Tarte--I, an ex-priest, dialog with a local priest.

[A3Kr0n]

Just when I thought I've seen most of the atheist videos on YouTube you pop up with your 556 videos. Damn, I'll never get anything done now. Subscribed!

[EmmittBrownBTTF1]

FR TJ appeares well practised uncritical thinking. This would have resulted in good grades at seminary. You know, that whole foolishness of wisemen - con's con thing. :)

[globalarte]

@Fr.TJ @edwardtarte : Thank you for being brave and establish communication.

Many atheists and agnostics are willing to talk to "the church",but usually when somebody see that person has some critical, logical, thinking and reason,and "hard questions" they slam the heavy door of your temple on our faces.Seriously i have received a few nasty responses from some catholic channel on Youtube.And i never been disrespectful.And by the way they don't allow comments nor ratings usually,like we do.

[kadene2]

What need would there be of "priests" in this mythical heaven? The bible teaches that those who are so lucky to have made it to heaven will see God face to face, so what role would the third party "priests" be playing? The theology is so screwed up; for centuries people just accepted the bullshit and asked no questions. But now that we are really living up to our name "homo sapiens", we're becoming wiser in challenging the veracity of the myths. Thank you Uncle Ted.

[Lyc360]

I was raised in the pre V-II Catholic Church and was terrorized by teachings about the horrors of Hell and Purgartory. Of course Purgatory was not eternal so we constantly prayed "for the poor souls in Purgatory". Kids past age 7 ("age of reason") would wind up in fiery hell for missing Sunday or a Holy Day mass, hold a sexual thought for more than a nano second, etc., etc. Catholic dogma condemns legions of adolescent kids to hell who suffer a fatal accident prior to going to confession.

[beesonthenet]

Edward. I love your videos, your expression, it seems to me, falls just short of amused derision, and you maintain your polite respectful persona in the face of considerable provocation. I'd like to meet you, if you're ever in San Diego, dinner is on me. Or perhaps you, FrTJ and I can have dinner together in heaven? Although that seems very unlikely indeed, perhaps the three of us might meet somewhere else, much warmer, but I'm sure all the restaurants will close at mealtimes. Please keep it up!

[maximus010800]

Hey guys just a quick FYI, Father TJ is a rock star priest, he is as good as the church has to offer. The back and forth emails between Mr. Tart and Fr. TJ are NOT toxic, rude or in anyway disrespectful. They are paragraphs full of 2 very intelligent men just going back in forth both sure the other side is wrong and both certain they are right. I can GUARANTEE one thing Fr. TJ DID NOT take up this argument to be convinced there is no God, he is the perfect model of true faith and true belief.

[DanielJohn2300]

Pastor TJ, if there is a God, then:

1. Mr. Tarte is neither an apostate nor bound for hell,

2. a man would have to know there is a God before he could ever become an apostate,

3. those who never knew there is a God would remain in their state of death,

4. only apostates (and maybe those who pretend to be a Christian in order to take advantage of a Christian) would go to hell, AND

5. souls in the resurrection of judgment would come not from hell alone but from death and hell.

[jussts]

I love how the guy who sent you an angry response and called you a propagandist thinks YOU carry around too much anger.  Hilariously un-self-aware.

[Skylord12345]

Great video. I was raised a Mormon and fell away from the church, only attending for my father who has recently passed away so I no longer attend.

I find your videos rather intriguing and you do got my subscription.

Thank you.

[LazySundayClub]

Father TJ,

First, kudos to you for engaging in conversation with Edward. Second, I hope you appreciate the opportunity you've been given, to speak and represent your religion to a considerable number of us - a *very* large congregation's worth - who are outside the fold, and I hope this will be an ongoing, friendly, honest, productive dialogue. I'm sincerely hoping you won't retreat to the comfort of 'preaching to the choir' too soon. May God bless you, if there is one. (which I doubt) 

[Kailoa36]

"Tirade" is a word that has never popped into my mind in association with your name, Edward. That is one of many things I like about you.

[Katalyzt]

Great video... Perfectly said/done Edward. :O) ★★★★★

Katalyzt

[hotbop9]

Well said, Edward. Good stuff.

