What does the winged victory of Samothrace represent? Internet debunks 'headless angel' at the Olympics claim Sportskeeda, By Karishma Rao, on August 12, 2024 https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/news-what-winged-victory-samothrace-represent-headless-angel-olympics-claim-debunked The Non-Prophets, Episode 23.34.4 featuring Cynthia, Phil the Skeptic Atheist, Rob (Robert Croy) and Phoebe Rose Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-non-prophets--3254964/support ...
Aug 31, 2024•20 min•Season 23Ep. 3404
Ignoring racism won’t fix racism: A response to Robyn Blumner's misguided essay The Friendly Atheist, By Bakari Chavanu and Hemant Mehta, on Aug 13, 202 4 https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/ignoring-racism-wont-fix-racism-a Bakari Shabanu, a Black atheist humanist, critiques Robert Blumer's editorial on secular humanism and the notion of a colorblind society. Blumer argues for a society that overlooks race, believing that focusing on race perpetuates division and reverse racism. However, Shabanu ...
Aug 30, 2024•25 min•Season 23Ep. 3403
Woman recalls alleged sexual abuse at age 3 in Michigan church, lawsuit saysNBC News, By Erik Ortiz, on August 13, 2024 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/woman-recalls-alleged-sexual-abuse-age-3-michigan-church-lawsuit-says-rcna165569 The discussion unfolds around the heartbreaking tale of a woman who recalls experiencing sexual abuse at the age of three, memories she later recovered during therapy at 21. The narrative is steeped in the familiar pattern of church-related sex scandals, highlig...
Aug 28, 2024•22 min•Season 23Ep. 3402
Richard Dawkins lied about the Algerian boxer, then lied about Facebook censoring him The Friendly Atheist, By Hemant Mehta, on Aug 11, 2024 https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/richard-dawkins-lied-about-the-algerian Richard Dawkins, known for his influential writings on atheism and evolution, recently sparked controversy with comments on Twitter regarding transgender athletes in the Olympics. Dawkins claimed that two women competing in boxing at the Olympics were "men masquerading as women," impl...
Aug 26, 2024•20 min•Season 23Ep. 3401
How US Public Schools Became a New Religious Battleground US News/Reuthers, By Liya Cui and Joseph Ax, on Aug. 7, 2024 https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2024-08-07/how-us-public-schools-became-a-new-religious-battleground In a discussion centering on the tension between religion and public education in the United States, the core theme highlights the rise of Christian nationalism and its implications for American identity. Proponents of Christian nationalism assert that to be America...
Aug 24, 2024•24 min•Season 23Ep. 3304
Inside Robby Starbuck's anti-DEI war on Tractor Supply, John Deere and Harley-Davidson US Today, by Jessica Guynn, on Aug. 2, 2024 https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2024/08/02/robby-starbuck-harley-davidson-john-deere-dei/74608637007/ The discussion delves into the recent activism of a conservative figure who has initiated a boycott against Harley-Davidson due to their support for LGBTQ+ initiatives and other so-called "woke" causes. This individual has previously targeted companies like Trac...
Aug 23, 2024•22 min•Season 23Ep. 3303
Anti-trans Texas pastor arrested after paying undercover cop for sex The Friendly Atheist, By Hemant Mehta, on Aug 05, 2024 https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/anti-trans-texas-pastor-arrested The recent discussion sheds light on the issue of hypocrisy within religious leadership, exemplified by the arrest of a senior pastor in Plano, Texas, for soliciting a prostitute. This incident, referred to as a moral failure by the church, sparks a broader conversation about what constitutes morality and th...
Aug 21, 2024•22 min•Season 23Ep. 3302
Priest sues gay hookup app Grindr over data leak Catholic News Agency, By Daniel Payne, on Jul 26, 2024 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/258413/priest-sues-gay-hookup-app-grindr-over-data-leak In this segment, the discussion centers around Monsignor Jeffrey Burr, a Catholic priest who faced public scrutiny and resigned from his position after being accused of using the social app Grinder for casual encounters, which conflicted with his public persona and the Church's stance on celibacy. B...
