for America. In a wide ranging discussion, we learn how joining a small freethinkers group at university led to a lifelong career in secular activism. Against the harrowing backdrop of “religious freedom” and Project 2025, we talk about how secularism is a growing presence on Capitol Hill and what the next steps for growth are. We also learn whether a True Atheist can believe in ghosts and if freethinkers should attend a religious school. Learn more about the Secular Coalition for America: https://secular.org/  For more on Project 2025: https://secular.org/project-2025/  To donate to the Secular Coalition for America: https://secular.org/donate/  – Nathan’s new article, “Reincarnation, Secular Style”: https://freethinker.co.uk/2024/09/reincarnation-secular-style/  Follow Nathan on BlueSky: @nathgalexander.bsky.social Beyond Atheism is produced and distributed by Atheists United Studios: https://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios

    1h 13m
  7. Ep. 69: What is a Humanist Parent? – Alastair Lichten

    08/02/2024

    Ep. 69: What is a Humanist Parent? – Alastair Lichten

    In this episode, we are joined by Alastair Lichten, a humanist community builder with Humanists UK, and the author of the blog, Humanist Dad. Alastair has been using the blog to explore how his humanist worldview informs the challenging decisions he makes as a parent raising children in the UK. We talk about the ways humanist values are reflected in addressing thorny issues like what (if anything) to teach kids about religion, what kind of rituals humanist parents perform without religion, and how to deal with intrusive influences from the dominant religious culture. We also learn whether a True Humanist wishes their kids grow up to be humanists. Read more on Alastair’s blog, Humanist Dad: https://humanistdad.uk/ Follow Nathan on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/nathgalexander.bsky.social  Beyond Atheism is produced and distributed by Atheists United Studios: https://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios

    1h 25m
  8. Ep. 68: Why Do We Have a Bible? – Jacob L. Wright

    04/03/2024

    Ep. 68: Why Do We Have a Bible? – Jacob L. Wright

    In this episode, we’re joined by Jacob L. Wright, Professor of Hebrew Bible at the Candler School of Theology, Emory University, and the author of Why the Bible Began: An Alternative History of Scripture and its Origins. Jacob explains how the Old Testament used a mix of history, myth, and poetry to form a “peoplehood” in the absence of state institutions. We explore the arguments in his new book about the secular origins of the Hebrew Bible and how it impacts contemporary issues. We discuss why the Bible is too important to be left to religious people and how its techniques can be similarly used by secularists today.  Why the Bible Began: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/why-the-bible-began/263D2981C0B829268AAC8BB4A0F696FC  Beyond Atheism is produced and distributed by Atheists United Studios: https://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios

    1h 33m
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4.9
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

The Beyond Atheism Podcast moves beyond questions of God’s existence to ask: what now? What should atheists and other nonreligious people be doing next in a godless world? What does it mean to be an atheist today? Is there an atheist worldview? Is there an atheist politics? Hosted by Nathan Alexander, a historian of atheism and author of Race in a Godless World: Atheism, Race, and Civilization, 1850-1914, and Todd Tavares, a political science scholar and atheist organizer, the podcast asks big questions and aims to discover answers through discussion and debate. Join us!

Information

  • Creator
    Atheists United Studios
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    75
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Atheists United Studios
  • Show Website
    Beyond Atheism Podcast

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