Bible Scholar Bart Ehrman Leaving Christianity

[@MythVisionPodcast]

Sign up for Bart Ehrman's free course here: mythvisionpodcast.com/bart-why

[@jamesblack4411]

It's a painful process growing away from God. It's hard to reverse how I was raised but I'm trying and really enjoy your show brother

[@Sev7enthseal]

Romans 1: 20 For ever since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through His workmanship [all His creation, the wonderful things that He has made], so that they [who fail to believe and trust in Him] are without excuse and without defense. Folks the eye itself is so complicated it did not just happen. What are the chances of almost all life having eyesight? Ask yourself why is man and woman the only mammal that hair continuously grows as long as we want it? Why is mankind the only one out of billions and billions of life forms that is conscience? Folks God is real and I don't have answers to this world I only know I can look around as Romans 1:20 says and see everything is beyond chance and coincidence. God Bless 🙂

[@MarcillaSmith]

From a Trinitarian perspective, I think people want to jump to the Creator without starting with the Holy Spirit, and I think it's completely backwards. As we say in the Mass, "the Holy Spirit gathers us." Until one has experienced the Holy Spirit, I think searching for the Creator is in vain. If you do not know God, seek the Holy Spirit. When you feel its presence, seek to cultivate a relationship. It's not easy. One does not become an athlete by seeing proof of someone else's strength, or by understanding how a muscle works. While one may be inspiring and the other informative, neither is a substitute for exercise. "Putting ones faith in keeping fit" does not mean an abstract belief that fitness is possible. Faith in the Spirit is like that, too.

[@markgallemore8856]

@@jamesblack4411 I feel your pain. Letting go of things that you are comfortable with is hard. But pretending to hang on to beliefs that can’t be demonstrated makes no sense. Let go,look at the universe that we find ourselves in. It just works the way it works I personally don’t see agency. Nobody’s ever provided any evidence that the universe has agency. Human beings can do things we have agency. The universe has properties that we call physics like the speed of light in a vacuum, the strong nuclear force, the weak nuclear force, electromagnetism and gravity. These things just do what they do,no agency required. I hope this helps because we together is the only thing that I know can do the doing that needs to be done. Welcome to the atheist community where we don’t know everything but we’re free to ask questions that don’t end with that’s a mystery or God did it.

[@Maximus01776]

Well another one that goes to hell, nothing that we can do, everyone chooses their own path

[@HassanRadwan133]

When I thought about the reasons why I don't believe in Christianity, I realised that many applied to my own religion (Islam) and this realisation contributed to me eventually leaving Islam.

[@ant2011]

If you made a video about your journey, I (and many others) would listen/watch

[@I-AmTheLiquor]

Congratulations sir! Hypothetical questions can really help in the deconstruction process. 🍻 🤝🏼

[@abeniwineawine]

Well you never owned any from your beginning .Welcome

[@khaderlander2429]

Do you think about your own mortality and what happens when you die?

[@mohamadromzee7394]

If you believe there is a god and then god would not have left mankind unguided by default Islam is true and the Quran is true. The only problem is that you did not probe further and ask the right people to clear your doubts. Goto The Muslim Lantern, EFDAWAH and Blogging Theology.

[@tomsawyer8525]

When I was in school whenever we came across an error in a textbook the entire book was suspect for further instruction. Have I said too much?

[@gattaca5911]

typo or "earth is flat" error?

[@oldbiker9739]

good point ,very good point , I'm a mechanic if the manual is incorrect we just screwed up the whole life of that engine .

[@shahidachoudhury6925]

A constitution is not comparable to a textbook . So yes you said something which is not worthy to think about 😅.

[@gattaca5911]

@@shahidachoudhury6925 the constitution is the textbook that has been updated and addendums (amendments).

[@tomsawyer8525]

@@shahidachoudhury6925 I wasn't talking about the constitution. I was referring to ANY holy writings whether it be the bible , the koran or quran. If there is an error in any of them it is not the work of god or any god. It is the work of man and should be avoided.

[@Barnestm]

I am 70 and from the age of 16 (senior year of high school) until two weeks after my 20th birthday (beginning of my third year of college) I was a Roman Catholic seminarian. I lost my faith in seminary. Long story. Too long for here. But basically Christianity was a 'head' thing in seminary and not a 'heart' thing like I thought the Bible portrayed it. It was not about how you lived but about how you 'believed' whatever the hell that means. My family was extremely Catholic growing up but in my forties upon reflection I realized that we were 'cultural' Catholics and not believing Catholics. It was our tribe. We really had no faith. I think most Christians of any church are cultural Christians, not believing Christians. If you asked me 'what is your faith now?' I would say, I really do not know. And that has been okay for me since my early twenties. As I move toward the exit door of life I still do not feel the need to have a faith in the traditional sense of that word. For some reason it is much more important for me to be centered within my own life on a daily basis than it is to believe in some sort of Zeus like figure sitting in the clouds and his human son the Savior. Saving me from what? Life? Pain? Confusion? it is not possible. That is part of the human experience. The centerpiece of Christianity is Salvation through Jesus, the Christ. But I must ask myself, salvation from what? And it is done by a mythic figure that probably never existed? When it comes right down to it, Christianity started as a Mystery Religion like all the other mystery religions and it is still that way. Now what?

[@mohamadromzee7394]

Have you looked into Islam?

[@mohamadromzee7394]

@XboxxAye Dear Brother, If there is one god and if he will not leave much of mankind unguided then by default Islam is true. Jesus peace be upon him is not God. Whatever " ridiculousness " in Islam it cannot be worse than the main doctrine of the trinity and original sin in Christianity.

[@matthewkopp2391]

The Trinity is not a ridiculous idea. The problem with Christianity is they abandoned much of Greek philosophy by early Church leaders. It is based on Pythagoras who influenced Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Neo-Pythagoreanism was a competing religion and philosophy of the time and did not give credit to it. But many Christians were Pythagorean. The idea is there is one Supreme God the Monad, but God has a female principle the Holy Spirit, and a male Spirit the Logos (which was also associated with regeneration). The Pythagoreans did not believe one was a real number, they believed three was the first real number (a triangle) and as Plato suggested, the world had a hidden geometry that could be discernible by the mind. But it was also an idealist philosophy: Form of a perfect triangle in our mind, then the Idea of Triangle must exist. Many early Christians saw Plato as one who spoke the Logos, but then assigned Jesus the embodiment of the Logos. The Logos is an aspect of God, God’s word, imminent in the creation, while God the creator was transcendent and absolute. Whether Plato‘s idea conforms 100% to modern science is irrelevant, as his basic idea of a discernible mathematics of the world is true. Christianity today seems to have abandoned reason for blind faith. But there main criticism of reason is that it was not the total Logos (truth) and they were correct on that as well. All that said, I have no interest of being part of a Church, or becoming Muslim either. Religions are an impediment to the truth, as they create an artificial boundary of inquiry. I am certain of that. ⁠@@mohamadromzee7394

[@mohamadromzee7394]

@@matthewkopp2391 Dear Brother, Jesus peace be upon him eat , drink, rest and sleep. He prayed to the Father, prostrated to the Father. He in the bible said the son does not know the Hour only the Father knows the Hour. He in the bible said it is not his will but the will of the Father. So clearly they have not the same knowledge nor the same will. It is clear that they are not one being but two separate beings. The christians ignore explicit verses and depend on ambiguous verses to justify their claim. Can that one being know and not know the Hour at the same time? It is not logical. It does not matter what the pagan greeks believe we just need to look at the bible. Also if you want to use reason and you carry out a process of elimination , you don't have to prove Islam is true, by default Islam has to be true provided you establish certain "axioms".

[@matthewkopp2391]

@@mohamadromzee7394 You say that Jesus and God are not one being but two separate beings. This is irrational. God is the totality of all being. So Jesus is not a separate being from God. And neither are you or I a separate being from God. Humans beings experience only a fragment of the totality of being which is God. Christianity conflates Jesus with God because of the quality of his Truth. So I agree that is in error. But you are in error believing that human beings are separate beings from God. That is an illusion. Perhaps Jesus saw through that illusion when he said I and the father are one. But we are all one with God. But we are in denial of this fact most of the time. That is God says his name „I am that I am“. He us being, ground of being, totality of being. and human beings are not separate only think they are.

[@DA-yd2ny]

"Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." ..... came to mind half way through this video. Like everything else in life it's either take it or leave it. Good luck to both of you.

