Beyond Atheism Podcast

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/theawakeningjlJoseph’s Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/10cities10years.bsky.socialJoseph’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/10cities10yearsFollow Nathan on Bluesky: @nathgalexander.bsky.socialNathan’s website: https://www.nathangalexander.com/ Beyond Atheism is produced and distributed by Atheists United Studios: https://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios

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.socialNathan’s website: https://www.nathangalexander.com/ Beyond Atheism is produced and distributed by Atheists United Studios: https://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios 

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-036621176On X: @arashghajarjaziArash’s new book, Remembering Khayyam: Episodes of Unbelief in the Reception Histories of Persian Quatrains: https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783111626017/htmlAnd the video trailer of the book: https://youtu.be/A7Z4ZtUQlnU?si=NO8nX3eZjBNNqzJdBeyond 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.socialNathan’s website: https://www.nathangalexander.com/ Beyond Atheism is produced and distributed by Atheists United Studios: https://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios 

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.socialNathan’s website: https://www.nathangalexander.com/ Beyond Atheism is produced and distributed by Atheists United Studios: https://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios

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.orgHumanist Trek Podcast: humanisttrek.comFollow Nathan on BlueSky: @nathgalexander.bsky.socialBeyond Atheism is produced and distributed by Atheists United Studios: https://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios 

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.socialBeyond Atheism is produced and distributed by Atheists United Studios: https://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios 

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

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

In this episode, we’re joined by Elliot Hanowski, a Canadian historian and author of Towards a Godless Dominion: Unbelief in Interwar Canada (McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2023). We discuss the small but vocal atheist and secular movement in 1920s and 1930s Canada. Elliot explains how this period represents an important link between the nineteenth-century freethought movement and the explosive, radical change of the 1960s. We learn how atheist groups developed alliances with socialists and communists and became a part of the free speech movement in “Toronto the Good.” We also reflect on what lessons these past experiences can offer for present-day secularists. Finally, we learn whether a “True Agnostic” can hate religious people.Towards a Godless Dominion: Unbelief in Interwar Canada: https://www.mqup.ca/towards-a-godless-dominion-products-9780228018834.php?page_id=46& Beyond Atheism is produced and distributed by Atheists United Studios: https://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios

In this episode, we’re joined by David Newheiser, a Senior Research Fellow in the Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry at Australian Catholic University, and the editor of the book, The Varieties of Atheism (2022). We learn about how David went through a heresy trial when he was a teenager and how this shaped his views of religion. We talk about the complex historical roots of atheism, the potential for a positive atheist identity, and how atheists and theists can communicate better. We also learn whether a True Atheist can have hope for the future.In the bonus section, available to supporters on Patreon, we talk about David’s surprising philosophical influences and how studying atheism helps to understand religion better.For more on David: https://dnewheiser.net/David’s recent edited book, The Varieties of Atheism: Connecting Religion and Its Critics: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/V/bo182880666.html Find David on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newheisereye/And on Twitter and Threads: @dnewheiser Follow Nathan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NathGAlexander Nathan’s website: https://www.nathangalexander.com/ If you find the podcast valuable and want to support it, check out our Patreon page, where you will also find bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/beyond_atheism We are grateful for every contribution.Beyond Atheism is produced and distributed by Atheists United Studios: https://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios