On Labels and Definitions (also an answered question)

[Cka940]

the thing with the blacklight flashing made it look like you were covered in sperm( no offence)

[thebigeasy87]

i found it so hard to concentrate on what you were saying, the music was mesmerizing and stunningly beautiful

[RyuDarragh]

The only thing I would change about the "Atheist Community" is the same one I would change about the "Theist Community" is the making of assumptions. That tired old saw about making assumptions is all too true.

[Uaz31]

Heres a label for ya, the religion of Darwinism.

[RabidApe]

Is Einsteinism a religion?

What about Copernicanism?

[Uaz31]

If people worshiped Einsteins theories like evolutionists worship Darwin's theories, then yes I suppose it too could become a religion as well.

[RabidApe]

define "worship", please.

[Uaz31]

lol. Something you place your faith in a bow down to 5 times a day as a substitute for God.

To idolize something above God.

[RabidApe]

"Something you place your faith in a bow down to 5 times a day "

LOLWUT? I'm fairly certain that I don't practice that tradition.

"a substitute for God"

Do you have a "substitute" for Santa Claus? Or did you just stop believing in him?

[Uaz31]

Yes I have a substitute for Santa its Christ. The one Christmas is suppose to be about not Santa.

I don't really celebrate Christmas anymore since its become a pagan holiday. It's more depressing now than anything. Really just makes me want to vomit.

[KamuiOmega]

Become a Pagan holiday? If I remember my history correctly Christmas was originally a Pagan holiday known as Yule. It was meant to celebrate the lengthening of the days after the winter solstice, Easter was a similar holiday, previously known as Ostara. It was celebrated during the spring equinox since the days finally became longer than the nights. It was meant as a fertility festival of sorts, hence the rabbits and eggs.

Keep up the awesome vids RabidApe, good to see you back!

[Uaz31]

If Christmas was originally a pagan holiday and it still is a pagan holiday then why do they call it Christmas? And why do some call it xmas? And what the Hell does Santa have to do with Yule or Christ? Absolutely nothing.

Yule was just a different celebration altogether Christmas originated to celebrate Christ, thus the "Christ" in Christmas. It is now, however, nothing more than a superficial ritual of gift giving from a dead fat man who is suppose to live at the north pole.

[787Bisurdaddy]

"If Christmas was originally a pagan holiday and it still is a pagan holiday then why do they call it Christmas?"

Are you seriously asking this? It's because the Christian church scheduled all its holy days to fall on or around pagan holidays. Or did you actually believe that Jesus was born on December 25th?

People still call it Christmas because the name stuck.

[Uaz31]

The catholic church would have of, not the christian church.

No, Jesus in all likelyhood was born on April 1st, in 7 A.D. according to a recent timeline from the Bible.

[KurtDonaldCobain1994]

haha thats my birthday.

[kargaethas]

That dead fat man who lives at the north pole makes exactly as much sense as your jewish space zombie with superpowers. They would make a good couple though.

[KurtDonaldCobain1994]

I just don't believe in god. I don't worship anything.

[fuckshyt2007]

i would have to say that i would remove the misdirected hatred.

[Mozza314]

Dude, you're going to give someone an epileptic fit.

[jebus6kryst]

I agree.

[Smorfty]

I'd say talk more about the psychology behind it all. Why people would rather feel safe than embrace reality no matter how gloomy it may feel. How much of this just is the "us and them" mentality.

[ooglebydoogleby]

i think its true we need to form a coalition of the thinking regardless of faith in order to evict the lunatics from positions of self prescribed authority. are your dreams rational?

[maxtek73]

ooglebydoogleby, right on way to go!! you hit the nail on the head.

[ArtMusicRepeat]

what song was in the background? it was great!

[werdafucami]

Rabid Ape, if someone says "god speaks to me" what do you think of that person? Do you judge them? I hate the fact that I do, but I do.

[RabidApe]

My first question is usually "what does he sound like?"

The answer to THAT will tell you a lot.

[ArtMusicRepeat]

i usually have no problem telling ppl i am "atheist" (word is for sake of simplicity as well) but curiously enough the only ppl i do hesitate to tell are older ppl. Most of the ppl i work with are pretty religious so i avoid the subject all together. They're good ppl. But i do find myself judging them sometimes and I feel bad about it....

