Here’s What I Saw Before I Got Expelled From Jordan Peterson’s Online “University” Slate Magazine, By Luke Winkie, on October 3, 2024 https://slate.com/life/2024/10/jordan-peterson-academy-university-online.html The launch of Jordan Peterson's online university seems like a calculated move to exploit the disillusionment of individuals frustrated with mainstream education. Peterson has branded his institution as a place for free speech and open debate, but it appears to be more about capitalizing...
Oct 23, 2024•24 min•Season 23Ep. 4202
How a beloved children's cartoon turns fathers into mothers and what the Bible says about it Blaze Media, By Jeremy Pryor, on October 6, 2024 https://www.theblaze.com/align/bluey-turns-fathers-into-mothers Bluey's dad adores his kids. A conservative writer says that's unbiblical. The Friendly Atheist by Hemant Mehta on October 8, 2024 https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/blueys-dad-adores-his-kids-a-conservative The conversation opens with a discussion about a conservative writer, Jeremy Pryor, and...
Oct 21, 2024•20 min•Season 23Ep. 4201
Most anticipated' comet of 2024 returns this weekend after 80,000 years Earth.com, By Eric Ralls, on September 29, 2024 The discussion centers around Comet Suchin Shan Atlas (C/2023 A3), which has become visible to observers on Earth since late September and will remain so until late October 2024. This comet last appeared around 80,000 years ago, during a time when woolly mammoths roamed the Earth. The panel engages in light-hearted banter while exploring astronomical phenomena, emphasizing the ...
Oct 19, 2024•22 min•Season 23Ep. 4104
Wisconsin pastor arrested for allegedly sending intimate photos from victim’s phone without consent Yahoo.com, By Indiana Schilz, on October 2, 2024 https://www.yahoo.com/news/wisconsin-pastor-arrested-allegedly-sending-015540084.html In a shocking incident, Pastor Gabe Mills of Journey Mega Church in Wisconsin was arrested for allegedly taking nude photos of a female congregant without her consent during a life group meeting. Mills reportedly airdropped explicit images found on the victim’s pho...
Oct 18, 2024•25 min•Season 23Ep. 4103
Several arrested after American woman dies in first use of controversial suicide pod The discussion centers on the complex and often taboo topic of suicide and assisted dying. It begins with a metaphorical comparison of life decisions to doors that, once opened, cannot be closed. This imagery illustrates the irrevocable nature of choices related to life and death, emphasizing that a slow and deliberate approach is crucial in navigating these sensitive issues. The conversation acknowledges the st...
Oct 16, 2024•25 min•Season 23Ep. 4102
Colorado will now make Catholic hospitals say what services they won't provideThe Friendly Atheist, By Hemant Mehta, on October 1, 2024 https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/colorado-will-now-make-catholic-hospitals Colorado has passed a new law requiring all hospitals to disclose any procedures they won’t perform due to non-medical reasons. The "Patients Right to Know Act" ensures transparency, especially targeting Catholic hospitals that follow religious doctrine rather than medical expertise in d...
Oct 14, 2024•26 min•Season 23Ep. 4101
Consciousness may stem from unseen dimensions beyond our reality Earth.com, By Eric Ralls, on September 21, 2024 https://www.earth.com/news/consciousness-may-stem-from-unseen-dimensions-beyond-our-reality/ The conversation delves into a discussion of Dr. Michael Priva’s hypothesis that extra dimensions, beyond the known four of spacetime, might help explain human consciousness. Priva draws from string theory, which posits up to 11 dimensions, and extends this to suggest that Jesus may be a hyper...
Oct 12, 2024•19 min•Season 23Ep. 4004
Religious freedom, LGBTQ rights collide in lawsuit over Colorado’s universal preschool program The Denver Post, By Ann Schimke, on September 22, 2024 https://www.denverpost.com/2024/09/22/colorado-universal-preschool-religious-freedom-lgbtq-rights/ Religious preschools in Colorado, specifically under the Archdiocese of Denver, are pushing back against state rules requiring nondiscrimination, particularly toward LGBTQ families, despite eagerly seeking state funding through Colorado's Universal Pr...
