had a little trouble listening to the video because a lot of your statements had a rising intonation at the end and made them sound like questions....
I don't get it.. you talk about not believing in God and at the same time talk about Jesus as a real person at some points in your story. How could you not believe in God and at the same time believe that Jesus was real?
@forest51690 In psychology they call it cognitive dissonance, and it can be extremely painful. It's not easy to explain, so I'm trying the best I can with this series. As my Christian concepts shattered, I still held on to a relationship with God, because I was able to separate that ("look at Christ not Christians"). As counterintuitive as this sounds, by part 5 I simultaneously believed and did not believe. The brain compartmentalizes, and I couldn't let go, trapped in a deconversion.
@Prplfox Very articulate....I'm beginning to watch your series. I was (& still am) devastated by 2 fundamentalist siblings 25years ago now & to this very day. Compartmentalizing is the key to the dissonance & ignore-ances they perfect, I feel sure, because there's so much one has to ignore to push this stuff. Unfortunately it is effective & creates the vicious circle that forces these folks to get their anesthesia @ church 2-3-10x/week.
I encourage everyone to watch this video without being swayed by emotion, but focusing on his words and his arguments. Don't watch the video; just listen to the audio.
It's good Eli ... really good. It's moving and touching and yes, quite sad ... I hate that you went through this but grateful for the person you are today... I have to admit .. I'm a little disappointed because I really want to know how you came out on top ... You know... that place where the free thinkers sit in peace ...
@Prplfox I could tell and I'm just as move by your story as I was with his. I'll be waiting for part five and when I master this Mac I might add my story as well. Peace to you, brother
Thank you. I'm going through my own deconversion process. I live in the bible belt. Yesterday my dad told me I was an idiot. Christians are so very cruel. I cried all the way home and then I went home and blocked his phone number. I am 51 years old. I feel as alone as an orphaned child. thank you for sharing your story.
@OldHippieChickster It makes me so sad to hear stories like this when a loved one hurts you to protect a belief. I'm sorry, hold your heart, make some muffins, what is happening to you happens all over, you will be ok. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for your brave and honest video's. I used to be a christian but left church as well. It was not an easy decision at all but I don't have to tell you about that. I lost a lot but also gained a lot. I found out that my live is worth living and that I can think for myself. I never feel more free than I do now but that took a while. It took me more then 20 years to leave...
in media res is one of my favorite storytelling techniques. the dots are starting to come together, though i am wondering as to the identity of your best friend that you are writing the letter to, though it may be inconsequential.
As Jesus so eloquently spoke, "Let he who without sin, cast the first stone" I do not judge you. Whatever you do is between you and whatever god you serve, even if it is yourself. I would only say whatever church or person did something to mislead or mistreat they will be held accountable. We all have our sad stories to tell, but walking away from one's faith makes no sense. Once again, i not judging. Just do not understand why blame God for man's failures. Just hope you find peace.
@synthon101 how do you know that you have not been misled into believing in god? is it possible for you question that the "written word" has been lying to you the whole time and does not hold up under scrutiny?
@synthon101 "Let he without sin" The earliest manuscripts do not contain John 7:53-8:11, so it is very possible Jesus never said that. I know that walking away from your faith does not make sense when you are a part of that faith, that's part of why I am making these videos. In whatever way I can express this, I did not deconvert because of something a church or person did to me or failed me. I lost my faith because Christianity isn't true. I hope that aspect can come through this series.
Someone put me on to your channel. I am beginning to see a lot of deconversion stories like yours. I am encouraged, but not for the reasons you would expect. All this must happen before Christ's return, and it is good to see your stuff online. Thank God you left Christianity. I hope you will experience being the object of His grace one day, and you hear Him speak to you too.
@BroJustin I saw some of your videos. In your words "We will perish if we have no hunger for the truth." That is what caused my deconversion: I wanted to know the truth, and it is what compels me to make these videos. Your 'encouraging deconversions' video comes across as uncompassionate, makes blanket statements and misrepresents the heart of these people to preserve your own beliefs, which is the very thing you accuse others of.
My story is similar to this in so many ways. I used to go to a really intense church, with speaking in tongues and everything. I thought I was in love, I thought that I would be satisfied to stay as I was forever. 2 years later, after being outcast from the church for having different beliefs, I now classify myself as an atheist. The only thing I wish is that I could have shared it with someone. I couldn't even talk to my parents for fear of being disowned. Thank you for your videos...
I went to youth group with my friend once and had the experience of being in an emotional crowd of praying teens lead by a youth leader. I never thought about it much from their POV because for me it was just strange and scary, so it's really enlightening to hear you describe it from the other side.
this is not fair. i drink alcohol, i do drugs, i look at pornography, but i wounder if anyone of any religion would be open to others who have died and been back, and keep and open ear to those who say that these things we call sin, dont matter. it is an experience. the only sin from what they say is to not love another unconditionally. jesus said that the most important commandment is to love others as you love yourself. i dont only love jesus, i love everyone i meet,. we are all light.
WOW!!!! Thanks Prplfox. I'm intrigued and excited by your video. I'm sorry to use the word "excited" when the last words you spoke were being about "years of hurt" Obviously this is leading to an awakening and learning, and I am excited not only of the journey you will revel to us, but also in the in-depth and detailed way you are providing it. I see religion as deluding the people I care about, and that is why I am a strong devout atheist. I want the truth over wishing and hope.
I love the powerfully simple metaphor of pure water being contaminated with spit, because it perfectly incapsulates my own very complex de-conversion.
For me, love and belief of God presupposed that God and truth were inseparable. My devotion to God/truth fueled my aspirations to be an honest, honorable man of integrity, fully expecting my search for truth to only bring me closer to the pure-water of God.
I finally found the pure-water when I reluctantly accepted that 'God' had been the spit.
Awesome video, can't wait to see the rest...you are a very talented speaker as evid3nc3 already stated.....the way these cults brainwash the young is scary, and this religion becomes their drug and they do become "high" off the services as can be explained in psychological terms....
Prplfox was an example of how academic learning can be retarded and discouraged by theologies that teach that everything important has already been answered and scientific learning is dangerous and corrupt. Religion encourages intellectual atrophy. I know, I experienced it too.
