The Non-prophets

The land of the free? Not if you're trans. The U.S. is cementing itself as a hostile environment for transgender individuals and their families, with anti-trans policies driving some to flee the country. This isn't about protecting kids; it's about control, bigotry, and weaponizing pseudoscience for political gain, threatening fundamental human rights and democracy itself. While policymakers ignore actual science and real issues like equal pay or child starvation, humanists and secular advocates must fight for inclusion, truth, and dignity for all, especially those without the privilege to escape this dangerous erosion of liberty. It's an alarming attack on identity and autonomy.News Source: Families Say They're Leaving The US Due To The Anti-Transgender ClimateBy Jo Yurcaba for NBC NewsJune 1, 2025

A major Pride event just showed its true colors, gatekeeping an LGBTQ+ affirming atheist group. Recovering from Religion, a vital ally for those healing from religious trauma, was disinvited from St. John's Pride after initial approval—likely to appease religious groups. This baffling double standard, where a secular organization committed to dignity gets booted while commercial sponsors are welcome, smacks of hypocrisy. It raises troubling questions about who truly belongs at Pride and highlights a discomfort with non-religious voices, even when they advocate for core Pride values.News Source:LGBTQ affirming atheist group denied booth at St. John's Pride FestivalBy Hemant Mehta for The Friendly AtheistJuly 15, 2025

The IRS just dropped a bombshell, effectively kneecapping the Johnson Amendment and letting religious organizations openly politick from the pulpit without losing their tax-exempt status. Critics warn this could turn churches into tax-free PACs, funneling dark money into elections and further blurring the lines between church and state. While rarely enforced, this move exposes a glaring double standard, eroding fundamental principles of separation and allowing unchecked religious influence in politics. It’s a classic case of religious overreach, threatening the integrity of both institutions and democracy itself, all while secular organizations play by stricter rules. The implications for public policy and fair elections are concerning, as accountability vanishes.News Source:IRS Now Says Pastors Can Endorse Political CandidatesBy NPRJuly 8, 2025

When a volcano stirs, who do you trust? This episode dives into the recent seismic activity of Iliamna volcano, contrasting scientific data with dramatic, religiously-tinged speculation about "Lord Vulcan." We expose the dangers of abandoning expert geological analysis for fear-based, supernatural narratives. It’s a hilarious yet critical look at how dogma tries to explain natural events, highlighting the crucial importance of secular principles and relying on actual volcanologists for real insights, especially when communities are at risk. Forget prophecies—science keeps us safe!News Source: Iliamna Volcano and Molten Minerals By Julia Jacobo for ABC News July 11th, 2025The Non-Prophets, Episode 24.30.3 featuring Eli Slack, Jonathan Roudabush, and Tracy WilbertVolcano Prophecies: God or Geology?

Texas lawmakers, ignoring devastating floods, shamelessly prioritize a discriminatory bathroom bill, mandating transgender individuals use restrooms based on birth sex. This vile legislation, cloaked in false protection, exposes a hateful agenda to control and endanger marginalized citizens. It's a blatant example of bigoted politicians weaponizing fear and "purity culture" to oppress, rather than address actual crises. The true intent is not protection, but public shaming and identification, harkening back to dark historical periods of government-sanctioned dehumanization. A clear call for human rights over baseless prejudice.Kerr County Flood Relief Fund: https://cftexashillcountry.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4201News Source:Transgender bathroom bill added to Texas flood relief special sessionBy Brooke Sopelsa for NBC NewsJuly 15, 2025

A troubling lawsuit highlights a church's alleged coercion and abuse protection, unpacking how religious institutions, acting as counselors, can demand victims stay in abusive relationships. This discussion explores their disregard for mandatory reporting laws and legal regulations, exposing the dangers when dogma overrides personal autonomy and human well-being. It reveals how such practices can lead to severe psychological harm, especially for children, and calls for secular principles to prevail where vulnerable individuals are concerned.News Source: Woman Sues John MacArthur's Church By Hemant Mehta for The Friendly Atheist July 14, 2025

Carl Sagan wasn't a prophet, just a brilliant scientist who saw the writing on the wall decades ago. This episode unpacks his chillingly accurate predictions about America's descent into misinformation, scientific illiteracy, and a society where critical thinking is abandoned for superstition. We dive deep into how his warnings about issues like climate change were tragically ignored, highlighting the dangers of prioritizing profit over people and the urgent need for a return to reason. It’s a stark reminder of the uphill battle against denial, and why teaching skepticism to future generations is our only hope against unchecked power and climate catastrophe. Time to forge a new future with compassion, courage, and empirical evidence!News Source: Carl Sagan predicted present state of USA almost 26 years ago: Visionary scientist By Vani Khokar for Scoop Upworthy July 7, 2025