Oct 11, 2024•19 min•Season 23Ep. 4003
Florida bans instruction on contraception and consent in sex ed classes Popular, By Rebecca Crosby, on September 25, 2024 https://popular.info/p/florida-bans-instruction-on-contraception Florida's recent policy changes in sex education are stirring significant concern among advocates for comprehensive health education. As of September 2024, schools in Florida are required to submit their sex education materials for state review, ensuring adherence to strict abstinence-only guidelines. This new p...
Oct 09, 2024•22 min•Season 23Ep. 4002
Pastor claims he miraculously cured a man hospitalized due to voting for Democrats The Friendly Atheist, By Hemant Mehta, on September 26, 2024 https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/pastor-claims-he-miraculously-cured I Went to a Pro-Trump Christian Revival. It Completely Changed My Understanding of Jan. 6. Slate Magazine by Molly Olmstead on September 25, 2024 https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2024/09/donald-trump-2024-president-election-shooting-christians.html In the first story, a pastor named...
Oct 07, 2024•19 min•Season 23Ep. 4001
Steam Users Curate 'Anti-Woke' List & It's Dividing Opinion Dual Shockers, By Abdullah Al Tekreeti, on September 9, 2024 https://www.dualshockers.com/steam-anti-woke-list/ This week, the gaming community is buzzing with discussions surrounding a controversial initiative launched by a group of Steam users who have formed an anti-woke list. This list categorizes video games based on their perceived "woke" content, with a particular focus on aspects such as LGBTQ+ representation and the portray...
Oct 05, 2024•22 min•Season 23Ep. 3904
Maine law thwarts impact of school choice decision, lawsuit says National Catholic Reporter, By Religion News Service, on September 10, 2024 https://www.ncronline.org/news/maine-law-thwarts-impact-school-choice-decision-lawsuit-says Measure to repeal Nebraska’s private school funding law should appear on the ballot, court rules AP News by Margery A. Beck on September 13, 2024 https://apnews.com/article/private-school-choice-nebraska-ballot-7f64c3eacea5e25c730ad02c9b2418b3 In this clip, the speak...
Oct 04, 2024•27 min•Season 23Ep. 3903
I was a black child raised in a white supremacist cult. When doomsday didn't come, I had to learn how to live the Guardian, By Steve Rose, on September 10, 2024 https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/article/2024/sep/10/i-was-black-child-raised-in-white-supremacist-cult-doomsday-didnt-come-learn-how-to-live Gerald Walker's story is one of resilience in the face of extreme ideological manipulation. Growing up in the Worldwide Church of God, a doomsday cult with white supremacist beliefs, Walker...
Oct 02, 2024•26 min•Season 23Ep. 3902
Mississippi sheriff's solution to the drug crisis? Everyone must 'truly find Jesus' The Friendly Atheist, By Hemant Mehta, on September 13, 2024 https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/mississippi-sheriffs-solution-to Church Attendance is (Once Again) Correlated with Authoritarianism — So Why Do We Refuse to Acknowledge It? Religion Dispatches by Chrissy Stroop on September 13, 2024 https://religiondispatches.org/church-attendance-correlated-with-authoritarianism-again-so-why-do-we-still-refuse-to-ack...
Sep 30, 2024•24 min•Season 23Ep. 3901
Newly-baptized Russell Brand helps kick off Tucker Carlson's US tour with prayer asking God to bring 'unity' at the Presidential election (after a joke about sneaking into America illegally and trafficking 'a few kids' with him) The Daily Mail, By Martin Robinson, on September 6, 2024 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13820663/Russell-Brand-Tucker-Carlson-tour.html This discussion centers on the controversy surrounding Russell Brand and his sudden public conversion to Christianity followi...