I'm glad you found reason Prplfox! I empathize, I know what that journey is like too well.
So glad I was raised in a secular household. I can't even begin to empathise so at least half of this is just lost on me. More than most of it just sounds absurd to my ears and I find any footage or real life encounters resembling the stuff from 6:20 to about 8:20 just deeply unsettling. Scary even.
But it's a great quality series and I can appreciate the great effort and emotion that has gone into this series to convey the story. Good work. =)
nice vid and presentation. Only one observation that seemed to detract for me. Every statement you make ends in a question-like upward pitch. I assume it's just how you talk from where you come from but other than that it was a nice vid. Yeah, everyone has a story and as for deconversions, they all have similar themes. One is the length of time it takes to really deconvert. Years is usually the case. take care and keep rockin!
and speaking of your voice, in my opinion it changed for the better. i can feel the empathy and emotion powering it. as soon as i heard you start talking for the first time i knew there was a powerful story behind it.
I find religion as a phillosophical explanation of the world, but with the extra quallity of using phillosophy for manipulation of large masses of people... Sorry for my large posts but such stuff cant be explained in 2 words.
If one wants to go deeply in the stuff of how the world works by phillosophy or science he may be quite impressed to find out that he actually doesnt know anything at all!!! The real word is beyond concepts... Even this is a concept... If you wish to know more I recomend you some books that changed my entire view of the world - Raymond Smullyan "who knows", and figments of reallity(i dont remember the autors), the latter explains how one can (or maybe better said) cannot have free will :D!!!
I am a "Statistical" Christian in my country, wich means I am de facto an atheist. I cannot put myself in your position, but I find your story touching though. I cant Imagine you being the guy from the end of the clip :o. What happened to your voice?? I am also not quite sure what was your reason for deconversion, but I think whatever it is, it is not that which really matters... Sometimes one can never know even what is he thinking!!
@MarkoIK85 I can't really explain what happened to my voice. It changed while deconverting. I would love to understand it better someday. The reasons for my deconverting I start to talk about in Part 3 and hope to explain more fully as the series continues.
Thank you for sharing your story. I can't wait to move onto part 2, but I have to finish typing this. :)
In debating creationists over the past few weeks, one thing that gets under my skin is the claims they make about MY "walk with Christ" - as if they know me.
To paraphrase Ricky Gervais; I'd love for God to exist - it'd be "brilliant".
We humans have the power to make our existence on Earth closer to Heaven than it is now.
wow sounds like your deconversion was just brutal. How long did it take? Mine took years. My relationship with the church and church friends just faded away until one day I realized faith wasn't necessary.
I can also see how you may have become partial because you became emotionally connected to someone who turned out to be a homosexual. You saw the guy's good side first and now you struggle to understand how a loving God could condemn a "good" man like your friend just because he is gay. The Bible says we are all sinners and must repent to be saved. Homosexuality is a sin like cheating on your spouse is a sin: "Feeling like it" is not an excuse for doing it.
@BibleIsland Rather than try to rationalize what happened to me and make outrageous statements like this, read about where the gospels come from and how little we actually know of who Jesus was or what he said. I don't mean to offend, but if seeing evidence that contradicts your beliefs makes your beliefs stronger, that's not a virtuous way to live. I think it is very unlikely that Jesus is true but all the denominations got it wrong. Think about what that would mean.
@Prplfox I like you, you have a level headed attitude and it serves you well. I agree that the denominations have got it wrong- especially the ones who claim to be the "one true" followers of Christ. I find it absurd that a group that starts over 1800 years after Christ's death could be his "only true followers." I think we should not be in denominations but simply followers of Christ, to be a Christian or "of Christ."
@Prplfox Also, your video strengthened my faith in God because all you've managed to do in 20 minutes of "deconversion" video is really show some great aspects of God. And then you put Hillsong in video 2, and those those guys are a contrast to you, as a person. You say "Have you ever loved etc only to find out the person is not who you thought they were" and in the video you appear to base this off the fact that homosexuality is a sin and scriptures where it talks about how God will condemn.
@BibleIsland My homosexual friend did not influence my deconversion, it would have happened without him. I just posted the next video, it explains more but I still have a long ways to go, I hope you can check it out.
@BibleIsland That you would compare homosexuality to one cheating on their spouse is simply absurd. Something that homosexual relations lack that being unfaithful to your spouse doesn't is a victim.
If there isn't a victim, it isn't wrong in my eyes. However, with the Bible putting forth the idea of an "objective" morality, it can really cloud a person's sense of judgment as to what is and isn't wrong, as it appears to have done to you.
@Clatterpinch I compare them to disprove the notion that "God made me thus way, thus I give in to my homosexual temptations" because if you say that, then the same excuse could be used by adulterers or violent people (I FEEL this impulse, therefore God made me this way, therefore I am not responsible for acting on this impulse). Just pointing out that feeling something doesn't necessarily make it right.
@BibleIsland But it does bring to attention a very good argument. Why would God make people that way unless he wanted them to act that way? What people do is all based on chemicals and neurological reactions. There isn't actually true "free will". Also, if your answer is that "sin did it" (which, though it probably sounds ridiculous, is an argument that many theists make), then why would God create sin? If he is all-powerful, he should be able to destroy and overpower it.
@Clatterpinch Sin just means seperation from God's will, it isn't a physical thing. It means doing something against God's will. Our body chemicals can persuade us but we still do have free will.
@BibleIsland Nope. There really is no such thing as "true free will". Everything is just neurons connecting, excreting chemicals and things of the like. They don't influence your actions. They are the cause of them.
A good question would be to ask why God would give people free will if it only causes people to act against him and be sent to Hell. Doesn't that seem a bit malevolent to you?
@BibleIsland Since I was very young (4 or 5) I remember having same-sex feelings. throughout my teenage years, I prayed to god almost every night to change my feelings--to make me find girls attractive like the other guys my age. But nothing happened and my self-hatred grew. Three years after I attempted suicide, I finally accepted myself as a homosexual. Long hours of thinking, studying, and reading the Bible led me two years later to atheism.
@BibleIsland Respectfully, with comments like this it is obvious you have no idea what you are talking about. You have no idea what if feels like to have intimate feelings towards "the wrong sex." You have no idea what it feels like to be constantly told you are immoral & going to hell for something you have tried desperately to change. You will never know what it is like. You cling to the Bible for support & guidance. I suspect your life might even crumble if the bible were ever proven errant.