[missusgumby]

Edward, in the unlikely event I ever meet you (I'm in the UK), I will shake your hand, give you a manly hug, and take you out for a nice meal followed by a pint or two of whatever takes your fancy. I would be proud and honored to be your friend in real life. :)

[edwardtarte]

@missusgumby, thank you so much. The next best thing might be a chat on Skype. Is that a possibility?

[swissthinker]

You, sir, are my personal inspiration this week. Thank you.

[ritchloui]

Excellent video. The pathology of the 'Godly' is that they aspire to an eternal life of bliss, completely unconcerned about those who 'deservedly' have an eternity of torture. Indeed, the pious can reserve front row seats, with popcorn and song, watching the sufferings of those in hell. It is so depraved it is astounding that such a clearly repugnant fantasy has gained such unquestioning support. To them torture in this world is a mild prelude to the fantasy they really have in mind.

[dingodavid]

@edwardtarte I think the moniker 'Uncle Ed' suits you better than the moniker 'Father Ted'.

By the way Edward, how do Catholic priests get their heads around Jesus' admonition in Matthew 23:9 to "call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven."?

Of course, you really wanted to drive a point home to TJ, you could always mention the fact that many protestant Christians believe that he is also destined for Hellfire, simply by virtue of being a Catholic priest.

[edwardtarte]

@dingodavid, the idea in your last paragraph is in another thread of my dialog with Fr. TJ, which I plan t include in a forthcoming video. I told him that my local adversary Baptist preacher Paul Lyle's position implies that both Fr. TJ and I will go to hell. That is one of many things I said to Fr. TJ to whicn he has not responded.

[wolfeedarkfang]

Keep up the good work. I just wish these people were easier to convince. Logic alone seems to have no impact on them lol. BTW what's your opinion on sopa/pipa/acta, and how governments try to intervene in the technology of the internet, of that they know very little about? Personally I think it will be more wasted tax money. As if we aren't already in debt to China.

[rohanwotan2]

Well, at least Fr TJ is willing to have a dialogue and consider some points. Also, he has to be given credit for actually responding to your original video regarding Ms. Ahlquist, especially as he was the only one to do so. Hopefully he takes the time to view some vids, consider the points raised in them and provide some sort of response.

[markcredsys]

There is real value in this softer approach, as there is also value in the, how shall I put it more acerbic approaches of Hitchens, Dennett, Harris and Dawkins. The right tool for the right job. Edwards approach to atheism would get steamrollered or not even figure on the radar of many of today's political, conservative religious, whereas Hitchens really gets their goat and makes them respond. I believe Edwards approach is correct for many more of the conversational Christians out there.

[berenjervin]

@markcredsys

I dont think many religious people can get "from here to there" in a single step. The mental shift is too large. The softer approach to get them part way is a good first step. Once that step is taken, another will follow.

[MistressArte]

Why should I be on your gods side when in the bible the devil only killed about 10 while the god of the bible kills everyone else? That doesn't make sense, the devil sounds like a much nicer guy.

[Campineiroamericano]

Is there the possibility that Fr TJ could become deconverted?

[mjlgaard]

Great stuff, Edward!

[77Totems]

The atheist community could not be better represented than you sir. I hope Fr. TJ. participates.

[ofpfury]

Fr. TJ,

I admire your conviction in engaging Edward Tarte :) He is a worthy opponent.

[ofpfury]

Great video Edward :) I admire your persistence in bringing reality to the masses.

[ofpfury]

Fr. TJ, if you allow yourself to consider the possibility that God was made in man's image, and reconsider the atrocities in any Holy Book, it may become glaringly obvious that man's imagination created ALL Gods. Gods make us feel good, especially about our impending deaths. At what price do we indulge our fears? The cost is delusion, a seperation from reality. To maintain the delusion, followers must constantly remind each other of the imagined terrible consequences of disbelief. sad:(

[ofpfury]

@ofpfury

@Fr. TJ and @edwardtarte

I apologize for the harsh tone of the above post "if you allow yourself..." and offer to remove it if either of you desire. Edward requested polite comments and in rereading this post, I find it less than polite.

[edwardtarte]

@ofpfury, thank you for both your posts. I don't see any need for you to remove your earlier post. As I see it, it is precisely on target.

