It isn't wrong to lie, it is not like lying in a bad way, kids love the magic as kids, and grow out of it right at like the age of ten. So why not love santa as a kid and then learn that he is not true. I didn't take it hard because I was pretty sure it was not true.
i think its wrong to lie to kids about santa. I think is is hypocrytical and blasphemous for a follower of Christ to use lies in this way or to push others aside who have differing beliefs. You cant judge all christians by your experience but there are so many kids dis-owned or alienated due to religious beliefs and it is so sad. When trust is broken with a child, it is very hurtfull. Lying to kids about santa can be hurtfull to your relationship with them.
I think the best use for Santa Claus is probably as a lesson in critical thinking, although you can probably do that without lying to them, since they'll probably pick up some idea of Santa from their friends and pop culture.
"karlrebello: why do you atheists care... believe?"
Well.. We think about the future of the world. We think that maybe it's time for people to stop believing that to all of their problems, there is solution from heaven..
We think that people should accept things the way they are.
God for some people is the same as Alcohol. If they done something wrong.. they asking god to fix it. Or they asking god to "take" pain. Or to increase it.. soo person will be like couple of times forgiven.
We basically ok with you believing in "What ever it is"
But we are not ok with the fact that you brainwashing others. You don't leaving them a choice.
Like Infidels parents. If you not a believer, you are not a part of a family.. They forcing him to "OPEN HES EYES". Religious society leaves you no choice but to believe.
actually after reading all your posts i agree with you cretins.Youre progeny will be too stupid to diffrentiate between factg and fantasy even when they grow up!! Tell them Santa is not for real!!
Hey, infidelguy. I think you should not be against Santa.
You see, 1st, parents telling that there is Santa Claus. They giving their child presents etc.
Then they telling to them that there is Christ.
Child thinks like.. well, ok.. I believe you.
But theeen, when child will grow up, and encounter the fact that there is no Santa, they may start thinking that there is no god. Like, they lie about the santa, they lie about the Christ.
And this is good, because it helps child to start thinking. :)
It could go either way actually. Some kids just wont make the analogy. Instead they become more susceptible to believe what authority figures tell them uncritically. I did mention this in the video actually.
Maybe your family dosnt want you around because you will suck the fun and joy out of Christmas telling their kids that Santa does not exist????????and youll go on and on and on about it??????Possible
I completely agree. I was incredibly confused by my mother's insistence that Santa was real, even though all my friends told me he didn't exist. Of course, I sided with my mum...
I think Reggie may be a bit deceitful himself, I listened to his interview he did with Michio Kaku and I found out he wasn't really interviewing him, he was playing audio clips of Kaku talking about a particular matter and pretending like Kaku was answering his question.
that's how alot of radio hosts operate these days, it helps to overcome gaps in time zones and last minute interview dropouts. it's not dishonest to refrain from exclaiming, "thanks for tuning in to a recording of somebody i wish could be here right now but can't because he's teaching/sleeping/working etc.
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?... Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you" (2 Corinthians 6:14,17)
A well made video. However my Catholic parents never told me there was a Santa Claus. We all stayed up until midnight on Christmas eve, eating dinner, sharing stories, playing games, until midnight happened, and then we exchanged gifts from each other. I am an atheist, but I still like to celebrate family tradition, and I'll bring my kids up the same way.
Let's see, you ridicule people for believing in God, you trash their faith; mock them, use them as the butt of jokes, talk about how stupid people of faith are and you aren't smart enough to figure out why they don't invite you to parties.
How many BarMiztva's do you think Hitler was invited to?
First, most ALL people that claim the title of christian are old-testament jews.
Also whats the connection between an old obese white man from my coke-cola can coming down my chimney to leave oranges or coal under an evergreen tree have to do with jesus being born? Or a rabbit that comes to my house to hide colored eggs, sometimes plastic eggs concealing candy, relate to the glorified suicide of jesus?
As an atheist I think the combination of a rabbit hiding eggs to celebrate murder is hilarious
Not confused! I understand what a crucifiction is, and I understand the cute little story of Noah's Ark. It's not possible. The story of God telling the dude to kill his son atop some hill was bull too. He's messing with your mind, and testing you, even though you shall not test the lord. I've read all about turning the other cheek, yet the LORD seeks vengence on all that oppose him. The book is filled with idiotic hypocracy, that only a book written by ignorant people could have written.
Exodus Chapter 21, verse 20: If a man beats his male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies as a direct result, he must be punished, but he is not to be punished if the slave gets up after a day or two, since the slave is his property. Not only does God condone slavery, but he is also completely comfortable with the concept of beating your slaves, as long as you don't kill them.
HOW IS THAT METAPHORICAL???????? LOL! READ THE BOOK THAT YOU'RE DEFENDING. IT'S GARBAGE.
You are lying when you tell your kids the preacher is right, the Federal Reserve is Federal and there is a reserve, the president runs the country, the TV anchorman is right about politics, mean muslims were behind 9/11, Grampa Bush didn't help finance Auschwitz, if you are right, the courts will protect you, if you work hard you won't have to worry about money, the World is not controlled by evil banksters who sacrifice children at Bohemian Grove, etc, etc, et cetera.
I would even go a step further, how about not misinforming children. I remember the confusion of seeing wolves and bears in the jungle habitat of 'the jungle book' or the confusion that turtles can leave their shell in cartoons etc (I later learned that the shell is part of their spinal structure and impossible for them to leave), Children are a lot smarter then they are given credit and the more they know about reality the faster they will become educated
Myth ,Fables,Fairy Tales.Christmas ,Easter are all powerful instructional devices that bring joy to CHildren. Reality will hit them soon enough you joyless bunch of sanctimonious Sourpusses
lol no but it just made understanding the world way more confusing than it needs to be... then again there is no harm in fantasy for children, I just worry that it teaches false information and sloppy thinking that some will carry into adulthood
Most Ancient Myths,fables that have withstood the test of time,have done so for a good reason,they teach timeless lessons even if only metaphorically.
IS that what you learn from Christmas???Genocide.Rape.you poor confused bastard!! I feel sorry for you.YOu probably think youre an intellectual im sure!!!
No, hat's what is in biblical commandments and biblical stories. The hebrews got their land by commiting genocide, but they took the female children who were "untouched by men" for themselves. And stoning is a common event in the bible, "commanded" by the imaginary god. Quit cherry picking the bible. Read the whole thing and you will see what a horrific work it is.
What you say is true!! The Bible is a mixture of History,Myth,Narrative and Religious Sccripture.The New Testament(Christ and St.Paul)firmly and unequivocally eschew all violence and hatred.
Your analogy is akin to me saying Science ,which gave us Hiroshima and Nagasaki or Darwinian derivative Theories of Racial Superiority,is the root of all evil!! THAT WOULD BE AS ASININE AS YOUR ASSERTION,so i will do no such thing
If the book was perfect, then half of it wouldn't be fucked up. The new testiment is just as fucked up as the old. Take a look at the needless torture of Jesus. Why would a God want that to happen, when he could very well do the same thing without the murder?
Neil337 ,I do not presume to know the mind of God.Unlike you i have read the entire bible and the New Testament is a radical substantive departure from the old.ITs the singel most influential book i the History of Mankind,like it or not!! If "fucked up "is all you can come up with ,its about your level of literacy.
I've read the entire thing, and it's the least influential book on my life I've read, since I couldn't find anything useful in any of the bronze age superstition and nonsense. Perhaps people bombing abortion clinics are the ones who are the most influenced; or those who want creationism taught in schools, (which failed miserably when taken to court.) Fucked up is quite a great way to describe the whole stoning gays, not touching women in their period, not working on sundays etc.
Your LIFE???????? Who cares about you and your life??? I said it is the most influential Book in Western Civilisation!! Bit larger than your piddly insignificant life isnt it??
Read the New Testamnet again ,Jesus teaches us to love everyone ,even assholes like you!!Peace out!!
Matt "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."
Dont be discouraged,I still think youre an idiot!!!!!lol
The Bible is a mixture of History,Myth,Narrative and Religious Sccripture.The New Testament(Christ and St.Paul)firmly and unequivocally eschew all violence and hatred
dont reply unless you have something new and intelligent to say Neil bin laden
Let's see here. The new testiment "unequivocally eschews" all violence and hatred? We can't forget about the whole "Jesus on the cross" thing, which God made occur to solve our sins. How does a more peaceful new testament make up for the atrocities of the old testament? It doesn't. Even by your "logic" (I use the term loosely) the bible is only 50% good. Quite far off from a perfect book. Either way, it's irrelevant to my life, aside from the values which are found in society before christianity
Neil are you a feeble minded Idiot???Cant you discern the difference between Violence Described(as in the Crucifixion) and advocacy of violence ,which we are told not to commit in the NT???Why are you so angry??Did a priest rear end you in your childhood????
