CBS Sunday morning

[farmandmao]

Nazism and communism histories are not a crisis for Atheism. They are not even related to atheism. The arguement seems natural, but it is void.

[farmandmao]

Many Atheists seem to be struggling with the arguement of the 20th century totalitarian regimes.

To me its quite simple.

All 3 or 4 of them has infallible leadership, and that is a religious trait.

All through civilizaion there has been man-gods, like popes, lamas and emperors. It is a common religion.

Having party leaders, eternal leaders, great fathers and führers is no different.

Sky-god or man-god, its still the same deal.

[nemirn]

4:15

Wow, this guy is an IDIOT. How did he get his job? He doesn't understand religion or faith at all.

[omnissient]

Hitler was roman catholic. He had christian crosses on many of his symbols. His soldiers had "God with us" on their uniforms and his speeches contained a lot of christian rhetoric. His antisemitism was christian and the pope helped him. have a look at his speeches and the symbols if you disagree. They re still available.

And the civil rights movement was totally not led by christian values. The bible teaches slavery even in the new testament.

[sgpquek]

@omnissient Thanks for calling that shithead out for telling those lies. Religious idiots will do anything to get away with lies and they have no sense of righteousness when it comes to protecting their faith because that is what is left of their believe.

[nemirn]

@omnissient

It's really sad that apologists still bring up these invalid arguments, isn't it?

[matthewtaylorbrown]

This video is incorrect that O'Hair was responsible for the lawsuit that took religion out of public schools.

[TXatheist]

@matthewtaylorbrown Everett v BOE was a more important trial to get forced prayer out of school but I'm glad Madalyn did what she did.

[TXatheist]

@matthewtaylorbrown oops, Everson

[DickieTT]

Have you read Richard Dawkins? I have surfed around a bit and think him intrigueing.

[TXatheist]

Just bought his new book, Greatest Show on Earth.

[groznyj37]

I have The God Delusion and Unweaving the Rainbow. The God Delusion is undoubtedly one of his most necessary works, however I must say my favorite is Unweaving the Rainbow.

[groznyj37]

Science is the only method we can use to remove our own urges to delude ourselves. It is the tacit recognition that our senses are faulty data inquiring devices. We can only narrow the likelihood that our senses have interfered with our interpretations until we asymptotically hit some level, step back and say, "That's reality."

The existence of god has been disproven, science has won. Its just that there are too many scientifically illiterate people out there to notice.

[DickieTT]

Grozny -

I like your points with exception. Please direct me to the science that God does not exist.

Interesting subjectivity in your diction, "science has won." Objective science does not win or lose in its outcomes. It just is.

Curious: your use of "likely" / "assumption." You are not weighing on the side of an absolute reality. I assume you are not an explicit atheist?

"Humankind has manufactured god concepts" - agreed - considering multiple monotheist religions.

[groznyj37]

I suggest that you entertain yourself by looking into the neuropsychology of religious belief. Get access to an academic database and just read the peer-reviewed articles. It's immensely intriguing material.

I concede to your point on objective science -- you can't prove a negative. However, religions make claims which clearly are not the best representations of reality and science incontestably has 'won' in that department.

The 'god of the gaps' is thinning and soon there won't be room for god.

[groznyj37]

I don't like the word atheist, but... I am what you would consider an explicit atheist. I'm as sure there are no gods as I am sure of anything else.

Now, as I have a degree in computer science and am working on a masters in neuroscience, and my conclusion pertaining to this subject has been derived from my understanding of physics and the brain, and of the history of religion. The engine of science is skepticism, so my mindset that of the skeptic. Such claims require extraordinary evidence.

[DickieTT]

Atheism is a belief just like any other religion.

Try this: Prove there is no God or prove that there is. In the middle of the fray is the agnostic.

Personally, I only know that I don't know what God is and I never pretend to know.

[TXatheist]

dickie, atheism is realizing there is no evidence for god, just like the tooth fairy so you stop believing. Agnostic? There is agnostic theist and agnostic atheist. gnostic means to know and no one knows if there is a god but you can either believe, agnostic theist or not believe agnostic atheist. God is an imaginary character in mythology.

[DickieTT]

Hey TX -

You speak in absolutes, "God is an imaginary character in mythology." I say prove that. What proof do you have there is no God(s)?

Did you use science, the empirical method?

[groznyj37]

Hey Dickie -

You speak in jargon, "Pink unicorns are imaginary characters in mythology." I say prove that. What proof do you have there are no pink unicorns?

Did you use science, the empirical method?

[DickieTT]

I have no proof that there are no pink unicorns, bigfoot, aliens, Jesus, Allah, etc. And, I would bet, neither do you.

I do not understand your allusion to jargon. Please explain.

[groznyj37]

What I intend to imply is that it's safe to say that there is no 'god' for such an entity (by its own definition) is so vastly improbable that we might as well say that it doesn't exist. We can say that it is FAR more likely that 'god' is a concept that has been manufactured by humankind in order to represent what was once unknowable.

Once evidence is weighed, its very reasonable to conclude that the latter is the correct assumption. The onus is upon the person who claims the contrary.

[matthewtaylorbrown]

@DickieTT Actually sir, atheism is a disbelief. Just the same as your disbelief of Ra, Odin, and Zues. With your reasoning your disbelief of these gods would mean that you have at least four religions. One for the belief in the Christian god and three for your disbelief in the three mentioned gods. We don't have to prove anything, we just don't beleive.

[DickieTT]

@matthewtaylorbrown

When did I ever state the disbelief of Ra, Odin or Zeus or the belief of the one Christian God.

What I beleive in are possibilities and those possibilities are endless.

[matthewtaylorbrown]

@DickieTT Actually I have no clue how this went to you. I must have had the wrong entry highlighted. Nothing I can find on you in this thread should have triggered my response. Sorry about that. My brother has a similar point of view as yours. I find that interesting.

[DickieTT]

@matthewtaylorbrown

No problem. I had problems with posting my response last night...thus the double response.

Your brother and I are in the minority and there is nothing wrong with that.

[DickieTT]

@matthewtaylorbrown

My point is I have no absolute beliefs in any of the religions (big or small) or hold your belief in disbelief. The truth of the matter is I don't know. What I do believe in are possibilities and those are endless.

[TheJetsilver]

@DickieTT No, atheism is not a belief. Is lack of belief in Zeus a belief like any other religion? Do you believe in Vishnu?

[zer0mission]

The evidence for God is that there is no evidence? How convenient.

[jscanyon]

Atheist percentages:

Germany- 25%

UK-20%

France-33%

America-16% up from 8% in 2003.

We are a growing percentage.

[yo1o2eggs]

I bought "Letting go of god" DVD. I was awesome!

[TXatheist]

That's Sweeney. I have god said ha on dvr, still need to get to it.

[JazzyJonas]

Atheism is not another religion.

[splendorfulguris]

fucking religious nuts find yourself a goal in life.

[EmeraldAxe2]

That's the thing; they have.

[gogitasan]

come on you dont have to be a genius to know that religion is bullshit and its bad for ya

[AR333]

hitchens does NOT think that nothing is sacred, he thinks nature with all its wonders is sacred... clearly a slander on the part of the reporter

[TXatheist]

AR, hitchens may just avoid words like sacred as I do. I rarely use faith also because the theists think I'm referring to their idea of faith and sacred.

[moskablzit]

hey nice vid txathiest; thanks for addressing the comments made by proporo or what ever his name is. they alway try to say the samething hitler. stalin. moa and others, and like you said i think athiest know more about the bible than some call christions or catholics. that's how i became an anti-theist, by reading the bible, well not all of it , but i still read some of it, cause i wanted to believe so bad, but i couldn't force my self like some people do.

[talicohen]

The idea that any one of our religions represents the infallible word of the One True God requires an encyclopedic ignorance of history,mythology, and art even to be entertained—as the beliefs, rituals,

and iconography of each of our religions attest to centuries of crosspollination

among them. Whatever their imagined source, the doctrines of modern religions are no more tenable than those which, for lack of adherents, were cast upon the scrap heap of mythology millennia ago.

