Christianity deprives us of the ability to thrive - Sara Martin

[@MrArdytube]

So often, Christians will assume (judge) that those who have left the faith took this decision casually, …or even out of selfish determination to live a life of sin. This conversation illustrates the spiritual agony that many former believers face when they muster the cautious trepidation to take this step. In some ways I think that leaving the faith requires more moral courage than choosing to be “born again”

[@eternalriver7866]

Well said. I raised 4 children alone. I was always told to beleive I’d have help and my family would be restored and surround me like a flock. It was all lies. My children grew and moved out to thier careers and I was betrayed. By this false book. I feel angry I can’t get those years back. I would have been more financially stable. Christianity made me have ptsd suizidal and broke.

[@Michael-cb3uw]

Hell yeah being an atheist is scarier than being in a socially/government accepted cult.

[@reesecup3ify]

Your deconversion videos are helping me tremendously as I'm going through deconversion right now. I'm a 4th generation JW, atheist for 2 years then born again for 20 years and now at 43 done with religion for good. I was a worship leader for 10 years. Thanks again.

[@HarmonicAtheist]

Hi, feel free to reach out on FB if you think you'd like to possibly consider sharing your story sometime. facebook.com/harmonictim

[@sia6929]

I would love to hear your story!!

[@jz-meister5343]

Thank you so much for this video. For six years, Christianity was my life. I thought I had my life all figured out, since I just had to listen to God, knowing he had a wonderful plan for my life. But, slowly, things started to not feel right. Then, after getting out of my college religion class one day, I felt like my world was falling apart. Nothing made sense to me anymore. I didn’t know how to handle it, and I began to really not like the religious person I had been up until that point. My deconstruction process took some years. Even after I was far into my deconstruction process, it took me some years after that before I was okay with calling myself an atheist (after being told for years that anyone who isn’t a Christian is going to burn in hell for eternity, it was really hard for me to come to grips with the fact that I was no longer a Christian). Years after my deconstruction first started, I like myself much more now. Thank you to both you and Sara for being so open about deconstruction and questioning religion. :)

[@carmelitafallandupilascani4821]

Search for " Finding Chryse,the land of gold according to Greek. Your journey to finding the history of real people of the old testament and the land of Ophir are one same place... Why there were no proof of existence, because true history of the lost tribes are being hidden. Study the old maps like the " Turin world map" adam and eve was in the map in the orient side. Even the beatus map, Adam and Eve is there kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHjdXpqNq5lpgZY Proof of the land of Ophir, according to Spanish explorers, they even write it in a contract to hide the identity of this nation, they hide this information from us to make the bible looks more of a fairy tale, thanks to God and thanks to past explorer that are also historians., all is coming out

[@kendalbrenneman]

@@carmelitafallandupilascani4821 look into the history of Yahweh. Christianity has been a work in progress for centuries. Also do you believe that zombies were walking around when Jesus was crucified? Was there a coverup for that too?

[@squirreliconi4756]

Much appreciation for your voices, time and talents. Your conversation is interesting and thoughtful. My atheism has become more open as I age and progress in therapy. Just having retired and with a life expectancy of 95-99, I want to live the rest of my life free of the guilt, shame and de-selfing religious teaching, a traumatic childhood and struggle to my present. Thank you.

[@HarmonicAtheist]

Thanks for that feedback. If you feel like an interview would ever be a good fit for you, please let me know. [e-mail]

[@danlistermann9151]

"Just having retired and with a life expectancy of 95-99" At retirement age, that is a long prediction compared to most tables I have seen. May I ask you where I can find your sources?

[@jaclynrichmond1049]

I worked from 17 on trying to correct my sexual sin, marrying the wrong person to redeem myself. It makes me mad knowing I shackled myself to a man, to cover me. I don't realize that's what I was doing at the time.

[@lilafeldman8630]

It's a sad fact of life, the way we don't always realize the decisions we make when we're making them.

[@heatherclark8668]

It is strange that when I look back, I remember that I had doubts right from the very start.

[@Michael-cb3uw]

Your human instincts warning you not to buy into the cult everyone else is accepting during the age of technology and information.

[@jameskennedy721]

No oppressive tormenting feelings of guilt , no Christianity .

