Atheist Experience 23.35 with Matt Dillahunty & Andrew Seidel

[@TheAtheistExperience]

17:40 Noah: AZ: Former Mormon’s Journey out of Beliefs, Being Harassed by LDS 40:25 Trey: OK: Public School Music Teacher Asks About Legality of Religious Holiday Program 1:04:32 Cora: MO: Demonic Possession, Predicting the Future, Fear of Supernatural 1:34:10 Angela: WA: Pagan Hears Voices, Speaks to the Dead, Believes in the Supernatural 1:56:08 George: OK: Relationship Advice for Dating a Christian Who’s Trying to Convert Me 2:07:35 Justin: NJ: I’m God’s Messenger, I Know How the Universe Works, God is a Title 2:15:37 Heathen Hammer: CT: My Dog Barked at Something I Couldn’t See, Evidence for God? 2:21:10 David: FL: You’re Stealing from the Church of Satan, You Can’t Know Anything 2:27:12 Jacob: FL: Proving There’s No God with Fish with No Fins/Scales 2:33:40 Lou: NY: Predicting Future Events with God, Prophecies Will Come True About Me 2:44:35 Luke: NC: Religious Psychopaths, Speaking to Someone Who Doesn’t Value Empathy 3:00:05 Joel: CA: I Feel Guilty for Converting Family Members When I Was a Christian

[@szymon2525]

Brilliant idea. Well done. Kudos

[@jayleneellis9308]

Great! 😜💜😼

[@YasmanyPuga]

This is a very good idea. I always listen to the whole program, though.

[@ClownCarCoup]

you forgot to list 'cough' at 0:00:11

[@Alex_1729]

17:40 This guy is brave.

[@DS-et5gm]

Huge respect to Noah for the courage to walk away from heavy indoctrination and think freely for himself. Way easier said than done and I respect your honesty, humility, and courage.

[@ProudCommie]

DrJames Powers yeah we don’t have answers so? Neither do you

[@Shadowchild695]

@DrJames Powers So many claims. So little evidence. Even if you could prove that a first cause is necessary, you still have to prove that it was conscious, it was a god, said god still exists, and that it is your god. But that is assuming that you can prove there was a first cause. That's quite the gargantuan task you have decided to undertake. Good luck. You will need it.

[@Shadowchild695]

@DrJames Powers Our local representation of the universe is almost definitely finite, but that doesn't speak to what was "before" what we know as the universe. You would have to know the conditions from before the big bang in order to know what you think you know. The jury is still out on how the universe got here and whether or not our universe is a part of some greater infinite cosmos. Pretending like you know the answer is absurd. And like I said, you have to prove the cause had consciousness, is a god, and is your god. There is no good evidence to support any of those 3 things being true.

[@nathanelder2718]

@Warstar Dirtstar, does any sect have the "true" interpretation of the Bible that is inspired by the highest authority?

[@nathanelder2718]

@Warstar Then why should we believe that your Sodomite inDERPretation is authoritative and inspired by the one true source?

[@rickskeptical]

Noah, if you check back on the comments, as a former mormon bishop who renounced his membership, I would be happy to help you through this. I was able to walk away with little reaction from the church, family is something else though. You have a lot of people who will support you and can give you at least whatever advice that comes from their own experiences and successes. If you respond, I will be happy to exchange emails - there is light at the end of the tunnel.

[@HuyVo-gd2cj]

I wish you luck on your journey. You are a brave soul.

[@Time_to_Believe_in_Yourself]

If you need fear of eternal damnation to stop you from being a bad person, then you're not a good person.

[@nathanelder2718]

@RebelFred You miss the point stupid guy. This is about politics and your degenerate cultural hegemony, nothing else.

[@ProudCommie]

DrJames Powers I AM the risen Christ! Because it was written!

[@I_Rayne_I]

@DrJames Powers I'm assuming that you have a relatively average life. In what way is it "blessed", given that there are many people who have a _much_ better life than yours. Why didn't God give you a better life? On the flip-side, why do some people have horrible, below-average lives?

[@ProudCommie]

DrJames Powers I AM the risen Christ!

[@pewpewlazers5702]

DrJames Powers I totally agree with you. I asked god for the winning lottery numbers when I was a very low point in my life, and the numbers came to me in a dream, there were five flowers and each flower had a certain number of petals. I coincided them with my numbers and I didn’t think of it until a month later. I went to cash it in and was totally surprised and won almost 300k!

[@SewerTapes]

Noah from Arizona seems like a genuinely nice person. I'm so glad he called in and received some solid advice and much needed encouragement from Matt and Andrew.

[@champ8605]

@Truthus Maximus is Matt a prick sometimes sure. But go ahead and explain how he is dishonest because he chooses his words pretty carefully and tries not to intentionally deceive like you are trying to do.

[@nathanelder2718]

@@champ8605 You are satanic, filth. You are the continuation of the cultural hegemony that begun in the 60s. We have to fight you or the prophecy can not be fulfilled. The prophecy will not come from anyone incapable of bringing about the Roman Empire on a worldwide scale, nor will it come from people cowering and praying, defenseless. A war must take place to manifest the beginning of the end. You are part of the continuing, Cultural Cold War. The Cultural Cold War never stopped.

[@ProudCommie]

Nathan Elder go away troll

[@ProudCommie]

Truthus Maximus Nathan is better off without garbage

[@SewerTapes]

@Truthus Maximus Atheism just means I live a life minus gods. How is that garbage?

[@2448redbird]

When I hear the emotion in these callers it just kills me. I just hate the damage this crap does to people.

[@hulldragon]

@Truthus Maximus Hahaha, no one rational is buying your bullshit! You're just another raving lunatic; mind befuddled with nonsense fairytales. Even the majority of mostly-rational Christians know that atheist simply, and ONLY, reject the *claim* that there is a god (or gods). There is no dogma that all atheists follow, no logical pathway from not believing in your particular fairytale to killing people. You continue to make yourself look like a moron spouting tired-ass, pathetic arguments like you do. But, hey, you do you...

