Cognitive Dissonance

[Jayel710]

educational video but your using that information to attack people that have certain beliefs, as a matter of fact it would have been more reasonable for yu to share the information without attacking and stating that what yu know is fact about these groups yu choose. that way anyone who watches it christian or muslim does not get repulse buy yur intent but rather sit back and learn something. learn to apply information with out using it to justify your bias.

[gininginin]

I would go a step further like QualiaSoup did in one of his videos, and say that many Christians don't suffer from cognitive dissonance. The ways of their religion (assurance of faith, rejection of reason) has tought them to abandon cognitive dissonance and embrace 'Doublethink', a term introduced in Orwell's '1984'. Somehow they are able to think two contradictory ideas at the same time and not suffer from it. Once I became an atheist and scientist I saw I had been doing that with some beliefs.

[thetruthrover]

hey Netwriter. i was attempting to comment on a previous video, but it ended and took me straight to this video. i hate when people set their videos to do that. i guess it helps you get more views, but it is annoying to me. not sure if it bugs others.

[Netwriter]

@thetruthrover If it did this it is the first I know of it. Please notice that I am not a partner with Youtube. I hope my videos get lots of views but I do not promote them and neither does Youtube that I am aware of.

[thetruthrover]

@Netwriter my comment was kinda harsh. sorry about that. nice videos by the way.

[csdr0]

Not all Theist are creationist. Augustine was one of them. He was not a creationist and yet he was one of the greatest if not the greatest Christian Theologian. Read the Letter of Genesis (401-415 A.D.) & The City of God (413-427 A.D.). and see how he interpreted the 6-day creation.

[markrod420]

I love all of the ones where "B" was Hell. A. "God is Just" B. "Hell" C. "LALALALA" Explain that religious people. No person has ever actually even tried to explain that to me yet. Ive asked many people... They just move on to the next question like "lalala". Please PLEASE explain to me how your "just, forgiving, benevolent, LOVING" god can throw people into the fires of hell for ETERNITY. Explain to me how that is not a MASSIVE contradiction. Please explain this to me...

[LIGHTRONIX]

0:54 Don't think that anti-theists aren't guilty of this as well! It happens to all of us.

[Singlerity]

I used to have Cognitive Dissonance, but about year ago I got away from that. I am so happy about it! So much information I have denied is now to be learn! I love to be atheist for that.

[fillemptytummy]

This also happens to people that get an iPhone. They keep talking to other iPhone users abut how great their phone is but they deep down know it is no good.

[TimeLord361]

People who believe we need government also live in a state of cognitive dissonance.

[OutOfTheBoxThinker]

The vast majority of people suffer from cognitive dissonance. Theists just suffer from it more than atheists, but many atheists are inflicted with this problem as well and react in exactly the same way when offered information that does not fit their preconceived ideas of reality. It seems to be a common human problem only very few (and usually highly intelligent) people are not afflicted by.

[BibleWinScienceFail]

many athiests suffer from CD. they hate a God they are sure does not exist. duuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrr

[motelcalifornia]

Sounds like real life to me

[Fight4Privacy]

This happens when I confront people with the truth about 9/11.

[congaddict]

Right, Okay, so your'e saying that creationism or "intelligent design" is bull while evolution is fact. Of course we evolve and adapt, do we come from a common ancestor? not proven. Did a single cell (at least 250 amino acids)randomly genetically adapt to it's environment, this could happen of course, but where did these amino acids "randomly" come from? Darwin wrote "origins of Species" not origins of man. How did our billions of complex cells which are pretty much robot like come about?

[congaddict]

I just don't buy the randomness of evolution, why not investigate something if it is worth investigating? Put a label on it of cognitive dissonance if you want just putting a viewpoint out there.

[pikemand1410]

@congaddict

No. It could not. A cell would not be able to survive if you just mixed up all the Chemicals needed in a blender and pressed on. Abiogenesis (Which is not part of the Theory of Evolution by the way), most likely happened over a period of many millions of years from the soil at the sea floor of the primordial Earth. It first produced small self replicating molecules (RNA) which require no more than 2 amino acids. (continued in next post)

[pikemand1410]

@pikemand1410

(continued from last post.) These molecules would replicate them selves over and over. each time falling apart after some time. But at times small mistakes would creep in, The RNA would not copy it self perfectly every time and would become more complex. and this continued and continued until we got to the first cellular organisms. Also while you say "At least 250 amino acids" you ignore that there are only 4 different amino acids in the human genome. (Continued in next post.)

