The Non-Prophets

Latest Episodes:

Humanism on the Hill Feb 09, 2025

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Bishop urges mercy for immigrants, Trump calls her 'nasty'
Reuters, By Steve Holland and Jeff Mason, on January 22, 2025
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-attends-prayer-service-gets-an-earful-immigrants-lgbt-youth-2025-01-21/
This conversation highlights a striking moment in political and social discourse, where a religious leader felt compelled to speak out and remind a president, in this case, Donald Trump, to have compassion for others. The discussion centers on the disconnect between those in power, their words, and how they affect vulnerable communities. The episode explores how people like Trump, who lack introspection, have risen to power and whether such figures should be trusted with significant authority. There's also a deeper commentary on the current state of democracy and the unsettling trend of unqualified individuals reaching top political positions.
The Non-Prophets, Episode 24.05.4 featuring Phoebe Rose, Helen Greene, and Aaron Jensen
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Shame Shame Shame Feb 08, 2025

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Black America Drags Old-Fashion Pastor Who Forced A Woman to Apologize to the Church for Being Pregnant
Yahoo News/The Root, By Phenix S Halley, on January 9, 2025
https://www.yahoo.com/news/virginia-pastor-forces-woman-apologize-194700753.html
This Segment discusses the troubling dynamics of societal and religious shaming regarding sex and pregnancy outside of marriage. The focus is on a young woman who was forced to apologize to her church after becoming pregnant out of wedlock. The pastor's harsh response, including the denial of a baby shower and social ostracization, is scrutinized.
The panelists express outrage over the double standard that allows men to avoid blame while women bear the brunt of the shame. They critique the persistence of outdated, misogynistic views on sex and sexuality, particularly within religious contexts. The conversation expands to the damage done by purity culture, repressing natural human desires and perpetuating harmful stereotypes about women's roles in sexual relationships.
The Non-Prophets, Episode 24.05.3 featuring Phoebe Rose, Helen Greene, and Aaron Jensen
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SCOTUS hears Opt Out Bid Feb 06, 2025

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Supreme Court takes up parents’ bid to opt out of LGBTQ content at elementary schools
This Segment discusses the Supreme Court hearing a case about parents wanting the option to opt their children out of LGBTQ+ content in classrooms. The speakers argue that such movements stem from a fear of change and differences, primarily driven by conservative and religious groups.
They stress that fostering an inclusive and kind environment for children is crucial, highlighting the dangers of creating ignorance by blocking certain topics like LGBTQ+ issues. The discussion also touches on parental responsibility—emphasizing that the goal is not to create copies of oneself but to raise independent individuals who can interact with the diverse world around them.
NBC News, By Lawrence Hurley, on January 17, 2025
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-takes-parents-bid-opt-lgbt-content-elementary-schools-rcna188205
The Non-Prophets, Episode 24.05.2 featuring Phoebe Rose, Helen Greene, and Aaron Jensen
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OK Funding Christianity Feb 04, 2025

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An Oklahoma lawmaker's sneaky proposal would let the state indirectly fund Christianity
Oklahoma's state legislators are pushing to amend the state constitution, seeking to remove the word "indirect" from a clause that prevents public funds from supporting private religious institutions. The aim is to channel state funds to religious schools, particularly Christian ones, without direct funding. In 2016, voters rejected a similar effort, and this new push reflects ongoing attempts to bypass the separation of church and state. Opponents of the bill argue that it could result in public funds indirectly supporting churches, including those of potentially less popular or controversial religious groups, which could lead to inequality in public funding.
The Friendly Atheist, By Hemant Mehta, on January 22, 2025
https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/an-oklahoma-lawmakers-sneaky-proposal
The Non-Prophets, Episode 24.05.1 featuring Phoebe Rose, Helen Greene, and Aaron Jensen
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Cavemen Ate Vegan, Say Scientists Feb 02, 2025