[@thomaswigfield7623]

Truthus Maximus How many people have been massacred in religious wars throughout history, Dummus Loonytunus?

[@marie-rosedaly4234]

it's outrageous - lots of luck - keep the strong mind - find ppl who on your side - you need a support system, love from Europa ♥

[@mtkoslowski]

2448redbird : Never a truer statement. 👍 *KUDOS PAL*

[@MovieMakingMan]

Religion so abused my friend Marsha it led to her trying to commit suicide. Here’s part of a story I wrote about her. When I was in my 30s I went to a Baptist church because my friend Marsha wanted me to. It was a Wednesday night and the church was packed with hundreds of people. The preacher commenced to belittling and telling everyone there they were all going to hell. He ranted and raved like a madman. He was psychologically damaging everyone in that church. It got to the point I couldn’t take any more verbal abuse so I nudged Marsha and said I was leaving. I hoped she would follow but peer pressure kept her there. I got up and walked down a hall toward the exit. As I walked three women opened the door and walked toward me. They saw I was leaving and they told me in a hateful tone “where do you think you’re going?” I told them “I’m going outside where a real god might be” That really pissed them off. If their eyes were daggers I would’ve been sliced more than a Freddy Kruger victim. As soon as I walked though the exit door I was outside under a perfectly clear sky. I looked up and saw it filled with stars. I thought if there was a god he was outside, not inside that horrible, hate filled Baptist church. A year later my friend Marsha tried to commit suicide. She was brought up by ultra rightwing religious parents who taught her every good thought she had was ‘god’ and every negative thought she had was ‘satan’. She constantly had a war going on in her head between what she believed was god and satan. Her own identity was crushed under the constant war that was going on. Then one day I felt something was wrong. I hadn’t heard from Marsha so I began calling around. I finally got her sister and I was told the bad news. Marsha succumbed to the religious war going on in her head 24 hours a day. She cut both wrists and was sent to a state hospital in Galveston. As soon as I could I drove to be with her. I burst out crying when I saw her in a wheelchair with her arms bound to the armrests so she couldn’t hurt herself. I visited Marsha every day in the Galveston hospital. I had very little money but I used what I had for gas money so I could be there for her. I brought her a poster of a seagull flying across the sun at sunset. She had the staff put it on the wall in her room. After a month in the Galveston state hospital they moved her to the state hospital in Austin. Having little cash I still went to visit her there every weekend. I had a van so I slept in the van at night while Marsha had to go back in the hospital. Marsha told me the poster of the seagull I got her gave her hope. She also told me she wouldn’t be alive except for me being there for her. Marsha was in the two hospitals for almost a year and a half. Not once did anyone from her church visit her. Not once did anyone in her family visit her. So much for those hundreds of ‘Christians’. I’m proudly NOT a christian but I was there for Marsha. I was a good friend who she could always talk with without being judged. She could always count on me being there for her. She couldn’t rely on any christian. Her entire church was filled with judgmental hypocrites. Her parents never once came to visit their own daughter. And they claimed to be Christians. But this story and others are not unique. The level of hypocrisy in Christians knows no bounds. Marsha was a victim of religious abuse like countless millions of others. And oftentimes those victims victimize others by spreading their poisonous beliefs especially to their children who have no defense against their parent abusing them with religion.

[@neb6229]

This show saved me thank you for all that you guys do

[@MacLaw3084]

NEB happy for you!

[@nathanelder2718]

Shut up. You were never in need of being saved in your sheltered, safe space.

[@nathanelder2718]

@Joe Horn You too, Joe Blow.

[@ProudCommie]

Nathan Elder saved from the God Bullshit

[@nathanelder2718]

@Joe Horn You too, Blow Joe.

[@leocrossfield]

These evil atheists have shown more compassion, love and caring than any christian (lower case intended) that I have ever known. Noah my heart went out to you and well-done mate. I have never experienced this kind of indoctrination here in the UK but I know that many people do. I was never personally forced into believing weird religious shit but have read a lot about many religions. I finally came to the realisation that rational critical thinking is the only way to live your life and to boot out all the critical language of 'should', 'have to', 'must'. Just aim to live each day the best you can and not have people make demands on you that just cause you pain.

[@danybrice9466]

Could God be an atheist?

[@stop.juststop]

I always intentionally make the c lower case too. No respect intended or given to that shitty religion.

[@TheGigantium]

@@danybrice9466 I don't think so, that fictional creature said: "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me" Just a jealous narcissistic cruel bitch.

[@chrisccc22]

I love to use the intended lower case. I refuse to give it acknowledgement by capitalizing it.

[@Amoth_oth_ras_shash]

@@TheGigantium aye,....like that guy put to print in his book what a lot of people concluded when studying the behaviours promoted by that religions dogma and its gods descriptions.... even if it existed it just be an extremely unpleasant insecure , narcissistic sadistic personality not even worthy of attention and wholly unworthy of any sort of respect or veneration.

[@gaboquintana3628]

i do remember the first caller 1st phone call with Tracie !!, i am somehow amazed but glad to know he´d canged his mind , great job atheist experience

[@colaboytje]

Great job Noah. He did the hardest part of the work.

[@Richard-jm3um]

How long ago was this, maybe some 6 months ago? I'm missing Tracy already

[@betsyblackbird8098]

I remembered him off the bat! I sat up and said (out loud to no one) "it's the Mormon carpet cleaning guy!" Lol

[@betsyblackbird8098]

@@Richard-jm3um Tracy is life! Lol.

[@kevinsundelin8639]

@@betsyblackbird8098 Oh really? That's awesome!