This episode unearths another chilling truth: an Australian Orthodox priest's sexual assault conviction, met with the church's grotesque demand for silence— 'sheep do not judge the shepherd'. We expose how religious authority wields doctrine to shield abusers and gaslight victims, equating critique with blasphemy to maintain unchecked power. It's a shocking look at how institutions, prioritizing piety over people, perpetuate cycles of abuse and male unaccountability. This isn't just about a single priest; it's a stark warning about the systemic dangers of faith unburdened by reason, demanding we demand transparency and critical thinking to protect the vulnerable. Silence is complicity.News Source: Sheep do not judge the shepherd priest By Hemant Mehta for The Friendly Atheist July 9, 2025

Unearthing horrifying truths, this episode tackles the Catholic Church's unspeakable abuses at Irish mother-baby homes, where hundreds of infants, born "out of wedlock," were tragically left to die and buried in mass graves. We expose how religious doctrine, intertwined with pervasive societal shame and male unaccountability, created a brutal system designed to control women and punish perceived "sins". It's a stark reminder of what happens when piety trumps compassion, showing the urgent need for secular governance and a society that values every life. This isn't just history; it's a chilling warning.News Source: Ireland to begin excavation of mass grave at church-run mother-baby home By Clodagh Kilcoyne for Reuters July 8, 2025

Global population estimates, long considered bedrock facts, are facing a fascinating scientific challenge from new research. A study suggests Earth's human count could be vastly underestimated, potentially affecting critical resource allocation for rural communities. This segment dives into the method, expert skepticism, and the vital role of intellectual humility in scientific discovery. It's a perfect example of how even "concrete" numbers can be flawed by unchecked assumptions, reinforcing that a healthy skepticism and a willingness to self-correct are the hallmarks of good science – unlike those who seek to use such findings to fuel wild conspiracy theories or undermine trust in facts. It's a refreshing look at how the scientific process truly works, even if it might mean the world is a lot more crowded than we thought.News Source:Human Population MiscalculationBy Darren Orf for Popular MechanicsJune 21, 2025

Republican-led states, spearheaded by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, are launching a new accreditation body for higher education, aiming to dismantle existing standards deemed 'ideologically biased.' This move seeks to strip colleges of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, replacing robust academic curricula with 'anti-woke' content focused solely on workforce metrics and conservative dogma. It's a transparent ploy to cultivate a less critically thinking populace, benefit dubious institutions like 'Trump University,' and funnel taxpayer money to politically aligned ventures. This attack on comprehensive education prioritizes control and revenue over intellectual development, turning higher learning into an echo chamber for a narrow ideology, ultimately undermining the very fabric of an informed citizenry.News Source:Universities Creating New Accreditation Agency In Some Republican StatesBy Dan Levin and Karah Rucker for Straight Arrow NewsJune 27, 2025

Oklahoma's Superintendent Ryan Walters faces a lawsuit over new, controversially enacted education standards that inject Christian nationalist dogma and conspiracy theories into public school curricula. These changes, lacking transparency, bundle divisive religious content with popular but unfunded mandates, exemplifying a "shit-filled M&M" approach to policy. This blatant religious overreach is part of a broader Christian nationalist strategy to indoctrinate children, undermine secular education, and solidify power by marginalizing other faiths and non-believers. It highlights hypocrisy and poses significant challenges for teachers and the separation of church and state.**News Source:Oklahoma Sued Over School Standards, By Hemant Mehta for The Friendly Atheist, July 2, 2025

Colorado Springs City Council just threw their "inclusive" mask out the window, refusing to acknowledge Pride Month after three years, all because a Satanic group dared to utter "Hail Satan" at their parade. This isn't just about two words; it's a chilling display of hypocrisy and religious bigotry, driven by social media outrage that pushed a government body to discriminate against an entire community. While claiming to avoid "identity-based gestures," they weaponize religion against the LGBTQ+ community, proving that for some, the only identity that truly matters is their own narrow, Christian one. It’s a bleak reminder that the fight for secularism and equality is far from over, especially when politicians cave to fear-mongering and pretend their religious intolerance isn't a political act. They demonize a non-theistic group for satire, while simultaneously harming queer individuals by making them feel "othered" and unsafe.News Source: Colorado Springs City Council Members Lash Out Over Pride Parade's "Hai