[@marlenemeyer9841]

Great discussion. Much appreciated and very validating. As an X-Mormon I now realize how much I have suffered from purity culture (not that I wouldn’t have suffered different things without it, I realize there is good and bad consequences from most things we experience in our culture.) but I really resonated with that part of the discussion and all of it! Thank you.

[@forrestwoods8599]

29:19 -- Sara Says, ''I had to prioritize my own mental well being over what I thought was god''s plan for me.'' Of many dismantling events, that single one was the final straw for me, and led to my necessarily wanting to kill myself, the inner conflict being so hideous.

[@garyc7125]

I'm in the same time boat as she is. Mine was gradual as well. I'm 50 and been an atheist for 20 years and still have fears about the afterlife. But at the end of the day, I have to remind myself that it is brainwashing of a child's brain and they believe in an invisible being that doesn't show itself and if he was all powerful and wanted me to believe, he'd show himself. He never has. I read a quote once that helped me. You are at a bus stop and you are waiting for that bus and waiting and waiting and that bus never comes. You finally look up and realize you are not at no busstop. Next step, call an Uber and get out of there and go somewhere else. Good luck in your journey!

[@vickyjones6806]

Brantley, it's a pity you lost your Faith in God, but as a Christian l Respect you for Your Honesty ...

[@HarmonicAtheist]

Let me know if you'd ever be interested in an interview. --Tim

[@carmelitafallandupilascani4821]

Search for " Finding Chryse,the land of gold according to Greek. Your journey to finding the history of real people of the old testament and the land of Ophir are one same place... Why there were no proof of existence, because true history of the lost tribes are being hidden. Study the old maps like the " Turin world map" adam and eve was in the map in the orient side. Even the beatus map, Adam and Eve is there kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHjdXpqNq5lpgZY Proof of the land of Ophir, according to Spanish explorers, they even write it in a contract to hide the identity of this nation, they hide this information from us to make the bible looks more of a fairy tale, thanks to God and thanks to past explorer that are also historians., all is coming out

[@LuminesBreezer--]

When you have those thoughts Gary, as they were in relation to myself as well during my time of recovery. Simply ask yourself the sensible when it's in mind on if there isn't a god, how _can_ there possibly be an afterlife? And then with there being a slew of other religions in the world, and they're gods playing hide and seek in likeness to yours, that alone should serve as a proven point; especially when science alone has debunked such an absurd claim.

[@eyeswideopenapril]

Loved this conversation, thank you both. Starting to be human without the burden of getting it right ‘all the time’, freedom 😅

[@hnybee113]

I am so glad that I don't view God or Jesus being my boyfriend. It really is a disturbing crutch for single women or young teens longing for a boyfriend. That God or Jesus could replace that human experience of dating or being in love makes me cringe. So happy I am free from that tomfoolery and crutch.

[@vaevictis3905]

Yeah. Think about it, what I am felt as an hetero male. I am engaged with a male. Lol 😅

[@hnybee113]

@@vaevictis3905 so happy you are friend!!!

[@robertjimenez5984]

This is so good, seeing a young person being free from irrational thinking that was planted in there mind since birth. I was free at the age of 58. Yes, It was hard to let go of something that had been part of almost my entire life. It was a process that took years. Now I look back and ask my self; how in earth I believe that crap and why did it take me so long to see how irrational my beliefs were?

[@Amazing_Mark]

Wonderful story Sara. 👌 Of course, what happened to you was anything but wonderful, but I appreciate how you so thoroughly covered so many of the defects of Christianity ✝️. You spoke very well and articulately. Thank you for sharing. ❤️

[@HarmonicAtheist]

Thanks for that comment, Mark, I appreciated Sara sharing her story as well, she does a great job identifying very critical issues, and talking through painful topics that are affecting a lot of other people. Don't forget to check out her channel, too.

[@sara_martin]

Thank you for the kind words, Mark!

[@wizolufa1452]

Tim, your example about animals getting eaten alive was a good one and is one that I've been pondering a lot recently. I saw a video of a komodo dragon eat a pregnant deer alive, it ripped open it's stomach and ate the unborn doe while the mother deer watched, waiting to be eaten next. And I have the same question as you do - is that really god's plan? And are we supposed to believe that things are this way for some animals because many years ago one man sinned? Makes no sense. And finally, the bible promises redemption from pain and suffering for believers, but says nothing about redemption from pain and suffering for animals. So animals just suffer forever as a consequence of Adam's actions?

