Blasphemy In The Bluegrass

Special guest: Brett Parker, State Policy Director for American Atheists, bparker@atheists.org Redistricting Map Information: League of Women Voters Kentucky - https://www.lwvky.org/ Voter Registration Information: elect.ky.gov

Interview with Heather Gatnarek of ACLU KY. Ken Ham tries to raise money off of Tom Flynn's death. https://www.wdrb.com/news/aclu-argues-kentucky-state-fair-board-violated-first-amendment-with-removal-of-billboard/article_66dccfd2-314b-11ec-a179-238c4f4bf6d1.html https://centerforinquiry.org/press_releases/creationist-ken-ham-raises-money-off-death-of-secular-humanist-icon-tom-flynn/ https://answersingenesis.org/culture/never-giving-up/  

Topics and links: https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2021/10/20/pastor-who-denounced-godless-immorality-arrested-for-grooming-underage-girl/ https://twitter.com/kyoag/status/1437026455171575813?s=21&fbclid=IwAR1WP_EQ5kjZEyi-KwIrF_9yzMLa4TOVsk92W2vLky1IHMmOnI7YtgZzem8 https://arkencounter.com/blog/2020/09/10/worlds-largest-christian-music-festival-coming-in-2021/ https://www.nkytribune.com/2021/07/ark-encounter-marks-fifth-anniversary-with-record-crowds-announcement-of-new-attractions-to-come/ From Daniel Phelps The Ark had its lowest number of September ticket sales, except last year when the coronavirus pandemic was more rampant, than since records have been available. My open records request revealed the Ark sold 64,301 tickets last month. Note that this time period includes the last portion of the heavily touted “40 Days and 40 Nights” gospel music concert series at the Ark. Moreover, Ken Ham has recently bragged in social media about “record attendance” at the Ark. Of course these numbers do not

Show Topics:    https://www.npr.org/2021/10/08/1044512475/texas-abortion-ban-reinstated   https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/education/article254607407.html   https://twitter.com/aigkenham/status/1442836086963720207?s=21   https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58801183   https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2021/09/28/what-to-know-about-fords-new-battery-park-kentucky/5890741001/     This is good news. Over the summer, Ken Ham has been bragging about record attendance at the Ark Encounter and how their 40 Days and 40 Nights series of Gospel Music shows were causing people to “pour” into the Ark. Today I received my monthly KORA information and it turns out attendance for August 2021 was 83,826. This was much higher than August 2020 when people were in more due to Covid, but MUCH lower than any previous August since attendance has been public record.    Ark attendance has never come close to the claims made when Grant County, Williamstown, and the State were suckered into giving the Ark eve

Apologies for last week's missed podcast! We had some delays in publishing the episode. The recording from last week is this week's show.  This week's topics: Kentucky Schools: https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2021/09/15/kentucky-school-board-association-mask-requirements New York Recovery Legislation:  https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/ny-state-of-politics/2021/09/24/lawmakers-want-to-strengthen-access-to-non-religious-addiction-treatment Tennessee School's:  https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2021/09/27/right-wing-moms-whine-about-childrens-book-featuring-mating-sea-horses/ Texas Reproductive Rights Lawsuit:  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/20/us/texas-abortion-lawsuit-alan-braid.html Women's Health Protection Act:  https://actforwomen.org/ ___ Our intro and outro music is Crescents by Ketsa, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Raising_Frequecy/Crescents

Introducing a new host: Regina Hobbs This week's topics: Louisville abortion clinic "buffer zone" being ignored; a brilliant way to challenge COVID vaccine "religious exemptions" Protesters ignore new safety zone at Louisville abortion clinic. Police say they're too busy. https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2021/09/18/abortion-protesters-mostly-ignore-new-safety-zone-louisville-clinic/8382069002 This is a Brilliant Way to Challenge COVID Vaccine "Religious Exemptions" https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2021/09/17/this-is-a-brilliant-way-to-challenge-covid-vaccine-religious-exemptions/ --- Our intro and outro music is Crescents by Ketsa, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Raising_Frequecy/Crescents

Introducing Michael Stark of Bowling Green; Kentucky Special Session ends state mask mandates; Remembering Sep 11, 2001. https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/ky-general-assembly/2021/09/09/kentucky-senate-passes-bill-eliminating-school-mask-mandate/8256292002/   -----   Our intro and outro music is Crescents by Ketsa, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Raising_Frequecy/Crescents

