Glass City Humanist

Douglas Berger - Humanist Advocate
  • 5.0 (2)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Explaining Humanist values, how we can live our values to support social justice issues, and responding to science denying Christian Nationalists bent on smashing the wall between church and state. Human problems require human solutions. There will be interviews, from time to time, with Humanists and other secular people in Northwest Ohio and beyond.

  1. The Slow Death of the Voting Rights Act Is Complete

    2D AGO

    The Slow Death of the Voting Rights Act Is Complete

    We give an after-action report on our American Empathy Project sponsored by a grant from the American Humanist Association. Douglas took the lead on this project and he recounts his project anxiety and lack of logistical awareness. He didn't realize what moving 400 plus cans of food really meant. We had to dial back our goal of 100 kits on the day of the event and completed 50 kits in less than an hour. Another freethinking celebrity, Bill Maher, took his podcast guest, comedian David Cross to task for Cross' daughter having Trans friends. Maher repeated many transphobic myths like he was a member of Turning Point USA. We listen to a segment from Sam Seder of Majority Report about the interview and we agree how Maher’s skepticism reflects a disregard for the lived realities of many. It is crucial to highlight that listening to and validating children's identities is not an agenda; instead, it is an essential aspect of affirming their dignity and well-being. Finally we try to unpack the US Supreme Court case Louisiana v. Calais that finally gutted the last bit of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Many southern states with history of racial voter suppression are trying to quickly redraw their voting maps to eliminate as many Democrat held seats as possible before the midterm election in November. We connect the historical context of voting rights with contemporary struggles against systemic racism, illustrating how far we still need to go in achieving electoral equity. 01:00 Our American Empathy Project After-Action Report 12:31 Children Trigger Bill Maher 27:09 Waving Voting Rights Good Bye Full show notes & links used Subscribe to our free newsletter Check Out our Merch

    43 min
  2. America's Empathy Deficit and Trump vs. The Pope

    APR 17

    America's Empathy Deficit and Trump vs. The Pope

    We discuss the pressing themes of humanism and empathy as we prepare for the American Empathy Project, an initiative aimed at combating the widespread cruelty currently proliferating across our nation. We discuss how this project, set to launch on May 2nd, provides a platform for community service projects funded through $100,000 in grants by the American Humanist Association. These projects embody the essence of compassion and collective action in the face of adversity. In more positive news, Virginia's recent legislation aimed at dismantling historical racial injustices by eliminating taxpayer subsidies for Confederate organizations reflects a broader movement towards acknowledging and rectifying past discriminations. Finally we look at the recent fight President Trump started with Pope Leo over the latter's criticism of the stupid "war" the US is waging against Iran. We look at the backlash faced by Pope Leo in response to his criticisms of the Trump administration and the broader implications this has for the Catholic community, especially as it relates to empathy in political discourse. Trump needs catholic voters more than they need him. Full Show Notes & Links Used Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our Merch

    36 min
  3. How the SAVE Act and Drag Bans Are Connected

    MAR 30

    How the SAVE Act and Drag Bans Are Connected

    We start this episode talking about the SAVE Act currently being debated in the Congress and how it is meant to make voter registration and voting harder for those who will have trouble getting the higher level of documentation needed to be eligible. We rebuke the narrative that the act is needed to stop the flood of undocumented people voting since there is not a flood as the data has shown and the SAVE Act itself will do far more damage to our democracy, and affecting our elections, than a small random number of people who are not eligible to vote. Douglas draws on his experience as a precinct poll worker to rebut the argument that requiring a photo ID is better than the current comparison of signatures in a poll book. How would a poll worker know the ID being used is real? Then we shift focus to yet another proposed anti-LGBTQ bill, notably Ohio House Bill 249, which seeks to criminalize drag performances, especially in the presence of minors. We express our disappointment not just in the law itself but in the surprising support of such a bill from two members of marginalized groups who are the ones who introduced the bill. The episode brings to light the troubling reality where individuals from historically oppressed communities are complicit in the persecution of others, invoking religious justifications that distract from the essence of human rights and dignity. Finally we show a compelling clip from Amanda of Yesterqueers, who connects the proliferation of anti-LGBTQ legislation, the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and the SAVE Act. This connection emphasizes the broader context of how marginalized communities are often pitted against each other in cultural wars, which serve to distract from more pressing socioeconomic issues. Drawing these connections reveals a disturbing trend where the struggles of LGBTQ individuals, particularly trans people and drag performers, are framed as threats to societal norms, rather than highlighting their right to express and exist free from harassment. Full show notes & links used Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our Merch Donate to support the show

