Very true... people feel that some do not get what they deserve in their lives whether it be punishment or reward.. so they form an idea of god because they feel that they can move on because it is in "God's hands" .
As an atheist I do not think that we are born atheists or that the atheism is the default position . I think that Agonosticism is the default position . As It is for anything else when you are born since you dont know anything . Later on that I dont know answer of agnosticism divides into either theism , deism or atheism depending of what you consider to be primary epistemological criteria for defining truth and depends on indoctrination , intellectual honesty , scientific lliteracy etc...
@RatherCynical Agnosticism refers to lack of knowledge upon which you choose not to choose side of the coin . But being born atheist is ridiculous since you are not even familiar with the whole aspect of concept of god in order to reject It. Actually I agree with your point . Well made . Irreligious is better term for newborn . It is however closer to agnosticism than atheism . Or irunreligious hahahaha :D
@hldemi I should have clarified; Agnosticism/Gnosticism refers to the level of knowledge the individual proclaims, whereas Atheism/Theism/Deism refers to individual belief. It has been under some dispute on what atheism actually entails - whether it's simply a disbelief in God(s), or whether it involves the denial of God(s)' existence.
I think newborns fall under the category of irreligious more than theist/atheist, since those entail actually having a belief as opposed to being undecided.
@RatherCynical Well made point .I agree . I would however argue that Atheism is actually "not having a belief" because i doubt, based on empirical evidence (which I consider to be primary epistemological criteria for defining what is truth ) that do not support the whole god hypothesis . So It is based on knowledge .It is a belief based on knowledge while theism is NOT .Agnostics simply find those lack of supporting evidence not enough to make a stand which I find rather not practical .
Raise kids as free-thinkers? Easy. Don't expose them to religion until they are able to critically think for themselves.
Answer their questions truthfully. Don't BS your kid to take the easy way out.
Why is the sky blue? Well, our eyes perceive the color blue as a result of which angle light enters our eye. Given where the Sun is in our solar system, and the curvature of the Earth, the color will change as the light angle changes (sunrise, daytime, sunset, and night). Now, let's learn why.
Considering the attentionspan of current generations, it's difficult to compress complex answers to questions in bites or snappy segments. Although it should get a bit easier with todays technology and media.
If it doesnt contain "bling" or at least one "Yo", a lot will not even pay attention to it
@sonykroket Short attention spans are a direct result of today's fast-paced, want it now society. Patience is one very important thing to teach our kids.
@sonykroket In retrospect, I suppose that 'teach' wasn't the proper term... How about provide opportunities that allows them to practice patience.
Oh.. And no more play dates! That's just absurd! People are way too uptight these days. George Carlin put it best when he said give the kid a stick, and let him/her dig a hole. Play isn't supposed to be structured (wasn't for us - We turned out fine). For Pete's sake, it's supposed to be spontaneity that spurs free-thinking...
Why the assumption that Christians who pray aren't doing anything? Perhaps that's how you approached your life, but many Christians pray AND act. Many. They don't "congratulate" themselves for praying. They just do it...and they act. They are not mutually exclusive.
@TheThinkingAtheist Why not? As a Christian, prayer is more than just asking God for things. It's about fellowship. I wouldn't NOT pray; even as I act.
(This is Amy, by the way. Gary just introduced me to your Podcast. It's good to hear your voice again; even if I don't agree with a lot of what you're saying.)
My question was an honest one. Why that assumption? Is that because that's what many see? Is that their perception of Christians?
I was studying Japanese at my local college and i remember the very words that got me to help, they shake me to my core today.
i was watching to news and i saw this little 4-5 maybe 6 year old girls say;
Onee-san wa doko desu ka?
literally: Where is my older sister
After that her mother took the child in her arms and held her close. The news went on but that image was forever engraved in me. I couldn't sit still anymore
I'm a born again atheist. Was raised in the LDS church. I have two boys and have no intention of raising them in any religion. But I have to admit, I'm terrified to raise them as free thinkers. I think if I had been raised the same way I would be fine with it but the uncertainty is killing me. However, I will not subject my kids to lies and myths to control them. Wish me luck everyone!!
@QualityQman It is fear of the unknown that makes people susceptible to religions (fear of death, the thought of ever-lasting afterlife, etc - These are mortal hooks they use to snare their followers)... Teach your boys to think for themselves. Embrace the unknown. Use it as an opportunity to learn. Teach them the importance to question everything. Including their parents. If they challenge you, have evidence to back it up.
That must be the quote about drinking from your own cistern and eating of your own fruit. YUK!! Think 'll stick to the grocery store for my nourishment.
This is such a magnificent show :) Thank you so much for your work, please keep it up! Internet is killing religion, humanity will be free from organised superstition. And this world will be so much brighter and happier place for it.
ALTHOUGH I'M A CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIAN (Baptist), I no longer believe that the Bible teaches eternal torment or suffering. The Bible teaches eternal punishment, but it's not eternal torment. In my popular Internet article, TRADITIONAL DOCTRINE OF HELL EVOLVED FROM GREEK ROOTS, I explain how and why teaching of eternal torment entered early into Christianity and how Scriptures have been misinterpreted and taken out of context to support that teaching. ~Babu G. Ranganathan (B.A. theology/biology)
THE SCIENTIFIC CASE AGAINST ATHEISM: Please read this Internet article of mine published in Russia's English Pravda. It will be a real an eye-opener for all who think belief in a Creator is merely subjective blind faith ~ Babu G. Ranganathan (B.A. theology/biology).
SCIENCE SHOWS THAT THE UNIVERSE could not have sustained itself eternally because of entropy (even in an open system). Einstein confirmed that space, matter, and time had a beginning! That beginning had to be supernatural because natural laws have no ability to bring the universe into existence from nothing. The supernatural cannot be proved by science but science points to a supernatural intelligence for the origin and order of the universe ~ HOW FORENSIC SCIENCE REFUTES ATHEISM (Article)
EINSTEIN CONFIRMED that space and time are just as physical as matter. That's why space and time can be altered by gravity, and space produces particles. Einstein's equations show that the universe couldn’t be eternal. It had a beginning. Einstein believed, because of science, in the existence of God behind the origin and order of the universe. He didn't believe in a personal God like Christians do, but he did believe science pointed to the existence of an all powerful and intelligent Creator
NATURAL LIMITS TO EVOLUTION: Only evolution within "kinds" is genetically possible (i.e. varieties of dogs, cats, etc.), but not evolution across "kinds" (i.e. from worm to human). How were species living, reproducing if their vital structures, organs, and reproductive system hadn't evolved yet? Read my Pravda Internet article: WAR AMONG EVOLUTIONISTS! I discuss: Punctuated Equilibrium, "Junk DNA," genetics, mutations, natural selection, fossils, genetic/biological similarities between species
DAWKINS, HITCHENS, AND HAWKING REFUSE TO DEBATE with creationists who are SCIENTISTS, such as the scientists at The Institute for Creation Research. Dawkins and his friends only debate non-scientist creationists. Read articles by scientists supporting creation at The Institute for Creation Research site.
BLIND WATCHMAKER NO ARGUMENT. Natural selection is no "blind watchmaker" because it can only "select," not produce. It only operates once there is life and reproduction, not before, so it couldn't have been involved in life's origins. A partially-evolved cell (an oxymoron) would quickly disintegrate. It couldn't wait ("survive") millions of years for chance to complete it and then make it living! Read: HOW FORENSIC SCIENCE REFUTES ATHEISM
IMAGINE A FISH WITH PART FINS, part feet with the fins evolving (transitioning) into feet. What survival benefit would there be? The fish couldn't use its fins or its feet, and there are no fossils showing such a creature ever existed. They only exist on automobile bumper stickers! There are no true transitional forms, either living or fossilized. Evolutionists realize this fact! Read my Internet article: WAR AMONG EVOLUTIONISTS!
