ACSJ: David Fitzgerald - The Complete Heretic's Guide to Western Religion: Mormonism

[@MarcoMeerman]

Second time i hear him speak. What a knowledgeable, aimable, wellspoken and on point guy.

[@coralaisly]

The first bit has me wondering how big a hit the US' national debt would take if we stopped giving churches tax exempt status.

[@oldmanfromscenetwentyfour8164]

If we taxed just their real estate holdings, we'd have a surplus.

[@jenniferbrewer5370]

When churches get involved in state, then I say it's time to tax their asses to the fullest extent of the tax code.

[@darthvadars]

how about our debt is NOT because we don't tax enough, rather we tax too much and spend way too much.

[@MidlifeCrisis82]

@@darthvadars yep. But don't forget that a huge amount of spending is to our military. And many others. Not saying we don't need a military. But you need to understand where it's going.

[@henochparks]

The churches provide an infinite source of good for free. That is why they do not pay taxes. The reason for the biggest cause of debt in the US is single girls getting pregnant.....are you going to make sex illegal?

[@bartstewart8644]

One thing in this video left me totally stunned. He said that many Mormons believe that Bigfoot (Yes, Bigfoot) is in fact the Biblical figure Cain, son of Adam and Eve. It's at 28:38. Cain was sentenced to wander the earth forever, and thus Mormons believe that scruffy, hairy Sasquatch is none other than -- Cain. Now, the thing is, I knew a Mormon once who told me that he believed people who reported seeing Bigfoot had actually seen Cain. I thought this guy must be out of his mind, but I never thought it was anything other than his personal delusion. What a moment it was for me to see that large numbers of Mormons believe the same thing. I am reeling as I write this.

[@purami14]

+Bart Stewart It is truly amazing what religous dogma people can be sucked into , yet when they buy, say a car, they research the hell out of the purchase ie:, warranty, price, options etc. before they make a decision. It stuns me too.

[@presidentnixonsanus]

+Bart Stewart Mormonism is the most verifiably false religion and yet it still grows like a weed.

[@bartstewart8644]

Actually, Jeez, I have heard they are no longer growing and may be more like declining in numbers. But their money is such that they can just buy the world.

[@presidentnixonsanus]

Bart Stewart Tru dat.

[@richardholmes7199]

+Jeez S. Christ Boy I'll tell ya what! Sure glad I have people like you and the guy on the above video out there to let me know! As I am just too stupid to make decisions on my own!

[@methecommentingguy294]

You have the presentation of a Game Show host, but as an ex-Mormon, you are spot on with everything you have said. Well researched sir. I am going to buy your books.

[@TheTheotherfoot]

The biggest punishment for multipul wives is having multipul mothers-in-laws

[@cheetahtapir5975]

Russ Gallagher haha, um, ok. That was oddly antagonistic....

[@lonewolfmtnz]

In a former life I hammered iron nails and had the nail concesion at Calvary. Greatest gig ever.

[@caribbeanman3379]

I believe that Joseph Smith was secretly mocking the gullibility of his followers. Examples: The name *Moroni* is actually a play on the word *Moron*; and the name *Kolob* is the phonetic reversal of the word *Bollock*. ROFLOL.

[@genexrollins]

Caribbean Man Smith was certainly mocking a lot of things, including traditional Christianity and his dumb bell followers. The term Moron had yet to be designated as a descriptive classification by psychology when Smith was operating. So Smith would not have been able to employ the term moron in that way at the time. However, regardless of the chronological counter indications and implications, currently, the term Moron and the behaviors of insanely stupid MORmONS is a great match.

[@BlackEpyon]

Caribbean Man The guy was a swindler, plain and simple.

[@robertallison107]

BlackEpyon A complete pagan, really...

[@brianfox771]

Caribbean Man Actually, the origin of the name 'Moroni' may be more complicated but interesting. Moroni is the capital city of the Comoros, situated on the island of Grand Comore (pronounced Cumorah). Captain Kidd, a late 17th early 18th century pirate treasure hunter was stranded there for a time. His stories were popular among treasure hunters in early 19th century Upstate New York and New England, of whose ranks Joseph Smith was a part of. It is very interesting that an angel named Moroni buried a treasure (the Golden Plates) in the Hill Cumorah. HMMM!?!?

