Well he might have left mormonism but he still know's how to preach from the pullpit. He waxed on for so long, i can't even be bothered to finish watching this epic monologue
But the thing is I can back up what I believe. I'm am as far as you can get from living in a fairly tale world. I know we don't have the answers to everything but I'm not prepared to believe in something that claims explanations in such detail when I cant get a single answer that makes sense from god OR the people preaching it. I don't believe in religion or scientific theories until they are proven. I wasn't born when the world began and neither were you. An old book isn't good enough for me.
@fate241 Can you elaborate? Or can you only bible bash?
I was a believer as well for many years but got trapped in the pattern of having faith rather than getting real answers.
I questioned so many things and got no answers from the bible but got many logical, scientific, backed up, factual answers from those who wanted truth. If God was as real as you are suggesting, then everyone in this world would have no doubt whatsoever.
Science makes more sense than a god who doesn't communicate.
@OfficialOmegaVoX haha really? wow. arent you livin in fairyland. of course everything doesnt have to make sense to us. we are the most curious creatures. we dont have always have the answers to everything, if we did why be here? Its what you make of it. What is your truth? Science is always ever changing and can never really give us real hope and true comfort for the human spirit. It can only educate us on things we can obviously see but may not be what we are looking for.
A great inspiration. I am struggling with this now, my wife doesn't know what to think. And members are clamouring to save me from the influence of the world, all because I looked at evidence and figured that something was wrong.
@Itz4school Would that be the same Bible that promotes genocide, child sacrifice & slavery? The Bible that Hitler believed in? The Bible put together by the Holy Roman Church during the religious colonization of western Europe? The morals and family values on offer in that book are horrid. Take a moment and read it sometimes...read about Jephthah sacrificing his own child, read about Abraham & his child abuse against Isaac, read about Lott offering up his children to a rape-thirsty mob. LOL
Jesus Christ God Incarnate is NOT a religion nor does He want a religion from us,...He wants SINCERE repentance and belief in Him and His work on the cross/Sincere relationship.
"raised from the dead" = spiritual death, not temporal death. If you baptize and confirm, then you are saving people from spiritual death. The members received confirmation to their question, but they didn't understand the question they were asking. I'm sorry it was so confusing, but it's a matter of interpretation.
Why not "I'm an ex-Catholic" or "I'm an ex-Jew". If you were the adversary and wanted to stir up the hearts of God's children to fight against Him, where would you focus? You would focus on the fullness of the gospel. Did you ever ask yourself, why such a big deal over something that you believe is not true. If it really was nothing....then it would be treated as so. Ask yourself this, how do you feel inside when you post against LDS, is it goodness..or? the feeling is telling
I know exactly what you were going though, I'm there right now and struggling emotionally over finding out what you say is true. I've been experiencing the same thing in my life. Thanks for your help! God Bless you for your honesty and integrity.
Joseph Smith was a mad man who was shot outside the jail he was being held in. No religion that gets it's beginnings from such a loon should be taken seriously, yet the Church of Mormon donates to a huge percentage of Boy Scouts troops where they can push their cult onto youth and deny entry to atheists or homosexuals. Members of the church vehemently deny factual evidence against their gospel while providing no evidence to the contrary... It's a sad, one sided argument really.
@Aethgeir Dude, i see you read the Bible! Sweet! I dont know why you are so angry and hate the Bible and those who profess faith in God. But, i was like you a long time ago! I hated the things of God after the bad taste I had after Mormonism. I then started reading the Bible to prove it was just a "fairy tale" But, like the crowd of people that you throw a rock @. The One who yells is the one the rock hit. Well, I got hit by the Truth! So, keep reading the Bible and you Will find the TRUTH!
"And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12.
"Thou shalt not suffer a sorceress to live" Exodus 22:18
"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ" Ephesians 6:5. And lastly, "It is easier for Heaven and Earth to pass away
@druumuuluum do you assume that athiests find pleasure in unrighteousness. I am LDS, but I wouldn't assume that people find pleasure in unrighteousness just because they don't believe in God. People can be good even though they are not in touch with their spirit that fills their body.
@brilliantlycreated First of all define unrighteousness. Secondly, if people find pleasure in doing things that do not harm others (or themselves), what is the harm in doing that? I fully understand that people can be good without God, because I like to think that I am a good person. But I never said anything about this anyway, so what is your point?
@padundo I have read the Bible from cover to cover. I’ve also studied its history and the history of that part of the world. Your assumption that I’m ‘filled with anger and hate’ because I’m critical of your beliefs, says more about you than it does about me. I don’t ‘hate the Bible and those who profess faith in God’ that should have been clear from my earlier comment. I find the bible and other religious scriptures fascinating but I do pity those ignorant enough to believe they are true.
@padundo I suspect you ‘got hit with truth’ (found faith) in the bible but because you were looking for it, not because you were trying to ‘prove it was a fairy tale’. In other words, you’d lost your religion but still had faith, and so you were trying to find some new way to understand it. If you really are interested in seeking the truth, than you need to go beyond the bible. Start studying its history and not just its content.
@kramd1 That's exactly what I wanted to tell people, " stop wanting to be right and start wanting the truth ". Many times I' ve been confused by false believes and felt so bad, but I never quit looking for the True 'cause I always believed there must be only one true. The real truth I found reading the Holy Bible. But my seach hasn't finished, now I'm still looking for to know God better. The important thing is to know the true not to prove you're right.
Wow, you would make a great teacher Chris. The scientific method explained by you, with love for the truth made me cry. So cute when you knew there was no devil!
Life, the here and now for you and your loved ones and the whole planet.
WATCH the documentary EXpelled ,NO Intellegence Allowed with Ben Stein. After watching this, you can NOT deny the existence of GOD!
It is revealed in the BIBLE which can be verified by Science., History, Archeology, etc! Stay away from "Religion", trust Christ, Read HIS WORD, Pray. KNOW THE TRUTH, IT WILL SET YOU FREE! My name is Ron and I'M AN ex-Mormon!
@padundo Oh you mean that, biased and misrepresentative piece of crap that was almost universally panned and currently has a whopping 10% on rotten tomatoes? Sorry, but most people's time is worth more to them than that.
Sorry Chris. There is a Devil! He decieved Joseph Smith(Galations1:6-9, 2Corinthians11:1-15) Thus decieving LDS Members(me included!)Then when we find the TRUTH that the BOM and LDS Church is false, many of us get duped AGAIN by Satan! We reject the existince of God, Christ, Satan etc! Thats is what the enemy does! He is the father of Lies, He comes to steal, kill and destroy! Believe me when I Say this :GOD IS REAL,BIBLE IS TRUE!
@padundo Your 'devil' works for your god, read Job 1 and 2. There is no evidence to suggest that your god is real and if you think the bible is true, than you A) haven't read, B) don't understand C) know nothing of its history; or in all likelihood D) all of the above.
I saw the video that Chris saw about DNA evidence for the BOM and agreed with Rod Meldrum (the presenter of the video). The fact remains (regardless of the age of the DNA), that members of the Algonquian Indians had mtDNA links with people of the Levant and due to variants in their DNA could only have come from the Levant (not Altaic DNA). These people lived in the area of the Great Lakes. Another shot in the dark for Joseph Smith...yeah right!
The Lord said the truth " He will raise from the dead" you just did not understand what it meant. Will you deny the answers you were given by the spirit?
Wow Chris, I'm blown away.. You have a great story friend. My, for lack of a better word, deconversion took place just before my first daughter was born. I asked myself, what do I really believe? What do I need to teach my child? I opened a door that I could never close. I felt all the feelings you described and I too am filled with hope. Thanks for sharing your story, I'm certain that it will help a lot of people take hold of this "revelation".
If you cannot rationalize what "God" *is*, then it is not even a LOGICAL THOUGHT in your mind.
If "God" doesn't even exist in your mind, then how can it exist in *reality*?!
Before you can claim the existence of some *thing*, you must have atleast one LOGICAL THOUGHT (proposition) that uniquely *identifies* it as what it *is*.
If a *thing* claimed to be "God", how would you know if that claim is TRUE?
Religious indoctrination is much about teaching the "doublethink" (check George Orwell's book '1984'). That's exactly what this ex-mormon is saying: religion teaches you to selectively forget the memories that contradict your faith.
I've never been a morman but I see so many paralels in your story with others who began to examine their DEEPLY held beliefs and were terrified to find it just doesnt add up....only later to find that the "revalation" of being free from fear, indoctrination, guilt and myth is the greatest joy and the greatest hope they've ever felt.
I congratulate you on escaping your personal cage and wish you luck in your new life of discovery =)
That's the thing about reality, it doesn't care about your personal biases, emotions or desires. It is what it is and the sooner you embrace it the better. Compliments on the personal courage it takes to break free and seek the truth.