[pikemand1410]

@pikemand1410

Also you say that it is not proven at we evolved from a common ancestor. While this is only partly true i won't contend you on that point as this is getting to long anyway. But you see, it is proven that other animals are evolved from common ancestors. Now take this analogy. You go to work one day and see that all your coworkers are coughing. You ask you boss why this is. He says they have the flu. You get home and you start coughing. Do you conclude that god made you cough?

[archdeaconj]

The cognitive subject never 'believes', s/he only 'knows'. In fact, strictly speaking, s/he doesn't even 'know', s/he merely apprehends the world. Only other people have beliefs. Consider the following utterance:

'I believe it is raining, but it isn't'

This is nonsensical, but why?

[motorolarules]

Outstanding! Thanks fro sharing

[malefictarium]

LOL win.

This can also be explained via the terror management theory devised from original research from Becker.

Religion being the cultural worldview defense against mortality salience (knowledge of mortality / death), and giving purpose to temporary life (afterlife) and self-esteem. When the cultural worldview is threatened (science) the person(s) with the cultural worldview can respond via:

1. derogation

2. Assimilation (missions)

3. Accomidation

4. Annihilation (crusades) to reduce diss.

[cosmos11]

I love this video Netwriter, Thanks

[newexperiment]

Great netwriter vid, or greatest?

[dharryoso]

Some might "believe" in the equality of all people, yet still succumb to unconscious reactions to stimuli like aggressive feelings: anger, jealousy. status, insecurity...maybe the difference between frontal lobe thinking and limbic feeling/reacting...maybe that's cognitive dissonance

[Micke223]

There's also something similar called Reactance:

"Reactance is an emotional reaction in direct contradiction to rules or regulations that threaten or eliminate specific behavioral freedoms. It can occur when someone is heavily pressured to accept a certain view or attitude. Reactance can cause the person to adopt or strengthen a view or attitude that is contrary to what was intended and also increases resistance to persuasion."

[malefictarium]

@Micke223 isn't that just a person's assertion of freedom when they feel their freedom is being withheld? i.e. rebellion?

[elsantovsthemartians]

You forget behavior. This little demo completely forgot another factor; behavior. It best to remember that when you deal with this theory there are 3 elements and the best way to remember them is a)ttitude, b)ehavior, c)cognitive. Nice try though, not that I could make a better video though.

[malefictarium]

@elsantovsthemartians behavior = learning about it in school / mainstream media

[bassalchemist]

Great vid!Thx 4 posting -5*'s.I love the music,where can I find it?

[lukofws]

Watch carefully the video in the beginning at you ll se

[technosnob303]

great video, but the galileo quote seems a little out of date and may have gone towards undermining the point. i only have a laymans knowledge so correct me if i'm wrong, but surely quantum theory has demonstrated that we do have cause to question the validity of or sensory experience?

[Iambecome]

Great video.

[maxhappyface]

I lived in this world all my life until I took a philosophy class and challenged my own beliefs. Sure, christianity is comfortable, but that doesn't mean it's true. In fact, I'de rather suffer in the truth than be happy with stupidity.

[FATGIRLSRHOT]

The creator and Jesus are real! I know this, I dont partially know this and halfway know this, and to all my native american brothers and sister, look up Chee-zoos, "He walked the americas" by L. Taylor Hansen.

Jesus walked the americas and told people about the great spirit the creator, and he lives still to this day.

Check out my video of Cahokia Mounds if your interested also.

Peace and blessings to all.

[dreamy2]

typical true believer syndrome.

[nameless7nothing]

Jesus was never in America. He was in the Middle East.

[FATGIRLSRHOT]

I have other sheep I must tend to. Post-rise, he was found in many other nations. There're numerous accounts of the Son Of God who came through, called out for himself disciples and even healed the sick and raised the dead.

In the land of America he traveled to North Region, and visited many native people. He was know as Heawasha or Chee-Zoos. Many natives referred to him as the Dawn God, or the Son of the Son God, or even the Great White Prophet.

"He Walked the Americas" L. Taylor Hansen

[wojiwodj]

good work, thank you

[nogogma]

In a nutshell, CD is looking at reality and making it fit with their delusional, irrational beliefs.

[Hazmus]

not really Cognitive dissonance is just a term to describe not being able to make up your mind, what your saying is an aspect of it not it overall.

[Clockworkforest]

"Cognitive dissonance is just a term to describe not being able to make up your mind"

I'm sorry, but that is a very inaccurate summary.

