Julia Sweeney 4/4 (The Amazing Meeting2)

[ScottMacFie]

I think the greatest evidence we have today, of Christianity, is the fact that Near Death Experiences CANNOT be reproduced, and experiences with Christ and God are a common thread, even with NON Christians (or committed non-believers). DMT does not explain it, and I believe the evidence will indicate our existence is outside our bodies (our souls), and seepage outside of the microtubials can occur lead to an expansion of understanding the universe.

[maureenOWW]

If she is 51 years old now...and this was 2004....then she was 44 in this video??? How is that possible? She looks and acts like she's in her 20's. Anyone agree with me, or am I going mental?

[28335]

I've seen small snippets of her lecture on TED, but this is the first time I have heard it in its entirety. Great stuff!

[TheGamingGod360]

Thanks for the upload! Amazing four videos!

[Lchristyhastings]

Just wonderful. I especially appreciate her reading Dennetts book, "Darwin's Dangerous Idea". In it, he says, of all the scientists throughout history, he believes Darwin and his ideas were the most important - much more than Einstein or Newton. Darwin did what no one else did - explain existence without a god. It was a VERY dangerous idea, and Darwin knew it.

Also, Julia is right - becoming an atheist dramatically changes how you look at everything in life.

[Lchristyhastings]

Just wonderful. I especially appreciate her reading Dennetts book, "Darwin's Dangerous Idea". In it, he says, of all the scientists throughout history, he believes Darwin and his ideas were the most important - much more than Einstein or Newton. Darwin did what no one else did - explain existence without a god. It was a VERY dangerous idea, and Darwin knew it.

[Katalyzt]

★★★★★

[nickmendezrico]

I wanna hug her!!!

[justalittledust]

We are so blessed to have Julia who has the courage to put herself out there in such an honest and deeply human way at the same time helping us to laugh at ourselves.

[justalittledust]

@justalittledust Then, of course, I went and visited her blog and find that she's decided to stop doing such personal monologues -- an entirely reasonable choice to make. She's right, our sense of privacy is changing; we have to change the way we approach privacy. But we are still fortunate to have had pieces like this one.

[KatieScarletty]

she's really great! but you know, you know?!? you know?!? ahm...you know, that's annoying

[justalittledust]

@KatieScarletty Perhaps you could consider this one a "rough draft" and get a better feel for her finished performance through the DVD? 

[sethmusic]

i want one!!

[KThalman]

Being an atheist for 10 years, Julia's talk resonates quite strongly with me. Since I use to be a Mormon, that section of her talks was the most funny to me because it was so accurate!

[onemanjazzfuneral]

@KThalman try being fundamemental baptist lol.......we hated mormons lol......i know what you mean brother.......and NOW as a 'practical' atheist (and i say that because i still have 'doubt' on some level being raised that way lol)..i can actually call you 'brother'....isnt that ironci lol...............

[Lwhite1962]

I used to be a Christian, and am now an Atheist. Letting go of god is truly the most liberating and wonderful thing I have done with my life. I feel so glad that I cam to see truth at an early age so I can live my life in freedom!!

[babaluboo123]

@Lwhite1962

Isn't it amazing?!

[anetchi]

: ) She is great! I hope more and more people come to the same realization - there is no god! and it's awesomely wonderful!

[DejectedPanda]

Julia's a hoot.

[adrianfi7]

There is something fundamentally wrong with a person that makes jokes about God, it´s sick and lacks good taste. How can anyone take this poor crazy woman as a role model.

[TorridPassion]

It's obvious you've missed the point. If you've been listening at all, you'd understand that 'making fun of god' is not what she's doing. She's recounting her journey of letting go of the restraints and of religion, and then leading a very fulfilled life because of it.

"I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours."

- Sir Stephen Henry Roberts

[adrianfi7]

This is the claim that is always used by atheist they always compare Religion to God they are not the same. I design Buildings and it´s very dificult, the universe is so many times more complex We can only imagine. Give honor to God because he is the Creator follow his rules because they are design for your own indivitual and collective good. And Stop making crazy claims. I want freedom but not from God He makes my life better and let´s me choose, I want freedom from government intervention.