@cjcscuba1984 I have no doubt it's a horrible experience for someone who "wants" to change, and I'm sorry you went through those hard times at such a young age. I truly believe that homosexual desire can be biological- just like having other tendancies- and that is not anyone's fault. Choosing to act on it though, I believe, is the sin. I can understand why reading the Bible would make you angry: It condemns homosexuality. I think that is also why the maker of the vid decided to "deconvert"
@BibleIsland Good gravy! For the record, homosexuality was not a contributor to my deconversion. Homosexuality is a natural and beautiful expression of humanity, not sin. The bible is not a good guide of morality. You don't do everything the bible says, you don't pluck out your eye when you sin, you don't accept slavery, you don't forbid women to speak. Please drop this nonsensical argument.
@Prplfox lol "pluck" your eye out.. The fact that you don't understand the context of that quote from Jesus shows that you can only be one of two things: Either ignorant about basic context in writing, or deliberately taking it out of context to attempt to make it look like something it is not. The Bible teaches that our bodies are a temple and never to be used in self harm. Jesus is illustrating that our pathetic sins are NOT worth giving up our eternal place in his Father's house.
"Homosexuality was not a contributor".. Okay, I have no way of knowing so I believe you on this. It just seemed that way because in the video you go from having an incredible moment in the snow after an experience, to suddenly getting home and "deconverting".. Yet you give no reasons as to why you so suddenly had a change of heart. I thought one of the reasons it might have been was because your friend turned out to be gay and you didn't like the fact that the Bible condemns gays anymore.
@cjcscuba1984 I think what it comes down to though, is, do we trust that the Bible's morals for us are for our own good, even if it seems as though they are really restrictive or too hard to maintain. I believe they are, I really honestly truly do. I believe that following the Bible's morals gives us the best possible chance at happiness in this life. From relationship to health, the Bible's morals lead to peace and happiness in all life's areas. I love God so much, He is the faithful Shepherd.
@BibleIsland - I don't see how anyone can take their moral cue from a book that was cobbled together by ignorant Bronze Age goat herders. I don't see how anyone can take their moral cue from a book as immoral as the Bible. I don't see how anyone can take their moral cue from a book that commands & condones slavery, misogyny, genocide, murder, scape goating, vicarious redemption, & rape. Anyone who does, is truly sick & twisted .
@cjcscuba1984 I think what it comes down to though, is, do we trust that the Bible's morals for us are for our own good, even if it seems as though they are really restrictive or too hard to maintain. I believe they are, I really honestly truly do. I believe that following the Bible's morals gives us the best possible chance at happiness in this life. From relationship to health, the Bible's morals lead to peace and happiness in all life's areas. I love God so much, He is the faithful Shepherd
This videos have strengthened my faith in God. I see here the danger of learning from only one denomination as you seem to have. Jesus died 2000 years ago, how could a 100 year old denomination be the true one? The Bible does not make denominations, you either believe in what Jesus Christ said or not. No 'groups.'
I think when people say that someone was not born again or the right type of "Christian," they are just being ignorant. How do you know the level of Christian one is? If there is a "god," like the one that Christians talk about, he would be the only one to know...so why would so many Christians count themselves the judge of such things?
@Prplfox- Good for you for not engaging in his type of craziness.
@andibean85 I think is often more vulnerability than judgment. As a Christian, to accept that a former Christian knew Jesus as deeply as them but decided they were wrong, is to accept that it is possible Christianity is wrong.
I'm curious, Prplfox, when you spoke with your professor, did you act the way Jim's acting towards you? Did you think the same things? Did you have the same sort of attitude?
In what way can you honestly know that he didn't accept Christ as lord? Your honestly saying that off of a ten minute video you can deduce such a thing? Seriously?.
I'm not from Suny. If you are so hungery to debate then this video isn't the place. Their are plenty of other videos and/or people you can run after.
Attacking the person is attacking the person. You didn't attack his point. You attacked him. That's an ad hominem.
The fact ( if it's even true) that you have two science degrees is about as relevant as whether you have brown or green eyes. Science covers a range of topics many of which don't deal with biology. So saying you have two science degrees to try to impress me and everyone else is a pointless task. Evidence, not titles, is what we're looking for.
If you are from SUNY Potsdam I would love to debate you in front of an audience as to the evidence for evolution. Evolution is a religion disguised as science.
@Shalek This made me smile because many others have told me the voice pattern is a distraction, so thank you :) I've working with a friend now on the art of voice-over
@Prplfox Thank you so much for telling your story. When I used to go to church people would often say that testimonies can be infinitely more powerful than preaching. They're right, and your videos are a fantastic example of this. What a beautiful voice you have. Subscribed.
A God, if there is such a thing, would be the most insecure being, if he wants his followers to continuously remind him how great, all-loving and all-powerful he is.
It sounds like you had an emotional experience but never a full conversion. You never became born again and your mind renewed. You appear to have had a series of emotional relgious experiences like those from other religions.
I have 2 science degrees and I KNOW that evolution is not true. I KNOW that the Bible is NOT myth but that it is authentic history verfied by tens of thousands of archeological finds and corroborating historical evidence. I am willing to openly debate your "professor".
@JimDeferio I will not debate you. I will let the story speak for itself. In the same way, with your words, you have already spoken for yourself and how very real this problem of Christianity is, and why these videos need to be made. You cannot have a meaningful conversation about this until you are willing to admit that you don't know.
I'm waiting to see your next part. You have such a kind heart and your story really reaches the heart. I know that those who are lost, between belief and reason, will find a friend in you and your deconversion testimony. Good luck with part two. :)
@Prplfox You are doing an admirable job, the drawings are particularly nice. Very artistic. I myself am on my 2nd year of not telling my best friend that I'm not a Christian anymore. It really sucks having grown up with so many Christian friends and the fear of becoming ostracized from telling them is paralyzing.
Nonbelievers often talk AT Christians, but they rarely ever speak TO them. Evolution, logical fallacies and contradictions, historical inaccuracies, lack of evidence, manipulation... with Christ as a crucible none of this worldly fire will penetrate the heart of a good Christian.