Cognitive dissonance is specifically the negative feeling you get when your perceptions are shown to be inaccurate - and the motivation that our minds use in order to ignore/downplay the inaccuracy.

nogogma's summary was pretty good actually.

[Clockworkforest]

It's not just christians and islamists - everyone is effected constantly by this:

You only see what you want to see, and most are constantly avoiding/reducing/explaining away the information they don't want to see.

This is also true of atheists, agnostics, football players, clowns, etc.

[technosnob303]

true, but theist thinkers is more guilty than most on its insistence on totalitarian thinking and interpretations of religious texts as the answer to anything and everything. darwinists and non-theists approach this state regularly but in my experience are generally more receptive to opinions contrary on the issues at the core of their beliefs than theists are.

[Clockworkforest]

"but in my experience are generally more receptive to opinions contrary on the issues at the core of their beliefs than theists are."

But you understand that this mechanism of consciousness explains that of course you will see that - the issue is that your consciousness ignores/downplays when it sees something to the contrary of what makes you feel secure/good/accurate.

[technosnob303]

i accept your rebuke, but in doing so im in danger of entering some sort of circular, self serving ego massage about my willingness to confront my own beliefs for personnal growth. seems my experiences with creationist inlaws pushed me to use blanket terms for theists and non theists through my own cog diss. binary opposites are generally unhelpful to any arguements, and its seems particualrly detromental to fully appreciating this point. you seemed clued up, can you recommened some reading?

[pwismyname]

@Clockworkforest yea, but it isn't equal. theists tend to "see what they want to see" more often and it is based on irrational hope. that's why they BELIEVE and not ACCEPT. we ACCEPT reality not BELIEVE in it...unless your religion is The Matrix. that's why the truth is so beautiful: despite how many people deny it, it will still be the truth. similarity, it doesn't matter if 99.9% of the world believe in lies (FALSIFIABLE bronze age superstition aka religion) they will still be a lies.

[natedaug1]

@Clockworkforest Totally true. Just to give it to the other side, because this video points it out on conservatives only, but Marxists. Ask a Marxist why communism has never worked and they often reply "because it has never applied correctly." I cosider this a form of cognitive dissonance, because you won't hear how society is not perfectable in the Hegelian dialetical sense, and Marx and Hegel where wrong. You also do not hear about how planned economies do not work either.

[natedaug1]

@Clockworkforest Planned economies do not work because we have no ability to predict the future, and so Marx was wrong in that sense also. Look at China and the "Great Leap Forward." Marxism is not a very workable philosophy, and many Marxists still believe in it, so might even attack me here for my comments, but if you look at the reality of marxism it does not work. Cognitive dissonance.

[deliciousonionsoup]

I think a person (well me for example) tends to be in the positon of knowing that what they hold to be true might not be true, and what they know to be true might not be true. So it's not really so clear cut as you claim.

Try this example: the non Christian who is told homosexuality is bad, but is told by non Christians that its not bad but we'll condemn and mock you for it anyway. The person can not know which belief to hold, and if he does hold either of these standpoints then he/she (cont)

[deliciousonionsoup]

opinions the he still won't know which is true. Thus, in my opinion cognitive dissonance will occurs because actually both of these views are in the head at once. And not knowing which is true (because basically neither can be proven to be true or false) the person will remain in flux unless he/she chooses which he/she wants to claim to be true. This choosing what one wants to be true because one does not want to remain in flux is basically believing in that choice. One can not know!

[deliciousonionsoup]

Problem in your opening definition: You make the assumption and claim that you can know something. But something you believe you can not know to be true. You can believe it to be true but you can't know it to be true.

[cyberserfer2000]

If its worth anything,I love the movie "Dances with wolves"

[cyberserfer2000]

Netwriter.I believe you have said that you believe in a creator from your native american culture that existed 4000 years before summerian.I have to ask,What is this creator.Without a reasonable filling in of the void you could have a case of cognitive dissonance yourself.

[Netwriter]

The Creator was being honored by my ancestors well before the time attributed to the biblical creation. Watch my video "The Creator".

[cyberserfer2000]

Have you read the book netwriter?

[Netwriter]

No, but I have a very large data base of quotes. Checking the accuracy of this quote took me all of 5 seconds. My reading interest are focused on the origins of the bible and christianity. Neither have a divine origin.

[cyberserfer2000]

I will never forget the sinking feeling that overwhelmed me,because it became clear to me in that minute that some kind of God in some fashion must exist,and have an ongoing relationship with the process by which things come into being. Richard Dawkins.

