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After Exposing a Proselytizing Teacher, an Atheist and His Child Are on the Run | Hemant Mehta | Friendly Atheist | Patheos

  

Category:  Religion & Ethics

Via:  hal-a-lujah  •  2 years ago  •  75 comments

By:   Hemant Mehta (Friendly Atheist)

After Exposing a Proselytizing Teacher, an Atheist and His Child Are on the Run | Hemant Mehta | Friendly Atheist | Patheos
Owen Morgan said he can no longer go out in public in his West Virginia town because he fears for his life.

See video at the link.


S E E D E D   C O N T E N T



By Hemant Mehta March 26, 2021

I posted last week about a disturbing recording that a West Virginia middle school student had made of her health teacher. The teacher told kids they should avoid sex before marriage because the Bible said so, that students needed to believe in God, that God would help them "make better decisions" about how to handle their hormones, etc.

It was proselytizing. It's illegal. And because the student recorded it, the Freedom From Religion Foundation was able to step in and send the school district a letter warning them about the problem.

That student's father happens to be Owen Morgan, who goes by the name Telltale on YouTube, and he just posted an update that you should hear.

After spending a few minutes recapping the article I wrote about the situation, Morgan explains (around the 3:40 mark) how he and his daughter have basically been run out of town after a (now-deleted) private Facebook group with over 1,500 members doxxed him and revealed his personal information to a crowd of people out to get him.

At one point in the video, Morgan says, "I can't go [out] in public, I can't go to the grocery store, I can't go to the bank, I can't go take out the fucking trash because I will be recognized and… killed? Or at least beaten."

As he makes clear, though, he's not currently in West Virginia. He's somewhere else. He told me he's safe. He has long term plans to move out of state. But all of this is happening — at a speed he never expected — because he dared to publicize how a Christian teacher working at a public school decided that preaching about Jesus was more important than doing her job. And now the same Christians who worship someone who talked about turning the other cheek are forcing Morgan and his daughter to fear for their lives.


Article is LOCKED by author/seeder
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Hal A. Lujah
Professor Guide
1  seeder  Hal A. Lujah    2 years ago

Christian ISIS strikes again.  This is how Christians in the south define morality and values.

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Guide
1.2  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  Hal A. Lujah @1    2 years ago

This is how Christians in the south define morality and values.

The South isn't a region, but an attitude.  WV broke off from VA in 1863 to join the Union, and they abolished slavery before the Civil War ended.  They were part of the North when it was a Dem state with lots of Union workers.  It became a Southern state when it went Red several decades ago.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
1.2.1  JohnRussell  replied to  Drinker of the Wry @1.2    2 years ago

The largest city in West Virginia is 51,000 people, Charleston, which barely makes the list of the 500 largest US cities. West Virginia is a rural and small town state , which I think explains why it is a red state. 

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Guide
1.2.3  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  JohnRussell @1.2.1    2 years ago

It used to be the most reliably Blue state.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
1.2.5  JohnRussell  replied to  Texan1211 @1.2.2    2 years ago

West Virginia hasn't voted majority or plurality for the Democratic presidential candidate since 1996. In each of the last six presidential elections it has gone Republican. Currently all three US Representatives from West Virginia are Republican. One senator is Republican and the other is a conservative Democrat (Manchin). 

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
1.2.8  JohnRussell  replied to  Texan1211 @1.2.6    2 years ago

West Virginia has not been a liberal state for a long time. 

 
 
 
Dismayed Patriot
Professor Quiet
1.2.10  Dismayed Patriot  replied to  Drinker of the Wry @1.2    2 years ago
It became a Southern state when it went Red several decades ago.

At least you're admitting that when a State turns "red" aka majority Republican, they become a "Southern" State where right wing white religious conservatives reign, the same right wing white religious conservatives and their descendants that have always maintained control of the South since before the civil war.

 
 
 
bugsy
Professor Participates
1.2.12  bugsy  replied to  Texan1211 @1.2.9    2 years ago
some Democrats are conservatives.

Gasp...democrat conservatives...

Holy hell, Batman

By liberal logic, if you are a conservative in the south, you are automatically a racist.

That means there sure are a lot of democrat racists.....

but we already knew that

 
 
 
Dismayed Patriot
Professor Quiet
1.2.13  Dismayed Patriot  replied to  Texan1211 @1.2.9    2 years ago
I am sure you are aware of the fact that some Democrats are conservatives.

