Chariots of Iron

We continue our discussion on the historicity of Jesus with Rene Salm, author of The Myth Of Nazareth: The Invented Town Of Jesus. Rene talks about his extensive research into the first century town of Nazareth, and his conclusion that it didn’t exist.

Before the interview, Eli and Lamar ramble about religious debates on immigration, gay rights vs. chaplain rights, Indianapolis public schools internet banned list and Iran’s wonderful record on liberty and justice for women.

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Richard Haynes, Life Without Faith blogger and director of Atheist Nexus, joins us for a discussion about the future of Atheist Nexus and and the atheist community in general. But, before that, Eli and Lamar talk about Australia’s atheist prime minister, the secular billboard campaign in North Carolina, the crazy that is Sharron Angle, the Belgian raids on Catholic institutions, homeopathy getting dropped from the NHS, and listener mail.

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Dr. Darrel Ray makes his second appearance on Chariots of Iron, almost a full year after our “Inoculating Against the God Virus” episode. This time around, Darrel discusses his work doing leadership conferences, his Recovering Religionists organization and everyone’s favorite fellating, tweaker evangelist Ted Haggard.

Before the interview: Jew on Jew ethnic prejudice, a minor digression on claims of antisemitism, Mark Souder blames extramarital affair on inefficacy of prayer, radiocarbon dating proved effective yet again and the reasons atheists should celebrate holidays regardless of their religious roots.

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Frank Zindler, author of The Jesus the Jews Never Knew, joins the show for a discussion about the historicity of Jesus; specifically the evidence, or lack of evidence, from often cited Jewish sources. This is the first part of what will become a multi-part series on the historicity of Jesus. Before the interview, Lamar and Eli talk about recent poll numbers inspired by the National Day of Prayer controversy, Catholic bishops taking a stand against ENDA, creationism in Russia and Bill Nye the Science Guy being named Humanist of the Year.

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Filmmaker, Roger Nygard, joins us to to talk about the big questions and discuss his new documentary, The Nature of Existence. Roger put a questionnaire on his site asking visitors to discuss what they believe, and encourages you all to check it out and give your own answers to life’s big questions.

Before the interview, Eli and Lamar discuss some of the crazy stuff they’ve seen in the news lately, such as: Billy Joel’s daughter attempting suicide with a homeopathic overdose, one man standing up to the Christian infiltration of the military, new science that totally proves God’s existence, a new kind of mile high club, and Pelosi pandering to papists.

Also on this show, just before dedicating it to the now deceased heavy metal legend Ronnie James Dio, Eli and Lamar offer a farewell toast to, Joe, their fellow podcaster and co-founder. The three parted company last week and this is the first episode after the line-up change. You can still hear Joe on the Atheist News podcast where he and Brother Richard continue to dish on the crazies while Eli and Lamar forge ahead with Chariots of Iron.

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With our sincere apologies, we bring you our very late, latest episode. Please forgive our tardiness and our wretched sound quality. When I say wretched sound quality, I mean fucking awful. In this episode, we discuss the Tea Party, Hutaree and America’s angry political climate. We’re fortunate enough to be Joined by Brother Richard, who brings some political balance to the discussion.

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Hey folks, if you haven’t noticed by now, episode 50 is a little late in coming, so we’re proud to announce the first (and possibly only) half-episode. If you’ve listened to show 49 you’ll know that Eli attended the American Atheist Convention in Newark, New Jersey recently. While there he had a chance to sit down with Sean Faircloth, former 10-year Maine State Senator and current Executive Director of the Secular Coalition for America and conduct a brief interview.

For those of you used to our more “jocular” interviews this is sure to disappoint, it is high on information and low on dick jokes. Eli has promised to do better next time.

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This week we were very excited to have our buddy Kurt, the co-coordinator of our local CFI chapter in the studio with us to talk about building atheist communities and why he thinks it’s important. We learned a lot about what the CFI does and how one would go about setting up a CFI affiliate in their own town–which appears to be surprisingly easy.

Kurt also brought us some beer, and Eli busted out some bourbon, so we were a little buzzed for the show and giggled like children through the whole thing. We are now wrestling with the sad truth that we are far more entertaining when slightly drunk, and may need to start budgeting for a couple of six-packs every show just to meet our own expectations.

Note to Knitting Posse: Kurt wants to purchase a pirate beanie; your fame is spreading!

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Larry Anderson, star of the 40 minute Scientology film Orientation, joins Joe and Eli for a rousing conversation about the auditing, e-meters, Battlefield Earth, Cult of Xenu and the money they owe him for services not rendered. But, before the interview, Lamar, Eli and Joe discuss current events; namely, they dish on Glenn Beck, the Tea Party morons and wingnut climate change deniers. After that they read listener mail and reexamine the words “retard” and “retarded” when used to describe creationists, faith healers, new-age hippies and the angry white men of neoconservative punditry.

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Brian Dalton, writer, directer, producer and star of the hit webshow Mr. Deity joins us for a fantastic conversation that spans everything from Battered Species Syndrome to cosmic cheesecake and everything in between (whatever that might be.) We talk a lot about the Mr. Deity show and its cast, some other projects they have done as well as a book that Brian is currently working on that is focused on the Mr. Deity universe.

We all had a great time talking with Mr. Dalton. If you haven’t already, go check out Mr. Deity and all of Brian and Co.’s other projects over at mrdeity.com!

In the news: fail-safe fabricated to protect religion’s right to be douchey, brain damage makes you religious and Iraqi government pulls 50% of its head out of its ass.

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