Secular Outpost
@secularoutpost.bsky.social
Dad. Husband. USAF veteran. Future PCT hiker. Philosopher of Religion. Paul Draper’s bulldog. Atheist. Never Trumper. Politically homeless.
https://philpeople.org/profiles/jeffery-jay-lowder
https://philpeople.org/profiles/jeffery-jay-lowder
Pinned
Agree or disagree?
a: It is unrealistic to expect all teens will abstain from sex.
b: Teens having sex but preventing unwanted pregnancies (through contraception) is better than teens having sex and unwanted pregnancies.
c: Teens should have access to contraception.
a: It is unrealistic to expect all teens will abstain from sex.
b: Teens having sex but preventing unwanted pregnancies (through contraception) is better than teens having sex and unwanted pregnancies.
c: Teens should have access to contraception.
Reposted by Secular Outpost
Reposted by Secular Outpost
Finally getting some theological clarity on the ethics of reclining in one’s plane seat
November 29, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Finally getting some theological clarity on the ethics of reclining in one’s plane seat
Reposted by Secular Outpost
Reposted by Secular Outpost
Nothing proves the Trump administration is made of mean whims based on lies better than a president who is murdering people in boats "because I am so strongly against drug trafficking" pardoning someone who trafficked more drugs than a hundred fishing boats could carry.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/28/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/28/p...
Trump says he will pardon former Honduran president serving sentence in drug-trafficking case | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump said Friday he intends to grant a “full and complete pardon” to former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, a move that would erase a major US drug-trafficking conviction ...
www.cnn.com
November 29, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Nothing proves the Trump administration is made of mean whims based on lies better than a president who is murdering people in boats "because I am so strongly against drug trafficking" pardoning someone who trafficked more drugs than a hundred fishing boats could carry.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/28/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/28/p...
Reposted by Secular Outpost
Because that's how it works. Airlines are not publicly owned utilities and if people really were willing to pay a bit more for a bit more space, it would happen. But we *want* airlines to be like taking the bus, so we can go to Orlando every year. Well, your wishes were granted.
How about a seat that isn't terrible and enough legroom for someone who's 6' tall?
I'm in the 75th percentile for height. I'm not a giant. Far from it.
Why can't I find a basic seat on a plane where I can sit somewhat comfortably?
Why should I have to pay more to be comfortable?
I'm in the 75th percentile for height. I'm not a giant. Far from it.
Why can't I find a basic seat on a plane where I can sit somewhat comfortably?
Why should I have to pay more to be comfortable?
November 26, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Because that's how it works. Airlines are not publicly owned utilities and if people really were willing to pay a bit more for a bit more space, it would happen. But we *want* airlines to be like taking the bus, so we can go to Orlando every year. Well, your wishes were granted.
Reposted by Secular Outpost
"One of Tina Peters’ lawyers, Peter Ticktin, suggested on Trump ally Steve Bannon’s podcast this week that the military be used to free Peters from prison."
And that, my friends, is what we would call "an illegal order."
And that, my friends, is what we would call "an illegal order."
Colorado's DOC says it won't pursue the transfer of Tina Peters, the Trump-supporting county clerked convicted for breaching voter equipment, as the federal government requested recently. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Colorado doesn’t plan to transfer imprisoned former county clerk to federal custody
Tina Peters’ situation has become a cause celebre in the election conspiracy movement.
www.politico.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:42 PM
"One of Tina Peters’ lawyers, Peter Ticktin, suggested on Trump ally Steve Bannon’s podcast this week that the military be used to free Peters from prison."
And that, my friends, is what we would call "an illegal order."
And that, my friends, is what we would call "an illegal order."
Reposted by Secular Outpost
If Joe Biden had claimed that he redesigned the hulls of Coast Guard cutters, we'd be way over in 25th amendment territory.
With Trump, it's so common that most Americans don't even notice it now.
With Trump, it's so common that most Americans don't even notice it now.