APES ARE QUITE COMFORTABLE IN HOW THEY WALK, just as humans are quite comfortable in how they walk. Even a slight change in the position of a muscle or bone, for either, would be excruciatingly painful and would not be an advantage for survival. There's no hard evidence that humans evolved from ape-like creatures anymore than there's hard evidence that apes evolved from four-legged-pawed dog-like creatures. Read Internet article: MISSING LINKS THAT NEVER WERE.
GENETIC INFORMATION COULDN'T HAPPEN BY CHANCE, so it's more logical to believe that genetic similarities between all forms of life are due to a common Designer who designed similar functions for similar purposes. It doesn't mean all forms of life are biologically related! "Junk DNA" isn't junk. These non-coding segments of DNA have recently been found to be vital in regulating gene expression. Read my popular Internet article: HOW FORENSIC SCIENCE REFUTES ATHEISM
ALL REAL EVOLUTION ( i.e. varieties of dogs, cats, etc.) in nature is the expression, over time, of already existing genes. Evolution is possible only if there’s information (genes) directing it. Only variations of already existing genes are possible, which means only limited evolution and adaptations are possible. Nature has no ability to invent new genes via random mutations caused by random environmental forces. That’s evolutionary faith, not science. Read my article, WAR AMONG EVOLUTIONISTS!
DO EYES CARRY SCARS OF EVOLUTION? Read this fantastic Internet article by biologist and creationist Brian Thomas. Thomas refutes every argument of a "flawed" design for the eye, and explains how and why the so-called flaw is actually the best thing for the eye. Read the article! It's amazing what facts evolutionists will ignore. Numerous times evolutionists have been proven wrong about their interpretation of a structure as being flawed or useless.
Agnosticism is a fact of everyone, until we actually find a god. Atheism and theism are what matter, and children are initially atheists. Hence the default answer.
Agnosticism and nosticism referr to what you know, theism and atheism referr to what you believe. Everyone is by definition agnostic from birth through their entire life. Unless we actually find a god, agnosticism is not an issue. Children are born atheists; hence the reason it's the default.
@Teraperf Yes...and no. Children do not initially have knowledge of any gods. Either way, they are both agnostic and atheist. If you firmly believe in 1 or multiple gods, you are a theist. Anything else, including I don't know, you are an atheist.
I have a lot of Jewish friends, none of whom believe that Yahweh is a literal entity and all of whom went to nominally-religious Hebrew School for primary school. The culturally-Jewish caller is worrying unnecessarily, I think.
I was raised to not believe specifically in any religion. In response to my questions about religion e.g. "Is there a God?", my mother would always ask me what I thought about it, and then tell me some of the opinions that are out there. Atheist since age 8.
Me and my friend made a superstition 10 y ago. Between the bus stop & the stable there was this bridge that would wobble, especially when a train came. Some of the girls got scared and we decided that it was bad luck to walk over a bridge at the same time as a train came. Just the other day I was out walking and as I approached a bridge a train came, I got a feeling something was wrong, I stopped for a second , I remembered and kept walking...
I'm from Sweden and my parents are atheists, but I am as most people here baptized (weird I know) and I asked my mother why. She said: I wanted it to be easier for you if you turned out to be Christian.
I just stared at her and said “what if I turned out to be Muslim or Buddhist, then what?”
@amers963 : Well put, sir :) Come on over, I´ll take you to a swim on a waterfall :)
We just have to keep on fighting, superstition will die out and this planet will eventually look like a nice place again. Even here I cant just stop and enjoy this life, religions are trying to push themselves everywhere.
After that my aunt & uncle treated him much better. My cousin no longer had the fear of going to hell or felt like he was sick because who he is. I live with my brother & his family. Him & his wife are atheist/agnostic & are raising their kids to think critically. My 10 yr old niece already thinks it's completely insane to believe in a religion.
I interjected with my younger cousin, but I had no choice. He was about 16 or 17 when he came out as a homosexual. My aunt is one of them right wing religious nuts & my uncle is a bigoted redneck. You can guess how my cousin was treated. He still believed in christiaNUTTY & with the bigotry coming from his parents he was all messed up. I deconverted him by pointing out many of the factual errors & fallacies of the Buybull & sent an anonymous letter including Matt 7:1-2 to his parents.
Home schooling and not creating a pod person are possible. You just have to insure that you get your kid out to meet and play with other kids, see the sights to be seen, and perhaps most usefully, teach them the educational topics by actually showing them things. Historical monuments for history, simple scientific experiments and field trips for science. Even math can be taught in naturalistic environments with a little creativity (some teachers doing this find that kids absorb math better).
@Teraperf But babies know NOTHING of a god. Babies aren't born thinking Santa may or may not be true. You can't possibly believe in something you don't know.
noone is born as a christian, mormon, jew, athiest, etc....we are a society that labels everything to be able to classify it or catigorize it, we are born with no affiliation as time goes on we fall into place as society conditions us into thinking something is right or wrong IF you are just a follower or a person that wants to be told what to do instead of doing real work in knowing yourself.
That tsunami really tore up the ports around where i live. Only a few dead thankfully but millions of dollars in damage. Best of luck to the Japanese. I hope the worst doesn't come to pass as far as the nuclear reactors go.
On how to teach morality," if you do something bad there is a big man in blue with a gun and he will but you in shackles and chains and take you to a large stone room with metal bars that you will never escape from with other bad people in it, and you will never see anyone else but these blue men and bad people again." Ah, the legal system creating something much much scarier than hell.
I don't see why it would be a problem not to refer to kids as atheists. For me that word means that the person has the opinion.
My sons are now 20 and 22 and they are atheists. I think it happens naturally if you don't indoctrinate them. At least if they have some sense of reality because a god is way more crazy than Santa Clause.
If I would (for some crazy reason) be married to a religious woman then I would definitely explain to my child that my wife was telling him nonsense.
@rebelde69ateo For me an atheist is someone who has heard the claim and does not believe it.
Do you become an atheist when you exit the womb or when the sperm meets the egg? :)
I wonder if my dog is an atheist. :)
I agree that babies aren't theists and therefore atheists in that sense but I would rather use the word as an opposition to theism because otherwise it would be no more justified than the words afairyist, aastrologist, etc.
And the only reason im writing this on youtube is because is wife is a catholic, and I'm away from home and even of my friends i dont know who is atheist and since i went to a catholic highschool im even less sure. I just needed someplace to tell this.
Thank you TheThinkingAtheist for letting me absolutely rape the comments section so I can feel better.
In short, it was the most uncomfortable conversation I've ever had in my life. I found myself doing everything possible to avoid confrontation (especially because it was family) calling myself a "cultural christian" (which I actually am) but I did not under any circumstances want to say the word atheist. And also the tone of his voice, talking to me like I'm a child that still has so much to learn about life. And that logic! "you have to blame it on something" what the fuck is that!!
What "it" is I have no idea, and this riduculous logic just came out of nowhere, here is someone that I thought was pretty smart, and he says "you have to blame "it" on something. Even if your a man of science and need the answer to everything, you have to blame "it" on something". I respond "well I think the uknown is exciting. And I can't do that as a person, it doesnt feel right just making up an answer for the sake of having one, if you dont know you dont know"
But he keeps talking about confirmation and how "you get presents and money after you get confirmed", to which I respond, "oh, well religion isnt really my thing (understatement of the year) and confirmation is when you yourself are supposed to chose to continue with religion". He then says "Well, when I was young I was just an atheist and didn't believe in anything. But when you get older you realize that you have to (translating from swedish now) blame "it" on something.