[@mavrosyvannah]

Is that the common misunderstanding of your generation or region on the world? How have you solved that impossible reality you described?

[@DA-yd2ny]

@@mavrosyvannah depends what your understanding of freedom is.

[@salparadise1220]

It's been some months since my faith disintegrated. Christian friends try to have the sorts of conversation I used to have with them but it doesn't work anymore. Their words are absurd. Their willingness to believe silly things and call it a test of faith to do so, is just indefensible. I know I was like that too, once. Freedom from this is very sweet.

[@monitudor1050]

A silly thing is believing you came from amoeba!

[@Conn30Mtenor]

@@monitudor1050 there's more evidence for that than there is for Genesis.

[@monitudor1050]

@@Conn30Mtenor , give examples!

[@salparadise1220]

@@monitudor1050 The one does not necessarily follow on from the other.

[@monitudor1050]

@@salparadise1220 poor answer!

[@andrewroach5138]

The fear of Hell was something I struggled with a lot even when I was still a Christian. I grew up in an Evangelical church and you would always have people giving testimonies about "I've been a church going for 20+ years but I had never really accepted Christ, and now I have." So I would always think to myself, am I one of these people who thinks they are Christian but Christ would say "depart from me, I never knew you" to. It's something people have to process in their own way. Maybe for some people it is as simple as going back to their Christianity. For me it has just been something that has kind of faded the further removed I have become from my faith days.

[@reinercelsus8299]

I was already done with this Hell nonsense when I found out that the original word they used was in fact not Hell but Hades and that the superstitious ideas of punishment were just an obvious rip-off of Tartaros from Greek mythology, just adopted and written down by obvious losers that happened to fail all the time in the real world and which had obviously been ruled and influenced by Greeks for centuries.

[@Observation-ch9hc]

Yall gonna find out after death. Simple as that!

[@Charlotte_Martel]

@@Observation-ch9hc Absolutely LOVE how the followers of a loving deity always resort to threats of eternal torture for those who don't believe in said deity. It's almost as if there is no objective evidence of said being.

[@Charlotte_Martel]

My heart honestly goes out to you, mon ami. My mother primarily raised us Catholic but for several yrs, she attended a Pentecostal church where they pushed that rubbish. Kids were actually sick in fear that they had moments of doubt which now negated their salvation and would doom them to hell. People got "resaved" sometimes on a monthly basis. So toxic.

[@Observation-ch9hc]

@@Charlotte_Martel i’m not threatening anyone “ma chère”. Anyway you don’t believe in hell you shoudn’t be worry about it!

[@timfallon8226]

For me it was experiencing depression and realising that God would not respond to my cries for help. Any God that would allow his child to suffer that pointless torment was a sick sadistic monster and I wanted nothing to do with such a being.

[@CheknoEternity]

Ever since I left religion my depression has declined immensely. Funny how that works.

[@CheknoEternity]

@@leafarasta4517 There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds. When a man is freed of religion, he has a better chance to live a normal and wholesome life. Irrevocable commitment to any religion is not only intellectual suicide; it is positive unfaith because it closes the mind to any new vision of the world. Faith is, above all, openness - an act of trust in the unknown In other words, a person who is fanatic in matters of religion, and clings to certain ideas about the nature of God and the universe, becomes a person who has no faith at all. Western religions are more concerned with behavior, doctrine, and belief than with any transformation of the way in which we are aware of ourselves and our world. The trouble with many religions, accused of wishful thinking, is that they are not wishful enough. They show a deplorable lack of imagination. The style of God venerated in the church, mosque, or synagogue seems completely different from the style of the natural universe. The religious idea of God cannot do full duty for the metaphysical infinity. We seldom realize, for example that our most private thoughts and emotions are not actually our own. For we think in terms of languages and images which we did not invent, but which were given to us by our society. Many people think that the Bible is the authentic word of God and they worship the Bible, making it an idol.

[@timfallon8226]

@@leafarasta4517 How often do the Gospels record someone coming to Jesus for healing and him just leaving them to suffer? Jesus does not heal people because he can't, he is a fictional character. People may as well pray to Sherlock Holmes for help solving a crime.

[@manonthemountain]

God allowed Paul to suffer and many others. James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kind because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything. There were many of Jesus’s disciples who faced very difficult situations. Paul suffered terribly. He cried out to God why did you put this thorn in my side. He asked God for the relief of death. His body was so broken, but the word had to be spread. It wasn’t his time yet. A lot of them were persecuted and jailed and murdered. Remember though Jesus said that if the world hates your just remember that they hated me first. I hope you consider these words that I have given you and your come back to your Christian lifestyle. You need to get help with your depression. There are many ways to fix it..I suggest medication, therapy, exercise and eating well. Also living for others is a great cure. Go volunteer somewhere…It’s easy to get stuck in a rut and most people don’t like change. Look at the Israelites they were content staying slaves of Pharoah than listening to Moses and Gods promise of a promised land to them. I’m praying for you. I get depressed too but allow it to strengthen you. Like the Bible says if we only had faith the size of a mustard seed we could move mountains..We just need faith

[@ErikFlores-f8q]

lol if everyone was supposed to be happy all the time then we’d be robots

[@eddyj3862]

Fear and guilt are the main tenants of organised religion, period!!!!

[@maleface5693]

Nope,it's all about free will,fear is on ur conscience

[@oldbiker9739]

its just a 10% paid social club .

[@Maximus01776]

Same as the government, l bet you are triple vaxed yet you don't complain, then who's brainwashed

[@PartiallyT]

You say it as if who leaves religion becomes brave , it's like when gai ppl celebrate their sexuality.

[@eddyj3862]

@@denniseb.9086 I am a human being who does not buy into blind faith, and i am someone who uses my own God given mind to ask questions about everything that does not sound right or agree with me.

[@Charlotte_Martel]

Really looking forward to these lectures, particularly addressing the need for community and finding meaning post deconversion (something that I very much struggle with).

[@charlesritter6640]

Me too. Do you lie to friends and family to keep the peace?

[@Charlotte_Martel]

@@charlesritter6640 Absolutely. My closest brother knows, but it would likely cause my father to never speak to me again if he were to find out. Given that he's quite old, I plan to not "come out" until he's gone.

[@Ken_Scaletta]

I think deconversion has stages of grief. After denial and anger comes bargaining and I think bargaining is expressed by people trying to find some acceptable approach or set of beliefs that will allow them to keep identifying as "Christian," even though they have to change their own definition of :Christian" to do it. Eventually this stops working because it's still not true, it's still constantly contradicted by reality and reason and eventually that Christian Lite faith fades away too until they're left with a set of abstractions like "love your neighbor" that really have no necessary dependence on any doctrine. After bargaining comes acceptance and that acceptance becomes easier over time.

[@russellmiles2861]

It may have for you ... Best not project your feelings onto others.

[@charlesritter6640]

I agree 100% it felt like a friend died. Like a really bad breakup. Once I determined the bible was wrong, there was no turning back. I'm still trying to live like Jesus just without being religious.

[@uncleanunicorn4571]

at this point, worrying that it all might be true anyway is like wondering if the con-man who stole grandma's pension might somehow secretly be telling the truth.

[@AlexRubio]

John 10:30 " I and my Father are one."

[@becomingultimate6119]

Derek, I am currently undergoing the PTRS - PT religion sydrome. I have followed mythvision for a while now. I reside in Nigeria a country that is huge on religion especially Christianity. (southern Nigeria) I also happen to be a Pastors Child but I have always had questions. You mentioned an aspect of your journey out of the faith where you began resorting to scientific explanations or atleast logic and reason in explaining phenomenon. I went along that same path as well. Now I know that existence tends more to mathematical and scientific explanations than even religious ones. Spirituality understood through a mathematical lens, which i now subsribe to, would have been more helpful for me. Once you know, you just can't unknow.

[@mohamadromzee7394]

Why don't you look into Islam?

[@beautyistifanus8794]

Religion is faith, you don't need proof ,all you need is to believe 💯 🙏

[@mohamadromzee7394]

@@beautyistifanus8794 That is called blind faith. Then it's just not Christianity you can apply it to all other faiths. Goto The Muslim Lantern, EFDAWAH and Blogging Theology for the truth.