[TorridPassion]

Once again, you missed the point. It isn't about YOU, it's about HER journey through a life of dissatisfaction with the church and living a better, more fulfilled life without it. Just because you don't agree with her doesn't mean she's wrong. It's her life. You want God? Have God in your life, no one is stopping you. I don't want God, and neither does she, and you don't have the right to tell us to "give honor to God". If you disagree with her so much, STOP watching her videos.

[adrianfi7]

I watch this kind of videos to remind my self about the real state of the world, people are driven by vanity and pride and from these kind of mentality is where we get all of the problems in the world. Corrupt liers in politics, finance, religion, science and God knows what else. I want to find out how their minds work and I see that modern civilization is doom for real, that fact makes me very sad because so many people are in pain now and the worst is yet to come it seems inevitable.

[TorridPassion]

So wait... you think that Julia Sweeney represents the "doom" of modern civilization for having the guts to analyze her life, confront her problems and insecurities, and address them in a rational, mature way? This video does not represent how the world is, but how the world SHOULD be:  Happy, enthusiastic, confident, intelligent and just a plain good time. She, nor the people like her, are responsible for the corruption in the world. This video is a show of how the world CAN improve.

[adrianfi7]

We are only human we can NOT solve our problems without the help of God. We should first of all be humble, these new age ideas are just the same old crap that comes and goes over the years, it comes when civilization is growing and it goes like a bad case of cancer when the society is death. America and the world has enjoy a long period of growth these periods are perfect to make people believe they are too good and capable to the point they don´t need God, but they lie, they become fools.

[TorridPassion]

Watch who you call liars and fools. If God could solve our problems, why hasn't he/she/it already done so? Why does evil exist, if god is so powerful and loving? I've had the marvelous privilege of meeting Dr. Curt Freed, the man who has nearly cured Parkinson's disease. And he doesn't need god. Most scientists don't, and yet they make advances to bettering human life and growth daily.....

[adrianfi7]

There cannot be joy without suffering just like there cannot be tall without short, white without black, good without evil. Almost All things bad in the world are MAN-MADE so what´s the big surprise of the state of the world when most people reject God and his ten basic laws. When you choose to ignore God you are subject to all kind of evil things, you start thinking like a fool and believe things like evolution, women "liberation", same sex marriage, gay rights, pro-choice crap and much more.

[TorridPassion]

I pity you, I really do. You're clearly an undereducated fundamentalist and I don't think you can be helped, considering the mental state you are in that you actually rationalize denying rights to humans simply because they are not like you. If we are all God's children, would God be okay with you denying fairness to all others? You are the epitome of ignorant, and I feel sad for you. You should never judge something you don't understand. You don't know it, but you are very self-loathing.

[adrianfi7]

Classic moron strategy, when you can´t attack the evidence your attack the messenger. I never said she did not have a right to her thoughts, I only said she is dead wrong about God, I leave judgment of her and me to God and I don´t worry about it. We all have to speak out about all bad (evil) ideas in the world because "All evil needs to triumph - that good people do nothing". TP get your head straight before it´s too late.

[TorridPassion]

I don't need to get my head straight. Religion has been a downfall to the world for centuries. People used god as an excuse to keep slaves, to prevent scientific discovery. You are on the wrong side of history, kiddo. You can't prove you are right about god, nor can I prove god does not exist. But then again, I can't prove unicorns don't exist either and yet no one believes in them.

I'm done with you, troll.

"If you could reason with religious people, there would be no religious people."

[adrianfi7]

Good bye then. May you enjoy the coming apocalypse. Just remember you let it happen.

[ashman165]

If a divine, all powerful being created the universe, then all things present in it would necessarily only exist by his/her/its desire. After all, I'm only the master of my own home, but nothing I disapprove of remains in it. Were I a god, nothing bothersome to me would exist.

Besides which is the case that you're saying mere men can fuck up god's plan; he created a utopia requiring him six days of work and a day of rest we ruined with the bite of one fruit? C'mon.