[@robertallison107]

Brian Fox Interesting, indeed ! Further, Smith "borrowed" names from the Bible, along with whole chapters and simply inserted them into the BofM narratives. Hmmmm...

[@Roedygr]

Which came first, Mormonism or multi-level marketing?

[@robertallison107]

Roedy Green Is Mormonism the spiritual Amway of America ?!?

[@veganatheistandmore]

Thank you for sharing this video. I love David Fitzgerald.

[@DavidWilson-uf5mv]

In view of how strange this religion is , and many others too, maybe we should also be focusing on the mental aspects of the human brain and how it is so susceptible to such bizarre things , many of which are accepted by mainstream religions as well.

[@pwnsyou82]

I still can't believe that people believe this garbadge.

[@coralaisly]

+Alex Pino What I can't believe is that there are black Mormons. I mean wtf. How shitty an opinion of yourself would you have to have to hear someone say "You look different from me because you are cursed and were bad" and go "... sounds legit."

[@PeterGregoryKelly]

People will believe whatever satisfies a personal craving. There are secular examples too like "patriarchy theory" and all that gender studies woo woo.

[@TMPreRaff]

I can't believe that people can't spell garbage.

[@p.bamygdala2139]

@@TMPreRaff good sp. catch!

[@AAwildeone]

@@TMPreRaff I've come to the mythical conclusion that a majority of those who constantly and consistently cannot spell in comments do so because they are riding on very bumpy public transportation lol I like to be as generous as possible before arriving at conclusions of stupidity or ignorant negligence, but it can drive you insane! Cheers!

[@jimkilpatrick6536]

How any sane human can believe mormonism is a mystery to me. It doesn't even come up to nonsense.

[@deskjockie4948]

It's because the Mormon church does not teach you about these things when proselyting. And members are instructed to NOT look at "Anti-Mormon" topics. They catch people when they are vulnerable, as at the death of a child, and play on your emotions with wonderful assurances that you will see that child again in Heaven. Nor are any of the facts David mentions above EVER taught in Sunday School, the women's organization called the Relief Society, or in the men's organization called the Priesthood. We were converted as a young married couple who had just lost a child, and were True Blue Mormons for over 40 years before all this information became available. Were there times when we had our doubts? Of course! but you are taught to pray, read the scriptures, and once again convince yourself that it was all "true". We are no longer members, and looking at it from the outside and seeing the history that David talks about just makes us shake our heads and wonder how we could ever have been so blind.

[@danielrussell9416]

It's just as much made-up nonsense as all other religions.

[@worthdoss8043]

Any chance this guy would be allowed to speak at the Tabernacle in Salt Lake?

[@kingofmphs]

Hoffman sounds like The Tiger King! Netflix! Make it happen!!

[@donatoclan3222]

"The Book Of Moron" I mean "Mormon".

[@Thornspyre81]

Has anyone else ever thought the names in the book of Mormon are really juvenile attempts to make biblical sounding names? "Nephi, yeah that sounds like a real bible name!" So hilariously obvious

[@christineharrelson4831]

ETcetera ... not ECKcetera. Eeeek.

[@Thornspyre81]

And "district," not "districk."

[@robinhood6399]

@@Thornspyre81 Couldn't care less and not Could care less. Aggggggggg!

[@YY4Me133]

Steampunk scientology? LOL!

[@mhikl4484]

Jesus: Mything In Action. Now that is clever. Namaste and care, mhikl

[@teamtalon1967]

Annoying lady in the audience is annoying. It's a lecture, not a group discussion.

[@AAwildeone]

Awww you're being a little harsh. David is a very approachable, laid-back kind of guy, I've been to a couple of his talks. Sometimes his style of presentation encourages that kind of audience response and participation. Or maybe she just wanted him to notice her...lol Cheers!

