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
  • Women's Health Neglected in Texas. Again.

    Women's Health Neglected in Texas. Again.
    Sep 16 2024
    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 woman who was unaware her tubes had not been tied despite paying for the procedure. She was refused compensation for her unexpected pregnancy, receiving only a $400 refund. The second story stems from a leaked meeting with the organization Abolish Abortion Texas, where the group’s director, Paul Brown, outlined plans to classify abortion and the destruction of IVF embryos as murder, potentially punishable by the death penalty. This signals a return to more regressive views on women's health, akin to laws from the 1800s. These stories, discussed in articles from Kira News and New Republic, reflect a clear bias against pregnant women in Texas, where women's lives seem to be secondary to those of their unborn children.

    Justice Rebecca Huddle ruled that a healthy child is not an "injury" and refused compensation for Vasco's pregnancy, suggesting that carrying a healthy baby to term cannot be considered a harmful event. However, one panelist pointed out that pregnancy comes with significant physical strain, risk, and even accelerated cellular aging, which contradicts the notion that it causes no harm. Despite these realities, the Texas Supreme Court's stance reflects a broader dismissal of the health and autonomy of women in the state's healthcare system.

    As the discussion unfolded, it became clear that the state's policies are increasingly forcing women into situations where they must prioritize the life of the unborn over their own. Panelists critiqued Texas' punitive stance, particularly toward women and doctors, and noted the hypocrisy of the state’s claim to value life, while advocating for the death penalty in cases of abortion. This ongoing conflict between women's rights and state control over their bodies leaves many in Texas in a precarious and often dangerous position.

    The Non-Prophets, Episode 23.37.1 featuring Infidel 64, AJ, Damien H and Aaron Jensen

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    26 mins
  • Are Conservatives Losing the Culture Wars?

    Are Conservatives Losing the Culture Wars?
    Sep 14 2024
    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 increasing emphasis on topics like book bans and "woke" ideology. This shift is seen as a strategic move to rally base support by engaging emotions rather than addressing substantive policy issues.

    The conversation criticized the Republican Party's reliance on culture wars as a distraction from unpopular or nonexistent policies. Instead of focusing on essential needs such as educational funding and teacher retention, the party has prioritized divisive issues that generate emotional responses. This approach is criticized for being a form of manipulation, designed to keep the base engaged without offering real solutions to the country's pressing problems.

    Participants in the discussion noted that while the culture wars might energize some voters, they often do so at the expense of addressing fundamental educational needs. The use of terms like "freedom" and "liberty" in the context of these culture wars was described as misleading, serving more as propaganda to divert attention from the lack of effective policies.

    The impact on education is significant. By focusing on culture wars rather than practical needs, such as proper funding and the retention of quality educators, the system risks worsening. Teachers are leaving the profession due to underfunding and poor working conditions, which ultimately affects the quality of education that students receive. The conversation argued that this approach harms both educators and students, as it emphasizes ideological battles over practical improvements.

    Overall, the discussion suggests that the focus on cultural issues is a strategic move by Republicans to maintain political power by leveraging emotional debates, even though this may undermine more pressing concerns in education and governance.

    The Non-Prophets, Episode 23.36.4 featuring Cynthia McDonald, Jonathan Roudabush,Scott Dickie and Cindy Plaza

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-non-prophets--3254964/support.
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    21 mins
  • Kentucky’s Amendment 2: Taxpayer Dollars for Religious Schools

    Kentucky’s Amendment 2: Taxpayer Dollars for Religious Schools
    Sep 13 2024
    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—could cripple already underfunded districts. These regions often rely heavily on state funds due to low local tax revenues, making them especially vulnerable. The amendment is portrayed as a workaround to existing legal barriers that prevent public money from funding religious education. Opponents, including Governor Andy Beshear, argue that this could lead to worse educational outcomes and further entrench inequality.

    The broader implications of this policy are stark. Voucher systems have been repeatedly shown to have no proven link to improved student achievement, even for those attending private schools. Moreover, diverting funds toward private institutions compromises the accountability that public schools are held to, creating a system that is less transparent and less answerable to the public. With fewer resources and more financial strain, public schools, particularly in rural areas, could face larger class sizes, fewer resources like textbooks, and an overall decline in the quality of education.

    Additionally, the supposed choice offered by vouchers is often an illusion. Private schools are not bound by the same non-discrimination policies as public schools, meaning they can selectively admit students based on criteria like academic performance, religious affiliation, and even socioeconomic status. This creates a skewed system where the most vulnerable students—those with disabilities, behavioral challenges, or lower test scores—are left behind in underfunded public schools, further perpetuating educational inequities.

    Furthermore, the amendment raises constitutional concerns, particularly regarding the separation of church and state. Funding religious education with public money may violate the Establishment Clause, a key tenet of the U.S. Constitution that protects against government endorsement of religion. This proposal could also worsen Kentucky's already low ranking in education, currently 34th in the nation.

    In essence, this amendment represents a strategic attempt to erode public education, weaken transparency, and push a religious agenda, all under the guise of "school choice." Critics argue it sets a dangerous precedent, using deceptive language to obscure its true impact and weaponize public ignorance against their own interests, ultimately paving the way for a more authoritarian and ideologically driven governance model.

    The Non-Prophets, Episode 23.36.3 featuring Cynthia McDonald, Jonathan Roudabush,Scott Dickie and Cindy Plaza

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