Sep 28, 2024•20 min•Season 23Ep. 3804
Las Vegas cops arrest pastor who brought weapons and drugs to his hotel roomThe Friendly Atheist, By Hemant Mehta, on September 09, 2024 https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/las-vegas-cops-arrest-pastor-who The story revolves around a former mega-church pastor who found himself in a bizarre situation in Las Vegas. Arrested by police in a motel room, the pastor was caught with firearms and fentanyl, a powerful opioid, claiming his mission was to save his estranged daughter from the city’s undergroun...
Sep 27, 2024•20 min•Season 23Ep. 3803
'I lied.' A teacher describes protecting her students during Apalachee HS shooting NPR , By Emma Bowman, on September 7, 2024 https://www.npr.org/2024/09/07/nx-s1-5104200/georgia-apalachee-high-school-shooting The tragic event at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, marked the 39th school shooting of the year. The story highlights the actions of a Spanish teacher, Jennifer Carter, who managed to protect her students during the shooting. In her account, she credits her training, faith, and t...
Sep 25, 2024•22 min•Season 23Ep. 3802
An American Church Thrived in Nicaragua. Then Its Pastors Went to Prison.The New York Times, By Frances Robles, on Sept. 5, 2024 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/05/us/american-pastors-nicaragua-money-laundering.html Nicaragua has increasingly slipped towards authoritarian rule under President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo, who have maintained control over the government for decades. Their regime has taken a firm stance against organizations that challenge their authority, particula...
Sep 23, 2024•23 min•Season 23Ep. 3801
Joel Webbon Insists It’s Not Racist To Prefer A White Doctor Over A Black Doctor Angry White Men, By , on August 23, 2024 https://angrywhitemen.org/2024/08/23/joel-webbon-insists-its-not-racist-to-prefer-a-white-doctor-over-a-black-doctor/ The idea that race could be a determining factor for medical competency is both misleading and absurd. The suggestion that doctors of color might be given a "special pass" through diversity initiatives ignores the years of rigorous education, exams, and clinic...
Sep 21, 2024•25 min•Season 23Ep. 3704
Tennessee family's lawsuit says video long kept from them shows police force, not drugs, killed son https://apnews.com/article/lethal-restraint-police-tennessee-austin-hunter-turner-ca8b91c2f3dc9584094c6fc835d49deb AP News, By jeff Martin, on August 16, 2024 Why did more than 1,000 people die after police subdued them with force that isn't meant to kill? AP News by john Seewer on March 28, 2024 A recent investigation led by the Associated Press, the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at ...
Sep 20, 2024•25 min•Season 23Ep. 3703
Stand to Reason, By Greg Koukl, on August 1, 2024 https://www.str.org/w/it-s-time-to-forget-faith- In this discussion, Greg Koukl proposes a redefinition of "faith" to better align with rational and evidence-based thinking. Koukl suggests that faith should be understood as "confident convictions based on good reasons" rather than as mere belief without evidence. His goal is to reshape the perception of faith, framing it as a position supported by logical and rational foundations. This redefiniti...
Sep 18, 2024•22 min•Season 23Ep. 3702
El Paso mom won’t get damages for unexpected pregnancy after believing her tubes were tied KERA News, By Toluwani Osibamowo, on May 10, 2024 https://www.keranews.org/health-wellness/2024-05-10/el-paso-mother-medical-negligence-texas-supreme-court Texas GOP Wants a Horrifying Punishment for Abortion, IVF Patients The New Republic by Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling on April 1, 2024 The discussion today highlights two major issues in Texas regarding women's health. The first story is about Gel Vasco, a w...
