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.

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 "Asunción"
(Six Degrees Travel Series)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at GroupieTunes
Buy at mTraks Download
More On This Album



Aline 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.

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.

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.

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 Sören 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.

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.

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

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.

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)

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

__________________________________

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