Feeble minded, hm. I am pretty sure the whipping and torture of jesus christ does classify as violent. God chose to send Jesus down here to suffer, Karl. In case you've forgotten, the new testament is equally bad as the old one, and I've put together some quotes which prove my point clearly.
Jesus strongly approves of the law and the prophets. He hasn't the slightest objection to the cruelties of the Old Testament. 5:17
Crucifixion was a very common Punishment employed by the Roman Empire.....It happenned to Jesus....would you have historical fact left out because it makes you quesy??/YOU are not asked to go around Killing children or crucifying people!!Get it????????
I'd like to ask you what you told your children when they ask about how the presents end up under the tree(assuming you set one up during the holiday season) instead of the Santa story.
WAKE UP AMERICA SANTA CLAUSE is a PAGAN TRADITION that CORPORATIONS want YOU TO PLAY INTO! SPEND MONEY LOTS OF MONEY AND LIE TO YOUR KIDS because IF YOU TELL THEM THE TRUTH YOU ARE LOOKED UPON AS A TERRIBLE PERSON!!
I think santa teaches children a very important lesson; don't trust anything your parents say because they're full of !@#$, which is a pretty important lesson to learn.
,,,,,Does a kid say thank you mom for the great presents and u listend to what i wanted and u got it for me,i love u,,bu that doesent happen does it?,it goes like this"woow santa came and he brought me exactly what i wanted,and he says thanks santa i love u,Jeez mom u never listen to what i want look santa does and hes not even here,and what can u say,i was actualy mee that got u that and bla bla bla complicated story,and in 10 yrs wen he lyes about somthin u wonder why is he lyin so much!
Christmas now is not about happines anymore,love or anything else,its about presents,money and whatever,And santa clause is probably the most stupid thing that man could ever come up,its a thing that parrents do not take seriously,jeez people its like u never been kids what did u feel back when u were 6 and ur dumbass mother said santa is comin,u were so excited that adrenaline started pumpin,its a big deal for little kids,and its actualy a way to spoile them!!
Sorry to keep posting but it seems to me and i know it's true that to understand christ and the underlying principals, it is necessary to study the material, in the same way that to grasp the greek philosophers it's essential to have a broad knowledge. this is why i say 'who is tending this flock?'. because even from an atheist's perspective, the moral of christ is beautiful. why are too few preachers desperate to equip themselves with the wisdom neseccary to preach. hope i make myself clear.
very much so. the christian community here in england deals with so much by judging - and then subsiquently alienating anything un Christ-like. To me that's such a gross misinterperetation of christ and of what it means to be a christian! How rediculous! who's tending this flock of lost sheep?
I'm sorry to hear your family put the drop on you - and in such an underhanded way too.
As far as Santa goes, I have a Catholic cousin who strongarms her nine-year-old son into "believing" in Santa Claus by telling him hat if he doesn't believe in Santa, he won't get any presents at all. She doesn't even consider this a lie, and it doesn't get confessed at confession.
i dont get it. this guy has been doin radio for 7 years and he talks about santa and god. thats it? for real. like this stuff has already been debated for ever. its not even interesting to hear him, no offence man keep it up, all im sayin is he has no real point to anything. everythign is "ridiculous" to him. What do u enjoy in life is my point to this?
Umm.. hello McFly.. I enjoy educating people. Might be old news to you. But there are new people coming into their own and are finding this stuff new and interesting. Most thinking people would know this. I shouldn't have to tell you this. No Offense.
Parents lying to their kids about Santa is not something I like seeing or hearing about either. I've told my daughter that Santa is a character that we each get to play when we give gifts to each other at Christmas; that he represents being generous and kind to others. She is invited to pretend that Santa will visit her and drink milk and cookies like in the movies, but she says she'd rather not. We enjoy the day for what it is: a time of sharing and giving and visiting loved ones.
I agree...Christians should teach their kids about the wise men bringing gifts to baby Christ and can tell them thats why we get gifts for them,non christians still have a story to tell..its about a guy named nicolas(where St. Nick derived from) who used to give gifts to kids in his town every Christmas..and yes he really existed,but this fat man on a sleigh lies are making our children greedy
There's a HUGE difference between religion and cult-like behavior. A person can practice their religious beliefs on their own without involving anyone else alike or unlike themselves.
Cults always try to promote themselves and recruit new members. They always try to gain power and influence, so they can unfairly wield it against the less fortunate. Cults take advantage of lonely and confused people.
Alright, religious people from some particular religions can practice on their own but historically, what allowed them to know of those beliefs and practice their religion was a cult "that tried to promote itself and recruit new members. It always tried to gain power and influence so..." etc. So it's pretty much the same.
No, it isn't. That's bullshit. You don't need to gather in groups and pray. What's between man and God has always been PERSONAL. You are responsible for YOUR OWN SOUL, and no one else's. You can pray on your own, and be responsible for YOUR OWN LIFE. You think God is hard of hearing??? He doesn't hear you any better in a group than He would if you were alone. What nonsense!
Tell me. How in the hell did you learn you had the possibility to believe in a god? No church, no blackenu4ya thinking s/he's talking to a god. Yes, you can fool yourself on your own as much as crowds of people do. But at least consider History. If it weren't for the church fanatics you'd never have believed in Yahwe's bullshit but in animism or some other native belief. Your unwillingness to listen to arguments is because, to some degree, you're a fanatic yourself.
It's not that you're an atheist Reg. It's that you're an intellectual atheist. You can stand by your beliefs reasonably and objectively and thus put doubts in theirs. That sucks but being treated like a wolf is the price you pay for not being a sheep. Real unfortunate though. I'm not a Christian myself. I have a broad, nondescript perception of the concept "God." I think it is best described as inconcieveable. I'm fortunate enough to have family that accept me regardless.
I agree that at a certain age one can tell their children that yes, santa, doesn't exist, and that's a good thing, but come on, a little fantasy in a child's life never hurt any one. It all comes down to good parenting, good timing. It's great to be an atheist, but lose some of that complete pessimism. Sometimes atheists can be too robotic, setting their own absolutes, just like theists do.
Sorry man, family's are sometimes like that. All of my family are atheists, and they still don't talk to me. Anyways, keep your chin up, keep on spreading your intellect.
I think you guys miss the point. Santa is the gateway drug. Santa is the pot for the crack of Satan. BTW Santa spelled backwards in Arabic is Satan.
Seriously, any parent that loves their child and can LIE to their child for years, needs to be locked up. You people don't deserve children. No wonder the US is full of delusional ADHD fucked up kids. Can't believe Mommy or Daddy or Daddy's girlfriend or Mommies fundamentalist preacher who touches me down there.
you atheists (I'm one of you) need to grow up and rallying against inconsequential shit like santa only makes you look like an asshole and a killjoy. Michael Newdow is a perfect example, his message is lost in his pursuit of minute points.
like it or not this is a christian country, your indignation doesn't mean shit to anyone , especially your families
Yea sure, YOU'RE the diplomat all of a sudden. You've done nothing but hysterically rave and attack a guy as you present wrong assumptions about his family situation to support your attack. Your utter lack of any introspection is underscored by your chutzpah in trying to give lessons in diplomacy to others. As for "rallying against inconsequential shit", look in the mirror dummy, you're attacking a youtube poster with fiction. What a joke!
they're not being non christian THEY JUST DON'T WANNA HEAR YOUR SHIT YET ONE MORE TIME. YOU CAN ONLY ROLL YOUR EYES, EXHALE AND SHAKE YOUR HEAD SO MANY TIMES
man I feel for reggie's kids, and don't gimme the shit how happy and healthy they are. kids grow up in all kinds of bullshit situations and don't know any other way.
Dad has a hairbrush up his ass about something, but it's the kids who pay the price
I'm sorry to hear of your family's rejection. It's a common story. I'm not sure if they're following Christ's teachings (and yes, he taught contempt for non-believers) or (more likely) it's because of their own insecurities. Believers need the validation of being surrounded by other believers.
It makes me glad to come from an atheist family. My sister became a Christian but do we shun her? No.