[@losttribe3001]

15:28. Yup. I can’t keep one woman satisfied. So why would I want multiple women sharing their disappointment in my abilities in bed? All joking aside...I was raised, baptized, and married in the Salt Lake Temple according to the Mormon beliefs. Turns out the Church is the most questionable and provable false of all churches. Glad I’m an atheist now.

[@thepreacher5934]

Enjoy Outer darkness.

[@PDZ1122]

Wow. I thought it could not possibly be more effed up than I thought, but I stand corrected. The inhabited sun clinches it.

[@jamesswainston826]

It's really great to see all of this information compiled in one location; kudos to David Fitzgerald. I will say this though sir; you seriously need to take some classes on presentation style, format, speech and rhythm. You are your own worst enemy up there. There really is no excuse to constantly interrupt yourself with spoken flubs. You were unable to complete nearly any sentence without repeated misspeaking; and to rush past your own power point and lose your place is absurd - especially when you know the information so well. If what you have to say is worth while (and it is) then people will listen to you. There is no fire. Slow down and speak your piece.

[@gregrhodes565]

James : I’ve never cared at all for this guy after he sat in with Dr. Robert Price, and Dr. Richard Carrier.. Both are PHD scholars and both have spent years and years in the study of an “historical Jesus.”!!! many of their fans were so anxious for these two PhD scholars to get together... But.... Fitzgerald “ruined”.. the whole podcast with his interrupting and childish behavior, and answering questions wrong.... Fitzgerald should’ve been relegated to the kiddie table...!!! What an idiot....!!!

[@SteampunkGent]

13 million people, 16,000 churches that means that (arithmetic) mean church attendance is 815 people ... ... Nah

[@bubbaslade]

Latter-Day Saints use one building for multiple congregations. That is to say 3 or 4 wards (congregations) will meet in one building at different times on the sabbath.

[@TurkPowers]

I would make from of the Mormans for all the nonsense they believe, but I am a former Pentecostal... So, I have no room to talk.

[@dynamic9016]

Very informative.

[@ProjektaV2]

Being raised mormon, I lost my "faith" when I read the bible.

[@lookingforonetruechristian7396]

Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. Albert Einstein

[@davidbrasher3595]

4:40 That is a magical Jupiter medallion, not a seer stone.

[@sandysutherland2182]

Someone once observed that the two most common elements in the univese are hydrogen and human stupudity!

[@richardlewin9282]

OhoooFFS. When are we going to TAX these despots?🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑

[@gregeads6124]

Why did someone start a thing where God don't pay taxes? I mean really. I'm sure he could stretch that money at least as good as my mom could .

I watched just the first 10 minutes and it was enough information to conclude: to whomever believe that b_llsh_t just let them have it.... the money and time they lose is well deserved.

[@mrdgenerate]

49ers Steve young grandpa For real and he played at BYU

[@richardholmes7199]

After listening to that awesome new album from ''Peste Noire'' then this bullshit! Click on my channel and hear the album ''La Chaise-Dyable'' in length!

[@richardholmes7199]

Kinda funny how I DIDN'T say that! I didn't say that Hinduism teaches that the garden of Eden is in the US! I was quoting from a page about James H. Madole!

[@richardholmes7199]

Didn't use quote marks? Didn't think it was needed.

[@gregeads6124]

I didnt know God cared if he got pretax dollars or not.

[@yakojjy]

If women have equal rights, there is honestly nothing wrong with polygamy.

[@darwinsape9901]

I wonder if loving someone who also loves someone else emotionally and physically isn't hurtful... try it and let us know...

[@PADE1RTW]

Wilbur Jenkins The problem with polygamy is that the rich end up with all the women.

[@yakojjy]

Archaeopter X Is that a problem with polygamy itself or just gold digging whores?

[@PADE1RTW]

Wilbur Jenkins It is the result of polygamy. You can speculate on the reason. What would you call a man who hoards women?