Where?

Why?

If the Democratic party of today embraces liberal and progressive policies as they do, and are open to new ideas and aren't afraid of change, wouldn't that mean their members likely share the same ideals?

Why would a conservative stay in a party that, as their platform says, want to " right the wrongs in our democracy, redress the systemic injustices that have long plagued our society, throw open the doors of opportunity for all Americans, and reinvent our institutions at home and our leadership abroad"?

If that's the kind of party a conservative embraces, perhaps they're confused as to what the term "conservative" means.

Liberal: adjective - willing to respect or accept behavior or opinions different from one's own; open to new ideas.

Conservative: adjective - averse to change or innovation and holding traditional values.

Now, back when a section of the Democratic party held to right wing white conservative Christian ideals and resisted change and fought the civil rights act and supported the status quo of slavery and then segregation and Jim Crow laws the South was full of conservative Southern Democrats. But that segment of the party no longer exists, there is no "Southern Conservative Democrat" or "Dixiecrat" party anymore, so why would those white Southern conservatives vote for Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Nancy Pelosi or any modern liberal Democrat? It simply makes no sense. The last vestiges of conservatism in the Democratic party evaporated in the early 1990's when the conservative Republicans took over governing just about every former confederate State. Of course, those in control didn't change much, just the (D) to an (R) on their voter registration.

The final straw was November 9, 1994, the day after the election, Senator  Richard Shelby  of Alabama, the last of the  conservative Democrats in the South , changed parties, becoming a Republican giving Republicans a majority in the Senate, what some have called the 'Gingrich revolution' or the 'Revolution of '94'.

"From 1933 into the early 1970s, most white conservatives in the South belonged to the Democratic Party, and created the   Solid South   bloc in Congress. Most African Americans in the South were   disenfranchised   in those years, based on laws and subjective administration of voter registration practices.

By the mid-1990s, white conservatives from the South joined Republicans in other parts of the country, leading to the change in Congress. Large Republican gains were made in state houses as well when the GOP picked up twelve gubernatorial seats and 472 legislative seats. In so doing, it took control of 20 state legislatures from the Democrats. Prior to this, Republicans had not held the majority of governorships since 1972. In addition, this was the first time in 50 years that the GOP controlled a majority of state legislatures."

If you're referring to the less than handful of Democrats like Joe Manchin who is desperately trying to cling to his seat in West Virginia, that as mentioned above has gone red, by often voting with the Republicans, then that's just semantics, his true party is the party he votes with more often. Clearly Joe has been a Democrat in name only for a while now, though I'm still grateful that his staying in the party has given Democrats the thinnest of majorities in the Senate.

But really, why would any true conservative today choose to be part of the Democratic party that is synonymous with progressive/liberal policies and a stated desire to change the conservative status quo?

 
 
 
sandy-2021492
Professor Expert
1.2.15  sandy-2021492  replied to  Texan1211 @1.2.2    2 years ago

Unions.  Until recently, WV was strongly pro-union, and at the same time was very socially conservative.  West Virginians voted for "blue dog" Democrats because of union influence.

WV Democrats elected to office tend to be socially conservative.

 
 
 
arkpdx
Professor Quiet
1.2.16  arkpdx  replied to  Dismayed Patriot @1.2.13    2 years ago

Then why are there liberal and progressive Republicans? While they haven't gone completely insane like their democrat counterparts, they do exist. 

 
 
 
devangelical
Professor Principal
1.3  devangelical  replied to  Hal A. Lujah @1    2 years ago
This is how Christians in the south define morality and values

of course, incest and pedophilia in the south is a religious cornerstone among thumpers there.

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Guide
1.3.2  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  devangelical @1.3    2 years ago

incest and pedophilia in the south is a religious cornerstone

Exactly, you don't see Northern Catholics involved in pedophilia.

 
 
 
bugsy
Professor Participates
1.3.4  bugsy  replied to  Drinker of the Wry @1.3.2    2 years ago
you don't see Northern Catholics involved in pedophilia.

That's fucking hilarious.

The vast majority of sex abuse of minors in the Catholic church came from large northern diocese.

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Guide
1.3.5  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  bugsy @1.3.4    2 years ago

The vast majority of sex abuse of minors in the Catholic church came from large northern diocese.

Oh, never mind.

