I would trust an atheist candidate MUCH more than one who believes in God. The simple public admission that you don't believe in a deity is dramatic evidence that you look at the world honestly and objectively, which means I can trust your judgement MUCH more than someone who believes in mystical beings and miracles.
the fuck... the united states was founded on the premise that god gave us our rights? lolwut? i'm pretty sure the constitution says the exact opposite.
Proof - The Real Garden of Eden is found. See my channel for the video. Share it with others. The atheists don't want you to see it, that's why they've blocked me from showing them. Watch it and then tell someone!
@CrossTheGrigori COMPLETELY AGREED, i too feel that way, it's just hilarious the citizens of america really need to stop being so gullible, cause they LET the politicians lie to us, and they just keep letting them do it XD
@CrossTheGrigori Agreed, sorry if i sounded narrow-minded it comes from being raised around a shit load of narrow-minded people, but no worries I'm slowly recovering from that, so to make things clearer i never meant ALL sadists, i meant the more "known" figures, And when i said "the new aged peaceful ones who think Satan is actually good" i wasn't saying the new aged ones who are peaceful aren't also sadists, they just believe in consent to the pain they inflict...
@CrossTheGrigori I never disagreed with you that they'd be better... And no sadism is not JUST as valid, it's close though, it's only justifiable when all people included are consensual, and the satanists i talk about don't give a flying fuck about consent...
@CrossTheGrigori As much as i like what your saying the only thing i disagree with is the fact that there isn't sadistic satanists, i have met a few, just look up razakel and satanick there two very interesting satanist singers, i mean i like there music, i just don't think they'd be the greatest leaders... and my sister is another example...
@CrossTheGrigori As long as they aren't the actual cult kind where they kill for the pleasure of it... No the only satanists i think should be in office is the new aged peaceful ones who think Satan is actually good...
Our rights come from god? Why did the bible not include them then? Why did it take 1,700 years for the freedoms of speech, privacy, religion, press, assembly, and arms to filter down from heaven?
No, rights do not come from a god. And although the Decleration of Independence is part of our heritage as a historical document, it holds no legal authority. Religious conservatives commonly forget this.
@Raptor302 Not only that, but the Decleration of Independence does not specify which god, AND the amendment protecting religion, is the same that keeps it from having laws influenced by any specific religion for that matter: "There shall be no law RESPECTING an establishment of religion" saying basically no specific religion gets top priority over another...
@joebharris Littleton, actually. And, yes, I'm old now. I listen to talk radio. :P The crap kids listen to today makes me want to staple my ears shut.
Someone should teach him about something called the French and Indian war... this guy thinks Catholicism is an ideal of the founding fathers. Washington, to take one example and the most ardent one, was a participant in this war. He participated in a war that had the express purpose of wiping out and conquering New France, a french, CATHOLIC colony. Not only did they conquer New France, but protestant ministers were sent there to try to actively convert the people.
Goodness, you guys are blinded in your own filth. Take a philosophy course and study politics then you'll know why practically any atheists ever run. They don't run because they don't want to be involved in politics. The majority of politicians for centuries associate themselves with as either being spiritual or religious in nature.
Religious wackos would probably try to give public money to religious companies such as The Catholic Church, or send our young to kill some other religious wackos enslaved by some other company.
I love this! Though when the track from Princess Mononoke started playing, it was a little distracting for me. I phased out for a bit, and had to replay the video to absorb what I'd missed. XD
Ignoring that, you made excellent points. Please run for office somewhere. Anywhere. I don't care. Just do it. I'll move there and vote for you.
This was a great example, because Dan Caplis' logic was actually sound. The problem was in the falsehoods in the premises; ie, the declaration not being a founding document, and the framers not basing our rights on divine appointment, but rather the rejection of such interference from God in the affairs of men.
I think we make the most progress, when we illuminate the factual errors, rather than attacking the religious belief.
The most imperialistic nation in the world and theists are worried about an Atheist. Of course who would want to vote for someone that has a reasonable mind.
Excellent presentation! For some reason, I'm not always notified of my subscriptions. I had to go to your channel to find your most recent video. It's this new interface. Youtube must filter out half my subscriptions. Keep up the good work, bro.
I don't trust ANYONE in "public office", but a delusional person (whether they think faeries or God/gods speak to them) is even scarier to me.
I am an atheist and I don't believe rights come from god or government (the two most dangerous superstitions), but evolved- and are therefore non-negotiable. No one has a right, or the authority, to violate your rights. Not because "the law" says he can, nor because his god tells him it's OK.
But it's true!! Politicians who aren't flaunting their theism will take away your rights. Just look at the Netherlands (in 2001) and Belgium (in 2003). The first post-WWII government without Christian Democrats took away good people's rights to discriminate teh Gays and straight people's rights to be the only people who could get married.
If the US would ever get a government without overtly Christian inspired politicians, it'll happen to you as well!!
i might be recollecting my history from hearsay, but i know it was a big deal when jfkennedy was elected, so much so that talk of his election was prefaced by the fact that he was the first irish catholic president.so the prejudice is not that long ago in dying.good vid!
I hate it when they put words in the Constitution that aren't there. "Creator" is whatever it means to the individual. If they were talking about the god of desert dwelling goat herders, then they would have been more specific.
@SillyCyban, To be more specific, the phrase in the Declaration is “THEIR Creator,” meaning whoever OR WHATEVER created Persons. The point here was to show that the Rights are NOT granted by, and therefore cannot be revoked by, any human agency. That is what makes a Right different from a Power. ONLY PERSONS have, or CAN have, Rights of ANY kind. There is NO SUCH THING as “States’ Rights” under the Declaration nor Bill of Rights (read the Tenth Amendment CAREFULLY).
@SillyCyban (cont.), “Creator,” “nature’s God,” “supreme Judge,” and “Divine Providence” are the only four mentions of anything even remotely resembling a deity in the Declaration (there are NONE in the legally operative parts [Articles, §s, and Clauses — a formal dating nomenclature, standard for that time, in the closing formalities, is NOT part of the LEGALY OPERATIVE PARTS] of the Constitution).
