Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
When Atlanta megachurch pastor Phillip Mitchell told his congregation to stop blaming white cops and start teaching “obedience to authority,” backlash erupted—including from his own members. While he apologized on Instagram, many saw it as hollow, especially when he doubled down on the same dangerous rhetoric. The panel breaks down the historical and present-day implications of respectability politics in Black churches, police violence, and what true accountability really looks like.
News Source
Atlanta Black Star by Christian Boone, April 21, 2025
atlantablackstar.com/2025/04/21/atlanta-megachurch-pastor-apologizes-for-telling-black-folks-to-stop-blaming-white-cops-for-the-killing-of-black-kids
The Non-Prophets, Episode 24.18.3 featuring Cynthia McDonald, Stephen Harder and AJ
Atlanta Pastor Sparks Outrage Over Police Violence Comments 🚨
“Just Obey” Isn’t Justice: Pastor Faces Backlash 🧑🏾⚖️
Pastor Blames Black Families, Not Cops—Apologizes Under Fire 🔥
Mitchell’s Apology Falls Flat After Victim-Blaming Sermon 📉
Black Congregants Reject Obedience Over Justice ✊🏾
Atlanta Megachurch Pastor Under Fire for Cop Defense 🕊️
When the Pulpit Becomes a Police Apologist Platform 👮♂️
Churches Divided on Policing and Accountability 🤔
Respectability Politics vs. Reality: Who’s to Blame? 🎤
From George Floyd to Now: Why “Obey” Rings Hollow ⚖️
Apology or Excuse? Atlanta Pastor Walks Back Remarks 🙄
History Repeats: Policing Black Lives from the Pulpit 📚
Is Obedience to Authority Biblical—or Oppressive? 📖
Why This Pastor’s Sermon Hit a Dangerous Nerve 🚫
When the Bible Is Used to Silence Protest ✋🏾
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.
When Atlanta megachurch pastor Phillip Mitchell told his congregation to stop blaming white cops and start teaching “obedience to authority,” backlash erupted—including from his own members. While he apologized on Instagram, many saw it as hollow, especially when he doubled down on the same dangerous rhetoric. The panel breaks down the historical and present-day implications of respectability politics in Black churches, police violence, and what true accountability really looks like.
News Source
Atlanta Black Star by Christian Boone, April 21, 2025
atlantablackstar.com/2025/04/21/atlanta-megachurch-pastor-apologizes-for-telling-black-folks-to-stop-blaming-white-cops-for-the-killing-of-black-kids
The Non-Prophets, Episode 24.18.3 featuring Cynthia McDonald, Stephen Harder and AJ
Atlanta Pastor Sparks Outrage Over Police Violence Comments 🚨
“Just Obey” Isn’t Justice: Pastor Faces Backlash 🧑🏾⚖️
Pastor Blames Black Families, Not Cops—Apologizes Under Fire 🔥
Mitchell’s Apology Falls Flat After Victim-Blaming Sermon 📉
Black Congregants Reject Obedience Over Justice ✊🏾
Atlanta Megachurch Pastor Under Fire for Cop Defense 🕊️
When the Pulpit Becomes a Police Apologist Platform 👮♂️
Churches Divided on Policing and Accountability 🤔
Respectability Politics vs. Reality: Who’s to Blame? 🎤
From George Floyd to Now: Why “Obey” Rings Hollow ⚖️
Apology or Excuse? Atlanta Pastor Walks Back Remarks 🙄
History Repeats: Policing Black Lives from the Pulpit 📚
Is Obedience to Authority Biblical—or Oppressive? 📖
Why This Pastor’s Sermon Hit a Dangerous Nerve 🚫
When the Bible Is Used to Silence Protest ✋🏾
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.
