Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Dr. Ben Boswell, a former Reverend at Myers Park Baptist in Charlotte, North Carolina, was asked to resign due to falling church attendance numbers, which had not recovered since his arrival in 2016. Several church members, both current and former, expressed dissatisfaction with his message of love, inclusivity, and community. A particular issue arose over Boswell’s sermons, which often addressed politics and racial justice—topics that resonated with some but alienated others. The church leadership claims his removal was based on attendance, not his views, and insists that the church still upholds values of inclusivity and acceptance. However, some members, particularly people of color, felt that his dismissal was a betrayal.
"Preaching Inclusivity, Out of Job!"
"Sociopolitical Views Cost Boswell His Pulpit"
"Love and Acceptance... Until It’s Too Much"
"The Church That Couldn’t Handle Politics"
"White Silence Is Golden… Apparently"
"Boswell’s Sermon: A Love Story, No Church"
"Politically Correct Preaching Gets You Fired"
"Myers Park’s 'Inclusive' Church Doesn't Like Politics"
"Boswell's Message of Unity Gets a Cold Reception"
"Church Dismisses Boswell for Saying What?"
"Boswell’s Dismissal Sparks Debate on Church Values"
"Attendance Decline or Ideological Conflict?"
"Can Inclusivity and Politics Coexist in the Pulpit?"
"Myers Park Baptist Church's Controversial Leadership Decision"
"Racial Justice Sermons: Too Much for Some Congregants"
"Boswell's Sermons Clash with Church's Core Supporters"
"The High Cost of Political Preaching in Faith Communities"
"A Church Divided: Politics, Race, and Inclusivity"
"The Challenges of Modern Preaching in Conservative Churches"
"Should Churches Embrace Political and Racial Discourse?"
Don't like ads? Consider becoming a patron for commercial-free episodes: tiny.cc/patreonnp
We welcome your comments on the thread for this show.
► tiny.cc/fbnp
► Contact us with questions or news stories at: nonprophets@atheist-community.org
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WHAT IS THE NON-PROPHETS?
The Non-Prophets is a internet show airing at 06:00pm Central time Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday each week. Where we navigate through current events, providing a secular viewpoint that adds depth to the unfolding narrative.
The Atheist Community of Austin is organized as a nonprofit educational corporation to develop and support the atheist community, to provide opportunities for socializing and friendship, to promote secular viewpoints, to encourage positive atheist culture, to defend the first amendment principle of state-church separation, to oppose discrimination against atheists and to work with other organizations in pursuit of common goals.
We define atheism as the lack of belief in gods. This definition also encompasses what most people call agnosticism.
VISIT THE ACA'S OFFICIAL WEB SITES
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► atheist-experience.com (The Atheist Experience TV Show)
NOTES
TheNonProphets is the official channel of The Non Prophets. "The Non Prophets" is a trademark of the ACA.
Copyright © 2024 Atheist Community of Austin. All rights reserved.
Dr. Ben Boswell, a former Reverend at Myers Park Baptist in Charlotte, North Carolina, was asked to resign due to falling church attendance numbers, which had not recovered since his arrival in 2016. Several church members, both current and former, expressed dissatisfaction with his message of love, inclusivity, and community. A particular issue arose over Boswell’s sermons, which often addressed politics and racial justice—topics that resonated with some but alienated others. The church leadership claims his removal was based on attendance, not his views, and insists that the church still upholds values of inclusivity and acceptance. However, some members, particularly people of color, felt that his dismissal was a betrayal.
"Preaching Inclusivity, Out of Job!"
"Sociopolitical Views Cost Boswell His Pulpit"
"Love and Acceptance... Until It’s Too Much"
"The Church That Couldn’t Handle Politics"
"White Silence Is Golden… Apparently"
"Boswell’s Sermon: A Love Story, No Church"
"Politically Correct Preaching Gets You Fired"
"Myers Park’s 'Inclusive' Church Doesn't Like Politics"
"Boswell's Message of Unity Gets a Cold Reception"
"Church Dismisses Boswell for Saying What?"
"Boswell’s Dismissal Sparks Debate on Church Values"
"Attendance Decline or Ideological Conflict?"
"Can Inclusivity and Politics Coexist in the Pulpit?"
"Myers Park Baptist Church's Controversial Leadership Decision"
"Racial Justice Sermons: Too Much for Some Congregants"
"Boswell's Sermons Clash with Church's Core Supporters"
"The High Cost of Political Preaching in Faith Communities"
"A Church Divided: Politics, Race, and Inclusivity"
"The Challenges of Modern Preaching in Conservative Churches"
"Should Churches Embrace Political and Racial Discourse?"
Don't like ads? Consider becoming a patron for commercial-free episodes: tiny.cc/patreonnp
We welcome your comments on the thread for this show.
► tiny.cc/fbnp
► Contact us with questions or news stories at: nonprophets@atheist-community.org
-------
WHAT IS THE NON-PROPHETS?
The Non-Prophets is a internet show airing at 06:00pm Central time Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday each week. Where we navigate through current events, providing a secular viewpoint that adds depth to the unfolding narrative.
The Atheist Community of Austin is organized as a nonprofit educational corporation to develop and support the atheist community, to provide opportunities for socializing and friendship, to promote secular viewpoints, to encourage positive atheist culture, to defend the first amendment principle of state-church separation, to oppose discrimination against atheists and to work with other organizations in pursuit of common goals.
We define atheism as the lack of belief in gods. This definition also encompasses what most people call agnosticism.
VISIT THE ACA'S OFFICIAL WEB SITES
► atheist-community.org (The Atheist Community of Austin)
► atheist-experience.com (The Atheist Experience TV Show)
NOTES
TheNonProphets is the official channel of The Non Prophets. "The Non Prophets" is a trademark of the ACA.
Copyright © 2024 Atheist Community of Austin. All rights reserved.