Those were all DEIST code-phrases. A Judaeo-Christian theist would’ve said, “The LORD God.”
I often wondered why people say “god given rights” or this country was founded on Christian values. The British were Christian when we won are independents. Why would we need to win our “Christian rights” from other Christians?
@falcor88 Um, according to the treaty of Tripoli this government was NOT based on Christianity and even if most of the founders of America were christian, the beliefs of our fore fathers does not dictate whether they founded it on Christianity... and remember the "independence" you speak of was the start of immoral injustice by those same immoral religious people...
The last run for the White House was very interesting to watch, especially the candidate debates where they were all asked if they believed in the Theory of Evolution. With no surprise, the evangelicals(Paul, Huckabee, and others??) said no. I cannot grasp why anyone would allow a powerful nation such as the USA with it's military might(from science!!) to be controlled or lead by such nutjobs. People who deny facts are delusional and need to run away, not run for office.
Why would anybody vote for an Atheist, a person who is likely to be honest and keeps their promises? Christians find it acceptable to lie like Jesus and lie for Jesus, so why should they trust an honest person?
Fantastic arguments! As a militant lesbian atheist, I have always understood that holding political office was an impossibility and, if I were to pursue politics, I would relegate myself to the background for a more palatable candidate. (power behind the thrown, if you will). This video was inspirational to say the least and will be a long-time favorite video of mine. Please never take it down.
@PT109Boat lol, they tried to rapture me, but I wouldn't let go of my desk and they finally had to give up. Just finished a grueling semester of grad school, but I should be making some new vids later this summer. Good to see you're still around :)
I found myself thinking 'unalienable'? Isn't the world in the declaration 'inalienable'? So i googled it. Turns out you're right, the final draft uses 'unalienable', but prior drafts did use 'inalienable', hence the common confusion. I learned something today. Thanks for that, and the great vid.
I also live in Denver and sometimes tune into Caplis and Silverman. I can confirm your points about Dan Caplis. You failed to mention he is a practicing lawyer here and has taken an oath to defend the constitution he does not understand.
IMHO, chances be slim as they may, if you want to and able to run for public office, DO IT. Even if you will not be able to make a successful run, it will put some focus on those who do not follow adult fairytales, and it can be very good for the future.
I think the question people should be asking Dan is that if someone doesn't believe in the Christian god, then should those rights apply to them? If the rights are given by god, then only those who believe in said god have them apply to them, right??
What a load of crap ... the core of our nation is not CHRISTIAN it is the FREEDOM of religion, not the imposition of one. This moron is just another religious idiot.
God, or not - inalienable rights come from freewill. That is, the rights or conscience are the rights of one to feel whatever he/she may feel. A person can be compelled to do certain things, and rightly so for the sake of the greater good of society, but you can never compel someone to be happy about it. Not even God himself - if he existed - could compel another person to worship him. The choice to love or not to love is inalienable and cannot be exacted.
There is nothing intrinsically obvious about equality among members of our species. That sounds as oblivious to me as some of the claims by religious people, "If you are not part of our faith, you are wicked!"
Human equality is a political theory, a strategy for accomplishing certain goals. But practically, trying to objectively prove this means you're on your own. Some people are better than others in certain respects, and some certainly are in control of more than the rest.
Freedom is an active, not passive, right. It is for this reason that I support some anti-theism ideas. A secular foundation is the only way to be fair in approach. I really don't care if people believe siily things, that is their right. It is not their right to paint others and dehumanize them simply because they do not share the particular beliefs.
We had two atheist prime ministers in the UK in the 20th century, our current deputy prime minster is an atheist and the leader of the opposition is also atheist.
@AlexThomson1000 Yeah but no one elected them, we are not really a religious country but religion still has a lot of power here I mean look at the schools if you are not wealthy and want a decent education you have to go to a religious school.
Thanks for the great video. Personally, I mistrust people who may hear voices in their head telling them to "push the button" in order to bring about Armegedon. President Bush claimed that God was telling him what to do. That didn't work out well.
It's not really strange that theists wouldn't trust atheists in office. That's just called not being a hypocrite. I mean, I'm an atheist, and I have severe issues with theists in many important positions. This distrust is a result of me being convinced that if their superstition ever impacted a decision - it would be for the worse. That's not to say that any atheist would be preferable over a theist, but worldviews matter - and should matter.
What disturbs the hell out of me is that many state constitutions (including my state of Pennsylvania) do say that anyone running for office must believe in a god. I don't know how much attention is paid to it, but the words shouldn't even be there.
@Roseybaby63 Wow, that does surprise me. I thought that the US Constitution was designed so that religious beliefs , private or organized, cannot be controlled by government.
As an Australian, I hold no particular emotional or territorial ties to Australia, and although I understand that it's a better country to live in than, say, Kenya, I don't see why people can get so raucous when it comes to countries of origin.
Then again, I have no particular sporting affiliation either. Would patriotism be in the same vein as that?
@aliendragon17 Sounds like you're a typical westerner. Haven't seen a national disaster nor government propaganda campaign to unite the nation in a long time. Sports unites a nation, I think. And you've probably only been taught nationalism/patriotism leads to stupidity and wars. I know the feelings since I sympathize. But I think many Americans are open nationalist/patriots. Meaning they welcome anyone with the right to be American so long as they got the right American spirit.
we grow up being told that America is the best country that our values are the best, that we're the most free country, the most moral and just. I remember in elementary school in the 80s, I used to have to say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning. Then go and choose what I wanted for lunch, I usually went with grilled cheese... mmmm
@aliendragon17 My personal theory on the subject of American patriotism is that it was promoted by the federal government following the civil war to glue the country together and avoid future troubles. This process might even come about by itself from the grassroots.