Aug 19, 2024•21 min•Season 23Ep. 3301
Behind Jordan Peterson’s ‘Biblical’ Teaching Is His Own Humanistic AgendaThe Federalist, By Larry Taunton, on May 21, 2024 https://thefederalist.com/2024/05/21/behind-jordan-petersons-biblical-teaching-is-his-own-humanistic-agenda/ Jordan Peterson's foray into biblical teachings has been characterized by a problematic fusion of superficial theology and psychological self-help. His appeal to Christian evangelicals, who are drawn to his simplified solutions to complex existential questions, signif...
Aug 17, 2024•18 min•Season 23Ep. 3204
Missouri Attorney General Opposes Opportunity for Marcellus Williams to Establish His Innocence Before Execution Date Death Penalty Information Center, By , on Jul 22, 2024 https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/news/missouri-attorney-general-opposes-opportunity-for-marcellus-williams-to-establish-his-innocence-before-execution-date Missouri is currently embroiled in a deeply troubling civil rights case involving a death row inmate who is likely innocent, as DNA evidence suggests. The state’s attorney gen...
Aug 16, 2024•17 min•Season 23Ep. 3203
99 years after the Scopes ‘monkey trial,’ religious fundamentalism still infects our schools Los Angeles Times, By Michael Hiltzik, on July 26, 2024 https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2024-07-26/99-years-after-the-scopes-monkey-trial-religious-fundamentalism-still-infects-our-schools Nearly a century ago, a significant trial unfolded in Tennessee, where the clash between religious fundamentalism and modern education took center stage. This trial, known as the Scopes Trial, ignited a debate t...
Aug 14, 2024•21 min•Season 23Ep. 3202
Oklahoma Bible mandate: Ryan Walters threatens 'rogue' districts The Oklahoman, By M. Scott Carter Murray Evans, on July 31, 2024 https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/education/2024/07/31/oklahoma-bible-in-schools-ryan-walters-threatens-rogue-districts/74599357007/ Oklahoma's State School Superintendent has stirred controversy again by mandating the teaching of the Bible in public school classrooms, threatening repercussions for districts that don't comply. Although legal scholars widely regard ...
Aug 12, 2024•20 min•Season 23Ep. 3201
A Texas public school superintendent won't stop promoting Christianity at workThe Friendly Atheist, By Hemant Mehta, on Jul 24, 2024 https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/a-texas-public-school-superintendent In the latest segment on religious issues in public schools, the focus turns to Rusk Independent School District (ISD) Superintendent Gray Burton and his controversial approach to prayer in school settings. The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) has been in a contentious battle with Burton,...
Aug 10, 2024•17 min•Season 23Ep. 3104
Olympics opening ceremony sparks outrage with drag queens parodying Last Supper: 'Gone completely woke' Fox News, By Alexander Hall, on July 26, 2024 https://www.foxnews.com/media/olympics-opening-ceremony-sparks-outrage-drag-queens-parodying-last-supper-gone-completely-woke The Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony ignited a storm of controversy, primarily due to a performance that some viewers misinterpreted as a parody of the Last Supper rather than an homage to Greek mythology. This artistic ...
Aug 09, 2024•19 min•Season 23Ep. 3103
Inside the two-year fight to bring charges against school librarians in Granbury, Texas NBC News, By Mike Hixenbaugh, Tyler Kingkade, Scott Friedman and Eva Parks, on July 23, 2024 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/school-librarians-banned-books-investigation-texas-rcna161444 In a saga reminiscent of the Keystone Cops, a two-year pursuit of felony charges against school librarians in Granbury, Texas, unfolded like a farcical mission gone awry. Right-wing extremist Scott London embarked on a v...