.
And that's what sets videos like yours apart from the majority of material available on the internet - you've spoken from your heart to the heart of other Christians... I can't encourage you enough in this endeavor.
I will post this on my facebook wall! This is a great start to what I'm sure will be a fantastic series, I love the visuals and the storytelling. Please DO NOT STOP!
P.S. I wish that I could make a video like this, but unfortunately, I never really was a Christian. Even though I did go to Youth Group and hung out with friends, I was never really that deep into religion. I never looked at Jesus the way you and many other young people did. I never shed tears or raised my arms in glory whenever the group leader talked about God and Jesus. So my Deconversion was not as profound as yours or other deconverted YouTubers.
Thanx for sharing. I was born and raised without religion, and so I've never understood what it's like for people who believe in them, why they do so, and how it's like to loose that faith. I'm eagerly awaiting the rest of this story, and I love the first part already :)
Excellent!! I'm looking forward to hear more from you. Within seconds from the start of this video, I subscribed. That's how awesome your storytelling is.
So here it is: your soft, empathetic voice is a welcome and soothing feature of your style. However, you had a tendency in this video to inflect your tone at the end of statements as if you were asking a question and it was slightly distracting. In the future, it would be better to avoid that slight inflection. I want to make sure people are hearing you and the intense quality of what you are saying. The wealth of material from your Christian life (videos, etc) was a strength too.
I have one immediate suggestion for improvement and please understand that I am telling you this because of the profound potential and importance I think you have as a voice in the YouTube dialogue. If I didn't think you had profound potential, I wouldn't say anything.
I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you on this. But you need to finish this series. Your story-telling disposition is pitch-perfect. Your empathy and experience is dead on. The quality of your video is superb, especially for it being your first channel submission. I have featured you on my channel under "Some Important Meme Sources". But let me re-emphasize: you need to finish telling this story. YouTube needs more talented, empathetic former Christians like you.
Beautifully done.
Mellybeans0919 1 week ago
had a little trouble listening to the video because a lot of your statements had a rising intonation at the end and made them sound like questions....
xxmsp91 2 months ago in playlist Deconversion, Belief, and the Power of Silence
If there is such a thing as evil, all that stuff about your relationship with God and Jesus is what is the real evil.
ExMormon66 2 months ago
I think your video clip at 8:14 is the only video ive seen where it shows someone before they deconverted from Christianity.
truckcompany 3 months ago in playlist More videos from Prplfox
I don't get it.. you talk about not believing in God and at the same time talk about Jesus as a real person at some points in your story. How could you not believe in God and at the same time believe that Jesus was real?
forest51690 5 months ago
@forest51690 In psychology they call it cognitive dissonance, and it can be extremely painful. It's not easy to explain, so I'm trying the best I can with this series. As my Christian concepts shattered, I still held on to a relationship with God, because I was able to separate that ("look at Christ not Christians"). As counterintuitive as this sounds, by part 5 I simultaneously believed and did not believe. The brain compartmentalizes, and I couldn't let go, trapped in a deconversion.
Prplfox 5 months ago 4
@Prplfox Very articulate....I'm beginning to watch your series. I was (& still am) devastated by 2 fundamentalist siblings 25years ago now & to this very day. Compartmentalizing is the key to the dissonance & ignore-ances they perfect, I feel sure, because there's so much one has to ignore to push this stuff. Unfortunately it is effective & creates the vicious circle that forces these folks to get their anesthesia @ church 2-3-10x/week.
wellthenif 5 months ago
I encourage everyone to watch this video without being swayed by emotion, but focusing on his words and his arguments. Don't watch the video; just listen to the audio.
forest51690 5 months ago in playlist More videos from Prplfox
It's good Eli ... really good. It's moving and touching and yes, quite sad ... I hate that you went through this but grateful for the person you are today... I have to admit .. I'm a little disappointed because I really want to know how you came out on top ... You know... that place where the free thinkers sit in peace ...
4whatwhycool 5 months ago
Deconverted in my teens a decade ago, and still processing it. It's great what you're doing.
TheSomnambulist06 8 months ago
Added you through hearing about you from evid3nce on a "The Thinking Atheist" interview... Cannot wait to watch your videos!
MissThinkabunch 8 months ago
@ 6:19, is that McLoven from Superbad?
SimpleCivil 8 months ago
Were you inspired by Evid3nc3? Glad you were able to put your story out here
kookoo78 8 months ago
@kookoo78 Yes it's very much inspired by him
Prplfox 8 months ago
@Prplfox I could tell and I'm just as move by your story as I was with his. I'll be waiting for part five and when I master this Mac I might add my story as well. Peace to you, brother
kookoo78 8 months ago
Thank you. I'm going through my own deconversion process. I live in the bible belt. Yesterday my dad told me I was an idiot. Christians are so very cruel. I cried all the way home and then I went home and blocked his phone number. I am 51 years old. I feel as alone as an orphaned child. thank you for sharing your story.
OldHippieChickster 8 months ago 5
@OldHippieChickster It makes me so sad to hear stories like this when a loved one hurts you to protect a belief. I'm sorry, hold your heart, make some muffins, what is happening to you happens all over, you will be ok. Thank you for sharing.
Prplfox 8 months ago 2
@OldHippieChickster There's a book called 'Jesus and the lost Goddess' that tells a bigger story than the Christians' personality cult.
mookins45 1 month ago
Thank you for your brave and honest video's. I used to be a christian but left church as well. It was not an easy decision at all but I don't have to tell you about that. I lost a lot but also gained a lot. I found out that my live is worth living and that I can think for myself. I never feel more free than I do now but that took a while. It took me more then 20 years to leave...
You have touched me very deeply.Thank you.
Nella
TheNella1961 9 months ago
@TheNella1961 Thank you for sharing this as well
Prplfox 9 months ago
@Prplfox
you're more then welcome!
TheNella1961 9 months ago
U can b the nicest person in the world and reject god and goto hell
watamala1 9 months ago
in media res is one of my favorite storytelling techniques. the dots are starting to come together, though i am wondering as to the identity of your best friend that you are writing the letter to, though it may be inconsequential.
RoyalMessup 10 months ago
You are an excellent artist, and storyteller for that matter!