[Netwriter]

Cyberserfer, you are a lying creationist christian.

This quote is not from Richard Dawkins, it is from a letter to Richard Dawkins from an American minister. From Dawkin's book "River Out of Eden: A Darwinian View of Life", pp. 59-60 (New York: Basic Books, Harper Collins Pub., 1995)

Why are creationist so quick to state falsehoods? Did you really think you could come here and lob garbage and not have it thrown back in your face? Now apologize to us all or your ride ticket will be punched.

[cyberserfer2000]

Did i know i was lying?I Apologize

[Netwriter]

More important, did you know you were stating the truth? To state something as fact of which you have no proof is no different than lying, unless you qualify it. I recommend that you avoid the web site where you got this false quote. It is not to be trusted. Your apology is accepted.

[dazenman11]

Only an idiot would not know who they are quoting from.

[cyberserfer2000]

Ah yes.I had to take that one. :)

[kayal45]

LOL. I used to believe in evolution, until I actually studied science. And cognitive dissonance also appears in science, in the belief that the THEORY of evolution is true. Perhaps there may not be a god, but there's no need to use the lie of evolution to prove that.

[Netwriter]

Oh Kayal, please provide us with the proof you have that makes evolution false. It will make world wide news. The scientific theory of evolution has been in place for 150 years and still stands. Show us your scientific scholarship and debunk evolution, the world is waiting.

[cyberserfer2000]

Ok first off,It isnt Proven in the first place.

[TomSFox]

It is as proven as a theory can be.

By the way, look up what the word "theory" really means.

[cyberserfer2000]

The theory of evolution exist simply because super natural creation cant be falsified.Super natural can also be natural but natural cant be super natural.Falsify evolution and you prove creation.

[TomSFox]

Wow, so much fail in one post.

[cyberserfer2000]

what else is their?

[TomSFox]

I'm sorry, please learn English!

I have no fucking idea what you are babbling there!

[cyberserfer2000]

Violent type uh.

[TomSFox]

Violent type?

What the fuck are you babbling there again?

I haven't threatened with violence in any way!

[cyberserfer2000]

Well,your only 21.I wouldnt expect you to understand much.Not even a man.

[TomSFox]

"Well,your only 21."

*Sigh* Ad Hominem argument.

By the way, I don't believe you any minute that you are 33.

The way you write you seem to be more like five.

[TomSFox]

"I wouldnt expect you to understand much."

What the fuck? I understand exactly what you say (if you happen to string an intelligible sentence together), and it's bullshit!

By the way, what does anything of this have to do to with anything?

Could it be that you just don't have any arguments?

"Not even a man."

WTF?!

[cyberserfer2000]

I not the one with the foul mouth.By the way i give you an A for spelling.Now back to the subject please.

[TomSFox]

"I not the one with the foul mouth."

Another Ad Hominem argument.

"By the way i give you an A for spelling."

Thank you. I give you an F for spelling.

"Now back to the subject please."

No, NOT back to the subject!

LEAVE ME FUCKING ALONE!!!

[cyberserfer2000]

I like bothering you.My spelling isnt that bad.Your mom was good last night.

[TomSFox]

"I like bothering you."

I noticed.

"My spelling isnt that bad."

Yes, it is. Not to mention your grammar.

"Your mom was good last night."

Oh, you fucked a corpse? Well, whatever floats your boat...

[cyberserfer2000]

Even in Dawkins book"River out of Eden"Claims super natural intervention.

[TomSFox]

Liar, liar, pants on fire!

[cyberserfer2000]

I know what i read.Possibilitys of origin.what are yours?

[TomSFox]

Yes, you know what you read. And you lie about it.

As for possibilities (note the correct spelling), Abiogenesis and Big Bang.

I know, I know, you are going to talk some kind of bullshit about these theories.

Please don't. I'm sick and tired of you.

[cyberserfer2000]

Big bang has nothing to do with it.Abiogenesis is evolution.What if that didnt happen.what else is their?

[TomSFox]

"Big bang has nothing to do with it."

If you mean that it has nothing to do with Evolution, then you are right.

However, I never claimed it does, so stop fucking putting words into my mouth, asshole!

You asked for a possibility of origin, and the Big Bang is one.

"Abiogenesis is evolution."

No, you idiot, it isn't!

"What if that didnt happen."

Prove it!

[TomSFox]

"what else is their?"

