i think Germany and Russia have relatively low percentage (about 49%) of atheists, compared to say Sweden (85%), is due to religion being outlawed by the State during the totalitarian rule of Hitler and Stalin. So in the minds of so many German and Russian religion = rebellion to the totalitarian rule.
@Wyatt7211 Fair enough. However, you can't shelter them from all "dogma" forever, so I'd certainly just warn them up front about the dangers of religion and blindly accepting things without researching the evidence and facts.
But I also couldn't rationally or morally tell them that all scientific theories are facts, because the reality is that some of these "facts" can't be proven and are reversed or modified continuously.
Unfortunately you missed the point as well. Religion is a problem if taught as fact to a young child.
However, if one simply exposes their child to some of the various major belief systems in the world, then allows them to decide for themselves what is right for them based on morality and rationality....that's not "filling their heads with lies".
All theories have erroneous or unprovable elements.
Religion in itself is not the problem. In and of itself it is just a particular philosophy and theory on life, spirituality, and the universe.
The issue lies with, like Stef has said, the cases where parents present only one theological/philosophical view to a malleable/impressionable child like it is 100% fact and that everything else is wrong, or nothing else is out there.
Well done. I'm brazilian and it is really hard to be an atheist in the country with more christians in the world. Non sense. Brazil would be better off without religion.
@nonozera Totally, man. Even if u mention in public the word "atheism" in Brazil, u can consider yrself as a "social suicider". It's really hard when u'r in a discution and people start talking about religion and u have to close yr mouth to don't be treated as a freak or whatever... And it's the same about politics. If u have in mind to assume yrself as a "liberal", it's better quit off this idea.
We 'r looking to the future, but thinking exactly like in the past.
It is interesting to note, that Italy as a Catholic country, even under Mussolini, was definitely less totalitarian than Protestant Germany. The total number of victims under Mussolini was about 200 persons. More people died recently in Libia. The same goes for supposedly fascist dictatorships of Franco or Salazar, which were not totalitarian, precisely because Catholic society has a totally different sense of life than a gloomy Protestant or Orthodox one,and cult of personality cannot take hold
Its a stretch to equal believing in God to wanting to get drunk and have sex at 15. But I believe that rebellious behavior is going down because our society is becoming less repressive and prudish. My parents smoked and drank, and I haven't have much urge to do either, but if my parents had told me not to smoke or drink, I'm sure that I would have. Christian religions are certainly repressive, hence promoting rebellious push-back, but that's a religious structure problem, not a cause of belief .
The god vs. no god arguments remind me of the mainstream handling of political parties. You can talk about reps and dems all day, but you talk about a third party and you are nuts. You can talk about god and no god all day, but as soon as you start to explore third options you are nuts. I believe that the universe as a whole is intelligent and it created a playground for you to experience in the way you see fit. We accept god becoming man to save man, but not man becoming god to save himself.
@Growingsovereign The difference is there are other political parties. The question of god is a dichotomy. Either there is a god or there isn't. If you choose to call the universe god, well that's just silly. We already have a name for the universe. Why call it something else? Seeing how the universe is mostly composed of nothing and the vast majority of the something is hostile to life, why assume it made a playground for us?
Freedomain Radio and Stefan Molyneux provides some of the clearest, logical analysis and critique of our contemporary world I've ever come across in my 45 years on this forsaken rock in space. Thank you. Please vote for Freedomain Radio at podcastawards com. under two categories 1) People Choice Award and 2) Education. Be sure to check your email address to validate your vote. (Voting ends Tuesday December 15th 2010)
As much as I want to agree with what you're getting at, I think without providing further evidence, I'm afraid your argument for atheism being responsible for more ethical behavior is just a little weak. I think that we really need a study that examines the ratio of theists versus atheists amongst these youth to strengthen this argument. I don't disagree, mind you, but if we want people to take the idea seriously, we need to build a strong argument.
The article "Popular Religiosity and Secularism in the Prosperous Democracies" by Gregory S Paul presents objective evidence that secular societies have not only higher levels of ethical behaviour but also higher standards of living, education and social welfare. Of course that also correlates with a strong welfare state. Now I don't wish to offend your anti-state beliefs, I'm not against anti-stateists per se, just don't fill your children's heads with this superstitious nonsense.
the biggest problem with modern atheism is the sense of "I am the one who is truly smart if you believe in God that makes you stupid. Only people who do not believe in God are truly rational." That statement shows to me what we are truly like which is selfish. When a person is a nonthiest. Sure they can be moral because at that point they can define what is moral and not moral. Muder may be considered immoral but then you can even redefine that to fit your needs.
Been watching your vlog for a bit now, thoroughly enjoying the stimulation and the encouragement to think around corners and such. I would greatly enjoy a conversation with you, in some format, dealing with some of the beliefs I've come to have in religion and God, so on. I am a Christian, after a fashion, but one who decided upon that belief away from guilt trips or Hell-fear. Again, enjoying these videos greatly and have utmost respect.
Adolf Hitler was NOT a Catholic when he came into power. He was however raised as a Catholic, but his faith turned to esoteric pagan German mysticism. He was actually proposing a NEW reiglion. A Blood religion in which racial purity, science, and nature would replace the inferior "Christian" religion which was destroying the purity of German Aryans.
@RedDevileire I know i'm not saying that isn't true? As i see it, the Catholic Church is the largest pedophile wring in the history of the world, and the Pope is the Godfather of the pedophiles.
@SunBeamsan Hitler was somewhat a thiest but the Ideas of the Nazi party are very secular in nature. I think both sides want to blame each other. non-theist want to blame religion for the world problems. And those who are nonthiest are amoral. And of course thiest are the problem of the world killing in the name of religion and teaching childern about God is child abuse ect..... I think the biggest problems and death are the love of power and wealth,
@ocpud2999 Hitler was not somewhat theist. He's deep into the occult. He honestly believes Germans were decedent from a super race of God like beings, and that they had been tainted by the inferior human animals. You know you can blame religion all you want, but that still doesn't change human nature. You telling me not to want control (which i really dont), or money (which i need to survive), is just noise to me.
@SunBeamsan Of course your going to say you really don't want control. What benefit would result in you admitting that. And of course its just noise to you. You can say whatever you want but to admit that the love of power and money are the true causes of evil would undermind your philosophy and thus your argument that you feel religion is the true problem in the world. Do you really think if you got rid of religion the world would be a much better place. if So where's your proof?
@ocpud2999 Religion is not the cause of ALL problems, and i don't hate it. You're setting a categorical imperative on religion. If someone wants to worship the flying spaghetti monster, i dont give a crap. So long as they aren't imposing their religion on me, no problem. Now the love of power is something many people think about, but only a small % actually try to attain it. I'm not one of them. And i don't think a love of money is intrinsically evil. It's just paper you trade with.
@SunBeamsan Your right a small number of people acutally obtain it and money of those use it to abuse other people or to manipulate them to get what they want. As for money Yes we need it we also need food. But if we eat to much or abuse it it becomes dangerous to our health same goes for money. It only takes one person to abuse. Which brings me to my point. If no one had the urge for power and to obtain money at all cost then thier would be no evil. Like I said before thats impossible to stop.
@ocpud2999 Shut up. I would rather people respond to me when they have something to say that I don't know. Trying to become the gov't is bad, yeah yeah not in my interest. And telling me that seeking money is evil, is also stupid. If i want money it's my business. So long as im not trying to control you it's none of your business. I can tell you haven't been an Anarchist for very long.
@SunBeamsan the original idea of the constiution was to have a check and balance system to help curve that but as you know thats slowly going out the window.
@SunBeamsan If you really look at the world. When you break it down it all relvoles around those 2 issues. And religion or state or the hate of religion of state are merely used as tools to manipulate. You want true world peace get rid of the want for power and money. Oh good luck on that. I dont see that happening . We want to look at the symptoms but we ignore the actual problem.
Agreed Stef. Assholes like Hitler and Stalin wouldn't rise to power if people had the courage to stand up to them, and the courage to stand up to themselves!
If you think about it, Religion is the only way to get Man's eyes off the true God, and get them worshipping them.
Seperation from the Church and State, Islam, Catholics, Bible Belt, all hate this and they want to distory it, and reinstate their religion as divine ruler on this earth, and become our judge, in this morality corrupt world. As if the world was any less morality corrupt when they ruled. Atheist beware, your the ones they're blaming, your in their way. They'll unite to get you
Globalization, poverty, and social isolation advanced during the period you mentioned. Youth tend to make "bad" ethical choices, not that I'd put alcohol or sex into the category of ethics as you have, when influenced by peers. It's kinda tough to be influenced by peers to have sex or drink alcohol when you're sitting alone in your bedroom playing World of Warcraft, wouldn't you say? Also, the advance of globalization is not an indication of an improvement in ethical conduct.
I dont know if you've ever taken the time to talk with a Jehova's Witness, but I'd like to hear your take on their philosophy. I've studied with them in the past, and their beliefs are not in line with Catholicism. Very different actually.
Anyhow... I'm still going through your material. Very enjoyable.
