The Non-prophets

Texas’ governor is spending millions & using anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric to defund public educationLGBTQ Nation, By Daniel Villarreal , on May 24, 2024https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2024/05/texas-governor-is-spending-millions-using-anti-lgbtq-rhetoric-to-defund-public-education/ In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott is promoting a school voucher program to redirect taxpayer funds to private schools, aiming to enhance parental choice. Abbott's push faces resistance, even within his own party. He argues parents should support vouchers to avoid LGBTQ+ teachers educating their children, despite past legislative failures.The program's supporters say it expands parental rights by financially supporting private school attendance. Critics claim it undermines public schools and worsens inequality. Abbott's campaign involves substantial financial backing for pro-voucher candidates, targeting GOP dissenters.Jason Friedman likens Abbott's campaign to a business operation aimed at consolidating power. Cindy traces the GOP's effort to

Florida lab-grown meat ban: DeSantis says it protects beef industryUSA Today, By Ana Goñi-Lessan, Dan Rorabaugh and Mike Snider, on May 5, 2024https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2024/05/05/florida-lab-grown-meat-ban/73569976007/ Today's spotlight falls on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a figure who seems to have a knack for stirring up controversy. As we delve into the fray, we learn of DeSantis' latest tangle, this time with the cultivated meat industry.In a state known for its vibrant agriculture and culinary scene, DeSantis' beef with cultivated meat might seem like just another day in the Sunshine State's political theater. However, this particular skirmish appears to be misdirected, raising questions about the governor's priorities and understanding of emerging industries.As we dive deeper into the cultivated meat controversy, it becomes clear that DeSantis' stance is more than just a spat over semantics. It's a clash between tradition and innovation, with implications for the future of food produ

Harrison Butker speech: The biggest mistake he made in his controversial commencement commentsCNN, By AJ Willingham, on May 17, 2024https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/16/sport/harrison-butker-commencement-speech-analysis-cec/index.htmlIn this episode we confront the unsettling reality of misogyny through the lens of one individual: Harrison Butker. Amidst societal shifts and growing awareness of gender issues, Butker's words emerge as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of sexism and its impact on discourse.With each utterance, Butker reveals the depths of his misogyny, weaving a tapestry of gendered insults and demeaning remarks. His rhetoric serves as a damning indictment of toxic masculinity, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and reinforcing oppressive power dynamics.As we dissect Butker's misogynistic musings, we're confronted with the ugly truth of gender-based discrimination. Each statement becomes a painful reminder of the systemic barriers faced by women in society, from the workplace to the home.Butker'

MN lawmaker: Public schools engage in 'censorship' by not teaching CreationismThe Friendly Atheist, By Hemant Mehta, on May 07, 2024https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/mn-lawmaker-public-schools-engageIn this episode  the hosts discuss a heated debate over an education bill in Minnesota, introduced by Republican State Senator Glenn Grunhagen. The bill, known as SF 3567, aims to prevent book banning by school districts. However, Grunhagen opposes a section of the bill that would allow parents and librarians to restrict material for students, provided the restrictions are not based on viewpoint or content.Grunhagen, a known climate change denier and Christian nationalist, argues that liberals support censorship when it suits their agenda. He draws a parallel between this bill and the exclusion of creationism from science classes, framing both as censorship. Grunhagen's background and previous attempts to introduce creationist views into school curricula are discussed, highlighting his persistent efforts to infuse

A GOP school board member tried to ban a student's art for being 'offensive' to ChristiansThe Advocate Mag, By Ryan Adamczeski, on May 9, 2024https://www.advocate.com/news/virginia-augusta-school-board-gay-artThe panel delved into the story of Abby Driscoll, a queer student at Fort Defiance High School in Virginia, whose artwork sparked significant controversy. Driscoll's piece depicted praying hands holding a red rosary, surrounded by a rainbow-colored Bible with the caption, "God loves you but not enough to save you." This provocative artwork was an expression of her experience navigating her identity in a predominantly Christian environment.The artwork drew the ire of Tim Simmons, a conservative school board member, who found it offensive to his faith. Simmons went to great lengths to have the artwork censored, even calling for an emergency school board meeting. Despite being mocked by constituents and lacking support from his peers on the school board, Simmons continued his efforts, highlighting a persist