[@elijahsyoyi7903]

Hi, greetings from Kenya. I started watching this show back in 2017 and to say the least, it has changed my way of thinking and looking at stuff. I had issues with religion since childhood, Christianity in particular since it is the prevalent religion here, but this channel and others kind of cemented my understanding that they are all not true. Being 27 years old, I see my mother struggling with anaemia and arthritis, and it really kills me to see her going to church and another church to be prayed for. And in return, these guys are eagerly awaiting "offering from the sheep" for prayer. Its called sadaka here. Anyway all the best.

[@JohnStoneDavis]

Elijah Syoyi well done, you must be in a minority in Kenya? Hope you have a great life from an atheist on the other side of the world.

[@elijahsyoyi7903]

At John, yea. People over here are super religious, I can tell you that. The issue here is that people don't research anything. The moment they hold superstitious stuff, that's it. Just bringing up counter arguments about religion that's the second you get labeled a devil worshiper or something of the sort. So the best thing, at least for now, is to let people believe there stuff and maybe at some point try to engage at least one person at a time, on an easy angle at least.

[@sinistral9629]

Elijah, I commend you for your move away from religion and embracing a critically-thinking attitude. I can only imagine how painful it is for you seeing your mother suffering and placing hope in the 'power of prayer', which we know is worthless. I've visited your beautiful county many times and have experienced how difficult it is to discuss atheism there. Some people I spoke to viewed non-belief as unimaginable as non-breathing! Do you have anything like an atheist community there in Kenya that offers mutual support?

[@elijahsyoyi7903]

@@sinistral9629 There is none here. Just churches at every corner. And you are right, the superstition here is super strong. One can be easily and very badly alienated.

[@nochoice3132]

@@sinistral9629 iam an ex-muslim in kenya. Although iam not a member, i know there is an atheist community in kenya. Religious leaders have been campaigning for its deregistration. Google atheists in kenya , it's scary how religion dominates all spheres of our lives

[@wesmahan4757]

As a former board member of the local Oregon Chapter of FFRF, I think this was an excellent show. I encourage all non-religious people to support FFRF, and support with your financial help. FFRF often partners with ACLU to litigate First Amendment violations, and gawd knows we need to march in solidarity to oppose the Christian Right when they violate the separation of church and state. Thanks to ACA and Matt for having Andrew on your show!

[@bonniewilber6943]

@Wes Mahan, the Freedom from Religion Foundation is centered in Madison, Wisconsin. If you call that place and want to talk to them, they won't give you the time of day unless you are famous. They only want famous atheists to associate with. I would never buy a book from Andrew Seidel because they are all a bunch of snooty jerks and I am an atheist.

[@lizjoe21750]

I'm so proud of and happy for Noah!!!

[@Vivi2372]

I actually remember his first call when his employee made the bet with him so I'm also super happy and proud he kept listening to the show and found his way out of religion. Wish he wasn't having the difficulties with other folks though. Hope he can make it through that fine in the end.

[@TiNRiB]

Noah's story really touched me (not like a catholic priest). If only more people were able to accept that they can be wrong.

[@chandlercallaway9551]

Haha

[@TiNRiB]

@DrJames Powers atheism is not a religion. It is the lack there of.

[@TiNRiB]

@DrJames Powers I do not believe in a god, or gods. I am an atheist. Done.

[@TiNRiB]

@DrJames Powers The default position, is not to believe, until its proven. Did you become a Christian all on your own? Or were you taught it?

[@TiNRiB]

@DrJames Powers I'm sure you're trolling. Enjoy heaven/hell.

[@vorkvoyd]

The ladies did an exceptional job. Addressed callers and didn't waist time. Addressed the issues without getting in hard arguments. Also addressed tuff issues like it was easy. Just an amazing job. I used to be worried about losing old hosts and now I'm excited

[@jameswest8280]

Let me get this straight, nobody knows anything, but David knows everything? Got it.

[@Visshaldar]

i'm a former Mormon . Noah got me in the feels. i caught a lot of shit for cutting various family members out of my life, specifically my grandmother. when Matt said "if they love you, not the person they think you should be" i actually teared up b/c years ago i told one of my cousins my grandmother didnt love me, she loved the person she wanted me to be and that person didnt exist.

[@captaink5217]

These people calling and claiming they have evidence must really have a low bar for what they consider evidence.

[@joecoolioness6399]

The bar is on the floor

[@abc-yr8nf]

Their bar serves alot of drinks too

[@inertiaforce7846]

Agreed. It seems more like it's an inability to question or evaluate evidence.

[@jasondean88888]

That is essentially the 1st problem trying to be addressed imo. -"You have beliefs, okay. What process did you use to validate the information you used to come to those beliefs?" -"There is suppose to be a...process?"

[@jasondean88888]

@Viktor Tandofsky What's your evidence that you would like to present?

[@patjenkins3032]

Awesome work Vi & Jenna! You are great!

[@vorkvoyd]

I was worried when we lost some people and now I'm excited to see what Jenna and Vi can do!

[@Richard-jm3um]

They have a lot to learn, but I love the new approach

[@FireTemplar]

If she isn't already Cora is definitely a future Nigerian Prince scam victim.

[@arimfshapiro7907]

She seemed to lose her train-of-thought in the middle of sentences.

[@captaink5217]

I was thinking to myself, is there anything Cora doesn’t believe, chakra, crystal magic, demons, mediums, psychics, the only thing she said was crazy was ufo’s-aliens which is the only one that’s not supernatural. Wow just wow, not for nothing but the human race really needs to grow up. I’m sure she believes in triangle power too🤔🤔🤔

[@pumpuppthevolume]

@@captaink5217 anything goes in the magic new age.... when u don't care for possible methods for testing magic claims

[@miguelalfaro-deux5792]

The "like" was strong on her.

[@HorstEwald]

@AugustBlade Agreed! I felt really sad for her when I heard her talk. She seems to simply take anybody by their word and as a result is being preyed upon. Badly. Doesn't it occur to people that it is shitty to make fun of vulnerable people.