You would have to look more at the contemporaneous representation of the Jehovha's Witnesses. There was a bit of a schism some time ago that resulted in the entire church basically declaring that there is no God, Jesus was not crucified on a cross, Dan Barker makes that point very well in his books, and many other very newage, modernist ideas. THey still hold worship services in windowless buildings and recommend their followers expose themselves to as little of the otuside world as possible
lest they be tainted by the sinfulness of society. So, no band for your kids, no theatre... moms should stay home and work. Etc. etc. fill in random sexist/backward/ideologically uninformed belief here and you'll probably be right.
Theist's morality is based on faith just as his belief in god. A secular and reality based morality holds human life as the standard of morality. It answers the question--what is the best way to conduct our affairs that upholds human survival, coexistence and happiness? Reason and thoughtful inquiry answers this and provides an objective code of morality appropriate for humans.
I totally agree with finding a morality that works well for you as well as others in society. I tend to go by that moral. whenever I'm in a situation where I have to make a choice, I always ask myself what am I most comfortable doing? Since I have found on youtube that some atheists can be just as "religious" as theists, I tend to adopt a more spiritual agnostic viewpoint. It's the label I feel most comfortable with these days.
I guess I didn't really make it that clear... even if Hitler and his followers weren't atheist, they did supplant and stamp out established religious doctrines for their own secular "religion." Molyneaux (the speaker here) puts forth an argument that all religious people are totalitarian, and all atheists must be anti-totalitarian. There's no evidence of that anywhere. Atheists can be just as "religious" as Christians or Muslims or Pagans.
this one is a little better, because of the last sentence. I would agree with it. But it would be more accurate written this way: "Atheists can be just as ignorant and dogmatic as the religious"
"I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord"
-Adolf Hitler (Mein Kampf)
"Gott Mit Uns" (German for "God is with us")
Inscription on Wehrmacht soldiers' belt buckle.
The Christian cross was a prominent emblem on Nazi artifacts, badges and pins.
Yeah, it's a good thing Germans are moving away from religion. Maybe they won't hand out bibles to people any more, and hand out a different book instead. Oh wait, that happened already, a while back. Mein Kampf, the book for every household. Atheism sure is a far superior ideal.
Those 9,999 other gods are actually personifications of the same god...Atheist myth dictates that the gods are different, actually even the Theists believe that those other gods are different gods. Many misunderstandings coming from Atheists and Theists. With knowledge comes wisdom, with wisdom comes a deeper understanding of the world we live in. Knowledge and wisdom** dictate that Atheism and Theism are going absolutely no where...together or separately.
You do realize that the man in this video has a point...I don't support organized religion, BUT a Theist was the first person to layout what morality actually is with the 10 commandments that he claimed to receive from the God.
Yea no, you'd be wrong. Firstly because the 10 Commandments are bloated and there are really only 3 or 4 of them that are worth anything.
Secondly, because the Golden Rule, which is an all encompassing rule for morality (and includes those in the 10 Commandments) was shown written in the Mahabharata roughly 3000BC. The 10 Commandments are guessed to have been made no earlier than 1600BC.
Lastly, this is all bull anyway because we would still have a sense of social morality without those works.
You don't need religion to have moral & ethical behavior. I think that if Jesus had wanted to leave behind a formal, structured religion he would have. He had at least 2 literate disciples; Matt &Luke- surely they could have written down his thoughts over 3yrs! Indoctrination really is child abuse. Luckily I disabused myself of those ideas through reason & have been much happier since! Religion comes from the Latin Re:Again & Ligare: To Bind. So It is Repeated Bondage by it's very name! How Sad.
I will debate the existence of God with you anytime. However after a few posts on your forum on your website you banned me. I agree with your anarchist views but disagree with your foolish claim that God doesn't exist. Ignorance is sad.
You can't prove the non-existence of God either by reason or logic. That makes it a foolish claim. Atheists make the claim that a believer in the existence of God has to prove God exists in order to be able to logically claim He exists. God either exists or He doesn't. All the logic or illogic in the world can't change that fact.
Reject Him or not, as that is everyones choice. But nobody can reason Him out of existence just because they want to deny Him.
I think anybody who attempts to use only reason or logic to claim God exists or not is foolish.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
So you're OK with believing in non-existent things, like santa or scooby-doo. By your 'logic' both are just as valid as god. Good, I'm glad we cleared that up!
Look, in making ANY decision, you have to weigh the pros and cons and then pick the thing that is most PROBABLE to be right for you. You can never know 100% so you use Probability. Buying shoes, dating, what to wear or eat, everything, right? So, just on the basis of sheer Probability, what are the odds that god or santa exist?
God exists. Santa and God don't equate. Weighing the pros and cons can't change reality.
God either exists or he doesn't. All the reasoning in the world can't change that fact. You choose to deny His existence based on your own limited intellect and knowledge. Your choice.
over the last few days I have watched every one of your videos. (and subscribed)
this has to be the most disrespectful video I have ever seen. you say it isn't personal and then get EXTREMELY personal in your attacks on organized religion. name me one thing that is in the bible that has no possible scientific explanation.
while I agree that the events in the bible were recorded by simpler thinkers, I still think that there is a higher power out there that we are all looking for.
How can you see the logic of anarchy and not that religion is the same structure as govt? They both operate like The Mob! Both control by fear, lies & violence, therefore they deserve no respect, as it is EARNED not OWED. How much does religion respect those it enslaves from childhood or kills for God? There are some good moral ideas in religion but they are not exclusive to religion.Most people follow those morals w/out religious coercion. Don't kill, lie, steal, cheat, etc. R pretty universal.
Religion has the same structure as government? That is a pretty broad statement and is false. My religion initiates no force whatsoever, therefore your statement is false. In my religion we are taught truth and encouraged but not in any way forced or coerced to follow it. Agency is the key to following God. Force is satan's tool.
False? OK, prove me wrong. Both are rigid hierarchies run by a small group of uber-wealthy elites who use violence & deception overt or covert to achieve their ends.Teaching defenseless children fairy tales as Absolute Truth is violence. If there was no force there'd be no Hell, AKA; God's Gitmo.You obviously haven't read the bible. Noah's Global Genocide was pretty violent & forceful wouldn't you say? That's only 1 of thousands of "righteous" violent acts in the bible. Please...
I don't have to prove you wrong. Prove God doesn't exist.
You are lumping all religions into the same rigid, false belief you have. The leaders of my church don't get paid nor do any who work and serve in it.
I teach my children the truth- God exists, He loves them and He wants them to succeed, be happy and reach their full potential.
I don't accept the Christian concept of hell.
Have read the Bible many times and I understand it better than you.
Boy, you have a pat answer for everything, huh? ..the wheels on the logic go round and round, round and round... sing! Believe whatever you want. If the cafeteria plan works for ya, fine. Bon Appetite.
...just don't join any debate teams unless you enjoy losing... ;)-
Yes certainly, you must learn about god from one who has a vested interest in converting you. Just like you should learn about joining the Army only from a recruiter. That way you know they'll always be truthful and unbiased.
After all, you can't learn anything from someone who challenges your views. Utter nonsense!
Everybody has a bias and an agenda. You don't learn reading from a baker.
You have said nothing that challenges my views so far because you know nothing about God. Your disbelief changes nothing. God exists and he created you. Believe it or not. Doesn't change reality.
OPPS, HAVE YOU FORGOT ABOUT THE CURSADES, THE INQUESTION, THE MILLIONS KILLED IN THE NAME OF A FICTIOUS GOD! ALL RELIGIOUSLY MOTIVATED,
IT IS YOUR RELIGIOUS TRAINING, YOU ARE PROGRAMMED TO ACT LIKE A RAT ON A TREADMILL, PROGRAMMED TO SAY WHAT THE CHRUCH PUTS IN YOUR HEAD, WHEN THE CHURCHBELL RINGS, YOU PROBABLY SALIVATE! There has been only one Christian. They caught him and crucified him - early. - Mark Twain
also, while there is a very strong correlation between theism and religion, it's disingenuous to compare atheism with religion.
Religion is 'an institution to express belief in a divine power', atheism is a belief.
It would be like me comparing the Federal Reserve's board to the Austrian school of thought.
Certainly they overlap, yet to be honest you are comparing a particular /belief/ to a subset of practices of a subset of /institutions/ who generally claim to hold the opposite belief.
I disagree with "the fact that you do not have your own internalized moral compass ... footprint of religion".
The religionS you speak of, and not necessarily Religion itself most definitely do exactly that-- however these are just the religions that have been promoted and propagated by those who have an interest in reinforcing those beliefs, and the resulting reliance on earthly, external authorities to "hear god's voice" and avoid damnation or animalistic reincarnation.
(re?)read the Bhagavad Gita for an example of a religious text whose main thrust is 'Arjuna, don't listen to your priest, or your wife, or your sense of greed, or fear... only listen to your own mind, heart, and psyche in determining what is right, and act upon it fearlessly.'
I agree largely with what you're saying; however I think it's important to make this distinction: power hungry amoral asshole people buttress religions that create easy prey. This should reflect more on the assholes, than on the entire spectrum of what could be called religion.
All of this is tangential to the issue of what is supernatural, superstition, or completely rational and yet out of the reach of our current mental models.
Various religions have made many positive and negative contributions to (against) morality, science, etc.
There may be specific (probably largely negative) correlations between certain religions and immorality, but I still hold that big-R Religion and Morality are primarily orthogonal.
Fundamentally you're argument is failed Dogmas, social controlling & power grabbing church(s) hierarchy = No God. Disagree.
