Children & Religion | Bill - Howell, NJ | Atheist Experience 644

[@sylviaseri4235]

I am a senior citizen and recently deconverted from Catholicism. I told my husband, he made the sign of the cross and asked jesus to forgive me and said I had lost my mind. I told him I just found the mind he claimed I lost!

[@smooth_sundaes5172]

Good for you but I would worry how your marriage will work out. I know it isn't easy with a partner who is religious; in my case it proved impossible

[@fxsrider]

@@smooth_sundaes5172 Religion destroyed my family.

[@woodyuk9717]

@@fxsrider I find that desperately sad. I'm of a family that is partly religious, but it makes no difference. I'm as rabid an atheist as they come, but nobody gives me any crap. Religion can be like a knife; you can use it to make dinner, but also use it to scar someone for life. (Not a great analogy, but it will serve.)

[@fxsrider]

@@woodyuk9717 I sat up awake all night. My religious nutter ex wife finally let my oldest daughter call me about 10 pm last night. She was crying and they were heading up I-5 north of Seattle. I couldn't console her as mom was listening in to the call and I did not want to worsen her situation. The woman that refers to me as satan is the problem. My 5 year old cries because she is told I am going to burn in hell for eternity. What would make an adult say something so horrific to someone so young? Fucking religion. My own mother tries to defend that hideous shit. Last summer I had my girls here for a month. They came back from grandmas and were terrified to tell me something. I finally got them to trust me, I asked what happened? My oldest said "Grandma used a belt on Sarah". I went straight over to that house, I backed my mom into a corner and told her in no uncertain terms. You ever take a belt to one of my kids again and I will hold your hand on the stove. Who the fuck hits a five year old with a belt? I wanted to break her jaw. I am out of ideas and mentally exhausted by the whole ordeal. I rely on patience at the moment. I instructed my children how to get help, how to run and bang on a door. If mom seems weird, run out of the house to a neighbor and scream. My ex wife talks out loud to jesus, all day long at the end of the marriage. They are in Seattle. I am in Ohio. I have had to send the police to their home to conduct welfare checks on my children. No one sees a problem with her faith but me.

[@woodyuk9717]

@@fxsrider Wow. I'm English, and over here you'd be hard-pressed to find religious fundamentalism on that level; religion over here is relatively benign, particularly on the Christian side; even amongst the Catholics who I seem to know a strangely large number of (I live in an area with a large muslim community also, but I have no problem with that). I have no experience of anything similar to what you describe, so I don't know what else to say other than stay strong, you have right on your side, and what's more you know it. Good on you and look after your children ( I don't need to tell you that). I do have some unrelated experience which taught me a very valuable lesson though, which was this; find someone to talk to. You won't BELIEVE how much it helps.

[@Emiliapocalypse]

“They’re 8 and 5 years old” “Yeah, they’re outta the house” 😅 Aahaha Tracie is a riot

[@bigearl33]

When my 5 year old sees a big church he calls it a castle , I'm happy he doesn't even know what a church is !!

[@harveywabbit9541]

The spire atop the church is a penis (god) symbol. When he is older, you might tell him the story of Jacob wrestling with god (his penis) and becoming a eunuch (from the Attis mysteries).

[@michaelbutler5132]

Whenever someone asks me how long have I been an atheist I simply smile and reply to them “ I was born one..... Just as you were.”

[@ianalan4367]

I appreciate that line and realize it has become a catch phrase for atheists but that statement is impossible to prove. To know if everyone is born an atheist you would need to be able to see inside the mind of a new born child which no one can do. We would need to able to determine whether there is or is not a soul which cannot be definitively proven. It is a peculiar statement from a group that demands measurable validated facts to make assumptions.

[@BeachsideHank]

@@ianalan4367 To every religion you are not a member of, you are atheist to them as well as being apostate- this includes children as well, that fact right there concludes this discussion.

[@ianalan4367]

@@BeachsideHank I appreciate that but every religion I am aware of defines an atheist as someone who does not believe in a creator/God. So, no, I would not consider members of 'other religions' atheists nor would they consider me to be an atheist. Interesting view though.

[@BeachsideHank]

@@ianalan4367 You do not understand theological warfare, something ALL religions engage in. I reiterate, failure to belong to their cult means you are designated atheist and apostate to that cult- look into Islam for instance...

