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https://nypost.com/2023/11/13/business/petition-signed-by-almost-20k-bashes-non-binary-and-transgender-extravaganza-planned-for-thanksgiving-day-parade/
Petition signed by almost 20K bashes ‘non-binary and transgender extravaganza’ planned for Thanksgiving Day Parade, NY Post, Shannon Thaler
November 13, 2023
In a Macy's Thanksgiving Parade discussion, Cynthia, Jonathan, Infidel, and Phoebe explored the recent petition by the conservative group "1 Million Moms." Cynthia introduced the topic, highlighting the group's objections to the parade's perceived non-binary and transgender focus.
Jonathan promptly dismissed the group as an "extreme right, religious bot," accusing them of stifling queer expression. He critically analyzed their numerical claim, revealing a vast disparity between their name and actual followers, suggesting waning support. Infidel, initially disinterested, delved into the group's genuine concerns about societal change.
Infidel emphasized that the 1 Million Moms' motivation stems from fear, painting a picture of a group witnessing a transformation that challenges their deeply ingrained values. While not agreeing with their assessment, he acknowledged their genuine fear of the changing societal landscape.
Infidel noted that the group perceives the dismantling of the illusion within their society, built on values they hold dear. Their reaction, according to Infidel, mirrors that of offended children when their cherished beliefs are challenged. He delved into the group's perspective on the liberal LGBTQ agenda, emphasizing how it challenges the traditional values they hold in high esteem.
Phoebe, critical of the 1 Million Moms, questioned the authenticity of their petition numbers, linking them to inflated figures and the notorious Daily Mail's anti-trans agenda. She dismissed the group as "rent-a-goons" seeking attention and advised against giving them any significance.
Cynthia redirected the discussion to artistic expression, drawing parallels between historical criticisms of artists like Mozart and Lil Kim. The group agreed that the 1 Million Moms' objections stem from fear of societal change and discomfort with a more diverse landscape.
Jonathan predicted the group's inevitable decline, labeling them as the dying gasps of those resisting progress. Infidel expressed hope for a future where such groups become irrelevant, while Phoebe likened them to dying dinosaurs.
Cynthia underscored ongoing conversations about inclusion and representation, contrasting the parade's celebration of diversity with the 1 Million Moms' exclusionary stance. The panel invited viewer input, signaling a commitment to fostering dialogue on these crucial issues.
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Moms for Liberty call the cops over a book, popular.info, by Judd Legum, on Nov
6, 2023, https://popular.info/p/moms-for-liberty-members-call-the
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Credible sex abuse allegation against Mike Bickle, Church & Ministries News, by Leonardo Blair, on Nov 8, 2023, https://www.christianpost.com/news/1-mike-bickle-sexual-abuse-allegation-has-crediblity-ihop.html
Anti-LGBTQ+ pastor “sexual immorality”, Church & Ministries News, by Daniel Villarreal, on Nov 4, 2023, https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/11/anti-lgbtq-pastor-mike-bickle-accused-of-sexual-immorality-by-many-women/
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Right-wing history’s comeback, it never went away, Salon.com, by Mike Lofgren, on Nov 4, 2023, https://www.salon.com/2023/11/04/right-wing-fake-history-is-making-a-big-comeback--but-it-never-went-away/
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Abortion Rights Fuel Big Democratic Wins, NY Times, by Adam Edelman, on Nov. 2, 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/08/us/politics/election-results-democrats-abortion.html
Candidate says measure would let a rapist 'force' an abortion, NBC News, by Adam Edelman, on Nov. 2, 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/ohio-gop-candidate-bernie-moreno-issue-1-rapist-force-woman-abortion-rcna122856
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Most adolescents reject a biblical worldview
Christian Post, by Ryan Foley, on Oct. 23 2023, https://www.christianpost.com/news/most-kids-dont-believe-cornerstone-beliefs-of-biblical-worldview.html
The Non-Prophets, Episode 22.45.4 featuring Kelley Laughlin, Cindy Plaza, Jimmy Jr. and Aaron Jensen
To start, Jimmy Jr. shares a study indicating that only 3% of kids aged 8 to 12 embrace all seven cornerstones of a Biblical worldview. These cornerstones include beliefs in God, sin, and trusting the Bible. The panelists, including Kelley, Cindy, Jimmy, and Aaron, express their thoughts on the study.
Kelley emphasizes the harmful aspect of the belief that individuals are sinners by choice, calling it illogical and damaging on a psychological level. He highlights the victim-blaming aspect, sharing a personal experience of someone being harmed due to their parents' religious beliefs.
Cindy criticizes the indoctrination of religion in children, suggesting that forbidding religious teachings before the age of 18 could lead to the disappearance of religion in a couple of generations. She advocates for protecting children by providing them access to diverse education, making it more palatable and accessible.