I too have gone through this adventure, of that fake crap that your suppose to do the whole religion BS, to receive love from immediate as well as our extended so called family. Most of these lost weak minded and closed brained fool's are not worth a real second thought. It just shows how the sheep herd mentality has poisoned society to the extreme.
talk about herd mentality, i give an opposing viewpoint, and i'm now "ignorant". I listen to this lot bag on christians as clinging to an agenda, but all of you bitter "free thinkers" are EXACTLY THE SAME: "you are a superstitious fool is you don't accept MY ideas"
Rubbish, you gave an ad hominem attack which started with disparraging and incorrect statements about his family situation. Each time your crap has been corrected you've simply moved on to another disparraging remark without a retraction or apology. By your own admission in this thread you're mocking Reggie's work. You've called him an "attention whore" and a "jerk off" and then tried to lecture him on diplomacy. Opposing view my ass.
They're brainwashed Reggie, you're going to hell, so why should they waste their time with you in this world.
Keep up the good work!
When I started questioning my beliefs you were the first Atheist I heard.....your videos got me to do research and ask the hard questions....if you family members are to dumb to realize what a great person you are......FUCK 'EM!!!!
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
dude, you're like the adults on the old snoopy cartoons: "wonk wonk wonk"
on the holidays NOBODY (including your family)wants to sit through your disertations. maybe they want to eat some turkey and exchange pleasantries. hearing you talk about free will, and what you think is "christlike" behavior is just fucking tedious......and I'm just watching you on you tube, you poor family would have to sit at a table, and try to digest while you intellectually masturbate.
you're in a position where saying that is quite easy. well, not that you're arguing anything. you're just describing what you've been told to think since childhood. you can't even realize how fooled you are from such a narrow scope. not every kind of violence can be directly seen, and children are most affected. adults just lie to them on purpose and they think they can justify their fault by saying "everyone does" - just like you.
what in the fuck are you talking about? is the a point anywhere in there? you spout pseudo intellectual drivel. "you can't even realize how fooled you are"??? nice granmmar. it's people like you who think "Bush is dumb 'cause he can't talk good"
there is not an adult alive who believes in santa. it is SOLELY to entertain small children. do you have anything to base in fact about the negative effects of perpetuating Santa? or is it all theoretical bullshit?
shmouts, sorry for my English. I'm not a native speaker and am learning the language. Anyway, I'm sure you understood my message so that's irrelevant. More important, you said: "there is not an adult alive who believes in santa. it is SOLELY to entertain small children." Well, that's exactly the problem. Adults teach children things that adults don't believe themselves.
It's the same as with the Bogeyman and other stuff to scare children ("you'd better do your homework or else..."). }}That's called VIOLENCE. Got that? By the way, I'm just giving my opinion rather than contributing any theory so won't devote myself to collect data scientifically just for you. Look for proof yourself. I'm only using my experience.
Negative effects? They will tell their children the same lies they were told. That's - I feel - a negative effect in itself.
There's more to Reggie than this and if you think he wants to go to a family get together to drone on about the career he has made of disbelief then you're as shallow as you mistakenly assume him to be.
well, then riddle me this Batman, why is his extended family getting tired if his shit?
I'm shallow?
I'm just using the materials he has supplied. "if you think this is him..." I'm watching him drone for 7:36, and you think this is an unfair representation? I also saw him on Wifeswap, he was pontificating endlessly there too.
Shmouts I completely agree with you, anyone who thinks that telling the truth to a child rather than letting them enjoy the innocence of childhood are well, degrading society. I like Reggies show but he sometimes pushes his point a lil too far.
The "innocence" of childhood has become (I can't tell why) a value. What's so positive about it?
Children will enjoy their childhood anyway as long as they are supported. If no child believed in Santa, it wouldn't be a topic of discussion and that wouldn't imply they're losing part of their innocence.
Y'know your arguments supporting what IG says is EXACTLY like the fundimentalist Christians pushing Intelligent Desgin on everyone. He isn't always right.
Oh and by the way,-'Children will enjoy their childhood anyway as long as they are supported.'-tell me this, is it alright for children as young as 3(age when speech comes in strong) to worry about the threat of nuclear war or international terrorism?
I've never said or implied I support everything IG says. And about the part you quoted from me, you sound plausible but you're (con)fusing things. One thing is frightening small people by saying the world might be destroyed anytime (in a child's mind: "i'll be left alone"). Another thing is telling children about created myths that might even encourage consumerism and greed. Do you realize the real difference between those?
Well, the difference is: in the first situation you protect children from real things they cannot solve (nor you can solve them yourself).
In the second one, you're just (re)creating myths unnecessary to protect a child and you really don't do any good to them, unless you regard consumerism and greed as positive values.
Now, tell me: why the hell should a child receive, say, a PS3 or Wii (provided they have the resources, of course. Santa's not very fair, you know?) ...or whatever especially on Dec 25. Just why? They deserved a gift that day more than on Dec 26 or Jun 25? On top of that, in order to receive a gift, why do children need a whole bullshit story? They have an imagination of their own, you know? They have the right to discover reality and leave ignorance behind by themselves.
Oh dear dear dear! What if they grow up thinking 'You didn't tell me the world might blow up' you'd be lying to them, wouldn't you, and wouldn't that screw them up?!?!?
And as a predicted, you try to switch the argument as soon as it sounds shaky, he was saying how lying about believing in one thing could lead to another, it's utter foolishness. And one final point, its innocence, not ignorance think how many kids in the US today have messed up lives becuase they have lost innocence...
Yes, I'd be lying. I wouldn't be telling the whole truth about how the world is going to disappear so I'd be lying. But you're protecting a child from real things and that's the point. In that context, what's the usefulness of believing in Santa? Remember IG is speaking about EDUCATION. (continues)
Even if I wasn't completely right in the beginning because I wasn't covering those cases where you don't tell a child something like "it's the end of the world" for the sake of protection, you can't deny there's a difference between the case of Santa and the former.
So, considering that point, you can't compare between those cases.
I "tried to" change my argument but I'll tell you something. I don't care if I changed it as I don't have any bad intention here. I came here to have a discussion and don't expect to be always right. Refute everything you can. If you have time, define ignorance and innocence and compare them with each other before saying all that. I think in this context they're pretty much the same
Look, I never said I was defending IG in just every point. In fact, I said sth on the contrary so you can't say IG spoke about bad consequences of lying like I completely agree with him. Especially when he says children would never forgive their parents for lying, I think if that's true then that's not particular to Santa. And it's not that they won't forgive them because they enjoyed their share when deceived. I (not IG) said Santa's bullshit is unnecessary and generates negative values.
To your first point, you are splitting hairs as to whether or not its 'true' or not. The lie(according to reggie) might cause them to become involved in other things that are not completely honest, he's not speaking about educations its a route to religous dogma.
Second point, while yes its a big difference, its still a lie and the same thing might go, they won't trust you afterwards.
With ANYTHING there is always two sides to compare against, sorry to show you this btw.
fourth point, honestly I hope you mean the first part. Any child who says 'When I was a kid,you LIED about santa to me, how can I trust you now?' Needs a smack around the head, its rediculous and childish to cry over such a trivial matter.
Alright. You can compare. In fact, you did. What I obviously meant was, the comparison is not fair and I showed a difference. I do see some negative consequences of lying about Santa, but they're different from IG's. In general, the child learns s/he's going to receive sth that time every year, so their expectations are raised. Of course, they don't know it's actually their parents who made all the arrangements so they think whether they receive sth or not doesn't depend on the budget.
Moreover, they see all the other children have the same experience, and it's Santa, sth who purportedly brings gifts to everyone so they can't possibly be left out. Now, what if their parents just don't have money for this Christmas? What excuse will you give? What happened to Santa? What's wrong with Santa?
You generate expectations, consumerism and maybe a little of greed on purpose and then can't keep the plan working? That's irresponsible and that kind of situations IS harmful to children (though not necessarily a trauma). That's where I have to agree with IG. You're leaving a child unprotected, vulnerable to unpleasant moments you caused UNNECESSARILY. The fact that making children believe in Santa's bullshit is normal doesn't mean it's alright.
right, I'll give you that it can be detremental to children who are spoilt to expect something that they cannot get, but if you RAISE the child right, then they are happy with their lot. What it should really come down to is whether you instill good morals with your kids or not.
Wow, now I remember myself when I was a child. I cried a lot just because I thought I wouldn't get the keyboard of my dreams. Anyway, beliefs in Santa and receiving gifts for Christmas are inseparable issues so I think, no matter how well you've raised a child, you're taking a risk.
I doubt we'll ever agree on this, but I personally think that if you raise a child well enough then they should be happy with what they got and not be thoughtless little things. Kids will be kids, but I was never upset if I didn't get what I wanted, I was happy with what I got.
And Reggie is speaking about a society where those lies don't exist so I don't see the problem. A child's innocence is not only about fantasy, especially. I think Reg is just being too honest and brave for some people.
