well done, caller... you are more articulate and foreward-thinking than about 70% of America, and were becoming so at an age that we just care about beer and tits. if only i were born in canada!
The use of the song is obvious. Saying it doesn't sound atheist is ridiculous. Common ground is used to signify a starting point for further communication about a subject. Nothing can be discussed for the sake of trying to change eachothers mind about a subject without common ground. Anything else would be a debate.
Incredibly intelligent kid...most likely inherited from the father. :)
I don't know about you, but this "bowl of macaroni" can only mean one thing and one thing only. All hail the Flying Spaghetti Monster! His noodly appendages touch those that don't even realize they are being touched. This is for you heretical Christians: Repent now or face his noodly wrath! He has softened the stomach of even the hardest Ethiopian. His love is great. If this proof doesn't convince you then you are hell bound and I will laugh as I see you boiling in spaghetti sauce. rAMEN.
@Trinivalts I used to be a catholic many years ago but education and critical thinking cured me of this. When you actually open up your mind and take an unbias look at the facts, atheism is the eventual outcome.
Is he talking about the evangelical camp in Stayner, Ontario. I live down the street from that one. I went in there a number of times and it wasnt nearly as preachy as jesus camp. I went as an atheist and it didnt seem to bug them.
@HedeenJeff But how am I to know Jesus Christ is my maker any more than the other gods man has named throughout time?
Let's assume he is though. Shouldn't it be enough for him that I simply live a good and decent life? If not then I have to assume the only reason he created me was to be praised to make himself feel better. Sounds kind of petty to me.
Atheists sound like the new gays. You guys are "closeted"? You have to "come out"? The possible implications of admiting your atheism?
Why would you want to live with such negativety? Are you aware of the impact this stuff has on the rest of the world? Could you speak a little about that? America is exporting a very distorted view of the world - and why wouldn't you - you can't even seem to honestly look at yourselves.
@IncognitoShhh What impact does atheism have on the rest of the world? What impact does NOT believing in a man in the sky who cares about us but has no problem treating us like pets have on the world? Another related question: What effect does not believing in astrology have on the world?
What negativity is there to atheism? Are you saying that just because we have to face the effects of being a minority that means there's something negative about it? Is there something negative about blacks?
@IncognitoShhh Have you ever lived someplace where you're not "in"? Not part of the majority?
Let me tell you what it's like to be a religious minority in the US.
First, Christians WILL randomly tell you that you're going to hell. Second, opportunities for housing and jobs are limited due to discrimination. Third, physical violence is a real possibility. Fourth, Harassment is a daily feature of your life.
All those acts HAVE BEEN committed by Christians toward me personally....(cont'd)
@IncognitoShhh It is NOT non-Christians causing the negativity. It is the Christians with their morally superior attitude, their absolute certainty of rightness and their arrogant refusal to allow others the freedoms they so vehemently demand.
The reason atheists and other non-Christians keep quiet is for fear of reprisal....in a nation that promises religious freedom and the right to pursue happiness.
Ass-deep irony brought to you by the hypocritical Christians of America.
it's funny to me hearing people talk about "coming out" in reference to atheism. i live in scotland (uk) and i have always been an atheist, i was never given religion in any serious way as a child so there was never a moment when i had to seriously confront it.
when i was very young and believed in santa and the tooth fairy i suppose i also believed in god, but i dropped the notion of god around the same time i dropped santa. all my friends are atheists. it's really not an issue here at all.
You CAN deconvert people from religious to 'only vaguely spiritual'. I've done that lots of times actually. But it does take alot of time, and the subjects must have at least normal intelligence, and must not have to dominant personalities. And you musn't be some sort of big wuss yourself (as most people are in my experience. Regardless of what they say.)
You just sort of slowly whittle away at the nonsense with reason, one step at a time. It takes a long time, but it works on many people.
An imbedded atheist at jebus camp. Interesting. Good luck to the caller on collecting insightful video content,and let's hope that he doesn't let on in any way to his stance on the delusion of religion.Otherwise, those in the camp will shut down towards him.
I'm from Calgary, Alberta and it's nowhere close to the Southern United States in terms of religion's role in education. Evolution is a part of our curriculum and it's not going anywhere in fact if you answer a question on any test or on the high school diploma using religion you are marked WRONG.Although you can decline taking sex education with other students you still have to complete a huge assignment on human anatomy and reproduction privately.
@TheSilentVocalist I'm from Victoria, British Columbia and I've visited Calgary on many occasions; although I generally agree with your analysis of the current secularism in Alberta's education, I have to emphasis that this is administered by the Provincal Government and doesn't prevent some small municipalities or communities from drowning their children in Christian Fundamentalism via Jesus Camps. The actual movie depicts young HOME schooled children being taught by their crazed parents.
A good point here is that the women are the real power behind religion, they drag their husbands to church (who sleep). It probably boils down to the insecurity of women and needing to be part of something bigger than themselves.
Father and son, both in the same closet. Lol, gay incest jokes, but seriously, bravo to these guys. Especially the kid. Takes some serious chops to break free of that kind of indoctrination at such an early age.
For those of you who want to "come out" to your religious family members I have found the safest course is not to bother. The point of non-belief be it secular humanism or atheism or whatever you want to call it is to know what you yourself believe. This is something I struggled with when I realized I was an atheist ultimately I came to the realization that I wasn't out to convert anyone and was much happier for it.