Wow. Talk about personal courage (I can't claim such courage because I was always an atheist). Funny thing is, what Chris realized - it applies equally to *any* other cult/religion/supernatural/superstitious belief. I especially applaud Chris' understanding that "we are in the best age we've ever been in". To which I add my own personal axiom: "And it is up to us to endeavor that tomorrow will be an even better age to live in - and so on, and so forth".
there are times in our lives when things "click" and fall into place. chris found that using reason made reality "click" into place. knowledge and reason are the foundations we should live on not fear through original sin and damnation.
@TamaNewb You can hate religion without hating religious people. Pity religious people, they're not stupid, they are the innocent victims of cults and charlatans; they're the ones who need help.
Just remember though that it's impossible to help people who are unwilling to help themselves.
@Aethgeir I second this, and people are well served by remembering and perhaps pointing out the difference between frustration and anger.
It is ok to express frustration, we don't need to feel bad about these innocent victims frustrating us.
Off on a tangent, a roman philosopher who wrote about anger, due to the great anger of his emporor, made the conclusion that anger comes from frustration which comes from too high expectations.
It helps to expect less about things beyond our control.
Fools. Haveyou forgotten why it’s not good being the natural man? If this man have not been tout by his parents to chose the right do you think he will be the same "good' man as he was before? No. because the natural man does what he pleases without any guilt. These could mean he could steal, kill, be mean, and even cheats on his own wife to get what he wants. Why? Because its his own life and he wants to be "happy" knowing that there is no reason why to be guilty. If they do feel guilty, why ?
@loops300 Your an idiot dude. People have this innate sense called 'Empathy'. You don't have to be told how to behave in order to treat others with respect to their autonomy, and feelings, and it doesn't require religion, or God, it just requires an acknowledgement of others feelings. God, in actuality, is more often used as an excuse to forgo empathy in favor of 'the will of God', and as a result is why so much of the world is in shambles.
@windigo77 A person who killed a person out of rage may start to feel bad and maybe begins to cry for what he's done. We know his pain and we may also feel sorry for that person. We still feel sorry for the victims of the murder as well. But we do know the punishment for this type of crime in some states is death. Did that person know that while killing the victim? Maybe. This is why we are told to behave and control that natural man in ourselves. Knowing the consequences helps too.
@loops300 Yes, and where in that equation does objective morality, or God come into play? Answer: It doesn't. There is no such thing as objective morality. You don't need a God to be good, in fact believing your morality comes from God instead of from empathy is dangerous, as anybody could then claim to be speaking for God, and then dictate immorality to you, and you would be likely to believe it and act immorally as a result. Remember, Jesus supported slavery.
@windigo77 I did not say we replace empathy with God. God gives us empathy to help make the right decisions in our lives. He also gives us the freedom to choose and the consequences that fallow. Jesus said to serve one another (Charity) not slavery. LOL Read the Bible.
@loops300 LOL "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. (Ephesians 6:5 NLT)" - Yeah, Read the Bible.
@windigo77 No, you do not understand the meaning of this passage. It did not said slaves it said servants. There is a difference. (King James Version New Testament) (NLT????? ).The message of all of this is, you should respect and serve one another. If you read on (Eph6:9) It even said unto the masters to do the same thing unto the servant. Therefore everyone should be treated with respect and give charity unto your fellow men.
@windigo77 A slave is one who is FORCED to do labor and service to their masters. A servant is one who is willingly to do service to their master. We should all be willing to give charity to everyone. Therefore like a servant who receives money/ housing/ food/, instead we receive blessing from heaven. It even said don't be a slave which means don't just help out others when you are just told too, you should be willing to help out others when there is an opportunity.
@loops300 You wrote: 'don't just help out others when you are just told too, you should be willing to help out others when there is an opportunity. '
I agree. People should not have to tell you to show charity, yet religion tries to claim the origins of this, when it does not take belief in any religion to do so.
As far as 'we receive blessing from heaven', that remains to be proved.
Some believe we receive blessings when we do not have control of the outcome, but it is just good or bad luck.
@loops300 The 'natural man' is born with empathy. It is better to act on empathy than to act in response to authority (biblical, divine, or otherwise).
@loops300 easy.. morality in innate and is even exhibited as early a 2 years of age.. there are universal moral formula for cooperation and trust that have made it possible for homo sapiens to survive and thrive.. Cognitive neuroscience goes a long way toward explaining why people cooperate in a moral sense...your narrative makes no sense..
@daNDayati If true then why not early age of 1 or younger.Why 2?Is it because they have more brain development, therefore having the ability to think better there by making better decisions than a 1 year old. But how would they know that they would make better decision in the first place if they don't even know what’s a good or what's a bad decision. Based on feelings is one thing but anybody can cry or get hurt over anything.Choosing something over this does not make good judgment of decisions.
@loops300 good point.. there are studies that show these traits by 1. Researchers at the Mind and Development Lab at Yale University have published several studies on this. your inference of "a good or what's a bad decision" is based upon (I assume) religious dogma. These innate mechanisms are the building block of moral properties that help homo sapiens cooperate, survive and thrive. As homo sapiens adapted they developed social codes for behavior to assure cohesion and adherence to authority.
@loops300 your "good or bad" dogma was developed through centuries of adaptations and traditions. Modern "good and bad" is not the same as a century ago in your own society. There are some formulas to measure of morality regarding well being of the sentient.. but are no absolute universal formulas. Humanity has yet to successfully take on that discourse.
Atheists /agnostics on their deathbeds do not suddenly become believers... that's about as false as can be, Most atheists/agnostics have put a lot of thought into their beliefs.... they're not going to recant just because they're afraid of death because that would be illogical. You don't seem to have a very good grasp as to what being a non-theist is. I'd pray for ya,,, if I believed in that kind of thing....
This is such a powerful story. It's interesting and worth watching the entire thing. I've watched it twice. I understand a lot of people need to leave the LDS church but it just seems like they are letting themselves be robbed twice. I wish God would give gay people the strength they need to stay in the church, find a same gender partner and be happy. How can the church discredit their own baptisms.
Hey there, I'm an agnostic atheist too. Yeah, it's a good book. There's an audio version I think, if you prefer that to reading! Or read it online... sometimes that's easier than an actual book!
I like the concept of god, I just don't see any verifiable facts that point to a god's existence. When you become a critical thinker, you realize that just because something FEELS good, right or true, doesn't mean it is. It's a journey....
@ZelphKinderhook Something to think about. If you see a well made table that's been varnished in the middle of the street, do you think to yourself "Hey, some random course of events eventually perpetuated this well crafted table into existence?"
Ask yourself that when you look at the solar system, the human body, the weather, man's intuition above all other life on earth and things like that. If you can honestly say to yourself that it was all an accident something must be off.
It's unfortunate that this situation happened to you. But where on earth did you get the idea that you could raise the dead...obviously your mother was very upset and did not feel the spirit. I feel so sorry for you and hope you come back.
@JohnRhysMusician Religion removes people's ability/desire to think critically, evaluate evidence and apply logic -- this leads to inaccurate, embarrassing and extremely harmful beliefs. Raising the dead is no stranger than believing being gay is wrong, or that zygotes have a soul, or that jesus will return to earth... I could go on for days. All are terrible byproducts of religious mindwarping. Tip: Science is the path to true knowledge.
denying the holy ghost just expressing my opinion, please dont get mad to the gays outh there. all of the ex-mormons as what i observed were gays or wanting to have samsex relationships
Power to raise the dead and you believed that?boy,they had you by the balls! and your mom heard Jesus speaking to her and she forgot all that? this is called brainwashing,delusional thinking and Schizophrenia. If they had told you to drink the cup with kool aid and poison you woulda done it. Glad you broke the chains.
WELCOME TO THE AGE OF SENSE,DINOSAUR FOSSILS, REASONING ,LOGIC,DNA TESTING AND TECHNOLOGY THAT WILL DISPROVE A LOT MORE FAIRY TALES IN THE FUTURE.
For those of you who are leaving/have left the church...
Do you still believe in God and/or the devil? Do you believe in the Bible? Is there heaven and/or hell? I've done loads of research and am almost 100% sure that the church is untrue, but it saddens me to think that God may not be real. And with all the little miracles in life, I think God does live... But what about the Bible? Is there afterlife? How much of itis true? Is Satan real? What are your thoughts/feelings? Any feedback? Thanks
After I left Mormonism, I also still believed in God for a while. But after reading a lot about it, I realized that not everything that feels good, is true. "The God Delusion" is a good place to start. But I warn that it's quite an intellectual and emotional leap to make... not everyone can do it.
As for the "little miracles", these are actually just a combo of coincidences and luck. And if god doesn't exist, neither does Satan. But you CAN be good without a god.