You've missed the point, this is not about Santa it's about his atheism, two separate issues, pay attention. Wifeswap heavily edited the footage and goaded him if you want the real story behind that show it's available. Boring TV is not on their agenda. I personally wouldn't watch that shit though.
they "goaded" him? lemme get this straight, mr infidel guy, who so bravely stands up to perceived religious zealotry, was provoked by some television producer trying to sell add time for toothpaste?! BULLSHIT
rality television is filled with attention seeking assholes. Why else would he agree to such a show? they sure don't pay shit. the video footage that makes reggie look like an asshole IS FOOTAGE HE GAVE THEM. heavily edited or not.
Like I said the facts are there to be obtained, looks like you'd rather keep posting your drivel instead, good luck with that. Reggie has podcasted at length on why he did the show and what happened, but you'd rather invent what happened and post your uninformed opinion on the matter, which is of course the antithesis of everything Reggie stands for and podcasts about. You could learn something from him, I doubt you will though, your loss.
"like i said there are facts to be obtained" who the fuck talks like that?! you sound like someone without much in the way of formal education, but you read Ayn Rand and now you have it all figured out. Decent people would have NOTHING to do with letting some fucking network show in their home, and the Mrs. living in some other house. Only assholes do that . attemtion seeking assholes.
You've already been directed towards Reggies podcasts, where he discusses the facts of the show and his motivation at length, but you'd rather pull it out your ass, good luck with that.
you're right. in this context, however, christmas is more of a ritual or formula. the meanings they have attached to the celebration are imposed so i think people are more likely to meet exactly what they have not chosen, including people. i mean, it's normal even though i wish there weren't any christmas. and if you really get to give christmas a new meaning that is just for you and the ones you love then it's not christmas anymore (it's real love).
About the glare, get a polarizing filter and experiment with different orientations. You should be able to set the camera at Brewsters angle w.r.t. the glass and orient the filter to completely eliminate the glare.
Reg, first of all anyone with a family will know about how they can be assholes, my own fathers brother didn't come to his funeral and tried to lie about not knowing when it was. And as for Santa Clause-IMO it isn't about believing in anyone or thing, its called innocence, eventually the world will let them grow up and learn the truth without people telling them.
I had no problem coming out to my family they even support me but they haven't been to church in years. Sorry to hear about your family's reaction. I was a little torn about the Santa question and how I would address it to my kids one day, because of all the wounder I experienced as a child. And the pride of figuring it out before everyone else. But your right we don't need to lie to our kids. Great vid IG
You had no problem telling your family? Man, you're so lucky. If I told my family they would have an emotional breakdown and it would become a huge pain in the ass, which is why I'll probably never tell them. They're too brainwashed to think critically about their own deeply held beliefs, no matter how much reality contradicts them.
How about putting an audio track on this video otherwise it's completely useless.
startreking2007 1 year ago
aaaahhhh. i had my speakers on full blast and all i heard was static. scurrrr'd me. lol. anywhere i can go to watch this clip?
wokkitout 1 year ago
Something is wrong with the audio on here, all I hear is static. Can somebody fix this problem ?
hman069 3 years ago 9
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Genkaiman 3 years ago
If you don't lie to them they don't drop their pants to the priest
Evolvedprimate 3 years ago
It isn't wrong to lie, it is not like lying in a bad way, kids love the magic as kids, and grow out of it right at like the age of ten. So why not love santa as a kid and then learn that he is not true. I didn't take it hard because I was pretty sure it was not true.
CattWithHatt 3 years ago
i think its wrong to lie to kids about santa. I think is is hypocrytical and blasphemous for a follower of Christ to use lies in this way or to push others aside who have differing beliefs. You cant judge all christians by your experience but there are so many kids dis-owned or alienated due to religious beliefs and it is so sad. When trust is broken with a child, it is very hurtfull. Lying to kids about santa can be hurtfull to your relationship with them.
genuinelyric 3 years ago
heh. Santa Claus as a gateway drug. I love it.
I think the best use for Santa Claus is probably as a lesson in critical thinking, although you can probably do that without lying to them, since they'll probably pick up some idea of Santa from their friends and pop culture.
jcreigh 3 years ago 3
"karlrebello: why do you atheists care... believe?"
Well.. We think about the future of the world. We think that maybe it's time for people to stop believing that to all of their problems, there is solution from heaven..
We think that people should accept things the way they are.
God for some people is the same as Alcohol. If they done something wrong.. they asking god to fix it. Or they asking god to "take" pain. Or to increase it.. soo person will be like couple of times forgiven.
p1
SnakeInLake 3 years ago
p2
We basically ok with you believing in "What ever it is"
But we are not ok with the fact that you brainwashing others. You don't leaving them a choice.
Like Infidels parents. If you not a believer, you are not a part of a family.. They forcing him to "OPEN HES EYES". Religious society leaves you no choice but to believe.
:) We don't like that.
SnakeInLake 3 years ago
Really Snake
Tell me who is Forcing you!! Ill have the ACLU on their ass so fast it will make their head spin
karlrebello 3 years ago
INcredible!! You supposedly free thinking Idiots would deny the right of Christians to believe as they please,if you could!!!Dont deny it
karlrebello 3 years ago
actually after reading all your posts i agree with you cretins.Youre progeny will be too stupid to diffrentiate between factg and fantasy even when they grow up!! Tell them Santa is not for real!!
karlrebello 3 years ago
Hey, infidelguy. I think you should not be against Santa.
You see, 1st, parents telling that there is Santa Claus. They giving their child presents etc.
Then they telling to them that there is Christ.
Child thinks like.. well, ok.. I believe you.
But theeen, when child will grow up, and encounter the fact that there is no Santa, they may start thinking that there is no god. Like, they lie about the santa, they lie about the Christ.
And this is good, because it helps child to start thinking. :)
SnakeInLake 3 years ago
Thinking that people started to believe in their own lie (which 1st helped 'em to control others) about Christ.
SnakeInLake 3 years ago
why do you atheists care about what religious people believe???WHy does it upset you so much??
karlrebello 3 years ago
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Genkaiman 3 years ago
WHy do you want to ram your belief system(atheism) down somebody elses throat???
karlrebello 3 years ago
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Genkaiman 3 years ago
It could go either way actually. Some kids just wont make the analogy. Instead they become more susceptible to believe what authority figures tell them uncritically. I did mention this in the video actually.
infidelguy 3 years ago
Yes. I saw you mention it in your Video. :)
But, my point was.. that it would be temporary (Two, Three years long) reaction.
The fact of "lie", makes "smart" person like "Next time better Double check " guy.
Those psychologically weak guys will get into cult anyway..
Well. My humble opinion.
About your family.
I started to think that it is better to live in 'After Socialism' countries. Here people is completely ok with you are not being a believer.
People accept everyone. That is good. :)
SiL
SnakeInLake 3 years ago
"Those psychologically weak guys will get into cult anyway.."
Edit:
Those psychologically weak/unstable guys will get into cult or get brainwashed by a priest or something anyway.
SnakeInLake 3 years ago
Then they telling to them that there is Christ
There was a Historical Christ.
Its up to you to believe or not in his message.But he existed
karlrebello 3 years ago
Maybe your family dosnt want you around because you will suck the fun and joy out of Christmas telling their kids that Santa does not exist????????and youll go on and on and on about it??????Possible
karlrebello 3 years ago
You Cheap sour Bastards ,just dont want to buy gifts for your kids!!!
karlrebello 3 years ago
I completely agree. I was incredibly confused by my mother's insistence that Santa was real, even though all my friends told me he didn't exist. Of course, I sided with my mum...
A hard lesson learnt early in life!
echoez71 3 years ago
Great stuff
sorry about your family
i understand the situation
rock on dude
METALSTYGIAN 3 years ago 3
I think Reggie may be a bit deceitful himself, I listened to his interview he did with Michio Kaku and I found out he wasn't really interviewing him, he was playing audio clips of Kaku talking about a particular matter and pretending like Kaku was answering his question.
hailwillis 3 years ago
that's how alot of radio hosts operate these days, it helps to overcome gaps in time zones and last minute interview dropouts. it's not dishonest to refrain from exclaiming, "thanks for tuning in to a recording of somebody i wish could be here right now but can't because he's teaching/sleeping/working etc.
sinroe 3 years ago
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?... Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you" (2 Corinthians 6:14,17)
NickPhelps597 3 years ago
Ahh, religious tolerance and mercy at it's most inspired... *meh*
sciencedoggy 3 years ago
And your point is?
karlrebello 3 years ago
Lighten up you sour old Cranky Farts!!Lying is part of Life!!You do it every day!!!
karlrebello 3 years ago
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Genkaiman 3 years ago
A well made video. However my Catholic parents never told me there was a Santa Claus. We all stayed up until midnight on Christmas eve, eating dinner, sharing stories, playing games, until midnight happened, and then we exchanged gifts from each other. I am an atheist, but I still like to celebrate family tradition, and I'll bring my kids up the same way.
just2w4tch 3 years ago
Let's see, you ridicule people for believing in God, you trash their faith; mock them, use them as the butt of jokes, talk about how stupid people of faith are and you aren't smart enough to figure out why they don't invite you to parties.