Is the caller serious? He's soo missing out on the Jesus Camp thing. Imagine all the Christian virgin hotties he would get. Sure they would be reluctant at first but he could try: "Hey babe, want to sin tonight?" - WIN
Some atheists have done their homework, gone through the intellectual arguments for and against the existence of God, and arrived at a thoughtful atheistic position but many have no real understanding of what Christianity is.
For anyone who wants to learn more about the other side of the debate, my channel has some info that you might find interesting.
I live in Alberta, I'm a conservative, and I'm also an atheist. Liberals don't have a monopoly on atheisim the same way not all conservatives are religous fundamentilists?(spelling).
I don't understand a socially conservative atheist, unless you're an atheist by default (didn't grow up with religion) and never bothered to critically examine your other prejudices.
It is perfectly possible to support right wing politics (which by the way, is alot more centerist in Canada); and still be an atheist. Republican conservatives (from US) are not equivalent to Canadian conservatives.
I am a Canadian independent, who voted for the conservative party last election, but have been an atheist for my whole life.
You really think that it is strange these idea's are not backed by religion? Religion is a vacuum; a closed mechanism for which people are supposed to view the world. It is easy to control "sheep" inside that vacuum, and therefore not illogical at all that you can get people to oppose things like gay marriage; abortion; etc.
The concepts are perfectly valid, but because of the dogmatic view religion imposes; they become labelled as "evil", "the work of the devil" etc.
Religious people are the ones who generally hold those views because religion dictates morality without logic. That's why it's strange to see an atheist who holds those views because atheists have usually considered and rejected religious nonsense.
Are you labelling me as holding any of these views?
To clarify; I am an atheist who: supports gay marriage, taxation of marijuana, and public healthcare. The fact that I voted conservative in my country (Canada), doesn't mean that I would vote Republican (in the US). On that same basis, just because I voted conservative in my country once; doesn't imply that I would do it again for the next election.
No I wasn't. I was referring to MakinH2O, and conservative atheists in general.
You said "You really think it's strange these ideas are not backed by religion?" (I'm assuming you mean conservative ideas.) Then you go on to describe how religious people end up believing these things. It seems like you think I'm saying it's strange for non-religious people to be liberal. I'm saying the opposite.
@Tapiola2007 Couldn't agree more. Isn't it sad though that he has to distance himself from his folks before he "comes out". Sad in fact that he has to "come out" at all.
He speaks the truth. I live in Alberta, and the bill has gone through. Teachers can be brought before the human rights commission if they don't inform the parents that they are going to talk about anything religion or sex related. It's fucked up.
Only because he's Canadian. The accent is pretty similar, but his voice is pretty different from VFX. VFX always has that smarmy, sleezy Kent Hovind lilt to his voice.
I was going to post the same thing but read your comment - I really enjoyed the conversation and hope that he does carry through with his plans to make a film about his experience.
Coming out to your parents is easier than you might think. I'd recommend telling your mom first. Most mothers I know are the sweetest people in the universe. She will probably express dissapointment and she may even cry, but she will always love you.
Yeah, same here. What part of Canada are you in? In Vancouver religion is pretty non-existant. And if you lobby hard for your belief in god you are looked as as insane almost from what I see.
We are pretty good overall up here. I live in Canada and I find my atheism is welcomed by most people except the religious but, the religious have less power up here.
That's the same case for me as the caller though I wasn't fundamentalist. However, I should the fear of religion and the pride of collecting believers to make me feel better about myself. I basically realized that nobody is able to be a christian cause nobody is gonna fallow the bible down to the letter.
Although I am concerned about the spread of fundamentalism, this may not reflect a conservative attitude. For instance, in Northern Ontario, an area of rapid fundamentalist growth, the area still votes 90-97% social democratic. So, it appears that, while practising fundamentalism, they are still pot-smoking, hippy, Marxists.
Canada shows a dramatic leaning towards the left regarding gender, orientation, and human rights issues. The most conservative province is Alberta, no surprise here, however, Alberta is still considerably left of the most left state (Massachusetts, if I remember correctly).
Remember that the NDP's roots are in Saskatchewan and British Columbia. Previous to the formation of a social democratic party the areas, including most of northern Canada, were communist and socialist.
I don't find your equations of Canadian provinces with American states quite accurate. A intensive study (I can't remember the title of the book) conducted a few years ago showed a drastic difference between the value systems of Canada and the US. The study also showed that the divide between the two countries will continue to grow.
Well, in a similar way. Both gays and atheists face alienation from their families due to their voicing their own opinions. Neither have any choice and both live a lie until the truth comes out. Gay people are born gay and can't change that. When I followed christian teachings, I constantly doubted and never had complete faith. So, yes, there are similar experiences, but that's not to say they're the same, nor one a replacement of the other.
Actually that's bad advice. Tried that once for fun. Not the atheist bit, but the gay bit, and my mother still has occasional doubts on my sexual identity. Once given the suggestion then fear drops in on christian parents... At least it did on mine.
I'm glad that education is free in Quebec (Canada) so there is way fanatism. Also, since we got a lot of bad history with catholichism, we tend to be non or mild belever.
when i heard Dawkins say that being atheist is like being gay in the USA i thought he was wrong but now i know he was right on the money i cant believe what i just heard from that poor kid.
This young guy knows what he's talking about. Canada has larges tracts of the 'devout', particularly through Alberta from whence our current minority Prime Minister draws a base from evangelicals. The major problem is the effect this has on foreign policy, as the PM's office appeases the aforementioned base - a foreign policy that appears to be influenced on biblical interpretation instead of rule of law and. common sense. Good call, enjoyed the discourse.
