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Episodes
- Humanist Network News #35
(15mb)
Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:30:00 GMT
Summary: In this month's audio podcast we've got celebrities and the media on the brain this program. First we interview 60 Minutes Commentator Andy Rooney about his atheist beliefs, then we record a "Humanist StoryCorps" with the National Secular Society of U.K. about their work promoting secularism in the media.
Segment 1: Andy Rooney on Atheism
Andy Rooney is America's favorite curmudgeon, known for his commentaries on the CBS news program 60 Minutes and for his syndicated newspaper column. Most people know Rooney for his lighthearted, somewhat perplexed observations about everyday things. But in this short interview with HNN, Rooney gets serious about his atheism. He also shares his views on all the faith talk coming from the candidates in the presidential election.
End: 5:15
Segment 2: Spokesmen for Secularism in the U.K.
Terry Sanderson is the president of the London-based National Secular Society. Keith Porteous Wood is the executive director of the National Secular Society. In this segment, the two secular activists swap humorous stories about appearing in the national media spotlight. They also explain their recent victory in seeing the blasphemy laws repealed in Britain. As part of the celebration of the repeal of these laws, they convince a famous Shakespearean actor (who also appeared in the Lord of The Rings) to read one of the blasphemous poems that had been subject to prosecution under the blasphemy laws. Not the most dignified role this famous actor has played, but one that he accepted enthusiastically nonetheless.
End: 26:26
Links:
Andy Rooney's Wikipedia page | National Secular Society | Podcast Awards
Songs:
Curumin
"Compacto" (mp3)
from "JapanPopShow"
(Quannum Projects)
Buy at Pre-order from Insound
More On This Album
Curumin "Sambito (Totaru Shock)" (mp3)
from "JapanPopShow"
(Quannum Projects) Buy at Pre-order from Insound More On This Album
Call the HNN listener Comment line: (877) 659-1515. - Humanist Network News #34 (32mb)
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:05:00 GMT
Summary: Topics covered in this program include: feminism, Chinese literature, learning about other cultures, globalization, technology, human labor, culture clash, consumerism, communications and business.
Special Announcement
We have big news about the future of the Humanist Network News podcast.
End: 4:23
Segment 1: Chinese Women Warriors in Literature
Interview: Jes Constantine and Ruth N. Geller speak with Prof. Fan Pen Li Chen about the tradition of the Chinese woman warrior in legend and the role of women and feminism in China today.
Fan Pen Li Chen is an assistant professor of Chinese Studies in the University of Albany's East Asian Studies Department. She has a Ph.D. in Chinese Literature from Columbia University. She is the author of Chinese Shadow Theatre: Its History, Relation to Popular Religion, and Portrayal of Women Warriors, 2007, and Visions for the Masses: Chinese Shadow Plays, 2004.
End: 37:05
Segment 2: Calling America
Interview: Gurinder Singh Azad is a humanist activist in India by day and an American call center sales person by night. Like many young people in India, Azad works for a company that makes telephone sales calls to America. The hours are long, and the culture shock is jarring. But the money is good. Azad speaks with Duncan Crary about the effects of globalization and consumerism in India.
End: 1:03
Listener Comment:
End: 1:06
Songs:
The Shanghai Restoration Project & Bai Hong "Farewell Shasha" (mp3)
from "Remixed and Restored: Vol. 1"
(China Records)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Buy at Puretracks
Buy at Amazon
Buy at GroupieTunes
Buy at mTraks More On This Album
Scion Sashay "Mr. Telephone Man" (mp3)
from "Success"
(Azra Music Publishing) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at eMusic Buy at Napster Stream from Rhapsody Buy at Rhapsody Buy at Puretracks Buy at Amazon Buy at GroupieTunes Buy at mTraks More On This Album
Links:
Fan Pen Li Chen, Ph.D. | International Humanist and Ethical Youth Organization | Imagine No Superstition
The Humanist Network News Podcast is an audio production of the Institute for Humanist Studies and the official podcast of the American Humanist Association. This program is recorded in the Stephen Uhl Imagine No Superstition Studio.
Call the HNN listener Comment line: (877) 659-1515 toll free.
- Humanist Network News #33 (30mb)
Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:32:00 GMT
Summary: We are dedicating this entire program to one story. During the 1970s, P. Thomas Carroll read and transcribed hundreds of Charles Darwin's personal correspondences for research purposes. Carroll shares his story of becoming intimately familiar with the great 19th century evolutionary biologist over the course of several years and 14,000 letters.
Show Notes:
P. Thomas Carroll is the executive director of the Hudson Mohawk Industrial Gateway in Troy, N.Y. But between 1972 and 1975, to pay his way through graduate school, he produced a reference book on the contents of more than 700 letters by Charles Darwin that are now in the Library of the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia. That job led to his becoming the first paid employee of the Darwin Correspondence Project in 1975.
In total there are more than 14,000 letters written by and to Charles Darwin. And most of those letters were written in Darwin's notoriously bad handwriting!
Historians often develop an intimate kind of relationship with the people they are researching and Carroll is no exception. And since Darwin did not write his letters with the idea that they would be poured over by scholars one day, a particularly intimate portrait of the man appeared before Carroll's eyes.