Sep 16, 2024•26 min•Season 23Ep. 3701
Are Republicans losing the culture wars? Politico, By Juan Perez Jr, on 2024-08-24 https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/24/republicans-culture-war-races-00176166 In a recent discussion about the culture wars and their impact on the Republican Party, several key points emerged. The conversation, which took place on August 24, 2024, highlights how conservatives might be losing ground in the culture wars, particularly in education. The focus has shifted from policy to cultural issues, with an incr...
Sep 14, 2024•21 min•Season 23Ep. 3604
If Amendment 2 passes, Kentucky would waste taxpayer dollars on religious schools The Friendly Atheist, By Hemant Mehta, on 2024-08-28 https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/if-amendment-2-passes-kentucky-would The proposal to amend Kentucky's constitution seeks to introduce a voucher system, allowing public funds to support private, predominantly religious schools. Critics highlight several concerns, noting that diverting up to $1.19 billion annually from public schools—particularly in rural areas—c...
Sep 13, 2024•25 min•Season 23Ep. 3603
Ryan Walters confirms new student test results are ‘very different’ Oklahoman, By Nuria Martinez-Keel, on 2024-08-23 https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2024/08/23/ryan-walters-oklahoma-osde-student-test-score-changes/74917784007/ Proposed education rules' real purpose is to shut down Oklahoma schools, create chaos Oklahoman, By Rep. Melissa Provenzano, on 2024-06-11 https://www.oklahoman.com/story/opinion/columns/2024/06/11/education-rules-could-harm-local-economies-should-not-be-approved/7405...
Sep 11, 2024•22 min•Season 23Ep. 3602
Gateway Church exodus: Another leader out at Texas megachurch over 'moral issue' USA TODAY, By Jonathan Limehouse, on 2024-08-22 https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/08/22/gateway-church-kemtal-glasgow/74909722007/ The situation surrounding the moral failings at one of Texas's largest megachurches, Gateway Church, has recently come to light, leading to the forced resignation of four leaders, including the executive pastor, Kemntal Glasgow. This revelation extends to the church’s forme...
Sep 09, 2024•23 min•Season 23Ep. 3601
10 Things Scientists Can't Explain and Attribute to God Savvy Dime, By James Dorman, on August 19, 2024 https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/10-things-scientists-can-t-explain-and-attribute-to-god The discussion dives into a critique of a misleading article that claims science cannot explain various mysteries, thus attributing them to divine intervention. The article, referred to as more of a "PowerPoint presentation" than an insightful piece, lists ten things the author believes scientists...
Sep 07, 2024•21 min•Season 23Ep. 3504
After the end of Roe, a new beginning for maternity homes AP News , By TIffany Stanley, on August 2, 2024 https://apnews.com/article/abortion-maternity-homes-catholic-evangelical-roe-f455da4fd46c195246df43bc6dd16a67 The discussion delves into the resurgence of maternity homes across the United States, particularly following the reversal of Roe v. Wade. These institutions, primarily run by Catholic and Evangelical groups, present themselves as shelters for pregnant women in need. However, they of...
Sep 06, 2024•22 min•Season 23Ep. 3503
New College of Florida tosses hundreds of library books, empties gender diversity library Sarasota Herald-Tribune, By Steven Walker, on August 15, 2024 https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/education/2024/08/15/new-college-of-florida-throws-away-hundreds-of-library-books-diversity-lgbtq/74814756007/ The discussion brings to light the alarming issue of book disposal in schools as part of a broader agenda to promote Christian nationalism. In particular, attention is drawn to the growing trend o...
Sep 04, 2024•22 min•Season 23Ep. 3502
Christian pastors were told to start private schools since taxpayers would foot the bill The Friendly Atheist, By Hemant Mehta, on August 16, 2024 https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/christian-pastors-were-told-to-start In Florida, the expansion of religious school vouchers has raised significant concerns about the state's education budget and the role of public funding in supporting private religious institutions. This issue has been exacerbated by organizations like the Remnant Alliance, which a...
Sep 02, 2024•20 min•Season 23Ep. 3501