[chalkstuff]

Fr TJ - thank you so much for engaging in a discussion with Mr Tarte, it is always extremely encouraging to see a constructive dialogue taking place on a topic that is central to the world view of so many people

[womanlybassplayer]

Edward Tarte, you are an Atheist and a Gentleman. Thank you.

[midas41]

I can understand why he is not interested in examining his beliefs critically - his livelihood depends on him not questioning.

[farvision]

@midas41 Fortunately Edward himself demonstrates that there is life outside the priesthood that can be vibrant and contributing to the community.

[TheCurmudgen]

A question for the good father? Why do Christians get so devastated when a loved one dies? When someone, who is a good Christian, dies they go on to the kingdom of the lord.  To weep for them is simply selfish, their loved ones are going to an eternity of glory. They should be happy for them.

[Zecastronomo]

Arguing with a christian, I also had said that God is morally inferior to my standards. And if they want me to believe in a god, they have to invent a new one much better than this biblical god.

[noonespecia2007]

continue your correspondence with him.

[noonespecia2007]

Fr. TJ: From Mr. Tarte's video, you strike me as someone wholly without experience with arguments from opposing viewpoints. To see Mr. Tarte as angry at your god is to completely miss the point of atheism. To see him as abrasive and rude shows that you have seen or talked with very few atheists. While the most popular atheists are extremely civil and reasoned, some are indeed harsh. I cannot think of anyone I've met in recent years with a calmer, kinder attitude than mr. Tarte. I hope you will

[heikkala2797]

Yes, wonderful video Edward!! You can tell him he is morally bankrupt in peddling his brand of theology to parishioners...and to get a real job, LOL...

[atheistexchristian]

For Fr TJ.......I was a model Catholic . Went to church faithfully. Until 3 years ago I never read the bible. Never studied science either. I read the bible cover to cover. I discovered incest, rape,slavery,etc and a mad raging god who condoned it. On YouTube...I listened to Dawkins, Hitchens, Harris and many others.I discovered Science and evolution and the reality of it. Dear FrTJ, the bible is fake, and god is not real. It's hard to accept , I know. I was like you. Write me for more.

[atheistexchristian]

I find it disturbing when christians say I'm "angry with god". They just refuse to acknowledge that I cannot be angry with a being that does not exist. I am disturbed and concerned (rather than angry) that they continue to spread (to their children and others) the ridiculous notion that the bible is fact and that the god depicted in that bible is also absolutely and without question....real. Christians are the ones who show anger when we don't subscribe to their mind games and false beliefs.

[LAnonHubbard]

Very interesting. I think Father TJ was provocative (and by extension immature) in his responses.

[Christheatheist1]

If I had a message for Fr. TJ it would be just this: Dear Fr. TJ, As a former catholic, I understand very well the mindset that you operate from. I was once as you; positive that my faith was the true one. I too, felt that it was my responsibility to counsel others in the name of God. When I opened my mind and really looked at the Bible and the character of God, I realized that I could no longer believe in the religion I was raised in. I wish you well and I hope for your mind to be open. ~Chris

[Christheatheist1]

I find you to be very courteous, logical and friendly. You do get right to the point, which is, I believe, a very good trait. I think that clergy find your atheism so embarrassing that they engage in projection and other defense mechanisms. By comparison, your rational world view makes their superstitions seem so outlandish as to throw them into a deeper state of cognitive dissonance than the one they already occupy. You are to be admired, and I do!

[cockyjeremy]

How can you have anger towards something that isn't there? Religious people are silly.

[PaulineTriage]

Fr TJ - How do you interpret the story of Jephthah's sacrifice? What metaphorical meaning, if any, is to be drawn from this incredibly depressing story that in all honesty makes your God look awful.

[ILYIAB]

Excellent! Love it that you are "attacking" the lack of thinking in your community.

[Mee551able]

Father TJ Think about what your doing. We only live once.

[VoiceOfModeration]

what video did he send him??

[edwardtarte]

@VoiceOfModeration, at 1:17 of this video I say which video I sent Fr. TJ.