[TorridPassion]

(cont...) If god cared, why does terrorism exist? Why does child pornography exist? Why do sex trafficking, greed, racism, and host of other horrible things, still exist? And why doesn't he/she/it stop them already? No religionist has ever given an answer other than, "He will" or "Have faith."  It's absurd. Religion is the root cause of the mid east problems; child abuse has been covered up by the Vatican for years. Religion vilifies knowledge & growth; it's a detriment to modern humans.

[adrianfi7]

Terrorism is just a form of mass control, terrorist did not make America a police-state your government did that by using an excuse (the oldest in the book of tyrants) WE have the power to choose to discern between good and evil but most people have choose to wait for the "official story" rather than use their brains. This is the reason evil people have taken over control of the world they think people are paws to play with. God will stop them soon. We will pay a high price for our arrogance.

[MidgardEagle]

Posts like these are why I am glad Julia Sweeney exists to even the playing field with a rational voice.

[STFUNOWlol]

How humble of you to tell us what we can NOT do, and tell us what we need to do.

[adrianfi7]

Someone should start talking about the real root of our problems. I wish many more  people would get involved.

[zephae]

1. Why must one be humble?

2. Why would telling us what we need to do NOT be humble? Why is being humble beneficial; does it somehow automatically solve your problems without your action?

3. What did she tell you you can't believe? This is about her personal experience with God. You are welcome to disagree, as well as respond to her conclusions. This was simply her critical thought.

[SakuraSymphony]

@zephae

exactly! hense my problem! w/ religion its all about effort & what you can do,

but relationship is all about WHAT jesus did for you! & what you cant do! even though you didnt ask him to...& if you never ask him & say he doesnt exsist HE WILL STILL LOVE YOU just like a believer Thats why he's cool ,

oh & being humble isnt thinking LESS OF YOURSELF

it's NOT thinking about yourself AT ALL

it's being selfless, we all could use some of that!

[MidgardEagle]

Beautiful. "Withuot God you can't solve your problems!"

"Well, then why doesn't He solve anything?"

"Oh, He's not meant to!"

Okay... so... if problems aren't meant to be solved, why should I turn to an apathetic God to solve them when He is neither meant to, nor willing, to do so?

[MidgardEagle]

""And Stop making crazy claims.""

Oh, the irony!

[Fryitonapanandstuff]

❧ Hello. I realize why so many find the idea of "letting go~letting god" so difficult to comprehend. Doing so often involves making radical decisions. ; - D

[andipants2001]

Really enjoyed this video. Good message delivered well.

[sarattiv]

There's a difference between doubting and not-knowing, isn't there? If I say that I don't know whether God, or fairies, exist, I'm not saying that I doubt their existence. I' m saying that I don't even have sufficient evidence to doubt. To doubt is to reach a decision. Not to know is to decline to decide.

[vibrohm]

Reading Dennet makes you DAMN sexy.

[vibrohm]

*Dennett

[peachybeach]

she's sorta hyperactively funny

and she's also cute

[acr08807]

Great.  Daniel Dennett has won another convert to HELL. This kind of thing won't happen once Sarah Palin is President. She'll finish what the great George W. Bush started.

[bigjohnhamhock]

Ha! I'm not sure if you're being facetious or not, but EITHER way, you're hilarious!!

[acr08807]

Sometimes even I'm not sure, but thanks. I really do hope that Sarah Palin wins the 2012 Republican primary.

[BigMojoDevil]

Sarah Palin's day is done. She keeps digging herself more deeply into the whole and is basically just a national punchline now, supporting by a mere handful of fanatical kooks. No way will she ever, ever be president now.

[acr08807]

Sarah Palin has a broad appeal to small town, middle American folks who don't like their President to be brighter than they are. She's not just the candidate of fanatical kooks, she's also the candidate of the mediocre. And the gun nuts.

PALIN 2012

Belief You Can Believe In

[prayfertrey]

The only reason people vote for someone like Palin is to be irritating to people who are smart, people who are witty. When you see people rallying around the "dumb guy" they're just doing it to be a butt. They want to hurt the smart kids, because the smart kids make them feel small (or rather, remind them of their smallness). They don't really like Palin, they just know that rallying around her irritates the smart kids who laughed at them in school, who have better, richer lives...

[ritban]

i hope sarah wins the primary too cause then it will be extremely easy for obama to get re-elected

[KillerHeroes]

She is delightful. Thanks for posting this.