We can see the dangers in this when you saw Republican politicians calling the war in Iraq a holy war !
The danger to a country's economy is also there. If children are turned away from science for religious reasons, then other countries, where science is taught as science [here in Asia for example], will gain a significant advantage economically.
Sure. My opinion of religion is that it's like sex.
Don't do it on the street corner, don't do it to little kids, don't spray it at someone who doesn't want it, and you shouldn't get taxed for it unless you're selling it.
The Bill to be able to pull your kids from schools over objectional material in Alberta was passed (sighs). Although I'm not sure you could excluse your kids from a talk on evolution since the bill only mentions religion, gender and I think sex.
Prime minister in my country IS important. Though technically he is under the president in hierarchy (lols on dat plx) practically he comes second only to the US president that all our PMs are obligated to kiss his ass and third only two God (who btw always hates the occassional U.S. president according to the popular belief of my country).
Alberta is evil. Should Albertosaurus lived they would have been the 2nd most dangerous dinos towards humans (funny thing is that the 1st one would be Utahraptor xD ).
A word of advice to the caller. When you "come out" tell the truth in that you made your decision BEFORE you went to Uni. Otherwise, your family will blame it on the Uni and assume you have been brainwashed rather than actually thinking for yourself. I pity your father. I love the macaroni story. That was not Yaweh but obviously the Flying Spaghetti Monster (so Dawkins WAS right).
oh god, it pisses me off so much when fundamentalists scorn higher education like that. I had one guy try to tell me that critical thinking was brainwashing. Seriously? Thinking for myself is brainwashing myself?
i can see where this kid is coming from i came from a fundy family where we did things like doing excorisms on cats and cataloging types of demonic spirits in specific people i can say that this sort of thing damaged the mental well being of my siblings and honestly even myself for a short time i told them rational explainations for the things that they they "experienced" but to no avail im glad that this kid was smart and independant enough to see through the bullshit good luck to him
Yeah... his experiences are a lot similar to mine, though I consider myself an agnostic rather than a full blown athiest, but came difference... still think religion is a crock of shit
i was like you agnostic until i could see no reason to believe in a super being that we cant comprehend this premise refutes its self. theirs a god but we cant know him but yet there is no evidence for him in are world, why would you believe that there is no reason to. no disrespect its just a question and its not written down as condescending it is the question that was posed to me.
yeah, i'm a deist. i have my own personal experience but i know they don't conclusively prove anything, but then again, i'm not trying to prove anything. Im closer to an atheist than anything, because to me, god really only set the rules, then sat back to watch.
I dont believe in ghosts, goblins, not really even a soul. Actually, to me, God's more of a mechanism...
I dont really care if you believe me or not, and i accept the wide possibility that i could be wrong. The difference between me and your average theist is that i don't act like my reasons prove anything conclusively. I have faith in god. Faith being exactly that: belief without evidence.
I told you what motivates my personal belief, not why you should believe.
Furthermore I never stated anything about the design of the universe, nor do I believe it is beyond natural means. I've simply had personal experiences which (to me) were akin to seeing the most beautiful painting you've ever seen in your life, which make me believe that a god-like mechanism is behind it. The God-like mechanism doesn't grant wishes or listen to prayers, it just watches and is entertained like a painting.
For an atheist, you need to learn the teleological argument better.
Also, my logic is not flawed, its just incapable of substantiation to anyone else. If I were coming to you, and saying "This is why i believe, this is why you should believe." Then it would be flawed logic.
I say, without any kind of personal vindictiveness or reversal psychology that if being an atheist works for you, then by all means go for it.
What we have in common is that neither of us believe in the supernatural. The difference is that i dont think god is beyond naturalistic explanation.
'The difference is that i dont think god is beyond naturalistic explanation. '
But you also say you are a deist, which would suggest some supernatural intervention. Otherwise we can just accept that the universe is purely natural, as there is no evidence to suggest otherwise.
Deism would also suggest that 'something' set the ball in motion and then just buggered off, which just means that this universe is of zero interest to it.
Matt finds Jesus & then reads the instructions.
MrLittletomdj 3 months ago
well done, caller... you are more articulate and foreward-thinking than about 70% of America, and were becoming so at an age that we just care about beer and tits. if only i were born in canada!
gr8z0mbiejesus 7 months ago 4
I'm an Atheist but I'd go to jesus-camp if they had hot young and dumb christian girls with strap-ons and all that.
somethingdiffereable 7 months ago
This kid sounds like the next Dan Barker. Except he's figuring it out earlier.
joefunsmith 9 months ago
I am also waiting till I can move out before telling my parents-
Singlerity 9 months ago
The use of the song is obvious. Saying it doesn't sound atheist is ridiculous. Common ground is used to signify a starting point for further communication about a subject. Nothing can be discussed for the sake of trying to change eachothers mind about a subject without common ground. Anything else would be a debate.
Incredibly intelligent kid...most likely inherited from the father. :)
joembush 9 months ago
That sound track doesn't sound very fukken atheist to me....
sixtiksix 9 months ago
the music at the begening and end has to change !!!