I believe in a high being, one that is outside our frequency existence. My view is traditional teaching is way off base on who & what it [God] is.
I see him as intelligent energy that works at a difference frequency.
Take Jesus's transfiguration where he turned into pure LIGHT or more correctly, turned into pure ENERGY. All of us will evolve toward this higher energy.
Briliant vid. I agree that religion is a poison and that it does nothing more than stagnate the intellectual evolution of humanity. Perhaps this is why most people can't think for themselves and are always looking for someone to lead them and solve their problems. I fear though that we are just moving to more of the same, instead of looking to God to solve the worlds problems, humanity now believes money and the people with it can solve their problems. The flock has just traded the cross for a $
So well put . Relying on or relenquishing critical thinking to "something" expunges one from taking responsibility . One can do heinous acts and find forgiveness in their dieties. ( whatever they may be )
Thank you. I was never a big fan of religion and their various institutions. Not really a fan of anything that allows people to escape personal resposibility for their own actions. People love to blame gods, politicians and everything else but themselves for the problems of this world. One example would be the over consumption of almost everthing that is creating so much destruction to this planet in the form of war and pollution, yet if the price on Nikes or oil get to high people go crazy.
People are conditioned brom the cradle to the grave. when I am with a client I often times remain quiet as "their" rreality is clearly in some akward direction to mine I fear I will sound alien to them. Once you attempt to step through the faux systems the world appears quite different and at times will bring the strangest feelings of loneliness ............................
Niether would I, but it sure does bring feelings of loneliness sometimes. It's nice to see some people who are open minded, willing to look at different angles and talk about them. It reminds us all that we aren't alone in the crazy world.
We are NOT alone in our feelings I am sure. I do beleive to live a life of inner freedom ( at the very least ) one can not think of "if there are other's like me " . I do enjoy the company of other's but it is not mandatory on a regular basis. I have many interests and am quite calm spending vast amounts of time "with" myself..not "by" myself. It allows me to grow in ways that if I were constantly entertained by other's around me ..I would not. Time with people time without ALL good !
I Believe in God or divine creative force. But its none of your business or the churches business or my families. I can't even understand it half the time. and the other half of the time its laughing at me. so there is no point in trying to explain it to you. because it dosent matter to any one else but me. and the only rule it ever told me was to learn to learn and love the people around me. and if I fail to do that I am forced to repeat the lesson again. untill i do.
I gotta disagree with your analysis of this change in behavior. There is a book called The Fourth Turning, by William Strauss and Neil Howe. This change in behavior you describe fits perfectly with the predictions they made about the behavior of the Millennial Generation, in their theory about 80 year cycles of history. A similar change occurred between the Lost Generation and the G.I. Generation, as we are now seeing between Generation X and the Millennials.
Are you freakin kidding? Atheism is the cause of the moral bankruptcy, financial bankruptcy and collapse of North America and Europe. Kids are not using pot, alcohol or engaging in sex with each other because the atheist authorities have them on 4 - 5 psyche meds like Risperdal which diminishes libido. Duh. Pedophile atheists are sodomizing children in foster care that they kidnapped from Christian parents. Go to hell. I know the TRUTH and your bullshit won't stand!
Can you please elaborate a little? Why is atheism to blame for this? 'Moral bankruptcy' is and has always been connected with people in power. Nothing new! 'Financial bankruptcy' has to do with the federal reserve and the fractional banking system. Check what President Andrew Jackson said about Second Bank of the United States in 1832. See, people knew this 177 years ago!
Can you give me a source to the 'psyche meds'thing?
As you know the TRUTH, can you please tell me where I'm wrong?
Religious people are so close minded, and you're the typical religious person. And if hell existed what would be so bad about it. If I'm a bad person, and go to hell, why would the so called "Devil" punish me? I did exactly what he would have wanted me to do on earth, and I went against what "God" would have wanted me to do. I would be the devils friend, he wouldn't punish me because thats what "God" would want. He would treat me like a friend and let me bang all the hookers who went to hell.
I must say, I am a huge fan of your video's and agree with you on pretty much everything, except the fact that you claim that it is good that marihuana use is down. Why is this good? it is the most healthy plant available on the planet and used in over 250 ailments. It has been used for over 5000 years in history as medicine and hallucinogenic. I understand your message, but I dislike the steriotypes on marihuana. Alcohol is the real drug!
Look up the amazing - and much suppressed - statistics showing the direct correlation between states which had abortion on demand and crime in those same areas. Have a kid you don't really want - create a criminal!
I was raised in a very religious home and community. The loss of my religious beliefs (at 22) was one of the most painful things that ever happened to me. I felt as if my rational mind was at war with the emotional context of my life and all my social attachments. But I could not simply "choose" to believe something that I had seen through. And so I was set adrift - emotionally, socially, and intellectually. Thank God (haha) my daughter will not have to go through this.
I know this feeling. I went through the same experience, but now I'm free, and most importantly, happier...without the need of a made-belief being. :D P>S> Thanks to videos like this one and Pat Condell.
Well then the only difference is that you believe in a book written by a pink invisble horse. And i dont believe in.
Second "christen thinking" You could leave away the thinking if you dont have thinked about the very existence of the great Him.
Also thinking has nothing to do with faith as far as i know.
With the quote:" you have no rights at all and there is no such thing as "child abuse, murder, stealing etc". We would only have the rights of animal survival."
Did I write anything here that was insulting or demeaning of anyone? Are you Stefbots defender now?
You kind of cherry picked your response. The 3 posts I left had more content, why were you not responsive to that? I guess you're not familiar with the Hatfields or McCoys. Which one are you? Just to let you know I'm not the other.
You are filled with blind ignorant prejudice. You did not understand the last sentence of my last post as it was about you. You object to treating others as you...?
Well said. The same thing happened to me. When I was little I was told to do or say certain things or else I'll go to hell/heaven. It scared me of course because I didn't want to go to hell. But now that I see things for what they really are, I can say that you're completely right.
Both of my parents come from non-religious homes, my dad was a hippie, motorcycle rider, druggie, my mom was emotionally damaged from the death of her mom at 13 and an abusive dad, how could these two have a life that resembled happiness? God saved them. After two kids out of wedlock for my mom and 4 for my dad, they gave their lives to Christ and 6 years later I was born, I have 2 brothers, 4 sisters all living pretty well because 30 years ago my parents were saved from non-religion.
philosophy didnt save them. philosophy didnt save me. I know that much of mainstream christianity comes off as therapeutic and naive philosophy, but that is not the christianity of my experience, I was broken and God fixed me; but thats not even the point. Christianity starts with the premise, God made everything. I don't worship him because I'm afraid or because he fixed me (although those are reasons to), I worship him as creator, saviour and ruler of all creation.
where is the testimony of those saved by philosophy? How does philosophy help a man addicted to drugs get set free? The most successful recovery clinics all have this in common: recognition of a higher power. Christianity says that what saves a man, is nothing that he himself can do, but it is a supernatural infusion of eternal life. on this point it is not morality, not ethics, not fear of the "sky god"; it is making someone who was spiritually dead come to life. is that really so dangerous?
Relationships would be great if not for people. While I have faith in a Creator, I am not religious either. Even so religion would be great (almost any of them including atheism) if not for people.
The Constitution of the uS, as originally written could harm no one, would be great if not for people.
There was an atheist leader & a religious leader that caused much evil. The first thing in common is they were people.
Atheists & evolutionist also have done much back tracking & re-positioning.
I like much of what you write because it agrees with my "Christian" thinking. Then again the priest that says bow before man-made idols with the book in his hands says "not to" didn't escape me. So which one was right?
I later in life read it for myself. I came to the conclusion that the Bible would be great if not for people. There is nothing in Christianity that promotes a "Christian government" or "Nation". There can be nothing in the Constitution that promotes legalized stealing & slavery.
So which would you rather have? Self-evident rights endowed to you by a Creator as fixed and unalienable or the rights of an evolving world or universe determined by the self-serving politics of people?
Grant it, there is not much difference from my point of view or probably yours. I suggest that if your rights are not fixed, even if undiscovered, you have no rights at all and there is no such thing as "child abuse, murder, stealing etc". We would only have the rights of animal survival.
Is it always the Hatfields & McCoys? Here is one of the two laws left by "Jesus" to His disciples & followers. "Treat others as you would like to be treated."
Funny how "Christians" can't grasp the enormity in this simple statement; that the letter of the law was done away with because even the Creator's law is weak if it must be written down.
So how can the atheist then disagree with this final law? Does the atheist take his argument from the so-called "Christian" that can't read for himself?
The numbers for Finland might be a bit skewed, people tend to be religious in name only. People don't really go to church, it's more about the perks (weddings and burials); tradition not faith.
Same thing in the former Yugoslavia,500 years ago it was either convert or die.They still call themselves Muslims but most have never even been inside a mosque
I have 7 sons ,ages ,21,18,16,15,12,and twins boys 7 months....My older children go with our church all over the world...They will be going to Kape Breton, Canada,and it looks like they really need some help..
Oh and I find it hard to think stefbot has a child,because you come off really Gay...
Don't deny your true self,lol.......................