[lilmic1987]

i don't care

[LynxChan]

Though I understand your general premise, I think there is a certain clarity lacking in your explanation. That's not to say I disagree, it's that in your attempt to be totally fair, properly nuanced and not misunderstood, the main thrust of your message is diluted. I know that the very point is that we don't need to be cutting and too generalizing, but a polite and well thought out message can be more compact in it's ideas. Just an idea. :)

[theinquisitor]

I think promoting rational and critical thinking is indeed the important goal.

Even if religion were to vanish tomorrow, we'd simply have other wild memes taking their place, like the so-called "paranormal", which is where the trend seems to be going here in the UK where christianity has diminished significantly.

The problem with religion is the irrationality. DonExodus and Ken Miller are avirulently religious, because they are rational. Reason and evidence is what we are promoting.

[Textra1]

Oh man, I just had a epileptic seizure and saw god. I'm a convert. No more atheism for me. I've seen the light. Thanks RabidApe. Converted by an atheist. Who'da thunk it?

*Runs off to start making theistic videos for YouTube*

★★★★★ Video

...

...

As usual

[Leetdewd]

Why do people insist on using annoying background music for these kinds of videos? It's not necessary, and only serves a distraction which undermines anything you're trying to get across.

[bl4ckd0g187]

as a deist/agnostic, I agree; virulent religion is a problem, but progressive, secular religion (I.E., not trying to proselytize the world/ blow things up) isn't a threat to society. we should be more accepting of progressive religious movements.

[bl4ckd0g187]

also, they blue-flashy thing looks cool ;)

[dileepvr]

I would think any form of organized religion affects our productivity as a species (not that all atheists are productive with their time).

Do explain the term "Secular Religion"?

[bl4ckd0g187]

secular religion, in my usage of the term, is religious/superstitious beliefs that can survive in a secular society (I.E., no proselytizing, no attempt at enforcing shari'a law on others, etc.)

[Promatheos]

*has a seizure*

[TheRealBladeRunner]

lol

[tarose71]

Hey RabidApe, most people dont get 2go2 a decent school anymore because there just arent many left (as a result of few good teachers left - & i say that from a HIGH standard of expectation)... i think problem number 1 really relates to that. i was fortunate to grow up with 2 doctors as parents, 1 of whom is multilingual, and went to some very good schools & read a lot of books... but it blows me away that "well educated" these days doesnt seem to include being able to understand words & context

[dackjaniels555]

My 7 year old brother through an epileptic fit watching this! LOL!!!!

[SnakeyEyesIsGOD]

the flashing blue thing, it's very off putting, other than that, top stuff

[thefrankenchrist123]

kinda reminds me of waking life. the way the effects change.

[raiman]

I love most of your vids but the trippy effects fuck with me and it takes away from what your message is.

[Lpoolboy]

I can;t watch alot of your vids cos you do the fucking stupid and superfluous effects over them. Why? They're annoying. Stop it, please.

[bluebeard2]

I like them. I think they add to the ambience of the message. And if you don't like it, scroll down so you can only hear it.

[RabidApe]

second

[Justinfh2point0]

Funny thing you said non-toxic religion. What religions do you think that are non-toxic.

[Kunado]

The Jaings, for one.

[Justinfh2point0]

The one thing I would change about the Atheist community is to be more vocal against the extremists. Not just the Christian and Muslim extremists, but against the atheists extremists/anti-theists. For the atheists and/or theists who don't bother anyone, I'd leave them alone.

[ratholin]

Good point Justin.

[OparinsBulldog]

There simply can be no such thing as avirulent religion. Belief or claim of a belief in the absurd is a destruction of a person's belief in rationality and must be opposed in every instance.

[TheStig000]

Yawn, speak faster plox.

[Disthron]

I've got to say man this video was very hard to follow in many places.

[matereymate]

labels are useful, words have meanings that vary according to the situation

people can misuse them, it's not my fault and i don't really care.