This week on Blasphemy in the Bluegrass, we discuss: the Supreme Court decision not to block a Texas Law that prohibits abortions after 6 weeks and permits citizens to sue those who get or assist with such abortions; right-wingers using horse heartworm medicine to treat Covid-19; a pre-filed KY bill that would ban abortions during emergency pandemic executive orders; and a Christian preacher and prophet claims if Trump is not reinstated then leftists may take your kids, rape your wife, and put you in a concentration camp.    https://www.npr.org/2021/09/02/1033048958/supreme-court-upholds-new-texas-abortion-law-for-now   https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/why-you-should-not-use-ivermectin-treat-or-prevent-covid-19   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/21rs/prefiled/BR864.html   https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2021/08/31/christian-preacher-if-trump-isnt-reinstated-your-wives-may-be-raped/   -------- Our intro and outro music is Crescents by Ketsa, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa

Topics: The situation in Afganistan and the effects on people living there who are nonreligious and ex-Muslims who are being threatened by the Taliban.  Recent Abortion Bans -- including on in Texas that targets people for helping people getting abortions. And how a city in Ohio is attempting to do the same. Blitzwatch update and the exposure of their updated legislative playbook: https://www.blitzwatch.org/ https://religiondispatches.org/exclusive-christian-right-bill-mill-project-blitz-hasnt-gone-away-its-just-gotten-more-secretive/ Post-Census Redistricting in Kentucky  Ken Ham lied about "pre-pandemic" record numbers at Ark Encounter in July. Huge shock.  Our intro and outro music is Crescents by Ketsa, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Raising_Frequecy/Crescents

This week's topics: PRRI study reveals that evangelicals who are hesitant to get vaccinated say that they could be persuaded by their religious leaders. Ministers who encourage their flock to get vaccinated, ministers who demonize vaccination, and ministers who are afraid to tell their flock to get vaccinated. Religious Identities and the Race Against the Virus: (Wave 2: June 2021), https://www.prri.org/research/religious-vaccines-covid-vaccination/ Vaccine skepticism runs deep among white evangelicals in US, https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/vaccine-skepticism-runs-deep-white-evangelicals-us-76882757 Death Cult Preacher Hands Out "Exemption Letters" to Anti-Vaxxer Christians, https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2021/08/20/death-cult-preacher-hands-out-exemption-letters-to-anti-vaxxer-christians/ White Evangelical Pastors Hesitant to Preach Vaccines, https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2021/may/white-evangelical-pastors-covid-vaccine-hesitancy-preach-ch.html White Evangelical Churches and the Cri

This week's topics: Secular Weddings! And Ed's first time officiating one!  The Holy Land Theme Park in Orlando sold to a Seventh-Day Adventist health-care company https://religionnews.com/2021/08/05/orlandos-holy-land-theme-park-sold-by-tbn-to-healthcare-company/ Ken Ham now claiming that pedophilia is part of the "Secular Worldview" (hint: it's not) https://rightingamerica.net/to-be-secular-is-to-be-a-pedophile-ken-ham-and-the-courting-of-qanon/ Kentucky Herald Leader promotes local paranormal podcast and it's claims on it's front page, leading to concerns that it will promote conspiracy thinking. https://www.kentucky.com/opinion/op-ed/article253465949.html Ravi Zacharias International Ministries plagued with scandal over reports of his sexual misconduct after his death, attempts to cover it up, and the actions of a former spokesperson who tried to correct harm that had been done. https://religionnews.com/2021/08/13/ruth-malhorta-wanted-to-help-save-the-world-instead-she-ended-up-defending-an-abuser-raav

KY agrees to pay $16 million per year to let Baptists discriminate against LGBTQ community; Ark Encounter attendance is below 2018 and 2019 numbers despite Ken Ham's claims of setting records;  Creationist Kent Hovind charged with domestic assault; Supreme Court to take case on taxpayer funding of religious schools.   https://www.kentuckytoday.com/stories/sunrise-and-chfs-sign-contract-agreement-for-upcoming-year,33186   https://religionnews.com/2021/08/05/kent-hovind-controversial-creationist-preacher-known-as-dr-dino-arrested-in-domestic-assault-case/   https://www.npr.org/2021/07/02/1012586995/the-supreme-court-will-hear-a-case-on-the-funding-of-religious-schools   By Dan Daniel Phelps. Ark June 2021 attendance In spite of Ken Ham recently claiming that attendance has returned to pre-CoVid levels, my Open Records request for the Safety Tax the Ark Encounter pays indicates that this isn’t true for June 2021. In June 2021, the Ark Encounter sold 109,694 tickets. This number is lower than June 2018 an