[@dronexfun8469]

I can't stand to see people suffer and I hate bullies. God represents both very well.

[@Never-mind1960]

I love how these hosts don't let the theists avoid questions.

[@TheGretsch6120]

Noah... courage my brother! And thank you for calling and sharing your story. It gave me encouragement after being shunned for my deconstruction of evangelicalism.

[@kimweaver3323]

If the church is calling and harassing you, record them. Play if for anyone who will listen. You've read Christopher Hitchens, so this should resonate..... in a debate with Anne Widdecombe and an African Bishop, he said this...... "I don't want this pope to die, I don't really, except for one thing..... for one delicious interlude, there is no one on Earth who claims to be infallible."

[@kimweaver3323]

@Jim Merrilees It was a bloodbath. A joy to listen to. I replay it whenever I need a dose of brutal reality...... "If a person came to my door as a babysitter dressed in holy orders, I would call first a cab and then the police.... and it's YOUR fault that this is so...."

[@adamhouse6305]

I recently bought this book and am in it now. I can already tell that this is going to be a powerful and authoritative resource for countering the mythologies around christian nationalism. BIG THANKS to Andrew Seidel for this amazing work (and to the work at FFRF as well, btw), and to Matt D. and the Atheist Experience for continuing to be on the cutting edge of those issues most relevant to atheists today. Cheers.

[@suzettecisneros1543]

“If people truly care about you they care about you and who you are......not you and who they want you to be” Matt that was beautifully worded and encouraging. I’m currently a Jehovah Witnesses but I don’t believe in the religion anymore. I’d love to be out right now but I can’t do it because I don’t want to be shunned by my family. It truly sucks and I have an elder that keeps asking me where I’ve been and that he misses me and I keep faking it and explain myself to him because I have to follow the rules or else I’ll get in more trouble. I can’t wait till the day when I’m finally free of the religion and I can be my true authentic self and figure out who my real friends are that will show me unconditional love that I’ve never had with the religion. I’ll also keep in mind that sentence you mentioned. Thank you Matt.

[@Never-mind1960]

For Cora MO - After James Randi showed Barbara Walters that he could do the same tricks that Uri Geller did for her, Barbra asked Randi if Uri might actually being using supernatural means to do the trick, James said; "Yes, but he (Geller) would be doing it the hard way."

[@nitehawk86]

Barbara Walters is a piece of shit. She chastised Corey Feldman for "hurting an entire industry" when he exposed the pedophilia in hollywood.

[@seanjones2456]

I'm Bobwuh Wahwah! Randi has a lot of great quotes, but that is one of his best. There is a great documentary about him, I think it may be on Netflix? He is one cool dude.

[@Never-mind1960]

@@seanjones2456 Yup. I think it's called An Honest Liar.

[@Never-mind1960]

This thread drifting into a discussion of BabbaWawa seems to be indicative of the distracted culture of....hold on... SQUIRREL!

[@MisterRorschach90]

I was hearing voices for a couple weeks in my apartment. It was really starting to make me question my atheism. However I quickly realized my wall unit was leaking Freon. I was hallucinating all of it. I replaced my unit and what do you know, the voices stopped and I felt better. I’ve had dozens of experiences throughout my life and logical thought always shows it’s not ghosts or supernatural.

[@techfreak1182]

The obvious answer is Freon is a chemical gateway to the afterlife! It's time I get some and replace air with it!

[@ericcameron281]

Justin is a troll who has called this show 100 times using a different name and location every time.

[@unit0033]

I guessed as much, no one could be that stupid

[@vaguelyawareofstuff2955]

unit 003 Woah! Hang on, no one could be that stupid? Have you seen the show week in week out? 😂🤣😉

[@elecbass100]

I really felt the connection with Jenna and Vi as the last caller. What a helpful and reassuring conversation! Can't get enough of Atheist Experience and Talk Heathen. I can't wait to be in a position to donate and perhaps volunteer even. But there's so many resources and community that would be good to join and participate in.

[@kynanpatram]

Matt, you're by far my favorite atheist. What I love about you is that you're highly rational and logical. You seek the truth, but you base if off facts. You only accept what has evidence. That's my approach too. I wish we could chat one day, but I'm broke and in Canada.

[@sophonax661]

Noah, you are a great guy, I wish you and your kids all the best!

[@nathanelder2718]

Thank you, batshit crazy guy.

[@DJ-73]

Nathan, you're still upset that your mom is more of a man than you.

[@nathanelder2718]

@@DJ-73 I think you have me mistaken for someone else you had a conversation with about your daddy issues. Apparently the eros of bearded women having vile affections for each other isn't a freakshow to you, but a fashion trend, and a statement of power and pride. So I guess you meant that as a compliment towards me, but I can not accept it, sir.

[@DJ-73]

@@nathanelder2718 no it is you

[@nathanelder2718]

@@DJ-73 No, I think it's someone else, D J. we've seen you talk about letting your dad pound your ass like a cave man because it wasn't a sin for the two of you and that's why your mom left him. Remember, we had this talk and you told us you have daddy issues, because he tricked you?

[@MrDanAng1]

About Jacob in Florida: The trouble with showing a fish with scales but without fins is it's a definitional claim. If a fish is a creature with scales and fins, anything we find with scales but without fins isn't a fish by definition. If we go by a monophylatic classification, all vertebrate land animals is lobe finned fishes, so I can show a snake or lizard, both without fins, even a rat or mice is at least partly scaly. The counter question here is "where can I find an unambiguous definition of 'fish' in the Bible?"

[@anonymousjohnson976]

I think the voice in Angela's head was her own.

[@colaboytje]

@Great White Oh, you are the dick claiming Noah was fake.

[@colaboytje]

@Great White No. You are dishonest. You said twice: Noah is fake. I called you out on it and then you said 'it sounds fake to me'. Be an adult and you owe Noah an apology.