What is your point exactly? What have atheists (specifically those that are secular humanists) done to you? And I seriously doubt atheists are going extinct. Seems that there is a connection between being intelligent, and being atheist. Especially in the rising movement of atheism we see all over the world right now.
Stef comes off as many things but I don't think gay is one of them. I'm an atheist and gay and I plan to have two or three kids even if it's just adopting the ones that Christian heteros don't want.
I have 7 sons ,ages ,21,18,16,15,12,and twins boys 7 months....My older children go with our church all over the world...They will be going to Kape Breton, Canada,and it looks like they really need some help..
Oh and I find it hard to think stefbot has a child,because you come off really Gay...
Don't deny your true self,lol.......................
as I recall the numbers for native americans has gone up like 30% in the last couple of decades or so, but considering it's from under 2 million, to slightly over 2... it's not statistically significant, especially taking into account better methodology by the census bureau, and new inclusion categories.
I think I'm going to speak through you Stef. You describe my feelings almost exactly, but with a wonderful etiquette of speech unlike my puddle of words that comes out whenever I try to prove a point. Good stuff!
Clergy need to develope the virtue of patience, and wait until any child freely communicates an interest in knowing about religion. Wait 40 -50 years or so, amen.
excellent vid Stef,best part is around the 7:30 thru 8:00 my friend talked me into going with him to sunday school,I went once and only once,I could see thru that crap at the age of 8 for goodness sake :)
Stef, yet again you raise some valid points. Religion has caused many woes through out history. I prescribe more to spiritually. With that being said, how did the "big bang" happen? What was there before it? What is the answer to life, the universe, and everything (as Douglas Adams put it)? The problem I have with atheism is disregards that there could be a God. When you can explain how the universe works, in total, on every level, I may follow this notion. What say u?
In order to explain the unniverse in such way it would be a godly act. Then you could worship such person as god. Just accept what you already know and act on
A being that created all we see and may be a direct part of it is at the base of my belief. I think that most people that fathom the notion of God would agree with that view. To assume too much more with out direct proof of some sort would be along the lines of mysticism. Since the theory can neither be proven or disproven, at this time, by scientific method, no one can say for sure. Thank you that was a good question to ponder on.
Being a religious person lets the Government know that you require a leader and can't think or act for yourself. Encouraging religious folk to go to war is not so hard. Hitler managed.
Yes you heard me, I aligned all religious people with Hitler.
Another example, Bush/Blair. Not content with dragging his religious minions to war he dragged ours in the UK with him too.
Murderers, the lot of them.
yeah, yeah, yeah, generalising, I know, but someone had to say it, we're all thinking it. HAHAHA
Another POWERFUL, WISE and above all pertinent DESTRUCTION of this nonsense called 'Religion'.
I have said it before but if you are missing the point with Stefan, you are already gone and totally irrecuperable...
People - there is no need to discuss nonsense; not only listen to this one but take time and go trough Stefan's most work and you will see his work is just breathtaking.
You have the choice: freedom or slavery. There is no other Stefan M out there! Listen to him.
And your comment about "let God do it," He did in my life. I was raised in a nonbelieving home and in my search for Truth, Jesus is my answer. And not for the reasons you cited, its all about the LOVE!! and I'm not afraid, cause I'm on His side and we win in the end.
As a lover of Jesus I want to say thank you, Stef, for clearing up your reasoning for debunking my faith. I won't take it personally anymore. btw, I'm going to join y'all next year for the cook-out, it sounds like you had a blast.
In the deeming of religion as child abuse (and correctly so in my opinion), I think Stefan just told us what Pat Benatar was saying in her song "Hell is for Children" :)
Wiccans anti-supernatural? Huh??!?!?
crothersdaniel 4 weeks ago
id just like to point out that Philosophy does not disprove God, similarly religion doesn't prove him either.
NeMzoNer 4 months ago
i think Germany and Russia have relatively low percentage (about 49%) of atheists, compared to say Sweden (85%), is due to religion being outlawed by the State during the totalitarian rule of Hitler and Stalin. So in the minds of so many German and Russian religion = rebellion to the totalitarian rule.
alennna 5 months ago
@alennna time to move to sweden!!!!!!!!
vtran31 2 months ago
@Wyatt7211 Fair enough. However, you can't shelter them from all "dogma" forever, so I'd certainly just warn them up front about the dangers of religion and blindly accepting things without researching the evidence and facts.
But I also couldn't rationally or morally tell them that all scientific theories are facts, because the reality is that some of these "facts" can't be proven and are reversed or modified continuously.
TSMPimpDaddyPain 7 months ago
Unfortunately you missed the point as well. Religion is a problem if taught as fact to a young child.
However, if one simply exposes their child to some of the various major belief systems in the world, then allows them to decide for themselves what is right for them based on morality and rationality....that's not "filling their heads with lies".
All theories have erroneous or unprovable elements.
TSMPimpDaddyPain 7 months ago
Religion in itself is not the problem. In and of itself it is just a particular philosophy and theory on life, spirituality, and the universe.
The issue lies with, like Stef has said, the cases where parents present only one theological/philosophical view to a malleable/impressionable child like it is 100% fact and that everything else is wrong, or nothing else is out there.
TSMPimpDaddyPain 9 months ago
Well done. I'm brazilian and it is really hard to be an atheist in the country with more christians in the world. Non sense. Brazil would be better off without religion.
nonozera 10 months ago
@nonozera Totally, man. Even if u mention in public the word "atheism" in Brazil, u can consider yrself as a "social suicider". It's really hard when u'r in a discution and people start talking about religion and u have to close yr mouth to don't be treated as a freak or whatever... And it's the same about politics. If u have in mind to assume yrself as a "liberal", it's better quit off this idea.
We 'r looking to the future, but thinking exactly like in the past.
AngeloNoel 10 months ago
It is interesting to note, that Italy as a Catholic country, even under Mussolini, was definitely less totalitarian than Protestant Germany. The total number of victims under Mussolini was about 200 persons. More people died recently in Libia. The same goes for supposedly fascist dictatorships of Franco or Salazar, which were not totalitarian, precisely because Catholic society has a totally different sense of life than a gloomy Protestant or Orthodox one,and cult of personality cannot take hold
Arjozof 11 months ago
Its a stretch to equal believing in God to wanting to get drunk and have sex at 15. But I believe that rebellious behavior is going down because our society is becoming less repressive and prudish. My parents smoked and drank, and I haven't have much urge to do either, but if my parents had told me not to smoke or drink, I'm sure that I would have. Christian religions are certainly repressive, hence promoting rebellious push-back, but that's a religious structure problem, not a cause of belief .
ArgosSmith2009 1 year ago
The god vs. no god arguments remind me of the mainstream handling of political parties. You can talk about reps and dems all day, but you talk about a third party and you are nuts. You can talk about god and no god all day, but as soon as you start to explore third options you are nuts. I believe that the universe as a whole is intelligent and it created a playground for you to experience in the way you see fit. We accept god becoming man to save man, but not man becoming god to save himself.
Growingsovereign 1 year ago
@Growingsovereign The difference is there are other political parties. The question of god is a dichotomy. Either there is a god or there isn't. If you choose to call the universe god, well that's just silly. We already have a name for the universe. Why call it something else? Seeing how the universe is mostly composed of nothing and the vast majority of the something is hostile to life, why assume it made a playground for us?
76spinoza 11 months ago
I wonder if stefbot in a true prophet? You definitley show the signs of one! Maybe God is real and stefbot is telling the truth at the same time?
mart83648 1 year ago
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Freedomain Radio and Stefan Molyneux provides some of the clearest, logical analysis and critique of our contemporary world I've ever come across in my 45 years on this forsaken rock in space. Thank you. Please vote for Freedomain Radio at podcastawards com. under two categories 1) People Choice Award and 2) Education. Be sure to check your email address to validate your vote. (Voting ends Tuesday December 15th 2010)
eyejudgeeverything 1 year ago
I was a muslim, until I found reason.
knowthetruth1492 1 year ago
Thanks. Very well said.
js7un 1 year ago
As much as I want to agree with what you're getting at, I think without providing further evidence, I'm afraid your argument for atheism being responsible for more ethical behavior is just a little weak. I think that we really need a study that examines the ratio of theists versus atheists amongst these youth to strengthen this argument. I don't disagree, mind you, but if we want people to take the idea seriously, we need to build a strong argument.
mrbeckett81 1 year ago
This is by far one of the best explanations of how I and other athiests I know feel about religion. Thank you for putting into words how I feel.
eng413driver 1 year ago
The article "Popular Religiosity and Secularism in the Prosperous Democracies" by Gregory S Paul presents objective evidence that secular societies have not only higher levels of ethical behaviour but also higher standards of living, education and social welfare. Of course that also correlates with a strong welfare state. Now I don't wish to offend your anti-state beliefs, I'm not against anti-stateists per se, just don't fill your children's heads with this superstitious nonsense.
colourmegone 1 year ago
the biggest problem with modern atheism is the sense of "I am the one who is truly smart if you believe in God that makes you stupid. Only people who do not believe in God are truly rational." That statement shows to me what we are truly like which is selfish. When a person is a nonthiest. Sure they can be moral because at that point they can define what is moral and not moral. Muder may be considered immoral but then you can even redefine that to fit your needs.
ocpud2999 1 year ago
Hey there Sefan -
Been watching your vlog for a bit now, thoroughly enjoying the stimulation and the encouragement to think around corners and such. I would greatly enjoy a conversation with you, in some format, dealing with some of the beliefs I've come to have in religion and God, so on. I am a Christian, after a fashion, but one who decided upon that belief away from guilt trips or Hell-fear. Again, enjoying these videos greatly and have utmost respect.