 
 
 
afrayedknot
Senior Quiet
1.3.6  afrayedknot  replied to  Texan1211 @1.3.3    2 years ago

“ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Celebratory laugher? Just what ‘victory’ brings you such side-splitting glee?  

Vacuous. 

 
 
 
afrayedknot
Senior Quiet
1.3.8  afrayedknot  replied to  Texan1211 @1.3.7    2 years ago

“…I doubt I have the ability to explain it in terms you would understand…”

That may be the most honest thing you have ever uttered. 

 
 
 
arkpdx
Professor Quiet
1.3.10  arkpdx  replied to  Texan1211 @1.3.9    2 years ago

I think your comment in 1.3.7 went right over his head .

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
2  Vic Eldred    2 years ago

The teacher told kids they should avoid sex before marriage because the Bible said so, that students needed to believe in God, that God would help them "make better decisions" about how to handle their hormones, etc.

Of course, that is paraphrasing. I listened to what she said. She told them that the decisions belong to them. That she looks to the Bible for help in making decisions and that it could be of help to them as well. As far as sex before marriage, she made a reference to another group of kids and if you pay attention, she is talking about promiscuity in young children. Listening to the tape is crucial.


At one point in the video, Morgan says, "I can't go [out] in public, I can't go to the grocery store, I can't go to the bank, I can't go take out the fucking trash because I will be recognized and… killed? Or at least beaten."

I seriously doubt that.

 
 
 
Hal A. Lujah
Professor Guide
2.1  seeder  Hal A. Lujah  replied to  Vic Eldred @2    2 years ago

She should save that garbage for church, since it has no place in public schools.  If she doesn’t like it, there are parochial schools that would love to hire her.  This is entirely indefensible, so it comes as no surprise that you jumped right in to defend her.

 
 
 
evilone
Professor Guide
2.2  evilone  replied to  Vic Eldred @2    2 years ago
I listened to what she said. ...it could be of help to them as well.

You sticking up for someone doing something illegal, Vic? 

I guess an honest history lesson, or an inclusive curriculum is forbidden and being made illegal in red states, but prolestizing - actual brainwashing of children is a-ok with the MAGA crowd.

 
 
 
devangelical
Professor Principal
2.2.1  devangelical  replied to  evilone @2.2    2 years ago

I'm thankful that thumpers are on the same side as the autocratic scum in america.

 
 
 
Ronin2
Professor Quiet
2.2.2  Ronin2  replied to  evilone @2.2    2 years ago
I guess an honest history lesson,

CRT, or lessons based on CRT teachings are not honest history. Not even close.

or an inclusive curriculum is forbidden and being made illegal in red states,

Inclusive curriculum? You mean left wing indoctrination dogma. Sorry, public schools can't become left wing indoctrination centers. No matter how badly Democrats and teachers unions want it.

but prolestizing - actual brainwashing of children is a-ok with the MAGA crowd.

Again, you don't think Democrats aren't trying to brainwash kids with their BS in public schools?

 
 
 
Hal A. Lujah
Professor Guide
2.2.5  seeder  Hal A. Lujah  replied to  Ronin2 @2.2.2    2 years ago

Again, you don't think Democrats aren't trying to brainwash kids with their BS in public schools?

Dont you have enough of those garbage articles to go and pollute with your garbage opinions?  It doesn’t have anything to do with this one and doesn’t belong here.

 
 
 
evilone
Professor Guide
2.2.6  evilone  replied to  Ronin2 @2.2.2    2 years ago
CRT...

CRT is the newest boogieman for the alt+right. 

Inclusive curriculum? You mean left wing indoctrination dogma.

No, I mean like putting "vacation" on a school schedule instead of "Christmas" because some Americans don't celebrate Christmas. You don't like public schools then you have the option of home schooling or taking your brats to a private school on your own dime. 

you don't think Democrats aren't trying to brainwash kids with their BS in public schools?

NOPE.... I think the alt+right is trying to kill public schools because they can't control it. They can't legally insert their religious bullshit that even they don't follow.  

 
 
 
Veronica
Professor Guide
2.2.7  Veronica  replied to  evilone @2.2.6    2 years ago
that even they don't follow.

Truer words never spoken.

 
 
 
Hallux
Professor Principal
2.3  Hallux  replied to  Vic Eldred @2    2 years ago
Listening to the tape is crucial.

If you believe in the other CRT: Christian Radical Theory.