[@Shadowchild695]

@Warstar I don't know if you are a troll or you just misunderstood what is going on. The Noah that is being discussed is a person who called during this show. He was a Mormon caller in a previous episode, and he called during this episode to ask for advice on how to handle the pain and harassment he is experiencing.

[@nathanelder2718]

@Warstar What a Dirtstar you are indeed.

[@tatern3923]

@Warstar Woosh...

[@Shadowchild695]

I watched the episode that Noah first called in right before watching this one. I never would have expected him to call back in this way after seeing the original video. I have a lot of respect for him and his willingness to take another look at the things he believed to see if they were justified. I hope things get better for him soon.

[@user-fk6cb9en8v]

I like Vi & Jenna, but I got really frustrated with the way they handled the Luke call... To me it seemed pretty obvious from the get-go what his point and angle was and what he was asking them: Lacking empathy and probably a feeling of guilt or responsibility, how does one develop a secular morality? That‘s a damn interesting question. Their input? Jenna talks about how killing someone with your car might have accidental net-positives. Huh..wha? Since when are we judging actions by their circumstantial benefits and not their intent? Then Vi seems to grasp the questions and simply answers with: Well, why don‘t you read up on morality then? That is like telling a struggling believer to read up on atheism. What‘s the show even for then? Oh well, this grinded my gears more than it probably should‘ve...

[@Maxrepfitgm]

They're not equipped to deal with these type of questions and now the only person really capable of dealing with it is Matt. Damn i miss Russell, Jeff Dee, Traci, and the old crew...

[@seanbirch9663]

@Atheists have more Morals If we don't know, we don't know if it's never a positive thing.

[@user-fk6cb9en8v]

Sean Birch as I said, I don‘t understand how anyone would think judging an action by some unforeseeable consequences and not by its intent would make any sense

[@seanbirch9663]

@Atheists have more Morals It might be, if the person was going to keep other people from surviving. Also, life isn't "about" anything. It just is.

[@seanbirch9663]

@Atheists have more Morals You should look up the definition of "purpose".

[@suemaybury5678]

It is amazing how Matt can maintain his interest in debating the same subject. Speaking as an atheist😳

[@lambofwrath95]

Sue Maybury I mean, I don’t have a show not debate on a weekly basis, but I love debating religiosity. I just like debating :p it’s not necessarily about being right or trying to convince people, I find the whole benefit is hearing others’ opinions and beliefs and informing myself of why they believe that, and when it’s a crap reason, explain my point to them. It doesn’t have to be aggressive, but goddamn I love it

[@patar3323]

@@lambofwrath95 you could almost say you're religious about it?? Lol

[@travisriordan9514]

I love the show and the history of religions, but Jesus Christ, believers, wake up!! It’s seriously not the Bronze Age anymore....

[@travisriordan9514]

@iLonghornful lol, the things you mentioned are not even known by most people, much less popular in the west. So, what proof do you have to believe in zombie handyman jesus?

[@Baekstrom]

Sorry to hear about Matt’s medical issues. I hope he will be all right.

[@Romulusmap]

37:38 About that disagreement with Sam; I don't know if You misunderstood him, or was it due to some poor phrasing during Your conversation with him, but You do misrepresent him here (at least, considering what he clearly thinks at the moment). In the "Making Sense with Sam Harris #91" with Robert Sapolsky, at the 33:18 timestamp, he talks about exactly this point. Please have a look. Thanks.

[@Anon1696]

Thanks for citing this.

[@Romulusmap]

@@Anon1696 I think it's the second (or maybe third) time I heard Matt saying that so I thought it would be nice if that one was cleared out. Thanks!

[@lancethrustworthy]

Impressive, that caller 'Cora' was able to operate the telephone and make understandable conversation.

[@glenhill9884]

Just tell Angela that she was lucky about not hitting the deer. Coincidence. Not a protective spirit or hallucination.

[@inertiaforce7846]

Actually I believe it was the tooth fairy. Respect my beliefs.

[@eve_l]

She said she hit the deer. So turning on the high beams probably froze that deer in place so she could hit it, which made her car spin and almost put her in the path of a semi driving by. So because she didn't die, it was a good spirit. Or it was just a bad spirit that tried to kill her and failed. People come up with ridiculous things to explain a series of events that they think are somehow planned.

[@chrisccc22]

@@eve_l She has the rantings of a lunatic.

[@BassTromBen]

This first caller really hit home for me. When I was 10, my parents got divorced, and my mother remarried. As a child of a huge Irish Catholic family, it was shocking and troubling to have our entire church community and my mom’s entire side of the family shun us. The disassociation was swift and cold, Bd I lost all of my friends and half of my family, simply because my mother wanted to find love again. It was shocking to have them all turn on us in, arguably, our greatest time of need, but it turned out to be a gift, because it started me asking questions. How could their love and support for me go away, because of my mother’s supposed sin? I was absolutely crushed when I found myself friendless and without most of my familial connections, but now I’m thankful that the dead weight is gone. My life is full of quality people, who don’t try to pressure me into believing in nonsense anymore, and who won’t abandon me because of someone else’s actions. Unbelievably, my mother is still religious, after all of this. Her family disowned her, and the church made it painfully clear that she wasn’t welcome anymore, so she doubled down on god. That’s been difficult to witness, because I have experienced the lifted burden of losing my faith, and I wish she could as well, but you can only choose your own path. Anyhoo, good luck to this man. I’m glad his father can be there for him. It’s difficult and sad to walk away at first, but with some distance, I hope he’ll see what a gift it is. Religion stunts your emotional growth, and steals your hard earned money. The shackles are off now, and he can start to explore a reality where you don’t have to feel guilty about being having human desires and shortcomings, and where you’re free to come to your own moral viewpoints. Interestingly enough, I realized that I was wrong about homosexuality, abortion… all kinds of things. I’m now more appreciative and accepting of the needs of others, and less of a judgy asshole, towards people who never deserved my negativity in the first place. I feel like a kinder, more empathetic person, since leaving the church.