    51 min
  4. God, Laughs, and Hypocrites: How Stand-Up Comedy Became America's New Pulpit with Dr. Jerry Jaffe

    MAR 11

    God, Laughs, and Hypocrites: How Stand-Up Comedy Became America's New Pulpit with Dr. Jerry Jaffe

    Our guest is Dr. Jerry Jaffe, a Toledo native and professional stand up comic who has written a book titled "Religious Satire in the Era of New Atheism" He will introduce you to some of the ideas and examples from his research. Focused on the context of the post-9/11 American culture phenomenon, sometimes referred to as the New Atheism – as embodied by public intellectuals such as Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, and Richard Dawkins – Dr, Jaffe documents the rise of comedic satire in relation to evangelical beliefs and religious dogma. Drawing on the author’s own experience of stand-up performance, he examines the comedy of figures such as Mark Maron, Bill Maher, and Ricky Gervais and presents material from interviews with comedians including Lewis Black, John Fugelsang, and Leigh Ann Lord. We also discuss the tarnishing of New Atheism because several members turned out to be problematic individuals with some holding transphobic views and others being accused of islamophobia. Dr. Jaffe discusses islamophobia in comedy and how it is better to 'punch up' rather than 'punch down'. He also argues that many comics in the US don't satire Islam because comedy works when it is relatable to the audience. He also explains it is better to make fun of the powers that be in a religion rather than the adherents. 01:00 Origin of a comedian 14:00 Personal favorite part of the book 19:38 The fall of New Atheism 31:16 Why don't we make fun of Islam? 41:28 Future writing plans Full show notes & links used Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our Merch Donate to our Podcast fund

    48 min
  5. Does Humanism Have A Jeffery Epstein Problem?

    FEB 22

    Does Humanism Have A Jeffery Epstein Problem?

    We start out by looking at the critical topic of empathy within the current socio-political landscape, highlighting the troubling viewpoint expressed by some Christian nationalists who deem empathy as a weakness or even a sin. This discussion is especially topical as we witness the harsh realities of our out-of-control government, where political gain often leads to the suffering and even death in vulnerable communities. The American Humanist Association is combating this trend by launching The American Empathy Project aimed at promoting empathy, which happens to be an essential humanist value. Offering $100,000 in grants, The American Empathy Project encourages groups across the nation to create activities centered around themes like care for the marginalized, environmental conservation, and affirming the rights of vulnerable populations. We outline various project ideas that participants can engage in while emphasizing that empathy, far from being a liability, is a crucial asset for societal progress. We transition to the various serious topic of the connection of public figures including those in the atheist and freethought movement with the convicted child sex trafficker Jeffery Epstein. These connections are proven with the release of many photos and emails in the Epstein criminal files held by the US Department of Justice. Epstein had a personal or donor relationship with people like Lawrence Kraus, Steven Pinker, and Richard Dawkins and these men tended to mimic views about women that Epstein was known to express. Content creator Rebecca Watson also details her appearance in the Epstein files and how that is related to the cancer of Misogyny that still infects the freethought community. She relates the dumpster fire that was the introductory speech by former Center for Inquiry CEO Ronald Lindsay at the Women in Secularism Conference in 2013. Lindsay is also in the Epstein files - naturally. 01:00 The American Empathy Project 20:54 Does Humanism Have A Jeffery Epstein Problem? Full show notes & links used Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our swag