Trump during his Thanksgiving call with service members: "We're ordered a lot of Coast Guard cutters. Brand new, beautiful, the best machines in the world. I'm a looks person. I wanted the hull to be perfect. You know, I sort of redesigned the hull a little bit. The hulls. But we ordered a lot."
November 28, 2025 at 1:56 AM
If Joe Biden had claimed that he redesigned the hulls of Coast Guard cutters, we'd be way over in 25th amendment territory.
With Trump, it's so common that most Americans don't even notice it now.
With Trump, it's so common that most Americans don't even notice it now.
Horrible news. She was murdered. She made the ultimate sacrifice. My condolences to her family, friends, and Guardsmen. RIP.
BREAKING: President Donald Trump says West Virginia National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom has died from wounds in the Washington, D.C., attack.
Afghan national charged in Guard ambush shooting drove across US to carry out attack, officials say
An Afghan national has been accused of shooting two West Virginia National Guard members just blocks from the White House in a brazen act of violence.
bit.ly
November 28, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Horrible news. She was murdered. She made the ultimate sacrifice. My condolences to her family, friends, and Guardsmen. RIP.
Reposted by Secular Outpost
Forest tunnel vision. The view from our outdoor shower.
#coloraday #redwed #photography #forestfriday #windowsonwednesday #eastcoastkin #foggy #autumn
#coloraday #redwed #photography #forestfriday #windowsonwednesday #eastcoastkin #foggy #autumn
November 26, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Forest tunnel vision. The view from our outdoor shower.
#coloraday #redwed #photography #forestfriday #windowsonwednesday #eastcoastkin #foggy #autumn
#coloraday #redwed #photography #forestfriday #windowsonwednesday #eastcoastkin #foggy #autumn
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Over 600 people were sanctioned for comments made after Charlie Kirk's killing. (One man spent 37 days in jail for sharing a meme about Republicans' indifference to gun violence.)
But Trump can implicitly threaten to hang Democratic members of Congress and it's old news before the weekend's over.
But Trump can implicitly threaten to hang Democratic members of Congress and it's old news before the weekend's over.
Opinion | Trump and MAGA’s rules of civility only apply to their critics
A recent report found more than 600 people faced sanctions for speech after Charlie Kirk's killing. But the president and his supporters put no limits on their own incendiary words, says Anthony L. Fi...
www.ms.now
November 25, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Over 600 people were sanctioned for comments made after Charlie Kirk's killing. (One man spent 37 days in jail for sharing a meme about Republicans' indifference to gun violence.)
But Trump can implicitly threaten to hang Democratic members of Congress and it's old news before the weekend's over.
But Trump can implicitly threaten to hang Democratic members of Congress and it's old news before the weekend's over.
Reposted by Secular Outpost
Dating everything now to BAI and AAI - before AI and after AI - to warn how reliable any information source is likely to be.
November 25, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Dating everything now to BAI and AAI - before AI and after AI - to warn how reliable any information source is likely to be.
Reposted by Secular Outpost
So Trump calls for six serving members of Congress to be hung. The Sec Def calls for a serving Senator to be recalled to active duty to be Courtmartialed. All for saying military personnel can refuse ILLEGAL ORDERS. Absurd. Separation of powers. Statement inherent in the UCMJ.
November 24, 2025 at 10:28 PM
So Trump calls for six serving members of Congress to be hung. The Sec Def calls for a serving Senator to be recalled to active duty to be Courtmartialed. All for saying military personnel can refuse ILLEGAL ORDERS. Absurd. Separation of powers. Statement inherent in the UCMJ.
Reposted by Secular Outpost
A gunman tried to silence my wife in an extreme act of political violence.
Now, Trump has called for my execution because he didn’t like what I had to say.
Gabby and I know, when others try to silence you, you must keep speaking out — and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.
Now, Trump has called for my execution because he didn’t like what I had to say.
Gabby and I know, when others try to silence you, you must keep speaking out — and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.
November 21, 2025 at 8:43 PM
A gunman tried to silence my wife in an extreme act of political violence.