-JB
Ionhelen 1 year ago
08:20 Woah psycho :)
BarrySlisk 1 year ago
Adolf Hitler was NOT a Catholic when he came into power. He was however raised as a Catholic, but his faith turned to esoteric pagan German mysticism. He was actually proposing a NEW reiglion. A Blood religion in which racial purity, science, and nature would replace the inferior "Christian" religion which was destroying the purity of German Aryans.
SunBeamsan 1 year ago
@SunBeamsan Child abusing priests are also catholics , worth thinking about ;)
Doesn't say much good for catholicism does it ?
RedDevileire 1 year ago
@RedDevileire I know i'm not saying that isn't true? As i see it, the Catholic Church is the largest pedophile wring in the history of the world, and the Pope is the Godfather of the pedophiles.
SunBeamsan 1 year ago
@SunBeamsan Hitler was somewhat a thiest but the Ideas of the Nazi party are very secular in nature. I think both sides want to blame each other. non-theist want to blame religion for the world problems. And those who are nonthiest are amoral. And of course thiest are the problem of the world killing in the name of religion and teaching childern about God is child abuse ect..... I think the biggest problems and death are the love of power and wealth,
ocpud2999 1 year ago
@ocpud2999 Hitler was not somewhat theist. He's deep into the occult. He honestly believes Germans were decedent from a super race of God like beings, and that they had been tainted by the inferior human animals. You know you can blame religion all you want, but that still doesn't change human nature. You telling me not to want control (which i really dont), or money (which i need to survive), is just noise to me.
SunBeamsan 1 year ago
@SunBeamsan Of course your going to say you really don't want control. What benefit would result in you admitting that. And of course its just noise to you. You can say whatever you want but to admit that the love of power and money are the true causes of evil would undermind your philosophy and thus your argument that you feel religion is the true problem in the world. Do you really think if you got rid of religion the world would be a much better place. if So where's your proof?
ocpud2999 1 year ago
@ocpud2999 Religion is not the cause of ALL problems, and i don't hate it. You're setting a categorical imperative on religion. If someone wants to worship the flying spaghetti monster, i dont give a crap. So long as they aren't imposing their religion on me, no problem. Now the love of power is something many people think about, but only a small % actually try to attain it. I'm not one of them. And i don't think a love of money is intrinsically evil. It's just paper you trade with.
SunBeamsan 1 year ago
@SunBeamsan Your right a small number of people acutally obtain it and money of those use it to abuse other people or to manipulate them to get what they want. As for money Yes we need it we also need food. But if we eat to much or abuse it it becomes dangerous to our health same goes for money. It only takes one person to abuse. Which brings me to my point. If no one had the urge for power and to obtain money at all cost then thier would be no evil. Like I said before thats impossible to stop.
ocpud2999 1 year ago
@ocpud2999 Why are you trying to educate me?! STOP REPEATING WHAT I'M SAYING! I BLUDY KNOW!!
SunBeamsan 1 year ago
@SunBeamsan I am not repeating you . I am not educating you. I am responding. If you would not like me to respond then. don't post on you tube.
ocpud2999 1 year ago
@ocpud2999 Shut up. I would rather people respond to me when they have something to say that I don't know. Trying to become the gov't is bad, yeah yeah not in my interest. And telling me that seeking money is evil, is also stupid. If i want money it's my business. So long as im not trying to control you it's none of your business. I can tell you haven't been an Anarchist for very long.
SunBeamsan 1 year ago
@SunBeamsan the original idea of the constiution was to have a check and balance system to help curve that but as you know thats slowly going out the window.
ocpud2999 1 year ago
@SunBeamsan If you really look at the world. When you break it down it all relvoles around those 2 issues. And religion or state or the hate of religion of state are merely used as tools to manipulate. You want true world peace get rid of the want for power and money. Oh good luck on that. I dont see that happening . We want to look at the symptoms but we ignore the actual problem.
ocpud2999 1 year ago
Agreed Stef. Assholes like Hitler and Stalin wouldn't rise to power if people had the courage to stand up to them, and the courage to stand up to themselves!
drew335533 1 year ago
If you think about it, Religion is the only way to get Man's eyes off the true God, and get them worshipping them.
Seperation from the Church and State, Islam, Catholics, Bible Belt, all hate this and they want to distory it, and reinstate their religion as divine ruler on this earth, and become our judge, in this morality corrupt world. As if the world was any less morality corrupt when they ruled. Atheist beware, your the ones they're blaming, your in their way. They'll unite to get you
2Roo7ted 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Evolution supplies all that is needed for the development
of codes of conduct that preserve and facilitate
survival and co-operation,
which is precisely what these "laws" do.
Such sensitivities in no way support any particular god.
In fact, as Christians believe that their most heinous acts
will be magically vanished and forgotten via human sacrifice,
they actually have very little incentive to act in a moral manner.
Hmmm..
That just might explain a hell of a lot.
Imaginefree69 1 year ago
Globalization, poverty, and social isolation advanced during the period you mentioned. Youth tend to make "bad" ethical choices, not that I'd put alcohol or sex into the category of ethics as you have, when influenced by peers. It's kinda tough to be influenced by peers to have sex or drink alcohol when you're sitting alone in your bedroom playing World of Warcraft, wouldn't you say? Also, the advance of globalization is not an indication of an improvement in ethical conduct.
momentinpassing 1 year ago
I would not say that a bunch of kids watching movies and palying video games contributed to less teens doing drugs, having sex, etc.
judaserebus 1 year ago
I dont know if you've ever taken the time to talk with a Jehova's Witness, but I'd like to hear your take on their philosophy. I've studied with them in the past, and their beliefs are not in line with Catholicism. Very different actually.
Anyhow... I'm still going through your material. Very enjoyable.
TigronX 2 years ago
You would have to look more at the contemporaneous representation of the Jehovha's Witnesses. There was a bit of a schism some time ago that resulted in the entire church basically declaring that there is no God, Jesus was not crucified on a cross, Dan Barker makes that point very well in his books, and many other very newage, modernist ideas. THey still hold worship services in windowless buildings and recommend their followers expose themselves to as little of the otuside world as possible
judaserebus 1 year ago
lest they be tainted by the sinfulness of society. So, no band for your kids, no theatre... moms should stay home and work. Etc. etc. fill in random sexist/backward/ideologically uninformed belief here and you'll probably be right.
judaserebus 1 year ago
No religion on the rise here in Sweden, 85% atheist, i´m proud.
Zillahtech 2 years ago
Theist's morality is based on faith just as his belief in god. A secular and reality based morality holds human life as the standard of morality. It answers the question--what is the best way to conduct our affairs that upholds human survival, coexistence and happiness? Reason and thoughtful inquiry answers this and provides an objective code of morality appropriate for humans.
sweetsweatyfeet 2 years ago
4:40 You say, "Atheism is crushing religion."?
Watch "Debate between Swedish atheist and Christian - Part 1" They agree that Christianity is on the rise.
Entropy56 2 years ago
Islam rises and ethical behavior goes up and the UK is changing their laws to accommodate them.
Entropy56 2 years ago
I totally agree with finding a morality that works well for you as well as others in society. I tend to go by that moral. whenever I'm in a situation where I have to make a choice, I always ask myself what am I most comfortable doing? Since I have found on youtube that some atheists can be just as "religious" as theists, I tend to adopt a more spiritual agnostic viewpoint. It's the label I feel most comfortable with these days.
HaleyMary 2 years ago
I guess I didn't really make it that clear... even if Hitler and his followers weren't atheist, they did supplant and stamp out established religious doctrines for their own secular "religion." Molyneaux (the speaker here) puts forth an argument that all religious people are totalitarian, and all atheists must be anti-totalitarian. There's no evidence of that anywhere. Atheists can be just as "religious" as Christians or Muslims or Pagans.
edengard 2 years ago
this one is a little better, because of the last sentence. I would agree with it. But it would be more accurate written this way: "Atheists can be just as ignorant and dogmatic as the religious"
saxrider 2 years ago
"I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord"
-Adolf Hitler (Mein Kampf)
"Gott Mit Uns" (German for "God is with us")
Inscription on Wehrmacht soldiers' belt buckle.
The Christian cross was a prominent emblem on Nazi artifacts, badges and pins.
(Frauenschaft Badge, Mutterkreuz, Schlageter pins)
All of these conclusively proving that Hitler was pushing atheism. Oh wait...!
squ34ky2 2 years ago 6
Yeah, it's a good thing Germans are moving away from religion. Maybe they won't hand out bibles to people any more, and hand out a different book instead. Oh wait, that happened already, a while back. Mein Kampf, the book for every household. Atheism sure is a far superior ideal.
edengard 2 years ago
not sure about this comment edengard. it's a little too broad. overall this comment should be modded down as pointless and irrelevant.
saxrider 2 years ago
P.S.