What do assisted dying, assisted suicide and euthanasia mean and what is the law?BBC.com, By BBC News, on March 24, 2024https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-47158287Assisted dying, a deeply sensitive and contentious topic, has been gaining attention as several regions in the UK consider legal changes that would allow terminally ill individuals to end their lives with medical assistance. This issue is complex, varying significantly across different regions. Cindy, hailing from a country where euthanasia is legal, explores the experiences of other nations that have legalized such practices, aiming to glean lessons applicable to the US context.The terminology in this discussion is crucial. Words like "assisted dying," "assisted suicide," and "euthanasia" must be clearly defined to ensure meaningful debate and legislative clarity. As Cindy notes, living in a country with legal euthanasia offers unique insights. In Belgium, where euthanasia has been legal since 2003, strict safeguards are in place. The process requires con

Texas superintendent resigns after trans student’s removal from ‘Oklahoma!’NBC News, By Jo Yurcaba, on May 2, 2024https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/texas-superintendent-resigns-trans-students-removal-oklahoma-rcna150479In a significant turn of events at the Sherman Independent School District in Texas, Superintendent Tyson Bennett resigned following a highly controversial incident involving the removal and subsequent reinstatement of a transgender student, Max High Tower, from a high school production of the musical "Oklahoma!". This decision came after the controversy garnered national attention and sparked widespread outrage.The school board convened in a closed session to address the situation, ultimately accepting Bennett's resignation and appointing Thomas O'Neal as the interim superintendent. The controversy began in March when Max High Tower, a transgender student, was initially barred from playing a role that did not align with his sex assigned at birth. This decision led to a significant backl

Unlicensed teachers now dominate new teacher hires in rural Texas schoolsSan Antonio News, By James P. Van Overschelde, on May 6, 2024https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/article/unlicensed-teachers-now-dominate-new-teacher-19441399.phpIn recent developments, Texas schools have increasingly turned to unlicensed teachers to address the growing shortage of educators. This trend is particularly evident in the 2022-2023 school year, where nearly half of the new teacher hires lack traditional teaching certificates. The reliance on unlicensed teachers has sparked a heated debate regarding the potential long-term consequences for students and the overall quality and integrity of the state's public education system.Supporters of this approach argue that it offers a practical solution to the pressing issue of teacher shortages, especially in underfunded and rural districts where attracting certified teachers can be a significant challenge. They claim that unlicensed teachers, often bringing diverse backgrounds and real-w

Justice Alito warns of declining support for freedom of speech on college campusesNBC News, By Lawrence Hurley, on May 11, 2024https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/justice-alito-warns-declining-support-freedom-speech-college-campuses-rcna151817In a recent commencement speech at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Justice Samuel Alito sparked a discussion about the current state of free speech in the United States, particularly focusing on college campuses. Alito, addressing a crowd at this Catholic college in Ohio, expressed his concern that free speech is in sharp decline, especially in academic settings. This speech comes amidst a backdrop of national debates on free speech, often highlighting the tension between open expression and social and political unrest.Justice Alito's remarks seemed to indirectly reference ongoing controversies, such as the unrest over Gaza, to underline his point. He suggested that the erosion of free speech is particularly evident on college campuses, which he believe

Pastor John MacArthur says there is no such thing as mental illness, calls PTSD ‘grief’The Christian Post, By Leonardo Blair, on May 01, 2024https://www.christianpost.com/news/john-macarthur-says-there-is-no-such-thing-as-mental-illness.htmlIn this segment, the speakers delve into a controversial statement made by John MacArthur regarding mental illness, pharmaceuticals, and parenting. MacArthur claims mental illness is a "noble lie" and suggests that medicating children for mental health conditions can lead to drug addiction and criminal behavior. He also blames Big Pharma for fabricating diagnoses to sell medication. This discussion leads to reflections on the intersection of religion, mental health, and societal attitudes.Phoebe introduces the topic, noting MacArthur's assertion and the broader implications of his statements. Eli expresses incredulity at MacArthur's views, highlighting the harmful impact such rhetoric can have on those in need of mental health support. Scott provides context by comparing M

Dozens of deaths reveal risks of sedating people restrained by policeAP News, By RYAN J. FOLEY, CARLA K. JOHNSON and SHELBY LUM, on April 26, 2024https://apnews.com/article/investigation-police-use-of-force-sedation-injections-demetrio-jackson-621909ba7491abc2af8ad2e33ba3415bThe Non-Prophets, Episode 23.20.3 featuring Phoebe Rose, Eli Slack, Scott Dickie and Damien HBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-non-prophets--3254964/support.