[@soniachambers6460]

I'm with ya, but there is actually a passage which says all creation, including animals, are delivered from bondage and corruption and into the liberty of the children of God at the resurrection Romans 8 v 19-23

[@wizolufa1452]

@@soniachambers6460 so animals have to wait till the time of resurrection to stop suffering? It just feels so unnecessary ya know? Like why couldn’t it be that man and animals got their nutrition from the sun and water (just like plants do)? Then there’d be no need for animals to kill each other daily

[@kevinsturges6957]

This video is so good. I can really relate to a lot of Sarah’s language. I’m going to subscribe to her channel. ❤️

[@onedaya_martian1238]

After hearing these stories about what people went through before their deconversion, I feel like singing "Soooo Saaad" as the lyrics to your theme music.

[@billkeon880]

People can’t even have plans for their own life, you have to fulfill gods plan that he has for you. Hitchens take on vicarious redemption is something Christians never think of. It’s an abdication of responsibility

[@Truthspeakeralways]

Boy we are free, if we dont want to follow God then dont do it.

[@Michael-cb3uw]

​@@TruthspeakeralwaysI'm anti-theist I discourage belief and magical thinking

[@Jon45678]

Another great video. Looking forward to checking out Sara’s content. Christianity held me back from thriving for decades, and basically destroyed how I view myself. I made so many decisions I regret thanks to following a fairy tale based on death and bloodshed from the first to last pages of its holy book.

[@barbarastockler1]

One thing I could never understand: If Christians REALLY believed that people would go to HELL - no matter who they were as long as they did not “accept Jesus” - and Hell is such a HORRIBLE place, if Christians really believe that, then they should stop doing anything else other than desperately prove to people that they need to accept Jesus, there should be no other thing in their lives. I know some of them kind of do that and they are always seen as Crazy and lunatic… because and the end of the day that’s what this whole story is, crazy!!

[@HarmonicAtheist]

Well said, Barbara. If you would ever consider doing an interview, please feel free to reach out. [e-mail]

[@leob3447]

To be fair, the Bible also makes it clear that anyone that doesn't believe deserves it, and God quite literally turns away from some or even hardens the hearts of others. It's definitely a conflicting message.

[@jaclynrichmond1049]

Since walking away, I hold my family accountable to that if the subject comes up ,because your so right, if they truly believed that,, how do they sleep.

[@jaclynrichmond1049]

​@@leob3447there are verses about shaking the dust off your feet if people don't see the truth. On top of predestination doctrine, it's a two sided message at all times.

[@leob3447]

@@jaclynrichmond1049 The amount of mental health issues I dealt with because of the cognitive dissonance it cause is rather sad.

[@AmitKumar-qz2us]

Of all the tyrannies that affect mankind, tyranny in religion is the worst. Thomas Paine

[@joannajourneys]

Very interesting. My reality also shattered when I visited Cambodia.

[@atheistechoes9594]

Im a recently new atheist almost a month without god now i recently started a youtube channel dedicated to music and atheism

[@curbroadshow]

Good on you

[@PqV72MT4]

I just wanted to add that whenever a person labels you (for example "call yourself a Satanist") what they really want is for you to stop thinking. Once you have a label they can say "oh well I don't talk with satanists." Labeling someone ends debate.

[@ohmahfoot3995]

Sure some people may do that, but labels can be just the beginning of understanding someone else’s beliefs. Now if you label someone then start assuming a bunch of things according to your personal understanding of that label, obviously that will quickly shut down discussion. But labels should be a starting point of a discussion, not an end. Know what I mean?

[@PqV72MT4]

@@ohmahfoot3995 I understand what you mean.

[@carmelitafallandupilascani4821]

Search for " Finding Chryse,the land of gold according to Greek. Your journey to finding the history of real people of the old testament and the land of Ophir are one same place... Why there were no proof of existence, because true history of the lost tribes are being hidden. Study the old maps like the " Turin world map" adam and eve was in the map in the orient side. Even the beatus map, Adam and Eve is there kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHjdXpqNq5lpgZY Proof of the land of Ophir, according to Spanish explorers, they even write it in a contract to hide the identity of this nation, they hide this information from us to make the bible looks more of a fairy tale, thanks to God and thanks to past explorer that are also historians., all is coming out

[@atheistechoes9594]

Yeah i hate that

[@andrewkayla7994]

Great interview. I Keep learning. Keep up with the videos.