659851 9 months ago
@659851 Come on i like it!
yuo252 8 months ago
Comment removed
MikeyHNCC1701D 9 months ago
I live in the canadian bible belt.
rangergxi 11 months ago
@rangergxi poor you :(
BlackMetalWorld 8 months ago
"he was behind the couch the whole time"
that made me laugh so hard
mfjeff 11 months ago
I don't know about you, but this "bowl of macaroni" can only mean one thing and one thing only. All hail the Flying Spaghetti Monster! His noodly appendages touch those that don't even realize they are being touched. This is for you heretical Christians: Repent now or face his noodly wrath! He has softened the stomach of even the hardest Ethiopian. His love is great. If this proof doesn't convince you then you are hell bound and I will laugh as I see you boiling in spaghetti sauce. rAMEN.
thelordmemnoch 1 year ago
nooooooo stay away!!!! out out out!!! canada is nutjob free!!!!
alinkyng 1 year ago
We have Religious camp in Canada? I'm so going to take this to court for spreading propaganda.
DoNotLaughAtMe 1 year ago
@Trinivalts I used to be a catholic many years ago but education and critical thinking cured me of this. When you actually open up your mind and take an unbias look at the facts, atheism is the eventual outcome.
somethingdiffereable 1 year ago
Nice, lol, wanted to learn to debate atheist and instead became one.
Trinivalts 1 year ago
Did that guy ever post his footage?
DuykRuyk 1 year ago
Is he talking about the evangelical camp in Stayner, Ontario. I live down the street from that one. I went in there a number of times and it wasnt nearly as preachy as jesus camp. I went as an atheist and it didnt seem to bug them.
TheCaptainLulz 1 year ago
@TheCaptainLulz Really? That's good.
BlckSbthMan 11 months ago
@HedeenJeff But how am I to know Jesus Christ is my maker any more than the other gods man has named throughout time?
Let's assume he is though. Shouldn't it be enough for him that I simply live a good and decent life? If not then I have to assume the only reason he created me was to be praised to make himself feel better. Sounds kind of petty to me.
icemanlonewolf 1 year ago
@HedeenJeff Call upon my penis your lord and savior.
circusmonkey10 1 year ago
@HedeenJeff Got any proof?
MarkusLMC29 1 year ago
I wish I had the caller's composure and insight when I was 16 years old.
andruh99 1 year ago
Atheists sound like the new gays. You guys are "closeted"? You have to "come out"? The possible implications of admiting your atheism?
Why would you want to live with such negativety? Are you aware of the impact this stuff has on the rest of the world? Could you speak a little about that? America is exporting a very distorted view of the world - and why wouldn't you - you can't even seem to honestly look at yourselves.
IncognitoShhh 1 year ago
@IncognitoShhh What impact does atheism have on the rest of the world? What impact does NOT believing in a man in the sky who cares about us but has no problem treating us like pets have on the world? Another related question: What effect does not believing in astrology have on the world?
What negativity is there to atheism? Are you saying that just because we have to face the effects of being a minority that means there's something negative about it? Is there something negative about blacks?
Proghead88 1 year ago
@IncognitoShhh Have you ever lived someplace where you're not "in"? Not part of the majority?
Let me tell you what it's like to be a religious minority in the US.
First, Christians WILL randomly tell you that you're going to hell. Second, opportunities for housing and jobs are limited due to discrimination. Third, physical violence is a real possibility. Fourth, Harassment is a daily feature of your life.
All those acts HAVE BEEN committed by Christians toward me personally....(cont'd)
ciaochowbella 1 year ago
@IncognitoShhh It is NOT non-Christians causing the negativity. It is the Christians with their morally superior attitude, their absolute certainty of rightness and their arrogant refusal to allow others the freedoms they so vehemently demand.
The reason atheists and other non-Christians keep quiet is for fear of reprisal....in a nation that promises religious freedom and the right to pursue happiness.
Ass-deep irony brought to you by the hypocritical Christians of America.
ciaochowbella 1 year ago
I FOUND HIM! I FOUND JESUS! HE'S IN THE TRUNK OF MY CAR!
NoNamesLeft0102 1 year ago
@NoNamesLeft0102 latch that shit good you dont want him to ressurect
pistolpete667 1 year ago
@NoNamesLeft0102 Nope, he's under my middle sofa cushion with the cheezy poofs and loose change. He hangs out there to hide from Christians.
He can't stand them either.
ciaochowbella 1 year ago 3
it's funny to me hearing people talk about "coming out" in reference to atheism. i live in scotland (uk) and i have always been an atheist, i was never given religion in any serious way as a child so there was never a moment when i had to seriously confront it.
when i was very young and believed in santa and the tooth fairy i suppose i also believed in god, but i dropped the notion of god around the same time i dropped santa. all my friends are atheists. it's really not an issue here at all.
ScotchMonkey08 1 year ago
You CAN deconvert people from religious to 'only vaguely spiritual'. I've done that lots of times actually. But it does take alot of time, and the subjects must have at least normal intelligence, and must not have to dominant personalities. And you musn't be some sort of big wuss yourself (as most people are in my experience. Regardless of what they say.)
You just sort of slowly whittle away at the nonsense with reason, one step at a time. It takes a long time, but it works on many people.
Shavarnarak 1 year ago
An imbedded atheist at jebus camp. Interesting. Good luck to the caller on collecting insightful video content,and let's hope that he doesn't let on in any way to his stance on the delusion of religion.Otherwise, those in the camp will shut down towards him.
JustinBringit 1 year ago
He's a really well spoken 16 year old. Really intelligent.
TekLok 1 year ago
A conservative minority. I've heard those words for too long.
thedarkone2134 1 year ago
That guy is pretty awesome!
