Hemant Mehta
@friendlyatheist.com
Jeopardy! champ. Waiting for Survivor to call me back. Writer. YouTuber. Podcaster. [email protected]. (Send me story tips!) http://linktr.ee/HemantMehta
Articles at https://friendlyatheist.com
Articles at https://friendlyatheist.com
The LDS Church has a retention problem.
In 2007, 70% of Americans raised Mormon remained Mormon as adults. Today, it’s just 54%.
Meanwhile, the share who became religiously unaffiliated has doubled—from 14% to 28%.
Well done, team.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/nearly-hal...
In 2007, 70% of Americans raised Mormon remained Mormon as adults. Today, it’s just 54%.
Meanwhile, the share who became religiously unaffiliated has doubled—from 14% to 28%.
Well done, team.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/nearly-hal...
Nearly half of people raised Mormon have left the LDS Church
The Mormon retention rate has plunged from 70% to 54% as former members embrace dramatically different social and political views
www.friendlyatheist.com
September 23, 2026 at 1:10 PM
The LDS Church has a retention problem.
In 2007, 70% of Americans raised Mormon remained Mormon as adults. Today, it’s just 54%.
Meanwhile, the share who became religiously unaffiliated has doubled—from 14% to 28%.
Well done, team.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/nearly-hal...
In 2007, 70% of Americans raised Mormon remained Mormon as adults. Today, it’s just 54%.
Meanwhile, the share who became religiously unaffiliated has doubled—from 14% to 28%.
Well done, team.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/nearly-hal...
Reposted by Hemant Mehta
Calling something a “victory for people of faith” doesn’t make it one.
The White House’s list lumps religious liberty together with abortion, DEI, LGBTQ+ policies, school choice and more.
“People of faith” are not a political monolith, and neither are their interests.
The White House’s list lumps religious liberty together with abortion, DEI, LGBTQ+ policies, school choice and more.
“People of faith” are not a political monolith, and neither are their interests.
The White House claims Trump delivered 250 “victories for people of faith.”
I read all 250. The list is packed with exaggerations, repeats, and unrelated policies.
The "victories" generally benefit conservative Christians at everyone else’s expense.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/trumps-top...
I read all 250. The list is packed with exaggerations, repeats, and unrelated policies.
The "victories" generally benefit conservative Christians at everyone else’s expense.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/trumps-top...
Trump’s “Top 250 Victories for People of Faith” collapse under scrutiny
The White House padded its list with exaggerations, repeated claims, and policies benefiting conservative Christians at everyone else’s expense
www.friendlyatheist.com
September 22, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Calling something a “victory for people of faith” doesn’t make it one.
The White House’s list lumps religious liberty together with abortion, DEI, LGBTQ+ policies, school choice and more.
“People of faith” are not a political monolith, and neither are their interests.
The White House’s list lumps religious liberty together with abortion, DEI, LGBTQ+ policies, school choice and more.
“People of faith” are not a political monolith, and neither are their interests.
Today's @slate.com crossword is mine, with nods to a brewing controversy, tricky clues, and answers you will proudly roll your eyes at.
Do it!
slate.com/life/2026/09...
Do it!
slate.com/life/2026/09...
Slate Crossword: Artist Known for Political Commentary and for “Poppin’ Some Tags” (10 Letters)
Ready for some wordplay? Sharpen your skills with Slate’s puzzle for Sept. 22, 2026.
slate.com
September 22, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Today's @slate.com crossword is mine, with nods to a brewing controversy, tricky clues, and answers you will proudly roll your eyes at.
Do it!
slate.com/life/2026/09...
Do it!
slate.com/life/2026/09...
The White House claims Trump delivered 250 “victories for people of faith.”
I read all 250. The list is packed with exaggerations, repeats, and unrelated policies.
The "victories" generally benefit conservative Christians at everyone else’s expense.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/trumps-top...
I read all 250. The list is packed with exaggerations, repeats, and unrelated policies.
The "victories" generally benefit conservative Christians at everyone else’s expense.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/trumps-top...
Trump’s “Top 250 Victories for People of Faith” collapse under scrutiny
The White House padded its list with exaggerations, repeated claims, and policies benefiting conservative Christians at everyone else’s expense
www.friendlyatheist.com
September 22, 2026 at 1:05 PM
The White House claims Trump delivered 250 “victories for people of faith.”
I read all 250. The list is packed with exaggerations, repeats, and unrelated policies.
