The Non-Prophets

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The Sinner in the Mirror Sep 02, 2023

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The Sinner in the Mirror: Why Atheists Are Stereotyped as Immoral, Secular Humanism.org, By Phil Zuckerman, February/March 2023
https://secularhumanism.org/2022/11/the-sinner-in-the-mirror-why-atheists-are-stereotyped-as-immoral/
The Non-Prophets, Episode 22.34.4 featuring Cynthia McDonald , Phil the Skeptic Atheist, Jonathan Roudabush and Infidel64
In public perception, a common misconception links secular individuals to immorality due to the assumption that without belief in a deity, morals are Not possible without a deity.
Clarence Thomas, said “if your an atheist, what does an oath mean?” , Thomas, the impartial U.S. Supreme Court Justice, husband of a Christian-fascist insurrectionist.
Recent research by Professor Will Gervais reveals this bias, impacting political and social interactions. Historical influence of religious authorities, complexity of morality, and projection contribute to this stereotype. Projection is when negative qualities are projected onto others, seen in stereotypes of Native Americans as savages and Black men as predators.
This stereotype is flawed; empirical data indicates non-believers often advocate for empathy and justice. This raises questions about true sources of morality and who truly demonstrates it. Its interesting that we have reports from multiple religious organizations about sexual assault, grooming, financial impropriety and down right theft are still saying, atheists don’t believe in god so they are not trustworthy.The article mentioned freewill and arguments about morality, but it misses the point. Christians aren’t taking a serious philosophical position, just regurgitating what they’re told on Sundays.
They say morals come from the bible, but have no idea what it says. Traditional marriage? The bible sets a price for a rape victim to forcibly marry her rapist. Abortion? The bible has a recipe/potent for the priest to cause an abortion, but only to protect the man’s rights.
Christians deeply misunderstand what atheist means, they have been told repeated lies. Interestingly, projection might explain why the stereotype of atheists as immoral persists. Theists may project their moral shortcomings onto atheists to avoid self-examination. Ironically, non-religious people often hold more compassionate, just stances on issues like gun control, climate change, immigration, and healthcare.
Theists feel God is the arbiter of morality and because of this it is objective not subjective, but there is no consensus on what any imagined god wills or wants with respect to moral questions. All human conclusions about God’s assumed moral directives are nothing but interpretations reflecting the will, culture, worldview, or power of the humans doing the interpreting. Obedience to a god, defies self-moral reasoning. Their morality is usually based on threats of going to hell or heaven, which is abusive.
If you’re good because of god, then you are not good.
#godless #humanist #agnosticatheist #atheist #antireligion
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The Consequence of Dobbs Sep 01, 2023

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Girl, 13, gives birth after she was raped and denied abortion in Mississippi, The Guardian, By Lauren Aratani, August 14, 2023
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/14/mississippi-abortion-ban-girl-raped-gives-birth
The Non-Prophets, Episode 22.34.3 featuring Cynthia McDonald , Phil the Skeptic Atheist, Jonathan Roudabush and Infidel64
In a troubling account from Mississippi, a 13-year-old girl became pregnant after being assaulted by a stranger. The nearest provider nine hours away, cost, travel, and work issues all rendered abortion unfeasible.
This highlights the aftermath of the US Supreme Court overturning abortion access rights, with 14 state laws banning abortion now in effect. These restrictions disproportionately impact vulnerable communities, worsening existing health disparities. This case underscores the urgency of discussing women's rights, healthcare access, and the broader consequences of these policies.
In January, the New York Times reported that Mississippi made two exceptions since the state’s abortion ban went into effect. The state requires that a rape be reported to law enforcement in order to qualify for a legal abortion. The Non-Prophets previously reported about a 10 year old Ohio girl who was able to get an abortion in Indiana, (they now have abortion restrictions) after being assaulted by her mother’s boyfriend. He has been convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
For self-declared pro-lifers, this story ended at birth, just another family on the system to complain about. Declare victory and go home, but the three people in this story involuntarily became part of a parental control experiment by the state of Mississippi. If these people are really pro-life, there are many mothers, that need more help than these programs provide. Railing against, Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, and WIC is popular in those same circles. But these programs actually do improve lives. Funding direly needs to be increased. TANF in particular.
According to the state’s health department, black women are four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications compared with white women. According to the Guttmacher Institute, 60% of women who seek abortions are people of color and about half live below the federal poverty line, but thanks to Mississippi's desire to control people, we have an already struggling now-grandmother whose life has become more difficult.
A new mother with a challenging road ahead. If her mother did not have the money to take her to Chicago, do you think she would have the resources to raise another child?
A child to raise, while still being a child is the new mother. Experiencing serious ongoing trauma, but almost certainly with inadequate therapy. A new infant who is facing a scenario fraught with peril. Like his mother, at increased risk for drug abuse, incarceration, and mortality. There are people who dismiss reality with stories of people beating the odds. Do they not comprehend what beating the odds mean?
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Jesus too ‘woke’ for Evangelicals? Aug 30, 2023