@ZelphKinderhook As a rational thinking person who used to bash christians, I ask myself that question. Can there be good without God? I feel the answer is no. At the end of the day, all men are not perfect and it would be remiss of us to envision some archetype of what good is for the simple reason..."By what standard should we call a man good?"
If God doesn't exist, then what is the merit in morality. Why be fair, humble or respectful? It would all have no meaning.
All these arguments you're putting forth are nothing but speculation and wishful thinking. None of what you have said is direct, verifiable evidence of a god. Once you have some, get back to me.
@ZelphKinderhook The evidence of God is in your face. If you choose to stay in ignorance that's your deal.
So you're telling me that the human body, the earth's weather system and ecosystems are all speculation? Wow sir, that's being willingly ignorant. If that's your mentality, it's quite obvious why you think God doesn't exist.
Scientifically speaking however, if your case of evidence were even remotely true, the absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence.
I guess you're just not very smart (or perhaps you're willfully ignorant?) Let me see if I can explain it to you another way....
Just because something is wondrous, or amazing, or just because it's so complicated that you can't understand it yet, is not automatic proof that a god is involved. The absence of evidence is simply what it says... nothing more.
If you choose to stay in ignorance that's your deal.
Get back to me when you actually have some evidence.
@ZelphKinderhook So all the wondrous things in the world existing by accident? Any detective would be skeptical when coming by an orgy of evidence. Sometimes things are too obvious to accept as truth. I understand where you're coming from to a degree because I used to be there but your belief doesn't change fact. From the time something "IS" God is involved.
I'm not here to prove anything to you, but rather to spark the questions that help you to prove it to yourself.
@ZelphKinderhook It's easy to sit back and dismiss other people's views but if you genuinely want to know, go seek diligently for yourself. It's very hard to refute your own research.
A word to the wise is sufficient. Be good to yourself brother.
And there's your essential mistake. You assumed that I didn't know or wanted to know. I ALREADY know.... there's no evidence of a god. I accept that, and I'm content with that. You're projecting.
You are making fantastic claims that there's a god. Well, as Carl Sagan said in "Cosmos": "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence" (the "Sagan Standard").
So once again, get back to me when you have some evidence. Good luck.
@ZelphKinderhook The simple fact that you say God doesn't exist is proof that you don't know. I was in the boat with ppl like Bill Maher who were honest enough in themselves to say they honestly don't know, but to say flat out that He doesn't exist is going too far.
"If" is a supposition. I never assumed anything. Anyone with half a brain could discern that you have no interest in knowing if God is real. If you trust that that is fine then more power to you.
@ZelphKinderhook Something as huge as that would make me search for years to verify. Anyone that truly wants to know will know. And those who have eyes to see will see.
The assumption is on your part. I'm not trying to prove anything to anyone. I said plainly my intention was to spark the questions that lead you to prove it to yourself. I have my evidence and that is for me only. You need to get your own.
You should get back to me when you have evidence that God does not exist. Good luck.
Sorry bud, but you DID assume. You assumed that I either didn't know the truth about a god, or wanted to know. Also, I never said absolutely that god does not exist, only that I don't believe in a god because there's no evidence. Try to get it right.
You're the one making the fantastical claim that there's a god, not I. Therefore, the burden of proof is on you. Therefore, there's no need for me to get back to you with evidence of no god... nice try tho!
@ZelphKinderhook You know, even when I was vs the stupidity of many of today's religions and doctrines, the statement "I don't believe in a god" was always too far of a stretch for the simple fact that I knew I wasn't sure and could be wrong.
I had a mindset that you don't seem to have. Your words candidly demonstrate your lack of concern for truth. Live long enough and you learn that not seeing something doesn't mean it isn't there. You're making a crazy claim that there isn't a God.
"Your words candidly demonstrate your lack of concern for truth."
What utter bullshit. It's you who plays fast and loose with the truth. You're the one believing in invisible beings without a shred of evidence. That's the crazy claim... not someone who's intelligent enough to understand what verifiable evidence is, and knows there isn't any for a god.
Non-believers who have become so thru reason & logic NEVER change their beliefs on their deathbeds... that's a ridiculous claim.
The claim that "I don't believe in a god." is not the same as the claim that "I believe there is no god." The first is a statement of nonbelief and skepticism, and the second is a belief. You cannot equate a belief someone doesn't have to a belief they do have.
If you tell me there's a ball in the next room, I don't automatically believe the ball is or is not red. Skepticism is a lack of belief, not a belief against the stated argument.
@rkyeun Fair enough but there are those that don't know whether they're atheists or agnostics and those ones who aren't particular with what they say usually say either one. It's a inference on my part as to whether they know one from the other.
Though, in retrospect, that may often times be a misjudgment on my part, I still do try to provoke people to legitimately search themselves for the truth whether they are in doubt or disbelief.
I tend to assume that when someone claims to be an atheist, they lack a belief in god and may also have a belief against god as a separate issue.
When someone claims to be an agnostic, I tend to assume that they do not believe there is any proof one way or the other --
-- and I find that they are also atheists often enough (despite that not having been an assumption I made) that I feel inclined to start assuming that too and apologize to the few agnostic theists.
@ZelphKinderhook Very hard to find something you're no looking for man. I went on what you said which was that you didn't believe in a God. What we have here is a difference in opinion. I gave some broad stroke questions to ask yourself that helped me when I was in a position of not knowing.
As with many differences of opinion, one of us is right and the other is wrong. I don't have to prove a thing to anyone nor do I care to. As much as you say prove it I say to you disprove it.
@Styxorcist Evidence God does not exist: The blind spot in your eye caused by the optic nerve being connected on the wrong side of the retina - If God designed your eye, then why did he make such a simple mistake with HUGE disadvantages - more likely it evolved, imperfectly.
@Styxorcist Evidence God does not exist: The laryngeal nerve of the giraffe goes from the brain, to the chest back to the voice box (larynx), taking an extremely long route despite the larynx and the brain being only inches apart. If God created the giraffe, he would have had the power to simply connect the brain to the larynx as the rerouting would have been simple - evolution can only improve existing systems, and cannot 're-wire' like a God would be able to - life is obviously NOT "designed".
@Styxorcist If "absence of evidence is not evidence of absence", then what, pray tell WOULD prove that something doesn't exist, other then there being no evidence that it exists? Are you saying that you believe Big Foot exists because you have no evidence that he does not?
@Styxorcist "By what standard should we call a man good?"
Answer: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" - Thus we have Jesus himself admitting that morality is subjective. You don't want to be stolen from, so don't steal. You don't want to be murdered, so don't murder. This is not complicated.
@ZelphKinderhook Sure, there is man made law to establish a form of social stability but a world without God transmogrifies society into an existence that is without consequence. God is real. People from many philosophical perspectives refer to karma. That doesn't happen by accident either. Man is a spiritual being whether he chooses to admit that or not. Spiritualism is something innate to all mankind and his growth and understanding of it is in his hands as much as is his physical growth.
@ZelphKinderhook Even in this modern age, no scientist can claim to know what makes life tick. There is so much more beyond the physical that can't be measured or weighed in a lab or viewed under a microscope. It affects our moods just as much as external physical stimuli and we need to be made aware of it.
That's me for the moment. Sorry to ramble on. Please don't take any of this as argumentative. Discussing these things is what keeps me real so feel free to share your views. Be well.
I am amazed that so many believers think they can raise the dead. If that happened as often as people claimed, how come it has escaped medical science:
Buddy, thank you for your statement! It was very inspiring.
I was the third generation of church members in my family, here in the Federative Republic of Brazil.
The story of my life was simply the same as yours. I'm 20 years old, luckily I did not make the mistake of losing two years of my life trying to convert people to something I never fully believed.
i quite enjoy these videos and i love seeing people find fulfillment in their life. However, when it came to the rising from the dead story, I almost couldn't believe what i was hearing. That's a level of faith/belief that, honestly, I can't even imagine.
haha this works both ways. I used to be and ex-Mormon. After being in the church my whole life i left the church at the age 14. I ended up getting into drugs, alcohol and all kinds of mischief. living a very wayward life i became more unhappy than i have ever been i my life. i ended up coming back to church after suffering a lot and because i came back it literally saved my life and i am more happy than i have ever been.
@dkp121890:I don't go to church and I don't do drugs.Goes to show you're weak minded and easily manipulated. The guy on the video didn't replace religion with drugs or alcohol but with logic, sense, reasoning, research and evidence. If you need someone to babysit you for the rest of your life and you feel church stop you from doing idiotic things, please don't leave the church. I don't need anybody to think or decide for me nor do I need a babysitter or a devil to blame on my wrong doing.
If there are any members of the LDS Church that watch this video and have feelings of doubt please look up on youtube or google the talk given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland "Safety for the Soul"
this is a heart rending story, thankfully it actually has a better ending than most. so many LDS ppl go throught scenarios much like this. Mormons are told over & over to believe beyond any reason. Most go through events much like this, ending up discounting reality,reason & their 1 st hand experience just to be recycled right back into their phony fraudulent mind raping LDS cult.