Aug 07, 2024•20 min•Season 23Ep. 3102
Sonya Massey shooting: Illinois police release bodycam video of fatal shooting of Black woman in her home CNN, By Eric Levenson, Jillian Sykes and Brad Parks, on July 23, 2024 https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/22/us/sonya-massey-police-shooting/index.html A distressing case of police brutality involving the death of a Black woman, Sonia Massi. Sonia, a 36-year-old mother of two, called the police for help because she suspected an issue nearby. The police arrived at her home, and the situation escalate...
Aug 05, 2024•19 min•Season 23Ep. 3101
Project 2025 would fundamentally change public education, experts sayThe Hill, By Lexi Lonas, on July 12, 2024 https://thehill.com/homenews/education/4766919-project-2025-trump-campaign-biden-heritage-foundation-public-education/ Project 2025 represents a significant conservative push to radically transform U.S. public education, primarily aimed at dismantling existing structures and reorienting educational content and funding. This initiative, developed by the Heritage Foundation and supported ...
Aug 03, 2024•22 min•Season 23Ep. 3004
Is Arizona erasing Black history? These leaders say contributions 'systemically oppressed' Arizona Republic, By Kaely Monahan Amanda Luberto, on July 9, 2024 https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/2024/07/08/is-arizona-erasing-black-history/74282912007/ Arizona, a state with a rich and diverse history, has long seen the stories and contributions of its African American residents underacknowledged or completely erased. Despite the presence of over 318,000 Black residents today, Black history ...
Aug 02, 2024•24 min•Season 23Ep. 3003
Texas megachurch pastor steps down over ‘moral failures,’ invokes Lucifer to bar congregants from talking New Your Post, By Alex Oliveira, on July 16. 2024 https://nypost.com/2024/07/15/us-news/texas-megachurch-pastor-steps-down-over-moral-failures/ In Frisco, Texas, Tony Karoda, pastor of Stonebrier Community Church, recently resigned after admitting to a "moral failure." The church's response, as detailed in a New York Post article by Alex Olivera, suggests a heavy-handed approach to handling ...
Jul 31, 2024•21 min•Season 23Ep. 3002
Donor-Funded Ziklag Backs Voter Purges, Christian RuleZiklag, funded by wealthy donors, wants voter purges and Christian NationalismThe Friendly Atheist, By Hemant Mehta , on July 16. 2024 https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/ziklag-funded-by-wealthy-donors-wants The biblical town of Ziklag, mentioned in the Old Testament as a place where King David strategized during his exile, is now being used as a symbolic backdrop by a modern organization with controversial aims. The organization, also named Z...
Jul 29, 2024•23 min•Season 23Ep. 3001
Thanks to Humanists, all British Columbia municipalities have ditched prayers at meetings., Friendly Atheist, by Hemant Mehta, on July 5, 2024, https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/thanks-to-humanists-all-british-columbia In a significant step forward for humanists and advocates of secular governance, all City Council meetings in British Columbia will now be prayer-free. This development comes nine years after a Supreme Court ruling declared the practice of opening meetings with prayers unconstitut...
Jul 27, 2024•19 min•Season 23Ep. 2904
Satanists in Florida offer to fill school counselor roles after DeSantis lawThe Hill, By Lexi Lonas, on July 8, 2024 https://thehill.com/homenews/education/4760286-satanists-florida-public-school-counselors-desantis/ In an expected turn of events, the Satanic Temple is challenging a new law in Florida, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, which permits volunteer chaplains in public schools. Lucien Greaves, co-founder of the Satanic Temple, asserts that excluding them violates the First Amendment, de...
Jul 26, 2024•21 min•Season 23Ep. 2903
Lawyer for megachurch pastor blamed 12-year-old for initiating ‘inappropriate’ sexual conduct NBC News, By Mike Hixenbaugh and Antonia Hylton, on July 9, 2024 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/robert-morris-gateway-church-lawyer-letters-cindy-clemishire-rcna160661 The discussion continues to uncover and critique the abhorrent behavior of certain pastors within the church community. This episode highlights the case of Robert Morris, a pastor whose lawyer shockingly accused a 12-year-old child ...
