Thank God I'm Atheist

It's that time of year again: the War on Christmas is back—and wilder than ever. This week, Dan and Kate dive into the bizarre conservative outrage over a nativity scene depicting the Holy Family as migrants detained by ICE. Right-wing commentators are furious, churches are divided, and somehow this one small display has become a national symbol of everything they think is wrong with America. We unpack the theology, the politics, and the truly unhinged reactions.

Then we get into a whole slate of religious weirdness from around the country:

• A Florida attorney general tries to shut down a Drag Queen Christmas performance

• Christian rock band Skillet is accused of releasing "demonic" holiday music

• West Virginia courts weaken vaccine mandates in the name of religious liberty

• BYU football players quietly scale back their missionary service

• A Tennessee woman stages a fake kidnapping "lesson" for kids that backfires spectacularly

And for our final segment, Dan dives into research on how former members of insular religious communities talk about forgiveness—and how that differs from what their traditions demand.

Nothing says "holiday spirit" quite like Christian leaders panicking over a goth-themed Christmas market, and their dramatic meltdown is far more entertaining than anything on the vendor tables.

From there, we look at an Oklahoma student stunned that her Bible-based gender essay didn't pass a psychology assignment, the Vatican's latest attempt to police monogamy, and a disturbing story out of South Africa where a pastor's self-appointed authority went far beyond anything resembling justice. Back in Utah, Sweet Salt—an LDS modest-fashion clothing store—is shutting down, and in Austria, three elderly nuns have staged a bold return to their abbey with the help of an unexpectedly large Instagram following.

In our closing segment, Dan shares a thoughtful and deeply personal reflection on the recent passing of his mother—an honest conversation about compassion, autonomy, and the realities families face.

SCOTUS just delivered a win for marriage equality. After nearly a decade of appeals, lawsuits, and national drama, the Supreme Court has officially declined to hear Kim Davis' case challenging gay marriage… leaving the original ruling in place and the former county clerk on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars. What does this mean for gay marriage going forward? We break it all down.

This week's episode dives into the biggest religion-and-politics stories making headlines:

• SCOTUS rejects Kim Davis • Marriage equality remains intact
• U.S. Catholic Bishops elect a far-right "culture warrior" to lead the conference
• Transgender Air Force veterans sue the military after losing retirement benefits
• HVAC tech sues employer for forcing him to work with women (Billy Graham Rule meltdown)
• Pastors running as Democrats in 2026 races
• The UK is building a 168-foot monument to "answered prayers" (and it's… actually cool?)
• Plus, this year's Holiday Survival Guide for atheists navigating religious family gatherings.

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