Priest accused by cops of spending over $40,000 of church funds on Candy Crush and Pokémon Go, says it might have happened because he's not a 'details guy'PC Gamer, By Joshua Wolens, on May 1, 2024https://www.pcgamer.com/games/priest-accused-by-cops-of-spending-over-dollar40000-of-church-funds-on-candy-crush-and-pokemon-go-says-it-might-have-happened-because-hes-not-a-details-guy/The conversation revolves around Reverend Lawrence Kozak, accused of misusing church funds. Initially accused of spending $40,000, further investigation revealed an additional $215,000 in Apple transactions over four years. Kozak claims it's not about greed but about "leveling up," leading to speculation on his motives. Despite the sizable sums, the investigation found no evidence of cooked books; all transactions were accounted for, raising questions about the oversight within the church.Phoebe and Eli draw parallels to other cases of financial mismanagement, like Craig Thompson's misuse of union funds. They discuss whether such act

This Pastor Won’t Let His Wife Read Unless He Approves The Reading Materialscarymommy.com, By Katie Garrity, on April 5, 2024https://www.scarymommy.com/parenting/pastor-wont-let-wife-read-booksThe conversation begins with a TikTok video featuring Pastor Joel Webon from the Covenant Bible Church, who openly admits to controlling his wife's reading material and even dictating his children's bathroom usage. The panelists debate whether such behavior constitutes abuse, considering the pastor's intentions and his family's consent. They draw parallels with the wearing of the hijab by Muslim women and question if the wife truly consents or exhibits signs of Stockholm syndrome.The discussion delves into biblical teachings that endorse male authority over women, citing verses like First Timothy 2:11-2 and Ephesians 5:22. They debate the interpretation of these verses and the extent to which religious beliefs justify controlling behavior within marriages. The conversation broadens to include cultural perspectives, with

How do you counter misinformation? Critical thinking is step oneNPR, By Greg Rosalsky, on April 30, 2024https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2024/04/30/1247565565/how-do-you-counter-misinformation-critical-thinking-is-step-one In the segment, Jimmy Jr, Jason, and Kelley discuss the implications of misinformation on society, particularly in light of a study conducted by economist John List and his colleagues. The study aimed to determine if simple nudges could help consumers reject misinformation, using the context of the 2022 presidential election in Colombia, a polarized environment akin to the U.S. Participants were shown videos of opposing sides getting along, leading to a 30% decrease in belief in misinformation. Surprisingly, personality tests had little effect on belief in fake news.Jason finds the study's revelation about skepticism intriguing, noting how individuals became skeptical of even true headlines after the study. He reflects on the conditioning in societies like the Southern U.S., where accepta

The Friendly Atheist, By Hemant Mehta, on APR 25, 2024https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/christian-lawmaker-says-teachers?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=oa4eg&triedRedirect=true The conversation centers on the proposed legislation in Oklahoma that would grant teachers the authority to physically discipline students, including those with disabilities, under the guise of religious freedom. Participants express deep concern over the potential ramifications of such a law, highlighting the risk of abuse and trauma for vulnerable children. There's a discussion about the ethical implications of using religion to justify corporal punishment, with some arguing that it contradicts principles of compassion and respect for human dignity.The discourse touches on broader issues of authoritarianism and the erosion of civil liberties, as well as the role of religion in public policy. Some participants question whether certain interpretations of religious texts can be considered hate speech, particularly whe