He tells me that and then proceeds to ask if i have been confirmed. I told him no, and he then says "is confirmation something you've talked with your parents about", i said no and that religion really isnt a big discussion point at home. I also said that I went to a catholic school, but I was baptized lutheran, so i couldn't do it in school like everyone else (dont know why I had to make up excuses for myself.)
Just had my first "somebody preaching to me" moment today, never actually thought it would happen to me, but it made me feel so unbelievably uncomfortable. I am an atheist, but I'm only 19 and only recently did I truly realize I'm an atheist. I'm half swedish and canadian and have lived in both countries and religion has never really been too much in my face. But today, I'm riding in the car with my swedish uncle and we happen to drive by the church I was baptized in (continued)
My brother and I were both homeschooled secularly for a couple years. We're both in college now and I'm not having any social problems, we were both in and out of public schools though. According to my homeschooling schedule, I had an hour of prayer and an hour of bible study every day. I actually pretended to be religious so that the school board wouldn't question my schedule and let me have "prayer and worship" time every day which I would usually use to see my boyfriend and slack off.
I wanted to make my facebook status: "Prayer is an action that makes the useless feel useful. Donate to Japan, DO things to actually help them. Quit sitting around hoping and feeling like you're doing something. You want to help? Get off your knees and physically help these people-- or at least donate." I couldn't do it though. I'm just so tired of arguing at this point.
Great podcast. Being in Indiana & dealing with my 16 yr old daughter's religious friends is challenging. I heard my daughter telling one of her proselytizing friends that "god" is just Santa Claus for adults. The next time I saw that friend's mom she asked my about that incident. I told her we're not religious but she insisted that we go to church together so we could get saved. I told her "thanks but I don't believe in ANY gods since reading the bible". Haven't seen that friend since.
I see nothing wrong with raising your child as a full on atheist. No need to let them believe in nonsense. I think the right thing to do is to wait til they ask you about the topic and say flat out that there is no god. The children of tomorrow need sanity on their side and they will not get that by thinking even a little bit that there might be an invisible floaty guy in the clouds.
Love the podcast, and I just had to comment and say that my last name is Quisenberry, but i dont know anyone who lives in California.lol ~Atheist for 2 years now, and more content then ever~
Love the podcast, and I just had to comment and say that my last name is Quisenberry, but i dont know anyone who lives in California. ~Atheist for 2 years now, and more content then ever~
I personally have convinced people I can fly. Even when I explained how it was done, they still insisted I can fly. They tried to convince me that I was flying. Study the brain. Do you think that's light you're experiencing? It's just electricity. The world outside our heads is way more complex than we perceive.
TTA - I empathized completely with your digression on your relative's home-schooling of their children and their teaching them that evolution is nonsense.
I have the exact same situation going on with respect to my cousin and her children - it also makes me kinda crazy to think about it too much.
I also share your concern regarding the "social bubble", which they claim is not an issue due to their interaction with other children (also home-schooled) from their congregation ( ***shudders*** ).
My answer to the first question came simple. I have let my daughters experience and take part in religion. Just a few months ago, my 10 year old asked me, and I quote..."Dad, do you believe in god?" Not wanting to impart my opinion on hers, I started..."well honey, beliefs are complicated." She then cuts me off and says "'Cause I don't really believe it."
Still kind of stunned by the conversation, I ask "Why?" She pauses for a second and says "It just doesn't sound real to me."
My father is a Jewish Atheist, my mom is an atheist from a Catholic family, and to top it all off my uncle (through marriage to my aunt) is an atheist from a Muslim family. I learned about religion from the outside looking in. All I saw was contradiction and stories with nothing to back it up any one claim. Now I'm teaching my son about religion in the same 3rd party fashion. You'd be surprised how mixing religious ideas nuetralizes them all at the same time.
So there are millions of people out there, praying for God to hep the millions suffering in Japan right now, because of an event that HE caused?
Sooo what....God causes a seaquake, which causes a tsunami AND a reccord earthquake to hit Japan, as well as baisically destroy their nuclear power plants (irradiating who knows how many people), killing thousands, so people will turn to his "love" for them?
You don't have to "sit it out", as you say. I have no guilt about privately talking to children of religious parents and playfully asking them questions that will prompt them to think for themselves. Children don't really belong to their parents, and they don't belong to me, but they are OUR future. They are individuals. I don't intend to hold my tongue around children simply because they live under someone else's roof. Stand up for THEIR individuality. Don't be afraid to influence them.
I know, because I used to be one, that Christians believe "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." (James 5:16). But I think the most appropriate verse for this kind of thing is James 2:16 "If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warm and well fed.' but does nothing about their physical needs. What good is it?"
I love being an atheist. It is the most amazing feeling in the world. I have never truly felt free until I became an atheist. Atheism and freedom are synonymous
@b0n3z3z There is a reason that people 2000 years ago believed in it. They didnt know any better. That is not the case now. We now know about weather patters and that they can be predicted. They are not dependant upon sacrifices so that it will rain at the right time etc. The bible demands sacrifices for nearly everything. We don't do that so why do the rest?
With our current technology and advances in science it is time we give up the supernatural that used to explain such simple things.
Praying to god to help Japan is lame enough. But how about praying against the "christian godless' Japanese as revealed by Thunderf00t in his latest video:
the world is not u its not us watch a geoglical program how the world really started sort of gives us humans no reason to keep living we will finish our generation and there will be a new type i have no purpose on this plant no one does i dont even know how im typing these words who made words TRUST IF YOU BELIVE IN GOD UR HIGH ON SOMETHING I KNOW IN AMERICA THEY BRAIN WASH U INTO BELIVING SOMETHING THAT IS FAKE
at the end of the day, that is so representative of what's going on in the world : religious people are just people who make excuses because they "want your ice-cream" !
@WayOfTheMaster454 But the bible tell us that God is extreme. Look at how many he killed in the first few pages. And the killing and retribution just goes on and on through the rest of the book.
So why are you telling people to raise godly children when, by definition, they will have to be extremists in order to be "godly"
well you can see that religion does coincide with science, if you take the scripture and cross reference it with the original version translate it into hebrew, than swap out every 3rd character with every second its very clear that its 100% scientific :D hahah
As an atheist, I always said I'd educate my children, tell the truth and teach them the facts, and allow them to choose for themselves. But what I discovered was that, in educating them and offering them the truth and the facts, I was raising atheists.
And now I'm the mother of 5 atheists, who will more than likely go on to raise their own free thinking non believers. What a wonderful cycle.
@LinkMEP I guess that is possible depending on your definition for free-thinking is, and what your definition for Christian is. My mother has a very strange interpretation of the word Christian, which I take issue with since it has nothing to do with Christ, lol.
@Jesses001 I see anybody who accepts Jesus Christ as his/her savoir as being a Christian. I see a free thinker as anybody who is willing to think for themselves and doesn't want to force their ideas upon others. A free thinking Christian would also not blindly follow a minister and follow one's own interpretation of The Bible.
@Spyderschwinky A free thinking Christian is capable of following their own ideas and does not blindly follow the ideas of others. They also wouldn’t want to force their ideas upon others. They would also not blindly follow a minister and follow their own interpretation of The Bible. An great example would be the Youtuber Rational Roundtable.
I would like to suggest an episode. How about atheism and relationships? The reason for this suggestion is based on that one statistic I heard awhile back, about how more women are liable to dump the opposite party if they're an atheist.
I would like to suggest an episode. How about atheism and relationships? The reason for this suggestion is based on that one statistic I heard awhile back, about how more women are liable to dump the opposite party if they're an atheist.
The Baskin robbins story is the right way.... teach them to think, that's how my dad did it, he got an atheist (me) and a bible thumper (my sister) out of it. It's the only fair way as the "weaker minds" are going to go whatever way they are steered anyway.