ThatGuyWithHippyHair 10 months ago
sorry for the random comment, but your voice is so cute! ^_^
I'm still having trouble with my faith, but I'm open up to more truth from sources outside my church *hug interwebz*
kmelfina 10 months ago
@kmelfina There are wonderful people outside of the church. Thanks for the internet cuddles!
Prplfox 10 months ago
As Jesus so eloquently spoke, "Let he who without sin, cast the first stone" I do not judge you. Whatever you do is between you and whatever god you serve, even if it is yourself. I would only say whatever church or person did something to mislead or mistreat they will be held accountable. We all have our sad stories to tell, but walking away from one's faith makes no sense. Once again, i not judging. Just do not understand why blame God for man's failures. Just hope you find peace.
synthon101 10 months ago
@synthon101 how do you know that you have not been misled into believing in god? is it possible for you question that the "written word" has been lying to you the whole time and does not hold up under scrutiny?
RoyalMessup 10 months ago
@synthon101 "Let he without sin" The earliest manuscripts do not contain John 7:53-8:11, so it is very possible Jesus never said that. I know that walking away from your faith does not make sense when you are a part of that faith, that's part of why I am making these videos. In whatever way I can express this, I did not deconvert because of something a church or person did to me or failed me. I lost my faith because Christianity isn't true. I hope that aspect can come through this series.
Prplfox 10 months ago 4
Awesome video!
TheSurvivalIndex 10 months ago
Someone put me on to your channel. I am beginning to see a lot of deconversion stories like yours. I am encouraged, but not for the reasons you would expect. All this must happen before Christ's return, and it is good to see your stuff online. Thank God you left Christianity. I hope you will experience being the object of His grace one day, and you hear Him speak to you too.
BroJustin 10 months ago
@BroJustin I saw some of your videos. In your words "We will perish if we have no hunger for the truth." That is what caused my deconversion: I wanted to know the truth, and it is what compels me to make these videos. Your 'encouraging deconversions' video comes across as uncompassionate, makes blanket statements and misrepresents the heart of these people to preserve your own beliefs, which is the very thing you accuse others of.
Prplfox 10 months ago 11
@Prplfox I think you misread my intention. I don't have 'beliefs'....
BroJustin 10 months ago
this is beautiful...
I am not a christian but your voice brings tears to my eyes.
Find happiness wherever you can, don't let anyone bring you down.
Lance0Tiger 10 months ago
i finally told my best friend i deconverted. turns out he deconverted too.
RoyalMessup 11 months ago
My story is similar to this in so many ways. I used to go to a really intense church, with speaking in tongues and everything. I thought I was in love, I thought that I would be satisfied to stay as I was forever. 2 years later, after being outcast from the church for having different beliefs, I now classify myself as an atheist. The only thing I wish is that I could have shared it with someone. I couldn't even talk to my parents for fear of being disowned. Thank you for your videos...
0T3k0 1 year ago 2
This is a really cool video! Nice drawings.
I went to youth group with my friend once and had the experience of being in an emotional crowd of praying teens lead by a youth leader. I never thought about it much from their POV because for me it was just strange and scary, so it's really enlightening to hear you describe it from the other side.
GuacamoleKun 1 year ago
Evangelism is a mental disease and jesus was a fucken fake evangelist himself.!
KarthikSoun 1 year ago
this is not fair. i drink alcohol, i do drugs, i look at pornography, but i wounder if anyone of any religion would be open to others who have died and been back, and keep and open ear to those who say that these things we call sin, dont matter. it is an experience. the only sin from what they say is to not love another unconditionally. jesus said that the most important commandment is to love others as you love yourself. i dont only love jesus, i love everyone i meet,. we are all light.
judesama11 1 year ago
@judesama11 I feel what you are saying, but you can be light without Jesus
Prplfox 1 year ago 6
You sound like Sufjan Stevens. Not just in voice, but in the way you can make everything sound important.
You're also a really good storyteller.
coltharpnicholas 1 year ago
WOW!!!! Thanks Prplfox. I'm intrigued and excited by your video. I'm sorry to use the word "excited" when the last words you spoke were being about "years of hurt" Obviously this is leading to an awakening and learning, and I am excited not only of the journey you will revel to us, but also in the in-depth and detailed way you are providing it. I see religion as deluding the people I care about, and that is why I am a strong devout atheist. I want the truth over wishing and hope.
Futureplanet 1 year ago
@Futureplanet Everyone hurts, the important part of this is the message I hope comes through it, thank you for this
Prplfox 1 year ago
With all my heart and everything i hold in any value i thank you for doing this for the good of yourself and mankind
timlintimlin 1 year ago
@timlintimlin You are articulating what moves making this series. Thank you
Prplfox 1 year ago
sounds like a bender to me...dont drop the soap:)
hyams1 1 year ago
Thanks for uploading
midgety1 1 year ago
Please continue.
Trips1103 1 year ago
I love the powerfully simple metaphor of pure water being contaminated with spit, because it perfectly incapsulates my own very complex de-conversion.
For me, love and belief of God presupposed that God and truth were inseparable. My devotion to God/truth fueled my aspirations to be an honest, honorable man of integrity, fully expecting my search for truth to only bring me closer to the pure-water of God.
I finally found the pure-water when I reluctantly accepted that 'God' had been the spit.
InternalCompass 1 year ago
@InternalCompass wow, this is killer, really well said
Prplfox 1 year ago
Awesome video, can't wait to see the rest...you are a very talented speaker as evid3nc3 already stated.....the way these cults brainwash the young is scary, and this religion becomes their drug and they do become "high" off the services as can be explained in psychological terms....
heikkala2797 1 year ago
The theists ask, "What can it hurt?"
Answer, "You're intellect and grasp of reality."
Prplfox was an example of how academic learning can be retarded and discouraged by theologies that teach that everything important has already been answered and scientific learning is dangerous and corrupt. Religion encourages intellectual atrophy. I know, I experienced it too.
I'm glad you found reason Prplfox! I empathize, I know what that journey is like too well.
GermanChocolateCake 1 year ago 3
@GermanChocolateCake "your intellect" Common typo: 1 Me: 0.
GermanChocolateCake 1 year ago
Really need to tone down the background music. Drowns out your voice.
