Gods of the Smoke Machine (with Scott Latta)

TheThinkingAtheist

The Thinking Atheist

Science, Society & Culture, Education

4.8 • 2.8K Ratings

🗓️ 2 December 2025

⏱️ 58 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Author Scott Latta's new book examines and exposes the dark side(s) of the American megachurch.

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VIDEO of this conversation.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Okay, here we got. Stand by. Three, two, one.
0:04.6	The thinking atheist, it's not a person. It's a symbol. An idea.
0:10.6	The population of atheists in this country is going through the room.
0:14.0	Rejecting faith. Pursuing knowledge. Challenging the sacred.
0:18.6	If I tell the truth, it's because I tell the truth.
0:22.4	Not because I put my hand on a book and made a wish.
0:25.7	And working together for a more rational world.
0:29.0	Take the risk of thinking for yourself.
0:31.0	Much more happiness, truth, beauty, and wisdom will come to you that way.
0:35.6	Assume nothing.
0:37.3	Question everything. And start nothing. Question everything.
0:39.4	And start thinking.
0:42.2	This is the Thinking Atheist podcast, hosted by Seth Andrews.
1:01.8	There is video of this conversation, which was recorded in my home just a few weeks ago. If you want to watch the YouTube version, that link is in the description box.
1:17.7	Talking here with author Scott Lata he has a new book out called gods of the smoke machine power pain and the rise of Christian nationalism in the mega church
1:23.1	Scott's been kind enough to stop by hey brother, brother. Hey, I was in the neighborhood.
1:27.8	Thanks for having me.
1:28.2	So, I used to be a video producer for a company that served churches.
1:33.2	And we did a lot of fundraising and promotional videos.
1:37.3	And sometimes those were mega churches.
1:40.0	Like we went to Fellowship Church in Dallas, Pastor Ed Young Jr.
1:44.0	Like 20,000 people.
	...

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