This is Carroll's story of peeking over Darwin's shoulder.
Songs:
Natalie Walker "Pink Neon" (mp3)
from "Pink Neon"
(Dorado Records) Buy at Rhapsody Stream from Rhapsody Buy at mTraks Download More On This Album
"Sound Scientist" by Bill (via Podsafe Audio)
"Charles Robert Darwin" by The Artichoke Band
Links:
P. Thomas Carroll's website | Hudson Mohawk Industrial Gateway | An Annotated Calendar of the Letters of Charles Darwin in the Library of the American Philosophical Society | The Darwin Correspondence Project
Call the HNN listener Comment line: (877) 659-1515. - Humanist Network News #32 (26mb)
Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:25:00 GMT
This month's Humanist Network News podcast is modeled after the popular National Public Radio program StoryCorps. In this program we hear the personal stories of humanists from Scotland, Africa, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Brazil and the U.S.
Segment 1: A Humanist Wedding and Funeral in Scotland
Scotland made national headlines in 2005 when the country hosted the first legally recognized humanist wedding. Derek Young and Clare Marsh, members of Humanist Society Scotland, share their stories of participating in humanist weddings and funerals in Scotland. Clare also shares her story of being a humanist teacher at a Catholic school in Scotland.
End: 15:05
Segment 2: Homosexuality and Humanist Activism in Africa
When Asaba Lawrence of Uganda hosted a humanist event where gays and lesbians were of course welcome, he lost his job because homosexuality is punishable by death. Asaba shares that story with Gea Meijers of Belgium. Lawrence belongs to the Uganda Humanist Association. Meijers works for the International Humanist and Ethical Union.
End: 25:07
Segment 3: Atheist Bloggers: Chicago & Malaysia
The Friendly Atheist blogger Hemant Mehta, of Chicago, speaks with the Malaysian atheist blogger of the Evolved & Rational blog. Because she is so outspoken about atheism and her attitude toward theists, this young female blogger tells Hemant that it would not be safe for her to return to Malaysia if she were to reveal her identity on her blog or on this podcast.
End: 35:50
Segment 4: Gender and Division of Labor in Brazil
Prof. Geraldo Adriana Godoy de Campos speaks with Juliana Lago, both of Brazil, about the division of labor between the sexes in Brazil. Juliana says she hopes to raise a family in which housework is spread equally between the men and women, even though that was not the case in the family she was raised.
End: 44:07
Segment 5: Listener Comments: Christian Death Metal Music
A listener responds to our interview with punk rocker Greg Graffin of the band Bad Religion. Listeners review the Humanist Network News podcast.
End: 51:51
Songs:
Another Sunny Day by Belle and Sebastian, from The Life Pursuit
Revolution (BOP Remix), from Oskidoâs Church Grooves 6
Listen
Aline de Lima "Terra" (mp3)
from "Arrebol"
(Naive) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at Rhapsody Stream from Rhapsody Buy at Napster Buy at Pure Tracks Buy at Amazon Buy at GroupieTunes Buy at mTraks Download More On This Album
Links:
Humanist Society Scotland | Uganda Humanist Society | International Humanist and Ethical Youth Organization | Evolved & Rational | Friendly Atheist | No Gods, No Guilt Podcast
Call the HNN listener Comment line: (877) 659-1515. - Humanist Network News #31 (29mb)
Fri, 30 May 2008 20:46:00 GMT
Summary: This month's Humanist Network News podcast is a special promotional show recorded for the World Humanist Congress of the International Humanist and Ethical Union which will be held in Washington DC from June 5-8, 2008. The program contains excerpts from dozens previously released HNN interviews.Guests include:
- E.O Wilson, Harvard Biologist and two time Pulitzer Prize winner
- Matthew Chapman, author, filmmaker and great-great grandson of Charles Darwin
- U.S. Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., the highest elected non-theist official in the U.S.
- Philip Pullman, author of The Golden Compass
- Sam Harris, author of The End of Faith
- Richard Dawkins, biologist, author of The God Delusion
- Daniel Dennett, author of Breaking the Spell
- Christopher Hitchens, author of God is Not Great
- Julia Sweeney, comedian of Saturday Night Live fame
- Mr. Deity (Brian Dalton), creator and star of the hit internet "tv" show
- Pastor Deacon Fred, Landover Baptist Church
- Dr. Marty Klein, Ph.D., sex therapist, author
- Holly Near, folk singer/activist
- Greg Graffin, lead singer of the punk rock band Bad Religion
- Sir. Salman Rushdie, novelist
- Molleen Matsumura "Sweet Reason", humanist advice columnist
- James Howard Kunstler, social critic, author of The Geography of Nowhere
- Dr. Richard Selzer, surgeon and author of Mortal Lessons
- The late Rabbi Sherwin Wine, founder of the Society of Humanistic Judaism
- Additional guests include children at humanist summer camp, international humanist students, professional humanist leaders, people in same-sex relationships, and people on the street.
Music:
- "I Ain't Afraid" by Holly Near. Album: Edge.
- "Why Didn't I Think of That" by Richard Milner, from the musical Charles Darwin Live & In Concert
- "Atheist Peace" by Bad Religion. Album: Empire Strikes First, Epitaph Records.
- "Molotov" by Greydon Square. Album: The Compton Effect
The Humanist Network News podcast is produced by the Institute for Humanist Studies and is the official podcast of the American Humanist Association.
Call the HNN listener Comment line: (877) 659-1515. - Humanist Network News #30 (25mb)
Thu, 1 May 2008 01:11:00 GMT
In this month's Humanist Network News audio podcast we speak to Greg Graffin, Ph.D., lead singer of the punk rock band Bad Religion and professor of life sciences at UCLA. This weekend at Harvard, Graffin received the lifetime achievement award in cultural humanism, given by the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard University.
Segment 1: AHA Adopts HNN podcast
Announcement: Starting this episode, the Humanist Network News audio podcast is now the official podcast of the American Humanist Association. The program will now be promoted to the more than 10,000 members of the AHA.
End: 3:09
Segment 2: Punk Rock, Biology, and Humanism
Song: "New Dark Ages" by Bad Religion. Album: Maps of Hell. Epitaph Records.
Interview: Harvard Sophomore Dan Robinson, president of the Harvard Secular Society, speaks with Greg Graffin, lead singer of Bad Religion. The punk rock philosopher explains the origins of the name Bad Religion and his role as a biology professor. As musician and biology professor, Graffin says he aims to entertain. Graffin also talks about his humanistic worldview, which he describes as naturalism.
Song: "Atheist Peace," by Bad Religion. Album: Empire Strikes First, Epitaph Records.
End: 34:48
Segment 2: Paradise is Now?
Listener Caller: A listener caller asks HNN co-hosts Jes and Duncan what their thoughts are on the concept of Paradise Now.
End: 39:11
Segment 3: I Ain't Afraid
Interview: Jes and Duncan reach into the HNN podcast vault to bring back an October 2006 interview with folk singer Holly Near, who wrote and performed the HNN podcast theme song, "I Ain't Afraid." Near is a human rights activist whose music carries a humanist message.
End: 49:55
Links:
Bad Religion Official Site | Epitaph Records | American Humanist Association | Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard | Harvard Secular Society | HollyNear.com
Call the toll-free HNN listener Comment line: (877) 659-1515. - Humanist Network News #29 (28mb)
Thu, 27 Mar 2008 01:29:00 GMT
In this month's Humanist Network News audio podcast we explore the human mind. Dr. J. Anderson Thomson, Jr. explores the psychological anatomy of a suicide bomber. Dr. Stephen Uhl shares his story of transformation from a sincere Catholic priest to an atheist psychologist.
Segment 1: Genetic Origins of Suicide Bombing
Dr. Andy Thomson explains the genetic origins of suicide bombing. In this segment we learn about the relationship between male bonded coalitions for violence, suicide, and religion. He also differentiates between male and female motivations for suicide terrorism.
End: 17:45
Segment 2: History of Suicide Bombing
Dr. Thomson tells the history of suicide terrorist attacks. Have there been any atheist suicide terrorist bombers? What is the antidote for suicide terrorism?
End: 39:00
Segment 3: From Catholic Priest to Atheist Psychologist
Dr. Stephen Frederick Uhl reads from No Gods, No Guilt the audio version of his book, Imagine No Superstition. Uhl reads an excerpt sharing the story of how he went from being a sincere Catholic Priest to an atheist psychologist.
End: 53:44
Segment 4: A Bible for Humanism?
Listener Comment: An HNN listener wants to know if atheism and humanism should be more organized and if there should be an atheist or humanist "bible."
End: 58:00
I Ain't Afraid (mp3)*
by Holly Near
from "Edge"
More about this song (HNN Theme Song).
lute "Sacred Flutes" (mp3)
from "Journeys of the Flute"
(Talking Taco Music) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at eMusic Buy at Napster Buy at Rhapsody Stream from Rhapsody Buy at Amazon Buy at GroupieTunes Buy at mTraks Download More On This Album
"Beija-Flor" by Uma Floresta.
Pacifika "Me Cai" (mp3)
from "AsunciÃÂn"
(Six Degrees Travel Series) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at GroupieTunes Buy at mTraks Download More On This AlbumAline de Lima "Terra" (mp3)
from "Arrebol"
(Naive) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at Napster Buy at Rhapsody Stream from Rhapsody Buy at Amazon Buy at GroupieTunes Buy at mTraks Download More On This Album
Links:
Richard Dawkins Foundation Video of Dr. Andy Thomson Presentation | Dr. Stephen Uhl Imagine No Superstition Website | Everything You Know about God is Wrong |
Note: To sponsor Humanist Network News Podast Co-Host Jes Constantine in her effort to raise money for the American Lung Cancer Association, click here
Call the HNN listener Comment line: 206-339-4168. - Humanist Network News #28 (27mb)
Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:53:00 GMT
8Segment 1: Introducing The Atheism Tapes
Richard Lorber is president and CEO of Lorber HT Digitial, a Manhattan production company that recently released Jonathan Miller's The Atheism Tapes on DVD under the Alive Mind Media label. The Atheism Tapes features interviews between Jonathan Miller and such notable thinkers as Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett and the late Arthur Miller. Lorber presents Jonathan Miller's interview with Arthur Miller (no relation) for HNN listeners.