GermanChocolateCake 1 year ago
@GermanChocolateCake I agree I'm redoing the audio
Prplfox 1 year ago
So glad I was raised in a secular household. I can't even begin to empathise so at least half of this is just lost on me. More than most of it just sounds absurd to my ears and I find any footage or real life encounters resembling the stuff from 6:20 to about 8:20 just deeply unsettling. Scary even.
But it's a great quality series and I can appreciate the great effort and emotion that has gone into this series to convey the story. Good work. =)
UnitedKingdomify 1 year ago
@UnitedKingdomify Going through that footage was deeply unsettling to me as well, thank you for your words
Prplfox 1 year ago
Good video but WHAT'S WITH THE INTONATION?
Basaltq 1 year ago
@Basaltq I'm re-uploading this video in a few weeks with the narration redone.
Prplfox 1 year ago
nice vid and presentation. Only one observation that seemed to detract for me. Every statement you make ends in a question-like upward pitch. I assume it's just how you talk from where you come from but other than that it was a nice vid. Yeah, everyone has a story and as for deconversions, they all have similar themes. One is the length of time it takes to really deconvert. Years is usually the case. take care and keep rockin!
TruthSurge 1 year ago
and speaking of your voice, in my opinion it changed for the better. i can feel the empathy and emotion powering it. as soon as i heard you start talking for the first time i knew there was a powerful story behind it.
RoyalMessup 1 year ago
I find religion as a phillosophical explanation of the world, but with the extra quallity of using phillosophy for manipulation of large masses of people... Sorry for my large posts but such stuff cant be explained in 2 words.
MarkoIK85 1 year ago
If one wants to go deeply in the stuff of how the world works by phillosophy or science he may be quite impressed to find out that he actually doesnt know anything at all!!! The real word is beyond concepts... Even this is a concept... If you wish to know more I recomend you some books that changed my entire view of the world - Raymond Smullyan "who knows", and figments of reallity(i dont remember the autors), the latter explains how one can (or maybe better said) cannot have free will :D!!!
MarkoIK85 1 year ago
I am a "Statistical" Christian in my country, wich means I am de facto an atheist. I cannot put myself in your position, but I find your story touching though. I cant Imagine you being the guy from the end of the clip :o. What happened to your voice?? I am also not quite sure what was your reason for deconversion, but I think whatever it is, it is not that which really matters... Sometimes one can never know even what is he thinking!!
MarkoIK85 1 year ago
@MarkoIK85 I can't really explain what happened to my voice. It changed while deconverting. I would love to understand it better someday. The reasons for my deconverting I start to talk about in Part 3 and hope to explain more fully as the series continues.
Prplfox 1 year ago
GJ stepping out :)
hardannon 1 year ago
@prplfox
Thank you for sharing your story. I can't wait to move onto part 2, but I have to finish typing this. :)
In debating creationists over the past few weeks, one thing that gets under my skin is the claims they make about MY "walk with Christ" - as if they know me.
To paraphrase Ricky Gervais; I'd love for God to exist - it'd be "brilliant".
We humans have the power to make our existence on Earth closer to Heaven than it is now.
But religion prevents our reaching our potential.
SuperHuntard 1 year ago
@SuperHuntard There are complicated reasons why this happens. I hope I can speak about about it more in this series as I get farther on.
Prplfox 1 year ago
I was raised as a Catholic now an Atheist and I find myself tearing up at this video
Nocturnalux 1 year ago
wow sounds like your deconversion was just brutal. How long did it take? Mine took years. My relationship with the church and church friends just faded away until one day I realized faith wasn't necessary.
DieFatorLiveThin 1 year ago
@DieFatorLiveThin It took 4 years. I have a long way to go with this series.
Prplfox 1 year ago
I can also see how you may have become partial because you became emotionally connected to someone who turned out to be a homosexual. You saw the guy's good side first and now you struggle to understand how a loving God could condemn a "good" man like your friend just because he is gay. The Bible says we are all sinners and must repent to be saved. Homosexuality is a sin like cheating on your spouse is a sin: "Feeling like it" is not an excuse for doing it.
BibleIsland 1 year ago
@BibleIsland Rather than try to rationalize what happened to me and make outrageous statements like this, read about where the gospels come from and how little we actually know of who Jesus was or what he said. I don't mean to offend, but if seeing evidence that contradicts your beliefs makes your beliefs stronger, that's not a virtuous way to live. I think it is very unlikely that Jesus is true but all the denominations got it wrong. Think about what that would mean.
Prplfox 1 year ago
@Prplfox I like you, you have a level headed attitude and it serves you well. I agree that the denominations have got it wrong- especially the ones who claim to be the "one true" followers of Christ. I find it absurd that a group that starts over 1800 years after Christ's death could be his "only true followers." I think we should not be in denominations but simply followers of Christ, to be a Christian or "of Christ."
BibleIsland 1 year ago
@Prplfox Also, your video strengthened my faith in God because all you've managed to do in 20 minutes of "deconversion" video is really show some great aspects of God. And then you put Hillsong in video 2, and those those guys are a contrast to you, as a person. You say "Have you ever loved etc only to find out the person is not who you thought they were" and in the video you appear to base this off the fact that homosexuality is a sin and scriptures where it talks about how God will condemn.
BibleIsland 1 year ago
@BibleIsland My homosexual friend did not influence my deconversion, it would have happened without him. I just posted the next video, it explains more but I still have a long ways to go, I hope you can check it out.
Prplfox 1 year ago
@BibleIsland That you would compare homosexuality to one cheating on their spouse is simply absurd. Something that homosexual relations lack that being unfaithful to your spouse doesn't is a victim.
If there isn't a victim, it isn't wrong in my eyes. However, with the Bible putting forth the idea of an "objective" morality, it can really cloud a person's sense of judgment as to what is and isn't wrong, as it appears to have done to you.
Clatterpinch 1 year ago
@Clatterpinch I compare them to disprove the notion that "God made me thus way, thus I give in to my homosexual temptations" because if you say that, then the same excuse could be used by adulterers or violent people (I FEEL this impulse, therefore God made me this way, therefore I am not responsible for acting on this impulse). Just pointing out that feeling something doesn't necessarily make it right.