[@AngelDeed]

@@ianalan4367 iI think the fact children need to be taught to be religous says a lot. If you don't teach a children religion, they won't come up with the idea themselves, at least definitely not the exact same one of the already existing ideas.

[@InteractiveIdea]

Dont tell your kids it's all bullshit. Calmly explain that some people are choosing to believe without evidence, while we, the atheists, are not convinced and therefore have no reason to believe. Edit: choosing is not the right word coz belief is not a choice. Some people are choosing not to question

[@happilyeggs4627]

It's a terrible thing having to live a lie, especially if it's because of other's prejudice.

[@happilyeggs4627]

@@Jempath What is super bowl?

[@bomblade15]

@ You just cant help yourself can you? Every comment you try harder and harder to be the biggest clown on yt.

@@bomblade15 Sorry I don't speak your language of bullshit.

[@sheezamann2724]

ITS funny how theists deleter their comments after realizing how stupid they sound?

[@robertpaulson9813]

@@maddog9180 I wish I encountered that more.

[@Sydney_With_A_Why]

Jen and Tracie were the best hosts, I miss them so much! Having grown up women's fully formed atheist perspectives was a lot different than the two brand new just became atheist girls. They're nice, but Tracie and Jen are awesome!

[@vilkoskorlich259]

In a study that was conducted by the University of Chicago, a link was found between non-religious upbringing and kindness. In fact, children who were raised without religion were not only kinder but also showed more empathy towards others. While most would believe that religion and a higher power breeds a better upbringing, this study seems to indicate otherwise. Led by Professor Jean Decety looked into the perceptions and behavior of various children located in six different countries. They looked into the children’s likeliness to share, as well as their habits regarding judging others or punishing them for bad behavior. “Overall, our findings … contradict the commonsense and popular assumption that children from religious households are more altruistic and kind towards others,” “More generally, they call into question whether religion is vital for moral development, supporting the idea that secularization of moral discourse will not reduce human kindness - in fact, it will do just the opposite

[@petersinclair3997]

vilko skorlich Interesting. Guess there isn’t much smiting and genocide in the average non believers home.

[@8698gil]

Why do all the Atheist Experience always bring out the worst Christian trolls on the internet? Always the same ones too. They should be ignored. Feeding the trolls gives them the attention they crave and they only get worse.

[@8698gil]

The Skeptic Philosopher Yes, I think so too. Some of these trolls have very similar styles of writing. Also, it would make them appear to have more support than they actually have.

[@joshriver75]

I wouldn't worry that much about. Bible stories will be in the same camp as other child stories, cartoons, lullabies, etc.... Adults are the ones to be concerned about because children dont care about preaching to other kids. For the most part..it wont be something they will have to confront in public school. 🤞 And if they do, you can appropriately confront it when you ask them what they've learned today. I wouldn't worry about it anymore than breaking it to them that Santa Clause, Easter Bunny or the tooth fairy aren't real because if we are doing things right as parents we will make them think enough to ask on their own. #1 rule: teach them to be thinkers!

[@moussathinlli6270]

Thinkers and Critics

[@jasonjones3579]

But if you teach them to be thinkers how will they blindly follow fairy tale religions?

[@danielmartinmonge4054]

Tracy!!!!!!!! I missed you so muuuuuch! So glad you're back! You look gorgeous with that new hair cut! I love listening to you always!!!

[@barkYdarkATFB]

Hate to break it to you, but this is from almost 10 years ago. She’s long gone. Doubt either of them will be connected to ACA again.

[@ladybucket9798]

yeah, like barkydark said, this footage is reeaaallly old. from the description: The Atheist Experience #644 for February 14, 2010 with Tracie Harris and Jen Peeples.

[@danielmartinmonge4054]

@@barkYdarkATFB ... Yeah I realized it later... I don't know what happened, but I'm subscribed and I usually receive notification from live shows. I thought this one was one of them. it's a pity though

[@barkYdarkATFB]

@Daniel Martín Monge it WAS just posted, but still old. Kind of a tease, don’t you think?

[@JanetStarChild]

Agnostic deist is what the caller should identify as; not an agnostic theist. Deism is basically "a god without religion".

[@JanetStarChild]

@Marc Davidson That's actually fascinating and news to me. I definitely should update my understanding of these things.