And even unto the great and last day ,when all people ,and all kindreds,and all nations and tongues shall stand before God ,to be judged of their works ,whether they be good or whether they be evil
If they be good , to the resurrection of everlasting life ,& if they be evil ,to the resurrection of damnation ;being on a parallel , the one on the one hand &the other on the other hand according to the mercy and the justice &the holiness which is in Christ ,who was before the world began.
You seem passionate and sincere...wish you all the best in your quest for the truth...you probably would (do) like Sam Harris.
The latest comparative genome studies completely sink the Mormons by the way.
Goodness and compassion does not have to come from religions with all the dogmatic bronze age illogic and fear mongering as a side car...life is more beautiful and clean without irrational superstition and inevitable intolerance...let's live like now is all we have...all the best...
your looking for excuses to blame the church for you lack of power to raise your brother from the dead. and because of that you looked for other reasons to justify it leaving it. i feel sorry for you. as for your DNA crap. people have claimed that dna proof proves it. well it DOESNT! nephites were of jewish descent. lamanites had their DNA changed for their evil acts against nephi genius.. so when you test an indian aka lamanite with jews. you have no nephite dna to us compare, only lamanite dna
@kornelious1 Who the hell are you to be saying anything like this on the matter? The man in this film is heartfelt and sincere. Don't come in here spewing filth like this. You make yourself look like a damn fool. You put on display the ignorance and stupidity of your church and it's teachings. If you are so wilfully ignorant of Science and truth then go back to your delusions and fuck off.
@Torvus1987 lol... you people make me laugh.. i'm sorry your too ignorant to see the signs.. people let others affect their life.. cause they are too weak minded.. i find it funny that ignorant people like you take science of how our world works and try to explain the universe with it.. lol.. science hasnt even touched eternity yet.. yet your arragance thinks you can solve the equation of the universe with what limited science and technology we have on this single littel planet.. L O L ...
@Torvus1987 Fankly i could care less about this guy.. but his posting of i'm an "Ex Mormon" is an attack.. although they would like you to think they are innocents who are victims.. remember one this idiot.. Joining the church is a act of free agency.. no one forces anyone to join the church.. it's a choice.. a choice he made.. then he wants to say he was a victim.. cause he couldnt raise his brother from the dead?? lol.. i'll go back to my delusions alright lol..
@Torvus1987 This video is a fine example of people who are weak minded.. he expected power of god to perform the rasising of the dead.. i dont care what his patriarchal blessing says.. your not given a power like that.. hell look how weak he was.. he left the church cause "it didnt work" if i was god i wouldnt give it to him either.. apparently he didnt have the faith he needed.. maybe it wasnt god's will.. yet he left the church anyway.. thats a display of weakness and lack of faith...
@kornelious1 let me rephrase "your not JUST given a power like that" even if you were.. you stil have to earn it through faith.. we are told we are given the power to raise the dead.. but it also has to be god's will.. there has to be a purpose.. this guy is not a prophet with something to teach the people commanded by god.. he lost a family member and out of desparity he thought his blessing and power given to him was going to make it all better.. sorry it's god's rules not his..
@kornelious1 Jesus said his kingdom was especially for the weak, the poor, and the brokenhearted... You need to meet the real one instead of worshipping one that is angry at people for not having the kind of strength you claim to have. Although after reading just a few of your bullying bitter old-man type rants, I doubt you are as good a person as you think you are.
very cool, indeed. i started watching, and couldn't figure out where he was going. So happy you came to the conclusion you did. Life is just life.
betazors 1 week ago
Very cool.
Zippo1969 2 weeks ago
Well he might have left mormonism but he still know's how to preach from the pullpit. He waxed on for so long, i can't even be bothered to finish watching this epic monologue
bectaylor1983 2 weeks ago
But the thing is I can back up what I believe. I'm am as far as you can get from living in a fairly tale world. I know we don't have the answers to everything but I'm not prepared to believe in something that claims explanations in such detail when I cant get a single answer that makes sense from god OR the people preaching it. I don't believe in religion or scientific theories until they are proven. I wasn't born when the world began and neither were you. An old book isn't good enough for me.
OfficialOmegaVoX 3 weeks ago
GOD is TRUTH..Jesus Christ our savior is the TRUTH..
the Bible-the word of God
fate241 1 month ago
@fate241 Can you elaborate? Or can you only bible bash?
I was a believer as well for many years but got trapped in the pattern of having faith rather than getting real answers.
I questioned so many things and got no answers from the bible but got many logical, scientific, backed up, factual answers from those who wanted truth. If God was as real as you are suggesting, then everyone in this world would have no doubt whatsoever.
Science makes more sense than a god who doesn't communicate.
OfficialOmegaVoX 3 weeks ago in playlist Uploaded videos
@OfficialOmegaVoX haha really? wow. arent you livin in fairyland. of course everything doesnt have to make sense to us. we are the most curious creatures. we dont have always have the answers to everything, if we did why be here? Its what you make of it. What is your truth? Science is always ever changing and can never really give us real hope and true comfort for the human spirit. It can only educate us on things we can obviously see but may not be what we are looking for.
fate241 3 weeks ago
A great inspiration. I am struggling with this now, my wife doesn't know what to think. And members are clamouring to save me from the influence of the world, all because I looked at evidence and figured that something was wrong.
walterkeathley 1 month ago 2
Im not trying to be rude to current mormons, but the book of mormons was created by a random guy. I suggest that you read the ACTUAL Bible.
Itz4school 1 month ago
@Itz4school Would that be the same Bible that promotes genocide, child sacrifice & slavery? The Bible that Hitler believed in? The Bible put together by the Holy Roman Church during the religious colonization of western Europe? The morals and family values on offer in that book are horrid. Take a moment and read it sometimes...read about Jephthah sacrificing his own child, read about Abraham & his child abuse against Isaac, read about Lott offering up his children to a rape-thirsty mob. LOL
TruthJockey 1 month ago in playlist More videos from iamanexmormon
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zieben64 1 month ago
WHOA at the end of the video you see his pupils, and you cant help but think( is he that happy cause he just popped)
tragidyturtle 1 month ago
Correction, you're still a moron.
locouk 1 month ago
Jesus Christ God Incarnate is NOT a religion nor does He want a religion from us,...He wants SINCERE repentance and belief in Him and His work on the cross/Sincere relationship.
spranykot 1 month ago
@spranykot Keep that bullshit out here man. This channel dont promote religion or belief in a 2000 year old zombie that you like to worship.
liamlloyd77 1 month ago
As an ex-Mormon, this is my favorite YouTube video. Really. I re-watch it every so often. Still makes me cry :')
purewilderness 1 month ago
"raised from the dead" = spiritual death, not temporal death. If you baptize and confirm, then you are saving people from spiritual death. The members received confirmation to their question, but they didn't understand the question they were asking. I'm sorry it was so confusing, but it's a matter of interpretation.
brilliantlycreated 1 month ago
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Why not "I'm an ex-Catholic" or "I'm an ex-Jew". If you were the adversary and wanted to stir up the hearts of God's children to fight against Him, where would you focus? You would focus on the fullness of the gospel. Did you ever ask yourself, why such a big deal over something that you believe is not true. If it really was nothing....then it would be treated as so. Ask yourself this, how do you feel inside when you post against LDS, is it goodness..or? the feeling is telling
brilliantlycreated 1 month ago
Holy shit, you can tell just by looking at this guy that he was 100% mormon.
tr1tan 1 month ago 13
I know exactly what you were going though, I'm there right now and struggling emotionally over finding out what you say is true. I've been experiencing the same thing in my life. Thanks for your help! God Bless you for your honesty and integrity.
jrobison2010 2 months ago 3
Omg you religious christians don't have a monopoly on truth. It's just your opinions!
MusicJew158 2 months ago
I was a former boy scout and have been so disheartened to find out thier agenda.
MusicJew158 2 months ago
Joseph Smith was a mad man who was shot outside the jail he was being held in. No religion that gets it's beginnings from such a loon should be taken seriously, yet the Church of Mormon donates to a huge percentage of Boy Scouts troops where they can push their cult onto youth and deny entry to atheists or homosexuals. Members of the church vehemently deny factual evidence against their gospel while providing no evidence to the contrary... It's a sad, one sided argument really.
burnrider2001 2 months ago 16
@Aethgeir Dude, i see you read the Bible! Sweet! I dont know why you are so angry and hate the Bible and those who profess faith in God. But, i was like you a long time ago! I hated the things of God after the bad taste I had after Mormonism. I then started reading the Bible to prove it was just a "fairy tale" But, like the crowd of people that you throw a rock @. The One who yells is the one the rock hit. Well, I got hit by the Truth! So, keep reading the Bible and you Will find the TRUTH!
padundo 2 months ago
@padundo Yes, truth indeed.