@FluffyFeralMarmot Intuitive - Using or based on what one feels to be true even without conscious reasoning. Was that really the word you wanted to use there?
Very true... people feel that some do not get what they deserve in their lives whether it be punishment or reward.. so they form an idea of god because they feel that they can move on because it is in "God's hands" .
Capturemycard 14 hours ago
I get the Jewish culture thing. It's like being a Hungarian for me.
zeldaofarel 3 weeks ago
I remember that Star Trek episode where Kirk said that "the one(god) is sufficient."
It has always bothered me.
judoyodan 1 month ago in playlist Radio Podcasts
This has been flagged as spam show
islam ,making christianity look good. lol
kram83au 1 month ago in playlist Radio Podcasts
This has been flagged as spam show
islam ,making christianity look good. lol
kram83au 1 month ago in playlist Radio Podcasts
islam ,making christianity look good. lol
kram83au 1 month ago in playlist Radio Podcasts
islam ,making christianity look good. lol
kram83au 1 month ago in playlist Radio Podcasts
Aaaaaah...home school lady had me right up til TaeKwonDo :P
Naddig74 2 months ago in playlist Radio Podcasts
@dodgeball441 Science is not your strong suit.
TheFallibleFiend 2 months ago
As an atheist I do not think that we are born atheists or that the atheism is the default position . I think that Agonosticism is the default position . As It is for anything else when you are born since you dont know anything . Later on that I dont know answer of agnosticism divides into either theism , deism or atheism depending of what you consider to be primary epistemological criteria for defining truth and depends on indoctrination , intellectual honesty , scientific lliteracy etc...
hldemi 2 months ago
@hldemi I think 'irreligious' is a better definition of those who are born. Agnosticism strictly refers to knowledge, not belief.
RatherCynical in reply to hldemi (Show the comment) 2 months ago
@RatherCynical Agnosticism refers to lack of knowledge upon which you choose not to choose side of the coin . But being born atheist is ridiculous since you are not even familiar with the whole aspect of concept of god in order to reject It. Actually I agree with your point . Well made . Irreligious is better term for newborn . It is however closer to agnosticism than atheism . Or irunreligious hahahaha :D
hldemi in reply to RatherCynical (Show the comment) 2 months ago
@hldemi I should have clarified; Agnosticism/Gnosticism refers to the level of knowledge the individual proclaims, whereas Atheism/Theism/Deism refers to individual belief. It has been under some dispute on what atheism actually entails - whether it's simply a disbelief in God(s), or whether it involves the denial of God(s)' existence.
I think newborns fall under the category of irreligious more than theist/atheist, since those entail actually having a belief as opposed to being undecided.
RatherCynical in reply to hldemi (Show the comment) 2 months ago
@RatherCynical Well made point .I agree . I would however argue that Atheism is actually "not having a belief" because i doubt, based on empirical evidence (which I consider to be primary epistemological criteria for defining what is truth ) that do not support the whole god hypothesis . So It is based on knowledge .It is a belief based on knowledge while theism is NOT .Agnostics simply find those lack of supporting evidence not enough to make a stand which I find rather not practical .
hldemi in reply to RatherCynical (Show the comment) 2 months ago
Comment removed
chilledkirby 3 months ago
the half smile is contempt
TheStefcam 3 months ago
I refer to myself as the Anti-Christ.
Badroodly 3 months ago
"I don't know Grandpa, I just want your Icecream!"
LOL!!! Thats adorable.
Winterwolf00 3 months ago
Raise kids as free-thinkers? Easy. Don't expose them to religion until they are able to critically think for themselves.
Answer their questions truthfully. Don't BS your kid to take the easy way out.
Why is the sky blue? Well, our eyes perceive the color blue as a result of which angle light enters our eye. Given where the Sun is in our solar system, and the curvature of the Earth, the color will change as the light angle changes (sunrise, daytime, sunset, and night). Now, let's learn why.
ASquared007 3 months ago
@ASquared007
Considering the attentionspan of current generations, it's difficult to compress complex answers to questions in bites or snappy segments. Although it should get a bit easier with todays technology and media.
If it doesnt contain "bling" or at least one "Yo", a lot will not even pay attention to it
sonykroket in reply to ASquared007 (Show the comment) 3 months ago in playlist Radio Podcasts
@sonykroket Short attention spans are a direct result of today's fast-paced, want it now society. Patience is one very important thing to teach our kids.
ASquared007 in reply to sonykroket (Show the comment) 3 months ago
@ASquared007
I agree, that was my whole point
But how does one "teach patience" when we're surrounded by a society that is all about first impressions and what's the next new thing?
We live in a fastpaced society while trying to teach the kids to take it easy
sonykroket in reply to ASquared007 (Show the comment) 3 months ago
@sonykroket In retrospect, I suppose that 'teach' wasn't the proper term... How about provide opportunities that allows them to practice patience.
Oh.. And no more play dates! That's just absurd! People are way too uptight these days. George Carlin put it best when he said give the kid a stick, and let him/her dig a hole. Play isn't supposed to be structured (wasn't for us - We turned out fine). For Pete's sake, it's supposed to be spontaneity that spurs free-thinking...
ASquared007 in reply to sonykroket (Show the comment) 3 months ago
@ASquared007
I agree with you, it seems they got to keep the little fucker busy
To quote Carlin
sonykroket in reply to ASquared007 (Show the comment) 3 months ago
@sonykroket May Joe Pesci bless us all.
ASquared007 in reply to sonykroket (Show the comment) 3 months ago
@ASquared007
Good old Joe Pesci, now there's a man who can get things done.
A simple baseballbat and problems are solved
sonykroket in reply to ASquared007 (Show the comment) 3 months ago
Comment removed
ASquared007 3 months ago
Why the assumption that Christians who pray aren't doing anything? Perhaps that's how you approached your life, but many Christians pray AND act. Many. They don't "congratulate" themselves for praying. They just do it...and they act. They are not mutually exclusive.
ThoughtsofTHATmom 3 months ago
@ThoughtsofTHATmom If they act...why pray?
TheThinkingAtheist in reply to ThoughtsofTHATmom (Show the comment) 3 months ago
@TheThinkingAtheist Why not? As a Christian, prayer is more than just asking God for things. It's about fellowship. I wouldn't NOT pray; even as I act.
(This is Amy, by the way. Gary just introduced me to your Podcast. It's good to hear your voice again; even if I don't agree with a lot of what you're saying.)
My question was an honest one. Why that assumption? Is that because that's what many see? Is that their perception of Christians?
ThoughtsofTHATmom in reply to TheThinkingAtheist (Show the comment) 3 months ago
@ThoughtsofTHATmom
Yes
sonykroket in reply to ThoughtsofTHATmom (Show the comment) 3 months ago in playlist Radio Podcasts
@TheThinkingAtheist Because its a tradition of the Christian religion.
polishguy994 in reply to TheThinkingAtheist (Show the comment) 4 weeks ago
I was studying Japanese at my local college and i remember the very words that got me to help, they shake me to my core today.
i was watching to news and i saw this little 4-5 maybe 6 year old girls say;
Onee-san wa doko desu ka?
literally: Where is my older sister
After that her mother took the child in her arms and held her close. The news went on but that image was forever engraved in me. I couldn't sit still anymore
Stop praying and start making a real difference.
JEL625 4 months ago
I'm a born again atheist. Was raised in the LDS church. I have two boys and have no intention of raising them in any religion. But I have to admit, I'm terrified to raise them as free thinkers. I think if I had been raised the same way I would be fine with it but the uncertainty is killing me. However, I will not subject my kids to lies and myths to control them. Wish me luck everyone!!
QualityQman 4 months ago
@QualityQman It is fear of the unknown that makes people susceptible to religions (fear of death, the thought of ever-lasting afterlife, etc - These are mortal hooks they use to snare their followers)... Teach your boys to think for themselves. Embrace the unknown. Use it as an opportunity to learn. Teach them the importance to question everything. Including their parents. If they challenge you, have evidence to back it up.
ASquared007 in reply to QualityQman (Show the comment) 3 months ago
... I felt so fucking bad for that man there at the end... respect man... respect...
DavySigfusson 4 months ago
That must be the quote about drinking from your own cistern and eating of your own fruit. YUK!! Think 'll stick to the grocery store for my nourishment.
TheDano1947 5 months ago
Children should never be brained washed by religion. Religion should be a free choice made by free thinking adults, not innocent children.
TheDano1947 5 months ago
If our lives are in gods hands, we're all Fucked. Sorry bout that.
TheDano1947 5 months ago
@TheDano1947 I'm not a spelling troll. :) I was responding to your intended post.
ASquared007 in reply to TheDano1947 (Show the comment) 3 months ago
If our lives are in gods hands, were all Fucked.
TheDano1947 5 months ago
@TheDano1947 Thankfully, it's not. So we're good.
ASquared007 in reply to TheDano1947 (Show the comment) 3 months ago
ATHEISTS THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO CAN THINK FREELY WITHOUT THE SHACKLES OF THE OLD AGE OF SUPERSTION ENVY THEM
Abbadon380 5 months ago
This is such a magnificent show :) Thank you so much for your work, please keep it up! Internet is killing religion, humanity will be free from organised superstition. And this world will be so much brighter and happier place for it.
bary1234 5 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
ALTHOUGH I'M A CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIAN (Baptist), I no longer believe that the Bible teaches eternal torment or suffering. The Bible teaches eternal punishment, but it's not eternal torment. In my popular Internet article, TRADITIONAL DOCTRINE OF HELL EVOLVED FROM GREEK ROOTS, I explain how and why teaching of eternal torment entered early into Christianity and how Scriptures have been misinterpreted and taken out of context to support that teaching. ~Babu G. Ranganathan (B.A. theology/biology)
Mogley52 6 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
THE SCIENTIFIC CASE AGAINST ATHEISM: Please read this Internet article of mine published in Russia's English Pravda. It will be a real an eye-opener for all who think belief in a Creator is merely subjective blind faith ~ Babu G. Ranganathan (B.A. theology/biology).
Mogley52 6 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
SCIENCE SHOWS THAT THE UNIVERSE could not have sustained itself eternally because of entropy (even in an open system). Einstein confirmed that space, matter, and time had a beginning! That beginning had to be supernatural because natural laws have no ability to bring the universe into existence from nothing. The supernatural cannot be proved by science but science points to a supernatural intelligence for the origin and order of the universe ~ HOW FORENSIC SCIENCE REFUTES ATHEISM (Article)
Mogley52 6 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
EINSTEIN CONFIRMED that space and time are just as physical as matter. That's why space and time can be altered by gravity, and space produces particles. Einstein's equations show that the universe couldn’t be eternal. It had a beginning. Einstein believed, because of science, in the existence of God behind the origin and order of the universe. He didn't believe in a personal God like Christians do, but he did believe science pointed to the existence of an all powerful and intelligent Creator
Mogley52 6 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
NATURAL LIMITS TO EVOLUTION: Only evolution within "kinds" is genetically possible (i.e. varieties of dogs, cats, etc.), but not evolution across "kinds" (i.e. from worm to human). How were species living, reproducing if their vital structures, organs, and reproductive system hadn't evolved yet? Read my Pravda Internet article: WAR AMONG EVOLUTIONISTS! I discuss: Punctuated Equilibrium, "Junk DNA," genetics, mutations, natural selection, fossils, genetic/biological similarities between species
Mogley52 6 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
DAWKINS, HITCHENS, AND HAWKING REFUSE TO DEBATE with creationists who are SCIENTISTS, such as the scientists at The Institute for Creation Research. Dawkins and his friends only debate non-scientist creationists. Read articles by scientists supporting creation at The Institute for Creation Research site.
Mogley52 6 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
BLIND WATCHMAKER NO ARGUMENT. Natural selection is no "blind watchmaker" because it can only "select," not produce. It only operates once there is life and reproduction, not before, so it couldn't have been involved in life's origins. A partially-evolved cell (an oxymoron) would quickly disintegrate. It couldn't wait ("survive") millions of years for chance to complete it and then make it living! Read: HOW FORENSIC SCIENCE REFUTES ATHEISM
Mogley52 6 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
IMAGINE A FISH WITH PART FINS, part feet with the fins evolving (transitioning) into feet. What survival benefit would there be? The fish couldn't use its fins or its feet, and there are no fossils showing such a creature ever existed. They only exist on automobile bumper stickers! There are no true transitional forms, either living or fossilized. Evolutionists realize this fact! Read my Internet article: WAR AMONG EVOLUTIONISTS!
Mogley52 6 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
APES ARE QUITE COMFORTABLE IN HOW THEY WALK, just as humans are quite comfortable in how they walk. Even a slight change in the position of a muscle or bone, for either, would be excruciatingly painful and would not be an advantage for survival. There's no hard evidence that humans evolved from ape-like creatures anymore than there's hard evidence that apes evolved from four-legged-pawed dog-like creatures. Read Internet article: MISSING LINKS THAT NEVER WERE.
Mogley52 6 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
GENETIC INFORMATION COULDN'T HAPPEN BY CHANCE, so it's more logical to believe that genetic similarities between all forms of life are due to a common Designer who designed similar functions for similar purposes. It doesn't mean all forms of life are biologically related! "Junk DNA" isn't junk. These non-coding segments of DNA have recently been found to be vital in regulating gene expression. Read my popular Internet article: HOW FORENSIC SCIENCE REFUTES ATHEISM
Mogley52 6 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
ALL REAL EVOLUTION ( i.e. varieties of dogs, cats, etc.) in nature is the expression, over time, of already existing genes. Evolution is possible only if there’s information (genes) directing it. Only variations of already existing genes are possible, which means only limited evolution and adaptations are possible. Nature has no ability to invent new genes via random mutations caused by random environmental forces. That’s evolutionary faith, not science. Read my article, WAR AMONG EVOLUTIONISTS!
Mogley52 6 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
DO EYES CARRY SCARS OF EVOLUTION? Read this fantastic Internet article by biologist and creationist Brian Thomas. Thomas refutes every argument of a "flawed" design for the eye, and explains how and why the so-called flaw is actually the best thing for the eye. Read the article! It's amazing what facts evolutionists will ignore. Numerous times evolutionists have been proven wrong about their interpretation of a structure as being flawed or useless.
Mogley52 6 months ago
Agnosticism is a fact of everyone, until we actually find a god. Atheism and theism are what matter, and children are initially atheists. Hence the default answer.
KingOfTheJuice666 7 months ago
Agnosticism and nosticism referr to what you know, theism and atheism referr to what you believe. Everyone is by definition agnostic from birth through their entire life. Unless we actually find a god, agnosticism is not an issue. Children are born atheists; hence the reason it's the default.
KingOfTheJuice666 7 months ago
@Teraperf Yes...and no. Children do not initially have knowledge of any gods. Either way, they are both agnostic and atheist. If you firmly believe in 1 or multiple gods, you are a theist. Anything else, including I don't know, you are an atheist.
KingOfTheJuice666 7 months ago
Isn't that how a child works? They study the parent and try to become an echo? isn't that how they have worked since the human race began?
ThePurplehobo 8 months ago
I'm going to check those books out. I'd like to better my explanation of death and loss. Maybe they'll have that included? Thanks for posting.
