The liberal talk radio network Air America announced this week it will launch a nationwide show focusing on atheism. The first national show will feature Christopher Hitchens, author of "God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything." The Freethought Radio Program, hosted by the co-presidents of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, has been airing on Air America's Madison, Wis., affiliate since April 2006.
On Saturday, Oct. 6, the show will begin airing on 14 other affiliates from Palm Springs, Fla., to Eugene, Ore., and on XM Satellite radio. "You can turn on the radio or TV 24/7 to be preached at," Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the FFRF, said in a statement. "This is one hour a week of the public airwaves that offers an alternative."
Gaylor said the program "offers irreverent views, news, music and interviews," including a regular news feature called "Theocracy Alert."
Peter Sprigg, vice president for policy at the Family Research Council, noted that atheists have the same free speech rights as all Americans. Yet, as he told Cybercast News Service, "I doubt atheist radio will be any more popular than liberal radio." "Conservative talk radio dominates, as do Christian radio programs," he said. "I don't think Dr. James Dobson, with Focus on the Family, has anything to worry about from atheist radio."
Sprigg further said that liberals often claim that one can be a Christian and a liberal at the same, but, in his view, the step to promote atheism on the airwaves is indicative perhaps that liberalism is incompatible with traditional religious belief.