ProfessorMacintosh 1 year ago
Jesus camp scared me more than the video of the terrorists who cut off the head of a reporter with a hack saw which almost made me pee
kingkong8974 1 year ago
These guys have many hampsters
47LN81 1 year ago
This guy's story is epic xD
killguta 1 year ago
I'm from Calgary, Alberta and it's nowhere close to the Southern United States in terms of religion's role in education. Evolution is a part of our curriculum and it's not going anywhere in fact if you answer a question on any test or on the high school diploma using religion you are marked WRONG.Although you can decline taking sex education with other students you still have to complete a huge assignment on human anatomy and reproduction privately.
TheSilentVocalist 1 year ago
@TheSilentVocalist I'm from Victoria, British Columbia and I've visited Calgary on many occasions; although I generally agree with your analysis of the current secularism in Alberta's education, I have to emphasis that this is administered by the Provincal Government and doesn't prevent some small municipalities or communities from drowning their children in Christian Fundamentalism via Jesus Camps. The actual movie depicts young HOME schooled children being taught by their crazed parents.
DarkPulsar 1 year ago
haha i love it...
RahRy444 1 year ago
The movie 'Jesus Camp' is the best horror movie I've ever seen. Oh, it's a documentey. Crap. :o
likmysaltybalz87 1 year ago
Pickering/Ont guy here. Fundies gotta trek their religions across the barren wasteland of the parries. It's my only wall of defense.
BLUEC0RE 1 year ago
Fuck off usa, don't drag us into this creationist shit. GET THE FUCK OUT.
Pinworm4 1 year ago 4
@Pinworm4
Hey hey hey now. Don't lump us all togeather.
We even have atheist here, granted few and far between where I live, but I am out there. Lol.
4me2cclearly 1 year ago
@Pinworm4 hey man i live in the south and i agree with you 100%! we should get the fuck out, my country bothers everyone hahaha!
TrueAgnosticMetal 1 year ago
Christians... get the fuck outta Canada lmao you're not welcome here.
SteeZins6 1 year ago 5
A good point here is that the women are the real power behind religion, they drag their husbands to church (who sleep). It probably boils down to the insecurity of women and needing to be part of something bigger than themselves.
holio84 1 year ago
I like his evil deceptive plan!!! ^^
daddyleon 2 years ago
Father and son, both in the same closet. Lol, gay incest jokes, but seriously, bravo to these guys. Especially the kid. Takes some serious chops to break free of that kind of indoctrination at such an early age.
di739 2 years ago 7
i hope the dad does stand up in church... i'd join him :P
BatmanASB 2 years ago
For those of you who want to "come out" to your religious family members I have found the safest course is not to bother. The point of non-belief be it secular humanism or atheism or whatever you want to call it is to know what you yourself believe. This is something I struggled with when I realized I was an atheist ultimately I came to the realization that I wasn't out to convert anyone and was much happier for it.
Crazydog7 2 years ago
Haha, I am ShwaTrash myself...
Not2Sane 2 years ago
Ah, Alberta. So many cows.
Gnickk 2 years ago
Is the caller serious? He's soo missing out on the Jesus Camp thing. Imagine all the Christian virgin hotties he would get. Sure they would be reluctant at first but he could try: "Hey babe, want to sin tonight?" - WIN
gigel2006 2 years ago 75
@gigel2006
It's been my experience that preacher's daughters are the biggest sluts.
WisdomVendor 2 years ago 10
@WisdomVendor ya? gotta find myself a preacher.
mrjpvoid 1 year ago
@gigel2006 hahahhaha i love them religious girls, they are all freaks..
Hillsillverr 11 months ago
@gigel2006 The same guy found a strap on in front of a girls cabin at the camp
yuo252 8 months ago
Thumbs up for this caller!!
-Good luck to you man, and to your father.
ArmaFennica 2 years ago 7
This has been flagged as spam show
Some atheists have done their homework, gone through the intellectual arguments for and against the existence of God, and arrived at a thoughtful atheistic position but many have no real understanding of what Christianity is.
For anyone who wants to learn more about the other side of the debate, my channel has some info that you might find interesting.
atheistfriends 2 years ago
i have had it said at me for a while and i know it's all bullshit.
nananaalgoodaye 2 years ago
Classic!
ReverendAtomSmasher 2 years ago
y is he suspended.
JacobDeadman 2 years ago
I live in Alberta, I'm a conservative, and I'm also an atheist. Liberals don't have a monopoly on atheisim the same way not all conservatives are religous fundamentilists?(spelling).
MakinH2O 2 years ago
In what way are you conservative?
I don't understand a socially conservative atheist, unless you're an atheist by default (didn't grow up with religion) and never bothered to critically examine your other prejudices.
samOFblorx 2 years ago
It is perfectly possible to support right wing politics (which by the way, is alot more centerist in Canada); and still be an atheist. Republican conservatives (from US) are not equivalent to Canadian conservatives.
I am a Canadian independent, who voted for the conservative party last election, but have been an atheist for my whole life.
poolaceboy 2 years ago
I'm referring to social conservatives (no gay marriage, no abortion, pro-death penalty, pro-censorship etc.).
I guess I mean it's just strange to see these views not backed by religion because I consider them so illogical.
samOFblorx 2 years ago
You really think that it is strange these idea's are not backed by religion? Religion is a vacuum; a closed mechanism for which people are supposed to view the world. It is easy to control "sheep" inside that vacuum, and therefore not illogical at all that you can get people to oppose things like gay marriage; abortion; etc.
The concepts are perfectly valid, but because of the dogmatic view religion imposes; they become labelled as "evil", "the work of the devil" etc.
poolaceboy 2 years ago
I'm not sure what you mean.