Allah, Zeus, The Flying Spaghetti Monster, etc.

[cyberserfer2000]

Thats what im asking.If not evolution then creation.Thank you

[TomSFox]

You are actually happy with the claim "A Flying Spaghetti Monster created the Universe?" Fuck!

Anyway, there are other things apart from creation and evolution (by the way, I think you mean abiogenesis, since it is not the same, as I already fucking told you!) you just have to make them up.

However, they still require proof, and guess what, evolution has lots of it!

[cyberserfer2000]

well ok,If if want to be a jew about it.Abiogenesis is pre evolution.

[SexyMelon]

You studied science? As a safe-check, then, please tell us: -What is Science. -What is Evolution. -What is Fact. -What is Theory of Evolution. -What is Fact of Evolution. -What is Mutation. -What is entropy. -What is Big Bang. -What is Logic. But that's probably too much since you already illustrated zero knowledge of modern evolutionary synthesis by calling it "just a theory".

[TomSFox]

"Perhaps there may not be a god, but there's no need to use the lie of evolution to prove that."

This arrogance is unbelievable!

Do you really think Evolution was just made up to disproof god?

If you really think this, you are a huge moron!

Many Evolution biologists believe in god!

Ever heard of Ken Miller?

[dkf41]

Excellent video and in my opinion, totally true!

[Yobabysmama]

Job 26:7

The Earth floats freely in space

He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, [and] hangeth the earth upon nothing.

Isaiah 40:22 It is he that sitteth upon the CIRCLE* of the earth, and the inhabitants

thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in." --

[Netwriter]

A sphere is not a circle, a pizza is a circle. The earth is also not hanging, it is speeding along great speed. See my video "The Book of Lies"

[Slabbers]

"The world is firmly established, it will not be moved." (Ps. 93:1 & 1 Chron. 16:30) Hmmm, which is it to be, floating freely, or immovable?

[Yobabysmama]

The bible doesn't say that the earth is flat. There's a scripture that says it round like a jewel that hangs on a string or something like that. I'll have to look it up.

[Netwriter]

The bible says the earth is a circle, and from the top of a high mountain you can see every nation of the world. That is a flat earth.

[Yobabysmama]

I'm pro-choice. I just wanted to know why you put it in there. It can be seen as a "humanistic" issue or political issue. BTW, I'm agnostic.

[Netwriter]

Please use the (Reply) link under the comment you are responding to.

[Yobabysmama]

I did. Are you new to YouTube?

[Netwriter]

No, I am not new to YouTube, a check of my channel would have answered that question for you. It is just that you posted 4 comments, all without using the reply link. Through ignorance or on purpose most theists do not use the reply link so that following a discussion is very difficult. Your claim of being an agnostic is in question, for this reason, in my mind. :)

[Yobabysmama]

I get dozens of comments on my videos. It can be hard to find where the first post started. Have you ever posted to a thread where there are thousands of comments? You get this message that someone has replied to your comment...good luck (or whatever) on finding that! I'm sorry that you're having problems with my responses.

[farvision]

Complain to youtube. I have complained about this many times but we all need to be telling them that their comment system stinks.

[inthefade]

yeah it really does, but they're always improving everything at a pretty reasonable rate, so I don't hold it against them.

I just wish it was easier to follow replies to posts.

[farvision]

They have not done a good job on the comments for over a year now. It's horrible design. It will only improve when a LOT of people complain.

[Yobabysmama]

Why would anyone want to claim to be "agnostic"? You don't get pats on the back for that!

[Netwriter]

I will give you a pat on the back. Based on the evidence, there is not any to bring about belief in or belief in there not being a god. Not knowing is the most rational position to hold.

[tiifae]

depends on your circle of friends, i guess.

[ashridah]

Hey man, don't harsh on him. For some reason, Youtube takes a while to reorganise the comments into threaded order. It's probably a batch process that updates static content in order to save processing time. It shows up threaded eventually.

[Yobabysmama]

I noticed you threw abortion in there as good. Is your stance on abortions biblical or rational?  Why did you put that in there?

[Netwriter]

There is no claim that abortion is good. There is the position held by theist that it is bad, but reality is that the world's greatest abortionist is god when he flooded the earth. As a side note every day there are millions of spontaneous abortions, which, if there is a god, are his doing.

[Lorksening]

Ok, I know its cool to make fun of the bible and everything. But I dont think scientific evidence is doing our species and our plant that much good. Religion can be to blame for what is happening in Iraq for example; however, lets not forget the reason the American military is out there. I personally believe it might have something to do with money. Plus, people experience cognitive dissonance whether they are Christians or not. Other wise that term would not exist.