End: 9:27
Segment 2: Arthur Miller on Religion and Disbelief
Interview: In this rare interview with Arthur Miller, the distinguished playwright speaks with Jonathan Miller about his skepticism of the unholy alliance between religion and politics. Arthur Miller looks back to his own early experiences of growing up in a Christian and surprisingly anti-Semitic country. Arthur Miller said he believes that religious faith probably survives because people find it so hard to cope with the death of their loved ones. His own beloved wife had only recently died and he talks about his own difficulties coping with her absence.
End: 37:15
Segment 3: The Business of Atheism
Interview: Alive Mind Media, the production label under which The Atheism Tapes was released on DVD, is part of a for-profit media company dedicated to exploring philosophy and spirituality from a secular perspective. HNN co-host Duncan Crary asks Richard Lorber: "is atheism profitable?"
End: 45:45
Segment 4: Listener Comments
HNN listeners react to past shows and suggest areas to explore in future programs.
End: 54:40
Songs:
I Ain't Afraid (mp3)*
by Holly Near
from "Edge"
More about this song (HNN Theme Song).
Ludwig van Beethoven "Pathetique Movement" (mp3)
from "Classics for the Heart"
(Domo Records) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at eMusic Buy at Napster Buy at Amazon Buy at GroupieTunes Buy at mTraks Download More On This Album
Tina Dico "Count to Ten" (mp3)
from "Count To Ten"
(Defend Music Inc.) Buy at iTunes Music Store (On the Run Single) More On This Album
The Shanghai Restoration Project, Julie Ann Sgroi "Last Night of the Dynasty" (mp3)
from "Story of a City"
(Undercover Culture Music) Buy at Amazon.com Buy at iTunes Music Store Stream from Rhapsody Buy at Rhapsody Buy at Amazon Buy at GroupieTunes Buy at mTraks Download More On This Album
Links:
Alive Mind Media | Secular Philosophy | Lorber HT Digital | The Atheism Tapes | A Brief History of Disbelief
Call the toll free HNN listener Comment line: (877) 659-1515.
- Humanist Network News #27 (31mb)
Wed, 30 Jan 2008 22:11:00 GMT
In this month's audio podcast we gear up for the 199th anniversary of Charles Darwin, which is celebrated around the world as Darwin Day on Feb. 12. Our first guest is Matthew Chapman, writer, director producer and great great grandson of Charles Darwin. Our second guest is anthropologist and songwriter Richard Milner, creator and star of the musical Charles Darwin Live & In Concert.
Segment 1: The Descent of Darwin
Interview: Matthew Chapman is a writer, director, film producer and the great great grandson of Charles Darwin. His book Trials of the Monkey: An Accidental Memoir tells of his experiences in Dayton, Tenn., where the famous "Scopes Monkey Trial" took place in 1925. Chapman's second book, 40 Days & 40 Nights is about his experience covering the 2005 Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District trial regarding the teaching of "intelligent design" in the public school classroom. HNN's Duncan Crary interviews Chapman by phone.
Segment 2: Charles Darwin Live & in Concert
Interview & Performance Recordings: Anthropologist-songwriter Richard Milner is the creator and star of the one-man musical: "Charles Darwin: Live & In Concert." Milner plays Darwin and many other characters as he follows the life of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution in this hilarious production. HNN's Jes Constantine interviews Milner by phone.
Songs:
"Somethin' to Decide" (Milner & Birnbaum)*
Performed with "Mojo" Freddie Birnbaum and the Bluesblasters
"Why Didn't I think of That?" (Milner & Semmelman)*
"Darwin's Nightmare" (Milner, Woram, & Sullivan)*
* From Charles Darwin Live & In Concert
"Charles Robert Darwin" by The Artichoke Band
"I Ain't Afraid", by Holly Near
Links:
http://matthewchapman.us | http://www.sciencedebate2008.com | http://www.darwinlive.com | http://darwinday.org
Call the HNN listener Comment line: (877) 659-1515. - Humanist Network News #26 (28mb)
Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:18:00 GMT
Summary: In HNN #26 we travel to Yale University to speak to former surgeon and author Dr. Richard Selzer about humanism and healing. Selzer's vivid autobiographical essays give us a rare glimpse into a surgeon's world. Selzer's literature marries the harsh realities of blood, broken bones and death with the compassionate reflections of a humanist and a healer. His books include: Mortal Lessons: Notes on the Art of Surgery, Confessions of a Knife, and Letters to a Young Doctor.
Segment 1: Faith, Atheism & Healing
Interview: Dr. Richard Selzer reads an excerpt from his memoir, Down From Troy: A Doctor Comes of Age. He speaks with HNN co-host Duncan Crary about his relationship to faith as a surgeon, an author and a humanist.
