Please support the show at https://www.patreon.com/friendlyatheistpodcast. Donors now get access to a new BONUS episode. Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — A Christian lawmaker used the Bible to justify the physical abuse of kids with disabilities in public schools. (0:37) — Americans still view atheists unfavorably… but it’s not all bad news. (25:42) — In a lawsuit, a teenager says a teacher assaulted her for not saying the Pledge of Allegiance. (43:37) — An editorial defending college football coach Deion Sanders’ proselytizing fumbled the facts. (54:35)  — The Santa Rosa Catholic Diocese in California has filed for bankruptcy. (1:13:29) — A Christian school in Vermont is banned from competing in state-sanctioned events after refusing to play a team with a trans athlete. (1:21:03) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices