I'm glad I was never that religious. I can only imagine how devestating it would be to feel like everything you believed in was in your head. That sounded like a real kick to the nuts.
So what I find interesting having lived 25 years of my life as an atheist, growing up in an atheist home, if the conclusions drawn from psychology and philosophy about God are valid, how are those conclusions free from being a construct of ones own mind itself? And does explaining a reason for personal experience verify the validity of a truth claim such as "God exists"? I don't think it does.
Your deconversion is inspiring...I was born again at 9 and left Christianity at the age of 14 because of blatant contradictions in the bible. I studied philosophy and world religions, the occult...long story short, came back to Christianity at 17 just hardcore this time...then about 8 months ago...I couldn't reconcile the things that evaded logic...literally in about a three day period I renounced it...I woke up and was like "Fuck! They got me again!"...ten years of intellect I wasted...
I was a devout Roman Catholic for most of my life. Like your deconversion, mine was multifaceted. I majored in psychology in college. After learning how incredibly potent the mind really is, I came to realize that my experiences with the Holy Spirit—as real as they seemed to me—could easily be explained as tricks of the mind. This would be one of the major chinks in the armor of my faith.
I don't really like it that in a few ways this series is angled, for example: The christians in this documentary are all painted in blue, the innocent clear colour. Whilst the atheists are red or orange, the burning bad colours associated with bad things. Even though it's a minor thing, it's still obvious that those colours are opposites of eachother, and that the christians are "better"
@niggy730 What does it matter? This is his deconversion. This is how he became an atheist. I think his color choice has more to do with the fact that blue and orange are opposites.
wow his self-assessment of his beliefs is so much better than mine, I struggle to remember any justification, if I even had any for any of the points in this series. It may be that because I never rationalised them that my deconversion happened at such a young age. Even if my awareness of it didn't happen intill much later.
I have been finding these videos rather disturbing. I was raised without much in the way of beliefs, my parents never really shared their own beliefs with me and my siblings, we were left to our own devices. Atheism was was the natural course my experiences led me too. Hearing the kind fanaticism you had is disturbing to be, I have never really taken to the time to find out what religious people really think and hearing this is, as I said, disturbing to me.
So what you are saying is that the evil God in the bible doesn't exist? THANK YOU! And may the hypocritical Christians and Deluded Muslims and Pigeon wall pecking Jews have a weight lifted off their shoulders. Was about time.
The music and echo-ing really wasn't necessary but it was a good video you would have been a christian i would have actually liked to know and an atheist i could get along with. Well done!
This idea applies to the concept of self. As Metzinger aregued in Being No One, there never were selves in the world. The self is a simulation that we cannot see as such.
Because of you, I'll read the Jean Beaudrillard's original text in French called the simulacrum and and simulation. I would certainly borrow that book from the library. Thank you again!!!
Evid3nc3 appears to have followed/required the "intellectual" path to deconversion, in part b/c he was so "invested" in maintaining some shred of the God delusion. Me, I was raised nominally Protestant, but stopped going to church at 9, when I had a visceral reaction that said, "This stuff MUST be bullshit!". With my exposure to college became a de facto atheist, and since then I've been collecting the intellectual armor that's only strengthened my non-belief -- back-filling, if you will.
This is a very powerful video for me.In my life I had gone through non belief I entered AA and became a believier. I agreed to that because they said I could follow my own concept of God. This worked for 12yrs at some point I began to feel that what I really had was wishful thinking. I have reclaimed my atheism Im still sober 16yrs.
Nobody ever convinced me to be a nonbeliever. From a very young age I found these bronze age beliefs to be unbelievable and I rejected them immediately. This caused much grief for my parents but even they have begun to question the teachings. Just read the bible and one should see the lunacy and fallacy of this fictional tome
Surely we the atheists are Evil biggots in this world, atacking and mocking the poor defendless Religious cuddly wuddly person!
surely we are those who fonded KKK and burned inoccent people alive for their disagreement with our opinions, surely we are those who opressed the Science and the Studies and thought in order to cure cow pox we need a dead bird and a ritual!
@yuirrr i disagree--videos like this are amazingly helpful for religious to think through what their faith is and how they 'know' there is god. if you could think it through and give up god easily good for you but others need help to understand their mind/thinking and get clear of the indoctrination
This has completely changed my view of theism. It not only reminds me of how difficult it was for me to let go of my God concept, but it's allowed me to re analyze what God means to people. Thanks EviD3nc3..
@FatalKnight I give christians exactly the same amount of respect as christians give atheists...0. I have recieved nothing but scorn, ridicule, and insults from almost every christian I have ever met yet I am expected to show respect to them. I don't think so. Honestly, atheists don't have to say a word. Just by being atheists, many christians feel we are disrespecting them. Perhaps there are christians out there that do respect people who choose not to believe, but I have never met one.
I am am a Christian, and I would not expect respect from you, unless I respected you first. Heck, I would not expect respect from you at all. I can only respect you with no expectation from you. I cannot control you. IMHO, Atheists don't disrespect me, only God. Therefore, it's not personal to me.
@Intrepidman Your the first christian I have ever come across that doesn't take my rejection of christianity personally. I grew up in the church. My dad is a retired minister. I even went to a private christian boarding school. For 18 years I sat and listened quietly and respectfully to my pastors and teachers indoctrination. When I finally admiited I was an atheist, that was all the disrespect they needed to insult, ridicule, and shun me. It is pretty hard to be respectful after that.
I'm sorry you had to go through all that. I freely admit that I have not always been the most respectful person to people who don't share my opinions. Either when I was an Atheist, nor as a Christian. But, with age comes wisdom (one hopes!)
@Intrepidman The biggest problem is that many churches, including the church I grew up in, teach their parishoners that atheists are immoral, evil, stupid, etc and that they should be ridiculed and shunned so it is only natural that those particular christians would behave that way. I realized at a fairly young age that all those accusations my pastors made about atheists along with many other things they taught, were outright lies, and that definitely helped me down the path towards atheism.
That kind of is in opposition to "Love your neighbor as yourself" and "For God so loved THE WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son." For some reason God has chosen the worst people to save. "For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:" That is why so many Christians fail miserably with our walk.
@Intrepidman I was a believer not realy Christian but Just believing in god :P now im atheist and i respect religion If Christian and other believer respect me :P
I have found a serious lack of respect on the intertubes. I explained how a illusion was performed on EricSurf6, and out of the blue someone told me to STFU.
"An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life." -- Robert A. Heinlein
Here, there are absolutely no consequences for saying the most vile things, so, people are free to let their true, inner person run free.
@jmg94j That's unfortunate; and I know a lot of Christians are like that. I hear the same from atheists though. If I speak of God to my atheist friends I immediately hear the appeal to ridicule. The flying spaghetti monster comes up quite a bit.
Lol come on man I know I'm not anything special. I just try to be nice and share with people the goodness I receive from the truth. Don't be such a dick to people. Haha if you don't believe in God then at least learn some kindness and humility. You aren't better than anyone so what right do you have to knock others down according to your own beliefs ?
I love how the professor just stands, chilled out, with his hands in his pockets. His body language says "Oh boy, next Christian kid to deconvert. I'm sooo scared. Not."
@fbonnefoy91 I think if you properly reflect on your deconversion as Evid3nc3 has done in creating these videos, we all would have closely similar stories. I can strongly relate to this and my experience of discovering Atheism. However Evid3nc3 has one of the more profound and amazing. Much more the my own.
@biggumchokee What tryig to point out is that many people would find you not 'inspiring' but rather arrogant, that God cares enough about YOU to give you a special experience, but a whole bunch of other people who devoted their lives to worshipping the guy, and deconvert because of his inattention, apparently...aren't as important as you?
I think it's obvious why some believers might not like your comments, and why some atheists find them downright insulting, some of us are ex believers.
The self is a concept, existance is a concept. Our God-image is a concept but what is God an image of? What is the self-image an image of? Are we also imaginary?
it was a very happy moment but that was nothing compared to the comfort i felt. it was like every single stress i ever had was lifted from me and i felt nothing but complete comfort. aside from that i felt a real hug that took away everything doubtful and evil from me. i wasn't even looking for a place to be happy in. i didn't even believe in God !!!!!!! You tell me if stuff like that can just pop up out of nowhere and change someone like that. now i know the truth and i pray for all of you
and it is videos like these that make people lose their faith. whether this guy is someone who is really convincing at making videos or whether he is 100% serious doesn't change the fact of what i know, not only believe, but know is true. and these kind of videos are what make people lose their testimonies of the truth and try conveying a world of no God. believe what you want but i hope my testimony has strengthened at least one person. it was no lie and nowhere near something that was happines
it was nowhere near an emotion. this feeling was an actual hug. i kid you not. you can believe what you want and call me a liar but it was a feeling from the outside of my emotion pool. i heard with every sense that if i stay faithful to the true gospel of Christ than everything will be ok. no drugs, no hallucinogens... i was normal and i felt an actual hug and a feeling of comfort and joy. it was God himself and he told me not to lose my way again.. you see he found me !! i wasnt even searching
@biggumchokee ...Im sorry but what testimony? You felt like somone hugged you from behind and took away all doubt and evil from you. Is that it? Is...that all you can give? I'm sorry but many people's personal experiences that turned out later to be nothing are far more impressive than that.
The thing s, we don't call people who have personal experiences liars. I personally simply believe you're mistaken. Besides...why hasn't God givE this kind of thing've asked for it, you didn't.
@BigLundi just trying to help some people out. There is a God. I'm not going to debate with you and i already said this was real. I'm not trying to compare impressiveness with anyone either. God is there and he hears you. i always hear people say, "well if God really is there, then he would do this" or "he wouldn't do this". you don't know what God's intentions are. all i am saying is i had a very special experience that was very real. not trying to debate with you friend. also, best of luck (:
@biggumchokee I'm trying to help you. You said your goal was to help people figure out that there is a god. I'm telling you, as an atheist, I spot a LOT of problems with your attempt, that would cause not only some atheists to scoff, but some believers to think you...might be a litle off your rocker.
the fact is, there are genuine christians that ask for personal visits from the holy spirit, or God, or what have you all the time, and not a whole lot of them GET it- continued in the next post
@BigLundi and by the way.. how could i be mistaken ? you have no idea what i went there and how real it is. you are assuming. That's right i wasn't asking for it. but now that i received it life has been so much better. Maybe God really cares about me and has a plan for me to do good in this life, and that is why he influenced me with his spirit. He knew i would change for the better. neither you or i will ever know the full intentions of God and the mysterious ways he works
@biggumchokee I don't think YOU have any idea what happened either. In fact, many times when I get into discussions about people's 'personal experiences' most of them will admit they don't know WHAT it was they saw or felt, they simply ASSUMED it was God, not only God, but the Christian God.
What if you simply had a moment of clarity? Secular people get those frequently, and it helps us live better lives consistently. A subconscious thought rises and things just sort of 'click'.
@BigLundi I also spot a lot of problems with debates like this. bottom line, we both have our beliefs and there is no way either of us could prove anything to anyone. I'm not trying to prove anything to you i was simply trying to share my experience with people who are having a hard time believing. I'm not going to debate with you about something so special though. you will never understand until you actually try. until then i know it is just a bunch of hogwash that you find impossible. bestluck
@biggumchokee "There is no way either of us could prove anything to anyone" Ah hah, that's where you and I will always differ. Logic, reasoning, and empirical, verifiable evidence serve as wonderful tools for convincing someone they are wrong, or confirming that someone else is right.
Please don't write me off as just another "pish posh" atheist. There WAS a time I believed this stuff very much, and very devoutly. I HAVE tried to believe. I've read the bible, KJV AND NLT. I'm not some bigot.
@biggumchokee In this one man's humble opinion, I feel it would be best if all believers tried to come up with different ways of converting people than spouting off their "personal revelations" or what have you, unless one ASKS for them. I find them unconvincing, many atheists find them unconvincing, some BELIEVERS find them silly, and quite frankly, how would YOUR personal experience be evidence for ME? It isn't.
@BigLundi i never said anything about evidence man/woman. i just know that sharing a personal testimony can and has helped lots of people in my life before. that's all. like i said, i can't prove anything to you. i guess this was the wrong place to share my personal experience. you are wrong though, my story has helped lots of people already. there is no need for us to debate friend. i believe you should believe in whatever you want to live a happy life. in my case, it is the Gospel of Christ (:
@biggumchokee What would make me happy to believe is the truth.
I want the truth.
And yes, I know Romans 9, so you don't have to tell me how Jesus is "The truth" I've heard that one before.
The thing is, I don't understand how anyone can find the story of Jesus "good news" I mean...you don't think it's good news that those like me that don't choose to believe your religion are going to burn for eternity right? You don't think that's good news, do you?
@BigLundi No I don't think that is good news at all ! but in all honesty, it's your choice that you are making. I'm only trying to help. i don't believe you will "burn in hell" either. you don't even know what religion i am and you are still making assumptions. i am LDS and we believe you will be comfortable wherever you are part, but only those who obey God's commandments will be able to live with him again someday. dog on it all you want, you have the right to say and believe whatever you want
@biggumchokee The problem is, you believe all these extra things...for what? A feeling of a hug? I'm happy for you that your life has been better for you since this personal revelation, and I would never try to take that away from you. But you have chosen to believe all these extra things about God, about the bible's veracity, about the message of Jesus, based off...of a feeling? Why not simpyl take that feeling and make your life better with that? Why all this extra stuff?
@BigLundi is there really a point in telling you why ? so far you have just been telling me how it cannot be true. but i will tell you like i told you in my first posts ever.. it isn't just a feeling. at that moment when i felt a spiritual hug, it was nothing but comfort and joy. i felt like getting on my knees and praying right there. all at once it was like the knowledge of what i once knew (being LDS) was coming back to me and i just knew it was true. i can't explain how but i just KNEW
I simply have questions. Questions you're perfectly ok with not being able to answer.
Much like Evid3nc3's professor, I will tell you I do not believe what you do, but I can appreciate that you see a beauty, and use in what you believe. But...for all people who read your statements, your revelations...they are simply words...and they do not convert non believers...simply make believers smile. And they don't, in any way, demonstrate truth.
@BigLundi i want to ask you a question. and i am being completely serious here, not trying to assume anything. are you still trying to believe but you just can't because of all the things that seem to prove it wrong? because i am going to stop replying if you aren't even considering prayer or anything. you will never get an answer if you aren't truly looking or asking for one in your heart. God knows how you feel, not just what you ask. if you want to believe then ask sincerely and you will know
@biggumchokee I have...tried believing. I have given it the shot that it deserves. I have read the bible, in 2 different versions, plus a child's easy to understand version when I was around 10. I have given prayer its shot, I've given faith its shot...but time and time again I observe as faith is undemonstrated as anything more useful than 'wishful thinking'. I've watched as prayer is tested, and systematically fails. I see as the bible, and other holy books make claims they CANOT back up.
@BigLundi well God likes us to believe in faith, not in surety. I'll tell you what though.. all i can do for you is tell you how much it has helped my life, not proof or anything. try reading the King Jame's version of the bible and the Book of Mormon. He will never show himself unto you unless you are selected to be a prophet or seer. it's not a bad thing to question it, in fact he wants us to question it so we can learn from it. try this with an open heart, not just an open mind
@biggumchokee I've already told you I've read the KJV of the bible. however, I have a LOT of reasons not to accept the Book of Mormon, I wouldn't want to bore you with the details, but suffice to say, the man who FOUNDED mormonism showed himself to be...less than trustworthy in my eyes. Also, I'd refrain, if I were you, from using the term 'open heart' around atheists. It's a nice sentiment, but other than poetically speaking, it really doesn't make much sense.
@biggumchokee If you don't have any proof, then you have every reason to believe in the god you believe in than any other god anyone else believes in. They all give the same reasons for belief as you do for yours. You are not special.
@BigLundi it doesn't happen over night either. patience will reveal your deepest mysteries, that's what i always say no matter how corny it sounds. keep believing and you will find your answer. god works in very mysterious ways and no man can ever predict what will or what should happen. if you want an answer then look up James 1:5 and honestly do what it says with a sincere heart. be humble not arrogant. if you know you can't believe then i am done responding and i seriously do wish the best
@biggumchokee I continue trying to believe...but I have this habit of viewing things with an open mind, an objective manner of introspection, interest, and investigation. I have tried what is stated in the bible, to ask God to show himself to me, so that I may appreciate his existence, and have a personal relationship with him, I've done so with a sincere heart, and with only the goal of being a better believer...it failed. Systematically, day in, day out. 21 years later...I'm an atheist.
@biggumchokee Let me be clear. When I say I'm an atheist, I do not say that god is impossible. I do not say I know to a degree that god doesn't exist, or any of that other stuff that you might believe atheism is. I am an atheist in that I simply am not convinced that God exists. Any god that's ever been defined is either...useless(my god is energy) poorly defined(My god is timeless, spaceless, transcendent, and I know nothing about him) or even self defeating(My god is all good, and allows evil)
@BigLundi i am not calling anyone liars. it would take at least 20 posts to tell you everything i believe. God is fully good but allows evil because he gave us our agency, which is the right to practice anything we want. he expects us to do good and helps us do good by letting us feel his spirit and influencing us. someone who kills and does evil things cannot hold his spirit though. what is evil and what is good is all explained in his commandments. everyone can feel his spirit, any religion->
@biggumchokee I've answered your question, so will you answer mine?
You say this personal revelation of yours is reason enough to believe in the god you do, and that you KNOW your god is there.
I ask again, how do you know it's Jesus? By that I mean, you wouldn't call all of those Muslims, or all of those Hindus who all claim to have personal revelations from their gods liars, would you?
@BigLundi anyone can feel his spirit but i believe only those who are baptized in the true church can actually HAVE his spirit to be with them. it goes so far into depth that i cannot even begin to explain to you what it is like. like i said, all i can tell you is to read the Book of Mormon and the King Jame's version of the bible at LDS.org. if you feel this will do nothing then i am sorry. i cannot answer all your questions though. it is all explained there. read with an open heart.
i was raised a mormon. i believed it but i wasn't going to live on that alone. i questioned it and even left for a while because i lost belief and thought it might not be true. one day i was very troubled and knew there was a reason for everything in life. so i started to wonder and wonder and.. wonder! i still wasn't asking for help from God because i didn't really believe he could help. all of a sudden i was hugged from behind and felt the best feeling i had ever felt. it wasn't an emotion...
I can't believe it took so long for you to find someone that didn't agree or disagree with your belief. I'm atheist and I'm not against nor for any religions really.
Another metaphor for the concept of simulacrum... Watching a touching scene in a heart tugging movie... one experiences profound emotion to the point of crying... It's all fiction and yet there is real emotion all from a simulation known as a movie.
My story is very similar I was a lad in the Royal Ambassadors, I had the vest, patches even still have the pocket knight. I too loved the R.As but remember i did feel different. I remember thinking "how come god never talks to me".I think this made me feel alone and in my own world separate from god.I started to solve the Sudoku puzzle of life, only the facts would lead me to the next fact.I realize that believing in god i had give up a few facts which would change or not answer the puzzle
I was an atheist before someone referred me to this series, but this series rocks. I think the theory that the God concept is to provide a surrogate parent has some serious meat on its bones. I've always been struck by the "Heavenly FATHER" phrase, and the frequently infantile justifications and explanations, and the special pleading, and the claim by believers that God is needed to provide morality, like children who need a parent to tell them right from wrong.
This is the first video of the series I feel I should comment on. I just want to say, that this entire series is powerful. When I was younger, I guess I was a Christian, but never a true, strongly believing one. I always had my doubts about if all of it was really real. Even without the experiences, you were able to convey emotions with this series that I may not have been able to feel other wise. It's very, very moving, even to someone like me who hasn't had the experiences to feel this way.
Anyone else going through this now? Do you feel like you're going through withdrawal? I'm reading "Nailed" by David Fitzgerald. Normally, I'd be through a book this short and easy to read in a few hours. As it is, I become furious at every paragraph, and have to put it down for a bit. How long does this usually take to pass?
@meadpro You know, everything rappers write down isn't exactly original x) I'm a big Hiphop fan myself, I'm a big music fan, I love all kinds of music, Hiphop,Rock,Blues,Jazz,Funk,Reggae,Pop,Grunge,Punk, etc etc. But not the new stuff though, even if I'm a teenager x)
Samuel Barber's Adagio, beautifully chosen piece for this incredible video, thank you for doing this, its good to know others went through what I have gone through. Thank you for this.
Hey Evid3nc3. This series is much needed. You put together some awesome videos. I think I was listening to "The Atheist Experience" when you appeared on the show with 2 other atheist. That's the 1st time I heard of you. Amazing. I had a talk with a guy who used to be a Hebrew Israelite, as the JW I was, thinking I'm right, and know it all, and he asked me...How do you KNOW. That's when I realized that I really didn't KNOW anything! I saw that movie Zeitgeist, and I never looked back! Thanks.
@MrTrollooo-Hey. Just read that you said you went through a similar experience during your deconversion. I was raised a Jehovah's Witness, so the common Christian beliefs of speaking in tongues wasn't an issue for me. I did believe I had "truth", yet I've been able to see it was all fake.
I have 2 friends (maybe more) that say that Jesus speaks to them, and this personal relationship puzzles me. If you too had this "personal relationship", how did you get rid of it? I want to help my friends
Loved it. Especially the simulacrum part. I completely agree about God being an illusion, an extension if you will, merely an imaginary friend inside of one's own mind. It's interesting.
I am amazed by what a long process this is. As someone who has been an Atheist all my life, I never had to go through it. It is just very hard to understand just exactly what the problem is, when presented evidence.
@Nolgthorn I have also been an atheist my whole life, however, I think that I know something about the "problem" that you mention. It is simply very hard to let go of opinions and behaviors that are deeply rooted in our psychology. When ideas and arguments are surrounded by emotional baggage, we are generally reluctant to give up on them. One of the most important intellectual endeavors is trying to let go of this emotional baggage.
@Nolgthorn Yeah it is strange. It took me years of just slowly believing less and less. It is hard to let go of what you have believed your whole life.
@Nolgthorn It's almost like grieving over the loss of someone you know. It's an emotional process (that I went through) that was hard. Terrifying, really. I remember finally becoming an atheist in one crystallizing instant, though it took me years to even admit it after that. But when that happens it's like, "Now what do I do?" Everything I had believed about life had been cast aside. I wondered what to even do what I woke up. Though now I realize that's an exhilarating thing.
@Nolgthorn It truly is a long process. When one is raised in a fundamentalist Christian background all their life and feel a sense of empowerment and guidance through this entity called 'God' it can be an extremely long process to finally break away from such concepts and beliefs.
It's weird... but from a different perspective it is hard to comprehend some of these arguments... I had been to an evangelical church once or twice and they were very surprised that I didn't speak in tongues and fall down when they prayed on me. I had a totally different foundation for religious beliefs that I created for myself (actually by reading the bible) and tend to be surprised by what people will do...
Sorry to say ambigious, I should have said stupid lol. You dont answer my question, dodge it and put in hollow statements like atheists r childish. I think your intelligence is as hollow as your faith LOL
Just because one guy was experiencing a simulation in his religion doesnt mean other people are. There are plenty of false religions out there who experience simulations too. This in no way discounts God who is not just a concept, but is real. God is not an emotional feeling. Truth isnt based on experience or emotions.
@MaharlikaAWA but this video uses psycology and emotions to manipulate people into believing it. He is pretty hypocritical. All the music, the echoing voice. Yeah THAT's not a simulation right there.
@MaharlikaAWA Truth isn't experience or emotions but you will never find proof for God in any legitimate sources. If you would look into the claims the author of this video has made, you'd realize he was telling the truth. Unfortunately for most people, their worldview determines if they will accept the truth or stay hidden in their... simulation for a lack of a better word. Read the books mentioned in this series. Look into the validity of their claims but I doubt you'll do that.
@Jahaison I dont need to read the books this specific video maker talks about. His arguments are stupid and he is a hypocrite using an emotive voice with a lame echo sound which is totally cheesy as well as his art in the background meant to appeal to emotions and not facts. His claims are redundant and have already been answered. Why dont you read the ENTIRE Bible right now? I doubt you will do that. I could just turn around this guys arguments and apply it to atheism. You are in a simulation.
@MaharlikaAWA I have read the entire Bible. Like most Atheists, I used to be a very devout Christian until I realized that what I saw, I was a biologist and avid amateur astronomer, and what the Bible claimed were on different pages.When I read history books on dates regarding events in the Bible, I ran into the some problem there. One of the final blows I had was when it was pointed out to me that Adam would have been alive when recorded history started and also the study Sumerian history and
religion. None of Evid3nc3's arguments have been answered. Christians claim that all the time until they read the arguments for themselves. "Einstein believed in Gd because of his God doesn't play dice quote." Link to the actual letter where the quote is found. "Oh, I didn't know that." All I'm saying is that Most Atheists, before taking the plunged, studied their religion deeply to give it a chance before they left because it isn't a flippant thing giving up your religion. Look up Pew study on
@Jahaison What is the problem with the dates in the bible? And most archeological and historical evidence show that the nations and kings that the bible mentions were real people and they did the things the bible describes and had such alliences etc...also the descriptions of architecture are also accurate. And Adam existed before recorded history started and the bible never mentions anything about that.
@MaharlikaAWA Yes the civilizations were real but look up the issues with dating the Exodus as an example as to why Biblical dates are an issue. Also, recorded history goes back 5500 years and according to the Bible, the Earth is 6000 years old, which means everything that happened in the Bible happened within recorded history. One glaring problem with that is the flood, which supposedly ended civilization everywhere but we don't see in recorded history.
@Jahaison The Bible does not say the earth is 6000 years old. Nowhere does it say that. I would say its a little older. But definately not millions of years old. If civilization ended everywhere why would we see it in recorded history? They died. Noah lives and the Bible tells of the story which is recorded history. Also practically every culture has some flood legend. Its not far fetched to believe a worldwide flood took place in ancient times. How else did rocks float up on top of thin points?
@MaharlikaAWA Well rock don't float and if you study geology, you quickly learn that the Earth is billions of years old. It's not hard to find the process used to discover this. Also, if you study geology, there is no evidence for a global world wide flood. In the Abrahamic religions, the source comes from the much older Sumerian religion and the ancient Hebrew adopted the older Sumerian/Babylonian story as their own. Historical records do show of a local flood and a Sumerian king who saved his
livestock on a raft. Other than that, all evidence points to it just being a myth. Flood stories are common in civilizations where flooding is a common occurrence in their region. It's an ingrained fear. Flood stories don't exist in civilizations who's origins started in desert regions without chance of flooding. As time goes on, religions trade and swap stories and this process can be tracked using linguistics. If their was a civilization ending flood, we our archaeologists would have seen it.
you would have had evidence for civilization, then evidence of a disaster, then evidence for civilization again and this process would be seen at the exact same dates everywhere around the world. You don't see this at all. Once civilization starts on the planet, it stays unbroken to the present day.
@Jahaison I know rocks dont float that was my point. Talking about air not water. How else did they get up there but from strong water currents chaning the shape of land and pushing things around? There is tonms of geological evidence for a world wide flood you dont refuse to accept that. How else was the grand canyon made? Hebrews did not adopt any story as their own. it was original. And more cultures that sumarian have a flood story. Anyway you believe NOTHING created everything. How?
@MaharlikaAWA Which geological publication has evidence of a world wide flood? I know more cultures than the Sumerians have flood stories and they were all civilizations that had frequent flooding. It was a fear translated to myth. Also the Hebrew did adopt from other religions. Go to the Jewish Encyclopedia and look up Ahriman. We know how the Grand Canyon was made, just like we know how every other canyon was made. Ex nihilo is what Christianity claims. A point singularity is not ex nihilo.
@Jahaison No you are wrong. Practically EVERY culture not just ones who had frequent floods have a WORLD WIDE FLOOD STORY. not a local flood myth. Many native american culture do as well. This is a world wide phenomenon.
I dont need to cite geological publications to prove to you that sea life fossils have been found on the tops of high mountains. How did they get there? Also how can you say nothing created everything? Christians do not believe that. Christians believe GOD created it all.
@MaharlikaAWA Yes please read those publications on why the fossils were where they are. You are going to misrepresent them if you don't read those articles fully. I did more research on the topic and flood myths are common. It's still a myth each with its origin point from an earlier civilization. Still doesn't cite proof of a global flood. The only time the U.S. was under water, as you will read in the articles, was 80 million years ago and it was shallow. Not your flood. Same goes for
This series has an excellent soundtrack. I've never heard "Adagio for Voices" before.
quintopia 4 days ago in playlist Why I am no longer a Christian
@Evid3nc3 I wonder if that professor ever saw your video(s).
LazyOtaku 2 weeks ago
I'm glad I was never that religious. I can only imagine how devestating it would be to feel like everything you believed in was in your head. That sounded like a real kick to the nuts.
jackbauer6543 3 weeks ago
i admire this man. deeply.
bozaki87 3 weeks ago
So what I find interesting having lived 25 years of my life as an atheist, growing up in an atheist home, if the conclusions drawn from psychology and philosophy about God are valid, how are those conclusions free from being a construct of ones own mind itself? And does explaining a reason for personal experience verify the validity of a truth claim such as "God exists"? I don't think it does.
FaceLikeTheSun 1 month ago
Your deconversion is inspiring...I was born again at 9 and left Christianity at the age of 14 because of blatant contradictions in the bible. I studied philosophy and world religions, the occult...long story short, came back to Christianity at 17 just hardcore this time...then about 8 months ago...I couldn't reconcile the things that evaded logic...literally in about a three day period I renounced it...I woke up and was like "Fuck! They got me again!"...ten years of intellect I wasted...
TheOnlyHopeFiend 1 month ago
People get divorced. People get divorced from God. Divorce happens. People also re-marry....
loyell13 1 month ago
I was a devout Roman Catholic for most of my life. Like your deconversion, mine was multifaceted. I majored in psychology in college. After learning how incredibly potent the mind really is, I came to realize that my experiences with the Holy Spirit—as real as they seemed to me—could easily be explained as tricks of the mind. This would be one of the major chinks in the armor of my faith.
KaineSpawnX 1 month ago
i love to listen to deconversion stories - they show, how much it takes to get over a strong belief/opinion.
his thought-patterns are beautifully arranged. following them is like watching a (good) movie.
thanks, @Evid3nc3
Here0s0Johnny 1 month ago
My new favorite word: "simulacrum."
TheAzureSky1 1 month ago 3
That's powerful stuff!!
Necrobutcher82 1 month ago
This video broke my heart. Really.
genia10 1 month ago in playlist Deconversion (Evid3nc3)
@genia10 .....why?
hockey0345 1 month ago
@hockey0345
Because 8:14
genia10 1 month ago in playlist Deconversion (Evid3nc3)
@genia10 what, god being a simulation why does that break your heart?
hockey0345 1 month ago
@hockey0345
Because I thought he was real
genia10 1 month ago in playlist Deconversion (Evid3nc3)
@genia10 ah thanks for clarifying
hockey0345 1 month ago
Barbers adagio <3
jooble 1 month ago
@jooble love it XD
ben9345 1 month ago in playlist Why I am no longer a Christian
@7:20 I had that same tie. Ha!!
btlincec1 2 months ago
Write a book, please.
osumdud 2 months ago
I don't really like it that in a few ways this series is angled, for example: The christians in this documentary are all painted in blue, the innocent clear colour. Whilst the atheists are red or orange, the burning bad colours associated with bad things. Even though it's a minor thing, it's still obvious that those colours are opposites of eachother, and that the christians are "better"
niggy730 2 months ago in playlist Why I am no longer a Christian
@niggy730 i don't think so at all, blue and orange are complementary colours and can have just a subjective effect on people.
Also blue is a cold colour and often a symbol for force, while orange is warm and symbolic for youth and happiness.
BoeserOverlord 2 months ago
@BoeserOverlord ah... i see what you did there... [you kindly dismantled niggy730's nonsensical superstitions]...
me like...
beenn15 2 weeks ago
@niggy730 What does it matter? This is his deconversion. This is how he became an atheist. I think his color choice has more to do with the fact that blue and orange are opposites.
AkatsukiPR0 1 month ago
wow his self-assessment of his beliefs is so much better than mine, I struggle to remember any justification, if I even had any for any of the points in this series. It may be that because I never rationalised them that my deconversion happened at such a young age. Even if my awareness of it didn't happen intill much later.
mancno1 2 months ago
I have been finding these videos rather disturbing. I was raised without much in the way of beliefs, my parents never really shared their own beliefs with me and my siblings, we were left to our own devices. Atheism was was the natural course my experiences led me too. Hearing the kind fanaticism you had is disturbing to be, I have never really taken to the time to find out what religious people really think and hearing this is, as I said, disturbing to me.
VetinariClone 2 months ago in playlist Why I am no longer a Christian
your present atheism really sounds more to me like a path towards a more mature theology.
newgeorge 2 months ago
@newgeorge That is exactly what it is.
Inkeyesdave 2 months ago in playlist Why I am no longer a Christian
So what you are saying is that the evil God in the bible doesn't exist? THANK YOU! And may the hypocritical Christians and Deluded Muslims and Pigeon wall pecking Jews have a weight lifted off their shoulders. Was about time.
kansaimagic 2 months ago
The music and echo-ing really wasn't necessary but it was a good video you would have been a christian i would have actually liked to know and an atheist i could get along with. Well done!
cole152535 2 months ago
This idea applies to the concept of self. As Metzinger aregued in Being No One, there never were selves in the world. The self is a simulation that we cannot see as such.
mspitzer33 2 months ago
i just got mind fucked!
taydeezy95 2 months ago
Because of you, I'll read the Jean Beaudrillard's original text in French called the simulacrum and and simulation. I would certainly borrow that book from the library. Thank you again!!!
Slimane649 2 months ago
Evid3nc3 appears to have followed/required the "intellectual" path to deconversion, in part b/c he was so "invested" in maintaining some shred of the God delusion. Me, I was raised nominally Protestant, but stopped going to church at 9, when I had a visceral reaction that said, "This stuff MUST be bullshit!". With my exposure to college became a de facto atheist, and since then I've been collecting the intellectual armor that's only strengthened my non-belief -- back-filling, if you will.
50zcarsman 2 months ago
This is a very powerful video for me.In my life I had gone through non belief I entered AA and became a believier. I agreed to that because they said I could follow my own concept of God. This worked for 12yrs at some point I began to feel that what I really had was wishful thinking. I have reclaimed my atheism Im still sober 16yrs.
cynt123able 2 months ago
Nobody ever convinced me to be a nonbeliever. From a very young age I found these bronze age beliefs to be unbelievable and I rejected them immediately. This caused much grief for my parents but even they have begun to question the teachings. Just read the bible and one should see the lunacy and fallacy of this fictional tome
allanhill1 2 months ago
That poor Religious man!
Surely we the atheists are Evil biggots in this world, atacking and mocking the poor defendless Religious cuddly wuddly person!
surely we are those who fonded KKK and burned inoccent people alive for their disagreement with our opinions, surely we are those who opressed the Science and the Studies and thought in order to cure cow pox we need a dead bird and a ritual!
jaguar4u2012 2 months ago
I really think these videos are stupid.
Just become an atheist, dude.
Is it that hard to deny God?
NO.
yuirrr 2 months ago
@yuirrr i disagree--videos like this are amazingly helpful for religious to think through what their faith is and how they 'know' there is god. if you could think it through and give up god easily good for you but others need help to understand their mind/thinking and get clear of the indoctrination
garudagal23 2 months ago 2
@yuirrr
He's recanting his past deconversion process from christian theist to atheist...
I don't understand how you missed that detail...he's been doing the series for YEARS now...
vg33k 2 months ago
This has completely changed my view of theism. It not only reminds me of how difficult it was for me to let go of my God concept, but it's allowed me to re analyze what God means to people. Thanks EviD3nc3..
stefonbirch 2 months ago
47 people don't like the idea of placing their beliefs under scrutiny.
aquatix 2 months ago
I wish more atheists were respectful like Evid3nc3.
FatalKnight 3 months ago
@FatalKnight I give christians exactly the same amount of respect as christians give atheists...0. I have recieved nothing but scorn, ridicule, and insults from almost every christian I have ever met yet I am expected to show respect to them. I don't think so. Honestly, atheists don't have to say a word. Just by being atheists, many christians feel we are disrespecting them. Perhaps there are christians out there that do respect people who choose not to believe, but I have never met one.
jmg94j 2 months ago 4
@jmg94j,
I am am a Christian, and I would not expect respect from you, unless I respected you first. Heck, I would not expect respect from you at all. I can only respect you with no expectation from you. I cannot control you. IMHO, Atheists don't disrespect me, only God. Therefore, it's not personal to me.
Intrepidman 2 months ago
@Intrepidman Your the first christian I have ever come across that doesn't take my rejection of christianity personally. I grew up in the church. My dad is a retired minister. I even went to a private christian boarding school. For 18 years I sat and listened quietly and respectfully to my pastors and teachers indoctrination. When I finally admiited I was an atheist, that was all the disrespect they needed to insult, ridicule, and shun me. It is pretty hard to be respectful after that.
jmg94j 2 months ago
@jmg94j,
I'm sorry you had to go through all that. I freely admit that I have not always been the most respectful person to people who don't share my opinions. Either when I was an Atheist, nor as a Christian. But, with age comes wisdom (one hopes!)
Intrepidman 2 months ago
@Intrepidman The biggest problem is that many churches, including the church I grew up in, teach their parishoners that atheists are immoral, evil, stupid, etc and that they should be ridiculed and shunned so it is only natural that those particular christians would behave that way. I realized at a fairly young age that all those accusations my pastors made about atheists along with many other things they taught, were outright lies, and that definitely helped me down the path towards atheism.
jmg94j 2 months ago
@jmg94j,
That kind of is in opposition to "Love your neighbor as yourself" and "For God so loved THE WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son." For some reason God has chosen the worst people to save. "For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:" That is why so many Christians fail miserably with our walk.
Intrepidman 2 months ago
@Intrepidman I was a believer not realy Christian but Just believing in god :P now im atheist and i respect religion If Christian and other believer respect me :P
65465468 2 months ago
@65465468,
I have found a serious lack of respect on the intertubes. I explained how a illusion was performed on EricSurf6, and out of the blue someone told me to STFU.
"An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life." -- Robert A. Heinlein
Here, there are absolutely no consequences for saying the most vile things, so, people are free to let their true, inner person run free.
Intrepidman 2 months ago
@jmg94j That's unfortunate; and I know a lot of Christians are like that. I hear the same from atheists though. If I speak of God to my atheist friends I immediately hear the appeal to ridicule. The flying spaghetti monster comes up quite a bit.
FatalKnight 2 months ago
Evid3nc3, thank you for making me cry.
ABitOfTheUniverse 3 months ago
Lol come on man I know I'm not anything special. I just try to be nice and share with people the goodness I receive from the truth. Don't be such a dick to people. Haha if you don't believe in God then at least learn some kindness and humility. You aren't better than anyone so what right do you have to knock others down according to your own beliefs ?
biggumchokee 3 months ago
Dear God, could you please get your delusional followers the fuck out of here? They're annoying all of us sane and rational people.
...
Amen.
TheBiAtheist 3 months ago in playlist Why I am no longer a Christian 33
@TheBiAtheist don't you mean R'amen :3
thedarkknight469 2 months ago
@thedarkknight469 Yes, R'amen.
Pasta be upon your plate kind sir.
TheBiAtheist 2 months ago
@TheBiAtheist and may you be blessed by his noodly appendage
thedarkknight469 2 months ago
@TheBiAtheist The answer is "wait"...
upisoft2 2 months ago
@TheBiAtheist why this annoys you ? are you ignorant ? cant you replay ratonal and logic ? ask yourselve why :)
orchidswholesale 2 months ago
@orchidswholesale Before I ask myself anything, you might want to first learn how to form coherent sentences.
TheBiAtheist 2 months ago 2
@TheBiAtheist I guess the answer is later...
dan1088352 3 weeks ago
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan
Dav1oMagnific0 3 months ago
I love how the professor just stands, chilled out, with his hands in his pockets. His body language says "Oh boy, next Christian kid to deconvert. I'm sooo scared. Not."
vytah 4 months ago
@vytah Lmao!
TheBiAtheist 3 months ago in playlist Why I am no longer a Christian
holy shit! your deconversion is so epic! mine was really chilled compared to yours.
fbonnefoy91 5 months ago 40
@fbonnefoy91 Compared to him, you shouldn't even try.
LazyOtaku 2 weeks ago
@fbonnefoy91 I think if you properly reflect on your deconversion as Evid3nc3 has done in creating these videos, we all would have closely similar stories. I can strongly relate to this and my experience of discovering Atheism. However Evid3nc3 has one of the more profound and amazing. Much more the my own.
Wanted797 2 weeks ago in playlist Why I am no longer a Christian
@biggumchokee What tryig to point out is that many people would find you not 'inspiring' but rather arrogant, that God cares enough about YOU to give you a special experience, but a whole bunch of other people who devoted their lives to worshipping the guy, and deconvert because of his inattention, apparently...aren't as important as you?
I think it's obvious why some believers might not like your comments, and why some atheists find them downright insulting, some of us are ex believers.
BigLundi 5 months ago
Anyone notice "faith" turns to "fail" at 2:20?
totaleklypz 5 months ago 2
What is the background music for this? Awesome videos, by the way.
thechosennerf 5 months ago in playlist Why I am no longer a Christian
You did an excellent job making this into a narrative.
SuperDayv 6 months ago
The self is a concept, existance is a concept. Our God-image is a concept but what is God an image of? What is the self-image an image of? Are we also imaginary?
LifeLibertyLove 6 months ago
it was a very happy moment but that was nothing compared to the comfort i felt. it was like every single stress i ever had was lifted from me and i felt nothing but complete comfort. aside from that i felt a real hug that took away everything doubtful and evil from me. i wasn't even looking for a place to be happy in. i didn't even believe in God !!!!!!! You tell me if stuff like that can just pop up out of nowhere and change someone like that. now i know the truth and i pray for all of you
biggumchokee 6 months ago
and it is videos like these that make people lose their faith. whether this guy is someone who is really convincing at making videos or whether he is 100% serious doesn't change the fact of what i know, not only believe, but know is true. and these kind of videos are what make people lose their testimonies of the truth and try conveying a world of no God. believe what you want but i hope my testimony has strengthened at least one person. it was no lie and nowhere near something that was happines
biggumchokee 6 months ago
it was nowhere near an emotion. this feeling was an actual hug. i kid you not. you can believe what you want and call me a liar but it was a feeling from the outside of my emotion pool. i heard with every sense that if i stay faithful to the true gospel of Christ than everything will be ok. no drugs, no hallucinogens... i was normal and i felt an actual hug and a feeling of comfort and joy. it was God himself and he told me not to lose my way again.. you see he found me !! i wasnt even searching
biggumchokee 6 months ago
@biggumchokee ...Im sorry but what testimony? You felt like somone hugged you from behind and took away all doubt and evil from you. Is that it? Is...that all you can give? I'm sorry but many people's personal experiences that turned out later to be nothing are far more impressive than that.
The thing s, we don't call people who have personal experiences liars. I personally simply believe you're mistaken. Besides...why hasn't God givE this kind of thing've asked for it, you didn't.
BigLundi 5 months ago in playlist evid3nce's deconversation series
@BigLundi just trying to help some people out. There is a God. I'm not going to debate with you and i already said this was real. I'm not trying to compare impressiveness with anyone either. God is there and he hears you. i always hear people say, "well if God really is there, then he would do this" or "he wouldn't do this". you don't know what God's intentions are. all i am saying is i had a very special experience that was very real. not trying to debate with you friend. also, best of luck (:
biggumchokee 5 months ago
@biggumchokee I'm trying to help you. You said your goal was to help people figure out that there is a god. I'm telling you, as an atheist, I spot a LOT of problems with your attempt, that would cause not only some atheists to scoff, but some believers to think you...might be a litle off your rocker.
the fact is, there are genuine christians that ask for personal visits from the holy spirit, or God, or what have you all the time, and not a whole lot of them GET it- continued in the next post
BigLundi 5 months ago
@BigLundi and by the way.. how could i be mistaken ? you have no idea what i went there and how real it is. you are assuming. That's right i wasn't asking for it. but now that i received it life has been so much better. Maybe God really cares about me and has a plan for me to do good in this life, and that is why he influenced me with his spirit. He knew i would change for the better. neither you or i will ever know the full intentions of God and the mysterious ways he works
biggumchokee 5 months ago
@biggumchokee I don't think YOU have any idea what happened either. In fact, many times when I get into discussions about people's 'personal experiences' most of them will admit they don't know WHAT it was they saw or felt, they simply ASSUMED it was God, not only God, but the Christian God.
What if you simply had a moment of clarity? Secular people get those frequently, and it helps us live better lives consistently. A subconscious thought rises and things just sort of 'click'.
BigLundi 5 months ago
@BigLundi I also spot a lot of problems with debates like this. bottom line, we both have our beliefs and there is no way either of us could prove anything to anyone. I'm not trying to prove anything to you i was simply trying to share my experience with people who are having a hard time believing. I'm not going to debate with you about something so special though. you will never understand until you actually try. until then i know it is just a bunch of hogwash that you find impossible. bestluck
biggumchokee 5 months ago
@biggumchokee "There is no way either of us could prove anything to anyone" Ah hah, that's where you and I will always differ. Logic, reasoning, and empirical, verifiable evidence serve as wonderful tools for convincing someone they are wrong, or confirming that someone else is right.
Please don't write me off as just another "pish posh" atheist. There WAS a time I believed this stuff very much, and very devoutly. I HAVE tried to believe. I've read the bible, KJV AND NLT. I'm not some bigot.
BigLundi 5 months ago
@biggumchokee In this one man's humble opinion, I feel it would be best if all believers tried to come up with different ways of converting people than spouting off their "personal revelations" or what have you, unless one ASKS for them. I find them unconvincing, many atheists find them unconvincing, some BELIEVERS find them silly, and quite frankly, how would YOUR personal experience be evidence for ME? It isn't.
BigLundi 5 months ago
@BigLundi i never said anything about evidence man/woman. i just know that sharing a personal testimony can and has helped lots of people in my life before. that's all. like i said, i can't prove anything to you. i guess this was the wrong place to share my personal experience. you are wrong though, my story has helped lots of people already. there is no need for us to debate friend. i believe you should believe in whatever you want to live a happy life. in my case, it is the Gospel of Christ (:
biggumchokee 5 months ago
@biggumchokee What would make me happy to believe is the truth.
I want the truth.
And yes, I know Romans 9, so you don't have to tell me how Jesus is "The truth" I've heard that one before.
The thing is, I don't understand how anyone can find the story of Jesus "good news" I mean...you don't think it's good news that those like me that don't choose to believe your religion are going to burn for eternity right? You don't think that's good news, do you?
BigLundi 5 months ago
@BigLundi No I don't think that is good news at all ! but in all honesty, it's your choice that you are making. I'm only trying to help. i don't believe you will "burn in hell" either. you don't even know what religion i am and you are still making assumptions. i am LDS and we believe you will be comfortable wherever you are part, but only those who obey God's commandments will be able to live with him again someday. dog on it all you want, you have the right to say and believe whatever you want
biggumchokee 5 months ago
@biggumchokee The problem is, you believe all these extra things...for what? A feeling of a hug? I'm happy for you that your life has been better for you since this personal revelation, and I would never try to take that away from you. But you have chosen to believe all these extra things about God, about the bible's veracity, about the message of Jesus, based off...of a feeling? Why not simpyl take that feeling and make your life better with that? Why all this extra stuff?
BigLundi 5 months ago
@BigLundi is there really a point in telling you why ? so far you have just been telling me how it cannot be true. but i will tell you like i told you in my first posts ever.. it isn't just a feeling. at that moment when i felt a spiritual hug, it was nothing but comfort and joy. i felt like getting on my knees and praying right there. all at once it was like the knowledge of what i once knew (being LDS) was coming back to me and i just knew it was true. i can't explain how but i just KNEW
biggumchokee 5 months ago
@biggumchokee I've not told you it cannot be true.
I simply have questions. Questions you're perfectly ok with not being able to answer.
Much like Evid3nc3's professor, I will tell you I do not believe what you do, but I can appreciate that you see a beauty, and use in what you believe. But...for all people who read your statements, your revelations...they are simply words...and they do not convert non believers...simply make believers smile. And they don't, in any way, demonstrate truth.
BigLundi 5 months ago
@BigLundi i want to ask you a question. and i am being completely serious here, not trying to assume anything. are you still trying to believe but you just can't because of all the things that seem to prove it wrong? because i am going to stop replying if you aren't even considering prayer or anything. you will never get an answer if you aren't truly looking or asking for one in your heart. God knows how you feel, not just what you ask. if you want to believe then ask sincerely and you will know
biggumchokee 5 months ago
@biggumchokee I have...tried believing. I have given it the shot that it deserves. I have read the bible, in 2 different versions, plus a child's easy to understand version when I was around 10. I have given prayer its shot, I've given faith its shot...but time and time again I observe as faith is undemonstrated as anything more useful than 'wishful thinking'. I've watched as prayer is tested, and systematically fails. I see as the bible, and other holy books make claims they CANOT back up.
BigLundi 5 months ago
@BigLundi well God likes us to believe in faith, not in surety. I'll tell you what though.. all i can do for you is tell you how much it has helped my life, not proof or anything. try reading the King Jame's version of the bible and the Book of Mormon. He will never show himself unto you unless you are selected to be a prophet or seer. it's not a bad thing to question it, in fact he wants us to question it so we can learn from it. try this with an open heart, not just an open mind
biggumchokee 5 months ago
@biggumchokee I've already told you I've read the KJV of the bible. however, I have a LOT of reasons not to accept the Book of Mormon, I wouldn't want to bore you with the details, but suffice to say, the man who FOUNDED mormonism showed himself to be...less than trustworthy in my eyes. Also, I'd refrain, if I were you, from using the term 'open heart' around atheists. It's a nice sentiment, but other than poetically speaking, it really doesn't make much sense.
BigLundi 5 months ago
@biggumchokee If you don't have any proof, then you have every reason to believe in the god you believe in than any other god anyone else believes in. They all give the same reasons for belief as you do for yours. You are not special.
TheBiAtheist 3 months ago in playlist Why I am no longer a Christian
@BigLundi it doesn't happen over night either. patience will reveal your deepest mysteries, that's what i always say no matter how corny it sounds. keep believing and you will find your answer. god works in very mysterious ways and no man can ever predict what will or what should happen. if you want an answer then look up James 1:5 and honestly do what it says with a sincere heart. be humble not arrogant. if you know you can't believe then i am done responding and i seriously do wish the best
biggumchokee 5 months ago
@biggumchokee I continue trying to believe...but I have this habit of viewing things with an open mind, an objective manner of introspection, interest, and investigation. I have tried what is stated in the bible, to ask God to show himself to me, so that I may appreciate his existence, and have a personal relationship with him, I've done so with a sincere heart, and with only the goal of being a better believer...it failed. Systematically, day in, day out. 21 years later...I'm an atheist.
BigLundi 5 months ago
@biggumchokee Let me be clear. When I say I'm an atheist, I do not say that god is impossible. I do not say I know to a degree that god doesn't exist, or any of that other stuff that you might believe atheism is. I am an atheist in that I simply am not convinced that God exists. Any god that's ever been defined is either...useless(my god is energy) poorly defined(My god is timeless, spaceless, transcendent, and I know nothing about him) or even self defeating(My god is all good, and allows evil)
BigLundi 5 months ago
@BigLundi i am not calling anyone liars. it would take at least 20 posts to tell you everything i believe. God is fully good but allows evil because he gave us our agency, which is the right to practice anything we want. he expects us to do good and helps us do good by letting us feel his spirit and influencing us. someone who kills and does evil things cannot hold his spirit though. what is evil and what is good is all explained in his commandments. everyone can feel his spirit, any religion->
biggumchokee 5 months ago
@biggumchokee I've answered your question, so will you answer mine?
You say this personal revelation of yours is reason enough to believe in the god you do, and that you KNOW your god is there.
I ask again, how do you know it's Jesus? By that I mean, you wouldn't call all of those Muslims, or all of those Hindus who all claim to have personal revelations from their gods liars, would you?
BigLundi 5 months ago
@BigLundi anyone can feel his spirit but i believe only those who are baptized in the true church can actually HAVE his spirit to be with them. it goes so far into depth that i cannot even begin to explain to you what it is like. like i said, all i can tell you is to read the Book of Mormon and the King Jame's version of the bible at LDS.org. if you feel this will do nothing then i am sorry. i cannot answer all your questions though. it is all explained there. read with an open heart.
biggumchokee 5 months ago
i was raised a mormon. i believed it but i wasn't going to live on that alone. i questioned it and even left for a while because i lost belief and thought it might not be true. one day i was very troubled and knew there was a reason for everything in life. so i started to wonder and wonder and.. wonder! i still wasn't asking for help from God because i didn't really believe he could help. all of a sudden i was hugged from behind and felt the best feeling i had ever felt. it wasn't an emotion...
biggumchokee 6 months ago
Simulacrum? Another word for a relic or idol? Don't see the point in this word being created x) lol.
assassin030394 7 months ago
I can't believe it took so long for you to find someone that didn't agree or disagree with your belief. I'm atheist and I'm not against nor for any religions really.
assassin030394 7 months ago
Another metaphor for the concept of simulacrum... Watching a touching scene in a heart tugging movie... one experiences profound emotion to the point of crying... It's all fiction and yet there is real emotion all from a simulation known as a movie.
batfly 7 months ago 25
Hmmm
All those evil televangelists know all about the simulacrum process. Manipulative bastards!
batfly 7 months ago
@kazooga1234 TROLLY! :P
secksivn 7 months ago
My story is very similar I was a lad in the Royal Ambassadors, I had the vest, patches even still have the pocket knight. I too loved the R.As but remember i did feel different. I remember thinking "how come god never talks to me".I think this made me feel alone and in my own world separate from god.I started to solve the Sudoku puzzle of life, only the facts would lead me to the next fact.I realize that believing in god i had give up a few facts which would change or not answer the puzzle
aStrayforMyTime 7 months ago in playlist Why I am no longer a Christian
I was an atheist before someone referred me to this series, but this series rocks. I think the theory that the God concept is to provide a surrogate parent has some serious meat on its bones. I've always been struck by the "Heavenly FATHER" phrase, and the frequently infantile justifications and explanations, and the special pleading, and the claim by believers that God is needed to provide morality, like children who need a parent to tell them right from wrong.
DandAinTac 7 months ago
Similar to Fight Club near the end.
mynameisdarthtater 8 months ago 3
@mynameisdarthtater ..........LOL..... this comment made me laugh my ass off......
RapidFireNeuron 6 months ago
This is the first video of the series I feel I should comment on. I just want to say, that this entire series is powerful. When I was younger, I guess I was a Christian, but never a true, strongly believing one. I always had my doubts about if all of it was really real. Even without the experiences, you were able to convey emotions with this series that I may not have been able to feel other wise. It's very, very moving, even to someone like me who hasn't had the experiences to feel this way.
pantscrapper12 8 months ago
Anyone else going through this now? Do you feel like you're going through withdrawal? I'm reading "Nailed" by David Fitzgerald. Normally, I'd be through a book this short and easy to read in a few hours. As it is, I become furious at every paragraph, and have to put it down for a bit. How long does this usually take to pass?
eimat67 8 months ago in playlist Deconversion Journeys: Letting go of gods
sit back , relax , and takes notes son !
REALCITYbred 8 months ago
sit back relax and take notes are biggie smalls lines, ( sit back relax and take notes, as i take tokes of the marijuana smoke.)
meadpro 8 months ago
@meadpro You know, everything rappers write down isn't exactly original x) I'm a big Hiphop fan myself, I'm a big music fan, I love all kinds of music, Hiphop,Rock,Blues,Jazz,Funk,Reggae,Pop,Grunge,Punk, etc etc. But not the new stuff though, even if I'm a teenager x)
Undergroundhiphoop 8 months ago in playlist Why I am no longer a Christian
Samuel Barber's Adagio, beautifully chosen piece for this incredible video, thank you for doing this, its good to know others went through what I have gone through. Thank you for this.
chillandthrill87 9 months ago
Holy shit.
MrCannaBeans 9 months ago in playlist Why I am no longer a Christian
God ~ by John Lennon (God is a concept by which we measure our pain.) great song and I think It may relate a little to this part of the series
rauggo 9 months ago
Hey Evid3nc3. This series is much needed. You put together some awesome videos. I think I was listening to "The Atheist Experience" when you appeared on the show with 2 other atheist. That's the 1st time I heard of you. Amazing. I had a talk with a guy who used to be a Hebrew Israelite, as the JW I was, thinking I'm right, and know it all, and he asked me...How do you KNOW. That's when I realized that I really didn't KNOW anything! I saw that movie Zeitgeist, and I never looked back! Thanks.
RODikUlus 9 months ago 3
I can relate so much to these videos, I went through a very similar experience during my deconversion
MrTrollooo 9 months ago
@MrTrollooo-Hey. Just read that you said you went through a similar experience during your deconversion. I was raised a Jehovah's Witness, so the common Christian beliefs of speaking in tongues wasn't an issue for me. I did believe I had "truth", yet I've been able to see it was all fake.
I have 2 friends (maybe more) that say that Jesus speaks to them, and this personal relationship puzzles me. If you too had this "personal relationship", how did you get rid of it? I want to help my friends
RODikUlus 9 months ago
And the tumbling ride down the waterfall begins...
miketwo345 10 months ago
7:45 the Evangelical figure looks sort of like Lenin
Zachdudeio2 10 months ago
I want to read the professor's e-mails
Zachdudeio2 10 months ago in playlist WA
Welcome out of the Matrix.
alive4ever1 10 months ago 16
Loved it. Especially the simulacrum part. I completely agree about God being an illusion, an extension if you will, merely an imaginary friend inside of one's own mind. It's interesting.
AaronHubler 10 months ago 4
And the twist in this story is that the Professor is God
vohshkab 11 months ago 89
@vohshkab DIRECTED BY M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN
clockowned 9 months ago 2
@vohshkab Haha the thaught entertained me. Thank you :)
TheLivirus 9 months ago
@vohshkab The Professor is a simulacrum :D
MichaelLucky 9 months ago
@vohshkab WHAT A TWEEST
TheGeneralCritic 9 months ago
@vohshkab
DAMN M NIGHT SHAMALAN!!
konohanominato 8 months ago
@vohshkab Wicked.