Now, Trump has called for my execution because he didn’t like what I had to say.
Gabby and I know, when others try to silence you, you must keep speaking out — and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.
Now, Trump has called for my execution because he didn’t like what I had to say.
Gabby and I know, when others try to silence you, you must keep speaking out — and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.
Reposted by Secular Outpost
Follow the Light.
I love photographing nature. Further, there are endless photographic possibilities when immersing yourself in forests. Both forest types - the well kept and paved, as well as the 100% natural and relatively untouched forest land.
#photography #nature #landscapephotography
I love photographing nature. Further, there are endless photographic possibilities when immersing yourself in forests. Both forest types - the well kept and paved, as well as the 100% natural and relatively untouched forest land.
#photography #nature #landscapephotography
October 12, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Follow the Light.
I love photographing nature. Further, there are endless photographic possibilities when immersing yourself in forests. Both forest types - the well kept and paved, as well as the 100% natural and relatively untouched forest land.
#photography #nature #landscapephotography
I love photographing nature. Further, there are endless photographic possibilities when immersing yourself in forests. Both forest types - the well kept and paved, as well as the 100% natural and relatively untouched forest land.
#photography #nature #landscapephotography
Question for philosophers: can you think of a single professional philosopher who linked agential purpose with moral obligation?
I can find apologists who are not professional philosophers who argue this, but I can't identify a single professional philosopher who argues this.
I can find apologists who are not professional philosophers who argue this, but I can't identify a single professional philosopher who argues this.
November 22, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Question for philosophers: can you think of a single professional philosopher who linked agential purpose with moral obligation?
I can find apologists who are not professional philosophers who argue this, but I can't identify a single professional philosopher who argues this.
I can find apologists who are not professional philosophers who argue this, but I can't identify a single professional philosopher who argues this.
Reposted by Secular Outpost
Kelly: "I never expected after serving 25 years in the Navy flying combat missions over Iraq and Kuwait, flying the Space Shuttle, that now I've got to worry about my personal safety and that of my wife, Gabby Giffords, who was already nearly assassinated, because of something the president said."
November 21, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Kelly: "I never expected after serving 25 years in the Navy flying combat missions over Iraq and Kuwait, flying the Space Shuttle, that now I've got to worry about my personal safety and that of my wife, Gabby Giffords, who was already nearly assassinated, because of something the president said."
Reposted by Secular Outpost
Mark Kelly: "I would like to see a lot of my Republican colleagues in the House and Senate speak out about this, because this is right after Charlie Kirk's assassination."
November 21, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Mark Kelly: "I would like to see a lot of my Republican colleagues in the House and Senate speak out about this, because this is right after Charlie Kirk's assassination."
Reposted by Secular Outpost
Mark Kelly: "He's talked about sending troops into more cities, he's talked about invoking the Insurrection Act. You don't have to go too far back to his 1st administration when he went to his Sec Def & said, 'Can't we just shoot these protesters in the legs.' That is an example of an illegal order"
November 21, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Mark Kelly: "He's talked about sending troops into more cities, he's talked about invoking the Insurrection Act. You don't have to go too far back to his 1st administration when he went to his Sec Def & said, 'Can't we just shoot these protesters in the legs.' That is an example of an illegal order"
Reposted by Secular Outpost
In related news, the claim ‘the Tooth Fairy does not actually take lost baby teeth from under pillows’ is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that magical beings are secretly thieving teeth in the dead of night…”
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
CDC backpedals on vaccines and autism, despite earlier assurances from RFK Jr.
The CDC, under the direction of an unqualified health secretary, is now promoting claims that flunk Logic 101.
www.ms.now
November 20, 2025 at 8:43 PM
In related news, the claim ‘the Tooth Fairy does not actually take lost baby teeth from under pillows’ is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that magical beings are secretly thieving teeth in the dead of night…”
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Reposted by Secular Outpost
The Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas and nooses as hate symbols.