The "victories" generally benefit conservative Christians at everyone else’s expense.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/trumps-top...
I read all 250. The list is packed with exaggerations, repeats, and unrelated policies.
The "victories" generally benefit conservative Christians at everyone else’s expense.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/trumps-top...
In case you were wondering, yes, Richard Dawkins is still an anti-trans bigot.
September 22, 2026 at 12:16 PM
In case you were wondering, yes, Richard Dawkins is still an anti-trans bigot.
Reposted by Hemant Mehta
Zohran post about filling one pothole: We filled our 2,000th pothole! Wow! New York is the greatest city in the world!
Zohran post about meeting with the president: Some guy was here and that is now over.
Zohran post about meeting with the president: Some guy was here and that is now over.
Had a productive meeting with the President today at Gracie Mansion.
September 21, 2026 at 10:51 PM
Zohran post about filling one pothole: We filled our 2,000th pothole! Wow! New York is the greatest city in the world!
Zohran post about meeting with the president: Some guy was here and that is now over.
Zohran post about meeting with the president: Some guy was here and that is now over.
I did it, ma.
I made the people at Breitbart upset.
I made the people at Breitbart upset.
September 22, 2026 at 12:10 AM
I did it, ma.
I made the people at Breitbart upset.
I made the people at Breitbart upset.
James Talarico’s pastor was "caught" on hidden camera saying atheists are welcome at his church.
White evangelical pastors say that all the time and they're praised for outreach.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/james-tala...
White evangelical pastors say that all the time and they're praised for outreach.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/james-tala...
James Talarico’s pastor welcomes atheists. Conservatives think that’s a scandal.
Overhyped “undercover” videos targeted Rev. Jim Rigby for views that many evangelical churches already embrace
www.friendlyatheist.com
September 21, 2026 at 1:13 PM
James Talarico’s pastor was "caught" on hidden camera saying atheists are welcome at his church.
White evangelical pastors say that all the time and they're praised for outreach.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/james-tala...
White evangelical pastors say that all the time and they're praised for outreach.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/james-tala...
The most inside of inside jokes.
I don’t usually meddle on the writing side of Jeopardy!, but tonight I called in a favor for our Bluesky viewers.
September 20, 2026 at 6:02 AM
The most inside of inside jokes.
Reposted by Hemant Mehta
A man recovering his ability to walk is wonderful news.
Turning that recovery into “proof” of God is another matter entirely.
Telling amputees they might be healed if they’d just have enough faith to “step out of the wheelchair”?
That isn’t hope. It’s cruel.
Turning that recovery into “proof” of God is another matter entirely.
Telling amputees they might be healed if they’d just have enough faith to “step out of the wheelchair”?
That isn’t hope. It’s cruel.
In a 16-second video that went viral, an Alabama church showed a paraplegic man jumping up and down. They credit God with his recovery.
Doctors told me the "miracle" has a medically plausible explanation. No divine intervention needed.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/an-alabama...
Doctors told me the "miracle" has a medically plausible explanation. No divine intervention needed.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/an-alabama...
An Alabama church says God made a paraplegic man walk again. There’s a better explanation.
Lighthouse Apostolic Pentecostal Church’s viral miracle claim has a medically plausible explanation
www.friendlyatheist.com
September 18, 2026 at 11:40 PM
A man recovering his ability to walk is wonderful news.
Turning that recovery into “proof” of God is another matter entirely.
Telling amputees they might be healed if they’d just have enough faith to “step out of the wheelchair”?
That isn’t hope. It’s cruel.
Turning that recovery into “proof” of God is another matter entirely.
Telling amputees they might be healed if they’d just have enough faith to “step out of the wheelchair”?
That isn’t hope. It’s cruel.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses just GUTTED their blood transfusion ban!
Members may now accept red cells, white cells, platelets, and plasma—nearly everything modern hospitals typically transfuse.
This will save lives.
It also comes decades too late.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/jehovahs-w...
Members may now accept red cells, white cells, platelets, and plasma—nearly everything modern hospitals typically transfuse.
This will save lives.
It also comes decades too late.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/jehovahs-w...
Jehovah’s Witnesses just gutted their deadly blood transfusion policy
Nearly every form of transfusion used in modern hospitals is now a matter of personal conscience
www.friendlyatheist.com
September 19, 2026 at 1:18 PM
The Jehovah’s Witnesses just GUTTED their blood transfusion ban!