How many BarMiztva's do you think Hitler was invited to?
Can you say socially dysfunctional?
ele12957 3 years ago
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Genkaiman 3 years ago
What I said, was true!
The guy is socially dysfunctional and that is the very least of his problems.
ele12957 3 years ago
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Genkaiman 3 years ago
It was a logical and reasonable observation.
ele12957 3 years ago
First, most ALL people that claim the title of christian are old-testament jews.
Also whats the connection between an old obese white man from my coke-cola can coming down my chimney to leave oranges or coal under an evergreen tree have to do with jesus being born? Or a rabbit that comes to my house to hide colored eggs, sometimes plastic eggs concealing candy, relate to the glorified suicide of jesus?
As an atheist I think the combination of a rabbit hiding eggs to celebrate murder is hilarious
BayerLexan 3 years ago
Have you met an happy Atheist?
karlrebello 3 years ago
I don't know, I don't think so. I'm atheist and rarely unhappy. In fact I haven't been sad or unhappy in a long, long time.
BayerLexan 3 years ago
Good for you? Now why would you want to ruin
little childrens joy at Christmas and Easter wiht your sanctimonius and pompous need to feely morally superior as custodians of teh "Truth"
karlrebello 3 years ago
Truth is all there is, everything else is a lie.
sciencedoggy 3 years ago
Truth is all there is, everything else is a lie
OOHHH Youre so deep Dude!!!!Enlighten me some more Oh Great Guru,O Custodian and repositary of the Truth!!!
karlrebello 3 years ago
One fellow mentions the Law of the Excluded Middle and the next acts like a sarcastic dumbass. And the word is "Repository".
Genkaiman 3 years ago
is your brain as befuddled and confused as your prose??????More so????
karlrebello 3 years ago
Not confused! I understand what a crucifiction is, and I understand the cute little story of Noah's Ark. It's not possible. The story of God telling the dude to kill his son atop some hill was bull too. He's messing with your mind, and testing you, even though you shall not test the lord. I've read all about turning the other cheek, yet the LORD seeks vengence on all that oppose him. The book is filled with idiotic hypocracy, that only a book written by ignorant people could have written.
neil1337 3 years ago
Not confused! I understand what a crucifiction is, and I understand the cute little story of Noah's Ark. It's not possible
METAPHOR ,ALLEGORY LOOK IT UP !
!THE BIBLE IS NOT a BOOK BUT A COLLECTION OF 76 BOOKS WRITTEN OVER POSSSIBLY 5000 YEARS,BY DIFFERENT PEOPLE
karlrebello 3 years ago
Exodus Chapter 21, verse 20: If a man beats his male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies as a direct result, he must be punished, but he is not to be punished if the slave gets up after a day or two, since the slave is his property. Not only does God condone slavery, but he is also completely comfortable with the concept of beating your slaves, as long as you don't kill them.
HOW IS THAT METAPHORICAL???????? LOL! READ THE BOOK THAT YOU'RE DEFENDING. IT'S GARBAGE.
neil1337 3 years ago
There are Flood Narratives in every single ancient culture,ignoramus!!
karlrebello 3 years ago
I don't understand you. Your english doesn't make sense.
BayerLexan 3 years ago
Santa and Easter Bunny are not real of course,but the fleeting magic of Childhood is very and short!!so dont ruin it for the little ones
karlrebello 3 years ago
You are lying when you tell your kids the preacher is right, the Federal Reserve is Federal and there is a reserve, the president runs the country, the TV anchorman is right about politics, mean muslims were behind 9/11, Grampa Bush didn't help finance Auschwitz, if you are right, the courts will protect you, if you work hard you won't have to worry about money, the World is not controlled by evil banksters who sacrifice children at Bohemian Grove, etc, etc, et cetera.
Rockstar97321 3 years ago
I would even go a step further, how about not misinforming children. I remember the confusion of seeing wolves and bears in the jungle habitat of 'the jungle book' or the confusion that turtles can leave their shell in cartoons etc (I later learned that the shell is part of their spinal structure and impossible for them to leave), Children are a lot smarter then they are given credit and the more they know about reality the faster they will become educated
Chibling 3 years ago
Myth ,Fables,Fairy Tales.Christmas ,Easter are all powerful instructional devices that bring joy to CHildren. Reality will hit them soon enough you joyless bunch of sanctimonious Sourpusses
karlrebello 3 years ago
Jungle book left you with a lifetime of Disillusion!!!???????? Aye Carramba!!!
karlrebello 3 years ago
lol no but it just made understanding the world way more confusing than it needs to be... then again there is no harm in fantasy for children, I just worry that it teaches false information and sloppy thinking that some will carry into adulthood
Chibling 3 years ago
Most Ancient Myths,fables that have withstood the test of time,have done so for a good reason,they teach timeless lessons even if only metaphorically.
karlrebello 3 years ago
Timeless values like genocide, child rape and stoning?
sciencedoggy 3 years ago
IS that what you learn from Christmas???Genocide.Rape.you poor confused bastard!! I feel sorry for you.YOu probably think youre an intellectual im sure!!!
karlrebello 3 years ago
No, hat's what is in biblical commandments and biblical stories. The hebrews got their land by commiting genocide, but they took the female children who were "untouched by men" for themselves. And stoning is a common event in the bible, "commanded" by the imaginary god. Quit cherry picking the bible. Read the whole thing and you will see what a horrific work it is.
sciencedoggy 3 years ago
Quit cherry picking the Bible
What you say is true!! The Bible is a mixture of History,Myth,Narrative and Religious Sccripture.The New Testament(Christ and St.Paul)firmly and unequivocally eschew all violence and hatred.
Your analogy is akin to me saying Science ,which gave us Hiroshima and Nagasaki or Darwinian derivative Theories of Racial Superiority,is the root of all evil!! THAT WOULD BE AS ASININE AS YOUR ASSERTION,so i will do no such thing
karlrebello 3 years ago
If the book was perfect, then half of it wouldn't be fucked up. The new testiment is just as fucked up as the old. Take a look at the needless torture of Jesus. Why would a God want that to happen, when he could very well do the same thing without the murder?
neil1337 3 years ago
Neil337 ,I do not presume to know the mind of God.Unlike you i have read the entire bible and the New Testament is a radical substantive departure from the old.ITs the singel most influential book i the History of Mankind,like it or not!! If "fucked up "is all you can come up with ,its about your level of literacy.
karlrebello 3 years ago
I've read the entire thing, and it's the least influential book on my life I've read, since I couldn't find anything useful in any of the bronze age superstition and nonsense. Perhaps people bombing abortion clinics are the ones who are the most influenced; or those who want creationism taught in schools, (which failed miserably when taken to court.) Fucked up is quite a great way to describe the whole stoning gays, not touching women in their period, not working on sundays etc.
neil1337 3 years ago
Your LIFE???????? Who cares about you and your life??? I said it is the most influential Book in Western Civilisation!! Bit larger than your piddly insignificant life isnt it??
Read the New Testamnet again ,Jesus teaches us to love everyone ,even assholes like you!!Peace out!!
karlrebello 3 years ago
John 8:(Jesus) said to them, 'Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone .
karlrebello 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Matt "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."
Dont be discouraged,I still think youre an idiot!!!!!lol
karlrebello 3 years ago
The Bible is a mixture of History,Myth,Narrative and Religious Sccripture.The New Testament(Christ and St.Paul)firmly and unequivocally eschew all violence and hatred
dont reply unless you have something new and intelligent to say Neil bin laden
karlrebello 3 years ago
Let's see here. The new testiment "unequivocally eschews" all violence and hatred? We can't forget about the whole "Jesus on the cross" thing, which God made occur to solve our sins. How does a more peaceful new testament make up for the atrocities of the old testament? It doesn't. Even by your "logic" (I use the term loosely) the bible is only 50% good. Quite far off from a perfect book. Either way, it's irrelevant to my life, aside from the values which are found in society before christianity
neil1337 3 years ago
Neil are you a feeble minded Idiot???Cant you discern the difference between Violence Described(as in the Crucifixion) and advocacy of violence ,which we are told not to commit in the NT???Why are you so angry??Did a priest rear end you in your childhood????
karlrebello 3 years ago
Feeble minded, hm. I am pretty sure the whipping and torture of jesus christ does classify as violent. God chose to send Jesus down here to suffer, Karl. In case you've forgotten, the new testament is equally bad as the old one, and I've put together some quotes which prove my point clearly.