Those 9,999 other gods are actually personifications of the same god...Atheist myth dictates that the gods are different, actually even the Theists believe that those other gods are different gods. Many misunderstandings coming from Atheists and Theists. With knowledge comes wisdom, with wisdom comes a deeper understanding of the world we live in. Knowledge and wisdom** dictate that Atheism and Theism are going absolutely no where...together or separately.
Darkgravx12 2 years ago
You do realize that the man in this video has a point...I don't support organized religion, BUT a Theist was the first person to layout what morality actually is with the 10 commandments that he claimed to receive from the God.
Darkgravx12 2 years ago
Therefore, morality will go down the tube if Atheism succeeds in its rather pointless goal to persuade others into believing in nothing at all.
Darkgravx12 2 years ago
Yea no, you'd be wrong. Firstly because the 10 Commandments are bloated and there are really only 3 or 4 of them that are worth anything.
Secondly, because the Golden Rule, which is an all encompassing rule for morality (and includes those in the 10 Commandments) was shown written in the Mahabharata roughly 3000BC. The 10 Commandments are guessed to have been made no earlier than 1600BC.
Lastly, this is all bull anyway because we would still have a sense of social morality without those works.
khorib 2 years ago
@Darkgravx12 Obviously, you don't know jack about history. There's dozens of cultures that pre-date Judaism, all of which had ethics and morals.
Muljinn 1 year ago
Very well thought out argument. Thank you.
wamerocity 2 years ago
You don't need religion to have moral & ethical behavior. I think that if Jesus had wanted to leave behind a formal, structured religion he would have. He had at least 2 literate disciples; Matt &Luke- surely they could have written down his thoughts over 3yrs! Indoctrination really is child abuse. Luckily I disabused myself of those ideas through reason & have been much happier since! Religion comes from the Latin Re:Again & Ligare: To Bind. So It is Repeated Bondage by it's very name! How Sad.
kingofthebrittains 2 years ago
I will debate the existence of God with you anytime. However after a few posts on your forum on your website you banned me. I agree with your anarchist views but disagree with your foolish claim that God doesn't exist. Ignorance is sad.
stockoneder 2 years ago
How is saying that God doesn't exist a foolish claim?
experthe 2 years ago
You can't prove the non-existence of God either by reason or logic. That makes it a foolish claim. Atheists make the claim that a believer in the existence of God has to prove God exists in order to be able to logically claim He exists. God either exists or He doesn't. All the logic or illogic in the world can't change that fact.
Reject Him or not, as that is everyones choice. But nobody can reason Him out of existence just because they want to deny Him.
stockoneder 2 years ago
If what you say is true, then do you think that claiming that God does exist is also a foolish claim?
experthe 2 years ago
experthe.
I think anybody who attempts to use only reason or logic to claim God exists or not is foolish.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
(New Testament | 1 Corinthians 2:14)
stockoneder 2 years ago
So you're OK with believing in non-existent things, like santa or scooby-doo. By your 'logic' both are just as valid as god. Good, I'm glad we cleared that up!
Look, in making ANY decision, you have to weigh the pros and cons and then pick the thing that is most PROBABLE to be right for you. You can never know 100% so you use Probability. Buying shoes, dating, what to wear or eat, everything, right? So, just on the basis of sheer Probability, what are the odds that god or santa exist?
kingofthebrittains 2 years ago
God exists. Santa and God don't equate. Weighing the pros and cons can't change reality.
God either exists or he doesn't. All the reasoning in the world can't change that fact. You choose to deny His existence based on your own limited intellect and knowledge. Your choice.
stockoneder 2 years ago
I also find it a bit hypocritical that one who is such a staunch libertarian could be so against others finding solace in religion.
I have no doubt in my mind if you could you would prohibit all religion (effectively creating a totalitarianism)
Ultramerican1 2 years ago
over the last few days I have watched every one of your videos. (and subscribed)
this has to be the most disrespectful video I have ever seen. you say it isn't personal and then get EXTREMELY personal in your attacks on organized religion. name me one thing that is in the bible that has no possible scientific explanation.
while I agree that the events in the bible were recorded by simpler thinkers, I still think that there is a higher power out there that we are all looking for.
Ultramerican1 2 years ago
How can you see the logic of anarchy and not that religion is the same structure as govt? They both operate like The Mob! Both control by fear, lies & violence, therefore they deserve no respect, as it is EARNED not OWED. How much does religion respect those it enslaves from childhood or kills for God? There are some good moral ideas in religion but they are not exclusive to religion.Most people follow those morals w/out religious coercion. Don't kill, lie, steal, cheat, etc. R pretty universal.
kingofthebrittains 2 years ago
Religion has the same structure as government? That is a pretty broad statement and is false. My religion initiates no force whatsoever, therefore your statement is false. In my religion we are taught truth and encouraged but not in any way forced or coerced to follow it. Agency is the key to following God. Force is satan's tool.
stockoneder 2 years ago
False? OK, prove me wrong. Both are rigid hierarchies run by a small group of uber-wealthy elites who use violence & deception overt or covert to achieve their ends.Teaching defenseless children fairy tales as Absolute Truth is violence. If there was no force there'd be no Hell, AKA; God's Gitmo.You obviously haven't read the bible. Noah's Global Genocide was pretty violent & forceful wouldn't you say? That's only 1 of thousands of "righteous" violent acts in the bible. Please...
kingofthebrittains 2 years ago
I don't have to prove you wrong. Prove God doesn't exist.
You are lumping all religions into the same rigid, false belief you have. The leaders of my church don't get paid nor do any who work and serve in it.
I teach my children the truth- God exists, He loves them and He wants them to succeed, be happy and reach their full potential.
I don't accept the Christian concept of hell.
Have read the Bible many times and I understand it better than you.
Violence exists is because God gave man agency.
stockoneder 2 years ago
Boy, you have a pat answer for everything, huh? ..the wheels on the logic go round and round, round and round... sing! Believe whatever you want. If the cafeteria plan works for ya, fine. Bon Appetite.
...just don't join any debate teams unless you enjoy losing... ;)-
kingofthebrittains 2 years ago
If you want to learn about God you don't ask an atheist or the government.
stockoneder 2 years ago
Yes certainly, you must learn about god from one who has a vested interest in converting you. Just like you should learn about joining the Army only from a recruiter. That way you know they'll always be truthful and unbiased.
After all, you can't learn anything from someone who challenges your views. Utter nonsense!
kingofthebrittains 2 years ago 4
Everybody has a bias and an agenda. You don't learn reading from a baker.
You have said nothing that challenges my views so far because you know nothing about God. Your disbelief changes nothing. God exists and he created you. Believe it or not. Doesn't change reality.
stockoneder 2 years ago
I don't like this guy's sarcastic tone :/
Even though I agree
blasphemylolz 2 years ago
Sorry, that's:
ATHEISTS 10
THEISTS 1
I have met decent, ethical, atheists, but most end up being unhappy and embittered people.
opticon23 2 years ago
HISTORY'S GENOCIDE CHAMPIONSHIP
ATHEISTS 10
THESISTS 1
Simple empirical fact throws a wrench in Steph's simplistic theory.
opticon23 2 years ago
OPPS, HAVE YOU FORGOT ABOUT THE CURSADES, THE INQUESTION, THE MILLIONS KILLED IN THE NAME OF A FICTIOUS GOD! ALL RELIGIOUSLY MOTIVATED,
IT IS YOUR RELIGIOUS TRAINING, YOU ARE PROGRAMMED TO ACT LIKE A RAT ON A TREADMILL, PROGRAMMED TO SAY WHAT THE CHRUCH PUTS IN YOUR HEAD, WHEN THE CHURCHBELL RINGS, YOU PROBABLY SALIVATE! There has been only one Christian. They caught him and crucified him - early. - Mark Twain
bamboobob1 2 years ago
Mikhail Bakunin, "God and the state".
If you haven't read it yet you should - it's pretty short, I read it in about one hour and it's till very powerful.
Stephan if you read him, what do you think of Bakunin ?
Knr911 2 years ago
What type of accent do you have?
xxxFaustusxxx 2 years ago
A sexy accent. ;D
f0repl4y 2 years ago
also, while there is a very strong correlation between theism and religion, it's disingenuous to compare atheism with religion.
Religion is 'an institution to express belief in a divine power', atheism is a belief.
It would be like me comparing the Federal Reserve's board to the Austrian school of thought.
Certainly they overlap, yet to be honest you are comparing a particular /belief/ to a subset of practices of a subset of /institutions/ who generally claim to hold the opposite belief.
contriver 2 years ago
No, atheism is a lack of a belief in a deity. No God Zone wrote an excellent article about this. Google no god zone and you will be able to read it.
RobertChavis 2 years ago
I disagree with "the fact that you do not have your own internalized moral compass ... footprint of religion".
The religionS you speak of, and not necessarily Religion itself most definitely do exactly that-- however these are just the religions that have been promoted and propagated by those who have an interest in reinforcing those beliefs, and the resulting reliance on earthly, external authorities to "hear god's voice" and avoid damnation or animalistic reincarnation.
contriver 2 years ago
(re?)read the Bhagavad Gita for an example of a religious text whose main thrust is 'Arjuna, don't listen to your priest, or your wife, or your sense of greed, or fear... only listen to your own mind, heart, and psyche in determining what is right, and act upon it fearlessly.'
contriver 2 years ago
I agree largely with what you're saying; however I think it's important to make this distinction: power hungry amoral asshole people buttress religions that create easy prey. This should reflect more on the assholes, than on the entire spectrum of what could be called religion.
contriver 2 years ago
All of this is tangential to the issue of what is supernatural, superstition, or completely rational and yet out of the reach of our current mental models.