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Scientists find that cavemen ate a mostly vegan diet in groundbreaking new study
JOE, By Ryan Price, on January 11, 2025
https://www.joe.co.uk/news/scientists-find-that-cavemen-ate-a-mostly-vegan-diet-2-471100?fbclid=IwY2xjawHzYDtleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHd2UJJnF69VVfOgz1klTAT78dKBfhwELc9WWh4w8uApYNV02vlGj5Z238w_aem_7jt6ZMICID6vWVZ2TQG9-A
Original paper: Isotropic Evidence of high reliance on plant food among Later Stone Age hunter-gatherers at Taforalt, Morocco
Reference on evidence of cultivation:https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1318176111
The article in question sparks an important discussion about the nature of human diets, particularly those of Paleolithic humans, but the way it's framed seems misleading. An author claims that a tribe of Northwest African humans, around 13,000 BCE, lived on a "mostly vegan" diet, which sounds like clickbait. However, when you dive into the article, it's clear that the term "vegan" is problematic. Veganism, as we understand it today, is a modern concept that includes moral considerations about animal welfare, a concern not relevant to Paleolithic humans.
The study focuses on a specific group of people from North Africa, not all Paleolithic humans. It uses dental evidence—such as cavities caused by the consumption of starchy plants—to infer dietary habits. But this doesn't equate to a vegan lifestyle; it suggests a plant-based diet with some animal products, but the use of the term "vegan" is misleading. These people were opportunistic eaters, consuming whatever was available in their environment, whether it was fish, plants, or animals. Additionally, the region they inhabited was lush with rivers and streams, suggesting that fish could have been a significant part of their diet.
The author of the article fails to account for the diversity in Paleolithic diets based on geography and resources, which varied greatly. The study in question offers a snapshot of a small group in a specific area, not a sweeping generalization of human dietary habits during that time. Understanding this nuance is critical when discussing Paleolithic diets and the assumptions we make about them.
While the study itself offers some fascinating insights into early forms of horticulture, it's crucial not to overgeneralize or mislabel ancient human diets based on modern concepts. The findings are important but should be viewed within their specific context, avoiding the trap of applying contemporary dietary labels like "vegan" to people who lived in a vastly different world.
The Non-Prophets, Episode 24.04.4 featuring Jimmy Jr. , Jonathan Roudabush, and AJ
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Divine Diversion: Tax Dollars Flow to Private Religious Schools Feb 01, 2025

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On a Mission God: Inside the Movement to Redirect Billions of Taxpayer Dollars to Private Religious Schools
ProPublica , By Alec MacGillis, on January 13. 2025
https://www.propublica.org/article/school-vouchers-ohio-church-state-tax-dollars-private-religious
This discussion dives deep into the decades-long efforts of Catholic leaders and conservative politicians in Ohio to redirect public school funding toward private religious institutions, primarily Catholic schools. Using the guise of "school choice" and rhetoric about helping underprivileged children, this strategic takeover has disproportionately harmed public schools, drained their resources, and exacerbated systemic inequalities.
The panel highlights how this scheme, orchestrated by bishops and a Catholic governor, has fueled segregation and restricted opportunities for African-American students. It also exposes how religion continues to infiltrate public policy, prioritizing indoctrination over equitable education.
The Non-Prophets, Episode 24.04.3 featuring Jimmy Jr. , Jonathan Roudabush, and AJ
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Xtian Professor Claims Atheism Fuels Assault and Self-Harm Jan 30, 2025

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With awful logic, Christian professor says atheism leads to more sexual assault and self-harm
The Friendly Atheist, By Hemant Mehta, on January 15, 2025
https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/with-awful-logic-christian-professor
This discussion revolves around a sociological article published in the Journal of Sociology and Christianity by Professor Philli Truscott of Southern Baptist University, making unsupported claims linking the rise of religious "nones" to increases in sexual assault and suicide rates. The article's methodology was criticized for skipping the scientific rigor necessary to distinguish correlation from causation. Several issues were flagged, including the selective publication of such a study in a Christian journal, which allowed unverified claims to pass under the guise of academic credibility.
The panel dissected the misuse of data and how such narratives are weaponized for right-wing agendas. Key arguments included the cherry-picking of statistics, misinterpreting graphs, and ignoring broader societal contexts, such as increased awareness and reporting of sexual assaults in recent years. Comparisons between unrelated data points, like rising sea levels and transgender identification rates, were humorously used to illustrate the absurdity of such faulty correlations.
The panelists criticized this manipulation as a tool for fearmongering, promoting the idea that non-religious individuals or minorities are societal threats. They noted this tactic aligns with the broader goals of some religious institutions to bolster membership and financial support. The conversation closed by pointing out the hypocrisy within Christian leadership, where higher rates of misconduct are often uncovered.
The Non-Prophets, Episode 24.04.2 featuring Jimmy Jr. , Jonathan Roudabush, and AJ
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Right Rages Over Sign Language Interpreters Jan 28, 2025