[@HarmonicAtheist]

Thanks, John!

[@veganatheistandmore]

Great chat! Thank you both. 🙏

[@HarmonicAtheist]

Thank you!

[@TheRealCatof]

I genuinely pity all those kids that are forced into christianity by their culty parents. I'm so thankful to my parents that they were atheist.

[@carmelitafallandupilascani4821]

Search for " Finding Chryse,the land of gold according to Greek. Your journey to finding the history of real people of the old testament and the land of Ophir are one same place... Why there were no proof of existence, because true history of the lost tribes are being hidden. Study the old maps like the " Turin world map" adam and eve was in the map in the orient side. Even the beatus map, Adam and Eve is there kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHjdXpqNq5lpgZY Proof of the land of Ophir, according to Spanish explorers, they even write it in a contract to hide the identity of this nation, they hide this information from us to make the bible looks more of a fairy tale, thanks to God and thanks to past explorer that are also historians., all is coming out

[@la4508]

Yeah, I messed up and took my kids to church. Now, I no longer believe and my daughter thinks I'm going to hell 🤦

[@GnaReffotsirk]

@@la4508 tell them Jesus healed unbeliebers back then, and died for unbelievers, didnt curse them to hell either. Also tell them Jesus pulled peter when he was drowning even when he did not believe and did sink, and stopped the storm for the disciples who did not believe. Tell them Jesus just called them having little faith, even though they did not believe since they did fear for their lives. Finally tell them Jesus is not yahweh and contradicted yahweh like how he contradicted "eye for an eye" and "hate your enemy" or how he healed the man after he came down from the mountain, while yahweh wanted to kill the hebrews, and did kill many hebrews. Tell them Jesus fed the crowd with fish and bread while yahweh killed the hebrews who wanted to eat meat, and sent snakes against them, while Jesus said, what kind of father will give snakes when the children ask for bread?

[@la4508]

@@GnaReffotsirk 👍

[@GnaReffotsirk]

@@la4508 i think to remove fear first so they can love truly, and when they do genuine love, every lie and speculation in the bible and in the books and in the pulpit and in the world in general become open to scrutiny. My take on these all is that there are control systems in place everywhere for different purposes and reasons.

[@davidhamilton5893]

Religion:: "How can I get the money from her pocket into mine?" fawns

[@atheistechoes9594]

The weird thing was i would get upset cause our pastor hardly did any sermons in the old testament i used to love the old testament now i find it revolting as well as the new testament

[@atheistechoes9594]

@@dianestafford6968 i was forces to at 13 i hate that gorry movie i never want to see another crucifiction movie again

[@curbroadshow]

@@dianestafford6968 the gift of mercy? What mercy did your gods show in the Old Testament? “You must completely destroy the Amalekites and everything that belongs to them. Don’t let anything live; you must kill all the men and women and all of their children and little babies”. What mercy was shown to the Egyptian children during the Passover? Children who’s only crime was to be born into a different race to the gods chosen people? Why would an all loving Jesus celebrate the slaughter of thousands of children and babies?

[@timetoreason181]

@@curbroadshow Will Diane Stafford ever reply to your question and many others relating to the [evil] Bible, I wonder. Already more than a month has passed and waiting as much as for Jesus's promised return! We are dying my the hundreds of thousands everyday due to Covid including Jesus' hardcore believers.

[@mitchellmckain8373]

I am reminded of films and stories where a parent has pushed something (usually competitive) on their child to the exclusion of all else. The result is indeed that this deprives them of the ability to thrive. But to conclude that the activity itself is responsible is ridiculous. Chess does not deprive people of the ability to thrive. Football does not deprive people of the ability to thrive. etc.... The simple fact is that ANYTHING made all consuming to the exclusion of every other aspect of life will do this. So the correct conclusion here is that all things need some balanced proportion in ones life INCLUDING Christianity (or whatever other religion for that matter). Perhaps some people can pretend to live that way (as Sarah describes her life) to some degree and thus we unfortunately have these communities pushing such extremes. But frankly I think there is considerable lack of honesty involved -- a kind of willfulness that refuses to acknowledge any evidence or reality to contrary. And I think the poisonous core of all of this is creationism frankly -- where they have made systematic dishonesty so essential to their way of life.