[GetMeThere1]

How can you not love her. She's so smart, and funny, and generous, and cute, and witty, and....warm.

I'm so happy that people like HER are around to help people see that believing in god is a sham. I certainly can't help...I can't hide my contempt for believers.

[mkamaryn]

2nd that!

[babaluboo123]

@GetMeThere1

I agree.

But, I think there must be a more mature and satisfying place than contempt for believers.

[GetMeThere1]

@babaluboo123 : My contempt is somewhat mitigated by understanding that almost all believers believe because they were taught as children to believe. OTOH, in the modern world, it's not TOO difficult to realize the utility of thinking for oneself. It's more easy now than at any other previous time in history to see that religion is bunk.

[babaluboo123]

@GetMeThere1

I don't know if my method is any more humble...but I alternate between accepting that they are cavemen or mentally disabled. Either way, it is hopeless to get worked up about (caveman) or actually unkind (mentally disabled).

Still looking for a more mature way to deal with it.

[GetMeThere1]

@babaluboo123 : Well, basically, I suppose we all just do the best we can. Certainly it's easy to see that Julia Sweeney is a person who tries to do the best she can--and she was over 40 before she took the time to think the issue through, and get some useful information. I don't think contempt is very misplaced toward people who willfully, and even enthusiastically, keep themselves ignorant.

[michaeltube4u]

Why does she "Oh my god!" at the end ? :-)

[PlayT0E]

our language is cultural.

It is hard to quit using an expression like "oh god" when one has lived using it for life.

But Julia Sweeney gives one of the best reasons for not believing in a deity, ... now it is up to us to change things, we cannot expect god to help if we know there is no god.

[bigjohnhamhock]

Exactly. A Christian friend once asked me why I say "goddammit" if I don't believe in God. I asked him if, when he told someone to take a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut, he believed they really would.

[davedaveydave]

Thanks this that was a lovely story

[leeroynaggins]

She'll call out for forgiveness on her death bed...

They all do

[poppler1234]

It must feel nice being so deluded, eh leeroy? I pity you, but it must feel nice living in a magical make-believe world where you're better than everyone you disagree with.

Unlike you, she (and others who share the same philosophy) do not have to trick themselves into living in a world full of fear of the unknown. You have an undeserved sense of pride and superiority to those who do not live in magic la la land.

They make pills for people who suffer from delusions. Check them out.

[leeroynaggins]

So will you...

[MidgardEagle]

Oh, the old "you THINK you're going away, but you'll come crying back to me eventually" ploy.

Er, no.

[Tavlo]

She's right, she doesn't have an end. I think the story WILL continue. She will continue to seek (as we all do). She's also right in that WE do not end either. We are all eternal beings and the truth is, whether you believe in God or not, you know deep inside that it's true.

[arminiusofnewulm]

"I was dead for billions and billions of years before I was born and I don't remember suffering the slightest inconvenience from it." -- Mark Twain

What consummate vanity to assume that humans are the end product of evolution or, worse, a special creation. Religious absolutism merely encourages war, environmental degradation, species extinction and ultimately "end times" planetary destruction. (Ironically athiesm suffers from the same conceited certainty as does religion)

[LouisPlume]

(Ironically athiesm suffers from the same conceited certainty as does religion)

Athesits dont generally long and hope for the end of tears, and certainly not in this generation, and there is the difference.

[LynxChan]

(Ironically athiesm suffers from the same conceited certainty as does religion)

No, it doesn't. Theoretically of course it is possible to have an absolute faith in the non-existence of god as it is to have the opposite view, but in practice that is not what most atheists feel.

The atheist position is that in the absence of any evidence the most logical position is to state non-belief. Do you believe in fairies? Do you feel a need to maintain a strictly agnostic stance? God is no different.