End: 19:30
Segment 2: The Surgeon as Priest
Interview: Selzer reads an excerpt of "The Surgeon As Priest" from Mortal Lessons. He talks about his decision to donate his body to science and shares his views on the religious controversies regarding stem-cell research and physician assisted suicide.
End: 33:15
Segment 3: Humanism & The Art of Surgery
Interview: Selzer reads another excerpt of "The Surgeon As Priest" from Mortal Lessons. He explains why he infuses humanistic ideas into his writing about surgery. Dr. Selzer also shows Duncan the Gutenberg Bible on display at the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.
End: 43:35
Segment 4: On Suburban Mega Churches
Listener Comment: In response to last month's interview with suburban sprawl critic James Howard Kunstler, HNN listener Charles Sontag points out that rise of suburban mega churches has had a negative impact on politics, social relations and religion.
End: 48:30
Segment 5: Answering to the Swedes
Interview:Swedish physicist SÃren Holst visited the Institute for Humanist Studies to learn about humanism in the United States. This is an excerpt from his conversation with IHS President Larry Jones regarding the separation of religion and government.
End: 58:00
Songs:
I Ain't Afraid (mp3)*
by Holly Near
from "Edge"
More about this song (HNN Theme Song).
SIRSY
"Fireflies"
from "Revolution"
Buy at iTunes
John Parkes "Darkness" (mp3)
from "Faithlessnessless"
(AAZ Records) More On This Album
Keller Williams "Breathe" (mp3)
from "12"
(SCI Fidelity Records) More On This Album
The London Symphony Orchestra "Nutcracker Ballet Suite" (mp3)
from "Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite / 1812 Overture"
(Everest Records) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at eMusic Buy at Napster Buy at Amazon Buy at GroupieTunes More On This Album
Call the toll-free HNN listener Comment line: (877) 659-1515.
- Humanist Network News #25 (29mb)
Wed, 28 Nov 2007 19:20:00 GMT
In this month's audio podcast Humanist Network News interviews author Philip Pullman about the religious protest of The Golden Compass, a new film based on his fantasy novel. Also, suburban sprawl critic James Howard Kunstler speaks to HNN about how and why Americans need to re-think the spaces they inhabit.
Segment 1: Author Philip Pullman on The Golden Compass as an atheist film
Interview: Matt Cherry speaks by phone with British author Philip Pullman, whose book The Golden Compass recently premiered as a film starring Nicole Kidman. Christian organizations are boycotting the film because they claim it teaches children anti-religious values. Cherry speaks with Pullman about the author's non-religious worldview, the controversy surrounding the film and the humanist values that may be contained within Pullman's fantasy books for children.
End: 24:19
Listener Comment: An HNN listener shares his families concerns about coming out as an atheist in a small town.
End: 25:28
Segment 2: Author James Howard Kunstler on the human habitat
Interview: Duncan Crary interviews James Howard Kunstler, author of The Geography of Nowhere and The Long Emergency, about "the human habitat." Kunstler is one of the loudest critics of suburban sprawl and the damage that poorly designed communities are doing to the human spirit, the American economy and the planet. Kunstler predicts the end of the cheap oil fiasco is near and that humans -- especially Americans -- will need to re-think how and where they live. This interview was recorded in Kunstler's home near Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
End: 59:42
Songs:
I Ain't Afraid (mp3)*
by Holly Near
from "Edge"
More about this song (HNN Theme).
Carly Comando "Everyday" (mp3)
from "Everyday"
(Deep Elm) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at eMusic Stream from Rhapsody Buy at Napster Buy at Rhapsody Buy at GroupieTunes
Buy at DownloadPunk More On This Album
Broken Social Scene Presents: Kevin Drew "Tbtf" (mp3)
from "Spirit If..."
(Arts & Crafts) Buy at Rhapsody Buy at Napster Stream from Rhapsody More On This Album
Links:
Philip Pullman | The Golden Compass Movie | James Howard Kunstler | TED: Kunstler | HNN Podcast Page | TIME: Sunday School for Atheists
Call the HNN listener Comment line: 206-339-4168.
- Humanist Network News #24 (29mb)
Thu, 25 Oct 2007 01:42:00 GMT
In this month's audio podcast we celebrate our program's two-year anniversary by interviewing Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett and Christopher Hitchens. HNN's Duncan Crary interviewed these best-selling authors, a.k.a. "The New Atheists", at the Atheist Alliance International annual conference in September. At the conference, Harris, author of "The End of Faith," told the crowd that they should not identify with the atheist label. Dawkins, Dennett and Hitchens react. So does the Rational Response Squad and Pastor Deacon Fred of the Landover Baptist Church. Also, Sweet Reason gives advice on "coming out" as an atheist.