We are now a weekly podcast, with a rotating team of hosts around Kentucky! New episodes to be released on Mondays. Ken Ham and the Tower of Babel, Ken Ham breaking ties with Holt International for their "LGBTQ advocacy", Rand Paul/Fauci and the medical conscience bill that passed in Ohio, and how it's likely to be introduced again in Kentucky. Our intro and outro music is Crescents by Ketsa, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Raising_Frequecy/Crescents

Hobby Lobby's un-American July 4 ad; KY bills to whitewash history; McConnell would block Biden Supreme Court picks; Derek Chauvin senteced to 22.5 years in jail   https://www.newsweek.com/hobby-lobby-christian-july-4-advert-1606873?fbclid=IwAR2fZ2U-0rYRE1MaOviuKEsxs8JU7QixSk5LofnMLRAO9ChHp4XbWSCuwtQ   https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/education/2021/06/01/kentucky-bill-would-limit-school-discussions-critical-race-theory/7493277002/?fbclid=IwAR3Mm4mQaoBHCDcUXMu8RVdPppc8PQs4MnjeaihEsKQkL7mZIJqHiz7nlaI   https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/06/14/mitch-mcconnell-would-block-biden-supreme-court-nominee-2024/7688695002/?fbclid=IwAR18VFrp0KWBjoxtYjFJFAAAjW-22GRb9bufco-b1IeaquvG2mcSb_9WGDo   https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/25/us/derek-chauvin-sentencing-george-floyd/index.html?fbclid=IwAR11E28ofV_8aVaMHpnnp77ZdcamIXLmxGiCoEdmC30cFmiRF5XS-Tm5lsg   https://imgprd19.hobbylobby.com/sys-master/root/hf8/he3/h00/9996280201246/21-0843-2021-IDMA-DownloadablePDF.pdf

Josh Duggar arrested on child porn charges. https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/30/us/joshua-duggar-arrest-child-pornography/index.html Josh Duggar with the Duggar clan visiting Ark Encounter. https://www.duggarfamilyblog.com/2017/03/duggars-in-kentucky.html https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/ky-general-assembly/2021/03/30/what-are-scholarship-tax-credits-heres-what-to-know-in-kentucky/4751082002/   https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/04/arkansas-representatives-passes-a-bill-to-allow-creationism-in-schools/    

CPAC attendees worship a Trump golden idol; McConnell is 2-faced again; Ark Encounter screws Grant County Schools again; Biden's inauguration church service; KY bills granting religious exceptions for COVID-19 vaccines.    https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx... https://www.cbsnews.com/.../mitch-mcconnell-trump.../ https://www.nbcnews.com/.../mcconnell-says-he-would... https://www.newsweek.com/golden-donald-trump-effigy-cpac... https://religionnews.com/.../secular-groups-praise.../ https://wfpl.org/vaccine-opt-out-bill-advances-in-ky.../ https://www.kentucky.com/.../politi.../article248975850.html https://www.kyscience.org/advocate_for_science.php    -----   Our intro and outro music is Crescents by Ketsa, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Raising_Frequecy/Crescents

Welcome 2021! (Should we skip to 2022 already?)  Trump supporters riot, Kentucky preachers and White Supremists attend, 5 die.     https://www.wave3.com/2021/01/07/owensboro-pastor-among-protestors-capitol-hill/   https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/09/us/capitol-hill-insurrection-extremist-flags-soh/index.html   https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-protester-capitol-antifa-qa/fact-check-man-with-painted-face-wearing-fur-and-horns-rallied-for-trump-and-qanon-not-antifa-or-blm-idUSKBN29C0BP   https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/07/us/capitol-mob-deaths/index.html

This month's podcast features the audio of the FFRF Kentucky meeting in December with Patrick Elliot,  Senior Litigation Counsel for the Freedom From Religion Foundation. He will be discussing the current state of Church/State separation in the USA.

Discussing the November 2020 election. 

The Great Louisville Riot that never happened; Ruth Bader Ginsburg; Supreme Court Battle; LMPD Officer indicted for not shooting Breonna Taylor; Do you want to be a podcaster?   https://www.leoweekly.com/2020/09/rumors-caused-city-havoc-not-the-protests/   https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/09/26/breonna-taylor-decision-unanswered-questions-daniel-cameron-grand-jury/3548920001/