Like you, I don't get all patriotic whenever I see a flag and I don't care much for sports either. Both are definitely group behaviours, but I don't mind the folks that seem to get a warm fuzzy feeling from it.
@aliendragon17 It's complicated. Americans are more patriotic in general than, let's say Europeans for example, because we still have a visceral sense of our nation's founding. It was a deliberate act. We created this country on purpose, came from all over the world to live here, and built it literally by the sweat of our brows. I think for people from an older country, you wouldn't necessarily have that feeling, but our founding was so recent. We have a sense of pride in what we've created.
@revelwoodie; Well, europe isn't a country, for one.
Finland was founded in the 1900s as an independent nation. 1940 It fought off an russian attack numbering 10 times greater than the number of finnish troops. The finns delivered one of the most staggering defeats in military history. In 1950 it transitioned from agrarian to a high tech production economy, early EU membership and #1 school system in the world. Finnish patriotism is circumspect, implied, and not core to identifying as a finn.
@revelwoodie: or to put it bluntly, there are newer countries where people fought harder in the face of far graver odds and consequences simply to survive, let alone identify themselves and their country Countries where with their own hard work and dedication they rebuilt or built from nothing to be among the leading nations in ranking of justice, health, education, corruption and happyness. And they're not as obnoxiously, lazily, and entilted "patriots".
@GraeHall Firstly, I never said Europe was a country, lol. In any case, I'm not disputing that other nations have struggled or that they have much to be proud of. Of course they do. But the experience of Americans is different -- emotionally we feel that we created our nation from nothing, and did so relatively recently when compared to the long and storied history of Europe. Besides, the flag wavers are a minority in the USA, despite the ill informed opinion of those across the sea.
@revelwoodie I'll give you a moment to step back, and take a look at the potential self refutations to which you've done to yourself here for us to see.
Look at what you said as if it were by someone else, and swap out the proper nouns with some toward which you have no strong feeling. Then see if you can recognise the potential contradictions you are I would assume unintentionally exihibiting.
@GraeHall What are you on about? If you're trying to imply that I am one of those flag wavers, you're dead wrong. What I am is someone who tries to give people the benefit of the doubt, until they directly merit other treatment. Most people are good, even people who aren't like you. When I hear people making blanket derogatory statements about ALL Americans, what I hear is their own nationalism, no different from the behavior they claim to be criticizing. Look at your own "self refutations."
@aliendragon17 Americans do not consider themselves world citizens. There's no such thing. So we default to our natural and territorial aspirations, which is quite normal.
@FaganRoberts: there's no such thing as being a citizen of the world?
On which planet would you be living aside from earth, for citizenship of the world not to apply?
And how even with it's lack of applicability, due to your citizenship of a planet other than earth, does that mean there is no such thing as being a citizen of the world? If there's no such thing, then what are these 6.5billion pesky humans doing everywhere I look.
Americans are citizens of the world first, then americans. fact.
@GraeHall This is no world governing licensing authority to issue, let alone recognize, a citizenship to any individual other than the citizenship of that country one was born in or legally domiciled to.Show me evidence of a world citizenship card or birth record or certificate recognizing a citizenship of this world.Unless you can provide this documentation for this I call bullshit on your imaginary claim that everyone has other citizenship outside their national origin or relocation. I await!
@FaganRoberts: I see, you think citzenship of a nation, through paperwork, the abstract human construct, which can and has varied through history, is not only the only citizenship, but that by your very existence you are not a citizen of the world. That you place that abstract construct above your presence on the world as a human, as a citizen of the world, is hilariously sheltered and shallow.
The evidence of your citizenship in the world, to the world, is your presence in it as a human. Jeez.
@GraeHall Naaah, through birthright. The paperwork is just a formality. But you are certainly free to declare yourself a citizen of this world to another sencient creature on another planet when and if you ever ever get there. That makes sense. Until then, when you spout off about "being a citizen of the world" most thinking people will just scratch their head and blink alot and probably find themselves moving away from you rather than towards you, as they try to place your accent.
I agree that spouting off about "citizen of the world" is a little left field, which was why when you brought it up, I commented upon it.
So a citizen through birthright to a country, but not to the world upon which that country is an abstract construct asserted on top.
Do you really just want a hug and to be told you're exceptional? So much so you manage citizenship by birthright of a counrty in the world but not of the world? A little needy?
It's the whole ideology surrounding freedom and unalienable rights to life, liberty, pursuit thing. Which isn't a bad thing, that. But a bit obnoxious to pretend the ideas are property that belongs to them. More obnoxious still are the religious Americans who pretend America's great because it's "God's chosen country". The "endowed by their Creator" bit is in the US Decl. of Independence, which isn't even law anywhere in the US.
@geodgereturns: quite telling that your comment was hidden, marked "spam", I unhid expecting it to be just that.
Instead it's a case in point. You pointed out the obnoxious pretences of a portion of americans who refer to themselves as "Patriots". And rather than disagree, or even vote you down, they marked your comment as spam.
Obnoxious people, behaving obnoxiously, overcome with paroxysms should you point out the foundational falsehoods of their patriotism. Pretending they'
@maidden Lol x2
Bxdarealest 1 month ago
Reveal your atheism AFTER you win the election.
nashkita77 3 months ago
Brett for president '12!
maidden 3 months ago
I would trust an atheist candidate MUCH more than one who believes in God. The simple public admission that you don't believe in a deity is dramatic evidence that you look at the world honestly and objectively, which means I can trust your judgement MUCH more than someone who believes in mystical beings and miracles.
xxxxPaladinxxxx 4 months ago
the fuck... the united states was founded on the premise that god gave us our rights? lolwut? i'm pretty sure the constitution says the exact opposite.
FightBack96 4 months ago
Down with the five permanent member of the U N terror council the atheist government the arms dealers
Long live Islam ISLAM POWER
ISLAM IS THE ONLY SOLUTION FOR HUMANITY
amine17360 5 months ago
the music at 5:10 sounds like something from the Sci Fi movie Independence day but i might be imagining it...
j0hnnytamb0rine 7 months ago
"We hold these truths to be self-evident"
Doesn't sound like a reference to God.
u0311522 7 months ago
We've already athiests representatives- I know one of them. They can't be terribly vocal about it, but exist. Always have and always will.