[@hegyak]

We must protect children from cults. And yes, that does apply to Abrahamic Theism too. As a Cult is defined as "A system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object." Negative connotations aside, that does fit the definition of Abrahamic Theism too. They worship God, Yahweh or Allah.

[@twelvedozen5075]

hegyak A Statism is the most dangerous cult. The 20th century is proof of that.

[@hegyak]

@@twelvedozen5075 Statism is defined as: "Concentration of economic controls and planning in the hands of a highly centralized government often extending to government ownership of industry " I fail to see how that is "A system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object." So, care to explain your statement and tell me and others why Statism is a Cult as defined above?

[@AC-gb7do]

Pwning You So, you can’t actually explain to hegyak what you mean, so then you trash talk him? Yeah, an attitude like that’s gonna make people take you seriously in these threads. 🙄🤦‍♂️

[@AC-gb7do]

Pwning You And there you go, the topic was whether advanced beings are probable, but as usual, a believer tries to deflect when they get stumped by someone’s reply. I didn’t ask you anything about a cult of personality, I asked why you didn’t answer him and why you then proceeded to insinuate he wouldn’t understand your comment.

[@alexandermacallistrr1001]

The question of whether there is a conscious entity that initiated the formation of the universe is still open. That the universe is functionally self- propagating is an observable fact.i suggest that remaining open to the possibility of a creating entity certainly does not lead automatically to Middle East mythologies and their man-made dysfunctional rules

[@ydkjenn]

Thank you for bringing up Unitarian Universalists! I'm raising my kids UU and we have humanists and theists and everything in between in our church. No credo, but teaching to have a responsible search for truth and justice.

[@NeverTalkToCops1]

Public schools ignore religion, so they tacitly approve of it. Teach religion AND non-religion, let the kids sort it out. I'm betting on the kids calling BS on all religions.

[@NeverTalkToCops1]

@@blankaccount5073 What religion would that be? Don't answer, for you to pose such a statement in regard to what I commented means you are dismissed.

[@harveywabbit9541]

Start with teaching the kiddies about the biblical Unicorn. Find artistic paintings of this wild animal that can only be "saved" by a virgin. See if they discover the horn/penis has been relocated to the head of this beast.

[@j.r.arnolli7494]

Public schools do not ignore religion, they do not teache religion. Children in Public schools learn that there are different beliefs, that there are people who belief in god/gods and that there are people who don't, that's oké to have different views on how the world became to what it is now. They show the children that there is a biblical standpoint and that there is science, that can proof what's really going on. So these kids get a broad view. Not that narrowminded kids get in religious schools. So, what's Your point?!?? On my Public school, every wednesday there was a rabbi, a pastor, a humanist etc, so we got a broad spectrum shown to us. 🤗 da and godbye

[@barkYdarkATFB]

@J.R. Arnolli unfortunately, in some of the southern US states, certain aspects of religious dogma are being taught right along with math and spelling. Sure, there’s science being explained regarding cosmology, biology, evolution and the hypothesis of abiogenesis. But it is being juxtaposed with creation. Taught...in the classroom. One middle school taught the possibility of Noah’s flood. Yes, these are public schools run with tax dollars. But religion has a big influence here in the Bible Belt, and is chipping away at the whole “separation of church and state” one local government at a time. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before Islam will see that open door and the kids will be taught that salt water and fresh water don’t mix, because the Quran says so. That will be part of science class.

[@moussathinlli6270]

This is what I fear for my children indoctrination since childhood in public schools and also from the religious community and it is difficult for you to edit.

[@j.r.arnolli7494]

Pwning You / hai, troll! Is that You again?!?? ~ Pwning You:"Yeah, that's me again, being a troll is the only thing I can do, ........"

[@moussathinlli6270]

@@blankaccount5073 Not even his disciple who freed him from superstition

[@Emiliapocalypse]

He doesn’t have to “perpetuate a lie”. That could be more harmful than good. Why flip it on them at the age of 21 after they’ve nearly formulated a worldview? Can’t he just stop talking about god in the home, and focus on other things? I feel as if there is a middle road that doesn’t have his kids declaring themselves atheists at school. If his kid asks “why is it raining?” Why say “When it rains god is crying. And he’s probably crying because of something you did, Timmy.” (Lol Jack Handy, anyone?) Instead just tell them you’ll look it up together when you get home. 🤔 🤷‍♀️

[@divergentthg7925]

That Universal Unitarian Church is also quite corrupted I'm speaking from personal experience so I wouldn't really go there either

[@scrobag1]

People are not going to discriminate against little kids about their beliefs unless you have them at a religious school. that shot does not happen often at public schools.