Jul 24, 2024•20 min•Season 23Ep. 2902
Texas pastor fined after illegally using church donations to boost his city council campaign Friendly Atheist, By Hemant Mehta, on JULY 11, 2024 https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/texas-pastor-fined-after-illegally In an unprecedented move, a Texas pastor and two churches have been fined by the Texas Ethics Commission for violating state election laws, emphasizing the ongoing importance of the separation between religion and government. The pastor was fined $3,500 for using his church to campaign...
Jul 22, 2024•18 min•Season 23Ep. 2901
Floresville ISD debates random drug testing for middle, high school extracurriculars San Antonio Express News, By Melissa Manno, on June 24, 2024 https://www.expressnews.com/news/education/article/floresville-isd-considers-random-drug-testing-19508797.php?sid=6628c885020c5168ed00c05 The debate over implementing random drug testing for approximately one hundred students per year in Floresville Independent School District has sparked mixed reactions within the community. The proposed policy aims t...
Jul 20, 2024•23 min•Season 23Ep. 2804
Oklahoma orders schools to teach the Bible 'immediately' BBC News, By Bernd Debusmann Jr, on June 29, 2024 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjk35vv2ryjo In this segment discussing Oklahoma's recent educational policy changes, the focus is on Ryan Walters, the school superintendent, who has mandated integrating Bible studies into the state's classrooms. This move has sparked widespread debate over its constitutionality and educational implications. Walters argues that understanding the Bible is ...
Jul 19, 2024•22 min•Season 23Ep. 2803
Religious leader wants to display Indian scriptures in Louisiana public classrooms WGNO ABC, By Keymonte Avery, on June 24, 2024 https://wgno.com/news/politics/louisiana-politics/religious-leader-wants-to-display-indian-scriptures-in-louisiana-public-classrooms/ Indians seek display of Gita verses along with Ten Commandments in Louisiana schools - IndiaPost NewsPaperIndia Post News Service, on June 29, 2024 https://indiapost.com/indians-seek-display-of-gita-verses-along-with-ten-commandments-in-...
Jul 17, 2024•22 min•Season 23Ep. 2802
Civil religion as a gateway to Christian nationalism Religion News Service, By Beau Underwood and Brian Kaylor, on June 25, 2024 https://religionnews.com/2024/06/25/civil-religion-as-a-gateway-to-christian-nationalism/ The discussion begins by questioning the significance of Christianity in American life. Historically, politics and Christianity were intertwined, but the conversation aims to explore whether this remains true today or if it ever really was. Eli Slack introduces the concept of civi...
Jul 15, 2024•23 min•Season 23Ep. 2801
How a Network of Nonprofits Enriches Fundraisers While Spending Almost Nothing on Its Stated Causes ProPublica, By Ellis Simani, on June 18, 2024 https://www.propublica.org/article/political-nonprofits-fundraising-ftc-irs-527s-pacs A network of connected political nonprofits, such as the American Breast Cancer Coalition and National Coalition for Disabled Veterans, has been discovered funneling over 90% of donations to fundraisers rather than their stated causes. Despite being fined over $58 mil...
Jul 13, 2024•19 min•Season 23Ep. 2704
Robert Morris warned sex abuse accuser she could be prosecuted for seeking compensation, emails show NBC News, By Mike Hixenbaugh, on June 21,2024 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/robert-morris-gateway-church-sex-abuse-emails-rcna158349 In a recent episode of unsettling church misconduct, Robert Morris, a prominent church leader, has been accused of committing adultery with a 12-year-old. This egregious violation of trust and moral principles highlights a severe breach in the sanctity of rel...
Jul 12, 2024•17 min•Season 23Ep. 2703