GrassValleyGreg 7 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Proof - The Real Garden of Eden is found. See my channel for the video. Share it with others. The atheists don't want you to see it, that's why they've blocked me from showing them. Watch it and then tell someone!
downyourtube 7 months ago
"The Rights of Man" -> Thomas Paine -> Atheist
MrFelix987 8 months ago
@CrossTheGrigori COMPLETELY AGREED, i too feel that way, it's just hilarious the citizens of america really need to stop being so gullible, cause they LET the politicians lie to us, and they just keep letting them do it XD
IronicAtheist 8 months ago
@CrossTheGrigori Agreed, sorry if i sounded narrow-minded it comes from being raised around a shit load of narrow-minded people, but no worries I'm slowly recovering from that, so to make things clearer i never meant ALL sadists, i meant the more "known" figures, And when i said "the new aged peaceful ones who think Satan is actually good" i wasn't saying the new aged ones who are peaceful aren't also sadists, they just believe in consent to the pain they inflict...
IronicAtheist 8 months ago
@CrossTheGrigori I never disagreed with you that they'd be better... And no sadism is not JUST as valid, it's close though, it's only justifiable when all people included are consensual, and the satanists i talk about don't give a flying fuck about consent...
IronicAtheist 8 months ago
I am just goint to shut up before i say some nasty shit about dan and his fake friend.
krapptacular 8 months ago
@CrossTheGrigori As much as i like what your saying the only thing i disagree with is the fact that there isn't sadistic satanists, i have met a few, just look up razakel and satanick there two very interesting satanist singers, i mean i like there music, i just don't think they'd be the greatest leaders... and my sister is another example...
IronicAtheist 8 months ago
@CrossTheGrigori As long as they aren't the actual cult kind where they kill for the pleasure of it... No the only satanists i think should be in office is the new aged peaceful ones who think Satan is actually good...
IronicAtheist 8 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
there is no god
SirXtraordinary 8 months ago in playlist AntiTheism
That guy like most people makes assumptions out of their ass.
connerjd 8 months ago
Our rights come from god? Why did the bible not include them then? Why did it take 1,700 years for the freedoms of speech, privacy, religion, press, assembly, and arms to filter down from heaven?
No, rights do not come from a god. And although the Decleration of Independence is part of our heritage as a historical document, it holds no legal authority. Religious conservatives commonly forget this.
Raptor302 8 months ago 7
@Raptor302 Not only that, but the Decleration of Independence does not specify which god, AND the amendment protecting religion, is the same that keeps it from having laws influenced by any specific religion for that matter: "There shall be no law RESPECTING an establishment of religion" saying basically no specific religion gets top priority over another...
IronicAtheist 8 months ago
Are you from Denver? just wondered how you heard of Dan Caplis.
joebharris 8 months ago
@joebharris Littleton, actually. And, yes, I'm old now. I listen to talk radio. :P The crap kids listen to today makes me want to staple my ears shut.
brettppalmer 8 months ago 6
@brettppalmer i think most current day singers dont even know music theory, or even read notes(since many dont play instruments
MGsven 8 months ago
@brettppalmer Yo, look up greydon square, he's an epic atheist rapper!
IronicAtheist 8 months ago
america back then was anti catholic, how could this catholic missed that one out?
emancoy 8 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Harold Camping was RIGHT about May 21, click on my channel to see...
youneekk 8 months ago
Music was irritating, good vid otherwise.
ionz75 8 months ago
Someone should teach him about something called the French and Indian war... this guy thinks Catholicism is an ideal of the founding fathers. Washington, to take one example and the most ardent one, was a participant in this war. He participated in a war that had the express purpose of wiping out and conquering New France, a french, CATHOLIC colony. Not only did they conquer New France, but protestant ministers were sent there to try to actively convert the people.
unconteur 8 months ago
Goodness, you guys are blinded in your own filth. Take a philosophy course and study politics then you'll know why practically any atheists ever run. They don't run because they don't want to be involved in politics. The majority of politicians for centuries associate themselves with as either being spiritual or religious in nature.
studiousx3 9 months ago
Excellent video! You want to climb the political ladder? Come to Australia; we have an atheist woman in charge at the moment :D
suracs 9 months ago
I would only trust an atheist in public office.
Religious wackos would probably try to give public money to religious companies such as The Catholic Church, or send our young to kill some other religious wackos enslaved by some other company.
MithranArkanere 9 months ago 4
I love this! Though when the track from Princess Mononoke started playing, it was a little distracting for me. I phased out for a bit, and had to replay the video to absorb what I'd missed. XD
Ignoring that, you made excellent points. Please run for office somewhere. Anywhere. I don't care. Just do it. I'll move there and vote for you.
RackOfDoom 9 months ago
This was a great example, because Dan Caplis' logic was actually sound. The problem was in the falsehoods in the premises; ie, the declaration not being a founding document, and the framers not basing our rights on divine appointment, but rather the rejection of such interference from God in the affairs of men.
I think we make the most progress, when we illuminate the factual errors, rather than attacking the religious belief.
t3tsuyaguy1 9 months ago
Deist ok, I get it, theist is evil! Just another angle to grab power.
benaberry 9 months ago
Dan has a scary angry smile. Looks like he wonders how I taste.
yourfullofsheite 9 months ago
This is brilliant! Shared and favorited!
skywize 9 months ago
03:40 .. LOL ...
davelantor 9 months ago
Excellent video!
CRUClEFICTION 9 months ago
I really liked the way you did this video. Well done. Have a good day.