"And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12.
"Thou shalt not suffer a sorceress to live" Exodus 22:18
"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ" Ephesians 6:5. And lastly, "It is easier for Heaven and Earth to pass away
druumuuluum 2 months ago
@druumuuluum do you assume that athiests find pleasure in unrighteousness. I am LDS, but I wouldn't assume that people find pleasure in unrighteousness just because they don't believe in God. People can be good even though they are not in touch with their spirit that fills their body.
brilliantlycreated 1 month ago
@brilliantlycreated First of all define unrighteousness. Secondly, if people find pleasure in doing things that do not harm others (or themselves), what is the harm in doing that? I fully understand that people can be good without God, because I like to think that I am a good person. But I never said anything about this anyway, so what is your point?
druumuuluum 1 month ago
@druumuuluum Sorry, I attached the message to the wrong name and now I can't find the original post I was responding to.....ugh. :)
brilliantlycreated 1 month ago
@padundo than for the smallest part of the letter of the law to become invalid" Luke 16:17.
druumuuluum 2 months ago
@padundo I have read the Bible from cover to cover. I’ve also studied its history and the history of that part of the world. Your assumption that I’m ‘filled with anger and hate’ because I’m critical of your beliefs, says more about you than it does about me. I don’t ‘hate the Bible and those who profess faith in God’ that should have been clear from my earlier comment. I find the bible and other religious scriptures fascinating but I do pity those ignorant enough to believe they are true.
Aethgeir 2 months ago
@padundo I suspect you ‘got hit with truth’ (found faith) in the bible but because you were looking for it, not because you were trying to ‘prove it was a fairy tale’. In other words, you’d lost your religion but still had faith, and so you were trying to find some new way to understand it. If you really are interested in seeking the truth, than you need to go beyond the bible. Start studying its history and not just its content.
Aethgeir 2 months ago
" stop wanting to be right and start wanting the truth "
Such a simple concept that works.
kramd1 2 months ago 2
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@kramd1 That's exactly what I wanted to tell people, " stop wanting to be right and start wanting the truth ". Many times I' ve been confused by false believes and felt so bad, but I never quit looking for the True 'cause I always believed there must be only one true. The real truth I found reading the Holy Bible. But my seach hasn't finished, now I'm still looking for to know God better. The important thing is to know the true not to prove you're right.
dreamweaver221 2 months ago
Wow, you would make a great teacher Chris. The scientific method explained by you, with love for the truth made me cry. So cute when you knew there was no devil!
Life, the here and now for you and your loved ones and the whole planet.
Thats truth.
scottnsanfran 3 months ago
WATCH the documentary EXpelled ,NO Intellegence Allowed with Ben Stein. After watching this, you can NOT deny the existence of GOD!
It is revealed in the BIBLE which can be verified by Science., History, Archeology, etc! Stay away from "Religion", trust Christ, Read HIS WORD, Pray. KNOW THE TRUTH, IT WILL SET YOU FREE! My name is Ron and I'M AN ex-Mormon!
padundo 3 months ago
@padundo Oh you mean that, biased and misrepresentative piece of crap that was almost universally panned and currently has a whopping 10% on rotten tomatoes? Sorry, but most people's time is worth more to them than that.
Aethgeir 3 months ago
Sorry Chris. There is a Devil! He decieved Joseph Smith(Galations1:6-9, 2Corinthians11:1-15) Thus decieving LDS Members(me included!)Then when we find the TRUTH that the BOM and LDS Church is false, many of us get duped AGAIN by Satan! We reject the existince of God, Christ, Satan etc! Thats is what the enemy does! He is the father of Lies, He comes to steal, kill and destroy! Believe me when I Say this :GOD IS REAL,BIBLE IS TRUE!
padundo 3 months ago
@padundo lol. sorry, but it's dying. don't try to keep it alive, just stop.
FoldedTapestry 3 months ago
@padundo The Bible is the best book ever.
13SuperKings 3 months ago
@padundo Your 'devil' works for your god, read Job 1 and 2. There is no evidence to suggest that your god is real and if you think the bible is true, than you A) haven't read, B) don't understand C) know nothing of its history; or in all likelihood D) all of the above.
Aethgeir 3 months ago
I saw the video that Chris saw about DNA evidence for the BOM and agreed with Rod Meldrum (the presenter of the video). The fact remains (regardless of the age of the DNA), that members of the Algonquian Indians had mtDNA links with people of the Levant and due to variants in their DNA could only have come from the Levant (not Altaic DNA). These people lived in the area of the Great Lakes. Another shot in the dark for Joseph Smith...yeah right!
BUZZ4134 3 months ago
The Lord said the truth " He will raise from the dead" you just did not understand what it meant. Will you deny the answers you were given by the spirit?
malko1433 3 months ago
i will take back what i said a few second ago... u are so cute, i am happy for u finally u found happiness in ur life lol....
Tommygboy 3 months ago
you are a moron ...sorry... read the bible duh
Tommygboy 3 months ago
My lifeline book when I was deconverting was...
Finding Darwins God by Kennth Miller.
I got a few months of Christian out of that, but it eventually ran out.
truckcompany 3 months ago
this is amazing
Prplfox 3 months ago
Wow Chris, I'm blown away.. You have a great story friend. My, for lack of a better word, deconversion took place just before my first daughter was born. I asked myself, what do I really believe? What do I need to teach my child? I opened a door that I could never close. I felt all the feelings you described and I too am filled with hope. Thanks for sharing your story, I'm certain that it will help a lot of people take hold of this "revelation".
southmcl 3 months ago
What this guy said applies to ALL religions.
Simply ask yourself: WTF is "God"?!
If you cannot rationalize what "God" *is*, then it is not even a LOGICAL THOUGHT in your mind.
If "God" doesn't even exist in your mind, then how can it exist in *reality*?!
Before you can claim the existence of some *thing*, you must have atleast one LOGICAL THOUGHT (proposition) that uniquely *identifies* it as what it *is*.
If a *thing* claimed to be "God", how would you know if that claim is TRUE?
30lays 3 months ago
Freedom of Religion, in reality, is Freedom for lying.
The 'DNA Evidence' DVD is a prime example.
Someone puts together a lie, some people watch and believe it, and do not research the facts, and continue to believe a lie.
Lying should be punishable by law.
If a person is going to preach something is true, they must back it up with evidence.
All religions would crumble.
Religion is false advertizing, like 'pyramid power' or palmistry, etc.
It should be rated as 'entertainment' and nothing more
gjsterp 3 months ago
"... stop wanting to be right, and start wanting the truth ..."
turbopro10 3 months ago
Religious indoctrination is much about teaching the "doublethink" (check George Orwell's book '1984'). That's exactly what this ex-mormon is saying: religion teaches you to selectively forget the memories that contradict your faith.
alexandrempinto 3 months ago
did you use to hate the japanese? xP
Th3Sh1n1gam1 3 months ago
what a moron...
dahmeredsback 3 months ago
@Norm4561 lol
serrano096 3 months ago
lol
serrano096 3 months ago
Your wife? Until I heard you say that I thought you were openly gay.
RichieJohnSauls 3 months ago
This is amazing, a lot of it feels like it was my life.
truckcompany 3 months ago
A great story.
I've never been a morman but I see so many paralels in your story with others who began to examine their DEEPLY held beliefs and were terrified to find it just doesnt add up....only later to find that the "revalation" of being free from fear, indoctrination, guilt and myth is the greatest joy and the greatest hope they've ever felt.
I congratulate you on escaping your personal cage and wish you luck in your new life of discovery =)
stiimuli 3 months ago
Many people say they put God first.
Try putting truth first. If there really is a God the truth should be no threat to him.
studentofsmith 3 months ago
That's the thing about reality, it doesn't care about your personal biases, emotions or desires. It is what it is and the sooner you embrace it the better. Compliments on the personal courage it takes to break free and seek the truth.
gpdl00355 3 months ago
Wow. Talk about personal courage (I can't claim such courage because I was always an atheist). Funny thing is, what Chris realized - it applies equally to *any* other cult/religion/supernatural/superstitious belief. I especially applaud Chris' understanding that "we are in the best age we've ever been in". To which I add my own personal axiom: "And it is up to us to endeavor that tomorrow will be an even better age to live in - and so on, and so forth".
Mentarch 3 months ago
Mormonism is what you'd get if Christianity fucked Scientology.
gatorboymike 3 months ago
This is why all the religious books say NOT to test them, do not put god to the test, even the book knows it doesn't stand up to scrutiny.