BibleIsland 1 year ago
@BibleIsland But it does bring to attention a very good argument. Why would God make people that way unless he wanted them to act that way? What people do is all based on chemicals and neurological reactions. There isn't actually true "free will". Also, if your answer is that "sin did it" (which, though it probably sounds ridiculous, is an argument that many theists make), then why would God create sin? If he is all-powerful, he should be able to destroy and overpower it.
Clatterpinch 1 year ago
@Clatterpinch Sin just means seperation from God's will, it isn't a physical thing. It means doing something against God's will. Our body chemicals can persuade us but we still do have free will.
BibleIsland 1 year ago
@BibleIsland Nope. There really is no such thing as "true free will". Everything is just neurons connecting, excreting chemicals and things of the like. They don't influence your actions. They are the cause of them.
A good question would be to ask why God would give people free will if it only causes people to act against him and be sent to Hell. Doesn't that seem a bit malevolent to you?
Clatterpinch 1 year ago
@BibleIsland - That seems like pretty shitty design ...
MaitreyaRocket 1 year ago
@BibleIsland Since I was very young (4 or 5) I remember having same-sex feelings. throughout my teenage years, I prayed to god almost every night to change my feelings--to make me find girls attractive like the other guys my age. But nothing happened and my self-hatred grew. Three years after I attempted suicide, I finally accepted myself as a homosexual. Long hours of thinking, studying, and reading the Bible led me two years later to atheism.
cjcscuba1984 1 year ago
@BibleIsland Respectfully, with comments like this it is obvious you have no idea what you are talking about. You have no idea what if feels like to have intimate feelings towards "the wrong sex." You have no idea what it feels like to be constantly told you are immoral & going to hell for something you have tried desperately to change. You will never know what it is like. You cling to the Bible for support & guidance. I suspect your life might even crumble if the bible were ever proven errant.
cjcscuba1984 1 year ago
@cjcscuba1984 I have no doubt it's a horrible experience for someone who "wants" to change, and I'm sorry you went through those hard times at such a young age. I truly believe that homosexual desire can be biological- just like having other tendancies- and that is not anyone's fault. Choosing to act on it though, I believe, is the sin. I can understand why reading the Bible would make you angry: It condemns homosexuality. I think that is also why the maker of the vid decided to "deconvert"
BibleIsland 1 year ago
@BibleIsland Good gravy! For the record, homosexuality was not a contributor to my deconversion. Homosexuality is a natural and beautiful expression of humanity, not sin. The bible is not a good guide of morality. You don't do everything the bible says, you don't pluck out your eye when you sin, you don't accept slavery, you don't forbid women to speak. Please drop this nonsensical argument.
Prplfox 1 year ago
@Prplfox lol "pluck" your eye out.. The fact that you don't understand the context of that quote from Jesus shows that you can only be one of two things: Either ignorant about basic context in writing, or deliberately taking it out of context to attempt to make it look like something it is not. The Bible teaches that our bodies are a temple and never to be used in self harm. Jesus is illustrating that our pathetic sins are NOT worth giving up our eternal place in his Father's house.
BibleIsland 1 year ago
"Homosexuality was not a contributor".. Okay, I have no way of knowing so I believe you on this. It just seemed that way because in the video you go from having an incredible moment in the snow after an experience, to suddenly getting home and "deconverting".. Yet you give no reasons as to why you so suddenly had a change of heart. I thought one of the reasons it might have been was because your friend turned out to be gay and you didn't like the fact that the Bible condemns gays anymore.
BibleIsland 1 year ago
@cjcscuba1984 I think what it comes down to though, is, do we trust that the Bible's morals for us are for our own good, even if it seems as though they are really restrictive or too hard to maintain. I believe they are, I really honestly truly do. I believe that following the Bible's morals gives us the best possible chance at happiness in this life. From relationship to health, the Bible's morals lead to peace and happiness in all life's areas. I love God so much, He is the faithful Shepherd.
BibleIsland 1 year ago
@BibleIsland - I don't see how anyone can take their moral cue from a book that was cobbled together by ignorant Bronze Age goat herders. I don't see how anyone can take their moral cue from a book as immoral as the Bible. I don't see how anyone can take their moral cue from a book that commands & condones slavery, misogyny, genocide, murder, scape goating, vicarious redemption, & rape. Anyone who does, is truly sick & twisted .
MaitreyaRocket 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@cjcscuba1984 I think what it comes down to though, is, do we trust that the Bible's morals for us are for our own good, even if it seems as though they are really restrictive or too hard to maintain. I believe they are, I really honestly truly do. I believe that following the Bible's morals gives us the best possible chance at happiness in this life. From relationship to health, the Bible's morals lead to peace and happiness in all life's areas. I love God so much, He is the faithful Shepherd
BibleIsland 1 year ago
This videos have strengthened my faith in God. I see here the danger of learning from only one denomination as you seem to have. Jesus died 2000 years ago, how could a 100 year old denomination be the true one? The Bible does not make denominations, you either believe in what Jesus Christ said or not. No 'groups.'
BibleIsland 1 year ago
Mainly @ JimDeferio
I think when people say that someone was not born again or the right type of "Christian," they are just being ignorant. How do you know the level of Christian one is? If there is a "god," like the one that Christians talk about, he would be the only one to know...so why would so many Christians count themselves the judge of such things?
@Prplfox- Good for you for not engaging in his type of craziness.
andibean85 1 year ago
@andibean85 I think is often more vulnerability than judgment. As a Christian, to accept that a former Christian knew Jesus as deeply as them but decided they were wrong, is to accept that it is possible Christianity is wrong.
Prplfox 1 year ago
I'm curious, Prplfox, when you spoke with your professor, did you act the way Jim's acting towards you? Did you think the same things? Did you have the same sort of attitude?
Klokhand 1 year ago
@JimDeferio
In what way can you honestly know that he didn't accept Christ as lord? Your honestly saying that off of a ten minute video you can deduce such a thing? Seriously?.
I'm not from Suny. If you are so hungery to debate then this video isn't the place. Their are plenty of other videos and/or people you can run after.
Attacking the person is attacking the person. You didn't attack his point. You attacked him. That's an ad hominem.