[hellshade2]

now this is probably one of the best vids i've seen recently,thxs netwriter :) 5* across the board

[ctressle]

I love the messages in your videos Netwriter, but I'm not fond of all these tunes you have playing in their backgrounds.

[DonsonJack]

Hello, im new to NetWriters videos, however i think they are great, and i ESPECIALLY love the music =)

Keep up the good work NetWriter, one cannot dismiss your words, just as an "atheist" talk, since after all, you were True Christian for a long time.

I added you to my favorites.

[Thrashaero]

well he is Native American so it's not surprising he'll have that style of music in many of them. i think it's cool. better than rap or something.

[TomatoesNut]

Could you tell me the scientific evidence against the flood? Or at least where I can research, etc. This is for my parents

[8080256256]

TomatoesNut: Look up videos of potholer54, he explains pretty much everything, including evolution, creation of universe etc.

[8080256256]

Or try thunderf00t, he is more focused on the subject.

[KrispyKangaroo]

I cracked up at Abortion, "A," The Great Flood, "B," La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, "C." I love how you also included inter-Biblical conflicts, such as Hell vs. Everything they say about God.

[JohnPritzlaff]

Good vid, but why can't people put an S on the end of "theist" when talking in plural? The "ist" doesn't make it plural (even if it sounds like it)!

Also, from the video description: "islamist" is not plural.

Sorry but it's annoying.

[sva1994]

"It is often associated with the tendency for people to resist information that they don't want to think about, because if they did it would create cognitive dissonance" is circular gibberish. You can't define a word by having the word in the definition. C.D. is THE RESISTANCE ITSELF. It makes no sense to define cd as the tendency to resist info lest it create cd. For a better explanation, see Michael Shermer's "Why People Believe Weird Things" or Wikipedia.

[Netwriter]

You are correct.  I worded it poorly. Thanks.

[sva1994]

Any time. Btw, sorry if I came off as a bit harsh, but my original message, which included stuff like "With all due respect", exceeded YouTube's comment character limit. :-)

[atheismislogic65]

So it's basically Orwellian "doublethink".

[Paxmax]

Hahaaha, good one Netwriter!!! I like the humor to be able to keep up/cope with the mental excersize the religious nuts deal with on a daily basis. Just thinking about their mental juggling hurts my mind.

I'm not sure how Kenneth Miller deals with the problem, maybe he has a time-share solution...

[zombiechaddy]

Hot damn, that's good stuff!  The "la la la la" graphics were by far my favorite!

[geyser]

Great video!

[39Hool]

The Great Ju-Ju at the bottom of the sea pwns all!

[jussts]

The Ju-Ju killed Jesus... right? At least that's what Mel Gibson told me.

[stefanboro]

Well, only a slight simplifacation of cognitive dissonance, but a damn good one!

[vinylegal]

Awesome!!!

[iconoclastic23]

A: Christianity is true because my parents taught me christianity

B: Parents in other cultures teach a different religion

C: Other cultures are stupid!

[newexperiment]

Very awesome video, I've been waiting for someone to do even just a little psychological research on this. This is why i don't understand people who try to debate with theists. It is a conversation about THIS fact that atheists should really be having.

[snownet]

A: thou shalt not kill

B: death penalty

C: LA,LA,LA,LA,LA,LA,LA,LA,LA

[bearpaw72]

"A". Oh NO, I lied to my next-door neigbour, I'm going to HELL!

"B". Grade 8 socials studies - enlightened of other faiths and denominations that fight each other - even mine.

"C" HEE-HAW HEE-HAW.

[GetMeThere1]

"A": My parents and community want me to believe.

"B": Honestly, it doesn't seem any different than any other silly religion. They all say different things, but insist their the ONLY true one--therefore it's obviously BS.

"C": If LOTS of other people believe it, they must know something I don't. It MUST be true.

[Rantandreason]

Fantastic! Added to favourites!

[freetaught]

In my case desire to seek the truth aided me in overpowering the comfortable belief system that I was addicted to. Without that desire, I cannot imagine how it can be done.

[zebruh]

Same here. It all came about because I dared to ask any questions and consider any ideas. Only when you seek as much information as possible can you make an informed and rational decision. Religion doesn't do well the the light of rationality.

[Schmoikel]

Another great video. Don't know how you do it. But keep 'em coming. Excellent quote at the end too.