[@rapaladude]

Courage for sure. Although, he’s very closeted.

[@briancomley8210]

Maybe tell them to research things for themselves, ask questions, give them books like the god delusion to read along with the bible.

[@briancomley8210]

@Dirk Knight They do that because they were brainwashed into not thinking for themselves as children. You are sent to church so that some guy can tell you which parts to read, and what they mean, then twist the other bad parts to sound good, blaming the victims for what happens to them, like saying how evil and sinful they were against god.

[@briancomley8210]

@Dirk Knight Not only that, it affects theirs and others whole lives, it causes good people to do bad things to other good people, stops us from learning, it was scientist who found cures for illnesses that a god inflicted on us, the children he's claimed to love. Not that l believe it myself, l find it highly implausible that any god ever lived.

[@briancomley8210]

@Dirk Knight There is so many stories or claims about things like that in the bible, but no evidence of any of them, you would think these sorts of things would be spread across the country and written about if they happened, you can't say well it's in the bible, none of the bible was even written till at least 40 years after any of these claims occurred. Christianity didn't spread very much till it was made a religion by the Romans over 300 years later. Romans called Christians atheist before that.

It's terrible when children are indoctrinated to believe in two old people who answer a telephone on TV. This religious shit is bizarre and unscientific. This is child abuse.

[@AC-gb7do]

It’s terrible when children are indoctrinated to believe in an imaginary friend way past the time they should know better, like at 30-ish. This religious shit is bizarre and unscientific, it’s child abuse. There, I fixed it. You’re welcome.

[@sivertberg8920]

if the beliver only knew the harm or passive harm he inflict

[@zanzivar5892]

What I would say: There’s at least 4000 religions in the world, we happen to live in a CHRISTIAN CULTURE. Could have been Indian, Oriental or whatever. QUESTION EVERYTHING, especially fairy tail and non-sense at every level. I DO NOT KNOW is the only thing that opens the possibility of KNOWING. Whatever people “do not know”, they attribute to god, get as much “reasoning” from their answers. EXPLORE! on your own..... I hope that might help.

[@hegyak]

I think it was best said as "Religion assumes the answer while science seeks the to know the answer." If I got Hitchens quote right.

[@nogodsnomasters.5935]

-- Read Between The Lies -- Evangelist you claim God speaks through you, Your restless mouth full of lies gains popularity. You care not for the old that suffer, When empty pockets cry from hunger. Penniless from their generosity, Sharing their money to quench your greed. Searching for the answer to their prayers They cry their last wish of need. Save me. His spirit lives and breathes in me. The almighty transformed to your screen. The meanings lost in its translation, No holy words, describe his deception. You say you'll help us find the lord, Tell me preacher how do you know A simple quest for a visible savior, To lead us through our final prayer. Save me. Send your donations, Contribute to the cause. Luxuries, Your righteous reward? Praise the lord, praise god, Is what you wish to sell. There is no heaven without a hell. In your mind's eye could you truly believe, That by giving you can save your soul, Could you be so naive! You heal the sick, you raise the dead, You blind the congregation With the things you say. Religious blackmail a deceit of trust, That death will come and all will be lost. Can you hear the serpents call, Look deep in those deceiving eyes. Ignore the writing on the wall, You should read between the lies. When doubt subsides his honesty, An inquiry, is it blasphemy? Impure the soul, that's made to suffer, No sermons left to hide or cover, An empty promise, lie unfulfilled, To steal a dream or get it killed. They claim your trip to heavens nearby, You may believe it but Satan wouldn't lie. Slayer.

[@twelvedozen5075]

No Gods, No Masters. Most atheists and Christians are Statists and completely unaware.

[@nogodsnomasters.5935]

Jesus’s friend was turned into his enemy as another part of the process for political manipulation of the bible, that also includes the invention of sin. A truly wicked thing to burden an uneducated and impressionable mind with. Religion tells venerable people they are sick to sell them a cure. This is more evidence that the bible is man made. Unforgivable behaviour that should be ridiculed and criticised. Asserting a truth without reasonable evidence (Jesus is King) is dishonest as defined by any dictionary. You need to form a scientifically argument. All the best.

