The Non-Prophets

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 Inde...

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 ov...

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 Ju...

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 explor...

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...

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. Th...

They took part in Apache ceremonies. Their schools expelled them for satanic activities The Guardian, By Nicolle Okoren, on June 24, 2024 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2024/jun/24/apache-students-school-reservation The podcast episode delves into the persistent and evolving issues surrounding the treatment of Indigenous people and their cultures, particularly in the context of...

The Supreme Court upholds a gun control law intended to protect domestic violence victims AP NEWS, By Mark Sherman, on June 21, 2024 https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-guns-domestic-violence-d63ee828e51911cc5e5a01780820f224 In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court upheld a federal gun control law designed to protect victims of domestic violence. The ruling, decided 8 to 1, reinforced the 19...

19% of U.S. adults report frequently or always feeling lonely, new Yahoo/YouGov poll finds. Here's why — and which age group is affected most. Yahoo Life, By Erica L. Green, on May 20, 2024 https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/19-of-us-adults-report-frequently-or-always-feeling-lonely-new-yahooyougov-poll-finds-heres-why--and-which-age-group-is-affected-most-090036452.html Human beings are inherently s...

Justice Alito Caught on Tape Discussing How Battle for America ‘Can’t Be Compromised’ Rolling Stone, By Tessa Stuart and Tim Dickinson , on June 10, 2024 https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/samuel-alito-supreme-court-justice-recording-tape-battle-1235036470/ The recent Rolling Stone article featuring a recording of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito's candid thoughts has sparke...

Senate GOP blocks bill to guarantee access to IVF nationwide CNN Politics, By Clare Foran and Ted Barrett, on June 13, 2024 https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/13/politics/senate-ivf-bill-vote/index.html The recent Senate vote blocking a bill to secure nationwide access to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) has sparked a heated debate, exposing deep political and ethical divisions. The bill aimed to protect IVF...

New law requires all Louisiana public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments AP News, By Sara Cline, on June 19, 2024 https://apnews.com/article/louisiana-ten-commandments-displayed-classrooms-571a2447906f7bbd5a166d53db005a62 In a foolish move that has reignited the perennial debate between church and state, Louisiana has mandated that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public s...

The story behind Poland's EU-protected croissant RTE, By Charlotte Ryan, on June 11, 2024 https://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/travel/2024/0611/1454133-the-story-behind-polands-eu-protected-croissant/   In a picturesque recounting of St. Martin's Croissant, the narrative unfolds in Pnan, Poland, a city not merely dubbed "Potato Land" but also celebrated for its hidden gastronomic gem, the St. Martin's Cro...

A blind woman was kicked out of a Texas church for bringing a service dog with her The Friendly Atheist, By Hemant Mehta, on June 10, 2024 https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/a-blind-woman-was-kicked-out-of-a In a recent incident in Texas, a Christian church's decision to deny entry to a blind woman accompanied by her service dog has sparked controversy and raised questions about religious exemption...

Bible-Infused Curriculum Sparks Texas-Sized Controversy Over Christianity in the Classroom The 74, By Linda Jacobson , on June 7, 2024 https://www.the74million.org/article/bible-infused-curriculum-sparks-texas-sized-controversy-over-christianity-in-the-classroom/   In a controversial move, Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath has introduced a new elementary reading curriculum featuring Bible s...

Southern Baptists are poised to ban churches with women pastors. Some are urging them to reconsider AP News, By Peter Smith, on June 6, 2024 https://apnews.com/article/religion-southern-baptists-women-pastors-saddleback-3b40fd925377a9e3aa2ecb4a4072a4a6   The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has stirred controversy by reinforcing its ban on women serving as pastors. Labeling the Bible as a "guy bo...

If Oklahoma allows Bible class 'released time,' Satanists are eager to pounce The Friendly Atheist, By Hemant Mehta, on June 6th, 2024 https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/if-oklahoma-allows-bible-class-released In the latest episode of "The Non-Prophets," the discussion focuses on the implications of Oklahoma House Bill 1425. This bill mandates public schools to permit students up to three class abs...

Idaho Graduate Gives Superintendent Copy of 'The Handmaid's Tale' After Book Censorship People, By Carly Tagen-Dye, on May 31, 2024 https://people.com/idaho-graduate-gives-superintendent-copy-of-the-handmaid-s-tale-after-book-censorship-8656592 In Idaho's West Ada School District, a recent high school graduate sparked significant controversy by openly challenging the school superintendent during h...

Mark Driscoll Is Praying For Rapture Before Election Day Patheos, By Shawn Paul Wood, on June 5, 2024 https://www.patheos.com/blogs/closetohome/2024/06/mark-driscoll-is-praying-for-rapture-before-election-day/ In a provocative move, Pastor Mark Driscoll of Trinity Church in Scottsdale, Arizona, has resorted to a dramatic plea: praying for Armageddon before the upcoming Election Day on November 5th...

How many churches use background checks? Baptist Standard, By Bob Smietana, on May 20, 2024 https://www.baptiststandard.com/news/faith-culture/how-many-churches-use-background-checks/ SBC abuse reform task force ends its work with no names on database and no long-term planReligion News Service, By Bob Smietana, on June 4, 2024 https://religionnews.com/2024/06/04/sbc-abuse-reform-task-force-ends-it...

Catholic bishop blesses newly out trans man who serves as a church “hermit” LGBTQ Nation, By John Russell , on May 26, 2024 https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2024/05/catholic-bishop-blesses-newly-out-trans-man-who-serves-as-a-church-hermit/   In this segment we delve into the paradoxical plight faced by individuals straddling their LGBTQ identity and their loyalty to religious doctrine, particularly wit...

Opinion: I’m a Catholic bishop who has found an ally in Bill Maher CNN, By Bishop Robert Barron, on May 28, 2024 https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/28/opinions/catholic-bishop-found-an-ally-in-bill-maher-barron/index.html   In this segment, the hosts delve into an op-ed discussing the intriguing shift in comedian Bill Maher's comedic focus over the years. Initially known for his scathing critiques of rel...

Florida civics teachers are still being indoctrinated with Christian Nationalism Friendly Atheist, By Hemant Mehta, on MAY 29, 2024 https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/florida-civics-teachers-are-still?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=oa4eg&triedRedirect=true   Governor DeSantis' program is part of a broader effort to reshape the educational landscape in Florida. By offering monetar...

Texas’ governor is spending millions & using anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric to defund public education LGBTQ Nation, By Daniel Villarreal , on May 24, 2024 https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2024/05/texas-governor-is-spending-millions-using-anti-lgbtq-rhetoric-to-defund-public-education/   In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott is promoting a school voucher program to redirect taxpayer funds to private schools, aiming...

Florida lab-grown meat ban: DeSantis says it protects beef industry USA Today, By Ana Goñi-Lessan, Dan Rorabaugh and Mike Snider, on May 5, 2024 https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2024/05/05/florida-lab-grown-meat-ban/73569976007/  Today's spotlight falls on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a figure who seems to have a knack for stirring up controversy. As we delve into the fray, we learn of...