Russell Brand Reflects on ‘Profound Experience’ of Getting Baptized After Sexual Assault AllegationsUS Magazine, By Mike Vulpo , on April 29, 2024https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/russell-brand-reflects-on-profound-experience-of-getting-baptized/ In this segment, the hosts discuss Russell Brand's recent controversies and his attempt to address them through baptism. Brand has been accused of sexual assault by multiple individuals, including exposing himself to crew members on a movie set and assaulting a female actor. Despite these allegations, he recently underwent baptism, sparking discussions about his motivations and the efficacy of such actions.The hosts express skepticism about Brand's baptism, viewing it as a strategic move rather than a genuine religious awakening. They criticize Brand for seemingly using Christianity as a shield to evade accountability for his actions. They highlight the irony of someone who is not a Christian resorting to religious symbolism to absolve themselves of wron

Faith Leaders Say Taylor Swift’s New Album ‘Mocks Christianity’Beliefnet, By Lauren McKeithen, on April 29, 2024https://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/idolchatter/2024/04/faith-leaders-say-taylor-swifts-new-album-mocks-christianity.html The discussion delved into the controversy surrounding Taylor Swift's latest album, "Revelations," which has sparked backlash from some Christian leaders who argue that it mocks Christianity. The panelists explored the historical context of Christians critiquing various cultural influences, tracing back to the early days of rock and roll, where figures like Elvis Presley were condemned for their perceived defiance of traditional Christian values.They debated the legitimacy of such claims against Swift's music, questioning whether it genuinely challenges religious beliefs or if it merely reflects a broader cultural shift away from traditional norms. Some panelists argued that Swift's music often incorporates themes of personal growth, empowerment, and self-expression, which may r

The Church That Hired a Former Male Stripper to Perform at a Men's ConferenceThe Stream, By Michael Brown, on April 16, 2024https://stream.org/the-church-that-hired-a-former-male-stripper-to-perform-at-a-mens-conference/The discussion delves into a rather bizarre incident that occurred at a men's conference involving a former male stripper who performed shirtless acrobatics. This seemingly innocuous act sparked a clash between pastors Mark Driscoll and Michael Brown, leading to a humorous yet insightful analysis of the underlying issues.The conversation begins by highlighting the absurdity of the situation, with participants poking fun at the over-the-top reactions of Driscoll and Brown. They suggest that the pastors' discomfort likely stems from deep-seated homophobia and insecurity rather than any legitimate concern.As the discussion unfolds, the participants explore the broader themes of masculinity, repression, and hypocrisy within religious circles. They point out the irony of a supposedly Godly event de

Ron DeSantis invites lawsuit after saying Satanists can't be chaplains in FL schoolsThe Friendly Atheist, By Hemant Mehta, on April 19, 2024https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/ron-desantis-invites-lawsuit-afterThe panel engages in a spirited discussion dissecting Governor Ron DeSantis' recent controversial actions in Florida, particularly the signing of a bill allowing chaplains in public schools. Led by Helen, the panel critiques DeSantis' motives, highlighting concerns over constitutional violations and discrimination against non-theistic groups. Drawing parallels to DeSantis' previous confrontations, Infidel adds depth to the conversation, emphasizing the broader implications for secularism and individual freedoms. Emma offers insightful reflections on the intersection of religion and politics, drawing comparisons to the UK's evolving religious landscape. Throughout the discussion, the panel underscores the importance of defending democratic principles and safeguarding the separation of church and state agai

‘How sick do they have to get?’ Doctors brace for US supreme court hearing on emergency abortionsThe Guardian, By Carter Sherman, on April 23, 2024https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/23/supreme-court-verdict-emergency-abortions-patients-doctorsThe Non-Prophets, Episode 23.18.2 featuring Phoebe Rose, Emma Thorne, Infidel64 and Helen GreeneThe discussion revolves around the complex interplay between federal and state laws regarding abortion rights in the United States. The Supreme Court is faced with adjudicating between the Biden Administration's stance favoring federal law and Idaho's insistence on prioritizing state law. This clash has significant implications for healthcare, especially concerning emergency room practices and abortion access across the country.The participants express deep concern and frustration with the situation. They highlight the inadequacy of laws rooted in Christian nationalism and the risks posed to women's health and autonomy. There's a sense of dismay at the disregard for