[@matthewkopp2391]

Science has provided the best explanation for the material world. There is more than the material world. But I would not recommend organized religion to investigate those issues. Especially organized religions that advocate blind faith and to completely abandon reason. I would recommend Carl Jung’s writing, he was also a Pastor’s Child. But took an empirical approach to issues covered by religion. I would also try to understand the ideas in Nigerian culture before Christianity and Islam, like Yoruba religion. Not that it has special authority, but for two reasons, to preserve the culture, and to understand the cultural unconscious that operates under regional Christianity and Islam.

[@markgallemore8856]

@@matthewkopp2391 i’d like you to consider this not everything is possible but everything that is possible in our universe. I will label natural and just because we don’t know everything doesn’t mean that it’s not natural science is a method by which we try to explain by using the language of mathematics and make models to communicate these ideas to other human beings. There is no need for the label supernatural because that’s included with all things that are possible. The things that are possible are things that the physics of our universe allows for. We are investigating those things and we don’t have all of the answers. We don’t even know if we’re asking the right questions. If you have an idea think of ways to prove that your idea is wrong so you don’t have to waste so much time trying to prove it’s right just to have somebody else after years of work tell you why your idea is completely stupid. “ Faith is the excuse that one gives when you have no evidence to support the claim or the evidence provided isn’t very convincing”

[@danielmccann4055]

Just a story I heard once: 'The operation had been done before. Attempted before. Failed before. The problem now was consciousness and time. He need more time. The appointed time. He had been speaking privately to Judas - Judas must delay them long enough to give him time. Looking over the Disciples: they were a collection of fear and trepidation. Not one was holding consciousness for more than a few seconds. They looked up expectantly when they saw him. They needed strength; how could they give it? "Could you not stay awake for even an hour?" Then, he smiled, "Remember, just have the faith of a child and it will be well with you." "You will see paradise with me."

[@josiepens4480]

Derek I follow your channel everyday. Aside from the immense info I derive from it, I have another reason. You remind me of Kevin Costner. 31 yrs ago I watched Dances With Wolves and had a crush on Kevin. At that time I was pregnant with my youngest son. In August of the same year I gave birth and naturally I named him - Kevin! However 12 years ago I lost Kevin to an inoperable brain tumor. I am now 72, retired and continues to cultivate my mind through podcasts such as yours.

[@oldbiker9739]

so very sorry for your loss , I know how it feels ,I lost a brilliant 18 year old son in 1994 I'm 71 years old and still miss him .

[@jasonbennett5120]

As someone who is questioning everything, I often find myself asking how I could be so fortunate to be born in a nation birthed from Christian ideology. I want to believe it all but it seems nonsensical that my beliefs are/were wrapped around fear of eternal damnation. I try to be the best version of myself day in and day out but it’s hard to wonder why “Christians” who take advantage of others, gossip about others, tear down others, etc. are “favored” by a God that seems to look right past me…

[@KevinHoganChannel]

A different and very important conversation with a fine man.

[@theunclejezusshow8260]

He helped me a lot

[@onceuponareset-ho7fg]

Yeah...he must work out.

[@j.wright8157]

"Faith means the will to avoid knowing what is true." -Friedrich Nietzsche "A belief is not merely an idea that the mind possesses. It is an idea that possesses the mind."🤔

[@iciek]

Precisely what I've been saying for years. Although I started off as a Christian, abandoned it, I eventually returned with an alternative understanding that others just cannot perceive from their perspective. Living is a journey of learning but fear of the unknown seems to have the effect of people demanding a straight jacket to provide them with a sense of security. I'm signing up 👍

[@mohamadromzee7394]

Why don't you look into Islam? If Christianity is false by default Islam is true.

[@hansblitz7770]

Oh yes. You're such a Smarty McSmartguy that nobody could possibly understand your super duper smart interpretations. Wow. I'm impressed.

[@russellmiles2861]

I'm interested I imagine you just gave lib service to the Ark, virgin birth, damnation, god thing ... What did you actually feel ...

[@odinson6348]

Others just can't conceive? Pretty convenient excuse.

[@picitnew]

It's kind of a red flag for me if someone claims other people cannot be understand their thaughts. Why isn't this a red flag for yourself?

[@alexwilson7555]

I find this topic very interesting. It's very similar to why I left the faith. I was heavily involved in reading the scriptures in Hebrew and Greek, but I couldn't reconcile what was written with how the church acted. I was thrown out of the church and yelled at by the head pastor in front of the congregation. That was my beginning. I knew that the right path was the one least travelled. Since formally leaving YHWH, I've discovered the true peace that surpasses understanding. I also started remembering my previous life and the transition between life, death, and rebirth. Religion doesn't prepare us for what's beyond. But we are here to learn and grow for that realm beyond. Thanks for sharing!

[@TremendousSax]

Can you tell the story of how you were thrown out of the church and yelled at? Yelled at for what? Did you yell out a rebuttal in the middle of a sermon?

[@mwola]

Then Blessings to God CHRIST coz by prophet ISAIAH prophesied hear yu will hear but understand not: See with yur eyes but perceive not.. Let's yu perceive and get healed! Book of prophet ISAIAH 6:9-10 Yu understand Holy SCRIPTURE is not a Story book!

[@ludwigmises]

One perplexing thing about Christianity is that the disciples that Jesus personally trained were essentially usurped by Paul, who never studied under Jesus. And some of those disciples didn’t ever write scripture. Whereas Paul, for example, jettisoned the entire dietary restrictions of the Tora simply by relating a dream he had. That must’ve left poor Peter and the others scratching their head. “Gesh, I’m glad you didn’t have a dream saying murder is ok.”

[@AndrewGonzalesArtistry]

The meaning of the dream wasn’t to discard laws of kashrut. A sheet with all manner of animals (clean and unclean) came down from the sky and a voice said “kill and eat”. Since there were clean animals, the option to eat was there, but since they had been mingled with the unclean, it was a belief that even the clean animals had been profaned. This is an analogy of the lost ten tribes (kosher people) being mingled with pagans… and yet, they shouldn’t be regarded as unclean. I think it even says, paraphrasing “and God showed me that I should call no ‘man’ unclean”. Paul never did away with any Torah, written or oral. He mostly dealt with goyim, in whom the law does not apply in the same way.

[@colinm610]

It was Peter who had the dream - not Paul.

[@Giorginho]

Paul did study under Jesus, your atheistic pressuppositions aren't relevant here

[@ludwigmises]

@@Giorginho Paul (Saul) may indeed have heard Jesus in person when he was alive, but he wasn’t sympathetic to His teachings; he wasn’t a believer. He persecuted Christians up until he had the road-to-Damascus conversion. Remember he claimed that Jesus appeared to him and asked, “Why do you persecute me?” So, yes, I’m an atheist, but my claim in this regard isn’t a “presupposition” if you’re going by the Bible.

[@colinm610]

@@ludwigmises Paul went into Arabia some time after his conversion and was caught up by the spirit to the third heaven and taught by the Lord in ascended form and as per the the Acts 15 council he corrected Peter and they all agreed about dietary laws and circumcision laws not being a requirement for gentile believers that's all. He as a Jew still kept the law and taught as such. So your myopic misrepresentation of his teachings are dishonest or misinformed. A little knowledge as they say is dangerous and sometimes deliberately biased and deceptive.

[@charliepiston3169]

All scholars will eventually stumble upon Arrius Calpurnius Piso and then the illusion collapses. But regardess, the universe remains the same as it ever was - magnificent.

[@vespasian266]

I'm a Christian still, though I also know the story is myth. what i do is attempt to live by a moral code based on what I took from the Christian myth. self sacrifice for the good of others, defending a principle that roots you. and generally trying to be nice to people. plus other qualities I adopted from the jesus story. I'm not wedded to every aspect of this moral code at all times but it does guide me in my actions. or, at least I like to believe it does.

[@1jw298]

You aren’t a Christian if you don’t believe Jesus Christ is the son of God and sacrificed himself for all of us.

[@rafidarramdhanr3487]

we Muslims warmly gladly invite you to the Nation of Islam

[@matthewkopp2391]

@@1jw298​​⁠If Jesus is the Logos, and one of the definitions of the Logos is Reason, then you are not a Christian if you have abandoned Reason. Which apparently you have.

[@1jw298]

@@matthewkopp2391 are you talking about “mans” reasoning? If so, then you should read the Bible more. God works in mysterious ways far beyond our own reasoning.