JadeChaos 9 months ago
The hands that help are better far
Than lips that pray.
Love is the ever gleaming star
That leads the way,
That shines, not on vague worlds of bliss,
But on a paradise in this.
-Robert Green Ingersoll, lawyer and orator (1833-1899)
langbei 9 months ago
I have a lot of Jewish friends, none of whom believe that Yahweh is a literal entity and all of whom went to nominally-religious Hebrew School for primary school. The culturally-Jewish caller is worrying unnecessarily, I think.
I was raised to not believe specifically in any religion. In response to my questions about religion e.g. "Is there a God?", my mother would always ask me what I thought about it, and then tell me some of the opinions that are out there. Atheist since age 8.
JohannVII 10 months ago
Me and my friend made a superstition 10 y ago. Between the bus stop & the stable there was this bridge that would wobble, especially when a train came. Some of the girls got scared and we decided that it was bad luck to walk over a bridge at the same time as a train came. Just the other day I was out walking and as I approached a bridge a train came, I got a feeling something was wrong, I stopped for a second , I remembered and kept walking...
MyPineappleDream 10 months ago
@mypinneapledream : thats funny lol what did she say next??
jackskellington765 10 months ago
@jackskellington765 She just kinda stop, stared and then she said something like "that would be unlikely" what??
MyPineappleDream in reply to jackskellington765 (Show the comment) 10 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I'm from Sweden and my parents are atheists, but I am as most people here baptized (weird I know) and I asked my mother why. She said: I wanted it to be easier for you if you turned out to be Christian.
I just stared at her and said “what if I turned out to be Muslim or Buddhist, then what?”
MyPineappleDream 10 months ago
Comment removed
MyPineappleDream 10 months ago
I'm so damn happy to live in Finland. Never indoctrinated to any religion, just naturally Atheistic with no effort or stuggle at all.
Secular countries are the paradise on earth.
bary1234 11 months ago
@bary1234 You lucky bastard
amers963 in reply to bary1234 (Show the comment) 9 months ago
@amers963 : Well put, sir :) Come on over, I´ll take you to a swim on a waterfall :)
We just have to keep on fighting, superstition will die out and this planet will eventually look like a nice place again. Even here I cant just stop and enjoy this life, religions are trying to push themselves everywhere.
bary1234 in reply to amers963 (Show the comment) 9 months ago
continued..
After that my aunt & uncle treated him much better. My cousin no longer had the fear of going to hell or felt like he was sick because who he is. I live with my brother & his family. Him & his wife are atheist/agnostic & are raising their kids to think critically. My 10 yr old niece already thinks it's completely insane to believe in a religion.
trknadam 11 months ago
I interjected with my younger cousin, but I had no choice. He was about 16 or 17 when he came out as a homosexual. My aunt is one of them right wing religious nuts & my uncle is a bigoted redneck. You can guess how my cousin was treated. He still believed in christiaNUTTY & with the bigotry coming from his parents he was all messed up. I deconverted him by pointing out many of the factual errors & fallacies of the Buybull & sent an anonymous letter including Matt 7:1-2 to his parents.
trknadam 11 months ago
Home schooling and not creating a pod person are possible. You just have to insure that you get your kid out to meet and play with other kids, see the sights to be seen, and perhaps most usefully, teach them the educational topics by actually showing them things. Historical monuments for history, simple scientific experiments and field trips for science. Even math can be taught in naturalistic environments with a little creativity (some teachers doing this find that kids absorb math better).
GermanChocolateCake 11 months ago
so grateful my parents allowed me to think for myself.
sdsuedehead 11 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Wrong! we ARE all born aheist!
KOOKY1PANDORA 11 months ago
@KOOKY1PANDORA Actually we are born Agnostic..
Teraperf in reply to KOOKY1PANDORA (Show the comment) 8 months ago
@Teraperf You do realize in order to be agnostic, you have to know about some kind of god correct?
KingWithoutaCause in reply to Teraperf (Show the comment) 8 months ago
@KingWithoutaCause Actually the standard definition of agnostic is a person who claims neither faith nor disbelief in God.
Teraperf in reply to KingWithoutaCause (Show the comment) 8 months ago
@Teraperf But babies know NOTHING of a god. Babies aren't born thinking Santa may or may not be true. You can't possibly believe in something you don't know.
KingWithoutaCause in reply to Teraperf (Show the comment) 8 months ago
noone is born as a christian, mormon, jew, athiest, etc....we are a society that labels everything to be able to classify it or catigorize it, we are born with no affiliation as time goes on we fall into place as society conditions us into thinking something is right or wrong IF you are just a follower or a person that wants to be told what to do instead of doing real work in knowing yourself.
stylesisdaman 11 months ago
Loved this!
PinkPanthress 11 months ago
We are born atheists.
ShaggyShagz13 11 months ago
That tsunami really tore up the ports around where i live. Only a few dead thankfully but millions of dollars in damage. Best of luck to the Japanese. I hope the worst doesn't come to pass as far as the nuclear reactors go.
kastraynator 11 months ago
On how to teach morality," if you do something bad there is a big man in blue with a gun and he will but you in shackles and chains and take you to a large stone room with metal bars that you will never escape from with other bad people in it, and you will never see anyone else but these blue men and bad people again." Ah, the legal system creating something much much scarier than hell.
Americanbadashh 1 year ago
I don't see why it would be a problem not to refer to kids as atheists. For me that word means that the person has the opinion.
My sons are now 20 and 22 and they are atheists. I think it happens naturally if you don't indoctrinate them. At least if they have some sense of reality because a god is way more crazy than Santa Clause.
If I would (for some crazy reason) be married to a religious woman then I would definitely explain to my child that my wife was telling him nonsense.
drandersw 1 year ago
@drandersw everyone is born atheist. you did not have any believes when you were born.
rebelde69ateo in reply to drandersw (Show the comment) 11 months ago
@rebelde69ateo For me an atheist is someone who has heard the claim and does not believe it.
Do you become an atheist when you exit the womb or when the sperm meets the egg? :)
I wonder if my dog is an atheist. :)
I agree that babies aren't theists and therefore atheists in that sense but I would rather use the word as an opposition to theism because otherwise it would be no more justified than the words afairyist, aastrologist, etc.
drandersw in reply to rebelde69ateo (Show the comment) 11 months ago
@drandersw according to your logic every1 is an atheist.. :)
OmfgItsHenu in reply to drandersw (Show the comment) 11 months ago
Regarding prayer: I don't understand why god needs to be told to save the victims.
Of course, I also don't understand why he let it happen.
drandersw 1 year ago
Who's reading this? The voice is uncannily like George Carlin's... brought back good memories.
StrikaAmaru 1 year ago
And the only reason im writing this on youtube is because is wife is a catholic, and I'm away from home and even of my friends i dont know who is atheist and since i went to a catholic highschool im even less sure. I just needed someplace to tell this.
Thank you TheThinkingAtheist for letting me absolutely rape the comments section so I can feel better.
May god condemn us all to hell
MrSwedenik 1 year ago
In short, it was the most uncomfortable conversation I've ever had in my life. I found myself doing everything possible to avoid confrontation (especially because it was family) calling myself a "cultural christian" (which I actually am) but I did not under any circumstances want to say the word atheist. And also the tone of his voice, talking to me like I'm a child that still has so much to learn about life. And that logic! "you have to blame it on something" what the fuck is that!!
