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The Friendly Atheist Podcast

Jess Piper on the “Fundie Baby Voice”

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In this interview, I spoke with Jess Piper.

Jess was an American Literature teacher for 16 years before deciding to take the plunge and run for office. She ran for the Missouri State House in a deeply red district. And while she didn’t win, she continues her activism as Executive Director of Blue Missouri and hosts a weekly podcast called “Dirt Road Democrat.”

I’ve been reading her essays at “The View from Rural Missouri” for a while now, but I was amazed by how much one of her recent pieces, about the “Fundie Baby Voice,” really resonated with so many people.

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March 28, 2024 by

This Christian App Knows Where You Live

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Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.

— Satanists sue Tennessee district for trying to thwart After School Satan Club. (1:09)

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— Evangelicals are using a data-harvesting app to target new potential converts. (22:24)

— FOX & Friends promotes Catholic app Hallow with on-air (paid) prayer segment. (34:07)

— Wisconsin Supreme Court: Catholic-aligned charities don’t get an automatic religious tax break. (41:27)

— Despite the threat of Christian Nationalism, 80% of Americans say religion is “losing influence.” (55:25)

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March 21, 2024 by

Preacher Says MLK Was Not a Christian

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Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.

— Texas State Rep. Matt Schaefer: Every elected official in America is required “to worship God.” (0:40)

— Preacher John MacArthur faces backlash after saying Martin Luther King, Jr. was “not a Christian at all.” (7:52)

— SPONSOR: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/atheist today to get 10% off your first month.

— Researchers say Christian leaders will embezzle an estimated $86 billion in 2024. (21:27)

— “God & Country” highlights the growing threat of Christian Nationalism. (32:32)

— Indian state criminalizes “magical healing” in move widely seen as anti-Christian. (52:47)

— Wyoming Supreme Court dismisses atheist’s $24M lawsuit over religious invocations. (1:06:29)

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March 14, 2024 by

Christian Nationalists vs. Heidi Przybyla

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Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.

— Christian Nationalists are furious at reporter Heidi Przybyla for accurately reporting on them. (1:45)

SPONSOR: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/atheist today to get 10% off your first month.

— Why Liberty University’s $14 million fine from the Dept. of Education is well-deserved. (25:42)

— Norwegian court upholds ban on state funding for Jehovah’s Witnesses. (59:46)

— Owners of Lighthouse Christian Academy arrested for alleged kidnapping. (1:13:26)

— President Biden restored protections for anyone getting help from faith-based, taxpayer-funded groups. (1:26:42)

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March 7, 2024 by