The Non-Prophets

By: Atheist Community of Austin
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  • Summary

  • And we are The Non-Prophets!... airing on the first and third Sunday of every month, starting at 3:00 PM Central (01:30-03:00 UTC) on our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/thenonprophetsaca. The Non-Prophets focuses on atheism and the separation of church and state.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-non-prophets--3254964/support.
    Copyright Atheist Community of Austin
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Episodes
  • Experts Warn: Project 2025 Could Rewrite the Rules of Public Education

    Experts Warn: Project 2025 Could Rewrite the Rules of Public Education
    Aug 3 2024
    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 by Trump allies, proposes several sweeping changes that could dramatically affect the quality and equity of education.

    The plan includes the elimination of the Federal Department of Education, which would remove the primary federal oversight body responsible for setting educational standards and ensuring equity across states. Critics argue that this move could lead to a severe reduction in federal support for public schools, especially those serving low-income communities, as it plans to dismantle Title I funding, which is crucial for under-resourced schools.

    Additionally, Project 2025 advocates for the privatization of student loans, a move that could limit access to higher education for many students and expose them to predatory lending practices. The restructuring of K-12 funding and curriculum under Project 2025 is seen as an effort to undermine civil rights protections and diversity initiatives, potentially transforming public schools into ideological spaces aligned with specific political or religious viewpoints.

    The initiative's potential impact includes skewed educational content, which might prioritize certain ideologies over a comprehensive and diverse curriculum. This shift could erode academic freedom and limit students' exposure to a broad range of perspectives, potentially stifling critical thinking and intellectual growth.

    Key Points:

    Elimination of the Federal Department of Education: This would remove oversight and support for public education, potentially leading to inequities in funding and educational quality.

    Privatization of Student Loans: This could restrict access to higher education and expose students to harmful lending practices.

    Dismantling Title I Funding: Targeted funding for low-income schools could be cut, exacerbating educational disparities.

    Changes in Curriculum: The plan suggests a shift towards ideologically-driven content, potentially diminishing academic diversity and freedom.

    Criticism: The proposal is viewed by many as a threat to public education, with concerns about increasing division and undermining the foundational principles of equal and comprehensive education.

    The discussion highlights the broader implications of Project 2025, emphasizing how these proposed changes could reshape the U.S. educational landscape and the potential risks involved in such a radical reorientation.

    The Non-Prophets, Episode 23.30.4 featuring Cynthia McDonald, Scott Dickie, "Eli" (Eli Slack) and Jonathan Roudabush

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    22 mins
  • Arizona’s Black History Debate: Erasure or Systemic Oppression

    Arizona’s Black History Debate: Erasure or Systemic Oppression
    Aug 2 2024
    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 in Arizona is rarely taught in schools, prompting the question: Why isn’t Arizona doing a better job of preserving and sharing its Black history? Arizona’s Black history is a rich and complex tapestry, stretching from the first recorded Black resident in Phoenix, Mary Green, in 1868, to a vibrant community of over 318,000 today. Despite this significant presence, many argue that Arizona’s Black history is often sidelined or completely absent from educational curricula. The conversation delves into the systemic neglect of Black history, exploring why these vital narratives are frequently relegated to the background.

    The discussion underscores a critical issue: despite the substantial Black population in Arizona, historical and institutional records fail to reflect this diversity. Jessica Salo, an archivist at Arizona State University, reveals that only 0 to 2% of archival collections at major institutions like ASU, NAU, and the University of Arizona represent minority groups, including Black, Latinx, Pacific Islanders, and LGBTQ+ communities.

    The panel discussion also touches on broader issues of representation and inclusion. Pastor Warren Stewart’s poignant observation that "you may not be a white supremacist but you're a white standard" speaks to the pervasive issue of the white experience being used as a benchmark, marginalizing other perspectives. This “white standard” influences educational materials and institutional priorities, impacting how different histories are taught and perceived.

    The conversation brings to light how systemic biases in education and archival practices contribute to a lack of representation and understanding of Black history. The panelists emphasize the need for more inclusive teaching and archival practices, recognizing that true progress involves acknowledging and addressing these gaps in representation. They advocate for a more equitable approach to documenting and teaching history that reflects the diverse experiences and contributions of all communities.

    The Non-Prophets, Episode 23.30.3 featuring Cynthia McDonald, Scott Dickie, "Eli" (Eli Slack) and Jonathan Roudabush

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-non-prophets--3254964/support.
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    24 mins
  • Texas Pastor Resigns, Cites Lucifer to Silence Flock

    Texas Pastor Resigns, Cites Lucifer to Silence Flock
    Jul 31 2024
    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 the situation. The church has urged congregants to avoid discussing the matter, framing such discussions as the work of the devil. This incident is part of a troubling pattern in Texas, where multiple mega-church pastors have resigned amid various scandals, raising questions about cover-ups and the handling of misconduct within large religious organizations.

    Eli, a commentator, posits that the moral failure likely came to light through a congregant or another church leader, leading to the pastor’s confession to avoid further embarrassment. This situation parallels past instances where religious leaders were involved in scandals, including sexual abuse cases, and were subsequently covered up or handled in a way to minimize public knowledge.

    Scott raises a point about the potential benign nature of such "moral failings," but acknowledges the church's unusually strong reaction, which might indicate a more serious issue. He suggests that the church's effort to discourage discussion and speculation could be part of a broader pattern of covering up more severe issues.

    Jonathan adds to the discussion by noting a pattern of scandals involving mega-church pastors in Texas. He argues that the visibility of these pastors makes their failings more prominent, but also considers that smaller churches may face similar issues that simply don’t receive as much media attention. Jonathan highlights the pressure on pastors in large churches, suggesting that it might lead to secretive or unethical behavior.

    The conversation turns to the role of watchdog groups in holding church leadership accountable. Eli suggests that such groups could play a crucial role in providing transparency and ensuring that those in positions of power are held responsible for their actions. This includes maintaining lists of clergy with known issues and protecting congregants from potential harm.

    Overall, the discussion underscores the complex dynamics of handling moral failures within mega-churches, the potential for cover-ups, and the need for accountability and transparency in religious organizations.

    The Non-Prophets, Episode 23.30.2 featuring Cynthia McDonald, Scott Dickie, "Eli" (Eli Slack) and Jonathan Roudabush

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-non-prophets--3254964/support.
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    21 mins
Politics & Government
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