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He was a top church official who criticized Trump. He says Christianity is in crisis, NPR.org, By Scott Detrow, Gabriel J. Sánchez, and Sarah Handel, August 8, 2023,
https://www.npr.org/2023/08/08/1192663920/southern-baptist-convention-donald-trump-christianity
Evangelicals Are Now Rejecting 'Liberal' Teachings of Jesus, Newsweek, By Aila Slisco, August 9, 2023
https://www.newsweek.com/evangelicals-rejecting-jesus-teachings-liberal-talking-points-pastor-1818706
The Non-Prophets, Episode 22.34.2 featuring Cynthia McDonald , Phil the Skeptic Atheist, Jonathan Roudabush and Infidel64
Russell Moore stood out in evangelical circles for criticizing Trump. He also was critical of the Southern Baptist Convention's handling of sexual abuse and white nationalism. And this resulted in his departure.
The Non-Prophets covered Russell Moore and Beth Moore in April of 2021 when they both left the SBC over some of the same reasons the articles mention.
Moore recently addressed what he called a crisis in American Christianity. He believes that society's divisions have infiltrated the church. In reality, it is the other way around. This has been a problem from Christianity’s origin.
The Southern Baptist Convention only exists because so they wanted to defend slavery in the Civil War era. Moore glosses over the role Evangelical leaders, they have fanned the flames in the name of their own self-interest for decades, if not centuries.
Moore isn’t preaching turn the other cheek with his anti-LGBT rhetoric, or promoting misogyny. He still marginalizes groups all in the name of religion. Religion is just a useful tool for them.
Military and Holy War rhetoric has long been normal. God’s army, spiritual warfare, or battling the devil all come to mind. Why is Moore surprised when people expect holy war?
Qanon has co-opted Christianity, it borrows, and shares recurring themes. There is obviously a proclivity among the MAGA Christian Nationalist to overreact. If this was not the case, we would not have had January 6th. Even inciting violence against others for simply existing, what did Moore expect?
Don't blame society for the ills of the church. We know how they got there, They drove the bus to this point. Moore just didn't realize that the other people were going to get in the driver's seat and be more unhinged than he is.
He is angry we're getting away from Christian values, We can hope they are getting away from some of those values. One recurring theme was “turn the other cheek”, but this often produce passiveness and indifference which hurt marginalized groups. They feel they have lost grip because many people stopped going to church after covid. Churchgoing is not what it was a generation ago, we just covered on this show a several times how church attendance is dwindling exponentially.
A famous civil rights leader’s comments after the assassination of JFK, he said this was “Chickens coming home to roost.” They are getting what they paid for. The bible says as one sows, so also shall they reap. Another lie. We are all paying the price for their hate. Again.
#misogynist #whitenationalists #bigot #politics #racism
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Jamaica Charges Catholic Priest with Assault Aug 28, 2023

