Daniel Everett - Don't sleep, there are snakes

Daniel Everett, author of Don't Sleep, There Are Snakes, ex missionary, tells of how he lost his faith due to his interaction with the Pirahãs tribe in the Amazon.


"The Pirahãs have shown me that there is dignity and deep satisfaction in facing life and death without the comforts of heaven or the fear of hell, and of sailing towards the great abyss with a smile.

And they have shown me that for years I held many of my beliefs without warrant. I have learned these things from the Pirahãs, and I will be grateful to them for as long as I live."


Found this thanks to Greg Laden's blog: http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen

Category:

Education

Tags:

• religion
• anthropology
• lapse
• faith
• Pirahãs

[Spanky00Cheeks]

RATE this motherf-, because the rate bots are killing it.

[deBeuk]

I received 4819 one star votes, all from canada, all on July 29th. I'm trying to get hold of youtube, but their new "Help" center doesn't actually provide any help.

[deBeuk]

Sojoyful, you've been blocked again for being a troll. Bye. I don't think I'll unblock you this time.

[10secstomeltdown]

The Pirahãs are truely unique in the world I won't quote wiki here but it's worth reading. What is the source of this story? Did he write a book?

[deBeuk]

"The Pirahãs are truely unique in the world I won't quote wiki here but it's worth reading. What is the source of this story? Did he write a book?"

Yes, he did, the title of the book is "Don't sleep, there are snakes". I forgot to add this information to the video description, thanks for pointing it out.

[Cyrathil]

These people seem to be fairly smart... If only we all could learn from them... See, people without Jesus aren't in despair, they seem perfectly happy( maybe much more happier than most Americans...), thank you for sharing this deBeuk.

[1949rickray]

The book Dan has written is well worth the read. "Don't Sleep, There Are Snakes" (by Daniel Everett)

[crypticjim]

Why didn't he just go the churches favorite plan B, genocide.

[bluehoneycomb]

@ReignbowSmite awesome. agreed.

[evilyig]

I wish American Christians did not see other's disbelief as a challenge to their sense of worth and self respect. Take for instance the recent atheist billboards and the overwhelmingly common reactions of the religious public, saying nothing more than "Don't believe? you're not alone". If only more than a small percentage of these believers did not share in the reaction of outrage.

[Justyourglitch]

It is pee-dee-HAN...NOT peer-a-has!

[Kallero]

@PlutoPowered

I'm sure they grieve, I'm sure some of them scream and cry and some of them are somber and reflective. Its always sad when you lose somebody. Atheists know whats up. You never get to see the person again, except in your memory. It's sad but what can you do? Time heals all pains.

[junithorn]

@PlutoPowered

Like any sane person they grieve and then move on. Lack of religion has nothing to do with having emotions and care.

[PlutoPowered]

I wonder how this tribe deals with death? Do they grieve? I'm curious how they deal with their emotions.

[albertsneijMD]

how i can visit those Pirahas

[DeimosSaturn]

I worry that this book by Everett might be perceived as some kind of challenge to evangelicals in the US. As atheists have become more open and more willing to argue, it has started to stir a new kind of theist, one who initiates themselves into the complexities of apologetics (the warping of logic). We might see a new wave of more sophisticated evangelicals try to convert the Piraha.