Segment 1: Sam Harris on "The Problem of Atheism"
Interview: Sam Harris, author of The End of Faith explains why people should not identify as atheists, humanists or Brights. Harris also says that religion testifies (more or less) to the possibility of extraordinary self-transformation, which is why he feels that we must develop a scientific language for talking about "mysticism" or "spirituality." (End: 14:06)
Interview: Daniel Dennett, author of Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon responds to Harris. Dennett recognizes the problems of the atheist label, but thinks it needs to be reclaimed and not discarded. He says religion cannot be exterminated, but it can be encouraged to be more socially benign. (End: 16:55)
Interview: Prof. Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion responds to Harris. He also speaks about The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Science and Reason and his newest idea to write a children's book. (End: 27:39)
Interview: Christopher Hitchens, author of God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything, responds to Harris and explains why avoiding the term atheist is inescapable. Hitchens also shares his thoughts on atheist organizations. (End: 32:23)
Interview: Brian "Sapient" and Kelly M. of the Rational Response Squad react to Sam Harris's "seditious proposal" and offer a new challenge to humanists. (End: 43:54)
Interview: Pastor Deacon Fred of the Landover Baptist Church responds to Harris, blasts Harry Potter and prays for Humanist Network News listeners. (End: 47:32)
Segment 2: Sweet Reason on Coming Out as an Atheist
Audio Advice Column: Molleen Matsumura, the voice of "Sweet Reason" responds to a question from Tom about coming out to his family as an atheist.
End: 55:52
Segment 3: Please Support the HNN Podcast
Message: Did you know that Americans donated $97 billion to religion in 2006? What can you do to help humanists make our voice of reason and compassion heard? Nancy Buxton, development coordinator of the Institute for Humanist Studies, has a special message to Humanist Network News listeners.
End: 58:30
Songs:
Public Enemy Featuring Paris "Hell No, We Aint Alright" (mp3)
from "Remix of a Nation"
(Guerrilla Funk Recordings) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at Rhapsody Buy at Napster Stream from Rhapsody More On This Album
Pieces of Peace "Pollution" (mp3)
from "Pieces of Peace"
(Quannum Projects) Buy at Amazon.com Buy at Other Music Buy at Amazon.com Buy at Other Music Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at Napster More On This Album
The Czech Nonet "Octet-Serenade / Dvorjak Op. 22" (mp3)
from "Dedicated To The Czech Nonet"
(Campion) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at Napster More On This Album
"Oh! Billy," from Revolution, by Sirsy
www.sirsy.com
Links:
Atheist Alliance International | Sam Harris Official Website | Richard Dawkins Foundation for Science and Reason | The Official Richard Dawkins Website | Daniel Dennett | Rational Response Squad | Landover Baptist Church | Sweet Reason, the Humanist Advice Column - Humanist Network News #23 (29mb)
Thu, 27 Sep 2007 00:56:00 GMT
Summary: In this month's audio podcast we interview U.S. Representative Pete Stark, the highest elected official in the United States to openly acknowledge that he does not believe in a supreme being. We hear from Tom, an atheist volunteer working to make the world a better place. Some humanist university students in Edinburgh, Scotland tell us about their new campus group. Norwegian journalist Evan Gran observed us recording this show for an article in Fri Tanke Magazine. Gran tell us a little about humanism in the media in Norway.
Segment 1: U.S. Rep. Pete Stark, Nontheist
Interview: Rep. Pete Stark (D-California) is the highest elected official in the United States to acknowledge openly that he is a nontheist. Congressman Stark is a Unitarian who does not believe in a supreme being. Duncan Crary interviews Rep. Stark at Harvard University, where the congressman was honored as the "Harvard Humanist of the Year" Lincoln Lecturer. The event was sponsored by the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard. This segment also includes excerpts from Stark's talk and interview reactions from Woody Kaplan, chair of the Secular Coalition for America Advisory board, and Amanda Philips, third year law student at Harvard and co-founder of the Harvard Law School Heathen Society.
End 23:34
Segment 2: Atheist Volunteers
Interview: Though atheists are the most distrusted minority group in the U.S., many atheists are moral upstanding citizens willing and eager to help the community. This segment features a young man who organized a project called AtheistVolunteers.org. His name is Tom, but he asked not to use his last name in our show because he has not come out fully about his atheism.
End: 37:55
Humanist Students in Scotland
Interview: Brendan Dieffenbach, intern of the Secular Student Alliance, interviews Roger Redondo and Stuart Ritchie, members of the The Edinburgh University Humanist Society. This is a newly formed humanist student organization in Scotland.
End: 52:19
Segment 4: The Norwegian Press
Interview: Even Gran, journalist for the Norwegian magazine Fri Tanke, joins Jes and Duncan in the recording room. Even is writing a story about the HNN podcast, but we won't know what he has to say unless someone helps us translate the article from Norwegian to English!
End: 58:58
Songs:
Cannonball Jane
"Such Is the Score" (mp3)
from "Street Vernacular"
(Gaddycat Records)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album
Build An Ark "Dawn" (mp3)
from "Dawn"
(Shaman Work) Buy at iTunes Music Store More On This Album
Frightened Rabbit "Be Less Rude" (mp3)
from "Sing the Greys"
(Fat Cat Records) More On This Album
Links:
Harvard Law School Heathens Society | Secular Coalition for America | U.S. Rep. Pete Stark | Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard | Jesse "The Body" Ventura | Atheist Volunteers | Edinburgh University Humanist Society | Fri Tanke Magazine
NOW TOLL FREE! Call the HNN listener Comment line: 1-877-659-1515.