[@ManIsKind369]

I think most do not understand what it means to be a Christian. To be a Christian you become a Light bearer, Christ or Christos mean Light. Christians are Light bearers for what-is-good. We all know that wherever the Son’s Light shall fall, that’s where Life will grow. Christians hold the Light of what Is-Good. Jeseus and Christ are not the same. Jesus (actually named Yeshua) was a person who filled his chalice with Light (Christ) and tipped his cup to many along his way. People have lost the true pagan Christian ways, they were the original Christians, well before Jesus, I mean Yeshua✨❤️✨

[@TheThinkersBible]

Not sure why this is presented like it's something new. Bart Ehrman left Christianity a looooooong time ago, he's spread that everywhere he could for years and years. The video title should have been "new online course by Bart Ehrman" because that's the only thing new.

[@mattd627]

I've never understood how anybody believed even as a child I thought it was ridiculous I remember being in Sunday school I must have been 5 or 6 and hearing the story of creation and my first question was if God created everything who created God and they couldn't give me an answer.then Noah even then I could understand that it would be impossible.They finally told my grandma they didn't want me there when I told the teacher I couldn't understand why God would become human to save us it didn't make sense then and still doesn't now.

[@mohamadromzee7394]

Have you looked into Islam?

[@1jw298]

There had to be a perfect sacrifice to pay for our sins. Jesus Christ lived a perfect life abiding by Gods laws. He was the perfect lamb.

[@mohamadromzee7394]

@@1jw298 In Islam you are accountable for your own sins. You repent and ask forgiveness from god and you try to compensate your bad deeds with good deeds. God the all merciful will forgive you if you are truly sincere. That is how you pay back for your sins. You don't get an innocent person to die for your sins. That would be unjust and god is not unjust. Other than the trinity the concept of original sin also does not make sense.

[@rotorairgroup8409]

I had the same problem but with Satan punishing the sinners for breaking god's laws. He should have praised them instead.

[@matthewkopp2391]

⁠@@1jw298The perfect lamb is at Athena Greek Restaurant in Chicago‘s Greektown.

[@33lonely]

thanks a lot never regret following you.❤

[@danilosanches2810]

"Bart Ehrman leaving Christianity"... Jesus, Derek. You're learning about this just now ? 😂

[@tonijoncevski8607]

That was exactly my initial thought. Having listened to it it makes sense what they are doing.

[@Marah493]

What I’ve never understood is why some people think they know everything… yet few can explain string theory or barely know what the nitrogen cycle is… yet they say they have no proof of God’s existence. The truth is that they DO believe in Him, but don’t want to be told what to do and want to live how they want to… no restrictions. I also think that’s why so many accepted the theory of evolution when it was first proposed. There was no longer a need for a Creator…. Do as I please.

[@dalevarley4143]

I stopped going to church from the age of 14 to 27 and converted back to Christianity through a spiritual event and then my faith was strengthened by my studies. I bet it would be difficult to find meaning if your worldview changed from hope in a resurrection to a realization that this life is it and you will never see your loved ones again or experience the pure love that Jesus demonstrated.

[@saintejeannedarc9460]

What was the spiritual event that brought you back to Christianity and what kind of studies did you take that also strengthened that faith?

[@dalevarley4143]

@@saintejeannedarc9460 I’m 68. When I was 27 I was convicted by the Holy Spirit and I audibly heard a message from God “don’t worry I will show you where to go”. I moved and met a Christian woman who I married and now have 4 children and 12 grandchildren. I already had a Biology degree and a Medical Technology degree. My studies led me to believe the universe is fine tuned and all life was created. I also believe in the resurrection which has only been strengthened by my studies of the Shroud of Turin and apologetics material such as Cold Case Christianity. I did autopsies for 6 years and lab testing for 40 years including management so I’m not accepting things by blind faith.

[@dalevarley4143]

@@eternalwhitezombie My dad never went to church. He hunted and fished every Sunday. I considered what I was giving up because I also love life. You are right that Christianity is a sacrifice and there are conflicts and suffering following Jesus. My faith compels me to chose to believe in Jesus. There are experiences within my Christian journey I am thankful for also. I have been serving in a Christian camp for 3rd to 5th graders from inner city neighborhoods in Texas. We cook three meals a day for about 200 people and serve them for a week. I never went to a church camp growing up. It’s very gratifying to see the joy of these kids and the joy of the high school and college counselors.

[@dalevarley4143]

@@eternalwhitezombie I agree. I think my comment was directed at the mental transition from one worldview to another. My transition from living my early 20s to being immersed into a Christian culture was difficult for me. If I didn’t have such strong faith that Jesus is real I would have been tempted to quit. it’s a much richer life for me now so I’m glad I stuck it out.

[@bretteumont657]

Most of the Old Testament is stories from older Sumerian text. But the Sumerian Gods also believed in the One Creator. Jesus existed his name Yoshou probably spelling it wrong. And traveled all over the ancient world studying the mystic text and was truly enlightened preaching love and the One True Creator

[@zt3823]

I love Bart Ehrman and I'd like to read his books and study him but I'm still a Christian I just love learning new ideas

[@atheistinprocessmyway9635]

Sometimes the process takes too long... But you are getting there.

[@zt3823]

@@atheistinprocessmyway9635 I don't think the process is in the direction you're hoping for unfortunately. I still appreciate knowledge, knowing Jesus of Nazareth was real is something to me! Thank you for reaching out though!! We see the same evidence we just don't agree on the conclusion and I don't think that's anything to hate each other over. Neither one of us, nor can anyone, prove what happens after death, so we'll just have to take that individual journey when it's time and find out. Good Luck to us ALL✌🏽

[@atheistinprocessmyway9635]

@@zt3823 Don't worry, keep learning and take your time 😉

[@br1qbat]

His books aren't really about his faith to unfaith journey, just scholarship on the bible, what we know and how we know it.

[@zt3823]

@@br1qbat Yes Im very interested in Misquoting Jesus and plan on obtaining it!

[@markfrancis4384]

The works of Bart Ehrman have brought me closer to Christianity than ever. Not as a 'believer' but to an understanding of why do we even have it. It's a touch stone.

[@TheRareOcelot]

what

[@off6848]

I've always known this guy as the guy who tries to prove Jesus never existed.. how could he leave a faith he never had?

[@deanvinson4032]

I’m running to Christianity!!!’

[@mjmartin5060]

Bible Scholar Bart Ehrman Leaving Christianity....30 years ago 👌

[@andrewrivera4029]

My wife and have started going to a southern Baptist (SB) church and I’m struggling with saying “I’ve been saved” when I’ve grown up in the Roman Catholic Church that dictates that you “are saved”. I like the idea of being closer to the scriptures and not being dictated to by the pope. I do believe in the savior and our lord Jesus Christ and that as an utterly sinful person we accept His grace but stumbling in sin every day I find it hard to say “I’ve been saved”.

[@oldbiker9739]

I was a JW for many years , but there was no evidence for my faith to keep going ,so I followed the money and found that religion is a 5O1c3 UN corporation , that was it for me left in 1990.

[@iciek]

I always invite door to door evangelists inside to discuss religion if ony to learn different views. Jehovah's Witnesses are the most common so I tend to know quite a bit about them. Ultimately they seek to put themselves between you and your concept of God. Their Watchtower organisation is the very opposite to what it purports to be and forbids personal puruit of understanding. Because of their stance a survey across the USA discovered that JWs were by far the most ignorant of religious organisations from a general education point of view.

[@blusheep2]

A 501c3 is just a non-profit, is it not? Why would that turn you off?

[@kthomas3280]

Mr. Bart sure likes his biblical scholarship…..very similar to the Jewish scholars that spend their whole lives reading the Old Testament. I wish him the best. “always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 2Tim.3.7 Embracing the truth of Christ into one’s life transforms a persons life. Be doers of the word not merely hearers comes to mind. ☦️☦️

[@youngknowledgeseeker]

Most people I hear about leaving Christianity really are leaving "their particular denomination" and it's methods and mindset of exegesis, reasoning and/or lifestyles". Particularly conservative fundamentalists leave with quite a passion. Few times do I ever hear people so staunchly and emotionally leaving the simple critical exegesis of the words of Jesus, with that basis of faith being their starting position.