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Police in Jamaica charge Catholic priest from Kenya with abduction and sexual assault, ABC News, By the Associated Press, July 11, 2023
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/police-jamaica-charge-catholic-priest-kenya-abduction-sexual-101106170
Kenyan priest charged with rape, abduction of 12-y-o girl in St Catherine, Jamaica Observer, Jul 11, 202
3https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latest-news/kenyan-priest-charged-with-rape-abduction-of-12-y-o-girl-in-st-catherine/
The Non-Prophets, Episode 22.34.1 featuring Cynthia McDonald , Phil the Skeptic Atheist, Jonathan Roudabush and Infidel64
A a 39-year-old Roman Catholic priest from Kenya, Lawrence Muvengi, has been accused of the sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl. Muvengi has been charged with rape, sexual grooming, having sexual intercourse with a person under 16 and abduction.
The accusations include abduction and rape within the church premises. The charges encompass sexual intercourse with a minor, sexual touching, grievous sexual assault, and child abduction.
Muvengi is accused of grooming the girl, a school student, and then luring her to his church home for the assault. The charges were filed based on the girl's identification of the priest in an official lineup and questioning by his attorney.
He appeared in the St Catherine Parish Court on Wednesday and was granted bail in the sum of $800,000.
Authorities emphasize their commitment to justice for the victim and urge anyone with relevant information to step forward.
Was this priest previously under suspicion of child abuse? What kind of investigation is happening at previous postings? In the end we know that any investigation done is going to serve their own self-interest.
The local Diocese expressed concern for all those affected. Are they paying for therapy and assistance? Probably not, that would be admitting culpability.
This is a tragedy soon replaced by another Church atrocity in the news cycle. But not for this child. This victim and their family will be ostracized, possibly even in danger for speaking out.
It is tiring to read story after story of people accusing members of the LGBTQ community of grooming children when we have story after story of priests and other ministers actually grooming children. They should look in the mirror.
The Catholic Bishops own report estimated over 4% of priests are “plausibly accused of abuse”, over 100 times higher than the general population’s convictions.
If you are Catholic, you support an crime syndicate that spends 300 million dollars each year to protect child raping priests.
You were not there when it happened, but your money makes it possible.
#endsexualassault #priest #churchtoo #sexualabuse #jamaican
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Barbie, Read your bible!- Aaron Jensen Leads Aug 26, 2023

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'Barbie' review: Greta Gerwig film celebrates female empowerment but falls short on biblical values, The Christian Post, By Leah MarieAnn Klett, August 3, 2023,
https://www.christianpost.com/news/barbie-lauds-female-empowerment-falls-short-on-biblical-truths.html
The Non-Prophets, Episode 22.33.4 featuring Helen Greene, The Well-Known Skeptic, Aaron Jensen and"Jimmy Jr"
Today's topic is a review of the recent smash hit Barbie. A review of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie film, which celebrates female empowerment. But according to Leah MarieAnn Klett, it falls short of biblical values.
Leah’s concerns centered around her claim that it falls short of biblical morality. The review assumes the Bible is a paragon of gender equality, but her case fails miserably. She puts forward the idea that the bible teaches that all are created equal, she even included links to Genesis 1:26. But, there's nothing in the verse about gender equality. Yet another example of a Christian misquoting the Bible.
The bible is rife with examples of misogyny and women's subjugation. On the other hand, the message of Barbie is about feminism. The critic claims that the film places a strong focus on the idea of self-reliance and individualistic pursuit of happiness in contrast to the prioritization of community and family values in the Bible.
The reviewer also stressed that women must take control and dominate others to earn respect contrasting with the biblical notion of mutual respect between men and women. Aren't women supposed to be silent in church, not supposed to teach anyone?
They are correct, Christian values are a stark contrast to what this movie is about. Feminism, female empowerment are all good things that the Bible does not give us. It is important for girls to also understand that they do have a choice on what type of person they are.
She was concerned that men in the movie were treated as second-class citizens, but that's the point. Ryan Gosling's character falls into this patriarchy, ideas that are something that we have to look at in the mirror. It's also important for boys and men to understand that they don't have to be part of the patriarchy, we need to be able to do some of these actions that are stereotyped as feminine qualities.
Hari Neff, a trans woman played one of the Barbies and nobody cared. It doesn't matter, you're part of the community. Overall a really good representation of just accepting people for who they are. In comparison, the reviewer could not resist the desire to pander to her audience and misgender Hari.
The article pointed out some of the really positive messages too, but again why tie this to religion, this is not a religious message at all.
We're here to talk about the review and the Christian viewpoint, but it would be remiss to not say that Barbie is smartly written, well-produced, and well-acted. It has a lot going for it.
Empowerment is vital, but it doesn't need to be at the expense of other people. That's the real message of this movie.
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Flying Through the Religious Liberty Skies! Aug 25, 2023