4me2cclearly 9 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Do Catholic priests have the "right" to have sex with children?
movieklump 9 months ago
I would totally vote for you
mecloptera 9 months ago
@mecloptera Would'nt that be irrationnal and therefore unlickly to please him? :D
Contevent 9 months ago
The most imperialistic nation in the world and theists are worried about an Atheist. Of course who would want to vote for someone that has a reasonable mind.
Dwicker64 9 months ago
@Dwicker64 the mercenary companies might start losing profits oh no :S
cruelbusiness1984 9 months ago
Excellent presentation! For some reason, I'm not always notified of my subscriptions. I had to go to your channel to find your most recent video. It's this new interface. Youtube must filter out half my subscriptions. Keep up the good work, bro.
anzwertree 9 months ago
I love the video. The music at the end. Inst that from Princess Mononoke? Keep up the awesome work.
tinylittlegnat2 9 months ago
@tinylittlegnat2
No. I think it's from either Oblivion or Conan.
BlizBob 9 months ago
2 people don't like the music to Independence Day. That's a shame.
burchdc 9 months ago
I don't trust ANYONE in "public office", but a delusional person (whether they think faeries or God/gods speak to them) is even scarier to me.
I am an atheist and I don't believe rights come from god or government (the two most dangerous superstitions), but evolved- and are therefore non-negotiable. No one has a right, or the authority, to violate your rights. Not because "the law" says he can, nor because his god tells him it's OK.
kentmcmanigal 9 months ago
I don't trust ANYONE in "public office", but a delusional person (whether they think faeries or God/gods speak to them) is even scarier to me.
kentmcmanigal 9 months ago
like the way you ended, he would have been one of us back then :D
LogicalThinker667 9 months ago
But it's true!! Politicians who aren't flaunting their theism will take away your rights. Just look at the Netherlands (in 2001) and Belgium (in 2003). The first post-WWII government without Christian Democrats took away good people's rights to discriminate teh Gays and straight people's rights to be the only people who could get married.
If the US would ever get a government without overtly Christian inspired politicians, it'll happen to you as well!!
SeekerFromAA 9 months ago
@SeekerFromAA yay :)
cruelbusiness1984 9 months ago
What movie or whatever is that from at 3:45, its soo funny
MrSwedenik 9 months ago
@MrSwedenik Mel Brooks, History of the World PT 1! And there is no second part if I remember right!
Inovocre12 9 months ago
@Inovocre12 Nope, still haven't seen Hitler on Ice or Jews in Spaaaaace!
tctheunbeliever 9 months ago
@MrSwedenik History of the world part 1
tinylittlegnat2 9 months ago
@2:24, Belief in 'which' god? I 'believe' in the FSM. Does that count?
yeshuahfullofit 9 months ago
@yeshuahfullofit only if u think that inalienable rights can b taken away by ur flying spaghetti monster :P
cruelbusiness1984 9 months ago
@cruelbusiness1984 Perish the thought! Its noodily appendages would never contemplate such a barbarity. ; )
yeshuahfullofit 9 months ago
Wonderful video I hope you sent Dan a link it might open his eyes.
Tridhos 9 months ago
Well as the first test of a politician is to lie credibly about who they are and what they stand for I'm sure there are many atheists in office.
ratholin 9 months ago
i might be recollecting my history from hearsay, but i know it was a big deal when jfkennedy was elected, so much so that talk of his election was prefaced by the fact that he was the first irish catholic president.so the prejudice is not that long ago in dying.good vid!
practicalmagic9 9 months ago
Great video, and I LOVED the use of Joe Hisaishi's Ashitaka's Theme from Princess Mononoke. XD
lordwindowlicker 9 months ago
Fantastic video, Brett!
ddarklighter 9 months ago
I wonder what Dan Caplis would say if he watched this video?
kaduisaui 9 months ago
I hate it when they put words in the Constitution that aren't there. "Creator" is whatever it means to the individual. If they were talking about the god of desert dwelling goat herders, then they would have been more specific.
SillyCyban 9 months ago
@SillyCyban, To be more specific, the phrase in the Declaration is “THEIR Creator,” meaning whoever OR WHATEVER created Persons. The point here was to show that the Rights are NOT granted by, and therefore cannot be revoked by, any human agency. That is what makes a Right different from a Power. ONLY PERSONS have, or CAN have, Rights of ANY kind. There is NO SUCH THING as “States’ Rights” under the Declaration nor Bill of Rights (read the Tenth Amendment CAREFULLY).
COMALiteJ 9 months ago
@SillyCyban (cont.), “Creator,” “nature’s God,” “supreme Judge,” and “Divine Providence” are the only four mentions of anything even remotely resembling a deity in the Declaration (there are NONE in the legally operative parts [Articles, §s, and Clauses — a formal dating nomenclature, standard for that time, in the closing formalities, is NOT part of the LEGALY OPERATIVE PARTS] of the Constitution).
Those were all DEIST code-phrases. A Judaeo-Christian theist would’ve said, “The LORD God.”
COMALiteJ 9 months ago
I often wondered why people say “god given rights” or this country was founded on Christian values. The British were Christian when we won are independents. Why would we need to win our “Christian rights” from other Christians?
falcor88 9 months ago 38
@falcor88 Well, they weren't reeeel Christians!
tctheunbeliever 9 months ago
@falcor88 Um, according to the treaty of Tripoli this government was NOT based on Christianity and even if most of the founders of America were christian, the beliefs of our fore fathers does not dictate whether they founded it on Christianity... and remember the "independence" you speak of was the start of immoral injustice by those same immoral religious people...
IronicAtheist 8 months ago
Princess mononoke good stuff.
Ormaaj 9 months ago
Being a Brit I've never heard of this Dan Caplis character but I hope all rational thinking Americans are highly embarrassed by his bigotry.
Pigdowndog 9 months ago
@Pigdowndog, oh, all rational thinking Americans ARE highly embarrassed by his bigotry.
Unfortunately, “rationally thinking Americans” are a distinct minority. :-(
COMALiteJ 9 months ago 25
@COMALiteJ Damn straight, nothing but FACT!