Jimmy critiques the inconsistency in religious teachings and notes that children, exposed to a variety of ideas through the internet, are recognizing these inconsistencies. He believes the internet plays a significant role in exposing children to different perspectives and contributing to their departure from religious beliefs.
Aaron attributes the decline in religious adherence to increased knowledge and education. He mentions the impact of the internet in challenging dogmatic beliefs and praises the trend towards considering oneself spiritual rather than strictly religious. The panelists collectively express optimism about the decreasing influence of religion, citing better education and exposure to diverse ideas as key factors.
Aaron shares a nuanced perspective on the study's findings, acknowledging that while the numbers aren't as low as he'd prefer, he finds encouragement in the overall decline of adherence to traditional beliefs. He specifically notes his concern about the 69% who still believe in God, expressing a wish for a lower percentage and highlighting the lack of evidence for God's existence. Despite this concern, Aaron remains optimistic, drawing inspiration from historical trends where truth has prevailed over time.
In summary, the panelists believe that children are increasingly rejecting traditional religious teachings due to better education, exposure to diverse perspectives through the internet, and a recognition of the inconsistencies in religious dogma. They emphasize the need to protect children from harmful beliefs and promote accessible education. The overall tone is optimistic about the evolving landscape of religious beliefs.
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Mike Johnson ends GOP chaos as 56th House Speaker
NBC News, by Scott Wong, Ali Vitali, Rebecca Kaplan and Kyle Stewart, on Oct. 25, 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/mike-johnson-elected-new-speaker-house-vote-rcna122151
The Non-Prophets, Episode 22.45.3 featuring Kelley Laughlin, Cindy Plaza, Jimmy Jr. and Aaron Jensen
Cindy led us through the shocking twists that allowed Mike Johnson's surprising elevation to the 56th Speaker of the House. She highlighted Johnson's extremism, particularly his vocal opposition to LGBTQ rights and leading role in GOP efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
Kelley underscored the perception of Johnson as the "least objectionable person" amidst GOP disarray. Despite Johnson's extremist views and role in challenging the 2020 election, his charisma and conservative stance played a vital role in uniting the party. Johnson's lack of enemies within the GOP was a key factor in his success.
Aaron joined, highlighting Johnson's alignment with the MAGA crowd and inclination toward ideological warfare. Predicting consequences in upcoming elections due to GOP dysfunction, Aaron criticized Congress members prioritizing personal beliefs over governance, labeling them as traitorous.
Jimmy Jr. expressed concern about Johnson's alignment with the religious right. He criticized the thinning line between government and religion, noting Johnson's public prayer on the House floor. He also cautioned against the encroachment of religious and MAGA ideologies into legislative decisions.
Cindy described the events leading to Johnson's speakership as laughable, particularly the GOP the influence of the "orange man." She expressed horror at Johnson's positions, linking aid conditions to Israel and Ukraine with controversial issues like the border wall and reducing IRS funding.
The conversation shifted to Johnson's challenges as Speaker, including the looming government shutdown and GOP internal strife. Kelley raised concerns about Johnson's potential need for another stopgap measure, citing the party's dislike for supporting a Democratic proposal. The panelists speculated and questioned his control over House members.
Aaron voiced dissatisfaction with prioritizing party over country, calling for fundamental changes. He proposed multi-representational districts and ranked-choice voting for collaboration, compromise, and diverse party representation.
The discussion touched on Johnson's problematic attributes, with Aaron and Jimmy condemning his attempt to overturn election results. The panelists debated whether self-interest might lead Johnson to forsake theocracy for power, considering potential allegiance to Trump.
Cindy expressed skepticism about Johnson's pro-Trump stance, believing his commitment to theocracy might supersede allegiance. The discussion concluded with Aaron advocating for a shift from party-centric politics, emphasizing a larger House, smaller districts, and publicly funded elections.
In summary, the panelists provided a nuanced analysis of Johnson's ascent, expressing concerns about extremism, GOP struggles, and calling for democratic system changes. The discussion reflected a thoughtful exploration of challenges surrounding Johnson's leadership.
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Selling homeschool curriculum makes me sick
HuffPost, by Heather Stark, on Oct 29, 2023, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/homeschool-conference-curriculum-girl-empowerment_n_652445c9e4b0102e6962fd39
The Non-Prophets, Episode 22.45.2 featuring Kelley Laughlin, Cindy Plaza, Jimmy Jr. and Aaron Jensen
Panelists Kelley, Cindy, Jimmy Jr., and Aaron delve into Grace and Grit‘s Heather Stark's distinctive homeschooling narrative, exploring the complex interplay of feminism, religion, and far-right politics.