[krangell01]

You are a angry person.Mythology is Zeus.You talk of intellect, yet you will not research Christianity beliefs and others so you will be better informed.I just don't need more proof,thats all.I see proof in everything around me. I will continue to pray for you, because I would like nothing more than your eyes to be opened and for you to be saved from eternal death.I only want to say that you should read more about Christain faith AND others so you can see for yourself.

[TXatheist]

You are angry because you have now just had to realize jc/yhwh is just mythology just like Zeus. I am very well informed of xianity. My eyes are wide open, it's you who doesn't realize it's just old folklore. There is no god, no heaven and no hell except in a fairy tale and you are mad that I understand that and you don't.

[irishmauddib]

Research it? False, a lot of us research it all the time. We just do not see any reason to think it is true.

[krangell01]

Something is missing in your life that will nvr be filled with stuff,only God can fill it.That hole is in every man.

BTW, no one can earn their way into heaven by doing good deeds.

[TXatheist]

No one can get to heaven by being good or doing good deeds because heaven isn't real. My life is content and in part because I'm an atheist.

[krangell01]

I feel sorry for you and I will pray for you.

May God reveal himself to you and begin to use you.

In Christ's Love.

[TXatheist]

You are not in a position to pity me and when I wake up an atheist tomorrow it's because your prayer is useless and you aren't talking to anyone but yourself. God did reveal himself to me...he's a mythical character in a fairy tale.

[krangell01]

Actually, if my prayers are useless, it is because your heart is cold and hard and you refuse to listen to the truth. I do pity you, because you will die one day and go to hell. The bible says, when one dies, EVERY knee will bow and proclaim Jesus is Lord. For you it will be to late. Once you bow down, you will be thrown into the firy pit for all eternity, begging for forgiveness forever. so yes, I can and do pity you. You should not be such an angry person and try to see the truth.

[TXatheist]

You are not intellectually capable of any more truth than I am so again your pompous attitude is unwarranted. The bible says hell is real and that burning bushes and serpents can talk...that's a fairy tale. You are not intellectually capable of pitying someone like me. I will not bow to jc no matter what the bible says because there is no heaven except in a fairy tale. You shouldn't be so presumptous that you know this is true when it's just mythology. You aren't worthy of pitying me.

[GillerMonster]

Doesn't God make the heart cold and hard? And in all His power He chooses to give such a large unbelievable story for everyone to believe. And then leaves and never shows up again. I mean it says that if you love God it's because He first loved you. So if I don't love God it's because He doesn't love me. That's not my fault. He gave something to you that gave you the ability to believe, something He doesn't give to everyone. I do believe that He gives it to most people; Stupidity and Hate.

[irishmauddib]

"Actually, if my prayers are useless, it is because your heart is cold"

Or maybe it is because there is no god there and prayers have no effect. Also a possibility huh.

The bible says a lot of things, thankfully there is no reason to think a lot of them are true.

[irishmauddib]

"and begin to use you"

Sounds kinky.

[earthangelrojanie]

krangell01.. this man is brainedwash by his religion dont argue with him he doesnt know what his talking about... you know what kind of god of levitucus and deu'nomy..

[irishmauddib]

"Something is missing in your life "

If you judge OTHER people by YOUR standards then of course you think there is a hole in other peoples lives.

However people do not judge themselves by your standard, they judge themselves by their own standards and I, for one, have no hole in my life like you describe.

[AtheistdotEDU]

You are dangerously ignorant, for yourself and others. You need education. Come to my channel, watch a few videos, and we'll see if we can't turn you into a truly moral person, free of fear of God or Hell.

[krangell01]

You are selfish to think you gained anything yourself or that you're deserving of anything good.None of us are worthy of the kind of love God has for us because we are sinners, but Jesus has taken that away for me.God wants everyone to come to him through Jesus Christ.He wants to take care of YOU,all you have to do is believe and invite him in to your heart and you to will see.There is no reason to be afraid.God IS love.