Aethgeir 3 months ago 21
@Aethgeir You completely ignored 95% of this video, didn't you?
xTheLetter8 3 months ago
there are times in our lives when things "click" and fall into place. chris found that using reason made reality "click" into place. knowledge and reason are the foundations we should live on not fear through original sin and damnation.
djkoch65 3 months ago
I haVe a very different problem. I hate religion, to the point that i cant be around anyone stupid enough to believe it. Do i need help?
TamaNewb 3 months ago
@TamaNewb You can hate religion without hating religious people. Pity religious people, they're not stupid, they are the innocent victims of cults and charlatans; they're the ones who need help.
Just remember though that it's impossible to help people who are unwilling to help themselves.
Aethgeir 3 months ago 25
@Aethgeir I second this, and people are well served by remembering and perhaps pointing out the difference between frustration and anger.
It is ok to express frustration, we don't need to feel bad about these innocent victims frustrating us.
Off on a tangent, a roman philosopher who wrote about anger, due to the great anger of his emporor, made the conclusion that anger comes from frustration which comes from too high expectations.
It helps to expect less about things beyond our control.
stiaa04 3 months ago
Wow. I've watched quite a few deconversion videos, but this one is really touching.
banestyrelsen 3 months ago
Fools. Haveyou forgotten why it’s not good being the natural man? If this man have not been tout by his parents to chose the right do you think he will be the same "good' man as he was before? No. because the natural man does what he pleases without any guilt. These could mean he could steal, kill, be mean, and even cheats on his own wife to get what he wants. Why? Because its his own life and he wants to be "happy" knowing that there is no reason why to be guilty. If they do feel guilty, why ?
loops300 3 months ago
@loops300 Your an idiot dude. People have this innate sense called 'Empathy'. You don't have to be told how to behave in order to treat others with respect to their autonomy, and feelings, and it doesn't require religion, or God, it just requires an acknowledgement of others feelings. God, in actuality, is more often used as an excuse to forgo empathy in favor of 'the will of God', and as a result is why so much of the world is in shambles.
windigo77 3 months ago
@windigo77 A person who killed a person out of rage may start to feel bad and maybe begins to cry for what he's done. We know his pain and we may also feel sorry for that person. We still feel sorry for the victims of the murder as well. But we do know the punishment for this type of crime in some states is death. Did that person know that while killing the victim? Maybe. This is why we are told to behave and control that natural man in ourselves. Knowing the consequences helps too.
loops300 3 months ago
@loops300 Yes, and where in that equation does objective morality, or God come into play? Answer: It doesn't. There is no such thing as objective morality. You don't need a God to be good, in fact believing your morality comes from God instead of from empathy is dangerous, as anybody could then claim to be speaking for God, and then dictate immorality to you, and you would be likely to believe it and act immorally as a result. Remember, Jesus supported slavery.
windigo77 3 months ago
@windigo77 I did not say we replace empathy with God. God gives us empathy to help make the right decisions in our lives. He also gives us the freedom to choose and the consequences that fallow. Jesus said to serve one another (Charity) not slavery. LOL Read the Bible.
loops300 3 months ago
@loops300 LOL "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. (Ephesians 6:5 NLT)" - Yeah, Read the Bible.
windigo77 3 months ago
@loops300 Dumb ass.
windigo77 3 months ago
@windigo77 No, you do not understand the meaning of this passage. It did not said slaves it said servants. There is a difference. (King James Version New Testament) (NLT????? ).The message of all of this is, you should respect and serve one another. If you read on (Eph6:9) It even said unto the masters to do the same thing unto the servant. Therefore everyone should be treated with respect and give charity unto your fellow men.
loops300 3 months ago
@loops300 There are a multitude of passages that condone slavery. You fail.
windigo77 3 months ago
@windigo77 A slave is one who is FORCED to do labor and service to their masters. A servant is one who is willingly to do service to their master. We should all be willing to give charity to everyone. Therefore like a servant who receives money/ housing/ food/, instead we receive blessing from heaven. It even said don't be a slave which means don't just help out others when you are just told too, you should be willing to help out others when there is an opportunity.
loops300 3 months ago
@loops300 Fail.
windigo77 3 months ago
@windigo77 LOL
loops300 3 months ago
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loops300 3 months ago
@loops300 You wrote: 'don't just help out others when you are just told too, you should be willing to help out others when there is an opportunity. '
I agree. People should not have to tell you to show charity, yet religion tries to claim the origins of this, when it does not take belief in any religion to do so.
As far as 'we receive blessing from heaven', that remains to be proved.
Some believe we receive blessings when we do not have control of the outcome, but it is just good or bad luck.
gjsterp 3 months ago
@gjsterp Not to show but to do. There is more to this than just morality.
loops300 3 months ago
@loops300
People who claim to be *servants* of "Jesus" or "God", do so because they believe they will be rewarded in the *after-life*.
It's no different then: work for me for FREE now and I'll pay you later when I get paid!
Even worst, people are told that must give atleast 10% of their income as well!
So the so-called *servants* of "Jesus" ("God") are worst off than victims of ponzi and pyramid schemes!
They may not be SLAVES because *force*, but they are SLAVES because of BRAINWASHING!
30lays 3 months ago
@30lays Yea it's brainwashing to help out people..LOL
loops300 3 months ago
@loops300 The 'natural man' is born with empathy. It is better to act on empathy than to act in response to authority (biblical, divine, or otherwise).
windigo77 3 months ago
@loops300 easy.. morality in innate and is even exhibited as early a 2 years of age.. there are universal moral formula for cooperation and trust that have made it possible for homo sapiens to survive and thrive.. Cognitive neuroscience goes a long way toward explaining why people cooperate in a moral sense...your narrative makes no sense..
daNDayati 3 months ago
@daNDayati If true then why not early age of 1 or younger.Why 2?Is it because they have more brain development, therefore having the ability to think better there by making better decisions than a 1 year old. But how would they know that they would make better decision in the first place if they don't even know what’s a good or what's a bad decision. Based on feelings is one thing but anybody can cry or get hurt over anything.Choosing something over this does not make good judgment of decisions.
loops300 3 months ago
@loops300 good point.. there are studies that show these traits by 1. Researchers at the Mind and Development Lab at Yale University have published several studies on this. your inference of "a good or what's a bad decision" is based upon (I assume) religious dogma. These innate mechanisms are the building block of moral properties that help homo sapiens cooperate, survive and thrive. As homo sapiens adapted they developed social codes for behavior to assure cohesion and adherence to authority.
daNDayati 3 months ago
@loops300 your "good or bad" dogma was developed through centuries of adaptations and traditions. Modern "good and bad" is not the same as a century ago in your own society. There are some formulas to measure of morality regarding well being of the sentient.. but are no absolute universal formulas. Humanity has yet to successfully take on that discourse.
daNDayati 3 months ago
@5:50... Double think....
MrMusicPilot78 3 months ago
@Styxrcist
Atheists /agnostics on their deathbeds do not suddenly become believers... that's about as false as can be, Most atheists/agnostics have put a lot of thought into their beliefs.... they're not going to recant just because they're afraid of death because that would be illogical. You don't seem to have a very good grasp as to what being a non-theist is. I'd pray for ya,,, if I believed in that kind of thing....
ZelphKinderhook 4 months ago
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loops300 4 months ago
He seriously believed people could be raised from the dead? Good grief, religion truly is scary ! Glad he's free of his delusions.
justjulie37 4 months ago
This is such a powerful story. It's interesting and worth watching the entire thing. I've watched it twice. I understand a lot of people need to leave the LDS church but it just seems like they are letting themselves be robbed twice. I wish God would give gay people the strength they need to stay in the church, find a same gender partner and be happy. How can the church discredit their own baptisms.
aerotrooper 4 months ago in playlist More videos from iamanexmormon
@bringemyoung1
Hey there, I'm an agnostic atheist too. Yeah, it's a good book. There's an audio version I think, if you prefer that to reading! Or read it online... sometimes that's easier than an actual book!
I like the concept of god, I just don't see any verifiable facts that point to a god's existence. When you become a critical thinker, you realize that just because something FEELS good, right or true, doesn't mean it is. It's a journey....
ZelphKinderhook 4 months ago
@ZelphKinderhook Something to think about. If you see a well made table that's been varnished in the middle of the street, do you think to yourself "Hey, some random course of events eventually perpetuated this well crafted table into existence?"
Ask yourself that when you look at the solar system, the human body, the weather, man's intuition above all other life on earth and things like that. If you can honestly say to yourself that it was all an accident something must be off.
Styxorcist 4 months ago
It's unfortunate that this situation happened to you. But where on earth did you get the idea that you could raise the dead...obviously your mother was very upset and did not feel the spirit. I feel so sorry for you and hope you come back.
bkell390 4 months ago
Who ever told you that you had the ability to raise people from the dead? They've passed on into immortality. What is this man talking about?