Texas is pulling a fast one, mandating Ten Commandments posters in every public school classroom! This isn't about education, folks; it's a blatant, unconstitutional push to inject religious dogma into secular learning environments, ignoring clear historical precedents for the separation of church and state. Opponents highlight the staggering hypocrisy of a state with the death penalty pushing "thou shalt not kill," while taxpayers brace for the inevitable legal battles this divine decree will unleash. It’s a classic case of religious overreach disguised as civic duty, proving some will stop at nothing to turn public schools into personal pulpits.News Source: Abbott Signs Law: Ten Commandments in Public School Classrooms By Anne James for KHOU 11 June 21, 2025

A Florida pastor offers a truly divine "testimony" of receiving a hefty $10,000 gift, allegedly for his fervent political endorsements, raising all sorts of holy hell about the blurred lines between pulpit and politics. This "blessing" isn't for charity, mind you, but for his personal coffers, sparking debate on whether this is divine intervention or just good old-fashioned grifting. Join us as we dissect this unholy union of faith and finance, exposing the alarming trend of religious organizations exploiting their tax-exempt status for personal and political gain, proving yet again that for some, the pursuit of earthly riches trumps spiritual integrity. It’s a sermon on the mount of money, leaving us to wonder: is this divine prosperity, or just a new level of religious scam?.News Source: MAGA Pastor Brags About Receiving $10,000 For Supporting Trump By Black Information Network for BIN: Black Information Network June 23, 2025

In a brilliant display of malicious compliance, several cities are outmaneuvering GOP efforts to ban Pride flags on public property by simply making the rainbow banner their official city symbol. This tactical genius exposes the glaring hypocrisy of so-called "small government" proponents who have no issue legislating what colors citizens can fly, while simultaneously defending the divisive, hateful imagery of the Confederacy. It's a bold, "punk as fuck" stand against authoritarian bigotry and religious overreach, revealing how deeply threatened some are by inclusivity and basic human decency. This act of defiance serves as a beacon of hope against the relentless assault on human rights and freedom of expression, reminding us that critical thinking and resistance are vital in a climate where fear and ignorance are weaponized to control.News Source: GOP Fumes as City Outsmarts Pride Flag Ban By Daniel Villarreal for lgbtq nation June 7, 2025

A so-called "rehab" camp for child refugees, operating under the guise of faith, has been exposed for horrific abuse, leading to the removal of dozens of children. This disturbing pattern reveals the systemic dangers of religious institutions operating with unchecked power and zero oversight. When vulnerable populations, particularly immigrant and refugee children, are exploited in the name of piety, it exposes a deep societal failure where religious privilege shields heinous acts from accountability. This incident highlights the urgent need for stringent regulation and criminalization of these "faith-based" programs, ensuring all children are protected from the predatory practices masked by religious fervor. The cycle of abuse must end.News Source: Iowa Kingdom Ministry Rehab & Recreation 'Shekinah Glory Camp' accused of child abuse By Kelby Wingert for kcci.com June 16, 2025

A Georgia high school just pulled the plug on "The Crucible" because a few pearl-clutching parents deemed it "demonic." The irony! This isn't just baffling censorship; it's a symptom of a deeper societal rot where fear, ignorance, and religious overreach masquerade as "protecting the children." When a play warning against moral panic falls victim to it, we're plunging into a regressive abyss where critical thinking is demonized. This incident highlights alarming authoritarian control hijacking public education, proving unchecked religious influence and narcissistic entitlement threaten artistic expression and crucial historical lessons. Rage against the absurdity and fight for intellectual freedom.News Source:Georgia high school cancels 'The Crucible'By Hemant Mehta for The Friendly AtheistMay 26, 2025

Christian musician and COVID-era superspreader Sean Feucht is under fire—this time from within his own ministry. Former colleagues accuse him of financial fraud, abuse of power, and exploiting legal loopholes to avoid IRS scrutiny. In this episode of The Non-Prophets, the panel tears into religious privilege, unearned trust, and how figures like Feucht weaponize martyrdom to dodge accountability. When belief meets unchecked power, who pays the price?News Source Christian Nationalist Sean Feucht accused of massive financial misconduct by former ministry insidersThe Friendly Atheist, By Hemant Mehta, on June 3, 2025

After a two-year evidence review initiated by Utah’s Republican governor, the data is in: gender-affirming care for youth is safe, effective, and medically justified. But instead of embracing science, lawmakers are ignoring their own study. In this episode, The Non-Prophets take apart the hypocrisy, the religious double standards, and the real human cost of denying care. When truth is inconvenient, some choose cruelty over compassion.News SourceMother Jones, “Utah Republicans Got the Science They Asked For—Then Ignored It”By Madison Pauly, May 24, 2025