[arminiusofnewulm]

Both good points. I'll elaborate a bit. When pressed, most athiests will admit that they are in fact agnostics. With humans' limited brain power and technology it seems arrogant to assume or state there is absolutely no deity(ies). There can be no knowledge of certainty about anything. (As they say absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.) But the rules of logic say that it is up to the claimant to prove the claim, the burden of proof rests with the claimant (the believer)

[LynxChan]

I think the atheist vs. agnostic debate is mostly a semantic one. An agnostic refuses to call him or herself an atheist in the belief that atheism requires positive certainty, whereas most atheists consider that in the absence of evidence a passive disbelief (in god, fairies etc) is appropriate and agnosticism is an enforced "doubt" imposed solely on the god concept and not other evidence lacking concepts.

In fact, both the agnostic and the atheist are conceptually in agreement, usually.

[belleamie]

I agree with you, Lynx. My view is that atheism is a rejection of belief in theism/gods, rather than a statement of certainty that no gods exist. The connotation of agnosticism is that the existence or non-existence of god is equally likely. Echoing your sentiments about the burden of proof, non-belief is rational in the absence of evidence. Non-belief is also the logical position to take on unfalsifiable statements. I'm a rationalist, so I don't believe in the divine providence of any book.

[skulver]

It is worth noting that most religious people will also admit that there is a tiny possibility that there is no god so you could say that most religious people are also agnostic.

There is a nice Asimov quote that sums up how a lot of atheists feel:

"I don't have the evidence to prove that God doesn't exist, but I so strongly suspect that he doesn't that I don't want to waste my time"

[EdCranium]

This woman seems like a real nice person... she has obviously thought deeply and carefully about all the possible things she could believe and settled on the one which is true to her conscience.

[lumpfish99]

this woman seems like a real fucking bitch...she has obviously never thought there may be some people who dont want to hear that god doesnt exist....tell the mother who has to face her child knowing that her 8 year old has 6 months to live, and her little encapsulation of life asks her "Mommy will I be with the angels?" what would this piece of shit say???? "No, and stop being so stupid!!!"???? FUCK HER....

[tee1up]

That is a pretty amazingly narrow perspective. I think every parent that is faced with a terrible moment like the one you describe must deal with it with the best honesty possible. I for one could not send my child off with what I thought was a lie.

[EdCranium]

The answer to the question "Mummy will there be angels?" depends on whether someone has told the child that angels exist.  If they have, then the parent would affirm; if not, then the child would not be asking that question.

[lumpfish99]

My point is a simple one, we are all afraid of death deep down....to hear that we will simply cease to exist and vanish into nothingness is not only an arrogant, unfounded theory but is also very depressing. I think if an adult wishes to believe that then no problem but I think in the same way we lie to children about santa clause and the easter bunny there is no harm in telling them they will be safe when they go to "Heaven"...

[capedchameleon]

so if there is no God, there is no life after death? that's silly.

[lumpfish99]

we is that silly? if one doesnt believe in god then perhaps the sole role is to pass on genetic info and nothing else.....

[TheAtheistTEEN]

survive and prosper dude, emphasis on prosper...theres so much to life, just depends on what you want...

[Deneb1968]

I think you're right. Just becuse there is no God, it does not logically follow that there is no life after death - but if you're interested in thinking about this, have a look at work by people like Christof Koch (he's a neuroscientist) and Thomas Metzberger (philospher). They don't address the question directly - but I think their work is really useful when you are imagining what a "soul" is and if it could exist after death. See what you think (some good stuff on you tube)

[axegrrl]

"to hear that we will simply cease to exist and vanish into nothingness is not only an arrogant, unfounded theory but is also very depressing."

what's _arrogant_ about it?

[lumpfish99]

its arrogant because nobody knows that for certain, its an opinion like every other opinion and therefore should not be asserted with such authority.....you could say i think when we die we just vanish into nothingness but not I know that when we die etc....

[MidgardEagle]

Yeah, 'cause "no, you're going to burn forever in Hell for not worshipping God" is just such a HUGE improvement.

Regardless of whatever justification you may have, a salvation that only applies to about 2 billion out of 7 billion people... really isn't that uplifting to me.

[lumpfish99]

look only the idiots tell their kids they will burn in hell.....you should stop watching tv and films......as far as salvation is concerned well thats a crock too....

[JBRHC78]

She's adorable.

[AbbeyNormal]

It's really neat to see the "rough cut" of that show, it got settled down a lot in the ones she did later but she seemed very excited and frazzled in this one, which is cool, like she's telling people for the first time.