Various religions have made many positive and negative contributions to (against) morality, science, etc.
There may be specific (probably largely negative) correlations between certain religions and immorality, but I still hold that big-R Religion and Morality are primarily orthogonal.
contriver 2 years ago
sorry, make that a positive correlation
contriver 2 years ago
Fundamentally you're argument is failed Dogmas, social controlling & power grabbing church(s) hierarchy = No God. Disagree.
I believe in a high being, one that is outside our frequency existence. My view is traditional teaching is way off base on who & what it [God] is.
I see him as intelligent energy that works at a difference frequency.
Take Jesus's transfiguration where he turned into pure LIGHT or more correctly, turned into pure ENERGY. All of us will evolve toward this higher energy.
yo1dude1man 2 years ago
Briliant vid. I agree that religion is a poison and that it does nothing more than stagnate the intellectual evolution of humanity. Perhaps this is why most people can't think for themselves and are always looking for someone to lead them and solve their problems. I fear though that we are just moving to more of the same, instead of looking to God to solve the worlds problems, humanity now believes money and the people with it can solve their problems. The flock has just traded the cross for a $
ChoasTheory2000 2 years ago
So well put . Relying on or relenquishing critical thinking to "something" expunges one from taking responsibility . One can do heinous acts and find forgiveness in their dieties. ( whatever they may be )
RenegadeTimes 2 years ago
Thank you. I was never a big fan of religion and their various institutions. Not really a fan of anything that allows people to escape personal resposibility for their own actions. People love to blame gods, politicians and everything else but themselves for the problems of this world. One example would be the over consumption of almost everthing that is creating so much destruction to this planet in the form of war and pollution, yet if the price on Nikes or oil get to high people go crazy.
ChoasTheory2000 2 years ago
People are conditioned brom the cradle to the grave. when I am with a client I often times remain quiet as "their" rreality is clearly in some akward direction to mine I fear I will sound alien to them. Once you attempt to step through the faux systems the world appears quite different and at times will bring the strangest feelings of loneliness ............................
Regardless , I wouldn't trade it for anything ...
RenegadeTimes 2 years ago
Niether would I, but it sure does bring feelings of loneliness sometimes. It's nice to see some people who are open minded, willing to look at different angles and talk about them. It reminds us all that we aren't alone in the crazy world.
ChoasTheory2000 2 years ago
We are NOT alone in our feelings I am sure. I do beleive to live a life of inner freedom ( at the very least ) one can not think of "if there are other's like me " . I do enjoy the company of other's but it is not mandatory on a regular basis. I have many interests and am quite calm spending vast amounts of time "with" myself..not "by" myself. It allows me to grow in ways that if I were constantly entertained by other's around me ..I would not. Time with people time without ALL good !
RenegadeTimes 2 years ago
I Believe in God or divine creative force. But its none of your business or the churches business or my families. I can't even understand it half the time. and the other half of the time its laughing at me. so there is no point in trying to explain it to you. because it dosent matter to any one else but me. and the only rule it ever told me was to learn to learn and love the people around me. and if I fail to do that I am forced to repeat the lesson again. untill i do.
Zorn101 2 years ago
I gotta disagree with your analysis of this change in behavior. There is a book called The Fourth Turning, by William Strauss and Neil Howe. This change in behavior you describe fits perfectly with the predictions they made about the behavior of the Millennial Generation, in their theory about 80 year cycles of history. A similar change occurred between the Lost Generation and the G.I. Generation, as we are now seeing between Generation X and the Millennials.
Check out: watch?v=KXcDiGpVtbc
priapus512 2 years ago
My comment before was supposed to be an answer to childrescuer. I have no idea why it was published as a new comment.
lagurz 2 years ago
Atheists FTW!!
ArrogantAtheist 2 years ago
Are you freakin kidding? Atheism is the cause of the moral bankruptcy, financial bankruptcy and collapse of North America and Europe. Kids are not using pot, alcohol or engaging in sex with each other because the atheist authorities have them on 4 - 5 psyche meds like Risperdal which diminishes libido. Duh. Pedophile atheists are sodomizing children in foster care that they kidnapped from Christian parents. Go to hell. I know the TRUTH and your bullshit won't stand!
childrescuer 2 years ago
Can you please elaborate a little? Why is atheism to blame for this? 'Moral bankruptcy' is and has always been connected with people in power. Nothing new! 'Financial bankruptcy' has to do with the federal reserve and the fractional banking system. Check what President Andrew Jackson said about Second Bank of the United States in 1832. See, people knew this 177 years ago!
Can you give me a source to the 'psyche meds'thing?
As you know the TRUTH, can you please tell me where I'm wrong?
lagurz 2 years ago
Religious people are so close minded, and you're the typical religious person. And if hell existed what would be so bad about it. If I'm a bad person, and go to hell, why would the so called "Devil" punish me? I did exactly what he would have wanted me to do on earth, and I went against what "God" would have wanted me to do. I would be the devils friend, he wouldn't punish me because thats what "God" would want. He would treat me like a friend and let me bang all the hookers who went to hell.
BudavolLovesMen 2 years ago
lol, I never thought of it that way. it's so true. I mean not literally true, but the reasoning
blahk04 2 years ago
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Airportchris2 2 years ago
Hi Stefan
I must say, I am a huge fan of your video's and agree with you on pretty much everything, except the fact that you claim that it is good that marihuana use is down. Why is this good? it is the most healthy plant available on the planet and used in over 250 ailments. It has been used for over 5000 years in history as medicine and hallucinogenic. I understand your message, but I dislike the steriotypes on marihuana. Alcohol is the real drug!
Meanie83 2 years ago 4
I don't think that the teenagers are using it for medicinal purposes, but I quite agree with you about alcohol.
stefbot 2 years ago
haha another great vid steph, lol at 8:19
martinkline 2 years ago
Look up the amazing - and much suppressed - statistics showing the direct correlation between states which had abortion on demand and crime in those same areas. Have a kid you don't really want - create a criminal!
redkeithh 2 years ago
I was raised in a very religious home and community. The loss of my religious beliefs (at 22) was one of the most painful things that ever happened to me. I felt as if my rational mind was at war with the emotional context of my life and all my social attachments. But I could not simply "choose" to believe something that I had seen through. And so I was set adrift - emotionally, socially, and intellectually. Thank God (haha) my daughter will not have to go through this.
TheIronWebRocks 2 years ago
I know this feeling. I went through the same experience, but now I'm free, and most importantly, happier...without the need of a made-belief being. :D P>S> Thanks to videos like this one and Pat Condell.
demsurf 2 years ago
Well then the only difference is that you believe in a book written by a pink invisble horse. And i dont believe in.
Second "christen thinking" You could leave away the thinking if you dont have thinked about the very existence of the great Him.
Also thinking has nothing to do with faith as far as i know.
With the quote:" you have no rights at all and there is no such thing as "child abuse, murder, stealing etc". We would only have the rights of animal survival."
Agree
RUPSIEISMYNAME 2 years ago
Did I write anything here that was insulting or demeaning of anyone? Are you Stefbots defender now?
You kind of cherry picked your response. The 3 posts I left had more content, why were you not responsive to that? I guess you're not familiar with the Hatfields or McCoys. Which one are you? Just to let you know I'm not the other.
You are filled with blind ignorant prejudice. You did not understand the last sentence of my last post as it was about you. You object to treating others as you...?
ifreemantoo 2 years ago
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clemonsx90 2 years ago
Well said. The same thing happened to me. When I was little I was told to do or say certain things or else I'll go to hell/heaven. It scared me of course because I didn't want to go to hell. But now that I see things for what they really are, I can say that you're completely right.
rezartsy 2 years ago
Thanks for that great crushing of the Hitler-Stalin-Argument!
Pepperspecialist 2 years ago
Both of my parents come from non-religious homes, my dad was a hippie, motorcycle rider, druggie, my mom was emotionally damaged from the death of her mom at 13 and an abusive dad, how could these two have a life that resembled happiness? God saved them. After two kids out of wedlock for my mom and 4 for my dad, they gave their lives to Christ and 6 years later I was born, I have 2 brothers, 4 sisters all living pretty well because 30 years ago my parents were saved from non-religion.
nathanjonessr 2 years ago
Philosophy would have saved them much better, because it would not have required them to believe in irrational and destructive nonsense...
stefbot 2 years ago 2
philosophy didnt save them. philosophy didnt save me. I know that much of mainstream christianity comes off as therapeutic and naive philosophy, but that is not the christianity of my experience, I was broken and God fixed me; but thats not even the point. Christianity starts with the premise, God made everything. I don't worship him because I'm afraid or because he fixed me (although those are reasons to), I worship him as creator, saviour and ruler of all creation.
cont..
nathanjonessr 2 years ago
where is the testimony of those saved by philosophy? How does philosophy help a man addicted to drugs get set free? The most successful recovery clinics all have this in common: recognition of a higher power. Christianity says that what saves a man, is nothing that he himself can do, but it is a supernatural infusion of eternal life. on this point it is not morality, not ethics, not fear of the "sky god"; it is making someone who was spiritually dead come to life. is that really so dangerous?
nathanjonessr 2 years ago
Relationships would be great if not for people. While I have faith in a Creator, I am not religious either. Even so religion would be great (almost any of them including atheism) if not for people.