[@Sketch_Sesh]

Yeah .. for me, I’ve left institutionalized or religious Christianity.. but I still hold onto the fundamental teachings of Jesus and the 10 commandments.. I’ve also left Paul’s teachings cause he seems to contradict Jesus and the real apostles who actually walked with him.. I’ve shifted more into conscience congruent, personal development frame

[@youngknowledgeseeker]

@@SamVSwain why must it always be within or only within. Why can't it ever still be without 😅?

[@Coronaboii88]

@@Sketch_Seshcan you point in Paul’s epistles where he contradicts Jesus?

[@Sketch_Sesh]

@@Coronaboii88 I can start you in the right direction for your own research.. Paul says we’re saved by “Grace”, not by works, the Law of Moses is finished and that Paul still sinned but it was his “flesh” and not really him doing it because his “spirit” didn’t want to. Jesus gives many parables about works like “make every effort to enter through the narrow gate”, “cut off your hand and gouge out your eye to stop yourself from sinning”, “the talents parable”, “not one jot or tiddle shall pass away from the Law” etc…

[@Coronaboii88]

@@Sketch_Sesh can you please give me chapters and verses?

[@2FollowHim777]

I said 'hello Yehoshua, Lord' so many years ago and it's only gotten stronger. And so logical. Look around at the chaos in the world. A loving God, with standards, wanting what's good. To escape His wrath at what was done to what didn't belong to them, is a great feeling, reality. My life's a miracle.

[@emailvonsour]

Average believer's writing skill:

[@toddmiller7876]

What's a Christian? The word gets thrown around so freely, you would think they wouldn't hate as much as they do. The thing is to differentiate believing in Christ, and following him, versus calling yourself a Christian and following humans.

[@devilwithaharp]

would like to hear Barts take on near death experiences. misquoting jesus had a profound effect on me, then i came across some nde stories that made me think it might be ok to believe there is something on the other side, i just don't know what it is.

[@mohamadromzee7394]

Have you ever look into Islam?

[@gattaca5911]

drop the belief on faith and get comfortable with not knowing....better for your health.

[@foreverpure8975]

​@@mohamadromzee7394 All of the 45,000 religions are man-made socio political control systems. Made by man to control men.

[@mohamadromzee7394]

@@gattaca5911 Ignorance is bliss only until reality strikes. By then it's too late. Goto The Muslim Lantern, EFDAWAH and Blogging Theology.

[@gattaca5911]

@@mohamadromzee7394 "only until reality strikes" - trying to sell garbage by threatening the gullible.....no sale & gfy again.

[@nathaniellopez6438]

I too was raised to believe until I was older and decided to search for answers myself. I never thought that I would become atheist ⚛️. But it was inevitable after discovering that the Bible is not credible at all. History proves otherwise. The understanding of the Bible is being taught as true, but it is far removed from the truth. The stories came from earlier versions and paganistic beliefs in ancient times. The God's of the world were a creation of mankind. Superstition, astrology, philosophy, hyperpleaserized stories from different cultures mixed-up with new godlike characters kept changing from generation to generation. It's amazing how much religion plays a huge role in the minds of the masses. Judaism, Islam, Christianity and the rest zre are just versions of earlier beliefs centuries in the making.

[@mohamadromzee7394]

There is one god and he sent prophets to all nations. Many were rejected and their teachings corrupted. The last messenger is Muhammad peace be upon him. Have you looked into Islam in detail?

[@iciek]

@@mohamadromzee7394 Isn't the Koran the most corrupted of religious works. Whilst Mohammed's message may have been authentic it has clearly been added to bv a person or persons unknown who have no more than a human perception of the A;mighty.

[@youtubeuser9497]

So, what's the truth?

[@iciek]

@@youtubeuser9497 Only you can determine that. That's why we all live in illusion.

[@mohamadromzee7394]

@@youtubeuser9497 If you seek the truth the first question you should ask yourself is does god exist? The one who created the heavens and the earth. Do you believe god exist? Advert. Goto The Muslim Lantern, EFDAWAH and Blogging Theology.

[@txdoubletap8509]

This is your public testimony/baptism a digital copy for the whole world to see. 🙏🙏🙏🙏.

[@beltigussin81]

If you don't believe and leave Christianity it changes nothing about the existence of God and the mission of Jesus.

[@VetusBarbatus]

And if you really believe, you will never quit.

[@peaceandfood7952]

😂😂😂😂 you guys are funny

[@peaceandfood7952]

Yeah and you can pray as much as you want you're still gonna go see the doctor...

[@beltigussin81]

@@peaceandfood7952 God created the doctor and gave him his talent. Can't escape God my man

[@peaceandfood7952]

@@beltigussin81 oh ok so if you are all powerful and you can fix anything you create an intermediate it's more fun right ? Either god cannot do it on its own(not that powerful) he likes to play or he doesn't exist...looks like you can escape humans son...

[@yoursoulisforever]

I hope Bart still believes in a loving Creator. The miracle stories are not the important part, not even close. What's important is the personal relationship we develop with God in our hearts. And the lessons and example of Jesus is a wonderful way to begin that relationship. As for the miracle stories, I don't need them.

[@rodrigorivers2469]

No, Bart is an atheist, as he has repeatedly stated for decades.

[@yoursoulisforever]

@@rodrigorivers2469 I'm new to his content.

[@rodrigorivers2469]

@@yoursoulisforever I see. I would recommend for you to check out his blog! I would also recommend for you to look into the work of other scholars, like Dale Alison and Larry Hurtado. The latter has a blog too!

[@OceanusHelios]

Glad to see the both of you. Here is my understanding of the Christian purpose: to promote and spread the faith and authority of the bible and their church. As a lifelong purpose my purpose has always been the same: for this world to be a better place somehow, even in the smallest of senses, because I was born. I hope to leave this world having saved a few lives (I have saved about 8 lives) and to leave a bit of kindness and love and take from others or this world the least that I have to and give the most that I have to give back to it. If all that means is helping people understand science and nature, or having had occupations that helped provide for the needs of people, or just by being a kind friend, I hope that I served my purpose for being alive. And if I do none of those things I want my purpose to be that part of the universe that learns of itself. This is why I love science.

[@markgallemore8856]

Well as far as I can tell Human beings are self aware but the universe is not,and I don’t have access to the Cosmos “all that is and ever was” so that’s a hard truth that I’m going to have to live with and I’m fine with that. How amazing it is just to be able to ask the question”why…..” The colossal book of baffling BS is not for me. I think you know which collection I’m talking about. That doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy learning about how this ancient literature has changed over time. And it’s cultural influence both good and bad.

[@Justas399]

Here is the implications of atheism: “Live totally for self; no one holds you accountable! Indeed, it would be foolish to do anything else, for life is too short to jeopardize it by acting out of anything but pure self-interest. Sacrifice for another person would be stupid.” Ayn Rand

[@mohamadromzee7394]

Have you looked into Islam?

[@Justas399]

@@mohamadromzee7394 Islam makes false claims about Christ and the New Testament.

[@mohamadromzee7394]

@@Justas399 Islam claim that Jesus is just a human and not God. That is true and that is the primary claim.

[@victormc2878]

I find religion disempowering. Living your life for Christ doesn’t make sense to me. Why don’t you live life for yourself. Doing everything In The Name of Jesus. Why not do everything In Your Own Name? Fulfill your potential by giving power to yourself !!!

[@theunclejezusshow8260]

Nice work

[@healthfadsfade]

I have listened to Bart thoroughly so I'm not hastily jumping to this conclusion. It's absurd when he says him leaving (and remaining committed to this departure) had nothing to do with his scholarship. Of course it did. I actually agree with the fundamentalists when they call him out on this.

[@phillipcummings3518]

He literally contradicts many of his book's points and it's shocking he's upheld as a great scholar.

[@healthfadsfade]

@@phillipcummings3518 Man, I read "How Jesus Became God" and it's quite good.... I haven't read any of his other works.

[@MrStupidHead]

If scholarship means reading and studying, then yes. That is how he has come to his conclusions. Dont all pastors encourage you to read and study? "Read, mark, and inwardly digest" is the injunction.

[@healthfadsfade]

@@MrStupidHead they absolutely do not. They encourage people to discard contradictions without a second thought and appeal to narratives above critical thought. The transformation of Jesus from the synoptic gospels to the later gospel of John is completely absurd for example. It also makes complete sense if you study mythology with just an ounce of intellectual integrity. Overarching point: Christianity is just the latest brand of mythology in the west. The fact that it’s lasted a while doesn’t lend any credibility whatsoever.