Religious people are the ones who generally hold those views because religion dictates morality without logic. That's why it's strange to see an atheist who holds those views because atheists have usually considered and rejected religious nonsense.
samOFblorx 2 years ago
Are you labelling me as holding any of these views?
To clarify; I am an atheist who: supports gay marriage, taxation of marijuana, and public healthcare. The fact that I voted conservative in my country (Canada), doesn't mean that I would vote Republican (in the US). On that same basis, just because I voted conservative in my country once; doesn't imply that I would do it again for the next election.
poolaceboy 2 years ago
No I wasn't. I was referring to MakinH2O, and conservative atheists in general.
You said "You really think it's strange these ideas are not backed by religion?" (I'm assuming you mean conservative ideas.) Then you go on to describe how religious people end up believing these things. It seems like you think I'm saying it's strange for non-religious people to be liberal. I'm saying the opposite.
samOFblorx 2 years ago
I'm just curious because I hold some of the same views as you, as to why you voted conservative?
karl0bar 2 years ago
I live in alberta as well and I used to support the conservative party until they passed Bill 44, that pissed me the fuck off.
Skepnostic 2 years ago
Is this kid not the coolest kid? Seriously, 16 years old and listen to him talk. I don't know a lot of adults who are that well-spoken.
ArranoGris 2 years ago 38
@ArranoGris Thats Canadian education for you... :)
DruidB19 1 year ago
@ArranoGris Agreed. For 16 years of age, he's incredibly articulate and mature.
Tapiola2007 11 months ago 4
@Tapiola2007 Couldn't agree more. Isn't it sad though that he has to distance himself from his folks before he "comes out". Sad in fact that he has to "come out" at all.
taffwob 10 months ago
@taffwob It's a strange world we live in when the simple fact that one doesn't believe in supernatural fantasies is a cause of social leprosy!
Tapiola2007 10 months ago
@ArranoGris he's canadian =)
Devega33 11 months ago 3
@ArranoGris its because canada has much higher education standards than the USA
Plausiblesarge 10 months ago
@ArranoGris I am 16 and sound as well spoke, most people should be at least this well spoken.
EnchancedHuman 8 months ago
He speaks the truth. I live in Alberta, and the bill has gone through. Teachers can be brought before the human rights commission if they don't inform the parents that they are going to talk about anything religion or sex related. It's fucked up.
Chemicalogic 2 years ago
I lost all my friends when I realized what a load of shit my faith was.
JimTL1000R 2 years ago 2
Sorry to hear that.
Chemicalogic 2 years ago
Then they were never truly friends to begin with. You will make new and better friends.
christinepeace 2 years ago
"Were the crazy ones...blalala....
LOL XD
skeletonmom 2 years ago
"If you guys had a real freakin president" .... ahh, so many connotations in one statement.
Either way, the PM has nothing to do with the situation. Alberta has always been a conservative province, although it's actually a great place.
It's a pretty good balance between the conservative states in the US, and the (very) liberal province of Ontario.
It's just that there are freaks everywhere.
Remember, VenomfangX is from Ontario.
ThePariahGame 2 years ago
this guy's voice sounds strikingly similar to VFX
srch4trth 2 years ago
Only because he's Canadian. The accent is pretty similar, but his voice is pretty different from VFX. VFX always has that smarmy, sleezy Kent Hovind lilt to his voice.
ArranoGris 2 years ago 3
That has got to be the best caller ever! I truly truly enjoyed this coversation a lot! Hope I see that documentary on youtube anytime soon!
Pinokio131 2 years ago
I was going to post the same thing but read your comment - I really enjoyed the conversation and hope that he does carry through with his plans to make a film about his experience.
1n354a 2 years ago
Search the Shwanerd on youtube he has some videos up now about the camp.
Skepnostic 2 years ago
Didn't Mcleans magazine print an issue naming Alberta as the most intelligent province in Canada a little while ago?
Seemed odd to me, not sure where they got that data from.
hymentotep 2 years ago
Comment removed
hymentotep 2 years ago
If a family would love a child less because of his atheism, I don't know what the world is coming to.
WecksyRex 2 years ago
Obviously WecksyRex, you don't know any fundy christians.
They will not only stop loving their children, they will become violent against them.
Good people do good things all the time.
Bad people do bad things all the time.
But it takes religion to make a good person do bad things.
All religions are poison to the mind.
drServitus 2 years ago 3
I am now sad. :(
WecksyRex 2 years ago
well said!
ezmereldagreen 2 years ago
"God magically multiplied their macaroni".
Wow, it's really true - god IS the flying spaghetti monster.
sweetsweatyfeet 2 years ago 5
no duh, lol, praise the flying spaghetti monster....
RAmen
dethdakiller0 2 years ago 3
Coming out to your parents is easier than you might think. I'd recommend telling your mom first. Most mothers I know are the sweetest people in the universe. She will probably express dissapointment and she may even cry, but she will always love you.
belliebum12 2 years ago
Yeah, same here. What part of Canada are you in? In Vancouver religion is pretty non-existant. And if you lobby hard for your belief in god you are looked as as insane almost from what I see.
canuckman87 2 years ago
search google on "ahmed deedat writings" and explore your answer about coming of Jesus
fgh650 2 years ago
I did and all I got was some wacko muslim guy...is that the right one?
1n354a 2 years ago
I'll be at jesus camp next week! Can't wait to call back into the show!
ShwaNerd 2 years ago 29
Neither can we!!!!
mamasboyl 2 years ago
I'm jealous.
That would be so interesting.
1973MaseratiBora 2 years ago
have you called back?
