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Beyond Atheism Podcast

Beyond Atheism Podcast

By: Atheists United Studios
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 The Beyond Atheism Podcast moves beyond questions of God’s existence to ask: what now? What should atheists and other nonreligious people be doing next in a godless world? What does it mean to be an atheist today? Is there an atheist worldview? Is there an atheist politics?

Hosted by Nathan Alexander, a historian of atheism and author of Race in a Godless World: Atheism, Race, and Civilization, 1850-1914, and Todd Tavares, a political science scholar and atheist organizer, the podcast asks big questions and aims to discover answers through discussion and debate. Join us!Copyright Atheists United Studios Spirituality
Episodes
  • Ep. 74: Humanism and Neurodiversity – Alastair Lichten

    Ep. 74: Humanism and Neurodiversity – Alastair Lichten
    Jul 2 2025
    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.social
    Nathan’s website: https://www.nathangalexander.com/

    Beyond Atheism is produced and distributed by Atheists United Studios: https://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Ep. 73: Unbelief in Iran, Past and Present – Arash Ghajarjazi

    Ep. 73: Unbelief in Iran, Past and Present – Arash Ghajarjazi
    May 27 2025
    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-036621176
    On X: @arashghajarjazi
    Arash’s new book, Remembering Khayyam: Episodes of Unbelief in the Reception Histories of Persian Quatrains: https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783111626017/html
    And the video trailer of the book: https://youtu.be/A7Z4ZtUQlnU?si=NO8nX3eZjBNNqzJd
    Beyond 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.social
    Nathan’s website: https://www.nathangalexander.com/

    Beyond Atheism is produced and distributed by Atheists United Studios: https://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Ep. 72: The Omega Course – Paul Clark

    Ep. 72: The Omega Course – Paul Clark
    Mar 4 2025
    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.social
    Nathan’s website: https://www.nathangalexander.com/

    Beyond Atheism is produced and distributed by Atheists United Studios: https://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios
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    1 hr and 6 mins
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