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Southwest will appeal judge's ruling requiring 'religious liberty training', Reuters, By Daniel Wiessner, August 8, 2023,
https://www.reuters.com/legal/us-judge-orders-southwest-lawyers-undergo-religious-liberty-training-2023-08-08/#:~:text=Aug%208%20(Reuters)%20%2D%20Southwest,prominent%20conservative%20Christian%20legal%20group.
The Non-Prophets, Episode 22.33.3 featuring Helen Greene, The Well-Known Skeptic, Aaron Jensen and"Jimmy Jr"
Southwest is appealing a judge's ruling that requires religious liberty training for three of its senior lawyers. This was in response to Southwest not meeting the judge’s previous ruling.
They had been ordered to inform their employees of the judges previous order, in their notice to employees they said, “Southwest does not discriminate against our employees”. The judge had previously said, “may not” instead of “does not”.
In his decision, Starr said, “Some of those entities laudably provide training free of charge for those who have struggled to respect religious liberties in the manner federal law requires.” And his selection? The Judge chose to assign training from a Christian group called the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF). Why do they always seem to include freedom or liberty in their name?
The ADF has been designated as an anti-LGBT hate group by The Southern Poverty Law Center. They are arguably the most influential anti-LGBT group and also spearheaded the previous administration's attack on LGBT rights.
They oppose same-sex marriage. they want to criminalize same-sex activity, they oppose anti-discrimination laws, they have opposed contraception, and are the group behind the current effort to remove FDA approval for Mifepristone. They have also taken an active role in writing anti-transgender bills for State legislatures.
The legal memorandum opinion and Order granting sanctions that the judge from Texas, not Florida for once. But as before, we are seeing these efforts across the country. U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr is another example of a judge using their authority to prop up Christian values in blatant violation of the Constitution.
The judge is retaliating against Southwest Airlines for penalizing a Christian, he is using the legal system to infuse his own religious ideology. It's a dangerous precedent, not only for atheists but for Christians, everyone could face efforts of indoctrination as a penalty for an act that conflicts with somebody's values.
There's a reason we need to keep religion out of government, when you come together as a society you have to agree on a common framework of how we're all going to live together.
If one chooses religion, those religious beliefs are frequently very oppressive to other groups. Often the same people historically as victims of religious groups. They tend to inflict serious harm on groups of people that they don't like.
As skeptics, the danger of religion in government is clear. We're all subject to laws, we want laws to help us get along, and to help create equality. Introducing the creep of religion into our laws and our government slowly erodes away all of our liberties and freedoms.
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Revisiting Havana Syndrome Aug 23, 2023

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Skeptical Inquirer, March 2023, by Rob Palmer:
Iranian Schoolgirl Gas Attacks and Havana Syndrome: A Conversation with Robert Bartholomew
The Non-Prophets, Episode 22.33.2 featuring Helen Greene, The Well-Known Skeptic, Aaron Jensen and"Jimmy Jr"
Today we are discussing Havana syndrome and Iranian school girls' Mass poisoning reports. An article in the Skeptical Inquirer which is called Iranian School girl cast attacks and Havana Syndrome a conversation with Robert Bartholomew.
What do these two situations have in common? One began in late 2016 when the US government claimed there were ongoing attacks against its Embassy Personnel in Cuba by unknown forces using unknown weapons. In subsequent years the scope of these claimed attacks include intelligence agents other government officials and even family members stationed in a very long list of countries. Eventually, it was even claimed to have happened on the White House grounds.
The symptoms of these attacks were eventually called Havana syndrome. They included everything from brain fatigue to brain damage. The mysterious unidentified Weaponry speculated for these attacks included ultrasound, infrasound, pulsed electromagnetic energy microwaves, and many other things.
The second involves Iranian girls. This started in November 2022. Reports surfaced about a poison gas attack at a girl's school in Iran affecting 200 students. Reports of gas attacks then happened all across the country of Iran.
As of early this year, the count of victims stood at nearly 7,000 young girls. The victims are mostly girls, there were some teachers and extraneous victims, but mostly school girls. It has been reported at over 100 schools in nearly that many cities.
Speculation ranged on who caused this. The usual suspects range from either the Iranian government seeking revenge for the recent and ongoing hijab protests, to the government saying it was a false flag operation by people who wanted it to look like it was the government doing it.
Functionally the diplomats have this close-knit tie to one another. They perform the same job, they're going through the same things, and they're separated from their natural environment.
On the other hand, the girls in these schools have a close-knit relationship in proximity. Unfortunately, throughout recent history you can go back decades and in different countries, very often if not exclusively in Muslim majority rule countries you will find similar events. and it's always schoolgirls.
There's something about being in an environment as part of a population that has no control. When you feel that you can't control things, and you're under other people's thumbs this can happen. The people in Cuba were in hostile territory always under surveillance by the Cuban government.
This reeks of mass hysteria, when you have a group of diplomats that are feeling something it's likely to encourage other diplomats to say well maybe that's what I'm feeling too. Maybe we actually are under attack. When in reality it's something else completely.
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What’s in a name? WT(F)lorida! Aug 21, 2023