IronicAtheist 8 months ago
Thumbs up if you recognized the Princess Mononoke music! Huge props Brett for using such beautiful music! And your video wasn't half bad either ;)
CalebAlucardtheHagan 9 months ago
boomshakalaka!!
wristawareness 9 months ago
You might not have a snowballs change of getting elected, but you might get a lot more theists to hear this argument.
nothingUnrealExists 9 months ago
Superb soundtrack choice. Ashitaka was a fantastic character.
SSJ3Mewtwo 9 months ago
You have good taste in Anime :) (The Legend of Ashitaka Theme)
pcdruid 9 months ago
You have good taste in Anime :)
pcdruid 9 months ago
I'm embarrassed to say that my state of Texas is, according to section 4 of the The Texas Constitution’s Bill of Rights, a theocracy.
"No religious test shall ever be required ... provided he acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being."
It's also a ridiculous contradiction.
fegolem 9 months ago 2
The last run for the White House was very interesting to watch, especially the candidate debates where they were all asked if they believed in the Theory of Evolution. With no surprise, the evangelicals(Paul, Huckabee, and others??) said no. I cannot grasp why anyone would allow a powerful nation such as the USA with it's military might(from science!!) to be controlled or lead by such nutjobs. People who deny facts are delusional and need to run away, not run for office.
saxmanchiro 9 months ago
Touche` once again Mr. Brett Palmer......or rather, Mr. Pwner! :-)
LordSauceness 9 months ago
dude at 3:50 or so what movie is that it look's funny.
Gemeni3insane 9 months ago
@Gemeni3insane It's "History of the World: Part I" from Mel Brooks.
Note, there is no "part 2"...the "part 1" bit in the title is essentially a joke.
sined13 9 months ago
@sined13 thank's!
Gemeni3insane 9 months ago
Why would anybody vote for an Atheist, a person who is likely to be honest and keeps their promises? Christians find it acceptable to lie like Jesus and lie for Jesus, so why should they trust an honest person?
TheTomtompiper 9 months ago
Who was the writer who wrote about the need for a religious test and mentioned catholics and atheists?
firefly4f4 9 months ago
Well done Brett, this was amazing and full of great arguments i've never heard before that kicks a theist back into his/her seat.
01101100d 9 months ago
Fantastic arguments! As a militant lesbian atheist, I have always understood that holding political office was an impossibility and, if I were to pursue politics, I would relegate myself to the background for a more palatable candidate. (power behind the thrown, if you will). This video was inspirational to say the least and will be a long-time favorite video of mine. Please never take it down.
BornWithoutReligion 9 months ago
@BornWithoutReligion Emily??? Is that you? I though you were raptured as I have not seen you in a while.
PT109Boat 9 months ago
@PT109Boat lol, they tried to rapture me, but I wouldn't let go of my desk and they finally had to give up. Just finished a grueling semester of grad school, but I should be making some new vids later this summer. Good to see you're still around :)
BornWithoutReligion 9 months ago
That music sounded awfully close to the Stargate SG-1 theme.
IVIaggotx 9 months ago
If you sue the Euthyphro argument, you might at least credit Plato.
HConstantine 9 months ago
I found myself thinking 'unalienable'? Isn't the world in the declaration 'inalienable'? So i googled it. Turns out you're right, the final draft uses 'unalienable', but prior drafts did use 'inalienable', hence the common confusion. I learned something today. Thanks for that, and the great vid.
SisyphusRedeemed 9 months ago
@SisyphusRedeemed I didn't know that either. Hooray for knowledge!
jonwillis 9 months ago
I also live in Denver and sometimes tune into Caplis and Silverman. I can confirm your points about Dan Caplis. You failed to mention he is a practicing lawyer here and has taken an oath to defend the constitution he does not understand.
CoLegacy 9 months ago
Hope you become the President someday, make us atheists proud!
LeetCanadianBoy 9 months ago
nice ted haggard like sociopath snarl/smile there dan....
schmendriks 9 months ago
IMHO, chances be slim as they may, if you want to and able to run for public office, DO IT. Even if you will not be able to make a successful run, it will put some focus on those who do not follow adult fairytales, and it can be very good for the future.
nomaed 9 months ago
Fantastic video!
AmishRakeFight85 9 months ago
I can't wait to vote for the 1st atheist President.
thesageofohio 9 months ago
@thesageofohio - Thomas Jefferson was already president!! ; )
FedMoos 9 months ago
The founders weren't to keen on the poor nonlandholding masses either.
petehjr1 9 months ago
The Declaration of Independence of is not an American document. It is an English document: English men decrying not being treated as Englishmen.
EvenGodsSuffer 9 months ago
Is that the music from Princess Mononoke? Sure sounds like it.
swordmaster2k1 9 months ago
@swordmaster2k1 yes, YES IS F???ING IS :D
Criticallyincorrect 9 months ago
I think I would rather my leaders did not belive in clealy made fairy stories.
spacemonkeyjim 9 months ago
I think the question people should be asking Dan is that if someone doesn't believe in the Christian god, then should those rights apply to them? If the rights are given by god, then only those who believe in said god have them apply to them, right??
THEMrFill 9 months ago
What a load of crap ... the core of our nation is not CHRISTIAN it is the FREEDOM of religion, not the imposition of one. This moron is just another religious idiot.
givingmantoo 9 months ago
God, or not - inalienable rights come from freewill. That is, the rights or conscience are the rights of one to feel whatever he/she may feel. A person can be compelled to do certain things, and rightly so for the sake of the greater good of society, but you can never compel someone to be happy about it. Not even God himself - if he existed - could compel another person to worship him. The choice to love or not to love is inalienable and cannot be exacted.
SSJ3Ulcer 9 months ago
I have a hard time trusting a theist in office because they are susceptible to beliefs without evidence.