[@cjsligojones5101]

Heathen Hammer...." so my dog did this weird thing, and I thought I'd call an atheist show".

[@nitehawk86]

His dog chased invisible things while he was watching the Sixth Sense?

[@JohnStoneDavis]

I’ve seen a dog freak out at a potato, maybe it was a supernatural spud.

[@midnightmalice4501]

Sorry but "I want to talk about my dogs experience" was the funniest thing I have heard on this show. That phrase usually implies at least hearing a story from a 1st person account of events, which you would need if you were going to recount the experience of a being in a situation. Basically, this guy said "I know what my dog saw, and how it felt". I know he meant "an experience I had with my dog". But still funny. Also, yeah, he at least gave the right answer. "I don't know". But that is where it ends. Hopefully that isn't enough evidence for him to believe in ghosts or something.

[@ThrowingStones32]

Joel....bravo brother. The strength to call and express and expose yourself in such an open and honest way was simply ....refreshing, sad and motivational. Ladies...the way you handled and respected Joel...tempered my Rolling Stones " emotional rescue" mantra. I love this channel.

[@SonOfTheDawn515]

2:00:00 Or just don't sleep with married dudes. Seems pretty simple.

[@Richard-jm3um]

Not a good idea

[@ThatOneGirlThatPlays]

Noah, I know the feeling you had, but this time, I was overcome with a real sense of joy. I have a God-shaped hole for some parts of my new thought process, and I'm angry at the church for robbing me of my young adulthood, and yet still thankful for being raised with a set of morals, despite having a God there. I used to really beat myself up over senseless mistakes (sins) and I now feel a real sense of relief in knowing that I dont have to answer to this higher authority except for myself and whomever my mistakes have affected. The real blessing of life is that is it not infinite and every moment counts, but that because it wont be remembered in 100 years, I get to decide what matters in my life. I can shirk the mistakes after I learn from them, and keep the good moments to share. The thought that if I get to choose what matters to me makes me feel a lot more in control than I've ever felt, and that really is a big relief and I feel I can start actually living my own life. Luckily I was brought up in a very laxed ward in WV, where if you quit, they just pray for you. My letter to be stricken from the record was sent back, unopened twice. Havent heard from them since.

[@holgerlubotzki3469]

I have been watching this show for years, but Vi and Jenna were the best ever when dealing with "God's Messenger". Just Brilliant.

[@shanehorvath9711]

The guy with the "lexicon of knowledge" was pretty funny too.

[@funkmachine1984]

Is that the Flying Spaghetti Monster above the axp cup???

[@funkmachine1984]

A Light in the Dark nice!

[@inertiaforce7846]

Holy shit it's real? I doubted it all this time! I used it in arguments against christians! And all this time it was real?

[@FireTemplar]

Where is this lexicon of knowledge, and how do I acquire it?

[@Spidermonkey0204]

Wasn't it the 3rd installment of the National Treasure series that got canned?

[@joshuapayne3937]

Omg that first caller's story is incredible and moving. I really hope his life improves after leaving the church

[@nietzschescodes]

Congrats to Jenna on her 1st time as the host. I like that duo Jenna and Vi. They are pretty cool and interesting together.

[@isaacjamesbaker]

That first call with Noah was really special. Hit me in the feels. Good job helping out a guy who was hurting, fellas.

[@joalcogui]

Heathen Hammer: I think there's a possibility for a "Higher Power" Show Hosts: Okay. Heathen Hammer: Also, this one time, my dog did this weird thing where he was afraid of something and I didn't know what it was. Show Hosts: Okay. Well thank you! We're moving on to other callers.

[@thepowerbill1]

I love Andrew. Wish he would do some debates. Nice to see him getting around a little more.

[@jamesparson]

Noah gets an Internet hug from me.

[@Adam-qy6wt]

The callers in the Jenna/Vi segment were so funny, made my day.

[@thomasgeorge71]

Noah had me tearing up :')

[@sandradevlin1344]

I'm so glad you guys were there to talk to that Mormon because you really touched me with what you said as well

[@holgerlubotzki3469]

Hey Jenna! CONGRATULATIONS on your first ever hang up! WOO HOO!

[@jaredbarr267]

And she had every right to hang up on your sorry stupid-ass David. You sounded like a fucking cretin that should piss off with your worthless bullshit. So fuck you.

[@hulldragon]

@@David-cn6nq If that was you, that was utterly pathetic. You couldn't even answer a simple question: "where is this lexicon of knowledge?" Here, let me help you. If you ask me where my car is, I tell you it's in my garage. If you ask where my TV is, I say it's in my living room. If you ask me where the White House is, I tell you 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500. Notice how *none* of those answers involve talking about science or religion or the weather or the politics of central Africa or ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE FUCKING *LOCATION* OF THE OBJECT IN QUESTION?! So let's try again, "WHERE is this lexicon, about which you were talking out of your ass?"

[@jaredbarr267]

Hey David you dumbshit, a lexicon can be described as a branch containing certain form of knowledge, like a dictionary. And guess what a search engine like Google does... The same damn thing. You’re a idiot if you think otherwise.

[@rogerkreil3314]

I went to church with my parents again yesterday. My father who has MS didn’t get healed again. Then I went to their church picnic last night. I went to the bathroom and I came out. They never got raptured. So I am still sceptical.

[@Sprite_525]

17:40 is the Noah part that everyone else is discussing in the comments

[@darkensdiablos]

Angela: The question that pops into my head is.. If the voice in your head told you to put on the high lights and there was no dear and no semi truck, what would you have gotten out of that? The next question is, You said that you were in the middle of being separated from your husband, which makes me think, that you mentally could be drifting and it's your subconscious saying, "hey, wake up and put the light up, it's really dark" (or what ever the words were) It only becomes a significant thing, because the circumstances were as dire as the were. I've had an experience, where I was painting my bathroom with oil based paint and had a dust mask on (Yeah, stupid I know now) and after some time "alarm bells" ring and a voice says "you've got to get out now!" moments later I'm standing outside, my mind clearing a little and I wonder, "what the h... am I doing here??" I start to remember the alarm and the voice and think.. "Wow, that was a close call, I could have passed out if my subconsciousness didn't bailed me out!" For me, that would probably be the most plausible explanation? what do you think?