[vharshyde]

The frazzle makes it fun!

[TomMSTie]

I had the same 'Voice in my head' experience Julia spoke about, only I was on the toilet at the time. I had just finished watching the movie "City of Angels," and I started thinking what total BS Angels are, and then I honestly asked myself, "Do I believe in God?" And I was shocked to find myself answering, "No, I don't."

[noonej]

That was truly excellent. Well done, Julia.

[twold4this]

Fantastic! Thank you for posting this.

[theogore]

"Accepting what it true."

Such a great post.

What a woman of integrity.

Thank you for this, AmazingMeetingVideos

[sumadartsan]

I mean, clearly she was talking metaphorically.

[TomMSTie]

I sure she meant her interior monologue.  It was a thought in her head. Not a "voice."

[sumadartsan]

Surely you don't think she meant that she literally heard a voice with her ears?

[adamlaurie]

what a most wonderdful woman, how can i meet women like her???

[333TGINN333]

Someone needs to make her movie!

[d4m7s8]

Letting Go of God will premiere at the Seattle Film Festival. Details at her blog, juliasweeney dot blogspot dot com.

[nameless8908]

it sucks she middle aged, or i'll totally date her.

[Itslvle]

Awesome. I hadn´t really thought much about how big of a change letting go of god can be. Never seeing any sense in religion I´m a "born atheist" and this really helps to see why discarding one´s belief can be so unthinkable.

[eloctavodia]

i was thinking the same thing hoping more christians will make the realization.

[morelshaman]

Julia is really cool! I liked her before (from her SNL days) but now i respect her.

She does Atheism a great justice, i wish there were more rationalists out there that would give their testimonies with a similar aplomb.

Instead there are copious drafts of vitriol.

I like Daniel Dennett for his professorial treatment of the issue, and Christopher Hitchens for his journalistic veracity, and Richard Dawkins for his scientific wisdom.

[zaqmlp1234]

When i was watching this, i suddenly felt that Julia was talking like some born again religious person in their excitement of their belief and that they have found the answer.

Well, the difference here is that Julia has come to this conclusion rationally, without dogma and without the usual logical fallacies and myths found in religions. I felt pretty much the same as her when I realised there is no god. Makes you grow up and realise doing good in life is in your hands.

[claschxtreme]

what a fascinating person she is, throughout honest. thank u for posting this

[tattypatty]

Thanks for posting this! Are you going to TAM3 for the baby-blood drinking ceremony? Whoops! Ignore this comment , SeductionKing!

[mctoxey]

Brilliant mind. Big heart. Lots of Love.

Julia is God! haha

[Clausfarre]

Yes, and even the Vatican accepts modern astronomy and the findings of astronomers and astro physicists. So it's hard to believe that christians (let's not even mention islam) are opposed to science that is not in total agreement with bible verses. The Pope House is at peace with Big Band theory and Darwin, so could 'the flock' please simmer down.

[unhealthytruthseeker]

It was a Catholic astronomer who was one of the first to propose the big band for fuck's sake. He was actually a Jesuit priest.

[ohmygawd1111]

I found this wonderful video because a fascinating author by the name of Richard Dawkins was being interviewed on A&E (also on YouTube) and mentioned Julia Sweeney.

[Komojo]

This is a great speech. I never really paid much attention to Julia Sweeney before, but she's really interesting.

[kimshepherd]

This is awesome, what a funny and honest speaker she is, thanks so much for sharing it.

Keep the TAM videos coming!

[henroid77]

I made some of my friends happy by cooking some breakfast this morning. Who gives a rat's ass who she is? the fact that you think that she's anything special only proves that you need to follow someone, you think organize religion sucks (in wich i agree, i must say), but the reason why they suck is that they're following someone else's advice or standing behind someone else's experience, think for yourself.

[hamsterpoop]

we are always following someone else's advice. that's how we learn. that's how we got the ability to post videos in a web of information where you and i can watch them. it's normal to follow people. sadly, there are bad leaders too. like the pope, muslim fundamentalist leaders and those crazy pastors that do meth and say the earth is 6000 years old.