[devante11]

@edwardtarte

So let me get this straight, christians can ...knock on your door, post leaflets through your door [quoting their book] ...preach on the streets ......But if you send him videos he is offended ..Oh my ..maybe his follows should do like wise. So its ok for him to do it...But for you to do the same edward its offensive.... Oh i see **rolls eyes***

[theshredator]

Father TJ, I sincerely hope that you and Edward will get to share in ex-priesthood in this lifetime.

[ekhaat]

To Father TJ: It is hard to face unpleasant facts about someone you love, but if you just could let go, the world would make so much more sense.

Cheers

[toppledgod]

Hello Father TJ, nice to meet you.

[toppledgod]

If there are priests in heaven [hic] then maybe heaven is the mistaken allocation for the world. of the underling.

[shkotay]

Ed, you could not have said it any better. An eloquent delivery, and you backed it all up. Having been religious, I find it insane now to think I feared and prayed to something that was merely a complex delusional structure in my mind. It was amazing to see that when I prayed that all I ever heard was what I wanted to hear and how I ignored when prayer didnt work, which was all the time and just pasted over with "well the creator wants it this way". Father TJ, I hope you see this too one day.

[SmilingSkeptic]

omg I laughed so hard the way you read "Please stop sending me..." so drily. Love ya, Ed.

[edwardtarte]

@SmilingSkeptic, I was not trying to say it in a disparaging way. I was only trying to quote Fr. TJ in a courteous manner.

[SmilingSkeptic]

@edwardtarte Oh, I know, perhaps that's why it just particularly struck my funny bone. I have an odd sense of humour. Keep on truckin', Mr. Tarte. I love your videos, and I will make an attempt at a response to Fr. TJ

[mroadster45]

Part Three:

If, unlike Edward, you never change your opinion about religion, I feel very sorry for you. In my opinion you will waste the only life you will ever had praying to a nonexistent god and hoping that the next life will bring you joy you desire. You will never have children or a wife. You will never have grandchildren (I'm expecting my first next summer). I hope that in spite of your religious beliefs you find a way to make other lives better during your short stay here on Earth.

[masticina]

how times are changing.. some need some time to adjust. That doesn't means that there is no poking or pressure, some just..well need time to think.

[XheraPhine]

Dear Father TJ,

first off; I am glad you are corresponding with Mr. Tarte. Whilst you obviously do not agree with his views, I think you may benefit from your correspondance, but you will only gain knowledge and wisdom if you keep an open mind - firsty by accepting (and understanding) that there are many of us like Mr. Tarte; people whom really and honestly do not believe in any gods and thus neither carry any anger towards any gods. I wish you well. Keep an open mind!

[mroadster45]

Part Two:

More importantly to me was the realization that my Catholic/Christian upbringing was just a mere fluke of birth. I you or I had been born in another part of the world, such as India or Pakistan, we would have been brought up to believe in Hinduism or Islam, and today I would be a Muslim apostate with a death sentence hanging over my head, and you would likely be an Imam praising the wise words of Muhammad and praying to Allah.

[edwardtarte]

@mroadster45, thank you so much for your comment. What you said about being born in another part of the world is in another thread of my dialog with Fr. TJ, which I will include in a forthcoming video.

[mroadster45]

Part One:

Father TJ,

I am an ex-catholic, now an atheist, and I too share Mr. Tartes' points about the nature of your God. Not only do I find no reason to believe he is real, I am glad for this realization as well. I have read the whole Bible, not just the nice stuff that my priests chose to read in mass, and I found God's character to be evil natured as well. He is a jealous and vein god who demands worship and holds a hatred for many of Earth's inhabitants.

[philhellenes]

Father TJ, why did you not try to "save" Mr Tarte? Hatred of God? That's idiotic when aimed at an atheist...OR an attempt to end a conversation. Do YOU hate Odin?

I've noticed in life that conmen will spend hours with the unprepared, but they NEVER waste time trying to con an ex-conmen (who knows ALL the tricks of the trade). Part of you knows it's a con. Live a life, not a lie. IF there is a Creator they might think more of a courageously honest man than a paid misleader.