    35 min
  6. The Streets Of Minneapolis Are Knocking On Our Door

    FEB 1

    The Streets Of Minneapolis Are Knocking On Our Door

    We start by looking at narratives, or stories, and their impact on societal issues, particularly within the realms of politics and human rights. We highlight a concerning a local incident with the group Toledoans for Trump, who faced backlash for reserving a space to meet. We have concerns about the potential harm of silencing differing opinions through social media backlash and boycott calls, emphasizing the importance of defending free speech even when we disagree with the message and that private businesses can and do discriminate based on political views. We are concerned about how much press this incident received when other stories are not heard. Next we highlight Senate Bill 341 introduced in the Ohio legislature, which seeks to prohibit minors from marrying. There is a connection between such marriages and human trafficking, as well as how they can perpetuate cycles of abuse. Child marriage is also connected to cultural and religious beliefs. We encourage listeners to engage with their legislators to amplify this initiative, emphasizing its significance in protecting vulnerable individuals. We end the episode by talking about the paramilitary and unconstitutional work of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities and their implications for all our civil liberties. There are serious consequences of ICE's aggressive tactics, reflecting on past tragedies and ongoing fears within immigrant communities. We stress the urgent need for community awareness and advocacy. By sharing experiences from Minneapolis and local insights, we call upon listeners to support their neighbors and push back against authoritarian enforcement that targets marginalized communities. Full show notes &links Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our show swag

    32 min
  7. How Irrational Bans and Education Policy Are Weaponizing Systemic Injustice Against Marginalized Communities

    JAN 18

    How Irrational Bans and Education Policy Are Weaponizing Systemic Injustice Against Marginalized Communities

    We start by talking about the recent US Supreme Court hearing on cases challenging the bans on Trans women from playing on women's sports teams. The conservative justices questioned if such bans were really discrimination since the trans community is so small. We mention how they made the same arguments in upholding the bans on gender affirming care last year and how it is similar to the arguments used to support Jim Crow laws during the civil rights era. The sports bans are yet another attempt to erase trans people from the canvas of society and serves no rational reason just a religious bigotry reason. Next we look at the murder of Renee Good and how her death not only highlights the extreme measures government agents will take against individuals standing up for their neighbors but also points to a persistent narrative that resurfaces often: the dehumanization of individuals labeled as "other." There is an alarming tendency for authorities to shift blame onto the victims, rather than addressing the flawed systems that contribute to such violence. This hypocrisy and deliberate denial of accountability must be called out as it perpetuates cycles of injustice. Finally we examine the legislative moves by Christian nationalists aiming to influence public education through a proposed "success sequence" framework in Ohio. This initiative seeks to dictate personal and familial decisions by mandating that youth follow a three-step path of education, employment, and marriage before having children as a means to avoid poverty. While the intent may appear benign, but we find the underlying agenda and biases within this bill—one that seeks not only to uphold conservative values but to erase the economic realities faced by many in the lower socioeconomic strata. We also question the fundamental assumptions behind such a sequence, arguing that it ignores systemic barriers, such as race, socioeconomic status, and educational access. Full show notes & links used Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our merch

    48 min
  8. Refuting Dennis Prager's Consequences of Secularism Video

    12/29/2025

    Refuting Dennis Prager's Consequences of Secularism Video

    We examine the claims made in a two part video by conservative political commentator Dennis Prager. The video titled 'The Consequences of Secularism' includes Prager's vague and misleading claims about secularism which he fails to define. He includes not only philosophical claims but also political claims that don't hold up to closer scrutiny in order to bolster his religious beliefs. Problems start when he limits his claims only to western Judeo-Christian values. We look at his claims against Diversity being an asset, that human worthiness requires a god, secularism leads to a loss of meaning, cherry picking science to claiming that religion is the bee's knees, and finally the old trope that western Judeo-Christian believers abolished slavery. 01:00 Introduction 05:41 Diversity is not a strength 11:26 Human worth requires the divine 17:34 Secularism leads to the death of meaning 21:37 The science proof for religious belief 38:15 Religious involvement in slavery Full show notes & Links Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our merch

    43 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Explaining Humanist values, how we can live our values to support social justice issues, and responding to science denying Christian Nationalists bent on smashing the wall between church and state. Human problems require human solutions. There will be interviews, from time to time, with Humanists and other secular people in Northwest Ohio and beyond.

Information

  • Creator
    Douglas Berger - Humanist Advocate
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    123
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Douglas Berger - Humanist Advocate
  • Show Website
    Glass City Humanist

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