Jesus strongly approves of the law and the prophets. He hasn't the slightest objection to the cruelties of the Old Testament. 5:17
neil1337 3 years ago
Jesus criticizes the Jews for not killing their disobedient children as required by Old Testament law. (See Ex.21:15, Lev.20:9, Dt.21:18-21) 7:9-10
neil1337 3 years ago
Jesus criticizes the Jews for not killing
Neill please show me where he says that!!!
if you cant please shut the F up ok. Im very familiar wtih the OLD TESTAMENT verses youve quoted you confused dope
karlrebello 3 years ago
Crucifixion was a very common Punishment employed by the Roman Empire.....It happenned to Jesus....would you have historical fact left out because it makes you quesy??/YOU are not asked to go around Killing children or crucifying people!!Get it????????
karlrebello 3 years ago
You're encouraged to keep slaves though haha ^_^;;
neil1337 3 years ago 2
You're encouraged to keep slaves though haha ^_^;;
Brilliant and well reasoned rebuttal!!!!Retard!
karlrebello 3 years ago
irrelevant to my life, aside from the values which are found in society before christianity
I think your virulent Hatred of Christianity is very relevant in your life!!!!Dont know why
karlrebello 3 years ago
difference between Violence Described(as in the Crucifixion) and advocacy of violence
karlrebello 3 years ago
I love B C!!!!!!
karlrebello 3 years ago
Santa and god are best friends, they hang out together and watch who's being naughty and who's being nice.
Word around town is that the gang rape the Easter Bunny.
jessie74 3 years ago
I'd like to ask you what you told your children when they ask about how the presents end up under the tree(assuming you set one up during the holiday season) instead of the Santa story.
maxxman125 4 years ago
He must have told them that he put them there on their birthdays. Just going out on a limb there.
justdoit015 3 years ago
...like on their birthdays.* woops
justdoit015 3 years ago
WAKE UP AMERICA SANTA CLAUSE is a PAGAN TRADITION that CORPORATIONS want YOU TO PLAY INTO! SPEND MONEY LOTS OF MONEY AND LIE TO YOUR KIDS because IF YOU TELL THEM THE TRUTH YOU ARE LOOKED UPON AS A TERRIBLE PERSON!!
americansunite 4 years ago
I think santa teaches children a very important lesson; don't trust anything your parents say because they're full of !@#$, which is a pretty important lesson to learn.
Kyberspawn 4 years ago
,,,,,Does a kid say thank you mom for the great presents and u listend to what i wanted and u got it for me,i love u,,bu that doesent happen does it?,it goes like this"woow santa came and he brought me exactly what i wanted,and he says thanks santa i love u,Jeez mom u never listen to what i want look santa does and hes not even here,and what can u say,i was actualy mee that got u that and bla bla bla complicated story,and in 10 yrs wen he lyes about somthin u wonder why is he lyin so much!
bulldog655 4 years ago
Christmas now is not about happines anymore,love or anything else,its about presents,money and whatever,And santa clause is probably the most stupid thing that man could ever come up,its a thing that parrents do not take seriously,jeez people its like u never been kids what did u feel back when u were 6 and ur dumbass mother said santa is comin,u were so excited that adrenaline started pumpin,its a big deal for little kids,and its actualy a way to spoile them!!
bulldog655 4 years ago
Sorry to keep posting but it seems to me and i know it's true that to understand christ and the underlying principals, it is necessary to study the material, in the same way that to grasp the greek philosophers it's essential to have a broad knowledge. this is why i say 'who is tending this flock?'. because even from an atheist's perspective, the moral of christ is beautiful. why are too few preachers desperate to equip themselves with the wisdom neseccary to preach. hope i make myself clear.
munkybrain 4 years ago
very much so. the christian community here in england deals with so much by judging - and then subsiquently alienating anything un Christ-like. To me that's such a gross misinterperetation of christ and of what it means to be a christian! How rediculous! who's tending this flock of lost sheep?
munkybrain 4 years ago
most kid work out father christmas isn't real them selves, what i don't get is why they don't do the same about god
uim18 4 years ago
I'm sorry to hear your family put the drop on you - and in such an underhanded way too.
As far as Santa goes, I have a Catholic cousin who strongarms her nine-year-old son into "believing" in Santa Claus by telling him hat if he doesn't believe in Santa, he won't get any presents at all. She doesn't even consider this a lie, and it doesn't get confessed at confession.
abracadaverous 4 years ago
Hey reg! either you've picked this subject to stir up some interesting conversation, or I'm guessing you don't have kids of your own!
Over here in the UK, the whole santa thing is just a fun tradition that adds to the ambience of the xmas spirit.
It's also the only effective weapon that parents have, to make their over-excitable kids go to bed on time on christmas eve!
rickvanman 4 years ago
Too bad about you family, how closed minded they are. But, I disagree with the Santa thing.
wiseuponyears 4 years ago
i dont get it. this guy has been doin radio for 7 years and he talks about santa and god. thats it? for real. like this stuff has already been debated for ever. its not even interesting to hear him, no offence man keep it up, all im sayin is he has no real point to anything. everythign is "ridiculous" to him. What do u enjoy in life is my point to this?
benjammin083 4 years ago
Umm.. hello McFly.. I enjoy educating people. Might be old news to you. But there are new people coming into their own and are finding this stuff new and interesting. Most thinking people would know this. I shouldn't have to tell you this. No Offense.
infidelguy 4 years ago 2
nice vid. keep it up
Neueregel 4 years ago 2
If that is Christian behavior...I'm good. Really, sorry about that for you, it's not, NOT right.
kiriaka1972 4 years ago
Parents lying to their kids about Santa is not something I like seeing or hearing about either. I've told my daughter that Santa is a character that we each get to play when we give gifts to each other at Christmas; that he represents being generous and kind to others. She is invited to pretend that Santa will visit her and drink milk and cookies like in the movies, but she says she'd rather not. We enjoy the day for what it is: a time of sharing and giving and visiting loved ones.
manlocks 4 years ago
Maybe its not because your a non theist, maybe its because your black.
im joking.
good vid
cjunk351 4 years ago
I agree...Christians should teach their kids about the wise men bringing gifts to baby Christ and can tell them thats why we get gifts for them,non christians still have a story to tell..its about a guy named nicolas(where St. Nick derived from) who used to give gifts to kids in his town every Christmas..and yes he really existed,but this fat man on a sleigh lies are making our children greedy
heatsstyle 4 years ago 2
its in asia minor..on dec 6th he was named a saint
heatsstyle 4 years ago
I agree.
proChrist777 4 years ago
There's a HUGE difference between religion and cult-like behavior. A person can practice their religious beliefs on their own without involving anyone else alike or unlike themselves.
Cults always try to promote themselves and recruit new members. They always try to gain power and influence, so they can unfairly wield it against the less fortunate. Cults take advantage of lonely and confused people.
blackenuf4ya 4 years ago
Alright, religious people from some particular religions can practice on their own but historically, what allowed them to know of those beliefs and practice their religion was a cult "that tried to promote itself and recruit new members. It always tried to gain power and influence so..." etc. So it's pretty much the same.
Pectiniculus 4 years ago
No, it isn't. That's bullshit. You don't need to gather in groups and pray. What's between man and God has always been PERSONAL. You are responsible for YOUR OWN SOUL, and no one else's. You can pray on your own, and be responsible for YOUR OWN LIFE. You think God is hard of hearing??? He doesn't hear you any better in a group than He would if you were alone. What nonsense!
blackenuf4ya 4 years ago
Tell me. How in the hell did you learn you had the possibility to believe in a god? No church, no blackenu4ya thinking s/he's talking to a god. Yes, you can fool yourself on your own as much as crowds of people do. But at least consider History. If it weren't for the church fanatics you'd never have believed in Yahwe's bullshit but in animism or some other native belief. Your unwillingness to listen to arguments is because, to some degree, you're a fanatic yourself.