[@hgaming7699]

Who here has been helped to understand the truth about the Bible by Dr. Bart Ehrmann?

[@kahleeb624]

I mean just gotta say but its quite an amazing thing to hear someone from my dads youth group that I've been to the Dominican on a youth missions trip with being an atheist Now. I honestly heard him (joe P) mention your channel last night and I really just wanted to thank you for planting a seed of doubt of what he still believes and after so many arguments about the validity and truth ,or lack there, of Christianity since he was a pastor in my youth and till now, its refreshing to finally hear him say things he's never agreed with before. Especially about all the lack of evidence of slaves in Egypt, or wondering for 40 years and leaving no trace. So I just really wanted to say thank you for seemingly make jim more open to leaving religion completely. I've been an atheist now since about 7 or 8 years ago so what I've tried to talk to him about for years he listened to one of your podcasts and did more than I could in years. 🤣 but if you ever want I'd more than love to share my story growing up as a pastors kid and even went on through high school leading my youth group and youth band. Actually started the youth band when I was 13 cause I felt so strongly about God and getting him out there to other kids, now thank fully I was not too good at turning people to Christianity but for more of my life than not I was well involved and hard core following the Bible even down in Florida where I was in rehab and came out to live in a Christian halfway house. But I truly believed until I didn't. Even as I was using heroine all those years ago I still prayed. Lol but yeah I'd love to talk sometime and share where I've been. But again thanks for planting the seed in my dad and really love what your doing here!

[@HarmonicAtheist]

Hi, I reached out on FB ... would love to work with you and to hear more of your story! --Tim

[@GonzalesLanguages]

I agree with you. I also see all these animals devouring weaker ones. Is that God's plan?

[@_the_watcher_2089]

I was deep into Christianity and it can cause people to say and do things, that the person never would have other wise. I remember I used to do this a lot and I would feel like I was a good dad to, I would tell my daughter she was evil I did this to her starting at a young age. If a normal person Heard me say such a thing they wouldn’t believe someone could say that, but to a Christian when they tell their children that their full of sin, and that God had to send and kill his son because we are so evil this is normal to a Christian. Me and my daughter are both seeing a therapist now we have a lot to work on, but we are getting better daily I’m 34 and I never felt so free and at peace since I left christianity. My therapist did a really good exercise to help me break free it took time but she is great, the one that broke me was when I came in her office she had every religious book from the major religions of the world spread across her desk. She than told me look at how many books are here, now if I was to tell you the truth is within one of them how would you find it? The only answer I could think of is God would have to tell me. She said yes than she asked has God told you christianity is true I had to say no just to be honest with myself, so that was enough to open the door for me to run out.

[@bellezavudd]

@@dianestafford6968 Your ignorance and gullibility is coming to pass right before our eyes.

[@bellezavudd]

@@dianestafford6968 So if even a lowly fool can figure out there's no gods in the bible then whats your damn excuse for not being smarter than even a fool.

[@bellezavudd]

@@dianestafford6968 😂🤣 Is that why you dont use your own words???because youre a superstitious wimp shaking in your bones like a frightened school girl, afraid of some silly book. Yeah you've got real problems hiding behind ignorance.

[@bellezavudd]

@@dianestafford6968 I see you love to make up things. Cool youre in the right calling.

[@bellezavudd]

@@dianestafford6968 "Prayers" that you pull yourself out of that ancient death cult and its twisted ideology.

[@Shawn-hs8qk]

Thanks for the Bill Zuescher recommendation.

[@theMoerster]

Sara bringing the real truth early on in the show: It is POP...not soda.

[@thomash.schwed3662]

As someone originally from Ohio myself, yes, you're absolutely right. Even in other parts of the country, I tell people that I drink pop, not soda!

[@shannon2123]

As someone from the South who moved to the Midwest for a time, this hurts me 😂

[@Michael-cb3uw]

I knew the Christians were manipulating our language for nefarious reasons😂

[@ericapoe]

Isn’t it funny that Christians claim that God spoke to them and what’s going to happen in the future but doesn’t that sound like speaking to a psychic 🤨

[@renny3816]

@Paul Markus Prove your God exist. Prove that your Bible “comes from God.” Is that all you people do, troll channels, where people left the faith? Why are y’all so desperate? Why do you need everybody believing what you believe, to feel secure in your beliefs? Is it because you don’t actually believe it?