Foxcanine1 1 year ago
@JimDeferio
The fact ( if it's even true) that you have two science degrees is about as relevant as whether you have brown or green eyes. Science covers a range of topics many of which don't deal with biology. So saying you have two science degrees to try to impress me and everyone else is a pointless task. Evidence, not titles, is what we're looking for.
Foxcanine1 1 year ago
@Foxcanine1
If you are from SUNY Potsdam I would love to debate you in front of an audience as to the evidence for evolution. Evolution is a religion disguised as science.
How about it, would you be willing to debate me?
JimDeferio 1 year ago
@JimDeferio
If you want someone who you can challange. Go to AronRa's channel, Your comments aren't producing anything useful here.
Foxcanine1 1 year ago
I like your speech pattern, it's different. Where does the music come from?
Shalek 1 year ago
@Shalek This made me smile because many others have told me the voice pattern is a distraction, so thank you :) I've working with a friend now on the art of voice-over
Prplfox 1 year ago
@Prplfox Thank you so much for telling your story. When I used to go to church people would often say that testimonies can be infinitely more powerful than preaching. They're right, and your videos are a fantastic example of this. What a beautiful voice you have. Subscribed.
DarwiOdrade84 1 year ago
A God, if there is such a thing, would be the most insecure being, if he wants his followers to continuously remind him how great, all-loving and all-powerful he is.
An eastern monk posed this thought on me.
angellicvoices 1 year ago
It sounds like you had an emotional experience but never a full conversion. You never became born again and your mind renewed. You appear to have had a series of emotional relgious experiences like those from other religions.
I have 2 science degrees and I KNOW that evolution is not true. I KNOW that the Bible is NOT myth but that it is authentic history verfied by tens of thousands of archeological finds and corroborating historical evidence. I am willing to openly debate your "professor".
JimDeferio 1 year ago
@JimDeferio I will not debate you. I will let the story speak for itself. In the same way, with your words, you have already spoken for yourself and how very real this problem of Christianity is, and why these videos need to be made. You cannot have a meaningful conversation about this until you are willing to admit that you don't know.
Prplfox 1 year ago 19
I'm waiting to see your next part. You have such a kind heart and your story really reaches the heart. I know that those who are lost, between belief and reason, will find a friend in you and your deconversion testimony. Good luck with part two. :)
nerdlass 1 year ago
@nerdlass I'm still going through the process of forming the next part, thank you for your encouragement, that is my hope with these videos.
Prplfox 1 year ago
@Prplfox You are doing an admirable job, the drawings are particularly nice. Very artistic. I myself am on my 2nd year of not telling my best friend that I'm not a Christian anymore. It really sucks having grown up with so many Christian friends and the fear of becoming ostracized from telling them is paralyzing.
RoyalMessup 1 year ago
"It is ok to not be a Christian." ...awesome...thank you!
scoutnavy1 1 year ago
I have to admit I visit youtube every single day hoping that you have posted the next part. I can't stand this waiting!
RoyalMessup 1 year ago
The prodigal son.....
85kwg 1 year ago
Nonbelievers often talk AT Christians, but they rarely ever speak TO them. Evolution, logical fallacies and contradictions, historical inaccuracies, lack of evidence, manipulation... with Christ as a crucible none of this worldly fire will penetrate the heart of a good Christian.
.
And that's what sets videos like yours apart from the majority of material available on the internet - you've spoken from your heart to the heart of other Christians... I can't encourage you enough in this endeavor.
robertbently 1 year ago
I will post this on my facebook wall! This is a great start to what I'm sure will be a fantastic series, I love the visuals and the storytelling. Please DO NOT STOP!
sincaid4 1 year ago
Very touching, thanks for sharing, hope to see more from you.
nuckable 1 year ago
Awesome video. I can't wait for part II.
P.S. I wish that I could make a video like this, but unfortunately, I never really was a Christian. Even though I did go to Youth Group and hung out with friends, I was never really that deep into religion. I never looked at Jesus the way you and many other young people did. I never shed tears or raised my arms in glory whenever the group leader talked about God and Jesus. So my Deconversion was not as profound as yours or other deconverted YouTubers.
incoherentpoet 1 year ago
Please hurry and post the second video so I can pass it on to some very lost people in my life. Thank you
cershagree 1 year ago
WOW, I am really looking forward to seeing the next part in the series. Thank you for sharing.
goddom 1 year ago
Subscribed!
rhubarbcub 1 year ago
Thanx for sharing. I was born and raised without religion, and so I've never understood what it's like for people who believe in them, why they do so, and how it's like to loose that faith. I'm eagerly awaiting the rest of this story, and I love the first part already :)
TheConcolor 1 year ago
Fascinating (hi)story! Please, do continue this series!
SwedishYouthHumanist 1 year ago
i think you should stop ending the sentences the way you do. it's doesn't sound right..
cheetmeister 1 year ago
Excellent!! I'm looking forward to hear more from you. Within seconds from the start of this video, I subscribed. That's how awesome your storytelling is.
WeAreTheRobots 1 year ago
A real standout video. I would love to have some of my Christian friends see it. I'm eager to hear more!
LazySundayClub 1 year ago
So here it is: your soft, empathetic voice is a welcome and soothing feature of your style. However, you had a tendency in this video to inflect your tone at the end of statements as if you were asking a question and it was slightly distracting. In the future, it would be better to avoid that slight inflection. I want to make sure people are hearing you and the intense quality of what you are saying. The wealth of material from your Christian life (videos, etc) was a strength too.
Evid3nc3 1 year ago 2
I have one immediate suggestion for improvement and please understand that I am telling you this because of the profound potential and importance I think you have as a voice in the YouTube dialogue. If I didn't think you had profound potential, I wouldn't say anything.
Evid3nc3 1 year ago
I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you on this. But you need to finish this series. Your story-telling disposition is pitch-perfect. Your empathy and experience is dead on. The quality of your video is superb, especially for it being your first channel submission. I have featured you on my channel under "Some Important Meme Sources". But let me re-emphasize: you need to finish telling this story. YouTube needs more talented, empathetic former Christians like you.
Evid3nc3 1 year ago 42
Great! Really nice.. We are waiting for part 2!!
telmopaz 1 year ago
wow.
beautifully made.
And it ends on a cliffhanger!
jazzx251 1 year ago
i want to hear part 2. this is riveting.
RoyalMessup 1 year ago