1n354a 2 years ago
@ShwaNerd
how was your jesus camp?
StL33T 1 year ago
canada is openly atheist mainly from what i see.
canuckman87 2 years ago
We are pretty good overall up here. I live in Canada and I find my atheism is welcomed by most people except the religious but, the religious have less power up here.
Entertainmentwf 2 years ago
it really has reached the point where a conversation about a young kid being secretly atheist exactly sounds like a kid being secretly homosexual
this is fucking ridiculus
nekftw 2 years ago 4
It's probably difficult for him if his family is very religious.
HANK0000 2 years ago
That's the same case for me as the caller though I wasn't fundamentalist. However, I should the fear of religion and the pride of collecting believers to make me feel better about myself. I basically realized that nobody is able to be a christian cause nobody is gonna fallow the bible down to the letter.
clipsryan 2 years ago
ya ontario!
ThePoly229 2 years ago 2
Part 3
Although I am concerned about the spread of fundamentalism, this may not reflect a conservative attitude. For instance, in Northern Ontario, an area of rapid fundamentalist growth, the area still votes 90-97% social democratic. So, it appears that, while practising fundamentalism, they are still pot-smoking, hippy, Marxists.
shirehorse9 2 years ago
Part 2
Canada shows a dramatic leaning towards the left regarding gender, orientation, and human rights issues. The most conservative province is Alberta, no surprise here, however, Alberta is still considerably left of the most left state (Massachusetts, if I remember correctly).
Remember that the NDP's roots are in Saskatchewan and British Columbia. Previous to the formation of a social democratic party the areas, including most of northern Canada, were communist and socialist.
shirehorse9 2 years ago
imboromeo,
I don't find your equations of Canadian provinces with American states quite accurate. A intensive study (I can't remember the title of the book) conducted a few years ago showed a drastic difference between the value systems of Canada and the US. The study also showed that the divide between the two countries will continue to grow.
shirehorse9 2 years ago
Atheist is the new gay?
ryangannon 2 years ago 2
In what way?
Sack42 2 years ago
I mean in the sense of "coming-out" and such.
ryangannon 2 years ago
Well, in a similar way. Both gays and atheists face alienation from their families due to their voicing their own opinions. Neither have any choice and both live a lie until the truth comes out. Gay people are born gay and can't change that. When I followed christian teachings, I constantly doubted and never had complete faith. So, yes, there are similar experiences, but that's not to say they're the same, nor one a replacement of the other.
Sack42 2 years ago 2
I only ever meant in social attitudes.
ryangannon 2 years ago
lol, well yeah. I guess I just overkilled the detail.
Sack42 2 years ago
lmao
ronte246 2 years ago
I love the part about how he watched atheist videos in order to refute them, and ended up being the one converted.
dgdfhfghgfhgfgffjhj 2 years ago
dude.. he should videotape his moms reaction
bla34112 2 years ago
mmmmmmm... magic macaroni
Mathesonguy 2 years ago
As a 30 yr. old Athiest Conservative Party member from Ontario, I have to say that this lad exagerates about fundies in Canada.
Although those who identify as "born again" is rising, it is still less then 3% of the population (they are just a loud 3%)
My mom is an evangelical, and I have this advice for the young man. You will likely never argue your parents out of their religion, so dont try.
You could try telling them you are gay, and then say no, just kidding, i'm only an atheist
Mathesonguy 2 years ago
Actually that's bad advice. Tried that once for fun. Not the atheist bit, but the gay bit, and my mother still has occasional doubts on my sexual identity. Once given the suggestion then fear drops in on christian parents... At least it did on mine.
BrunnhildeDieWalkure 2 years ago
whats the song they play on the opening
Danny22000 2 years ago
Common Ground by Rhythm Corps
bignickm27 2 years ago
unintelligent design and ireducable complex spageti which increases with heat is the answer
and meh intelligence is easy to come with a atheist as u need to understand science to know your lack of faith lol
dunndudebemelol 2 years ago
the fact that the food was the macaroni and cheese, proves that His Noodly Goodnes was present. All hail the FSM
PoseidonSimons 2 years ago
Hail his most holy appendix!
BrunnhildeDieWalkure 2 years ago
HAIL THE FSM! RAMEN!
BradanKAnderson 2 years ago 2
RAMEN!
madichelp0 2 years ago
this warms my heart, too.
leftcoastcrazy 2 years ago
It wasn't God multiplying the pasta, it was the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
VolatileReaction 2 years ago
I'm glad that education is free in Quebec (Canada) so there is way fanatism. Also, since we got a lot of bad history with catholichism, we tend to be non or mild belever.
mortrem76 2 years ago
when i heard Dawkins say that being atheist is like being gay in the USA i thought he was wrong but now i know he was right on the money i cant believe what i just heard from that poor kid.
RAMSEY1987 2 years ago
I enjoyed that call a lot
noxidereus 2 years ago
This young guy knows what he's talking about. Canada has larges tracts of the 'devout', particularly through Alberta from whence our current minority Prime Minister draws a base from evangelicals. The major problem is the effect this has on foreign policy, as the PM's office appeases the aforementioned base - a foreign policy that appears to be influenced on biblical interpretation instead of rule of law and. common sense. Good call, enjoyed the discourse.
TwoStepBilly 2 years ago
We can see the dangers in this when you saw Republican politicians calling the war in Iraq a holy war !
