a christian friend?! (4 of 5)

[rhyfelur]

I knew a stripper named Satin..and im pretty sure she collected souls.

[MissSunshinexx94]

you're hair color is really pretty is that natural?

[Josh111485]

This from the "Brief Introduction" in the "About Us" tab on the Skeptic Society's website:

"I have made a ceaseless effort not to ridicule, not to bewail, not to scorn human actions, but to understand them."

—Baruch Spinoza

[Josh111485]

Oh, wow! He's the "Atheists offer nothing guy"! When I watched that video I got frustrated and pissed off. It's good to change for the better over time. My mind has changed about things. In Susan Jacoby's book "The Age of American Unreason" she talks about how one of the biggest problems in America is that people, generally, don't want to listen to opposing view-points. I do more listening now. Thank you for posting this Nikki! I was wondering what your next video would be. It's great!

[Domzdream]

I've actually been thinking the same thing why people are so angry at the guy. He's a good guy! You don't have to agree with what he says but he's not a bad person and doesnt deserve this kind of scolding! Also, people, it's called freedom of speach, good or bad, but it's info wether you want to take on board or not.

[TigerKerouac]

"You don't know me" is unfair, Nikki. If you post videos, then you represent yourself in them. You present a very consistent image over a period of months. It is not the 'whole you', obviously. Who does know the whole you? Pretty much... no one! Not even you. When you say "you don't know me" it takes away the only thing the rest of us have to offer -- our insights. I don't know... i just think "you don't know me" is not a good way to respond to heartfelt comments.

[MatthiasFarland]

Obviously the comments claiming that she was never a Christian or that she has sold her soul to "satin" are not quite 'heartfelt'.

[TigerKerouac]

Hmmmm... not sure whether you are being ironic Matthias. Those might indeed be heartfelt projections or perceptions. Is it possible that a dialogue could proceed assuming the writer sees those 'truths' when they watch these vlogs? Either they are simply trying to hurt Nikki (which definitely happens) or else there is some genuine mis-perception or reflection of the writer's own fears and bias based on their empathy with the appealing character of Nikki.

... or whatever. I'm just saying...

[frisbeesANDflipflops]

perhaps clarification is needed. the types of comments/ commentors to which i was specifically referring are the ones which assume the reasons for my actions- especially when their own assessment contradicts my stated reasons.

don't get me wrong, alternate perspectives offered by other people who have given careful thought to matters at hand are important to consider in most- if not all- circumstances. my point in the video is that knowing those who say things akin to (cont)

[frisbeesANDflipflops]

"you were never a christian to begin with" generally haven't given much consideration to the history and circumstances surrounding the person and makest he comments/ commentors usually mal intent easier to brush off.

[TigerKerouac]

That makes sense. I do know people like that.

[theogore]

Jack trusts NIkki.

He is a human being like all of us.

He's just confused. Y'know. About things...

[OneMoeAtheist]

om my christian and atheist talking on camera, call the authorities...

now if you made out on youtube ; )

that be something else

[UppruniTegundanna]

I get frustrated just like frisbeesANDflipflops that people post responses to and comments on certain videos that I think are in bad taste, but there's not much I can do about it, apart from berate them personally by saying "I really do think it is necessary to be so disrespectful". However, the internet provides a convenient barrier to normal polite conversation by being quite impersonal. People just vent and click.

[UppruniTegundanna]

"Why are people so angry at you?" The simple answer is that the people who actually write comments in response to any video constitute a very small percentage of the actually viewer numbers, and most of those people who do comment have either felt personally affronted by what Jack says (they have thin skin) or just feel like posting a drive-by tirade. It's inevitable that the people who comment represent a bizarre faction of the actual viewership and should not be considered representative.

[TheNakedAtheist]

"It's inevitable that the people who comment represent a bizarre faction of the actual viewership and should not be considered representative."

In that case I'll be sure to ignore everything you just said.

[UppruniTegundanna]

Ha ha! Fair point.

[frisbeesANDflipflops]

heh

[TheNakedAtheist]

You asked why people have a problem with Jack. From my perspective the answer is twofold. First of all he's a youth pastor which means he is brainwashing children. Secondly the very fact that he isn't a jezusfreek or a venomfangX, makes him more dangerous. No one who is on the fence is going to watch JF, or VFX, and be enticed to remain a Christian.

(cont)

[TheNakedAtheist]

(cont)

Jack on the other hand, because he isn't an obviously deluded individual who threatens people with hell, is more likely to have a negative impact on those who are trying to escape the irrational bonds of religion.

[TheNakedAtheist]

I just wanted to add that just because Jack's approach is milder than people like JF, or VFX in no way means he doesn't share their opinions, or their points of view. He has publicly allied himself with both of them in the past, and as a result many see him as a wolf in sheep's clothing.

[Katalyzt]

Tyler Perry(the person that jack mentioned) is a producer of movies and plays that are steeped in christian propaganda.

Katalyzt

[jussts]

They're also steeped in terribleness. That guy's made about a million plays/movies... not a one of them any good. I think he just makes them so he'll have an excuse to dress like a woman.

[legendre007]

Wow, I hadn't realized that people had overused that "I looked into your eyes and saw..." phrase so much.

I do think Vladimir Putin is dangerous, but I never saw the KGB in his eyes. I looked into his eyes and saw . . . pupils. Eeeeeeeeek! :-O

[frisbeesANDflipflops]

haha