Kelley emphasizes feminism's positive impact, particularly in challenging religious circles that perpetuate the subjugation of women. He illuminated how religion shapes expectations, reinforcing gender roles that depict women as inferior.
Jimmy Jr. then underscored the clash between feminism and religious conservatism, citing an incident where a woman demands a God-centric discussion in the article. He also discussed challenges faced by Heather Stark and B in their effort to empower girls through the history of legendary women at homeschool conferences.
Cindy critiqued homeschooling's unregulated nature, decrying it as a breeding ground for unscrupulous individuals and groups. She lamented the system's allowance for rampant capitalism and widespread suffering.
Aaron challenged the perception of the Bible as an ultimate moral authority, urging critical examination of morally questionable teachings. Responding to Cindy's concerns about regulations, Aaron advocated for necessary safeguards to prevent exploitation and unethical practices, condemning the lack of regulation in homeschooling and highlighting the influence of lobbying groups like The Homeschool Legal Defense Association.
In the article, Heather reflected on the disturbing presence of far-right political ideologies at homeschool conferences, expressing concerns about indoctrination. She questions the inclusion of right-wing political philosophy in a space intended for homeschooling.
Jimmy Jr.'s expressed his views about right-wing hypocrisy, supporting small government only when it aligns with their views. Another concern being the infiltration of right-wing ideologies in homeschooling, emphasizing the dangers of indoctrination.
The panelists commended Heather and her organization for challenging societal norms in their curriculum. This underscores the importance of critical thinking, education regulation, and resistance against political and religious indoctrination in homeschooling. The panelists encourage readers to explore Heather Stark's article for a firsthand account of the impact of religious conservatism and the war on woke in education.
In a follow-up, Jimmy Jr. contacted Heather Stark from Grace and Grit for an update. Within 48 hours of the article's publication, Grace and Grit received notice that they were no longer welcome at events. Heather remains determined, and is launching a podcast, planning to attend secular events, and using their newsletter to advocate for women. This insight reveals both the organization's resilience and determination.
Here at The Non-Prophets we wish Heather and B all the best.
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Nobody wins in DeSantis’ war on woke
Sun Sentinel, by Rae Leiner, on Oct. 29 2023, https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2023/10/29/nobody-wins-in-desantis-war-on-woke-opinion/
The Non-Prophets, Episode 22.45.1 featuring Kelley Laughlin, Cindy Plaza, Jimmy Jr. and Aaron Jensen
In the Sunshine State, Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a "war on woke," targeting teachers, medical providers, and marginalized communities, turning schools into political battlegrounds. This results in an exodus of educators and a plummeting teacher-to-population ratio.
Jimmy Jr appreciated the author's use of "incubator" to describe harmful laws spreading across states. He criticized warlike language, emphasizing its impact on marginalized communities, causing fear and divisiveness. Cindy characterized the GOP as rooted in fascist principles, relying on strongman narratives and vague terms like "woke."
Kelley pushed back against the idea that the war on woke originated solely in Florida, asserting it is a nationwide phenomenon. DeSantis is following a pre-established playbook trying to gain attention, and is becoming more radical in his presidential aspirations. Kelley mentioned DeSantis' endorsement by the governor of Iowa, indicating broader adoption of these strategies among Republicans.
Aaron defended the concept of being "woke," emphasizing kindness and empathy. He criticized the GOP for lacking a substantive policy platform and resorting to culture wars. Aaron stressed countering these ideas through collective efforts to make the country better.
Jimmy Jr agreed with Cindy's analysis, linking the GOP's need for a strongman to a playbook mentality. DeSantis, facing challenges in achieving his goals, adopts a more aggressive approach. He acknowledged the impact on teachers, doctors, and students, emphasizing the need to combat divisive rhetoric.
Cindy added that DeSantis is trapped by extreme positions he adopted to secure his initial election. She expressed curiosity about the governor's mindset and the challenge of maintaining these positions while navigating broader public sentiment.
Kelley shifted the discussion to the shortage of OBGYNs in Florida, debunking the idea that the war on woke directly causes this issue. He attributes the shortage to economic factors, including lower doctor pay. Kelley highlights the population increase in Florida, exacerbating the problem.
The panel briefly touched on the war on woke's impact on minority communities, expressing concern about the marginalization of these groups and potential long-term consequences.
In the final segment, the panel reflected on the harm caused by the war on woke. Aaron emphasized the decline in our ability to listen, believe others, and work towards compromise. Jimmy Jr predicted a decline in education quality due to the mass exodus of teachers. Cindy echoed concerns about the societal shift away from collaboration.
As the conversation was closing, Kelley noted that war on woke candidates did not fare well in recent school board elections, providing a glimmer of hope. The panel emphasized countering divisive rhetoric and working collectively to address challenges posed by the war on woke.
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