TheCurmudgen 9 months ago 42
@TheCurmudgen "i have an idea for the city"
"I LOVE IT"
"i haven't even told you my idea"
"i have faith in you"
kiddhitta 9 months ago
@TheCurmudgen
When I think of people who are susceptible to belief without evidence, I think of two groups:
1) the religious
2) Fox "News" viewers
bushputz 9 months ago 3
where is that scetch about the ten commandments from?
waksibra 9 months ago
@waksibra That was Mel Brooks from "History of the World part 1".
aotweb2 9 months ago
@waksibra Mel Brooks' history of the World Part I
Illjord 9 months ago
Zero dislikes.
Damned right!
TheNamelessCharacter 9 months ago
There is nothing intrinsically obvious about equality among members of our species. That sounds as oblivious to me as some of the claims by religious people, "If you are not part of our faith, you are wicked!"
Human equality is a political theory, a strategy for accomplishing certain goals. But practically, trying to objectively prove this means you're on your own. Some people are better than others in certain respects, and some certainly are in control of more than the rest.
mistertakeda 9 months ago
SO SAY WE ALL!
Nihilus312 9 months ago
Awesome argument
Danmill23 9 months ago
Before I even watch the video, I'm gonna say.
(paraphrased from Bill Hicks)
Who do you want in control of the big red button, a creationist christian, who believes in that wacky fire and brimstone end to the bible?
"please lord, tell me when"
chthonios 9 months ago
Lost Odyssey soundtrack for the win
LegendaryAsshole 9 months ago
Freedom is an active, not passive, right. It is for this reason that I support some anti-theism ideas. A secular foundation is the only way to be fair in approach. I really don't care if people believe siily things, that is their right. It is not their right to paint others and dehumanize them simply because they do not share the particular beliefs.
savageecho 9 months ago
We had two atheist prime ministers in the UK in the 20th century, our current deputy prime minster is an atheist and the leader of the opposition is also atheist.
flake452 9 months ago
@flake452 aww cmon, we're not that great. What about bishops in the house of lords BY RIGHT!
Still a way to go.
AlexThomson1000 9 months ago
@AlexThomson1000 Yeah but no one elected them, we are not really a religious country but religion still has a lot of power here I mean look at the schools if you are not wealthy and want a decent education you have to go to a religious school.
flake452 9 months ago
I have reservations trusting anyone who makes decisions based on fantasy.
LegendaryAsshole 9 months ago
Comment removed
indignant99 9 months ago
Wonderful response to religious bigotry.
WildwoodClaire1 9 months ago 6
how can this video have 344 likes but only 303 views? :D
Kiesel 9 months ago
Your arguments are far too logical and intelligent for religitards to comprehend.
WildcardHatesYou 9 months ago
I think you have the best voice over voice and personality of all the various Atheist YouTubers. Just sayin.
Pgaither84 9 months ago
Thanks for the great video. Personally, I mistrust people who may hear voices in their head telling them to "push the button" in order to bring about Armegedon. President Bush claimed that God was telling him what to do. That didn't work out well.
vel22vet 9 months ago 2
It's not really strange that theists wouldn't trust atheists in office. That's just called not being a hypocrite. I mean, I'm an atheist, and I have severe issues with theists in many important positions. This distrust is a result of me being convinced that if their superstition ever impacted a decision - it would be for the worse. That's not to say that any atheist would be preferable over a theist, but worldviews matter - and should matter.
Gnomefro 9 months ago
That writer you mentioned, did it mention people of non-Christian religions? Just curious.
Jonstern1983 9 months ago
Yes, it would be horrible to put someone in power who doesn't believe that his invisible friend will make everything okay as long as he has faith.
Jonstern1983 9 months ago
Good point
Firithfenion 9 months ago
Brett, is it wrong to have a man crush on these videos?
This is by far better than the already outstanding "Proofs" series, and my favorite BPP video yet.
Favorited, Liked, and shown to friends. Great work Brett!
SgtBriZZle 9 months ago
I would PREFER Atheists in public office.
jfesmire 9 months ago
These three words destroy his deluded view. " WE THE PEOPLE..." Not God.
mosquitoe4 9 months ago
What's with the walking shot through Harajuku?
TheHobgoblyn 9 months ago
What disturbs the hell out of me is that many state constitutions (including my state of Pennsylvania) do say that anyone running for office must believe in a god. I don't know how much attention is paid to it, but the words shouldn't even be there.
Roseybaby63 9 months ago
@Roseybaby63 Wow, that does surprise me. I thought that the US Constitution was designed so that religious beliefs , private or organized, cannot be controlled by government.
mucalinda 9 months ago
@mucalinda
other way around actually, remember the founding fathers come from countries that were controlled by the church.
Dudeamis 9 months ago
What is it with Americans and patriotism?
As an Australian, I hold no particular emotional or territorial ties to Australia, and although I understand that it's a better country to live in than, say, Kenya, I don't see why people can get so raucous when it comes to countries of origin.
Then again, I have no particular sporting affiliation either. Would patriotism be in the same vein as that?
aliendragon17 9 months ago 37
@aliendragon17 Sounds like you're a typical westerner. Haven't seen a national disaster nor government propaganda campaign to unite the nation in a long time. Sports unites a nation, I think. And you've probably only been taught nationalism/patriotism leads to stupidity and wars. I know the feelings since I sympathize. But I think many Americans are open nationalist/patriots. Meaning they welcome anyone with the right to be American so long as they got the right American spirit.
Schneboll 9 months ago
@aliendragon17
we grow up being told that America is the best country that our values are the best, that we're the most free country, the most moral and just. I remember in elementary school in the 80s, I used to have to say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning. Then go and choose what I wanted for lunch, I usually went with grilled cheese... mmmm
Dudeamis 9 months ago
@Dudeamis You ever have it with bacon? That's delicious.
Jonstern1983 9 months ago
@aliendragon17 I think it's related to in-groups and out-groups. It's easier to think of people in black and white.
thumbs up for the 3:30 segment of the clips..... awesome that he broke 5 commandments
Sutskoen 9 months ago
@aliendragon17 My personal theory on the subject of American patriotism is that it was promoted by the federal government following the civil war to glue the country together and avoid future troubles. This process might even come about by itself from the grassroots.