[TXatheist]

You are even more selfish to think you have the right god of the 100's man has made up. Worship Zeus or Mithra and you are just as unlucky/unselfish. The muslims tell me to listen to muhammad and not jesus. God is imaginary and I'm not afraid of imaginary friends that you have.

[krangell01]

Maybe you can get more answers from the Apologetics Press.There is tons of proof out there.And, no I only woke up and became a Christian at the age of 26.I was not raised in a Christian home.Actually quite the opposite.I was not a goody child, quite the opposite.So,you're wrong.I do not have blind belief,but because of my FAITH,God has revealed himself to me many times.Everything comes from God.

[TXatheist]

God revealed himself? Tell me what was revealed so I know what to look for. I presume it's just your imagination. I was raised in a great home and non-religiuous luckily.

[TheSpindles]

The Bible, Koran, Torah are all man made.

If you can't see that, then that's too bad and too sad.

There is no evidence from anything in those books.

[krangell01]

I don't need proof from other human beings that there is a God.God does exists and there is proof. I know Jesus personally. I meet him every day in prayer. The Bible says that you must have Faith. Unfortunately, the Bible says, people without faith will not be able to understand Christianity. It is a vicious circle for someone wanting proof. Faith is the whole point. The Bible is the TRUTH, without error. There are no contradictions whatsoever.

[TXatheist]

You know jc personally? Yeah, right. The bible says a lot of things and without error? Tell me what geological group at any major university that thinks there was a global flood during the human era. It's not a vicious circle, it's acceptance without proof. Tell me how woman first appeared. Did she come from adams rib or god blew dust to make them.

[krangell01]

Some things were not meant to be understood by us. God blew dust or snaped His fingers. whatever He did, He made you and I to serve Him and to love one another as He loves us.

Yes, I do know Jesus personally. I meet with Him all the time.

Do you believe in the "Big Bang"? Even if that's what happened, God made it happen. God made all things.

May God bless you and change your heart so that you might see Him.

[TXatheist]

No thanks, I am a content atheist. If xianity suits you then that's fine.

[DertBagg]

Wow... what would you say to a Muslim who said the Koran was without error -- and then, as you proceed to argue that it is full of error, he said "Unfortunately, the Koran says, people without faith will not be able to understand Christianity" ??

The vicious circle is YOUR tautology of delusion.

[DertBagg]

"Christianity" = Islam

[krangell01]

The Koran has been changed many times over the years due to Muslims saying that Muhammad "changed his mind". Jesus never changed his mind. The bible is written based on peoples personal accounts with Christ and based on the old testiment prophasies, which Jesus fulfilled. And no, if you have no faith, you can't understand. How could you. All we as Christians can do is ask that God soften your heart and mind so that you may have ears to hear. May God do this for you.

[DickJohnson3434]

Can't you see how circular it is to believe something before you can believe it?

[krangell01]

I was not raised in a church, but I always knew there was a God and when told about Jesus, I knew it in my heart therefore having faith. I just knew it was true. Because of that faith, God has been able to work miracles in my life. I have seen and felt His presence. Some people will never believe. But if you have questions about God and Jesus, then research it, ask questions, talk to people. It may be God speaking to you. May God bless you and soften your heart and give you ears to hear.

[NegativeProof]

I would venture to say that you willingly attribute the good in your life to God, no matter what the actual causes are. I would also venture to guess that you were indoctrinated at a relatively young age, and hence the "knowing in your heart" was quite simply a lack of knowledge and an innocent wonder about the world. Then, along comes the bible with all the answers, and you gobble them up because...?

People hear God speak to them because they want to hear God speak to them.

[NegativeProof]

Yes, may God reduce my critical faculties to the point that I will be capable of the fallacy of blind belief and the atrocity of self-delusion.

No thank you.

[harr7959]

5:23-

Great statement. Absolutely true. Keep religion to yourself, where it belongs, and nobody will attack it! Bring it into the public arena and you better bet Atheists will attack you for your goofey beleifs.

[kurdistaniatheist]

kurdistaniatheists. com

[TXatheist]

I liked your website

[blsfalcao]

great site

best of luck on your quest

[macman13]

Trashing religion is un-American? Has this guy ever read age of reason?