[@zacharyjohnson7740]

I left Christianity two years ago. Yes it was sort of traumatic, but I personally think it’s better to live in a world where people can just be true to each other and not bullshit about anything that isn’t real.

[@tiger23800]

I left Christianity a long time ago. For me, I started out young seeking God. I think I was in my teens. The more I search, the more I turn away from being a Christian. I'm not an atheist but I believe in a God but not a Christian's God.

[@cozakokotano6448]

Jesus is not God.

[@thinker8107]

Then think about Islam bro, believing in the one almighty God, no father no son. The First without a beginning, the Last without an end, a religion to all races, not believing that a certain race is the superior race

[@giuseppesavaglio8136]

We, 'society' are the unfortunate inheritors of ideas first steeped in the fear of the unknown, then ritualized by superstition and then forced conversion administered by ruling governments. It's been a hard fought battle to first understand the unknown, then educate against superstition and finally get governments to loosen their hold on the power, forceful conversion has 'blessed' them with. Cheers to all our ancestors who survived all that and have given us the gift of seeing the other side of the ignorance tunnel.

[@jaja9081]

Wo survived atheism and its politcal System called socialsim that came in the first place that is all about control and stealing? Indeed

[@juliastyles6223]

If you are born knowing right and wrong having faith or no faith shouldn’t change that. I’ve experienced the Divine in my life outside the Biblical narrative so I find now none of what’s “myth” or not changes my relationship with the SOURCE 🎉

[@JG-lc5mq]

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

[@marytodd9170]

Amen!!

[@leuken6424]

He is! Amen! This is simply a sign of the times.

[@RafikKhan-ol4zk]

prove it

[@cozakokotano6448]

​@@RafikKhan-ol4zk you will not find proof.

[@daodejing81]

Wow, you can quote Scripture. Too bad you don't know what it means.

[@MarmaladeINFP]

Why do I rarely come across Bible scholars who are liberal or leftist Christians? I ask that as someone raised in a socially liberal and progressive church. I wasn't raised to take seriously literalism and fundamentalism. So, studying Biblical scholarship had zero threat to my theological beliefs and religious experience. Neither has any other area of critical thought posed any direct undermining of my early religiosity. I slowly shifted toward agnosticism, but I never really renounced my faith either. I simply drifted into increasingly open in my views about the world.

[@PasteurizedLettuce]

largely because they dont make it obvious, honestly. Liberal Christian scholars on the whole end up doing scholarship very similar to Jews and atheists, it’s only fundamentalist Christianity which produces scholars which dedicate themselves to apologia in this way

[@sweetxjc]

Because religion, family, and tradition is important in conservatism. These are all things the Bible upholds. So only religious Christians do it. Liberalism rejects these things and is okay with atheism, the individual over the whole, and anti-tradition.

[@PasteurizedLettuce]

@@sweetxjc I’m not sure the Bible consistently praises ‘family’ I mean polygamy is normative in the OT and Paul wants everyone to be celibate

[@brynawaldman5790]

I think religious Christians who are leftist go for political activism over having a church & a congregation. (Did you know journalist Chris Hedges is a minister? I forget which denomination . . . .). MLK Jr & Cardinal Romero were leftist Christian clergy whose activism mattered more to them than conducting Bible study classes. Mother Theresa is another example. And I don't think he was minister but Albert Schweitzer was a devout Christian. Dietrich Bonhoeffer is another example of a minister whose main efforts were to fight fascism, & not to run a church Parrish.

[@Baysunrise]

I think it makes this life more important knowing this is all there is.

[@tonijoncevski8607]

You have to have a certain amount of belief in some "Christian stuff" to be a Christian. Liberal Christians are just playing semantics. I finally and fully left the Christian faith six months ago and I was a Christian for 33 years, 22 years of which I was a Presbyterian minister. I tried the liberal Christian thing for 11 years and I know from my experience that that is being a "cultural something" rather than being a Christian in any meaningful sense.

[@HAAKHA]

I have similar thoughts about it. It is practically not doable to follow "the will of God" / "the law of God" if there is no actual communication from him or at least preserved record of it.

[@dmichael100]

Same here. I was a believer for over 30 years and eventually acquired advanced degrees in theology. I considered being a more "liberal" Christian but I knew that wouldn't fly. I don't believe in the supernatural. I don't think anyone ever raised from the dead and you have to assume the resurrection of Jesus to be a Christian.

[@tonijoncevski8607]

@@dmichael100, I don't buy the "stuff" of the Hebrew or the Christian so-called holy books, none of it. I do, however, believe that there must be something other than me and the matter of this world/universe. I've looked into comparative religions and I can't come at any religion. Yet, for some reason, I can't believe that I am it and this is it. I am still working through things. I have listened to all the scholars MythVision is has put me onto and I am learning much. I now actually understand the Bible (I have multiple University degrees in theology and I learned very little of use from them) as it was written and within its context.

[@matthewkopp2391]

I gained a lot from certain liberal Christian writers like Paul Tillich, and it is not merely „cultural Christianity“ it is philosophy. However, after reading Tillich, I see no use of confining „ontological inquiry“ to the parameters of Christianity. In fact the great gift of our era is we have access to all traditions and philosophies which can inform a person. I find value in the basic Christian ethic, but religion is an arbitrary boundary. If a person is interested in such ideas, why not read the Gita as well. Or Schopenhauer, or Jung, or all that Orthodoxy called a heresy? The general „spiritual“ task is know thyself. So why should any one impose ignorance onto oneself if they took that seriously.

[@mohamadromzee7394]

Have you looked into Islam? If Christianity is false by default Islam is true.

[@michaelmcgee8543]

Atheist should equally question the other religions too.the others all the way up to witch craft should be questionable.

[@gemsstr7933]

It's amazing how people get into religion, almost like politics and patriotism. This tribalistic aspect of group think is just mind blowing. You don't need any mind altering drugs.... just join a jesus ❤

[@zakkonieczka6811]

Fortunately atheists are impervious to such mortal imperfections

[@gemsstr7933]

@@zakkonieczka6811 yes, or so they do think

[@russellmiles2861]

It isn't really: most folk are indifferent...they aren't that bothered by the Ark, miracles, resurrections thing. Whereas a few make a emotional commitment and then experience a crisis of faith or two.

[@gemsstr7933]

@@russellmiles2861 you got a point there. Good one

[@russellmiles2861]

@@gemsstr7933 I'm touched ... Thank you

[@craven1599]

Havent watched in full but should we be welcoming the good dr onto the fold? Welcome dr bart! Welcome to the world of us.

[@rodrigorivers2469]

He has not been a Christian for decades... Derek simply makes it seem like he's leaving now to get more views and scare Christians.

[@briancharters8720]

“ They went out from us because they never were of us.” “ Let everyone who does not love the Lord Jesus Christ be anathema.” “ He that believes on the Son has everlasting life, he that believes not on the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides upon him.”

[@dfpolitowski2]

That in a nutshell. It's not complicated. Scriptures very clear God requires us to believe by faith.

[@dannylo5875]

What I have a problem wh an have discovered that things cannot be said to unite both Stem and these other things. So yeah. It fragments because we start to approach an era of humanity that used to exist but now is unapproachable and on in lesser forms.

[@godschild2432]

Professing to be wise they became fools

[@theunclejezusshow8260]

Yeah, That's an All Inclusive statement. So called Christians too

[@iciek]

That is precisely what Jesus taught in respect of adherants to the law but in this case Bible. It is incredible how many Christians embrace a limited understanding for fear of the unknown. Accepting Dogma from a book whilst dismissing the experiences of others is irrational.

[@phillipcummings3518]

@@iciek You have to dismiss many people's experiences because not everyone's experience is true. Most people's viewpoint of themselves is an illusion.

[@epicofatrahasis3775]

The fool says in his heart there is no God, the wise man shouts it from the rooftops.

[@theunclejezusshow8260]

@@epicofatrahasis3775 What name does he shout?🧙‍♂️👺🔥

[@stevebeary4988]

Thank you Bart

[@Justas399]

So what nonsense does Bart embrace now? How does he know what he believes is true with some facts? Bart needs to read Ayn Rand: “Live totally for self; no one holds you accountable! Indeed, it would be foolish to do anything else, for life is too short to jeopardize it by acting out of anything but pure self-interest. Sacrifice for another person would be stupid.” Ayn Rand

[@Justas399]

@@JustADudeGamer there is no compelling reason to do good if atheism is true. Your life is meaningless anyway. “There are no gods, no purposes, and no goal-directed forces of any kind. There is no life after death. When I die, I am absolutely certain that I am going to be dead. That’s the end of me. There is no ultimate foundation for ethics, no ultimate meaning in life, and no free will for humans, either.” Cornell University atheist William Provine

[@pbohearn]

@@JustADudeGamer it is called “enlightened self-interest.”

