Episode 35: A Religious History of American Secularism, with Dr. Leigh Eric Schmidt

Episode 35: A Religious History of American Secularism, with Dr. Leigh Eric Schmidt

In this episode, we are joined by Leigh Eric Schmidt, the Edward C. Mallinckrodt Distinguished University Professor in the Humanities at Washington University in St. Louis, and the author of a new book, The Church of Saint Thomas Paine: A Religious History of American Secularism. In a far ranging discussion we learn why after his death the eighteenth-century radical Thomas Paine went from disgraced Founding Father to the patron saint of the freethought movement. As the freethought movement in the early United States began to form it was guided not only by Paine's words, but also by quests for his literal bones. Leigh highlights how much early secularists were driven by the desire to make new religions and how a landmark court ruling would accidentally make secular humanists a Reagan-era bogeyman. We also learn whether a true “Painite” can believe in an afterlife or work for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
In the bonus section, available exclusively to supporters of Patreon, we ask Leigh whether he has ever attended an “atheist church,” and if he thinks atheists’ natural independent streak dooms the prospect of creating long-lasting secular institutions.
Check out Leigh’s new book, The Church of Saint Thomas Paine: A Religious History of American Secularism: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691217253/the-church-of-saint-thomas-paine
For more on Leigh: https://rap.wustl.edu/people/leigh-e-schmidt/
Nathan recently appeared on the Monday Morning Dullard podcast to talk about atheism. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVmjk9_mMxY
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 We are grateful for every contribution.

Avsnitt(75)

Ep. 75: The Awakening – Joseph Lyttleton

Ep. 75: The Awakening – Joseph Lyttleton

Faith seems to have been a part of the human experience for as long as we have existed. But what would happen if all belief in God disappeared over night? How would the behavior of believers change af...

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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 Juli 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 Maj 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 Mars 20251h 5min

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

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

In this episode, we’re joined by Sarah Ray, the President of the Humanist Society and an Endorsed Humanist Celebrant and Invocator. We learn about how these roles are secularizing, the deep roots they...

30 Dec 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 Okt 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 Aug 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...

3 Apr 20241h 32min

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