[Clausfarre]

Any discussion of religion in relation to the real world is a bit silly because it always comes down to believing something that can never be proven. If you think your moral compass is driven by sky beings - great. But only science can gradually take us down the path of real understanding, thus slowly making sense of the remaining areas of unsolved mystery. Let's call it progress vs. religious backwardness.

[averagehomosapien]

You might get an award if you actually actively reached out to people. Julia's going around the country performing her monolog about her path to atheism, and she also has a movie coming out. What have you done?

[averagehomosapien]

Letting go of religion isn't as easy as you might think.

In any case, Julia's lightheartedness might prove much more effective in converting people than Dawkins' scathing approach. She appeals to the sensibilities of non-scientific people and sympathizes with people who think they need religion to give meaning to their lives. That's worthy of an applause, I would think.

[theSeductionKing]

OK so no God!

Who cares what happens to the species?

Who cares about the environment?

etc. etc.

Eat drink be merry

some will say rape.. pillage.. kill etc.

Without God we become a world of the Fittest survive.

And you better pray to God it isn't another Hitler that wins the world it is the Tony Soprano's gone wild i worry about believing there is NO God.

They do what they do even though they believe..what if that guilty conscious is taken away.

God save us from Atheism!

[averagehomosapien]

OK, so there IS a GOD!

Who cares about this life?

This life is just a blink of an eye compared to the eternity in bliss of the next.

Let's spend enormous amounts of money to build houses of worship so that our ticket to paradise is ensured!

Let's adulate monks and nuns for wasting their lives in monestaries praying!

Dawkins save us from religion!

[AmazingMeetingVideos]

A guilty conscious has nothing to do with believe in God. I am an atheist and I have a conscious. Why do religious people believe that atheists are evil? Did your God tell you that evil people don't believe in God? If so that's a pretty bad generalization.

[theSeductionKing]

Conundrum: An atheist with a conscious.

Where did it come from?

It would either be God or some survival mechanism developed from the primordial slime.

If it is from the latter just realize it is such and ignore it. Sex , drugs & rock & roll or even rap. Go crazy!

Why would you want to listen to a message from the primordial slime about conscious. Turn it off.

Do as you will...You are God. You are on the tip of evolution. Turn off the message from the slime now! It is old hat.

[AmazingMeetingVideos]

Any chance you can simplify your answer and make it something easier to understand?

[theSeductionKing]

Without God you must have evolved from the primordial slime left over from the Big Bang. Right?

So whatever process guided that slime to evolve must have included a conscious along the way that makes you wanna be good ( conscious ).

The reason is probably about survival of the species. A selfish ego type belief of evolution.

What i am saying is that you can override conscious. You are at the top of the evolutionary heap. If your conscious makes you feel bad..ignore it without consequence

[AmazingMeetingVideos]

thanks that makes allot more sense to me.

[averagehomosapien]

You don't really know how evolution works, or even its philosophical implications. I find the idea that we need a divine dictatorship to tell us to be good amazingly condescending to the human race. Do you honestly think that the only reason why people don't rape and murder is because of their fear of God's wrath?

[theSeductionKing]

YES!

I don't think it... i know it.

It is the possibility of of two things.

The Fear of the wrath of God..what ever that may be.

The Fear of the loss of eternal Bliss in Heaven.

Take the Laws of God out of the Picture..and it Just a matter of not getting caught from Man's Law

You haven't been around much if you don't think people are like this

[Panman38]

theSeductionKing

So if you decided that god didn't exist you'd start raping and killing people?

[leeroynaggins]

Might consider it...

[Vladimirwlr1234]

You do know that the idea that killing another human being or forcibly ravaging an unwanting woman's vagina are wrong is a few millennia older than the bible, don't you?

Also, your god's law advocates genocide and prejudice. So, do the world a favor and jump from the top of a skyscraper. Maybe god will catch you.

[wretchedApe]

I think I'll agree that theres something selfish about my(an atheist)'s sense of morality; it goes something like how can I reduce the suffering and maximise happiness of those who matter to ME. People who matter to me include myself, family, my species and also some animals. It makes me feel good to be good to them.

Also, the reason I obey the law is because if nobody did it, society would collapse and that's just inconvenient.

[memblor]

very entertaining and informative!