- Humanist Network News #22 (29mb)
Thu, 30 Aug 2007 00:14:00 GMT
The focus of today's program is the international humanist youth movement. We present to you a special dispatch from Nepal, with recordings from the Fifth Annual Conference of the International Humanist and Ethical Youth Organization (IHEYO) Conference, held in Vijayawada, India from Oct. 29, to Nov. 4, 2006.
Segment 1: International Humanist Youth in India
The Society for Humanism (SOCH) Nepal reports on the IHEYO Conference held in India. This segment includes recordings from the speakers at the conference with commentary.
End: 16:45
Segment 2: Humanism in the East and West
Our guest hosts in Nepal interview conference attendees about the struggles of humanists in Asia.
End: 29:37
Segment 3: Humanist Youth Speak Up
Our guest hosts in Nepal ask young European and Asian humanists what they have learned from each other.
End: 59:30
Songs: "What All the Screaming's About?" by David Rand (Harvard University) Robot Goes Here
Links: Society for Humanism (SOCH) Nepal | International Humanist And Ethical Youth Organization | International Humanist and Ethical Union | Secular Student Alliance
Call the HNN listener Comment line: 1-877-659-1515 (Toll Free) - Humanist Network News #21 (29mb)
Wed, 25 Jul 2007 19:52:00 GMT
Summary: The topic of this month's audio podcast is Camp Quest, the sleepaway summer camp for children from humanist, atheist and other freethinking families. Amanda Metskas is president of Camp Quest, Inc., the national umbrella organization that gives organizational support to six Camp Quest programs located throughout North America. Throughout our show, we hear from the campers and counselors of Camp Quest West in California and Camp Quest Ohio.
Segment 1: Camp Quest Campers
Interview: Amanda Metskas, president of Camp Quest, Inc. tells HNN co-hosts Duncan and Jes all about Camp Quest. Metskas also shares audio interviews she recorded for HNN with Camp Quest West campers this summer.
End: 20:42
Segment 2: Camp Quest Counselors
Interview: Metskas describes what she's doing to strengthen Camp Quest and to develop new programs in other parts of North America. She also shares audio interviews she recorded for HNN with the counselors of Camp Quest West this summer.
End: 37:33
Segment 3: A Humanist Campfire Story
Audio Story: Trevor Ley reads "The Physician and the Priest" by the Rev. James Huber. This is a "humanist myth" that has been told around the Camp Quest campfire.
End: 45:28
Segment 4: In Memory of an Atheist Rabbi
Speech: HNN remembers Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine, founder of Humanistic Judaism. A recent guest on the HNN Audio Podcast, Rabbi Wine, 79, was killed in a car crash on July 21, 2007. We speak about Wine's legacy and play recordings of a speech he delivered alongside Salman Rushdie at The New Humanism Conference this April.*
*Audio recordings courtesy of the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard University.
End: 59:48
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HNN PODCAST WEB EXTRA
To listen to Rabbi Wine's entire speech from The New Humanism Conference, click the following link:
http://media.libsyn.com/media/ihs/HNN_SherwinWine_WebExtra.mp3.mp3
(This file will not appear in your podcast subscription. You can only listen to it here)
__________________________________
Songs:
"Hello Mudda, Hello Faddah (A Letter from Camp Grenada)," by Allan Sherman.
"Astropop," by Lourds
Links:
Camp Quest | "The Physician and the Priest" by the Rev. James Huber | Trevor Ley | Society for Humanistic Judaism | Sherwin Wine Remembered by Harvard Humanist Chaplaincy | IHS Grant Fund | Secular Student Alliance Seeking Fall Interns - Humanist Network News #20 (22mb)
Wed, 27 Jun 2007 15:59:00 GMT
This month's guests on the HNN Audio Podcast are Harvard Law Prof. Alan M. Dershowitz, Humanistic Judaism founder Rabbi Sherwin Wine, and student gay rights activist Erin Davies of the "Fag Bug" project.
Segment 1: Rushdie honor inflames Muslim world
Update: Jes and Duncan give a brief update on recent HNN podcast guest Salman Rushdie. Rushdie was recently knighted by Queen Elizabeth. Muslims in Iran and Pakistan are threatening violence.
End: 3:05
Segment 2: Secular Government and Human Rights
Interview: Duncan interviews Harvard Law Prof. Alan M. Dershowitz on the steps of Harvard. Dershowitz muses on why "secular" has become a dirty word and explains why secular law is necessary to ensure human rights for believers and non-believers alike.
End: 7:00
Segment 3: What is Humanistic Judaism?
Interview: Duncan Crary and Matt Cherry speak to Rabbi Sherwin Wine, founder of the international movement known as Humanistic Judaism. Wine explains why about half of all Jews describe themselves as "secular." He also explains the ceremonies performed by atheist rabbis like himself.
End: 28:01
Segment 4: Fagbug Teaches People About Homophobia
Interview: Jes Constantine speaks to Erin Davies, a graduate student, about her national tour to raise awareness about homophobia. When Davies discovered that her car was vandalized with anti gay slurs because of a gay pride rainbow sticker she was hurt. Then she decided to leave the slurs on her car and bring it on the road to show people first-hand the ugliness of homophobia and prejudice.