JohnRhysMusician 4 months ago
@JohnRhysMusician Religion removes people's ability/desire to think critically, evaluate evidence and apply logic -- this leads to inaccurate, embarrassing and extremely harmful beliefs. Raising the dead is no stranger than believing being gay is wrong, or that zygotes have a soul, or that jesus will return to earth... I could go on for days. All are terrible byproducts of religious mindwarping. Tip: Science is the path to true knowledge.
pascalecake 4 months ago 19
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denying the holy ghost just expressing my opinion, please dont get mad to the gays outh there. all of the ex-mormons as what i observed were gays or wanting to have samsex relationships
TheDavewrong 4 months ago
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Power to raise the dead and you believed that?boy,they had you by the balls! and your mom heard Jesus speaking to her and she forgot all that? this is called brainwashing,delusional thinking and Schizophrenia. If they had told you to drink the cup with kool aid and poison you woulda done it. Glad you broke the chains.
WELCOME TO THE AGE OF SENSE,DINOSAUR FOSSILS, REASONING ,LOGIC,DNA TESTING AND TECHNOLOGY THAT WILL DISPROVE A LOT MORE FAIRY TALES IN THE FUTURE.
guayacan07 4 months ago
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guayacan07 4 months ago
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"Stop wanting to be right and start wanting the truth"
I found this video to be incredibly poignant, profound and beautiful.
MelissaParker1809 4 months ago
Thank you for posting this. Very insightful thoughts.
mrseanbob 5 months ago
For those of you who are leaving/have left the church...
Do you still believe in God and/or the devil? Do you believe in the Bible? Is there heaven and/or hell? I've done loads of research and am almost 100% sure that the church is untrue, but it saddens me to think that God may not be real. And with all the little miracles in life, I think God does live... But what about the Bible? Is there afterlife? How much of itis true? Is Satan real? What are your thoughts/feelings? Any feedback? Thanks
Striving2bePerfect 5 months ago
@Striving2bePerfect
After I left Mormonism, I also still believed in God for a while. But after reading a lot about it, I realized that not everything that feels good, is true. "The God Delusion" is a good place to start. But I warn that it's quite an intellectual and emotional leap to make... not everyone can do it.
As for the "little miracles", these are actually just a combo of coincidences and luck. And if god doesn't exist, neither does Satan. But you CAN be good without a god.
ZelphKinderhook 5 months ago 22
@ZelphKinderhook As a rational thinking person who used to bash christians, I ask myself that question. Can there be good without God? I feel the answer is no. At the end of the day, all men are not perfect and it would be remiss of us to envision some archetype of what good is for the simple reason..."By what standard should we call a man good?"
If God doesn't exist, then what is the merit in morality. Why be fair, humble or respectful? It would all have no meaning.
Styxorcist 4 months ago
@Styxorcist
All these arguments you're putting forth are nothing but speculation and wishful thinking. None of what you have said is direct, verifiable evidence of a god. Once you have some, get back to me.
ZelphKinderhook 4 months ago
@ZelphKinderhook The evidence of God is in your face. If you choose to stay in ignorance that's your deal.
So you're telling me that the human body, the earth's weather system and ecosystems are all speculation? Wow sir, that's being willingly ignorant. If that's your mentality, it's quite obvious why you think God doesn't exist.
Scientifically speaking however, if your case of evidence were even remotely true, the absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence.
Styxorcist 4 months ago
@Styxorcist
I guess you're just not very smart (or perhaps you're willfully ignorant?) Let me see if I can explain it to you another way....
Just because something is wondrous, or amazing, or just because it's so complicated that you can't understand it yet, is not automatic proof that a god is involved. The absence of evidence is simply what it says... nothing more.
If you choose to stay in ignorance that's your deal.
Get back to me when you actually have some evidence.
ZelphKinderhook 4 months ago
@ZelphKinderhook So all the wondrous things in the world existing by accident? Any detective would be skeptical when coming by an orgy of evidence. Sometimes things are too obvious to accept as truth. I understand where you're coming from to a degree because I used to be there but your belief doesn't change fact. From the time something "IS" God is involved.
I'm not here to prove anything to you, but rather to spark the questions that help you to prove it to yourself.
Styxorcist 4 months ago
@ZelphKinderhook It's easy to sit back and dismiss other people's views but if you genuinely want to know, go seek diligently for yourself. It's very hard to refute your own research.
A word to the wise is sufficient. Be good to yourself brother.
Styxorcist 4 months ago
@Styxorcist
"but if you genuinely want to know..."
And there's your essential mistake. You assumed that I didn't know or wanted to know. I ALREADY know.... there's no evidence of a god. I accept that, and I'm content with that. You're projecting.
You are making fantastic claims that there's a god. Well, as Carl Sagan said in "Cosmos": "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence" (the "Sagan Standard").
So once again, get back to me when you have some evidence. Good luck.
ZelphKinderhook 4 months ago
@ZelphKinderhook The simple fact that you say God doesn't exist is proof that you don't know. I was in the boat with ppl like Bill Maher who were honest enough in themselves to say they honestly don't know, but to say flat out that He doesn't exist is going too far.
"If" is a supposition. I never assumed anything. Anyone with half a brain could discern that you have no interest in knowing if God is real. If you trust that that is fine then more power to you.
Styxorcist 4 months ago
@ZelphKinderhook Something as huge as that would make me search for years to verify. Anyone that truly wants to know will know. And those who have eyes to see will see.
The assumption is on your part. I'm not trying to prove anything to anyone. I said plainly my intention was to spark the questions that lead you to prove it to yourself. I have my evidence and that is for me only. You need to get your own.
You should get back to me when you have evidence that God does not exist. Good luck.
Styxorcist 4 months ago
@Styxorcist
Sorry bud, but you DID assume. You assumed that I either didn't know the truth about a god, or wanted to know. Also, I never said absolutely that god does not exist, only that I don't believe in a god because there's no evidence. Try to get it right.
You're the one making the fantastical claim that there's a god, not I. Therefore, the burden of proof is on you. Therefore, there's no need for me to get back to you with evidence of no god... nice try tho!
Good luck with that.
ZelphKinderhook 4 months ago
@ZelphKinderhook You know, even when I was vs the stupidity of many of today's religions and doctrines, the statement "I don't believe in a god" was always too far of a stretch for the simple fact that I knew I wasn't sure and could be wrong.
I had a mindset that you don't seem to have. Your words candidly demonstrate your lack of concern for truth. Live long enough and you learn that not seeing something doesn't mean it isn't there. You're making a crazy claim that there isn't a God.
Styxorcist 4 months ago
@Styxorcist
"Your words candidly demonstrate your lack of concern for truth."
What utter bullshit. It's you who plays fast and loose with the truth. You're the one believing in invisible beings without a shred of evidence. That's the crazy claim... not someone who's intelligent enough to understand what verifiable evidence is, and knows there isn't any for a god.
Non-believers who have become so thru reason & logic NEVER change their beliefs on their deathbeds... that's a ridiculous claim.
ZelphKinderhook 4 months ago
@Styxorcist
The claim that "I don't believe in a god." is not the same as the claim that "I believe there is no god." The first is a statement of nonbelief and skepticism, and the second is a belief. You cannot equate a belief someone doesn't have to a belief they do have.
If you tell me there's a ball in the next room, I don't automatically believe the ball is or is not red. Skepticism is a lack of belief, not a belief against the stated argument.
rkyeun 3 months ago
@rkyeun Fair enough but there are those that don't know whether they're atheists or agnostics and those ones who aren't particular with what they say usually say either one. It's a inference on my part as to whether they know one from the other.
Though, in retrospect, that may often times be a misjudgment on my part, I still do try to provoke people to legitimately search themselves for the truth whether they are in doubt or disbelief.
Styxorcist 3 months ago
@Styxorcist
I tend to assume that when someone claims to be an atheist, they lack a belief in god and may also have a belief against god as a separate issue.
When someone claims to be an agnostic, I tend to assume that they do not believe there is any proof one way or the other --
-- and I find that they are also atheists often enough (despite that not having been an assumption I made) that I feel inclined to start assuming that too and apologize to the few agnostic theists.
rkyeun 3 months ago
@ZelphKinderhook Very hard to find something you're no looking for man. I went on what you said which was that you didn't believe in a God. What we have here is a difference in opinion. I gave some broad stroke questions to ask yourself that helped me when I was in a position of not knowing.
As with many differences of opinion, one of us is right and the other is wrong. I don't have to prove a thing to anyone nor do I care to. As much as you say prove it I say to you disprove it.
Styxorcist 4 months ago
@ZelphKinderhook I wonder to myself if you'll behave like so many agnostics/atheists on their deathbed and change your beliefs.
In any regard, I've grown weary of this. I'm done. Take care of yourself and good luck.