The Constitution of the uS, as originally written could harm no one, would be great if not for people.
There was an atheist leader & a religious leader that caused much evil. The first thing in common is they were people.
Atheists & evolutionist also have done much back tracking & re-positioning.
ifreemantoo 2 years ago
I like much of what you write because it agrees with my "Christian" thinking. Then again the priest that says bow before man-made idols with the book in his hands says "not to" didn't escape me. So which one was right?
I later in life read it for myself. I came to the conclusion that the Bible would be great if not for people. There is nothing in Christianity that promotes a "Christian government" or "Nation". There can be nothing in the Constitution that promotes legalized stealing & slavery.
ifreemantoo 2 years ago
So which would you rather have? Self-evident rights endowed to you by a Creator as fixed and unalienable or the rights of an evolving world or universe determined by the self-serving politics of people?
Grant it, there is not much difference from my point of view or probably yours. I suggest that if your rights are not fixed, even if undiscovered, you have no rights at all and there is no such thing as "child abuse, murder, stealing etc". We would only have the rights of animal survival.
ifreemantoo 2 years ago
Is it always the Hatfields & McCoys? Here is one of the two laws left by "Jesus" to His disciples & followers. "Treat others as you would like to be treated."
Funny how "Christians" can't grasp the enormity in this simple statement; that the letter of the law was done away with because even the Creator's law is weak if it must be written down.
So how can the atheist then disagree with this final law? Does the atheist take his argument from the so-called "Christian" that can't read for himself?
ifreemantoo 2 years ago
Thank you for your videos Stefan!
Nebbyker 2 years ago
The numbers for Finland might be a bit skewed, people tend to be religious in name only. People don't really go to church, it's more about the perks (weddings and burials); tradition not faith.
TETSUno1 2 years ago
Same thing in the former Yugoslavia,500 years ago it was either convert or die.They still call themselves Muslims but most have never even been inside a mosque
VCADD 2 years ago
As a Serbian i can say that's pretty much the truth
disturbed119 2 years ago
Wow, ClarksonsinUSA is really an idiot.
Victorprossartcom 2 years ago
Suck it Jesus! I'd rather go to hell.
VCADD 2 years ago
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ClarksonsinUSA 2 years ago
Nations with the highest amount of atheism ,have the lowest birthrates.. Check if you doubt...LIKE I SAID ,YOUR GOING EXTINCT...........
Good bye in a few decades....
ClarksonsinUSA 2 years ago
Not extinction, but sustainability. sex without shame
aiyic 2 years ago
What an illogical ignorant comment.
Atheists are not fricking a race apart you dipshit they are a demographic for a certain religious view....
AcheKah 2 years ago 2
Well I think its related to Global warming...LOL....
America is the only major western nation with a growing indigenous population.. The atheist are going extinct,we will not miss you...
.
ClarksonsinUSA 2 years ago
To finish....
I have 7 sons ,ages ,21,18,16,15,12,and twins boys 7 months....My older children go with our church all over the world...They will be going to Kape Breton, Canada,and it looks like they really need some help..
Oh and I find it hard to think stefbot has a child,because you come off really Gay...
Don't deny your true self,lol.......................
ClarksonsinUSA 2 years ago
What is your point exactly? What have atheists (specifically those that are secular humanists) done to you? And I seriously doubt atheists are going extinct. Seems that there is a connection between being intelligent, and being atheist. Especially in the rising movement of atheism we see all over the world right now.
riseofatheism 2 years ago
Stef comes off as many things but I don't think gay is one of them. I'm an atheist and gay and I plan to have two or three kids even if it's just adopting the ones that Christian heteros don't want.
asupcb 2 years ago
Calling people "gay" like a high school kid? You remind me of myself when I was 15 years old Clarkson. How does it feel to be an intellectual midget?
anakin005 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I have 7 sons ,ages ,21,18,16,15,12,and twins boys 7 months....My older children go with our church all over the world...They will be going to Kape Breton, Canada,and it looks like they really need some help..
Oh and I find it hard to think stefbot has a child,because you come off really Gay...
Don't deny your true self,lol.......................
ClarksonsinUSA 2 years ago
indigenous population?
as I recall the numbers for native americans has gone up like 30% in the last couple of decades or so, but considering it's from under 2 million, to slightly over 2... it's not statistically significant, especially taking into account better methodology by the census bureau, and new inclusion categories.
I fail to see the significance.
TETSUno1 2 years ago
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ClarksonsinUSA 2 years ago
I think I'm going to speak through you Stef. You describe my feelings almost exactly, but with a wonderful etiquette of speech unlike my puddle of words that comes out whenever I try to prove a point. Good stuff!
MustangManiac1115 2 years ago 3
Clergy need to develope the virtue of patience, and wait until any child freely communicates an interest in knowing about religion. Wait 40 -50 years or so, amen.
Sliptodance 2 years ago
Thank you Stef. Please never let up your essential, and valuable work.
RichardDeziel 2 years ago
Nicely put (from the son a priest)
babaluto 2 years ago
socialists have sank their fangs much deeper in our society than religion has or ever could wish to.
shaybshay 2 years ago
Practically all our government officials claim to be religious or believe in a higher power. Allmost none of them claim to be socialist.
gosmokesome 2 years ago
People can claim a lot of things. But what weight do "claims" really have? I think none. Words mean nothing, actions do.
myusernameisluc 2 years ago
But remember, Religion used to BE the state. It all stems from the same illogic.
glopur0 2 years ago
yes it all stems from child abuse. just like the video said
gosmokesome 2 years ago
excellent vid Stef,best part is around the 7:30 thru 8:00 my friend talked me into going with him to sunday school,I went once and only once,I could see thru that crap at the age of 8 for goodness sake :)
crapalator 2 years ago
Stef, yet again you raise some valid points. Religion has caused many woes through out history. I prescribe more to spiritually. With that being said, how did the "big bang" happen? What was there before it? What is the answer to life, the universe, and everything (as Douglas Adams put it)? The problem I have with atheism is disregards that there could be a God. When you can explain how the universe works, in total, on every level, I may follow this notion. What say u?
jadam914 2 years ago
In order to explain the unniverse in such way it would be a godly act. Then you could worship such person as god. Just accept what you already know and act on
gosmokesome 2 years ago
what's your definition of god?
ocelot814 2 years ago
A being that created all we see and may be a direct part of it is at the base of my belief. I think that most people that fathom the notion of God would agree with that view. To assume too much more with out direct proof of some sort would be along the lines of mysticism. Since the theory can neither be proven or disproven, at this time, by scientific method, no one can say for sure. Thank you that was a good question to ponder on.
jadam914 2 years ago
"A being that created all we see and may be a direct part of it is at the base of my belief."
I look at "God" as being a subjective idea use to describe an objective occurrence. The objective occurrence being creation.
ocelot814 2 years ago
What would POTUS do?
mju34 2 years ago
Being a religious person lets the Government know that you require a leader and can't think or act for yourself. Encouraging religious folk to go to war is not so hard. Hitler managed.
Yes you heard me, I aligned all religious people with Hitler.
Another example, Bush/Blair. Not content with dragging his religious minions to war he dragged ours in the UK with him too.
Murderers, the lot of them.
yeah, yeah, yeah, generalising, I know, but someone had to say it, we're all thinking it. HAHAHA
frostyuk2007 2 years ago 2
Another POWERFUL, WISE and above all pertinent DESTRUCTION of this nonsense called 'Religion'.
I have said it before but if you are missing the point with Stefan, you are already gone and totally irrecuperable...
People - there is no need to discuss nonsense; not only listen to this one but take time and go trough Stefan's most work and you will see his work is just breathtaking.
You have the choice: freedom or slavery. There is no other Stefan M out there! Listen to him.
Dr. T Y
operateur007 2 years ago 2
And your comment about "let God do it," He did in my life. I was raised in a nonbelieving home and in my search for Truth, Jesus is my answer. And not for the reasons you cited, its all about the LOVE!! and I'm not afraid, cause I'm on His side and we win in the end.
rx7guy82 2 years ago
As a lover of Jesus I want to say thank you, Stef, for clearing up your reasoning for debunking my faith. I won't take it personally anymore. btw, I'm going to join y'all next year for the cook-out, it sounds like you had a blast.
rx7guy82 2 years ago
"Let God do it."
LoL!
lnd3005 2 years ago
you are wrong about God, but you do have pretty eyes.
sonofagunM357 2 years ago
Hey Stefan - Book recommendation:
Summerhill by A. S Neill. You will love it.
RevolutionaryJam 2 years ago
God is dead- Nietzsche
Nietzsche is dead haha- God
just kidding, God is totally dead =]
444DeanMachine 2 years ago
thank god for athiesm :-D
RevolutionaryJam 2 years ago
In the deeming of religion as child abuse (and correctly so in my opinion), I think Stefan just told us what Pat Benatar was saying in her song "Hell is for Children" :)
magichandpuppet 2 years ago
Great video, better than talk radio!
ALittleBitPregnant 2 years ago