 
 
 
devangelical
Professor Principal
2.3.1  devangelical  replied to  Hallux @2.3    2 years ago

... or christian regression theory.

 
 
 
al Jizzerror
Masters Expert
2.4  al Jizzerror  replied to  Vic Eldred @2    2 years ago

People who believe in the Bible know that their God is a homicidal maniac who committed the worst genocide in history.  He killed everyone except Noah and his family.  He even killed most of the animals.  

I'm glad God doesn't exist because He would be a fucking gigantic asshole. 

512

 
 
 
Thomas
PhD Guide
2.4.1  Thomas  replied to  al Jizzerror @2.4    2 years ago

No!No!No! You've gotten it all wrong!

At first, he only seemed like an angry asshole because he had to kill or command to be killed all of those sinners and blasphemers. He really is a kind and benevolent God.

That is why we at the Image Management Agency™ developed the plan to start the Christian Church™ and developed the idea of the Holy Trinity™.  We told him that if he sent down Jesus Christ™ and sold him as his only begotten son, Jesus™ could and would change his old man's aproval ratings. I must admit it was a hard sell and he wasn't on board at first, but when an associate came up with Immaculate Conception™, well, he warmed up right away!

God was a bit perplexed at how killing Jesus™ was going to help. He had worked very hard and dilligently to hone his image through Jesus™ for the prior 33 years. At first we thought he was going to revert, because we saw him inching towards his lightning bolts, but then he let us finish the presentation and found out he wasn't really going to have to knock him off for good and that there was a Resurrection™ to top off all of his miracles. 

 
 
 
Hal A. Lujah
Professor Guide
2.4.2  seeder  Hal A. Lujah  replied to  Thomas @2.4.1    2 years ago

The really confusing part is why natives in the jungles of Africa had to be drowned.  How would they even know about Jesus?  I mean we know that the power to strategically hold back a flood existed, right?

384

 
 
 
Trout Giggles
Professor Principal
2.4.3  Trout Giggles  replied to  Thomas @2.4.1    2 years ago

Very clever! I especially like your judicious use of trademarks

 
 
 
arkpdx
Professor Quiet
2.5  arkpdx  replied to  Vic Eldred @2    2 years ago

Oh my God! (I'm going to telled at for using the word God). She said the word Bible. How terrible!/s

 
 
 
Veronica
Professor Guide
3  Veronica    2 years ago

And exactly where in the Bible does it say no to pre-marital sex?  It may be inferred, but so is raping women being ok as long as the man marries her.

 
 
 
JBB
Professor Principal
4  JBB    2 years ago

In reality that is actually pretty mild compared with the straight up Christian prostheatizing that goes on in multitudes of rural backwater school districts all across America. Speaking out there will accomplishe nothing except getting whole families, especially the children, ridiculed, shunned and bullied by teachers, students and especially everyone in their school's administration... 

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Guide
5  Drinker of the Wry    2 years ago

This should increase the hits to his Telltale YouTube channel.  

 
 
 
Hal A. Lujah
Professor Guide
5.1  seeder  Hal A. Lujah  replied to  Drinker of the Wry @5    2 years ago

They were probably hoping that the doxxing would end his YouTube channel.  Dead people can’t create content.  I’m sure the doxxers think they are doing God’s work.

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Guide
5.1.1  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  Hal A. Lujah @5.1    2 years ago

Perhaps he doxxed himself as he responded to the audio recording on his YouTube channel, TellTale, which includes several videos criticizing evangelical culture. In the  profanity-laced video, Morgan made several threats to ruin Ashworth’s career.

 
 
 
Hal A. Lujah
Professor Guide
5.1.2  seeder  Hal A. Lujah  replied to  Drinker of the Wry @5.1.1    2 years ago

He didn’t doxx anyone, most notably himself.  The teacher was called out for ignoring the law, then SHE ENDORSED the doxxing a 12 year old student of hers.  It really sounds like you are on the wrong side of this.  How does anyone defend this type of behavior from a public school employee?

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Guide
5.1.3  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  Hal A. Lujah @5.1.2    2 years ago
 It really sounds like you are on the wrong side of this.

I'm not on any side here.  If you listen to his podcasts, you know his name and after he posted the one with this recording, you know where his daughter goes to school.

How does anyone defend this type of behavior from a public school employee?

This agnostic is the wrong one to ask.

 
 

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