[@emilymayer5537]

Know the truth and the truth will set you free. 😄 There is no God. 😉

[@sheezamann2724]

AMEN

[@richardyoung4400]

The burden of resentment is lifted when you forgive someone or yourself is a mighty action that releases freedom... And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 1 John 4:16

[@Ozone280]

I gather by the biblical quote that you mean the abrahamic god? Are you not aware that the bible has been comprehensively proven wrong on just about every level on which it's been fact checked by all the sciences? Some god, somewhere, may well exist, but it most definitely isn't the god of the bible.

[@AC-gb7do]

I can quote fiction too.

[@hegyak]

@@AC-gb7do "Your client's a scumbag, you're a scumbag, and scumbags see the judge on Monday morning." -Robocop.

[@j.r.arnolli7494]

Richard Young / My name is John and I've found already love, so I don't need that god love. I can't even remember that I wrote that line about a god?!??🤔

[@Stevevick-ve6kh]

To all Unbelievers of all types; KJV, Romans1:18-32 U are without excuse !

[@BeachsideHank]

Thessalonians 4:11 Christians who love others do not stir up trouble. They do not stick their noses in other people's personal matters. Nor do they sit back with folded hands and expect others to provide for them.

[@Stevevick-ve6kh]

BeachsideHank 1Cor.2:14 Says unless you are saved , then you don’t have the Spirit of God Living you in the form of the Holy Spirit , He leads & Guides According to the “IT IS WRITTEN WORD OF GOD .” Short version meaning : Not a believer, then cannot understand the Bible nor interpret it . The Truth divide’s the light from the Darkness. Gods word is truth ! It brings about division. “Go ye forth & spread the Gospel ! This makes the once high ranking fallen angel upset ! As it did during the time of the Prophets & Apostles. every now & then he try’s to misquote the Bible , to corrupt It . Matt.4:1-11 Like 4:4:13 If telling ppl that reject the Gospel message will send them to Hell in your eye’s Then I stirring up trouble & sticking my nose as you say in other ppl ‘s Business. And till He takes me Home or the Rapture happens His will be done, I ‘ll then but not now.

[@BeachsideHank]

@@Stevevick-ve6kh So, you have a higher purpose than Jesus himself? Jesus never said a word in favor of education. He was silent about homosexuality and abortion. He never even hinted at the existence of any science. We have no account of Jesus ever trying to correct prevailing beliefs that the earth was flat. He never uttered a word in favor of industry, economy or of any effort to better our condition in this world. He cared nothing for painting, for sculpture, for music - nothing for any art. He said nothing about the duties of nation to nation, of king to subject, nothing about the rights of man and nothing about intellectual liberty or the freedom of speech. And so it is you who has to talk about matters Jesus himself chose to ignore? You think He forgot to mention all these important matters, leaving it up to believers to sort things out?

[@brucebaker810]

Biology, physics and logic. Now "U" are "without excuse". Except mine are facts and tools. Yours is an assertion in an old book.

[@markmehlhorn2836]

Steve I don't need an excuse.

[@truthteller3396]

There is god but people dont beleive because they want to chase their desires

[@woodyuk9717]

Or we have no reason to believe in one. My 'desires' have nothing to do with what you no doubt will call sin. I like chocolate. OH, THE HUMANITY! Get a grip.

[@exxology1]

I lost my faith about ten years ago as a married women with kids. I’m still a married women with kids and absolutely nothing else has changed in my life! I actually feel more companionate now!

[@woodyuk9717]

@@exxology1 But surely you spend every waking moment running around in the streets stabbing people and stealing their wallets? Because without being a prisoner to a nefarious organisation that just wants your money (I think it's called a 'church') you're free to do absolutely anything you want; and it seems that once we let go of religion, we become rabid savages. (I think that's enough sarcasm for now; did you get that, 'Truth Teller'? Truth. Give me a break.)

[@cjtjets5941]

Yeah they desire truth

[@n1ghtmar3mach1n3]

Are you really gonna trot out *that* raggedy old argument? 😂 Whenever I see that bullshit, I know the person who posted it is just jealous of those with the balls to free themselves from religion. What's the secret sin you want to commit? What deep, heartfelt desire is being held captive by your faith? Go on, you can tell me...