[@MrArdytube]

Hey Tim.... I have a coffee story for you My parents were married in the 40’s. Both from Montana, both Scandinavian. Typically, Scandinavians really enjoy coffee. So after the marriage, my mom faithfully made coffee every morning. After several months, my dad commented as to how he was starting to enjoy coffee now I turns out that neither of them drank coffee before they were married My mom assumed that dad wanted coffee.... and he drank it because she made it

[@atheistechoes9594]

Aw that's adorable i.love coffee just had some

[@arthousefilms]

Sara is awesome!

[@HarmonicAtheist]

Agreed 110%! Don't forget to check out her videos on her channel too. She covers a lot of other topics there that we didn't cover in our chat. --Tim

[@russe130]

You're a smart girl Sara and I hear exactly what you're saying and feel for you, but just because you had to deconstruct from Christianity doesn't mean you need to leave the faith you're just leaving the Christian beliefs, God still exists, and I had to get rid of that doctrine of hell because it's false, I believe in universal reconciliation that God is the savior of all men not just a few. The Christian religion fails people, God don't, when we get to the other side we will see how the trials in this life built character in us that could otherwise not be obtained any other way.

[@hannahb2383]

Right now my beliefs are somewhere in between Sara's and yours (maybe closer to yours), but I'm still working things out....very slowly

[@HEADEDWESTWARD]

Yes I'm from the Midwest too! It IS "pop" not "soda"!

[@joehinojosa24]

Christianity is Stifling? Religiosity YES. Individual christians YES. But I'm a christian and I SAY, "YOU GO GIRL!"

[@akl561]

Regarding the questions Tim was asking around 1:38, the one that always bothered me was: what makes Jesus special? There have been millions or billions of people who have been tortured. What was special about his blood? The only answer I've ever heard to this is that Jesus was the son of god, the creator of the universe. Otherwise, he's no different from all the other humans who have been tortured. This makes the first few chapters of the bible very important. And they are ridiculous. They do not begin to cover what creation would have been like and they do not begin to cover what could have been said from a scientific stand point about the nature of the universe. Good video all around, but that has always been the thing about christianity that I've found the most absurd.

[@akl561]

@@dianestafford6968 If the christian god were real, I would consider him a vile, gusting tyrant who slaughters humans on a regular basis.

[@timetoreason181]

@@akl561 ...and an evil, sadistic, barbaric monster too...[the gods of the Bible]

[@steve582]

Oh, I don't know: with the mind, heart, and soul set free and at peace as to my eternal destination, I feel I have no reason not to thrive.

[@HarmonicAtheist]

Blessings on your journey. Hope you continue to thrive, but if you tell others they need blood magic to make peace with a psycho-god named Yahweh, that is a tragedy.

[@mads597]

@Lidia Magdalina it’s called *science*

[@jacksonmiller6679]

@Lidia Magdalina I don't think you really understand the insanity of believing that a global flood is congruent with science. Not to mention internal narratives in the Bible would actually better support a regional flood. Furthermore, the idea of an intelligent creator is completely a non-sequitur to the veracity of the Bible's truth (or fiction).

[@renny3816]

Nothing wrong with you believing things, without evidence. Just don’t force others to live by it, then go and shame them, for living in “sin.”

[@kd1s]

Oh when it comes to cats I like black, black and white or grey hair on them. And when it comes to coffee i buy green Costa Rican beans and roast them myself. Excellent coffee. Plus I control the temp - 190-195F. And regards religiosity - my parents not so much. My paternal grandparents there's a reason we called my grandfather Saint Anthony.

[@kaseysummerer6639]

While I compassionately feel for what both individuals have gone through, it sounds like their upbringing was in far right fundamentalist Christianity, which is inherently brittle. It is interesting that Mills pointed to intellectual rational for turning from the faith, yet many of his claims have serious issues cohering with serious scholarship that isn’t far left atheistic fundamentalism. I know in the world of Google it can be hard to know which sources are credible, but if invested enough, there is enough accessible and credible scholarly work to give the pendulum swing pause. As is not uncommon, fundamentalists rarely unconvert from fundamentalism, but rather take their fundamentalist presuppositions to the opposite extreme. I don’t say that in any unkindness but rather to provoke genuine thought and inquiry. I can appreciate the general congenial tone and my kindest wishes in the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty.