[@epicofatrahasis3775]

Oh look, the troll Justanass399 is back.

[@patrickwoods2213]

@@Justas399 I’ve heard the Dr. Provine quote from other Christians. This is so stupid. You’re going to base your understanding of other atheists based on what one guy told you? My life as an atheist is supposed to be meaningless because Dr. Provine thinks it is?That’s completely moronic and intellectually irresponsible.

[@PasteurizedLettuce]

Here’s a compelling reason to do good; I like other people, I have a love of humanity, of life and consciousness, I care deeply about them. I want only the best for our world and it’s inhabitants, I want suffering to cease and peace in our time.

[@welcometonebalia]

Thank you both.

[@hlnbee]

All paths lead to God.

[@MykolasGilbert]

I drive on the GRASS!!!

[@1jw298]

No, the narrow path (Jesus Christ) leads to God the father. Every other path (wide path) leads to destruction.

[@FinHammer]

​@@1jw298Thank you for the sermon.

[@1jw298]

@@FinHammer I’ve got a few hours if you want to hear more

[@amen5552]

​@@1jw298Perhaps you should spend these hours to ascertain whether you are truly follow Jesus, or whether you follow the pagan church and its lies in the name of Jesus.🙂

[@LTDan-hu5fq]

That day will not come until a great falling away happens first, we do not know everything but we have enough information from the word to obtain salvation by faith in Jesus Christ! I am staying with Jesus all the way to my end!

[@spiritualanarchist8162]

I just stick with being agnostic. If there's a god, he/she/it obviously didn't leave one rulebook for all .If there isn't a god we just die and that's it. Either way, it's no use worrying about it.

[@robcostello6788]

If you do not believe in Jesus and give your life to him- There is Nothing else!

[@alexmckenna1171]

Oh dear.

[@godschild2432]

Correct

[@CharlesPayet]

Weird how I’ve had a more fulfilling, happier, more amazing life since leaving Christianity than I ever did before.

[@HamadaSolamon-vf6zq]

Why would I give my life to someone who eats,drink,sleep,get tierd,get hungry,born,die,weak not strong ,can't protect himself,...,...etc Son of man , son of mary ,created by THE CREATOR

[@HamadaSolamon-vf6zq]

There is ONE CREATOR ,worship Him alone without partner assosiated . "O Israel THE LORD is THE GOD and THE GOD is ONE "

[@Sten111]

Am a 72 year old sceptical practising Christian. As Christianity professes selflessness, love for others, the marginalised, social justice etc subscribe to the faith in terms of Paschals wager.....that there is value in adhering to a faith which more or less endorses your own ethical outlook.

[@onesimustarigan968]

I knew people wanted to get out of the Christian because they can’t perform the moral conduct of the Christ. Most of them also having a disappointment in their live where asking God but never get an answer as they expected to have..

[@gilsegura8587]

This is also revealed to us everytime he said that the kingdom of God is at hand and that it is in us...in otherwords the kingdom of God is right here and now within us as our true nature (spirit). We have an ignorance problem in that we are misidentified as our soul and body instead of our true nature as spirit

[@tales-from-this-crypt]

the great falling away? in the land of the leaving, everyone eventually be leaven' god (it's part of the script)

[@rickysdadl4256]

Two men that are so impressed with themselves

[@bloodgrss]

As you seem to be falsely with yourself...

[@chrismarston3917]

I believe in a creator because no science can explain this existence. After that most of the oldest text tries to teach how to be good humans. The manipulation by man of those text created the problems we face now. Some say try this religion or that one but in the end they have all been manipulated to fit a certain narrative. Let the inner you drive you in a direction that let’s you be a better person without the over hanging burden of constantly trying to meet an unattainable reality.

[@reinercelsus8299]

All religious texts ever have been invented to create a certain narrative to begin with and created problems themselves by spreading claims about so-called holy truth. All of them are about biased and mostly deluded views of just uneducated, gullible ancient people. You don't need any alleged creator if you don't want to believe just like they did.

[@blusheep2]

What you are choosing to do is to create a god by looking in the mirror and when you do this you only succeed in creating a very shallow God.

[@jonjohnson445]

10:31 Those people haven't been persecuted. If they have, then not enough.

[@alschneider5420]

I appreciate what Bart Ehrman is saying and his efforts. My path was drastically different than his. I was raised to believe in god and pray. At the age of 12 I read an article in a magazine by Ayn Rand. I have no clue what it was about. However, the word atheist appeared in that article. When I saw that word, I knew that was me. I eventually got a degree in physics and became a computer guy making machines that serve people, like pacemakers, airplanes and so on. I am bewildered by people that cannot see the vastness of the universe. Touch any aspect of life and look inside of it. Each has a universe unto itself.

[@isaacvipin]

God created the vast universe

[@alschneider5420]

@@isaacvipin Gee, no one ever told me that. How did you find out? Oh, you read it in that book that contradicts itself. The one that says he created light before the sun. or that he gave man free will then killed them all in a flood because they thought different than him? Oh yea, thanks for the info.

[@lostagain6518]

Goodluck ! I'm content. I'm a Christian. I've know loss big-time. I've seen values, morals and principles. I've seen people who are willing to defile body, mind and spirit. Free tickets eh. I'll take the holy trinity free all it takes is faith not blind faith heartfelt faith. It works .

[@Deadinaditchofficial]

Wow- call me ig’nint, but Ehrmans books helped solidify my doubts about the Bible’s legitimacy when I knew I was leaving the faith, and so I had always assumed Ehrman wasn’t a believer. Unless you’ve endured that scenario, it’s almost impossible to comprehend the difficulty when abandoning everything you knew to be true, in honoring something growing within you that feels like real truth. But it’s abandoning your safety net in life, you no longer have faith your god will always be there to catch you. It’s committing social suicide in many cases. It’s like a break-up, but more profound. There’s a lot of deprogramming, a lot of admitting your thoughts were wrong, and it takes a long, long time to be truly free from faith. it’s very humbling, it’s very surreal. I agree with James Baldwin who said: (paraphrasing) “because I was raised religious, and no longer consider myself to be anymore, I’ll never consider myself to be truly free.” The further you get from the church especially, you begin to see how much self gaslighting you performed on yourself in order to live with the cognitive dissonance. And you begin to see just how fucked up Christians and Catholics are- that none of them are anything like what the book tells them to be. And how intolerant (and intolerable) they are. When you begin dropping the usual phrases and signifiers in conversation with them, you definitely experience what it’s like to have a conversation with them, and what it was like having a conversation with you! I definitely suffer from having less assurance and can get overwhelmed when I imagine how immense the scale and indifferent the cosmic play without a God and Angels and heavenly realm to fill our universe leaves us. Insignificant and unimportant.

[@williammourningcrow6000]

Unfortunately, I was brainwashed as a child. Taken to church every Sunday until I started asking question that no one could answer and I was told that your just need faith. So I turned to SCIENCE!

[@CheknoEternity]

@@CharlieBravo887 turning to science is way better than following ancient fairytales like the Bible 🥱

[@CheknoEternity]

@@CharlieBravo887 Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too? Who is more humble? The scientist who looks at the universe with an open mind and accepts whatever the universe has to teach us, or somebody who says everything in this book must be considered the literal truth and never mind the fallibility of all the human beings involved? It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. Having to spend eternity pretending to worship a petty tyrant who tortures those who insult his authority would be more hellish than baking in eternal flames. There is no way such a bully can earn my admiration. Life will be wonderful when men no longer fear dying. When the last superstitions are thrown out and we meet death with the same equanimity as life. No longer will children's minds be twisted by evil gods whose fantastic origin is in those barbaric tribes who feared death and lightning, who feared life. That's it: life is the villain to those who preach reward in death, through grace and eternal bliss, or through dark revenge. Irrevocable commitment to any religion is not only intellectual suicide; it is positive unfaith because it closes the mind to any new vision of the world. Faith is, above all, openness - an act of trust in the unknown In other words, a person who is fanatic in matters of religion, and clings to certain ideas about the nature of God and the universe, becomes a person who has no faith at all. Western religions are more concerned with behavior, doctrine, and belief than with any transformation of the way in which we are aware of ourselves and our world. The trouble with many religions, accused of wishful thinking, is that they are not wishful enough. They show a deplorable lack of imagination. The style of God venerated in the church, mosque, or synagogue seems completely different from the style of the natural universe. The religious idea of God cannot do full duty for the metaphysical infinity. We seldom realize, for example that our most private thoughts and emotions are not actually our own. For we think in terms of languages and images which we did not invent, but which were given to us by our society. Many people think that the Bible is the authentic word of God and they worship the Bible, making it an idol.