Members may now accept red cells, white cells, platelets, and plasma—nearly everything modern hospitals typically transfuse.
This will save lives.
It also comes decades too late.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/jehovahs-w...
Members may now accept red cells, white cells, platelets, and plasma—nearly everything modern hospitals typically transfuse.
This will save lives.
It also comes decades too late.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/jehovahs-w...
In a 16-second video that went viral, an Alabama church showed a paraplegic man jumping up and down. They credit God with his recovery.
Doctors told me the "miracle" has a medically plausible explanation. No divine intervention needed.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/an-alabama...
Doctors told me the "miracle" has a medically plausible explanation. No divine intervention needed.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/an-alabama...
An Alabama church says God made a paraplegic man walk again. There’s a better explanation.
Lighthouse Apostolic Pentecostal Church’s viral miracle claim has a medically plausible explanation
www.friendlyatheist.com
September 18, 2026 at 1:14 PM
In a 16-second video that went viral, an Alabama church showed a paraplegic man jumping up and down. They credit God with his recovery.
Doctors told me the "miracle" has a medically plausible explanation. No divine intervention needed.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/an-alabama...
Doctors told me the "miracle" has a medically plausible explanation. No divine intervention needed.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/an-alabama...
I'll be going live tonight to talk about the past week in church/state separation! Join me!
We'll be talking about megachurch surveillance cameras, Bo French's comments about Longhorns fans, and so much more...
youtube.com/live/vVGI77m...
We'll be talking about megachurch surveillance cameras, Bo French's comments about Longhorns fans, and so much more...
youtube.com/live/vVGI77m...
Friendly Atheist News Roundup 9/17/2026
YouTube video by Friendly Atheist
youtube.com
September 17, 2026 at 9:03 PM
I'll be going live tonight to talk about the past week in church/state separation! Join me!
We'll be talking about megachurch surveillance cameras, Bo French's comments about Longhorns fans, and so much more...
youtube.com/live/vVGI77m...
We'll be talking about megachurch surveillance cameras, Bo French's comments about Longhorns fans, and so much more...
youtube.com/live/vVGI77m...
Reposted by Hemant Mehta
Read only the first and last sentence of this paragraph
The whole graf is hilarious
The film (that I have not seen) “falls short on every dimension”
The film (that I have not seen) “falls short on every dimension”
September 17, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Read only the first and last sentence of this paragraph
Some Democrats go after their opponents for their ties to Trump.
In Illinois, @govpritzker.illinois.gov is going after Republican Darren Bailey for being a Young Earth Creationist who doesn’t accept science.
You love to see it.
In Illinois, @govpritzker.illinois.gov is going after Republican Darren Bailey for being a Young Earth Creationist who doesn’t accept science.
You love to see it.
September 17, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Some Democrats go after their opponents for their ties to Trump.
In Illinois, @govpritzker.illinois.gov is going after Republican Darren Bailey for being a Young Earth Creationist who doesn’t accept science.
You love to see it.
In Illinois, @govpritzker.illinois.gov is going after Republican Darren Bailey for being a Young Earth Creationist who doesn’t accept science.
You love to see it.
This is a really great video from @carlosmaza.bsky.social on why deplatforming bad actors is a useful tool (and not an impediment to free speech).
youtu.be/PFfAQNTo5Rc
youtu.be/PFfAQNTo5Rc
Deplatforming Works, You Cowards
YouTube video by Carlos Maza
youtu.be
September 17, 2026 at 6:17 PM
This is a really great video from @carlosmaza.bsky.social on why deplatforming bad actors is a useful tool (and not an impediment to free speech).
youtu.be/PFfAQNTo5Rc
youtu.be/PFfAQNTo5Rc
Lawrence Krauss is mocking a trans scholar because he doesn't understand one of her research papers.
September 17, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Lawrence Krauss is mocking a trans scholar because he doesn't understand one of her research papers.
Southern Baptist leader Albert Mohler envisioned a country where blasphemy would be a crime.
After backlash, he said, “I think I blew it.” But he still wants a nation governed by his brand of Christianity.
He can't have it both ways.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/albert-moh...
After backlash, he said, “I think I blew it.” But he still wants a nation governed by his brand of Christianity.
He can't have it both ways.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/albert-moh...