[b4skin]

The issue IS the label by 'definition'. My reductionist change (as you pose the question) would be with the term 'truth' as some Atheists use it like religious people do 'perfect' and 'faith' and 'god'. As an example, your presentation of the terms Problem and Solution can have quite an emotional change in description when used as Question and Answer (unless the reverse were presented as THE question and THE answer). I would agree that X-ians are forcing the Atheist monicer though.

[heatherlynblue]

i really enjoyed your thoughts on this. we've really been missing you.

[premed2]

You sir, are a thoughtful atheist. Well said!

[OsyenVyeter]

Heres the thing about the label "atheisim": rather than getting caught up in semantics of atheisim, lets just get down to brass tax with these people (xians): the scientific facts, because thats what they dont want. They want to distract you from the evidence because so far its not holding up on their side. So they resort this distraction. Even if we wont label ourselves atheists, the christians WILL. But also I can very much appreciate the Validity of the "label debate"

[Evegeek]

"Even if we wont label ourselves atheists, the christians WILL."

Most seem to need it. I get this all the time. I will say "I do not believe in God," and then usually I get looked at like I just said the biggest insult and they say, "Oh, you're an ATHEIST." My problem is, by definition, I can't say I'm not, but I am pretty sure I am not at least most of the other traits they are putting on that word. And so far, no Christian I know will leave it alone, until I agree that I am an atheist.

[ziggo3]

Tags; random video blogging wisdom *ass*

Where did that come from?

[hoglymogly]

RabidApe never does anything in halves! that was a Mega reply!

[BarryCPearson]

"... encouraging "avirulant religion" by means of paying more attention to labels ...".

I agree with at least the first part ("avirulant religion"). I'm not sure that this can be achieved "by means of ...".

My model for coexistence is "Religions are hobbies".

That is, if all religious practices were treated like hobbies by all people and organisations, much of the conflict in the world would dissipate. I am trying to establish this as a meme. (See my page via my channel link).

[Linqacex]

i <3 you rabid ape we should hang out

I miss you Rabbdape, you should come to my house <3

[thinkmorepink]

Fantastic response, RA. :) Thanks for the links too.

<333

[RabidApe]

Thanks!!!

Yours-to-this is very nice, too!

:D

[thinkmorepink]

*blush*

oh you!

[infinitusverum]

Blue... flashing... setting... of... epilepsy... must... take.. control...nope... I'm.. screwed... Ahhhggggg *Judder* *Judder*

[AzureFlameElk]

I think the major reason most atheists (or the like) attack religions viciously is due to the culture and...idk...level of annoyance it causes a rational person.

Things like using incorrect definitions, spreading propaganda and lies, holding faith higher than reason (which is like holding gullibility higher than independence).

There's only so many 'Your argument is invalids' in me each day. And after the 15th or 16th one, I lose hope for a rational humanity @_@

[RabidApe]

I know the feeling.

:)

have you seen "stonedcommander"?

He's like 'that one guy', but without all of the style and charm...

[AzureFlameElk]

omg I just watched a video of his xD

BARF!

[BashIslam]

What program did you use for those cam effects?

[RabidApe]

magix movie edit 11

[Loquidgk]

What's the name of the song in the background?

[RabidApe]

credit at the end! :P

[stuffisgd]

I agree with Sam Harris take on the label. In certain situations and conversations it isn't required to wear ones athiesim on their sleeve. For example in policy issues it might be better to debate the issues with facts, evidence, reason and ridicule whenever needed. This could help by keeping focus on the issue at hand without turning the debate into "religious right" vs. "evil athiest left."

What would I change about the Y.T.A.C.?

Broadcast the best vids on fox in place of o'reily.

[AzureFlameElk]

But making arguments from religious authority is already logically flawed. It seems like keeping people from saying 'use reason not religion' won't be very productive.

[AzureFlameElk]

are you....going to commit suicide?

This video gives that impression.

[RabidApe]

LOLWUT

no

:P

[Juggaloserialeater]

Dont kill your self

[GruntyAssassin]

LOLQUE?

[MykalOfDefiance]

Whoa... Eddy Goombah has cool music. Nice epileptic video!

[RabidApe]

erp!

[ifwere1021]

omg nice vid

[RabidApe]

thank you!