JaguarEscarlata 6 months ago
@vohshkab And then the professor says that He (as God) was just testing him and he failed the test. Wah-wah.
inflorire 5 months ago in playlist Why I am no longer a Christian
@vohshkab haha,, thats some twists and turns for ya
petelovesrat 4 months ago
I am amazed by what a long process this is. As someone who has been an Atheist all my life, I never had to go through it. It is just very hard to understand just exactly what the problem is, when presented evidence.
Nolgthorn 11 months ago 45
@Nolgthorn I have also been an atheist my whole life, however, I think that I know something about the "problem" that you mention. It is simply very hard to let go of opinions and behaviors that are deeply rooted in our psychology. When ideas and arguments are surrounded by emotional baggage, we are generally reluctant to give up on them. One of the most important intellectual endeavors is trying to let go of this emotional baggage.
merryvinbock 10 months ago
@Nolgthorn Yeah it is strange. It took me years of just slowly believing less and less. It is hard to let go of what you have believed your whole life.
BreaksFast 10 months ago
@Nolgthorn It's almost like grieving over the loss of someone you know. It's an emotional process (that I went through) that was hard. Terrifying, really. I remember finally becoming an atheist in one crystallizing instant, though it took me years to even admit it after that. But when that happens it's like, "Now what do I do?" Everything I had believed about life had been cast aside. I wondered what to even do what I woke up. Though now I realize that's an exhilarating thing.
FlyingOverTr0ut 8 months ago 9
@Nolgthorn It truly is a long process. When one is raised in a fundamentalist Christian background all their life and feel a sense of empowerment and guidance through this entity called 'God' it can be an extremely long process to finally break away from such concepts and beliefs.
lillibeth13 7 months ago
@Nolgthorn I think we all went through this to become atheists. We just didn't realize it.
mardawi 6 months ago
It's weird... but from a different perspective it is hard to comprehend some of these arguments... I had been to an evangelical church once or twice and they were very surprised that I didn't speak in tongues and fall down when they prayed on me. I had a totally different foundation for religious beliefs that I created for myself (actually by reading the bible) and tend to be surprised by what people will do...
chrisdryer 11 months ago
Sorry to say ambigious, I should have said stupid lol. You dont answer my question, dodge it and put in hollow statements like atheists r childish. I think your intelligence is as hollow as your faith LOL
srikargottipati 11 months ago
Just because one guy was experiencing a simulation in his religion doesnt mean other people are. There are plenty of false religions out there who experience simulations too. This in no way discounts God who is not just a concept, but is real. God is not an emotional feeling. Truth isnt based on experience or emotions.
MaharlikaAWA 1 year ago
@MaharlikaAWA but this video uses psycology and emotions to manipulate people into believing it. He is pretty hypocritical. All the music, the echoing voice. Yeah THAT's not a simulation right there.
MaharlikaAWA 1 year ago
@MaharlikaAWA What is truth based on?
MyContext 1 year ago
@MaharlikaAWA Truth isn't experience or emotions but you will never find proof for God in any legitimate sources. If you would look into the claims the author of this video has made, you'd realize he was telling the truth. Unfortunately for most people, their worldview determines if they will accept the truth or stay hidden in their... simulation for a lack of a better word. Read the books mentioned in this series. Look into the validity of their claims but I doubt you'll do that.
Jahaison 1 year ago
@Jahaison I dont need to read the books this specific video maker talks about. His arguments are stupid and he is a hypocrite using an emotive voice with a lame echo sound which is totally cheesy as well as his art in the background meant to appeal to emotions and not facts. His claims are redundant and have already been answered. Why dont you read the ENTIRE Bible right now? I doubt you will do that. I could just turn around this guys arguments and apply it to atheism. You are in a simulation.
MaharlikaAWA 1 year ago
@MaharlikaAWA I have read the entire Bible. Like most Atheists, I used to be a very devout Christian until I realized that what I saw, I was a biologist and avid amateur astronomer, and what the Bible claimed were on different pages.When I read history books on dates regarding events in the Bible, I ran into the some problem there. One of the final blows I had was when it was pointed out to me that Adam would have been alive when recorded history started and also the study Sumerian history and
Jahaison 1 year ago
religion. None of Evid3nc3's arguments have been answered. Christians claim that all the time until they read the arguments for themselves. "Einstein believed in Gd because of his God doesn't play dice quote." Link to the actual letter where the quote is found. "Oh, I didn't know that." All I'm saying is that Most Atheists, before taking the plunged, studied their religion deeply to give it a chance before they left because it isn't a flippant thing giving up your religion. Look up Pew study on
Jahaison 1 year ago
religious faith verses religious knowledge. Interesting results. Also look up IQ verses religiosity as well.
Jahaison 1 year ago
@Jahaison What is the problem with the dates in the bible? And most archeological and historical evidence show that the nations and kings that the bible mentions were real people and they did the things the bible describes and had such alliences etc...also the descriptions of architecture are also accurate. And Adam existed before recorded history started and the bible never mentions anything about that.
MaharlikaAWA 1 year ago
@MaharlikaAWA Yes the civilizations were real but look up the issues with dating the Exodus as an example as to why Biblical dates are an issue. Also, recorded history goes back 5500 years and according to the Bible, the Earth is 6000 years old, which means everything that happened in the Bible happened within recorded history. One glaring problem with that is the flood, which supposedly ended civilization everywhere but we don't see in recorded history.
Jahaison 1 year ago
@Jahaison The Bible does not say the earth is 6000 years old. Nowhere does it say that. I would say its a little older. But definately not millions of years old. If civilization ended everywhere why would we see it in recorded history? They died. Noah lives and the Bible tells of the story which is recorded history. Also practically every culture has some flood legend. Its not far fetched to believe a worldwide flood took place in ancient times. How else did rocks float up on top of thin points?
MaharlikaAWA 1 year ago
@MaharlikaAWA Well rock don't float and if you study geology, you quickly learn that the Earth is billions of years old. It's not hard to find the process used to discover this. Also, if you study geology, there is no evidence for a global world wide flood. In the Abrahamic religions, the source comes from the much older Sumerian religion and the ancient Hebrew adopted the older Sumerian/Babylonian story as their own. Historical records do show of a local flood and a Sumerian king who saved his
Jahaison 1 year ago
livestock on a raft. Other than that, all evidence points to it just being a myth. Flood stories are common in civilizations where flooding is a common occurrence in their region. It's an ingrained fear. Flood stories don't exist in civilizations who's origins started in desert regions without chance of flooding. As time goes on, religions trade and swap stories and this process can be tracked using linguistics. If their was a civilization ending flood, we our archaeologists would have seen it.
Jahaison 1 year ago
you would have had evidence for civilization, then evidence of a disaster, then evidence for civilization again and this process would be seen at the exact same dates everywhere around the world. You don't see this at all. Once civilization starts on the planet, it stays unbroken to the present day.
Jahaison 1 year ago
@Jahaison I know rocks dont float that was my point. Talking about air not water. How else did they get up there but from strong water currents chaning the shape of land and pushing things around? There is tonms of geological evidence for a world wide flood you dont refuse to accept that. How else was the grand canyon made? Hebrews did not adopt any story as their own. it was original. And more cultures that sumarian have a flood story. Anyway you believe NOTHING created everything. How?
MaharlikaAWA 1 year ago
@MaharlikaAWA Which geological publication has evidence of a world wide flood? I know more cultures than the Sumerians have flood stories and they were all civilizations that had frequent flooding. It was a fear translated to myth. Also the Hebrew did adopt from other religions. Go to the Jewish Encyclopedia and look up Ahriman. We know how the Grand Canyon was made, just like we know how every other canyon was made. Ex nihilo is what Christianity claims. A point singularity is not ex nihilo.
Jahaison 1 year ago
@Jahaison No you are wrong. Practically EVERY culture not just ones who had frequent floods have a WORLD WIDE FLOOD STORY. not a local flood myth. Many native american culture do as well. This is a world wide phenomenon.
I dont need to cite geological publications to prove to you that sea life fossils have been found on the tops of high mountains. How did they get there? Also how can you say nothing created everything? Christians do not believe that. Christians believe GOD created it all.
MaharlikaAWA 1 year ago
@MaharlikaAWA Yes please read those publications on why the fossils were where they are. You are going to misrepresent them if you don't read those articles fully. I did more research on the topic and flood myths are common. It's still a myth each with its origin point from an earlier civilization. Still doesn't cite proof of a global flood. The only time the U.S. was under water, as you will read in the articles, was 80 million years ago and it was shallow. Not your flood. Same goes for
Jahaison 1 year ago