[macman13]

"You need to praise them for the civil rights movement."

Not really, it was not innately religious. Any decent person could support it. Things like the inquisition however, could ONLY happen with religion or some other form of dogma. It's also important to point out that the strongest opposition to the civil rights movement came from religious people.

[Jbear9]

Some folks can't imagine thinking for themselves and being responsible for their own actions, or even taking credit for their own accomplishments. Too bad.

[wildbillcleveland]

You don't need to proove the existance of god, good point.

[jemakinc]

American constitution protects the right of citizens and guarantees them religious freedom. Atheists aren't a religion, nor do they want that protection, so atheists express their opinion, but they also cannot impose that ideology on those who want to believe.

[aiyic]

Atheism is not an ideology. It's not a world view, political movement, or devil worship (as some people absurdly believe). It is simply and ABSENSE of a belief in a diety. Simple. Some believe fat people are jolly, and some have an absense of that belief. A non-belief. Not a belief in another god, or a devil, a non-belief. This is not particularly for jemakinc, it's for all who don'r understand what an atheist is.

[madrox555]

To me "god" is more of a celestial dictator. Who is this "spirit" how is telling you your a sin before you where even born, but if you work really hard to redeem your "spirit" you may just be alright.I dont accept "god" because i dont believe in him...im free thinking and dont spend my time pleasing something that doesnt exsist

[pan5464]

God = Big Brother

[ComedyJesus]

Outstanding. Thanks for posting this.

-Comedy Jesus

[riverrunRRS]

Julia should be the one holding out hope that her mother accepts that there is no god.

[interhuss]

Thanks.. I missed it!

[bulldog923]

Thanks for posting this.

[nyclights526]

Anyone who speaks to someone who's not there we attribute the characteristics of being psychotic; when a group of people speaks to someone who's not there we call that religion.

[roycegracie101]

faith is believing what you know aint true - thanks for posting :)

[ClumsyRoot]

When do people invoke "faith"? When they WANT to believe something but don't really have good REASONS to think it's true. It's astoundingly self-centered, more than a bit juvenile and, intellectually speaking, blatantly dishonest.

[nyclights526]

"Faith is believing in something when COMMON SENSE tells you not to". - Maureen O'Hara, Miracle on 34th Street

[carrotmaritova]

What?! Not respecting an artificial "gentleman's agreement" to not address the flaws of religion is "Unamerican?"

[Hurtman2000]

I dislike it very much when a parent of mine says, "he'll be back on Jesus' side again, i know this". Grrrrrrrrr. Just like Julia's mother said about Julia.

[Brainmold]

Thanks.

[pdoeman]

For a US media that was a pretty fair treatment. The Christian guy could have been challenged on his silly 'historic' points, Hitchens would have wiped the floor with him.

[aPaThEiSt]

If there is no proof for god, theists should have a problem!......

[aPaThEiSt]

OMG not another 'stalin killed for atheism' again, grrr

Relgion has dogmas that tell you what to do, hence killing people that don't follow your faith.

Atheism has only one dogma - not believing in an gods, so morals have nothing to do with atheism, it's what you make of it.

[aajoeyjo]

Thanks for posting this so fast.

[marklethanarkle]

that's a pretty well rounded presentation, i guess.  at least more well rounded than most. thanks for the video tex!

[marklethanarkle]

ugh! the "good" of the church, can never change what's happened in the past!! these fuckers are still using the same book, to justify the same hard headed, divisive bullshit that they've always pulled. give it the hell up, abc. there's a good reason why atheists are "more vocal", now.

[connerjd]

G.W. Bush is one good reason to be more vocal.

[nyclights526]

LOL! :)

[marklethanarkle]

i mean, cbs... sorry.

[connerjd]

How can people say the Catholic church is a wonderful place when it has allowed so much evil. it makes the KKK look like Sesame Street.

[thefakeyeti]

I like dan barkers "story" (paraphrases)

A preacher for a while, decides to study on the bible to get better at it, get skeptical, turns into a atheist. His parents question him, and he turns them into atheists.