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Florida Students Now Need Parental Permission to Use Nicknames, 'Alternate' Names Under New Ron DeSantis Rule, People, By Virginia Chamlee, August 9, 2023
https://people.com/florida-students-now-need-parental-permission-use-non-legal-name-7571342
The Non-Prophets, Episode 22.33.1 featuring Helen Greene, The Well-Known Skeptic, Aaron Jensen and"Jimmy Jr"
Florida students now need parental permission to use nicknames under new Florida law. Just another example of speech policing.
This is not legislation, this is persecution. This is another example of religion finding its way into public life via government under the guise of parental rights. Just discrimination, repackaged and re-branded. It should disgust everybody, including Christians.
Florida is determined to be Gilead from The Handmaid's Tale. We have seen their effort to make slavery seem like an internship while blocking AP African-American studies. AP Psychology is banned because it teaches that some people are different than others.
Students and teachers are the ones that are getting the brunt of this. It prevents teachers from being queer supportive, preventing them from having an authentic relationship with the students. It destroys the trust that teachers and students establish with one another. Teachers have lost the ability to exercise their own judgment, they are afraid of getting in trouble. They're losing the ability to educate.
Why should it matter to the state what name you're called? Under this rule, it would not allow a teacher who wants to respect their student as who they are as a person to do so. They have to call them by their dead name and use pronouns they don't identify with. It's not only a lack of respect, it puts that student at a greater risk for suicide.
Societies don't collapse because people are transgender or gay. People have been transgender and gay all through human history. The reason we hear about a supposed trans agenda taking over schools is because the fascists want to use it as a weapon.
The LGBTQIA community is losing basic human rights that we should all be guaranteed. It is evident that these legislators really don't care. This grab at a low-hanging fruit issue is one way they stay in power.
Society is ultimately responsible, it's easy to get caught up in this game of pointing fingers, but we have to take responsibility for our involvement. This is happening all across the United States., draconian laws are preventing people from being who they are.
Governments need to help solve problems, get things done, and not waste time and money persecuting others. Why don't we address poverty, or actually improve quality and access to our educational system?
Governors and Presidents get the most attention, but they aren't as important as your legislators, they are the people that are making and passing laws.
Instead, we pass laws like this.
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Supernatural Belief down for the count! Aug 19, 2023

Show notes

The Non-Prophets, Episode 22.32.4 featuring Phoebe Rose, Dr. Ben, Scott Dickie and Helen Greene
Gallup: Belief in God, Satan, angels, heaven, hell at 23-year low, Baptist Press, By Diana Chandler, July 31, 2023
https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/gallup-belief-in-god-satan-angels-heaven-hell-at-23-year-low/
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Florida “Bans” Sexuality Lessons Aug 18, 2023

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The Non-Prophets, Episode 22.32.3 featuring Phoebe Rose, Dr. Ben, Scott Dickie and Helen Greene
AP Psychology ‘effectively banned’ in Florida over sexuality lessons, College Board says, Politico, By JUAN PEREZ JR. and ANDREW ATTERBURY, August 3, 2023
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/08/03/ap-psychology-banned-in-florida-00109720
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