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LA Is Burning, and the Right Is Furious—About Sign Language InterpretersMother Jones, By Julia Me'traux, on January 13, 2025
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/01/california-fires-asl-sign-language-woke/
The discussion highlights California's ongoing devastation from wildfires, where 12,000 structures have been destroyed, tens of thousands evacuated, and numerous lives, both human and animal, lost. Yet, instead of focusing on this tragedy, right-wing figures like Charlie Kirk and Christopher Rufo criticize sign language interpreters during emergency broadcasts, labeling them as “woke.” The panel agrees this rhetoric is part of a larger conservative effort to dehumanize marginalized groups, including the disabled.
The conversation underscores how such attacks aim to strip minorities of visibility and support while sowing division. The panelists emphasized the importance of American Sign Language (ASL) as a complete, nuanced language essential for the Deaf community. They condemn the right's targeting of interpreters, likening it to fascist tactics used historically to vilify and control minority groups. This dehumanization fosters tribalism, allowing conservatives to rally followers around a shared hatred of the “other.”
The Non-Prophets, Episode 24.04.1 featuring Jimmy Jr. , Jonathan Roudabush, and AJ
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Christian Fund’s Corporate Agenda: Dark Ages Revival Jan 26, 2025

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A $24 Billion Fund Puts Its Religious Stamp on Corporate America
Insurance Journal, By Jeff Green, Saijel Kishan, on January 3, 2025
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2025/01/03/806788.htm
This article explores the increasing influence of conservative faith-based investors who are using their financial power to push companies away from progressive policies, such as funding Pride events, offering abortion-related benefits, and promoting diversity and inclusion. These groups, with assets amounting to an estimated half a trillion dollars, leverage shareholder proposals, lawsuits, and direct confrontations with executives to sway corporate behavior. At the forefront is Guidestone, a Texas-based investment firm, which has partnered with conservative organizations to target businesses it views as promoting agendas counter to its religious values.
The article also highlights how these investors, despite their minimal shareholder backing, are employing aggressive tactics to push their agenda. This mirrors a broader conservative push against Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies, which has been criticized as an attempt to silence corporate support for progressive causes. While the investors frame their actions as aligning with their religious beliefs, critics argue they are using financial influence to impose their values on others, regardless of the societal consequences.
The Non-Prophets, Episode 24.03.4 featuring Scott Dickie, Chris Mallard and Eli Slack
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Moses Mike's Prayer: Facts Just Get in the Way Jan 25, 2025

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A prayer in the U.S. Capitol sparked a unique religion controversy
NewsBreak, By Kelsey Dallas, on January 7, 2024
https://www.newsbreak.com/share/3745550181658-a-prayer-in-the-u-s-capitol-sparked-a-unique-religion-controversy
In this segment, Speaker Mike Johnson's invocation of a supposed "National Prayer" by Thomas Jefferson is questioned. Johnson claimed that Jefferson recited this prayer daily, but historians refute this claim, labeling it false. Jefferson's actual beliefs, including his deism and advocacy for the separation of church and state, contradict Johnson's narrative.
The discussion focuses on the misquote, but also critiques Johnson's public prayer itself, especially considering his influential position. The panelists emphasize that Jefferson would never have supported such an act in office. Eli also explores the broader issue of government officials intermingling personal religious views with their roles, with concern that such actions blur the lines between church and state.
The Non-Prophets, Episode 24.03.3 featuring Scott Dickie, Chris Mallard and Eli Slack
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