Like you, I don't get all patriotic whenever I see a flag and I don't care much for sports either. Both are definitely group behaviours, but I don't mind the folks that seem to get a warm fuzzy feeling from it.
Holammer 9 months ago
@aliendragon17 It's complicated. Americans are more patriotic in general than, let's say Europeans for example, because we still have a visceral sense of our nation's founding. It was a deliberate act. We created this country on purpose, came from all over the world to live here, and built it literally by the sweat of our brows. I think for people from an older country, you wouldn't necessarily have that feeling, but our founding was so recent. We have a sense of pride in what we've created.
revelwoodie 9 months ago
@revelwoodie; Well, europe isn't a country, for one.
Finland was founded in the 1900s as an independent nation. 1940 It fought off an russian attack numbering 10 times greater than the number of finnish troops. The finns delivered one of the most staggering defeats in military history. In 1950 it transitioned from agrarian to a high tech production economy, early EU membership and #1 school system in the world. Finnish patriotism is circumspect, implied, and not core to identifying as a finn.
GraeHall 9 months ago
@revelwoodie: or to put it bluntly, there are newer countries where people fought harder in the face of far graver odds and consequences simply to survive, let alone identify themselves and their country Countries where with their own hard work and dedication they rebuilt or built from nothing to be among the leading nations in ranking of justice, health, education, corruption and happyness. And they're not as obnoxiously, lazily, and entilted "patriots".
Americans, are americans. No excuse
GraeHall 9 months ago
@GraeHall Firstly, I never said Europe was a country, lol. In any case, I'm not disputing that other nations have struggled or that they have much to be proud of. Of course they do. But the experience of Americans is different -- emotionally we feel that we created our nation from nothing, and did so relatively recently when compared to the long and storied history of Europe. Besides, the flag wavers are a minority in the USA, despite the ill informed opinion of those across the sea.
revelwoodie 9 months ago
@revelwoodie I'll give you a moment to step back, and take a look at the potential self refutations to which you've done to yourself here for us to see.
Look at what you said as if it were by someone else, and swap out the proper nouns with some toward which you have no strong feeling. Then see if you can recognise the potential contradictions you are I would assume unintentionally exihibiting.
GraeHall 8 months ago
@GraeHall What are you on about? If you're trying to imply that I am one of those flag wavers, you're dead wrong. What I am is someone who tries to give people the benefit of the doubt, until they directly merit other treatment. Most people are good, even people who aren't like you. When I hear people making blanket derogatory statements about ALL Americans, what I hear is their own nationalism, no different from the behavior they claim to be criticizing. Look at your own "self refutations."
revelwoodie 8 months ago
@aliendragon17 Patriotism is all about indoctrination. It's a part of the culture there.
tml4873 9 months ago
@aliendragon17 Americans do not consider themselves world citizens. There's no such thing. So we default to our natural and territorial aspirations, which is quite normal.
FaganRoberts 9 months ago
@FaganRoberts: there's no such thing as being a citizen of the world?
On which planet would you be living aside from earth, for citizenship of the world not to apply?
And how even with it's lack of applicability, due to your citizenship of a planet other than earth, does that mean there is no such thing as being a citizen of the world? If there's no such thing, then what are these 6.5billion pesky humans doing everywhere I look.
Americans are citizens of the world first, then americans. fact.
GraeHall 9 months ago
@GraeHall This is no world governing licensing authority to issue, let alone recognize, a citizenship to any individual other than the citizenship of that country one was born in or legally domiciled to.Show me evidence of a world citizenship card or birth record or certificate recognizing a citizenship of this world.Unless you can provide this documentation for this I call bullshit on your imaginary claim that everyone has other citizenship outside their national origin or relocation. I await!
FaganRoberts 9 months ago
@FaganRoberts: I see, you think citzenship of a nation, through paperwork, the abstract human construct, which can and has varied through history, is not only the only citizenship, but that by your very existence you are not a citizen of the world. That you place that abstract construct above your presence on the world as a human, as a citizen of the world, is hilariously sheltered and shallow.
The evidence of your citizenship in the world, to the world, is your presence in it as a human. Jeez.
GraeHall 8 months ago
@GraeHall Naaah, through birthright. The paperwork is just a formality. But you are certainly free to declare yourself a citizen of this world to another sencient creature on another planet when and if you ever ever get there. That makes sense. Until then, when you spout off about "being a citizen of the world" most thinking people will just scratch their head and blink alot and probably find themselves moving away from you rather than towards you, as they try to place your accent.
FaganRoberts 8 months ago
@FaganRoberts: Another sentient creature perhaps.
I agree that spouting off about "citizen of the world" is a little left field, which was why when you brought it up, I commented upon it.
So a citizen through birthright to a country, but not to the world upon which that country is an abstract construct asserted on top.
Do you really just want a hug and to be told you're exceptional? So much so you manage citizenship by birthright of a counrty in the world but not of the world? A little needy?
GraeHall 8 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@aliendragon17
"What is it with Americans and patriotism?"
It's the whole ideology surrounding freedom and unalienable rights to life, liberty, pursuit thing. Which isn't a bad thing, that. But a bit obnoxious to pretend the ideas are property that belongs to them. More obnoxious still are the religious Americans who pretend America's great because it's "God's chosen country". The "endowed by their Creator" bit is in the US Decl. of Independence, which isn't even law anywhere in the US.
geodgereturns 9 months ago
@geodgereturns: quite telling that your comment was hidden, marked "spam", I unhid expecting it to be just that.
Instead it's a case in point. You pointed out the obnoxious pretences of a portion of americans who refer to themselves as "Patriots". And rather than disagree, or even vote you down, they marked your comment as spam.
Obnoxious people, behaving obnoxiously, overcome with paroxysms should you point out the foundational falsehoods of their patriotism. Pretending they'