[@HarmonicAtheist]

Hi, Kasey, thanks for that feedback. There are very serious PhD scholars who are at the top of their fields who would agree with everything I mentioned, but I don't put that much weight on consensus. It was consensus 50+ years ago that there was a Moses, David, Abraham, etc., and mainstream consensus now says the opposite. Things change in a generation or less sometimes as new evidence becomes available. I highly recommend the work of Dennis MacDonald, Bart Ehrman, Richard Carrier, and an endless list of other great people who have brought lots of insights to the table. I don't consider a pendulum swing away from genocide, land theft, slavery, misogyny, genital mutilation, tribalism, blood magic, scapegoating, etc., a bad thing. I'm very happy to be as far away as possible from those ideas, all taught clearly and repeatedly in the Bible.

[@EatMyKos]

I know this might be a bit cheeky and sorry for nit-picking. But I agree when Sara says Christians can easily nod their head in agreement to preachers when they are talking, but I noticed her doing the same thing when you were talking about Zoroastrianism and that the Bible is an amalgamation of different religions, when Sara said she hasn't looked into any historical accounts for the Bible. I also think we can all be guilty of doing this, not just Christians! As a Christian (also someone who is exploring Catholicism, as you mentioned in another video, the group that saws the branch off the tree it came from, which I agree with!!) I actually enjoy listening to your talks with other people and learning about other people's experiences. I know you're very big on Zoroastrianism, you mention it to a lot of your guests. You talk about the claims that it refutes certain aspects of Christianity. I just have a question, have you done any critiquing of Zoroastrianism to the degree you've critiqued Christianity? Anyways I'm looking forward to viewing some more videos, I'll be sure to ask some more questions!

[@renny3816]

Zoroastrianism came before Christianity. It’s clear as day, the Bible comes from it.

[@EatMyKos]

@@renny3816 yes it came before Christianity was established after Christ came to earth but it was still prominent in the timeline of the Old Testament and could very well have been a pagan religion along with other pagan religions. Not disagreeing with you at all. The Mosaic law was established way before ZA began, and as we know the Mosaic law is still upheld in both the Old and New Testament. So to say that "the Bible" or "Christianity" comes from ZA is complete ignorance.

[@EatMyKos]

@@renny3816 I apologise after digging a bit more it seems I've completely misunderstood Zoroaster. I was making the ignorant comment here: but watch this video I'm sure you'll find it interesting. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aamZkoJ4pshsmpI

[@GonzalesLanguages]

Many NDEs who died give me hope that life goes on after death and many said that it didn't connect with their religious. teachings.

[@Gigislaps]

Great interview

[@kenmadden6294]

I think I was in the 4th grade. Walking down the hallway between classes. The PA was playing Christmas songs. What I had been kinda thinking just suddenly crystallized in my mind. This religion stuff is just a fairy tale. Never changed my mind. So glad I never wasted any of my life on this crap.

[@grimlund]

Sara is kind of cute.

[@CK-fj5ql]

I've been to Pol Pot's killing fields in Cambodia aswell. Personally, I found the genocide shocking aswell. Do we think Pol Pot and his regime should receive justice for what happened?

[@patricksee10]

No god, no justice, it’s pretty much that simple. No punishment if you get away with it. Cause, hey you are dead and what other people think is just in their heads. There is no reality outside of what weird thoughts might be in a person’s brain. Nothing to worry about. Then do whatever you want but make sure no one is watching. What’s so hard about that?

[@CK-fj5ql]

@@patricksee10 are you then implying there is a God if there is justice?

[@patricksee10]

@@CK-fj5ql I am implying that morality is based on consequences, not on the fashionable theory we can make up a morality as we go along,

[@davidw1518]

'Deconversion'? So what were you before you were converted to Christianity (before being deconverted)? Or do you actually mean 'Conversion' - i.e. converted from Christianity to Rationality?