This action, coupled with the President's call to hang Democratic members of Congress - both in the past few hrs - are more than "potentially divisive."
They are vile, unconscionable, and dangerous.
This action, coupled with the President's call to hang Democratic members of Congress - both in the past few hrs - are more than "potentially divisive."
They are vile, unconscionable, and dangerous.
November 20, 2025 at 9:29 PM
The Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas and nooses as hate symbols.
This action, coupled with the President's call to hang Democratic members of Congress - both in the past few hrs - are more than "potentially divisive."
They are vile, unconscionable, and dangerous.
This action, coupled with the President's call to hang Democratic members of Congress - both in the past few hrs - are more than "potentially divisive."
They are vile, unconscionable, and dangerous.
The president said lawmakers who appeared in a video committed “seditious behavior” and should be arrested and put on trial for treason, which is "punishable by death." Both his press secretary and the Speaker of the House have lied about what the lawmakers said.
wapo.st/4oSZp2t
wapo.st/4oSZp2t
Trump: Democrats ‘traitors’ for telling military not to follow unlawful orders
The president said lawmakers who appeared in a video committed “seditious behavior” and should be arrested and put on trial for treason.
wapo.st
November 21, 2025 at 12:26 AM
The president said lawmakers who appeared in a video committed “seditious behavior” and should be arrested and put on trial for treason, which is "punishable by death." Both his press secretary and the Speaker of the House have lied about what the lawmakers said.
wapo.st/4oSZp2t
wapo.st/4oSZp2t
Reposted by Secular Outpost
I've had a missile blow up next to my airplane, been shot at dozens of times by anti-aircraft fire, and launched into orbit — all for my country. I never thought I'd see a President call for my execution.
Trump doesn’t understand the Constitution, and we're all less safe for it.
Trump doesn’t understand the Constitution, and we're all less safe for it.
November 20, 2025 at 8:40 PM
I've had a missile blow up next to my airplane, been shot at dozens of times by anti-aircraft fire, and launched into orbit — all for my country. I never thought I'd see a President call for my execution.
Trump doesn’t understand the Constitution, and we're all less safe for it.
Trump doesn’t understand the Constitution, and we're all less safe for it.
New post: A harsh but fair assessment of the Argument from Moral Teleology.
I reconstruct Ravi Zacharias's argument and demonstrate why it fails on two fronts: metaphysical equivocation and logical circularity.
Read the full critique here:
secularoutpost.substack.com/p/the-argume...
I reconstruct Ravi Zacharias's argument and demonstrate why it fails on two fronts: metaphysical equivocation and logical circularity.
Read the full critique here:
secularoutpost.substack.com/p/the-argume...
The Argument from Moral Teleology
How is morality related, if at all, to the purpose for human life?
secularoutpost.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:05 PM
New post: A harsh but fair assessment of the Argument from Moral Teleology.
I reconstruct Ravi Zacharias's argument and demonstrate why it fails on two fronts: metaphysical equivocation and logical circularity.
Read the full critique here:
secularoutpost.substack.com/p/the-argume...
I reconstruct Ravi Zacharias's argument and demonstrate why it fails on two fronts: metaphysical equivocation and logical circularity.
Read the full critique here:
secularoutpost.substack.com/p/the-argume...
True—once you shorten analysis, you’re no longer doing research, you’re just really going deep into the data.
Science PSA: Never abbreviate “analysis” as “anal”. Ever.
November 20, 2025 at 7:44 PM
True—once you shorten analysis, you’re no longer doing research, you’re just really going deep into the data.
Reposted by Secular Outpost
How upside down is our world? The White House occupant thinks elected public servants who say the military should not follow illegal orders are "punishable by death." We exactly need public servants to speak out against illegal orders and not be cowed by a man who despises our Constitution.
November 20, 2025 at 6:25 PM
How upside down is our world? The White House occupant thinks elected public servants who say the military should not follow illegal orders are "punishable by death." We exactly need public servants to speak out against illegal orders and not be cowed by a man who despises our Constitution.