[@yakojjy]

Archaeopter X And how exactly IS it the result of polygamy? Care to back up your assertion? Women flock to money now and polygamy doesn't exist in modern society. So where's the connection? You do realize said relationships are consensual right? Plenty of people have polygamist relationships now, they just can't get legally married to more than one person. And its not always your cookie cutter formula of 1 Man + 2 Females. What about 3 guys, or 3 females? Sure, if you have more money you can afford more wives, in the same sense that if you have more money you can afford more children. Not to mention, there are plenty of rich women out there, this isn't the 1900s.

[@11JohnBooker22]

imagine having nothing better to do as an atheist . I really thought not believing in a "God" made it so you didn't bother talking about it not existing. good figure.

[@YY4Me133]

What planet have you been living on, Kolob? The mormon organization and members spent time, money, and effort supporting Prop. 8 in California. Until that time, I knew almost nothing about mormons, aside from the Osmonds and genealogical records, but that un-American activity made me realize that it's just another religious organization that thinks it's okay to violate the U.S. Constitution to further its agenda. If religious people and organizations didn't try to impose their beliefs on everyone else, we wouldn't even notice them, but as long as religion is used as an excuse to tell people outside that belief system how to live, the rest of us are going to fight back.

[@cornbreadatheist2137]

Oh John, your passive aggression is adorable. Here is why it is important. First, we have to live in a society where people vote on things. If you believe in golden plates that disappear, white salamanders, black people being evil, then we are concerned that you will fall for just about anything at the voting booth. If you vote for something stupid because your religion has given logic the cold shoulder then we ALL suffer. Blacks were evil until '78, then a "revelation" from god came right about the time public perception wouldn't let you believe something that stupid. Have I answered your question, sport?

[@11JohnBooker22]

Cornbread Atheist no u didn't.

[@11JohnBooker22]

Cornbread Atheist thx.

[@cornbreadatheist2137]

John Booker Hey, you're welcome. If you want to turn this into a productive discussion, I'm ready when you are. I don't dislike the Mormon people, I dislike their religion. I urge you to look for answers with an open mind OUTSIDE of your religion. If your church tries to keep you from looking at outside sources because they are evil and from the world.....then they are trying to isolate you. Like it or not, racism was a very real part of the LDS religion until 1978. Sarcasm aside, John, tell me how this ideal from Brigham Young changed. It changed due to public pressure. Like most religions, they favor revelation over explanation. If I am wrong, then please show me. I'll read what you have to write.

[@henochparks]

THIS GUY IS A LIAR. I DARE HIM TO STAND IN COURT AND MAKE THESE CLAIMS.

[@BlackEpyon]

henochparks Prove it.

[@henochparks]

BlackEpyon # 1 this guy hid the facts concerning all the money and time is given to the poor around the world to non LDS individuals. #2 churches do not make money and never have in the U.S #3Joseph smith did not admit to committing fraud. #4 Joseph Smith never claimed he had necromantic powers. #5 the urim and thimim are Biblical..thus this guy is basically anti Semitic. #6 this guy uses anti Mormon rumors as fact. #7 the trial he uses convict Joseph Smith of using a "peep stone...there is no law defining a peep stone which means it was a sham trial. #8 this guy took his mothers history out of context and did not give the reference to hide what she really said, these errors are do in the first 6 minutes of this video.. This guy is about as accurate of real Mormonism as the Nazis' version of Judaism.

[@BlackEpyon]

henochparks Churches don't make money? See your nearest mega-church. The appeal to charity does not work, as that can just as easily be done by the secular. For the rest of your points, what counter-evidence do you offer?

[@henochparks]

BlackEpyon first charity is not done only by the secular groups except in communist countries where they hate religion. Second the LDS church gave more to the victims of Katrina than all the secular and private groups put together times 2 Third the LDS church provides a great deal of money every day to feed house and provide medical supplies to people around the world most of which are non Mormon. Again this guy is about hating Mormons. What does Fitzgerald do to help others?

[@BlackEpyon]

henochparks De debunks the bunk. And he spares nothing for Christianity either. I never claimed that ONLY secular groups give charity. Nor does the fact that the LDS group performs charitably give any credence to it's claims. I would wager that he does not hate Mormons, and neither do I. However, I have no respect for ideas that can't stand on their own evidence and/or merit, and I would wager that he doesn't either.