End: 44:00
Songs:
- "A Besere Velt (A Better World)" Yiddish Chorus of the Workmen's Circle, directed by Lisa Gallatin.*
- "Brudershaft Lid" by M.Birnbaum, arranged by L. Gallatin*
- "Yungnt Himen" text by S. Kacerginski, music by B. Rubin, arranged by Z. Mlotek, adapted by L. Gallatin. *
Links:
Society for Humanistic Judaism | Fag Bug | The New Humanism Conference | Harvard Humanist Chaplaincy - Humanist Network News #19 (21mb)
Wed, 30 May 2007 05:05:00 GMT
In HNN Audio Podcast #19, our humanist advice columnist "Sweet Reason" helps acclaimed novelist and humanist Salman Rushdie take another look at religious language. Duncan Crary speaks with two-time Pulitzer Prize winning Harvard biologist and secular humanist E.O. Wilson. Jes Constantine interviews folk singer Dar Williams, winner of the "Humanist Album of the Year". All interviews were recorded face-to-face at The New Humanism Conference hosted by Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard on April 20-22.
Segment 1: Sweet Reason on Language for the Nonreligious
Advice Column: Molleen Matsumura, creator of the "Sweet Reason" humanist advice column, responds to novelist Salman Rushdie's question about finding nonreligious language as powerful and beautiful as its religious equivalent.
End 10:36
Segment 2: Humanist Biologist E.O.Wilson on religion and environmentalism
Interview: Two-time pulitzer prize winning Harvard biologist E.O. Wilson speaks with Duncan Crary about his recent efforts to gain support for science among religious fundamentalists.
End 22:13
Segment 3: Dar Williams, "Humanist Album of the Year" Winner
Interview: Folk singer Dar Williams speaks to Jes Constantine about the humanist themes in her music. This segment includes live musical performances from the April New Humanism Conference hosted by the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard University. Songs include: "Christians and the Pagans" (live)*, "Teen for God" (live)*, and "Echoes" from the album My Better Self.
*Recordings provided courtesy of the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard University
End 42:24
Theme Song
I Ain't Afraid (mp3)*
by Holly Near
from "Edge"
More about this song (HNN Theme Song).
Links:
E.O. Wilson | The New Humanism Conference | Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard University | SIRSY | Dar Williams
Call the HNN listener Comment line: (877) 659-1515. - Humanist Network News #18 (30mb)
Thu, 3 May 2007 02:39:00 GMT
In HNN Audio Podcast #18, we interview acclaimed novelist and humanist Salman Rushdie about the organized humanist movement and the relationship between the novel and humanist thought. This show also contains live recordings of the April 20 ceremony hosted by the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard honoring Salman Rushdie with the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award in Cultural Humanism. The ceremony , which took place in the Memorial Chapel at Harvard Yard, marked the beginning of The New Humanism conference.
Segment 1: Pinker & Goldstein on Salman Rushdie
Ceremony Recording: Renowned cognitive scientist Steven Pinker and philosopher Rebecca Goldstein speak about being humanists and introduce Salman Rushdie during the opening night of The New Humanism conference hosted by the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard University.*
End: 8:12
Segment 2: Salman Rushdie Accepts Cultural Humanism Award
Ceremony Recording: Salman Rushdie accepts the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award in Cultural Humanism given by the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard University. Rushdie speaks about humanism and his work as a writer.*
End: 23:37
Segment 3: Q & A With Salman Rushdie
Ceremony Recording: Salman Rushdie takes questions from the audience of The New Humanism conference. He shares his thoughts on the aggressive style of "The New Atheists," The Satanic Verses fatwa controversy, and gives advice to aspiring writers.*
End: 42:37
Segment 4: HNN Interviews Salman Rushdie about Organized Humanism
Interview: Duncan Crary and Matt Cherry, both of the Institute for Humanist Studies, interview Salman Rushdie about his thoughts on organized humanism and the role of fiction in humanist thought. Rushdie asks a question for humanist advice columnist Molleen Matsumura, a.k.a. "Sweet Reason."
End: 50:02
Segment 5: Coming up! E.O. Wilson, Dar Williams, Allan Dershowitz
Promo: During The New Humanism conference, the HNN Audio Podcast team recorded more than a dozen interviews with humanists from around the world. Here is an audio montage featuring sound bites from interviews to come on the HNN Audio Podcast.
End: 60:34
Songs:
Live performances by the Turkish Troubadours*
"When I was a Boy", by Dar Williams. (Live performance)*
I Ain't Afraid (mp3)*
by Holly Near
from "Edge"
More about this song (HNN Theme Song).
Links:
Salman Rushdie | Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard University | The New Humanism conference website | Photos from The New Humanism conference | photos by Hannah Thiem | A Brief History of Disbelief
*Recordings provided courtesy of the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard University
Call the HNN listener Comment line: (877) 659-1515. - Humanist Network News #17 (31mb)
Wed, 28 Mar 2007 16:02:00 G