MrSwedenik 1 year ago
What "it" is I have no idea, and this riduculous logic just came out of nowhere, here is someone that I thought was pretty smart, and he says "you have to blame "it" on something. Even if your a man of science and need the answer to everything, you have to blame "it" on something". I respond "well I think the uknown is exciting. And I can't do that as a person, it doesnt feel right just making up an answer for the sake of having one, if you dont know you dont know"
(continued)
MrSwedenik 1 year ago
But he keeps talking about confirmation and how "you get presents and money after you get confirmed", to which I respond, "oh, well religion isnt really my thing (understatement of the year) and confirmation is when you yourself are supposed to chose to continue with religion". He then says "Well, when I was young I was just an atheist and didn't believe in anything. But when you get older you realize that you have to (translating from swedish now) blame "it" on something.
(continued)
MrSwedenik 1 year ago
He tells me that and then proceeds to ask if i have been confirmed. I told him no, and he then says "is confirmation something you've talked with your parents about", i said no and that religion really isnt a big discussion point at home. I also said that I went to a catholic school, but I was baptized lutheran, so i couldn't do it in school like everyone else (dont know why I had to make up excuses for myself.)
(continued)
MrSwedenik 1 year ago
Just had my first "somebody preaching to me" moment today, never actually thought it would happen to me, but it made me feel so unbelievably uncomfortable. I am an atheist, but I'm only 19 and only recently did I truly realize I'm an atheist. I'm half swedish and canadian and have lived in both countries and religion has never really been too much in my face. But today, I'm riding in the car with my swedish uncle and we happen to drive by the church I was baptized in (continued)
MrSwedenik 1 year ago
debate me motherfuckers debate me
MichaelSavageNati0n 1 year ago
My brother and I were both homeschooled secularly for a couple years. We're both in college now and I'm not having any social problems, we were both in and out of public schools though. According to my homeschooling schedule, I had an hour of prayer and an hour of bible study every day. I actually pretended to be religious so that the school board wouldn't question my schedule and let me have "prayer and worship" time every day which I would usually use to see my boyfriend and slack off.
CakeFace579 1 year ago
I wanted to make my facebook status: "Prayer is an action that makes the useless feel useful. Donate to Japan, DO things to actually help them. Quit sitting around hoping and feeling like you're doing something. You want to help? Get off your knees and physically help these people-- or at least donate." I couldn't do it though. I'm just so tired of arguing at this point.
CakeFace579 1 year ago
Great podcast. Being in Indiana & dealing with my 16 yr old daughter's religious friends is challenging. I heard my daughter telling one of her proselytizing friends that "god" is just Santa Claus for adults. The next time I saw that friend's mom she asked my about that incident. I told her we're not religious but she insisted that we go to church together so we could get saved. I told her "thanks but I don't believe in ANY gods since reading the bible". Haven't seen that friend since.
bodeezy 1 year ago
This was an extremely incredible podcast!
gravekeepersven 1 year ago
I see nothing wrong with raising your child as a full on atheist. No need to let them believe in nonsense. I think the right thing to do is to wait til they ask you about the topic and say flat out that there is no god. The children of tomorrow need sanity on their side and they will not get that by thinking even a little bit that there might be an invisible floaty guy in the clouds.
AdamBomb669 1 year ago
You should have let djarm67 plug his YouTube channel. I've been subscribed to him for a long time and have seen some good stuff from his channel.
8WholeThing 1 year ago
"Oh hey, there's a god, let's poke him in the eye"
Just love that part.
sahsidtf 1 year ago
Love the podcast, and I just had to comment and say that my last name is Quisenberry, but i dont know anyone who lives in California.lol ~Atheist for 2 years now, and more content then ever~
KassieQ193 1 year ago
Love the podcast, and I just had to comment and say that my last name is Quisenberry, but i dont know anyone who lives in California. ~Atheist for 2 years now, and more content then ever~
KassieQ193 1 year ago
Comment removed
realuser2themax 1 year ago
I personally have convinced people I can fly. Even when I explained how it was done, they still insisted I can fly. They tried to convince me that I was flying. Study the brain. Do you think that's light you're experiencing? It's just electricity. The world outside our heads is way more complex than we perceive.
derman077 1 year ago
TTA - I empathized completely with your digression on your relative's home-schooling of their children and their teaching them that evolution is nonsense.
I have the exact same situation going on with respect to my cousin and her children - it also makes me kinda crazy to think about it too much.
I also share your concern regarding the "social bubble", which they claim is not an issue due to their interaction with other children (also home-schooled) from their congregation ( ***shudders*** ).
steveb0503 1 year ago
This is great, your monologue is both insightful and inciting.
You remind me very much of the late great Bob Lassiter, are you aware of him?
MrElliotpaige 1 year ago
religion = deference of responsibility
KarBytes 1 year ago
My answer to the first question came simple. I have let my daughters experience and take part in religion. Just a few months ago, my 10 year old asked me, and I quote..."Dad, do you believe in god?" Not wanting to impart my opinion on hers, I started..."well honey, beliefs are complicated." She then cuts me off and says "'Cause I don't really believe it."
Still kind of stunned by the conversation, I ask "Why?" She pauses for a second and says "It just doesn't sound real to me."
nonthought 1 year ago
@nonthought a smart kid you got there sir!
KelzLife in reply to nonthought (Show the comment) 5 months ago
My father is a Jewish Atheist, my mom is an atheist from a Catholic family, and to top it all off my uncle (through marriage to my aunt) is an atheist from a Muslim family. I learned about religion from the outside looking in. All I saw was contradiction and stories with nothing to back it up any one claim. Now I'm teaching my son about religion in the same 3rd party fashion. You'd be surprised how mixing religious ideas nuetralizes them all at the same time.
mastermalone 1 year ago
So there are millions of people out there, praying for God to hep the millions suffering in Japan right now, because of an event that HE caused?
Sooo what....God causes a seaquake, which causes a tsunami AND a reccord earthquake to hit Japan, as well as baisically destroy their nuclear power plants (irradiating who knows how many people), killing thousands, so people will turn to his "love" for them?
Well, that makes perfect sense.
SinnFein4ever 1 year ago
@SinnFein4ever dont forge the valcano that went off XD
WarMasterX6 in reply to SinnFein4ever (Show the comment) 1 year ago
@WarMasterX6
Boy...God must have a serious case of PMS this month.
SinnFein4ever in reply to WarMasterX6 (Show the comment) 1 year ago
@SinnFein4ever yup X3 or it could be all explained by the shifting of the earths plates setting these events off X3
WarMasterX6 in reply to SinnFein4ever (Show the comment) 1 year ago
You don't have to "sit it out", as you say. I have no guilt about privately talking to children of religious parents and playfully asking them questions that will prompt them to think for themselves. Children don't really belong to their parents, and they don't belong to me, but they are OUR future. They are individuals. I don't intend to hold my tongue around children simply because they live under someone else's roof. Stand up for THEIR individuality. Don't be afraid to influence them.
ghostofdayinperson 1 year ago
@ghostofdayinperson
Agreed.
I come from a Conservative, Roman-Catholic family, and as far as I know, am the only one on either side, to become an Atheist.
I recently became an aunt for the first time, and will try to (subtly) guide my new nephew into being a free-thinker, as he grows.
Using the suggestions from this vidio.
Fourtunatly, I have quite a bit of time to learn a few "magic" tricks.
SinnFein4ever in reply to ghostofdayinperson (Show the comment) 1 year ago
@SinnFein4ever (evil grin) Good. The trick is to distract the parents with shiny things ;)
ghostofdayinperson in reply to SinnFein4ever (Show the comment) 1 year ago
@ghostofdayinperson
LOL!
I'll try!
Fourtuanly, I haven't come out of the skeleton closet, yet; so my family have no idea that I'm an (lowers voice) Atheist.
So I think that I'll have plenty of oppourtunity, baby-sitting him.
...After he's toilet-trained, that is.
;)
SinnFein4ever in reply to ghostofdayinperson (Show the comment) 1 year ago
@SinnFein4ever then you are in the most opportune position! Good luck. The kid will thank you later and you won't regret it.
ghostofdayinperson in reply to SinnFein4ever (Show the comment) 1 year ago
@ghostofdayinperson
Thanks.