[@PIASOC]

If people can’t answer your questions, i’d suggest trying another church, like Catholicism (which has deep theological and philosophical backgrounds). The bible is mostly meant to be taken allegorically. These people that dismiss the bible as ‘fairytales’ are missing the point. Mythology, no matter what form, communicates messages of wisdom across generations.

[@tatie7604]

Good luck. Science will also lie to you.

[@tatie7604]

Jesus said he spoke in parables-- not literal statements.

[@richardperry5366]

I think it is important to read what the naysayers write in the comments. I was once a naysayer but kept listening and seeking the truth. I now am a nonbeliever in the existence of God. Therefore, I hope the naysayers keep listening and hopefully find the truth.

[@rodrigorivers2469]

What exactly did you find that make you change your mind?

[@edabreu7871]

It’s amazing how over thousands of years the story of our relationship to the unknown has changed over and over again. We crave salvation, but from what? The psycho nightmare of the New Testament revelations or the finality of the Old Testament or from ourselves? Seems we are on the cusp of another major change of our understanding of what life is.

[@sabriya7647]

How is taking about why someone left a religion considered ‘a course’?

[@lancemarchetti8673]

Most of the testimonies I've heard of people 'leaving' Christianity never seem to include any breakdown of why they believe Jesus lied to the world in John 3 about humans needing to be born again. Our first birth through our human mother's , and our second birth through the Spirit of God when we encounter Truth. This issue seems to get swept under the rug, or they just don't want to unpack their 'deconstructing' to that level... just curious...

[@luke14.26]

Fine he lied about malachi 4 5 that he failed ...happy?

[@lancemarchetti8673]

@@luke14.26i was expecting a studious response with some deeper thought to the passage. But thanks for trying. 🤗

[@luke14.26]

@@lancemarchetti8673 I agreed he lied

[@Lepewhi]

I stopped going to church years ago (Catholic). My reasoning was first taking a theology course and studying comparative religions and finding the pagan and Greek origins of many of the beliefs of Christianity. This class was taught by a priest? I was sitting there wondering why he is still a Catholic. I call myself as non religious. I'm actually an atheist, but don't like the label, as it seems to me like it means against god I can't be against something that I don't believe exists.

[@jonjohnson445]

7:01 Who or what was attacking this "soldier for Christ" is what I want to know. Soldiers get attacked.

[@saintejeannedarc9460]

So sad. He's left the faith and now offers a course to evangelize loss of faith and hope in a joyous afterlife w/ our ultimate God and Creator of all, tragic really.

[@ZareenDevraj-mu3eo]

Interesting.

[@clovismeaux9532]

Like Korn said you already got the life.

[@DasWortwurdeFleisch]

How come Bart cannot afford a regular microphone ?

[@hesicast]

You have to first be in the faith before you can leave it. The ideology you were in is a self governing text book Christianity. How can you know something by just reading about it?

[@AewonWolf]

Here is something that was revealed to me, That has me still as a follower of christ despite finding the Bible as very much fallible, but still a source of Godly wisdom. This revelation helped me a lot and hopefully it might help you if you choose it to. The word of God is a life source like water is. Water starts of pure from the source and as it makes its way to us, many impurities are added to it the further we are from the source. This is why it is necessary to filter or purify water before you consume it, otherwise it will no longer be a life source and will rather make you sick or worse cause death. The men who wrote these scriptures and many other religious scriptures attempt to package this life giving water to appeal to their audience adding their own biases and experiences to something that is pure. This is the same way Coca Cola uses mostly water but it is definitely not good for you yet people prefer it more than they do pure water, despite it being very bad for their health. People recognise the thirst quenching water behind these scriptures and choose to consume them wholly ignoring the many impurities and additives added to it by the men delivering the scriptures. This is probably why the people who blindly follow and consume these scriptures as if they are pure water cause so much pain and destruction in the world. The filter that we should apply to scripture in order to remove the impurities and find God, is Love! God reveals him/herself to us through everything and everyone if we learn to filter with Love. It’s on us to find God through the filter of love and then we will find the kingdom of heaven is within us. Look within and you will find the kingdom of heaven, it can only be revealed to you through love. I hope that helps, and I’m not trying to convert anyone to anything it’s just a revelation that has brought me peace that I wish to share to anyone who might need to hear it.

[@AewonWolf]

@@travistuttle6947 Placebo or not, I don't prescribe to religion. What I am saying is, is that it's on you to find truth and meaning, by looking within, if you can find it within you, then you will see pass any lies brought you and learn to take what is good and helpful while letting go the rest. It's in dogmatically or religiously following anyone that we fall short. I simply found love as my measuring stick to choose what to keep and what to let go off and it's brought me peace and balance, whether I am right or wrong is inconsequential, I choose love and it serves me and mankind, I hope that clarifies my understanding and if it doesn't thats ok to, its for you to take or leave.

[@marcushardwick4616]

I am a progressive Christian, i have found that my faith is not dependent on other Christians beliefs theses days ,its my own faith in christ that facinates me ,i am still a triniterian based Christian with a broader outlook ,the evangelical Christian right is not ,my view of christianity i do not hold to the attitudes of the religious Christian right, i at obe time neary lost my faith due to tradgic circumstances yet i learnt though friends and my own deeper understanding of God ,that actually propelled me into progressive Christianity, i have sone friends who arw very evangelical yet willing to change ,sone friends who think like me ,i do believe jesus is what the bible says yet i can undestand that there are thise who become atheists or humanists or evrn become followers of other religions, myth vision is interesting and makes me think and yes at times be a liitle but more authadox than i think ,but thay is good to knew where i stand ,whwre i fall whre i agree or disagree

[@tonytrejo1882]

Listen in this world we are in they are so many platforms under intelligent people showing their prospective of life and faith. I am spirituality Christain, and I feel God around. I fully get everyone's opinion. But I'll be very clear there is no man or woman on the face of this earth that will convince me to leave Christianity. It's funny how the interviewer feels better now that he left Christainity, that he is now more concerned with helping our present earth. I believe in Christ, maybe not all the Bible, but God is above all books written by man. In other words, I feel like they do in the positive way they describe but with the love of Christ. Thank. You, Jesus. I wish those guys the best.

[@etzelkaplan9677]

Jesus to tonyt ' get ye away from me I knew ye not ' today only muslims obey jesus greatest command ' to worship our lord the one god only '

[@vadim666er]

The info here gives me peace of mind

[@mainecoonmami]

Signed up.

[@HeidiSue60]

9:12 But if Christians throughout history only cared about what happens in the next life, how do we have a history of caring for the needy, giving to the poor, charitable works for others? I think Christians (Amercian Christians, maybe? Modern evangelicals maybe?) have a badly damaged worldview currently, and teachings that make an Idaho housewife sit and think "what happened to beating our swords into plowshares? What happened to turning the other cheek?" etc. The meek, humble things that Christians have done over the centuries. We are completely skipping that stuff, to the point that I heard in more than one sermon that we SHOULDN'T give to those who ask, and to the point that there's actual video of some jackass pastor releasing a bald eagle inside the auditorium of his mega church service (to the detriment of the bird, which crash landed in the congregation)...I mean, American Christianity/Modern Evangelicalism IS NOT what I see overall in the teachings of Jesus nor in the history of the Christian religion. Edit...I signed up for the course. Dr. Ehrman's book Misquoting Jesus came into my life by way of a used bookstore before I even started questioning. He's sort of been a hero of mine, as he started out similar to me, in conservative evangelical fundamentalist Christianity and had an eye opening. I'm interested in finding out more about what happened and how he coped as he started seeing clearly. Thank you for your videos. I'm learning so much from you and others.