Secular Left - Progressive Religion Free View of the News

We start this episode by discussing the ongoing controversy surrounding Release Time Religious Instruction (RTRI) in Ohio, spearheaded by LifeWise Academy. This initiative allows public school students to leave school for religious education in the middle of the day, exploiting legal loopholes to introduce religious content into public education. As part of my advocacy against these policies, we e...

We mark the 100th episode of Secular Left with a reading from the show manifesto that was read in Episode 1 in April 2020. We highlight its birth during a tumultuous time marked by political uncertainty and a public health crisis. The initial goal was to provide a platform to voice critical perspectives against the tide of misinformation and extreme conservatism proliferating in mainstream discour...

Amanda Quintero, an economist and author, is our guest and we explore her powerful new book, "We Said Farewell." Having left Venezuela during its tumultuous transition into authoritarianism, Amanda shares her personal journey and the inspiration behind her collection of fictionalized short stories. The narratives stem from real experiences of her friends, illustrating the dire consequenc...

Recent decisions that can significantly impact public welfare have emerge from a lack of contextual awareness. We explore the dangerous consequences of this mismanagement, particularly with the current administration’s interactions with Elon Musk, who has been given unwarranted access to vital government resources without accountability. We recount the chaotic beginnings of the Trump administratio...

In this episode, we engage with Martin Armitage, co-author of the book "Tyrant in a Top Hat," which challenges the conventional narrative surrounding President Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. We delve into thought-provoking questions: Did Lincoln ignite a civil war unnecessarily? Are the consequences of that conflict still reverberating through our society today? And could the United...

We explore the troubling narrative surrounding President Trump’s administration and its move to shut down USAID, a crucial foreign aid agency established by President Kennedy. We highlight how the dismantling of USAID can severely undermine America's relationships with democratic allies, turning foreign policy into a transactional affair where friendship is bargained rather than earned. We se...

Ohio’s recent legislative developments have sparked significant controversy. The state’s governor signed a "Don't Say Gay" bill into law, which not only limits discussions on LGBTQ+ topics in schools but also permits a Christian Nationalist group to remove children to bible study in the middle of the school day. Meanwhile, a federal judge ruled that using preferred pronouns constitu...

We dive into the recent tumult surrounding two significant topics affecting public policy and religious freedom in Ohio. The spotlight is first placed on LifeWise Academy's attempts to ingratiate itself into Ohio public schools, alongside the ongoing case involving Dad's Place Church in Bryan, Ohio, as the Ohio Attorney General, David Yost, enters the fray. With rising tensions and oppos...

The recent murder of Brian Thompson, the CEO of United Healthcare, unearthed lingering debates about health care reform from back during President Obama's administration. The murder, occurring outside a high-profile hotel in New York City, ignites discussions about the frustrations directed at health insurance corporations, reminiscent of grievances voiced during the 2009 health care debates....

In this episode, we delve into the current legislative climate in Ohio as the state legislature rushes through a series of controversial bills during the lame duck session. The urgency to pass these bills stems from the impending expiration of the General Assembly at the end of December, compelling lawmakers to push through legislation that aligns with their agendas. One such bill is an alarming p...

We take a deep dive into the recent election and its ramifications, focusing particularly on the Democrats' surprising loss and the implications for future campaigns. We look at both the evident and subtle factors that contributed to this outcome. Being a black woman was a significant hurdle for Vice President Kamala Harris, which I argue led to a disheartening decline in support from key dem...

We speak with secular political activist Sarah Levin about the evolving landscape for secular voters within the Democratic Party, the implications of interfaith coalitions, and the role of non-religious constituents in upcoming elections. We also explore Sarah's substantial activism, including her role as founder of Secular Strategies and her efforts to establish secular representation within...

We look into the murky waters of political dishonesty prevalent during the current election cycle, particularly focusing on the blatant lies propagated in political advertisements. With election day swiftly approaching, it’s easy to lose sight of the facts amidst the barrage of misleading ads from large PACs like the Congressional Leadership Fund and American Prosperity Fund. Unlike other forms of...

We look at the alarming trend of Republican rhetoric surrounding immigration, particularly their attempts to vilify Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. Drawing comparisons to the divisive strategies of Ronald Reagan in the 1980s, we explore how the GOP is leveraging fear and misinformation to distract voters from their lack of substantial policy proposals. During the debate, Trump absurdly su...

We investigate the political tactics of the Republican Party as we approach the election season, highlighting their reliance on divisive rhetoric around immigration rather than substantive policy proposals. With a convicted felon leading the party, it's become apparent that their strategy is to invoke fear rather than offer solutions. We examine how they've resurrected the illegal immigr...

We Don't Want Empty Promises, Party Manipulations, Or Politcal Bridge Burning We look into the ongoing political landscape in Ohio, dissecting the implications of a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at curbing gerrymandering that could potentially end the Republican supermajority in the state. The Ohio Ballot Board's recent attempt to manipulate the ballot summary for this measure...

In this spicy episode, we give you many reasons why voting for Donald Trump in the upcoming election is not a wise choice. We look into the history of the 2024 presidential election, highlighting the lack of merit in considering Trump as a viable candidate due to his questionable character and numerous controversies during his previous presidency. We call out the absurdity in Trump's behavior...

In this jammed packed episode, we talk with Zach and Molly, parents who are taking a stand against LifeWise Academy, an evangelical Christian nationalist group that has found a way to seep into public schools through a legal loophole. They have formed Parents Against LifeWise to shed light on the group's questionable tactics, lack of background checks on members, and the concerning activities...

In this episode, we open with noting a recent US Supreme Court decision in a social media censorship case. Then we discuss the hysteria in Ohio over trans women playing sports and the unconstitutional Ten Commandments law recently enacted in Louisiana. We explore how these laws are impacting individuals and communities, especially the LGBTQ+ community, and the arguments against them. The discussio...

A recent bill introduced by Christian Nationalists in Ohio labels the existence of trans individuals as obscene. We look into the implications of such legislation and questions the necessity for laws that perpetuate bigotry towards the LGBTQ community. The significance of Pride Month in June is highlighted, emphasizing the celebration of the LGBTQ community's progress and their ongoing fight...

We delve into the upcoming 2024 election and the current political landscape. There is disbelief in polls showing Trump ahead of Biden, emphasizing the concerning reality of Trump's character and actions. We highlight the stark differences between the two major candidates, pointing out Trump's history of dishonesty, racism, and legal troubles, juxtaposed with Biden's relatively hone...

Could Ohio's latest law be a seismic shift toward religious indoctrination in public schools? We grapple with the state's decision to allow Bible classes during school hours, and the societal tremors it's causing. Explore with me the backlash from an Ohio State Representative against cities supporting abortion rights, despite Ohio's recent Abortion Rights Amendment. We also men...

America is facing a tipping point in potentially losing its democracy in 2024, particularly if Trump wins the upcoming election. White Christian nationalists are identified as a significant influence pushing the country towards this tipping point. We take a deep dive into the concept of Christian nationalism, which conflates American identity with an exclusive form of religious identity, seeking t...

We delve into the complex topic of free speech and its limits. Free speech is not an absolute right and there can be the regulation of speech in certain contexts. A prime example is in a nearby conservative town where a vocal individual disrupts city council meetings with personal attacks on the mayor, correctly leading to the consideration of new public comment rules. Transitioning to economic ma...

We update a local school busing dispute involving families wanting better accommodations for their children being transported to a Catholic school, citing concerns about early start times and religious freedom violations. In the discussion on Ohio's school voucher expansion, concerns were raised about the diversion of public funds to private schools without proper oversight. Despite the inten...