[monkeycrapp]

Father TJ, if god exists he better have a damn good excuse

[MrWSChurchill]

Father TJ,

I was a devout believer in god as a Mormon for over 34 years. Even though we worshiped differently, I presume our commitment to the ideals of goodness, kindness, service & love compelled you to become a priest & me to become a missionary for my faith for two years in Germany. However, when I finally allowed myself to THINK & examine the realities of religion's fraud my integrity demanded that I part ways from such & seek truth & reality instead. Please do thou likewise.

[QuantumGh0st]

Dear father TJ,

It is unwise to base ones beliefs on faith and or personal experience. Faith is belief without evidence & personal experiences are culturally & geographically decided & thus unreliable & inconsistent . Furthermore, we are now beginning to understand that religious experiences result from brain chemistry that can be replicated by neuro-stimulation. Lastly, there are very good evolutionary explanations for why people are predisposed to believing in after-body life.

Please think.

[micometer]

Father TJ;

Raised catholic I slowly lost my faith as my knowledge of the world grew. I was unable to keep forgiving the transgressions of your church blindly. For the transgressions I contacted my baptismal parish and gave "defectio ab Ecclesia catholica actu formali," my formal defection from the church. I do not know how you or anyone who can, in good mind, support such a book or organization and hope that you may eventually realize why atheists speak out against it.

Mico

[CaseAgainstFaith1]

Father TJ,

I know it is very different to be challenged on ones' core beliefs. Beliefs that one has held all their life as things that are both true, and good to be true. To contemplate that those beliefs might be exactly the opposite, both false, and bad if they were actually true, is quite difficult to do.

I admire Edward Tarte for being able to do that. Will you?

[edwardtarte]

@CaseAgainstFaith1, thank you so much. Your comment is exactly what I meant in my video by a 'polite message' to Fr. TJ.

[izbo10]

What I find sad is that even the so called leaders of the church resort to these tactics like accusing atheists of being angry at god. This can be nothing less then intellectual dishonesty, you would never see such an accusation in any other context.

[Stralya2000]

Great stuff. As a recovering Catholic myself, I was wondering if you had heard of any way my name can be taken off the Baptismal records. I am in Australia.

[edwardtarte]

@Stralya2000, I am sending you one of my videos that may be helpful, my Debaptismal Certificate video.

[oralyon]

When I ask a Christian if he value « Truth » more than « God » I often get the respond « God is truth. » If father TJ happen to read this, I would suggest it to think about this statement. Truth, already has a definition, one that doesn't involve many of the caracteristic of «God» Truth doesn't play favorite it is what it is regardless of what anyone would like to believe. Think about this, and after that, see which one is the other's master

[mrx00666]

That's like saying, "I feel sorry for you carrying around hatred for Darth Vader" Both characters are fictional and even if someone does not like a fictional character or even likes one, they will never be real regardless of the feelings one may have for the concepts and depictions of said fictional characters.

[edwardtarte]

@mrx00666, thank you so much for your comment. Although I did not include this in my video, I actually said to Fr. TJ in my email, "I can no more be angry at your god or any god than I can be angry at Darth Vader of Star Wars."

[GraceAnnHawkins]

This TJ man seems to be a person who has never dealt with anyone criticizing his point of view.

[jmm1233]

yt drama ftw , hehe

nice to see you gave that priest a verbal what for , for his blatant willful igorance

[RONLAST]

Of course, in the world view of some, you might get to meet him in the other place... :)

[HHOinfo]

I dare father TJ to take off his god goggles and read the bible again, (cover to cover this time).

If he was to do that, I think then the two of you would have a lot more in common.

[gettingolder2]

Great Video, Mr. Tarte.. tell him this..what you don't see with your Eye's, don't invent with your Mouth.. or this.."How well we know what a profitable superstition, this fable of Jesus Christ has been for us" (Pope Leo) 1513

[yuriythebest]

wait- so you contacted him first?  you should perhaps appear on the Magic Sandwich Show (a blogtv show about atheism)

[GraceAnnHawkins]

@yuriythebest I agree with this

[0bligh]

Edward, I would just like to say that I love your videos and I look up to you. When I reach your age(I'm only 19 right now) I hope I'm half as awesome as you are.

Thank you for being such an amazing person. :)

[edwardtarte]

@0bligh, from a person who has lived four days for every one day that you have lived, thank you so much for your kind comment. I hope that you will continue to enjoy my videos.