Pectiniculus 4 years ago
It's not that you're an atheist Reg. It's that you're an intellectual atheist. You can stand by your beliefs reasonably and objectively and thus put doubts in theirs. That sucks but being treated like a wolf is the price you pay for not being a sheep. Real unfortunate though. I'm not a Christian myself. I have a broad, nondescript perception of the concept "God." I think it is best described as inconcieveable. I'm fortunate enough to have family that accept me regardless.
akatonystarks 4 years ago
Genealogy is lame.
MetaMorphy 4 years ago
I agree that at a certain age one can tell their children that yes, santa, doesn't exist, and that's a good thing, but come on, a little fantasy in a child's life never hurt any one. It all comes down to good parenting, good timing. It's great to be an atheist, but lose some of that complete pessimism. Sometimes atheists can be too robotic, setting their own absolutes, just like theists do.
Domzdream 4 years ago
Sorry man, family's are sometimes like that. All of my family are atheists, and they still don't talk to me. Anyways, keep your chin up, keep on spreading your intellect.
tallhunter1 4 years ago
I think you guys miss the point. Santa is the gateway drug. Santa is the pot for the crack of Satan. BTW Santa spelled backwards in Arabic is Satan.
Seriously, any parent that loves their child and can LIE to their child for years, needs to be locked up. You people don't deserve children. No wonder the US is full of delusional ADHD fucked up kids. Can't believe Mommy or Daddy or Daddy's girlfriend or Mommies fundamentalist preacher who touches me down there.
martinautours 4 years ago
you atheists (I'm one of you) need to grow up and rallying against inconsequential shit like santa only makes you look like an asshole and a killjoy. Michael Newdow is a perfect example, his message is lost in his pursuit of minute points.
like it or not this is a christian country, your indignation doesn't mean shit to anyone , especially your families
shmouts 4 years ago
Yea sure, YOU'RE the diplomat all of a sudden. You've done nothing but hysterically rave and attack a guy as you present wrong assumptions about his family situation to support your attack. Your utter lack of any introspection is underscored by your chutzpah in trying to give lessons in diplomacy to others. As for "rallying against inconsequential shit", look in the mirror dummy, you're attacking a youtube poster with fiction. What a joke!
dorbie 4 years ago
he has made this silly show his life, and I'm mocking it
shmouts 4 years ago
well, spend a good time doing it.
Pectiniculus 4 years ago
they're not being non christian THEY JUST DON'T WANNA HEAR YOUR SHIT YET ONE MORE TIME. YOU CAN ONLY ROLL YOUR EYES, EXHALE AND SHAKE YOUR HEAD SO MANY TIMES
shmouts 4 years ago
man I feel for reggie's kids, and don't gimme the shit how happy and healthy they are. kids grow up in all kinds of bullshit situations and don't know any other way.
Dad has a hairbrush up his ass about something, but it's the kids who pay the price
shmouts 4 years ago
I'm sorry to hear of your family's rejection. It's a common story. I'm not sure if they're following Christ's teachings (and yes, he taught contempt for non-believers) or (more likely) it's because of their own insecurities. Believers need the validation of being surrounded by other believers.
It makes me glad to come from an atheist family. My sister became a Christian but do we shun her? No.
JohnLArmstrong 4 years ago
i am a christain and what your family is doing to you is just ridiculous and unfair they should respect your beliefs
scottdarko 4 years ago
hey attention whore, why exactly did you go on Wifeswap?
shmouts 4 years ago
love the videos keep it up!
Calamarion 4 years ago 2
i bet you dollars to donuts Reggies family doesn't care/won't tell other what he does for a "livng"
shmouts 4 years ago
I too have gone through this adventure, of that fake crap that your suppose to do the whole religion BS, to receive love from immediate as well as our extended so called family. Most of these lost weak minded and closed brained fool's are not worth a real second thought. It just shows how the sheep herd mentality has poisoned society to the extreme.
Please keep up the important work of
"Free thinking education"....
As always the first thing these fake so called
believers spout is Jesus BS.
htmlcooper 4 years ago
talk about herd mentality, i give an opposing viewpoint, and i'm now "ignorant". I listen to this lot bag on christians as clinging to an agenda, but all of you bitter "free thinkers" are EXACTLY THE SAME: "you are a superstitious fool is you don't accept MY ideas"
shmouts 4 years ago
Rubbish, you gave an ad hominem attack which started with disparraging and incorrect statements about his family situation. Each time your crap has been corrected you've simply moved on to another disparraging remark without a retraction or apology. By your own admission in this thread you're mocking Reggie's work. You've called him an "attention whore" and a "jerk off" and then tried to lecture him on diplomacy. Opposing view my ass.
dorbie 4 years ago
and?...
shmouts 4 years ago
They're brainwashed Reggie, you're going to hell, so why should they waste their time with you in this world.
Keep up the good work!
When I started questioning my beliefs you were the first Atheist I heard.....your videos got me to do research and ask the hard questions....if you family members are to dumb to realize what a great person you are......FUCK 'EM!!!!
jessie74 4 years ago 4
This comment has received too many negative votes show
dude, you're like the adults on the old snoopy cartoons: "wonk wonk wonk"
on the holidays NOBODY (including your family)wants to sit through your disertations. maybe they want to eat some turkey and exchange pleasantries. hearing you talk about free will, and what you think is "christlike" behavior is just fucking tedious......and I'm just watching you on you tube, you poor family would have to sit at a table, and try to digest while you intellectually masturbate.
shmouts 4 years ago
you're in a position where saying that is quite easy. well, not that you're arguing anything. you're just describing what you've been told to think since childhood. you can't even realize how fooled you are from such a narrow scope. not every kind of violence can be directly seen, and children are most affected. adults just lie to them on purpose and they think they can justify their fault by saying "everyone does" - just like you.
Pectiniculus 4 years ago
what in the fuck are you talking about? is the a point anywhere in there? you spout pseudo intellectual drivel. "you can't even realize how fooled you are"??? nice granmmar. it's people like you who think "Bush is dumb 'cause he can't talk good"
there is not an adult alive who believes in santa. it is SOLELY to entertain small children. do you have anything to base in fact about the negative effects of perpetuating Santa? or is it all theoretical bullshit?
shmouts 4 years ago
shmouts, sorry for my English. I'm not a native speaker and am learning the language. Anyway, I'm sure you understood my message so that's irrelevant. More important, you said: "there is not an adult alive who believes in santa. it is SOLELY to entertain small children." Well, that's exactly the problem. Adults teach children things that adults don't believe themselves.
Pectiniculus 4 years ago
It's the same as with the Bogeyman and other stuff to scare children ("you'd better do your homework or else..."). }}That's called VIOLENCE. Got that? By the way, I'm just giving my opinion rather than contributing any theory so won't devote myself to collect data scientifically just for you. Look for proof yourself. I'm only using my experience.
Negative effects? They will tell their children the same lies they were told. That's - I feel - a negative effect in itself.
Pectiniculus 4 years ago
There's more to Reggie than this and if you think he wants to go to a family get together to drone on about the career he has made of disbelief then you're as shallow as you mistakenly assume him to be.
dorbie 4 years ago
well, then riddle me this Batman, why is his extended family getting tired if his shit?
I'm shallow?
I'm just using the materials he has supplied. "if you think this is him..." I'm watching him drone for 7:36, and you think this is an unfair representation? I also saw him on Wifeswap, he was pontificating endlessly there too.
shmouts 4 years ago
Shmouts I completely agree with you, anyone who thinks that telling the truth to a child rather than letting them enjoy the innocence of childhood are well, degrading society. I like Reggies show but he sometimes pushes his point a lil too far.
scionlightning 4 years ago
The "innocence" of childhood has become (I can't tell why) a value. What's so positive about it?
Children will enjoy their childhood anyway as long as they are supported. If no child believed in Santa, it wouldn't be a topic of discussion and that wouldn't imply they're losing part of their innocence.
Pectiniculus 4 years ago
Y'know your arguments supporting what IG says is EXACTLY like the fundimentalist Christians pushing Intelligent Desgin on everyone. He isn't always right.
Oh and by the way,-'Children will enjoy their childhood anyway as long as they are supported.'-tell me this, is it alright for children as young as 3(age when speech comes in strong) to worry about the threat of nuclear war or international terrorism?
scionlightning 4 years ago
I've never said or implied I support everything IG says. And about the part you quoted from me, you sound plausible but you're (con)fusing things. One thing is frightening small people by saying the world might be destroyed anytime (in a child's mind: "i'll be left alone"). Another thing is telling children about created myths that might even encourage consumerism and greed. Do you realize the real difference between those?
Pectiniculus 4 years ago
Well, the difference is: in the first situation you protect children from real things they cannot solve (nor you can solve them yourself).