SinnFein4ever in reply to ghostofdayinperson (Show the comment) 1 year ago
I know, because I used to be one, that Christians believe "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." (James 5:16). But I think the most appropriate verse for this kind of thing is James 2:16 "If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warm and well fed.' but does nothing about their physical needs. What good is it?"
laridd 1 year ago
I love being an atheist. It is the most amazing feeling in the world. I have never truly felt free until I became an atheist. Atheism and freedom are synonymous
keithrose4227 1 year ago
@keithrose4227 I can definitely relate to you!
ericaj58 in reply to keithrose4227 (Show the comment) 1 year ago
Look.
You can't prove against a God.
You can't prove this is a God.
I personally think there is hardly any chance that everything here is pure luck [so yes, I believe in a supreme being].
Really, people have believed in God since man has existed. How can that go on ignored? It's one of the oldest beliefs.
b0n3z3z 1 year ago
@b0n3z3z There is a reason that people 2000 years ago believed in it. They didnt know any better. That is not the case now. We now know about weather patters and that they can be predicted. They are not dependant upon sacrifices so that it will rain at the right time etc. The bible demands sacrifices for nearly everything. We don't do that so why do the rest?
With our current technology and advances in science it is time we give up the supernatural that used to explain such simple things.
pgraham28 in reply to b0n3z3z (Show the comment) 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@b0n3z3z
"Really, people have believed in God since man has existed. How can that go on ignored? It's one of the oldest beliefs."
So are slavery, women being men's property, and the Earth being flat.
SinnFein4ever in reply to b0n3z3z (Show the comment) 1 year ago
Former believer here too, it is an incredibly lazy attitude. I've given more as a free thinker than I was as a believer.
I will say that many Christians do give money and support, I've known some very generous Christians.
universalmusac 1 year ago
Chaos is strong! Blood for the Blood God!
dirke92 1 year ago
Praying to god to help Japan is lame enough. But how about praying against the "christian godless' Japanese as revealed by Thunderf00t in his latest video:
-- Girl prays to CAUSE Japanese earthquake. --
OUCH! now that's really sick.
decide2think 1 year ago
the world is not u its not us watch a geoglical program how the world really started sort of gives us humans no reason to keep living we will finish our generation and there will be a new type i have no purpose on this plant no one does i dont even know how im typing these words who made words TRUST IF YOU BELIVE IN GOD UR HIGH ON SOMETHING I KNOW IN AMERICA THEY BRAIN WASH U INTO BELIVING SOMETHING THAT IS FAKE
TomisY0daddy 1 year ago
your laugh is awesome !
amirnm258 1 year ago
at the end of the day, that is so representative of what's going on in the world : religious people are just people who make excuses because they "want your ice-cream" !
SolDeSaBelle 1 year ago
Raise Godly children, not extremist children.
WayOfTheMaster454 1 year ago
@WayOfTheMaster454 But the bible tell us that God is extreme. Look at how many he killed in the first few pages. And the killing and retribution just goes on and on through the rest of the book.
So why are you telling people to raise godly children when, by definition, they will have to be extremists in order to be "godly"
HarrysSecret in reply to WayOfTheMaster454 (Show the comment) 1 year ago
@HarrysSecret --God rules over all life, but we do not. He can take life, but we may not.
WayOfTheMaster454 in reply to HarrysSecret (Show the comment) 1 year ago
@WayOfTheMaster454 Then your original comment makes no sense.
HarrysSecret in reply to WayOfTheMaster454 (Show the comment) 1 year ago
@WayOfTheMaster454 So god killed cute little Harajuku girls for no reason? If he was real, sounds like a swell guy!
purplefairyofdeath in reply to WayOfTheMaster454 (Show the comment) 1 year ago
@purplefairyofdeath --I dont know who harajuku is.
WayOfTheMaster454 in reply to purplefairyofdeath (Show the comment) 1 year ago
@WayOfTheMaster454 Lol it's a style common in Japan.
purplefairyofdeath in reply to WayOfTheMaster454 (Show the comment) 1 year ago
well you can see that religion does coincide with science, if you take the scripture and cross reference it with the original version translate it into hebrew, than swap out every 3rd character with every second its very clear that its 100% scientific :D hahah
blakebutters1 1 year ago
As an atheist, I always said I'd educate my children, tell the truth and teach them the facts, and allow them to choose for themselves. But what I discovered was that, in educating them and offering them the truth and the facts, I was raising atheists.
And now I'm the mother of 5 atheists, who will more than likely go on to raise their own free thinking non believers. What a wonderful cycle.
ciniful 1 year ago
Personally, when I become a parent, I will want to raise him/her as a free-thinking Chrstian.
LinkMEP 1 year ago
@LinkMEP I guess that is possible depending on your definition for free-thinking is, and what your definition for Christian is. My mother has a very strange interpretation of the word Christian, which I take issue with since it has nothing to do with Christ, lol.
Jesses001 in reply to LinkMEP (Show the comment) 1 year ago
@Jesses001 I see anybody who accepts Jesus Christ as his/her savoir as being a Christian. I see a free thinker as anybody who is willing to think for themselves and doesn't want to force their ideas upon others. A free thinking Christian would also not blindly follow a minister and follow one's own interpretation of The Bible.
LinkMEP in reply to Jesses001 (Show the comment) 1 year ago
@LinkMEP how would you describe a free thinking christian?
Spyderschwinky in reply to LinkMEP (Show the comment) 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@Spyderschwinky A free thinking Christian is capable of following their own ideas and does not blindly follow the ideas of others. They also wouldn’t want to force their ideas upon others. They would also not blindly follow a minister and follow their own interpretation of The Bible. An great example would be the Youtuber Rational Roundtable.
LinkMEP in reply to Spyderschwinky (Show the comment) 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I would like to suggest an episode. How about atheism and relationships? The reason for this suggestion is based on that one statistic I heard awhile back, about how more women are liable to dump the opposite party if they're an atheist.
Exofluke 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I would like to suggest an episode. How about atheism and relationships? The reason for this suggestion is based on that one statistic I heard awhile back, about how more women are liable to dump the opposite party if they're an atheist.
Exofluke 1 year ago
Comment removed
Exofluke 1 year ago
Damn you Ms. Cumbleberry
Falloutglitch 1 year ago
The Baskin robbins story is the right way.... teach them to think, that's how my dad did it, he got an atheist (me) and a bible thumper (my sister) out of it. It's the only fair way as the "weaker minds" are going to go whatever way they are steered anyway.
Cougar139tweak 1 year ago
May have been linked already, but well worth going through the Foundation Beyond Belief's podcast "Parenting Within Reason"
argusceo 1 year ago
To bad I did not check the topic before the cast. I had some interesting points to mention on this subject.
Jesses001 1 year ago
My son figured out on his own that there was a God. He said, "just look at our hands...someone had to make us."
FluffyFeralMarmot 1 year ago
@FluffyFeralMarmot Umm, that is intersting. I hope he analyzes that finding of his when he is a bit older.
Jesses001 in reply to FluffyFeralMarmot (Show the comment) 1 year ago
@Jesses001 Some things are just intuitive.
FluffyFeralMarmot in reply to Jesses001 (Show the comment) 1 year ago
@FluffyFeralMarmot Intuitive - Using or based on what one feels to be true even without conscious reasoning. Was that really the word you wanted to use there?
Jesses001 in reply to FluffyFeralMarmot (Show the comment) 1 year ago
@Jesses001 Yes, intuitive is the right word. You can't use reason on everything.
FluffyFeralMarmot in reply to Jesses001 (Show the comment) 1 year ago