Styxorcist 4 months ago
@Styxorcist Evidence God does not exist: The blind spot in your eye caused by the optic nerve being connected on the wrong side of the retina - If God designed your eye, then why did he make such a simple mistake with HUGE disadvantages - more likely it evolved, imperfectly.
windigo77 3 months ago
@Styxorcist Evidence God does not exist: The laryngeal nerve of the giraffe goes from the brain, to the chest back to the voice box (larynx), taking an extremely long route despite the larynx and the brain being only inches apart. If God created the giraffe, he would have had the power to simply connect the brain to the larynx as the rerouting would have been simple - evolution can only improve existing systems, and cannot 're-wire' like a God would be able to - life is obviously NOT "designed".
windigo77 3 months ago
@Styxorcist If "absence of evidence is not evidence of absence", then what, pray tell WOULD prove that something doesn't exist, other then there being no evidence that it exists? Are you saying that you believe Big Foot exists because you have no evidence that he does not?
windigo77 3 months ago
@Styxorcist "By what standard should we call a man good?"
Answer: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" - Thus we have Jesus himself admitting that morality is subjective. You don't want to be stolen from, so don't steal. You don't want to be murdered, so don't murder. This is not complicated.
windigo77 3 months ago
@ZelphKinderhook Sure, there is man made law to establish a form of social stability but a world without God transmogrifies society into an existence that is without consequence. God is real. People from many philosophical perspectives refer to karma. That doesn't happen by accident either. Man is a spiritual being whether he chooses to admit that or not. Spiritualism is something innate to all mankind and his growth and understanding of it is in his hands as much as is his physical growth.
Styxorcist 4 months ago
@ZelphKinderhook Even in this modern age, no scientist can claim to know what makes life tick. There is so much more beyond the physical that can't be measured or weighed in a lab or viewed under a microscope. It affects our moods just as much as external physical stimuli and we need to be made aware of it.
That's me for the moment. Sorry to ramble on. Please don't take any of this as argumentative. Discussing these things is what keeps me real so feel free to share your views. Be well.
Styxorcist 4 months ago
I am amazed that so many believers think they can raise the dead. If that happened as often as people claimed, how come it has escaped medical science:
watch?v=6a_NpaRVB_o
zarkoff45 5 months ago
I know that I'm not the only person who cried because of this video
purewilderness 5 months ago in playlist purewilderness's Favorited Videos
that was beautiful!
Imissgrandpa26 6 months ago
All I can say is thank you for making me feel like I'm not the only one who doesn't believe any more
tattoodfreeek 6 months ago in playlist More videos from iamanexmormon
Buddy, thank you for your statement! It was very inspiring.
I was the third generation of church members in my family, here in the Federative Republic of Brazil.
The story of my life was simply the same as yours. I'm 20 years old, luckily I did not make the mistake of losing two years of my life trying to convert people to something I never fully believed.
CaffeBR 6 months ago
i quite enjoy these videos and i love seeing people find fulfillment in their life. However, when it came to the rising from the dead story, I almost couldn't believe what i was hearing. That's a level of faith/belief that, honestly, I can't even imagine.
NewsyJackal 6 months ago
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haha this works both ways. I used to be and ex-Mormon. After being in the church my whole life i left the church at the age 14. I ended up getting into drugs, alcohol and all kinds of mischief. living a very wayward life i became more unhappy than i have ever been i my life. i ended up coming back to church after suffering a lot and because i came back it literally saved my life and i am more happy than i have ever been.
dkp121890 6 months ago
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Skittywolf 5 months ago
@dkp121890 That's only because you didn't limit yourself.
Skittywolf 5 months ago
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guayacan07 4 months ago
@dkp121890:I don't go to church and I don't do drugs.Goes to show you're weak minded and easily manipulated. The guy on the video didn't replace religion with drugs or alcohol but with logic, sense, reasoning, research and evidence. If you need someone to babysit you for the rest of your life and you feel church stop you from doing idiotic things, please don't leave the church. I don't need anybody to think or decide for me nor do I need a babysitter or a devil to blame on my wrong doing.
guayacan07 4 months ago
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If there are any members of the LDS Church that watch this video and have feelings of doubt please look up on youtube or google the talk given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland "Safety for the Soul"
dkp121890 6 months ago
this is a heart rending story, thankfully it actually has a better ending than most. so many LDS ppl go throught scenarios much like this. Mormons are told over & over to believe beyond any reason. Most go through events much like this, ending up discounting reality,reason & their 1 st hand experience just to be recycled right back into their phony fraudulent mind raping LDS cult.
baxfikkle555 6 months ago
See people are limiting God all the time. GODS WAYS ARE UNKNOWN!!! HE can put you in a false church so you can find the truth!!!
MindWalker123 6 months ago
Dude, smoke some pot! Gives you a good feeling every time, no prayer needed.
MindWalker123 6 months ago
I watched this porn movie, I prayed about it and ITS TRUE!!! Come worship at my new church worshiping the secret movie!~
MindWalker123 6 months ago
@MindWalker123 and give me all your money and your wifes!!!
MindWalker123 6 months ago
And even unto the great and last day ,when all people ,and all kindreds,and all nations and tongues shall stand before God ,to be judged of their works ,whether they be good or whether they be evil
If they be good , to the resurrection of everlasting life ,& if they be evil ,to the resurrection of damnation ;being on a parallel , the one on the one hand &the other on the other hand according to the mercy and the justice &the holiness which is in Christ ,who was before the world began.
mollymu1 6 months ago
This video is very moving, definitely the best of the ex-Mormon videos and that's saying a lot.
mattox21 6 months ago
Thanks for this video.
kinghenry77 6 months ago
You seem passionate and sincere...wish you all the best in your quest for the truth...you probably would (do) like Sam Harris.
The latest comparative genome studies completely sink the Mormons by the way.
Goodness and compassion does not have to come from religions with all the dogmatic bronze age illogic and fear mongering as a side car...life is more beautiful and clean without irrational superstition and inevitable intolerance...let's live like now is all we have...all the best...
christian53050 6 months ago
your looking for excuses to blame the church for you lack of power to raise your brother from the dead. and because of that you looked for other reasons to justify it leaving it. i feel sorry for you. as for your DNA crap. people have claimed that dna proof proves it. well it DOESNT! nephites were of jewish descent. lamanites had their DNA changed for their evil acts against nephi genius.. so when you test an indian aka lamanite with jews. you have no nephite dna to us compare, only lamanite dna
kornelious1 6 months ago
@kornelious1 Who the hell are you to be saying anything like this on the matter? The man in this film is heartfelt and sincere. Don't come in here spewing filth like this. You make yourself look like a damn fool. You put on display the ignorance and stupidity of your church and it's teachings. If you are so wilfully ignorant of Science and truth then go back to your delusions and fuck off.
Torvus1987 6 months ago 8
@Torvus1987 lol... you people make me laugh.. i'm sorry your too ignorant to see the signs.. people let others affect their life.. cause they are too weak minded.. i find it funny that ignorant people like you take science of how our world works and try to explain the universe with it.. lol.. science hasnt even touched eternity yet.. yet your arragance thinks you can solve the equation of the universe with what limited science and technology we have on this single littel planet.. L O L ...
kornelious1 6 months ago
@Torvus1987 Fankly i could care less about this guy.. but his posting of i'm an "Ex Mormon" is an attack.. although they would like you to think they are innocents who are victims.. remember one this idiot.. Joining the church is a act of free agency.. no one forces anyone to join the church.. it's a choice.. a choice he made.. then he wants to say he was a victim.. cause he couldnt raise his brother from the dead?? lol.. i'll go back to my delusions alright lol..
kornelious1 6 months ago
@kornelious1 Another good point .
mollymu1 6 months ago
@kornelious1 Trolling these videos are also a choice...
goodgirlkay 5 months ago
@Torvus1987 This video is a fine example of people who are weak minded.. he expected power of god to perform the rasising of the dead.. i dont care what his patriarchal blessing says.. your not given a power like that.. hell look how weak he was.. he left the church cause "it didnt work" if i was god i wouldnt give it to him either.. apparently he didnt have the faith he needed.. maybe it wasnt god's will.. yet he left the church anyway.. thats a display of weakness and lack of faith...
kornelious1 6 months ago
@kornelious1 let me rephrase "your not JUST given a power like that" even if you were.. you stil have to earn it through faith.. we are told we are given the power to raise the dead.. but it also has to be god's will.. there has to be a purpose.. this guy is not a prophet with something to teach the people commanded by god.. he lost a family member and out of desparity he thought his blessing and power given to him was going to make it all better.. sorry it's god's rules not his..
kornelious1 6 months ago
@kornelious1 Jesus said his kingdom was especially for the weak, the poor, and the brokenhearted... You need to meet the real one instead of worshipping one that is angry at people for not having the kind of strength you claim to have. Although after reading just a few of your bullying bitter old-man type rants, I doubt you are as good a person as you think you are.
EmBeesWeb 4 months ago