In the second one, you're just (re)creating myths unnecessary to protect a child and you really don't do any good to them, unless you regard consumerism and greed as positive values.
Innocence is not telling lies to children.
Pectiniculus 4 years ago
Now, tell me: why the hell should a child receive, say, a PS3 or Wii (provided they have the resources, of course. Santa's not very fair, you know?) ...or whatever especially on Dec 25. Just why? They deserved a gift that day more than on Dec 26 or Jun 25? On top of that, in order to receive a gift, why do children need a whole bullshit story? They have an imagination of their own, you know? They have the right to discover reality and leave ignorance behind by themselves.
Pectiniculus 4 years ago
Oh dear dear dear! What if they grow up thinking 'You didn't tell me the world might blow up' you'd be lying to them, wouldn't you, and wouldn't that screw them up?!?!?
And as a predicted, you try to switch the argument as soon as it sounds shaky, he was saying how lying about believing in one thing could lead to another, it's utter foolishness. And one final point, its innocence, not ignorance think how many kids in the US today have messed up lives becuase they have lost innocence...
scionlightning 4 years ago
Yes, I'd be lying. I wouldn't be telling the whole truth about how the world is going to disappear so I'd be lying. But you're protecting a child from real things and that's the point. In that context, what's the usefulness of believing in Santa? Remember IG is speaking about EDUCATION. (continues)
Pectiniculus 4 years ago
Even if I wasn't completely right in the beginning because I wasn't covering those cases where you don't tell a child something like "it's the end of the world" for the sake of protection, you can't deny there's a difference between the case of Santa and the former.
Pectiniculus 4 years ago
So, considering that point, you can't compare between those cases.
I "tried to" change my argument but I'll tell you something. I don't care if I changed it as I don't have any bad intention here. I came here to have a discussion and don't expect to be always right. Refute everything you can. If you have time, define ignorance and innocence and compare them with each other before saying all that. I think in this context they're pretty much the same
Pectiniculus 4 years ago
Look, I never said I was defending IG in just every point. In fact, I said sth on the contrary so you can't say IG spoke about bad consequences of lying like I completely agree with him. Especially when he says children would never forgive their parents for lying, I think if that's true then that's not particular to Santa. And it's not that they won't forgive them because they enjoyed their share when deceived. I (not IG) said Santa's bullshit is unnecessary and generates negative values.
Pectiniculus 4 years ago
To your first point, you are splitting hairs as to whether or not its 'true' or not. The lie(according to reggie) might cause them to become involved in other things that are not completely honest, he's not speaking about educations its a route to religous dogma.
Second point, while yes its a big difference, its still a lie and the same thing might go, they won't trust you afterwards.
scionlightning 4 years ago
third point, YES you can compare ANYTHING.
With ANYTHING there is always two sides to compare against, sorry to show you this btw.
fourth point, honestly I hope you mean the first part. Any child who says 'When I was a kid,you LIED about santa to me, how can I trust you now?' Needs a smack around the head, its rediculous and childish to cry over such a trivial matter.
scionlightning 4 years ago
Alright. You can compare. In fact, you did. What I obviously meant was, the comparison is not fair and I showed a difference. I do see some negative consequences of lying about Santa, but they're different from IG's. In general, the child learns s/he's going to receive sth that time every year, so their expectations are raised. Of course, they don't know it's actually their parents who made all the arrangements so they think whether they receive sth or not doesn't depend on the budget.
Pectiniculus 4 years ago
Moreover, they see all the other children have the same experience, and it's Santa, sth who purportedly brings gifts to everyone so they can't possibly be left out. Now, what if their parents just don't have money for this Christmas? What excuse will you give? What happened to Santa? What's wrong with Santa?
Pectiniculus 4 years ago
You generate expectations, consumerism and maybe a little of greed on purpose and then can't keep the plan working? That's irresponsible and that kind of situations IS harmful to children (though not necessarily a trauma). That's where I have to agree with IG. You're leaving a child unprotected, vulnerable to unpleasant moments you caused UNNECESSARILY. The fact that making children believe in Santa's bullshit is normal doesn't mean it's alright.
Pectiniculus 4 years ago
right, I'll give you that it can be detremental to children who are spoilt to expect something that they cannot get, but if you RAISE the child right, then they are happy with their lot. What it should really come down to is whether you instill good morals with your kids or not.
scionlightning 4 years ago
Wow, now I remember myself when I was a child. I cried a lot just because I thought I wouldn't get the keyboard of my dreams. Anyway, beliefs in Santa and receiving gifts for Christmas are inseparable issues so I think, no matter how well you've raised a child, you're taking a risk.
Pectiniculus 4 years ago
I doubt we'll ever agree on this, but I personally think that if you raise a child well enough then they should be happy with what they got and not be thoughtless little things. Kids will be kids, but I was never upset if I didn't get what I wanted, I was happy with what I got.
scionlightning 4 years ago
And Reggie is speaking about a society where those lies don't exist so I don't see the problem. A child's innocence is not only about fantasy, especially. I think Reg is just being too honest and brave for some people.
Pectiniculus 4 years ago 2
Because they're fanatics to some degree.
Pectiniculus 4 years ago
You've missed the point, this is not about Santa it's about his atheism, two separate issues, pay attention. Wifeswap heavily edited the footage and goaded him if you want the real story behind that show it's available. Boring TV is not on their agenda. I personally wouldn't watch that shit though.
dorbie 4 years ago
they "goaded" him? lemme get this straight, mr infidel guy, who so bravely stands up to perceived religious zealotry, was provoked by some television producer trying to sell add time for toothpaste?! BULLSHIT
rality television is filled with attention seeking assholes. Why else would he agree to such a show? they sure don't pay shit. the video footage that makes reggie look like an asshole IS FOOTAGE HE GAVE THEM. heavily edited or not.
shmouts 4 years ago
Like I said the facts are there to be obtained, looks like you'd rather keep posting your drivel instead, good luck with that. Reggie has podcasted at length on why he did the show and what happened, but you'd rather invent what happened and post your uninformed opinion on the matter, which is of course the antithesis of everything Reggie stands for and podcasts about. You could learn something from him, I doubt you will though, your loss.
dorbie 4 years ago
"like i said there are facts to be obtained" who the fuck talks like that?! you sound like someone without much in the way of formal education, but you read Ayn Rand and now you have it all figured out. Decent people would have NOTHING to do with letting some fucking network show in their home, and the Mrs. living in some other house. Only assholes do that . attemtion seeking assholes.
I just love getting a rise out of you.
shmouts 4 years ago
You've already been directed towards Reggies podcasts, where he discusses the facts of the show and his motivation at length, but you'd rather pull it out your ass, good luck with that.
dorbie 4 years ago
I consider biological family just a coincidental connection. Friends (chosen family) are what matters.
cavejourney 4 years ago 3
you're right. in this context, however, christmas is more of a ritual or formula. the meanings they have attached to the celebration are imposed so i think people are more likely to meet exactly what they have not chosen, including people. i mean, it's normal even though i wish there weren't any christmas. and if you really get to give christmas a new meaning that is just for you and the ones you love then it's not christmas anymore (it's real love).
Pectiniculus 4 years ago
i'm sure your family feels the same way about you
shmouts 4 years ago
ah, sorry but you're saying nothing clear there. you're probably implying who knows what so why should i care...
Pectiniculus 4 years ago
About the glare, get a polarizing filter and experiment with different orientations. You should be able to set the camera at Brewsters angle w.r.t. the glass and orient the filter to completely eliminate the glare.
dorbie 4 years ago
Sorry to hear that Reg, these people are intollerant bigots. You have a bigger family now.
dorbie 4 years ago 3
yeah misery loves company........losers.
shmouts 4 years ago
Reg, first of all anyone with a family will know about how they can be assholes, my own fathers brother didn't come to his funeral and tried to lie about not knowing when it was. And as for Santa Clause-IMO it isn't about believing in anyone or thing, its called innocence, eventually the world will let them grow up and learn the truth without people telling them.
scionlightning 4 years ago
I had no problem coming out to my family they even support me but they haven't been to church in years. Sorry to hear about your family's reaction. I was a little torn about the Santa question and how I would address it to my kids one day, because of all the wounder I experienced as a child. And the pride of figuring it out before everyone else. But your right we don't need to lie to our kids. Great vid IG
lb10128 4 years ago
You had no problem telling your family? Man, you're so lucky. If I told my family they would have an emotional breakdown and it would become a huge pain in the ass, which is why I'll probably never tell them. They're too brainwashed to think critically about their own deeply held beliefs, no matter how much reality contradicts them.
MagnusIan 4 years ago
Santa Claus is a horr