Albert Mohler’s blasphemy reversal exposes the cruel logic of Christian Nationalism
A government that officially privileges Christianity can’t offer genuine equality or religious freedom to everyone else
www.friendlyatheist.com
September 17, 2026 at 1:09 PM
Southern Baptist leader Albert Mohler envisioned a country where blasphemy would be a crime.
After backlash, he said, “I think I blew it.” But he still wants a nation governed by his brand of Christianity.
He can't have it both ways.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/albert-moh...
After backlash, he said, “I think I blew it.” But he still wants a nation governed by his brand of Christianity.
He can't have it both ways.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/albert-moh...
A Texas megachurch has installed over 400+ Flock-like cameras at its largest campus.
They say it's for security. But the cameras reportedly extend into staff offices and spaces where women have changed clothes.
Nothing creepy about that at all.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/a-texas-me...
They say it's for security. But the cameras reportedly extend into staff offices and spaces where women have changed clothes.
Nothing creepy about that at all.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/a-texas-me...
A Texas megachurch’s 400 AI-powered surveillance cameras are deeply disturbing
Lakepointe Church and Pastor Josh Howerton have installed a system capable of monitoring staff, tracking license plates, and destroying any expectations of privacy
www.friendlyatheist.com
September 16, 2026 at 1:21 PM
A Texas megachurch has installed over 400+ Flock-like cameras at its largest campus.
They say it's for security. But the cameras reportedly extend into staff offices and spaces where women have changed clothes.
Nothing creepy about that at all.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/a-texas-me...
They say it's for security. But the cameras reportedly extend into staff offices and spaces where women have changed clothes.
Nothing creepy about that at all.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/a-texas-me...
Why the hell does Ed Sheeran think this kind of pathetic statement will absolve him of criticism?
September 15, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Why the hell does Ed Sheeran think this kind of pathetic statement will absolve him of criticism?
I can't believe this needs to be said, but when you're reporting on what Kash Patel, the head of the FBI, said during a government hearing today, the proper spelling is "bestiality."
September 15, 2026 at 4:41 PM
I can't believe this needs to be said, but when you're reporting on what Kash Patel, the head of the FBI, said during a government hearing today, the proper spelling is "bestiality."
Virginia middle schoolers wanted to form an LGBTQ club. The King George County school board kept creating new obstacles to block it.
The students sued—and they just forced the board to back down.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/virginia-m...
The students sued—and they just forced the board to back down.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/virginia-m...
Virginia middle school students win LGBTQ club fight as school board members play victim
King George County officials spent a year blocking a Genders and Sexualities Alliance. A lawsuit finally forced them to reverse course.
www.friendlyatheist.com
September 15, 2026 at 1:16 PM
Virginia middle schoolers wanted to form an LGBTQ club. The King George County school board kept creating new obstacles to block it.
The students sued—and they just forced the board to back down.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/virginia-m...
The students sued—and they just forced the board to back down.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/virginia-m...
Pastor Daimon King went to prison twice for crimes involving minors. He must register as a sex offender for life.
Naturally, NC Republicans handed him a mic to pray for "integrity and honesty" at an event for Senate candidate Michael Whatley.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/gop-candid...
Naturally, NC Republicans handed him a mic to pray for "integrity and honesty" at an event for Senate candidate Michael Whatley.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/gop-candid...
GOP candidate Michael Whatley’s “integrity” prayer was led by a registered sex offender
Pastor Daimon L. King, twice imprisoned for offenses involving minors, opened a North Carolina GOP campaign rally
www.friendlyatheist.com
September 14, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Pastor Daimon King went to prison twice for crimes involving minors. He must register as a sex offender for life.
Naturally, NC Republicans handed him a mic to pray for "integrity and honesty" at an event for Senate candidate Michael Whatley.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/gop-candid...
Naturally, NC Republicans handed him a mic to pray for "integrity and honesty" at an event for Senate candidate Michael Whatley.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/gop-candid...
Reposted by Hemant Mehta
i know ross douthat might have the charisma of pocket lint and a really annoying voice, but thats not why he’s on TV. he’s on TV bc he’s so fucking sexy
New correspondent Ross Douthat says "no story looms larger than the latest developments in artificial intelligence." The technology and its impacts will be a major focus of 60 Minutes reporting.
September 14, 2026 at 1:13 AM
i know ross douthat might have the charisma of pocket lint and a really annoying voice, but thats not why he’s on TV. he’s on TV bc he’s so fucking sexy