Atheistville with Mike Smithgall
Hosted by Mike Smithgall, Atheistville explores atheism, deconversion, and secular life through open, respectful conversation. The channel features two signature shows:
Mike Drop – weekly commentary on religion, politics, and culture from a reasoned, secular perspective.
Breakfast with a Heathen – a relaxed Sunday Q&A that tackles listener and Reddit questions about belief, honesty, and living without faith.
Together, they create a space for candid dialogue about leaving belief behind, thinking for yourself, and building a meaningful life grounded in evidence, empathy, and ethics rather than dogma.
Podcast Creator Bio: Mike Smithgall
Mike Smithgall is the creator and host of Atheistville, a podcast and YouTube series exploring atheism, deconversion, and secular life through real conversation instead of confrontation. Drawing on his background as a financial professional and lifelong skeptic, Mike focuses on how people think, what leads them to question faith, and how they rebuild meaning without religion.
He interviews former believers, secular thinkers, and progressive voices to highlight shared values of empathy, critical thinking, and human connection. His mission is simple: belief should be personal, not political, and every story deserves to be heard.
Follow his work on YouTube (@Atheistville) or at Atheistville.com.
Atheistville with Mike Smithgall
Why “God Told Me To Do It” Can’t Stand in Court
In this Mike Drop episode, Mike Smithgall explores Penn Jillette’s sharp observation that courts recognize insanity as a defense, but never “God told me to do it.” Why? Because the law must rest on evidence, not revelation.
Mike unpacks the secular foundation of law, the distinction between mental capacity and religious belief, and the dangers of allowing divine authority into legal defenses. Drawing on history, cultural context, and real-world cases, this episode shows why secularism protects fairness and accountability for all.
💬 Viewer Question
Do you think the justice system handles religion fairly, or does it still give faith too much influence?
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📑 Relevant Topics or Chapter Headings
• Intro: Why “God Told Me To Do It” Isn’t in Courtrooms
• The Secular Bedrock of Law ⚖️
• Mental Capacity vs. Religious Conviction 🧠
• The Problem with Divine Authority ✝️
• Examples and Consequences 🔥
• Power, Control, and Responsibility ⚡
• What This Tells Us About Secularism 🌍
• Outro
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📚 Suggested Reading List
1. The Demon-Haunted World by Carl Sagan — https://amzn.to/3IL1QUt
A powerful defense of science and skepticism, showing why evidence must guide our beliefs instead of personal revelation.
2. Breaking the Spell by Daniel Dennett — https://amzn.to/45JWYZf
Explores religion from a scientific perspective, analyzing why humans believe and how belief systems shape society.
3. God Is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens — https://amzn.to/3ZVLSg9
A sharp critique of religion’s influence on law, politics, and morality, arguing for secularism as a safeguard of freedom.
Visit us at www.Atheistville.com for more content from Mike Smithgall and the Atheistville team
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@atheistville
💬 Want to be a guest or submit a question? Drop us a note at CONTACT
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