[@williameubanks8078]

Having come out of the SDA church, I feel for Noah

[@crackedhands]

William, I also am ex-SDA. I’ll be honest, I think the Mormon disfellowshipped have a harder road than we do.

[@saralopez193]

EX SDA HERE. So happy I'm not alone.

[@musiqal333]

I'm ex SDA too, even though I still associate with SDA people and haven't done the official separation. So I can imagine the pain, the dread.

[@bobbyboywonder12]

I’m ex Mormon. The transition out of the church is extremely difficult, at least for me.

[@saralopez193]

@@bobbyboywonder12 find a good support group. I at least have some family close by who have left the church also. They understand on some level what I have been through.

[@martinthatsall1518]

My favorite bit of the Ark Encounter will definitely be the "EXIT" exit sign

[@candorman9444]

The last debate I saw with "God's Messenger" helped clarify the fact that he's an atheist. All he does is equivocate the words "truth" and "God"

[@captaink5217]

Red Hunteur Right, being bullied is not defined as someone disagreeing with you, the guy seems like a child trying to win by saying no fair.

[@MrTrig84]

I know so many Christians. I try ask them questions that make them think, such as, What is heaven like? What do you do there? And they all have different answers but it’s never “I don’t know”. I also like to ask. Aren’t you going to miss your children in heaven, seeing as they are atheists. The answers to this question are genuinely mind blowing, from, “there’s no suffering in heaven”, “you probably won’t have recollection of your family in heaven” too “my children had a godly experience when they were young so they are already saved”, “they will ask Jesus into their lives on their death beds”. So they basically just answer with any old shit to satisfy themselves and their idealistic image of heaven in their heads!! Crazy. I also like to pose a specific question that they give the most bizarre answers too. The question is - Two people arrive at the gates of heaven, one person was an atheist for their entire lives, he murdered 50 women 50 children and 100 men for his personal gratification but whilst rotting in prison he turned to the bible, asked for forgiveness, accepted Jesus into his life and died a devout Christian - the second person is a 21 year old young man that was raised in the mountains with his family, his family never introduced him to Christianity but lived a good life, had respect for his parents and never harmed a soul but was tragically killed in a freak accident. Which of these 2 people, based on your religion, will spend and eternity in paradise and which one will spend an eternity in excruciating pain?

[@realityrevolution5886]

What does Noah's wife have to say about his deconversion and harassment? curious

[@freedpeeb]

You guys do good. Thank you.

[@alanstone3171]

I would have questioned Cora's rape claim as well. She didnt find out until days after it happened, after she left the carnival? I know it's a sensitive topic but I feel like she was told she was raped and just believed it, like she did with the fortune tellers and Incubus.

[@alanstone3171]

Well it's too late for the law to get involved at this point. I know people will get angry and offended if I push this topic further, so I'll drop it.

[@youweechube]

it seems a strange story and her own memory of it seemed kinda hazy and incomplete in itself, i have no idea how this could even be investigated criminally.

[@youweechube]

@Dirk Knight yes, id accept that it could be investigated but didnt she say this happened many years ago ? thats what i was alluding to into impossible to investigate, any forensics would be long gone and all we have left is hazy testimony and maybe not even a name of the alleged offender.

[@jayleneellis9308]

2:31:11 Fish have scales and fins by definition? There are lots of animals that have scales and not fins. I could point to a sea snake and tell you that I found a "fish" without fins.

[@qwadratix]

I miss the crazies when they used to call in. Come on America, you're letting us down! Ah - OK. I just got to Angela. I take that back.

[@charlieclark2609]

Did you see the call with David form Florida ? It's a craziness gold

[@jaymercha3859]

Maybe the atheists are winning. Not as many theists.

[@mischarowe]

I remember Noah. I'm so proud of him. He sounds so much better now. So much more coherent. Hope you're still doing well, Noah.

[@alaric1170]

Has anyone actually seen one of Matt's magic shows? Just curious, because he harps on about his magician and mentalist abilities all the time. Is he any good?

[@evanwebber9981]

I've tried (with no luck) to find videos of his magic show. I'd LOVE to see it, but I can't find anything! If anyone else knows of any videos, hopefully they'll post it here.

[@brucebaker810]

I was at his table at one of his early conventions. Saw him do a few closeup card tricks. Just casual for a few people after dinner. Pretty good. And that was 8 years ago. He has at least one routine on video. Done for a Skeptic talk. I've seen it on yt. Can't recall title. It was a 4 Jacks type routine.

[@TumbleweedMK4]

I grew up in a public school in a very secular place, but.... then I realised... we never learnt evolution in science..... and as grade 1 kids we did do the nativity scene and had a birth-of-Jesus sing-along. Holy crap, they even got me ffs

[@Hoping4Intelligence]

Heathen Hammer with the dog story... total prank call. Was really funny though!

[@geraldodonnell2595]

Weak minds convince their minds, it's a scary planet to live on.

[@fr1nkly]

Congratulations to Andrew and Matt for trying to help Cora. I hope she watches this repeatedly and learns something.

[@bleedinggreengold5646]

David learned the word 'lexicon' and that was it for him... checking out!

[@doneestoner9945]

He sounds like a nut case.

[@4Mr.Crowley2]

Um, Cora’s call was very…strange. I don’t understand what she’s trying to claim or figure out.