The danger to a country's economy is also there. If children are turned away from science for religious reasons, then other countries, where science is taught as science [here in Asia for example], will gain a significant advantage economically.
asianlife53 2 years ago 2
The kid seems intelligent for a 16 year old.
thefragile900 2 years ago
There's lots of intelligent 16 year olds. Problem is there's a shitload more stupid ones.
PirateEjaculate 2 years ago 4
Sure. My opinion of religion is that it's like sex.
Don't do it on the street corner, don't do it to little kids, don't spray it at someone who doesn't want it, and you shouldn't get taxed for it unless you're selling it.
Yes, i think churches should be taxed.
WeedGreenPowerRanger 2 years ago 4
The Bill to be able to pull your kids from schools over objectional material in Alberta was passed (sighs). Although I'm not sure you could excluse your kids from a talk on evolution since the bill only mentions religion, gender and I think sex.
VeritasLiber 2 years ago
Prime minister in my country IS important. Though technically he is under the president in hierarchy (lols on dat plx) practically he comes second only to the US president that all our PMs are obligated to kiss his ass and third only two God (who btw always hates the occassional U.S. president according to the popular belief of my country).
DINDRAGON 2 years ago
Most Greeks often use a rhetoric that goes like this:
"If I was PM I would fix dat, do dis, throw those ppl outta my country etc..."
practically that translates to:
"If I was PM I would (unintentionally) show the whole nation what an unbeliavable asshole I can be!"
DINDRAGON 2 years ago
Alberta is evil. Should Albertosaurus lived they would have been the 2nd most dangerous dinos towards humans (funny thing is that the 1st one would be Utahraptor xD ).
DINDRAGON 2 years ago
I can imagine. Then maybe he should open up and finish it. See how she reacts but have the papers ready.
Talk about your irreconcilable differences...geesh!
ZombieX13 2 years ago
He should record his Dad blowing his lid at the congregation some day. It'd be fucking great XD
Deioth 2 years ago 2
I love this caller, and his situation. Way to go Shwa and Shwadad.
genghisishippie 2 years ago
LOL awesome story and awesome episode :D
Eddii3 2 years ago
A word of advice to the caller. When you "come out" tell the truth in that you made your decision BEFORE you went to Uni. Otherwise, your family will blame it on the Uni and assume you have been brainwashed rather than actually thinking for yourself. I pity your father. I love the macaroni story. That was not Yaweh but obviously the Flying Spaghetti Monster (so Dawkins WAS right).
pilgrimpater 2 years ago
oh god, it pisses me off so much when fundamentalists scorn higher education like that. I had one guy try to tell me that critical thinking was brainwashing. Seriously? Thinking for myself is brainwashing myself?
WeedGreenPowerRanger 2 years ago
i can see where this kid is coming from i came from a fundy family where we did things like doing excorisms on cats and cataloging types of demonic spirits in specific people i can say that this sort of thing damaged the mental well being of my siblings and honestly even myself for a short time i told them rational explainations for the things that they they "experienced" but to no avail im glad that this kid was smart and independant enough to see through the bullshit good luck to him
epiphanyofreason8 2 years ago
Yeah... his experiences are a lot similar to mine, though I consider myself an agnostic rather than a full blown athiest, but came difference... still think religion is a crock of shit
Tremordeth 2 years ago
i was like you agnostic until i could see no reason to believe in a super being that we cant comprehend this premise refutes its self. theirs a god but we cant know him but yet there is no evidence for him in are world, why would you believe that there is no reason to. no disrespect its just a question and its not written down as condescending it is the question that was posed to me.
noproofforjesus 2 years ago
yeah, i'm a deist. i have my own personal experience but i know they don't conclusively prove anything, but then again, i'm not trying to prove anything. Im closer to an atheist than anything, because to me, god really only set the rules, then sat back to watch.
I dont believe in ghosts, goblins, not really even a soul. Actually, to me, God's more of a mechanism...
WeedGreenPowerRanger 2 years ago
Teleological argument. Your logic is completely flawed.
porterwake 2 years ago
Its not the teleological argument, because
1) i'm not trying to argue and
2) Thats not the Teleological argument.
I dont really care if you believe me or not, and i accept the wide possibility that i could be wrong. The difference between me and your average theist is that i don't act like my reasons prove anything conclusively. I have faith in god. Faith being exactly that: belief without evidence.
I told you what motivates my personal belief, not why you should believe.
WeedGreenPowerRanger 2 years ago
Furthermore I never stated anything about the design of the universe, nor do I believe it is beyond natural means. I've simply had personal experiences which (to me) were akin to seeing the most beautiful painting you've ever seen in your life, which make me believe that a god-like mechanism is behind it. The God-like mechanism doesn't grant wishes or listen to prayers, it just watches and is entertained like a painting.
For an atheist, you need to learn the teleological argument better.
WeedGreenPowerRanger 2 years ago
Also, my logic is not flawed, its just incapable of substantiation to anyone else. If I were coming to you, and saying "This is why i believe, this is why you should believe." Then it would be flawed logic.
I say, without any kind of personal vindictiveness or reversal psychology that if being an atheist works for you, then by all means go for it.
What we have in common is that neither of us believe in the supernatural. The difference is that i dont think god is beyond naturalistic explanation.
WeedGreenPowerRanger 2 years ago
'The difference is that i dont think god is beyond naturalistic explanation. '
But you also say you are a deist, which would suggest some supernatural intervention. Otherwise we can just accept that the universe is purely natural, as there is no evidence to suggest otherwise.
Deism would also suggest that 'something' set the ball in motion and then just buggered off, which just means that this universe is of zero interest to it.
asianlife53 2 years ago