Episode 23: Morality and the Decline of Religion, with Dr. Phil Zuckerman

Episode 23: Morality and the Decline of Religion, with Dr. Phil Zuckerman

This week’s guest drops some shocking information: not only is religion declining around the globe, but atheists are proving to be more moral than fundamentalist Christians. To discuss how this came to be, we’re joined by Phil Zuckerman, a professor of sociology at Pitzer College in Claremont, California, and the author of several books, including What It Means to be Moral, The Nonreligious, Living the Secular Life, Faith No More, and Society Without God. Among other things, we talk about the evidence for and causes of secularization, the future of religion, and the roots of morality. We also find out, for example, whether a true secular person can have sex outside the holy bonds of marriage or tell their kids about Santa.
In the bonus section, available on Patreon exclusively for subscribers, we talk about Phil’s establishment of the first Secular Studies program in the world at Pitzer College and whether academics are paying enough attention to the massive decline of religion.
For more on Phil and his works: https://philzuckerman.com/
Phil’s latest article in Salon, “Staunch atheists show higher morals than the proudly pious, from the pandemic to climate change”: https://www.salon.com/2021/08/21/staunch-atheists-show-higher-morals-than-the-proudly-pious-from-the-pandemic-to-climate-change/
New edition of Society without God: What the Least Religious Nations Can Tell Us about Contentment: https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.18574/9781479851119/html
Upcoming virtual book launch (September 15th) for the two-volume Cambridge History of Atheism: https://atheismsecularismhumanism.wordpress.com/seminars/
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 You can also contribute by going to https://anchor.fm/beyond-atheism and clicking the “Support” button. We are grateful for every contribution.

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Ep. 75: The Awakening – Joseph Lyttleton

Ep. 75: The Awakening – Joseph Lyttleton

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Ep. 74: Humanism and Neurodiversity – Alastair Lichten

Ep. 74: Humanism and Neurodiversity – Alastair Lichten

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 ...

2 Heinä 20251h 4min

Ep. 73: Unbelief in Iran, Past and Present – Arash Ghajarjazi

Ep. 73: Unbelief in Iran, Past and Present – Arash Ghajarjazi

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 o...

27 Touko 20251h 13min

Ep. 72: The Omega Course – Paul Clark

Ep. 72: The Omega Course – Paul Clark

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-ol...

4 Maalis 20251h 5min

Ep. 71: What is a Humanist Celebrant? – Sarah Ray

Ep. 71: What is a Humanist Celebrant? – Sarah Ray

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30 Joulu 20241h 11min

Ep. 70: How to Build a Secular Country – Maggie Ardiente

Ep. 70: How to Build a Secular Country – Maggie Ardiente

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...

25 Loka 20241h 12min

Ep. 69: What is a Humanist Parent? – Alastair Lichten

Ep. 69: What is a Humanist Parent? – Alastair Lichten

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 humani...

2 Elo 20241h 24min

Ep. 68: Why Do We Have a Bible? – Jacob L. Wright

Ep. 68: Why Do We Have a Bible? – Jacob L. Wright

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 Script...

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