[@jameswilliamedwards1]

I found the discussion on christmas plays and religious songs very interesting. In the UK it's quite common ( Ages 5 to 10, approx) . To have a nativity play, or whole school assembly and sing 'religious' songs. For me personally, in retrospect, I didn't really think of those things as religious. And when my children sang the songs or took part in the plays, I saw it more as just a nice 'cultural' event. A 5 year old dressed up as sheppard in a nativity always makes me smile. I sense the UK is far more secular than the USA, I wonder if that has shaped my observations on these things...

[@jameswilliamedwards1]

@Warstar The US does seem to be a country of contradictions (Not that the UK should be held in any higher regard). Would that not be contrary to freedom of religion and speech, which I understood to be enshrined in the US constitution?

[@midnightmalice4501]

@@jameswilliamedwards1 It is absolutely opposed to it. There was a story a while ago, believe it was in Texas... Not entitely sure but bible belt south, I do know that. There was a 10 commandment display on a courthouse. Satanists petitioned to display a goat head statue or something, and using the actual laws, they won and put up the display. The very Christian community got together and decided that any religious images on state/government land was bad. Wonder why.... It is not very hard to see why Church/state separation is good.

[@glutinousmaximus]

_Excellent post!_ Thanks so much!

[@akujinrushifa5138]

1hr is missing from the video.

[@xebek]

It wasn't fully processed when you viewed it just after the live stream. It's fully uploaded now. Nothing's missing. That's just the way youtube processess long videos. Good to go now.

[@countrylife6572]

Andrew, please talk a little more about your book. I was in second grade in public School when they changed the wording on the declaration of Independence, and still remember it very well. Since I was never indoctrinated, and I think my mother may have been atheist to a point, I become very disgusted by people that try to push this garbage on everybody as if it has been there for all time. I remember hearing something about some woman back then that was trying to stop the wording change. I can't be certain if it was Madeline O'Hara, but the fact that there was someone who was pushing back against this atrocity has probably been my number one reason for continuing to be an atheist all these 65 + years. You do great work at FFRF, and I have been a fan of yours ever since you came on the show. Keep up the good work. Long live America.

[@jasondean88888]

You were in 2nd grade when they made changes to the Declaration of Independence?

[@mellowyellow5427]

Something is wrong with the upload.

[@nitehawk86]

Sometimes KZbin messes up videos when they are first uploaded.

[@Charzilian]

I thought it was just me lol

[@ammarsiddiqui3602]

What's wrong with it 🤔

[@mellowyellow5427]

@@ammarsiddiqui3602 it was starting halfway during the show.

[@jamesy52]

I'm curious; how do you spike someone's weed?

[@Anon1696]

with a weedspike. (which may or may not mean, "a lawn dart")

[@tomlutes3373]

Cora... wow, just wow

[@24magiccarrot]

I know a lot of people don't like the atheist callers, but I think we do need to have more people like Noah express their journey in a public forum, it's not easy making the transition from theist to atheist when it may have an impact on your social interactions with friends and family. As much as we enjoy listening to a theist get a hard dose of Matt it is also important that we support those that need it.

[@arimfshapiro7907]

Love the single cough just before the music starts.

[@jakesoriedem4747]

Sweet Leaf

[@shiny460]

The way Cora seems to shut down at any point Matt asks for evidence if what she's saying makes me think that she's never spent a second thinking critically about any of the shit she is spouting.

[@Virtualblueart]

2:15:00 "Your dog had an experience?" Oh. Just wow. My dog suddenly barks at unseen things quite a lot now we are in the garden more often, seemingly mostly to say "Hey look at how well I'm guarding our place, am I a good boy? Can I have a cookie? Or a belly rub?" B.t.w. ha was probably a troll.

[@borninjordan7448]

@30:19, that rant was awesome!

[@reverendaero]

what happened to the video? note: it's back TYBG

[@no-prophet]

An act of god. :-D

[@kedamafoe2240]

youtube only partly uploads give it about an hour and the rest will show up

[@zenithquasar9623]

Seems like still in stream mode

[@MMAGamblingTips]

Reverend Aero Matt had to leave for a debate

[@reverendaero]

I know, I was watching it live, paused a while back, went to go unpause, had to refresh, now the video is cut off with the first hour and a half missing

[@arsenic1987]

Cora sounds like Boxxybabee. 1:05:45

[@JarlGrimmToys]

Angela should listen to Matt talking about mediums earlier on. Where he pretended to speak to the dead, and he “knew” things about her he couldn’t possibly know. In fact he had 100% accuracy with 3 hits out of 3. He said he was just making shit up off the top of his head.

[@joecoolioness6399]

Plus if she had said, I am 1 of 2, then he would have said, well then you are a family of 4, that's a hit too!

[@JarlGrimmToys]

Joe Coolioness exactly. 2 children and 2 parents are a family of 4. I’m an only child but if I was inclined to try to find a link. I am 1 of 4 cousins, who were close growing up and from the same generation.

[@foxybrunnette]

Wow. This topic seems even more relevant and amplified today!

[@StraightEdgeHeathen]

God should have chosen a more eloquent speaker than Justin.

[@burkhartonline]

Just downloaded the book on Kindle. Can't wait to dive in this weekend.

[@captaink5217]

Angela, when you’re on a lonely road and you don’t know to turn on high beams because animals constantly jump out, why doesn’t your angel tell you to always turn your high beams on since almost all of us do on lonely roads. I can’t believe the human species is so utterly childlike and just believes such utter nonsense. Metaphysical the infamous word that believers use when they don’t have evidence. Also how far in the future can this entity that helped you see, why didn’t the voice tell you that a deer will jump out at you at this very spot at this exact time, don’t go driving on this road?

[@LilithNobody]

1:05:43 Matt's face drops at the carnival "peggins" 😂

[@scarab36319ify]

Haven't started yet but the thought of 3 hours 14 minutes of goodness ... 😍😍

[@donatsu8]

Hi Matt. We love you. Please take care and stay safe!!