[@AmitKumar-qz2us]

I kill ... I wound ... I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh. Deuteronomy 32:39-42 How many did God kill? Here's the total, if you use only numbers that are provided in the Bible: 2,821,364. How many has God killed? Genesis (20,074,005) 1. The Flood of Noah: All flesh died that moved upon the earth20 million2. Abraham's war to rescue Lot10003. Sodom and Gomorrrah20004. Remember Lot's wife (Forget Jesus)15. The Dinah and Shechem Massacre10026. Er was wicked in the sight of the Lord (so the Lord slew him)17. Onan spilled it on the ground (so the Lord killed him too)18. God's seven-year, world-wide famine70,000 Exodus (820,000) 9. There will be blood: The First Plague of Egypt10,00010. The seventh plague of Egypt: Hail shall come down upon them and they shall die.300,00011. The Lord smote all the firstborn in thre land of Egypt500,00012. God drowned the Egyptian army: The Lord took off their chariot wheels500013. The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation100014. Who is on the Lord's side: Forcing friends and family to kill each other300015. The Lord plagued the people because of the calf that Aaron made1000 Leviticus (3) 16. God burned Aaron's sons to death for offering "strange fire before the Lord"217.A blasphemer is stoned to death1 Numbers (250,172) 18. When the people complained, God burned them to death10019. While the flesh was still between their teeth, the Lord smote them with a very great plague10,00020. Ten scouts are killed for their honest report11021. Sticks and stones: A man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day is stoned to death122. Korah and his companions are buried alive (along with their families)923. God burned 250 people to death for burning incense25024. God killed 14,700 for complaining about God's killings14,70025. The massacre of the Aradites300026. God sent fiery serpents to bite the people for complaining about the lack of food and water10027. Phinehas's double murder: A killing to end God's killngs24,00228. The Midianite massacre: Have you saved all the women alive?200,000 Deuteronomy (570,000) 29. God slowly killed the Israelite army500,00030. God the giant killer500031. God hardens king Sihon's heart so that all his people can be killed500032. Og and all the men, women, and children in 60 cities60,000 Joshua (60,005) 33. The Jericho Massacre100034. Achan and his family are stoned and burned to death535. The Ai Massacre12,00036. God stops the sun so that Joshua can get his killing done in the daylight500037. Five kings are killed and hung on trees10,00038. Joshua utterly destroyed all that breathed as the Lord God commanded700039. The genocide of twenty kingdoms20,00040. The Anakim: Some more giant killing5000 Judges (285,733) 41. The Lord delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites10,00042. The Jerusalem massacre100043. Five massacres, a wedding, and some God-proof iron chariots500044. The Lord delivered Chushanrishathaim100045. Ehud delivers a message from God146. God delivers 10,000 lusty Moabites10,00047. Shamgar killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad60048. Barak and God massacre the Canaanites100049. Jael pounds a tent stake through a sleeping man's skull150. Gideon's Story: The Lord set every man's sword against his fellow120,00051. A city is massacred and 1000 burn to death because of God's evil spirit200052. The Ammonite massacre20,00053. Jephthah's daughter154. 42,000 killed for failing the "shibboleth" test42,00055. Samson murders thirty men for their clothes3056. Samson kills 1000 with the jawbone of an ass100057. Samson kills 3000 in a suicide terrorist attack300058. A holy civil war65,10059. Two genocides and 200 stolen virgins4000 following grand totals for the number killed by God and Satan in the Bible: God: 25 million Satan: 60 I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. Revelation 17:6

[@Justadudeman22]

3:30 start

[@seedhillbruisermusic7939]

my parents were totally secular, god was not mentioned. My parents never taught me to be atheist, they let me discover it by myself. If I'd become religious they would've supported me. But I became atheist due to understanding reality.

[@sonicyell]

Millions of people around the world. You are not alone. Unbelievers come out now!

[@dapablo2]

It's dangerous in many parts of the planet.

[@carmelitafallandupilascani4821]

Search for " Finding Chryse,the land of gold according to Greek. Your journey to finding the history of real people of the old testament and the land of Ophir are one same place... Why there were no proof of existence, because true history of the lost tribes are being hidden. Study the old maps like the " Turin world map" adam and eve was in the map in the orient side. Even the beatus map, Adam and Eve is there kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHjdXpqNq5lpgZY Proof of the land of Ophir, according to Spanish explorers, they even write it in a contract to hide the identity of this nation, they hide this information from us to make the bible looks more of a fairy tale, thanks to God and thanks to past explorer that are also historians., all is coming out

[@rdorleans6522]

you sure are lucky you weren't born in Yemen ...

[@timetoreason181]

Or perhaps during the Inquisitions or in Europe or in the US to be lynch or burnt alive on a stake been called a witch. Jesus loves you!

[@nightshade99]

Why can't you thrive as a Christian? I never heard of that before.

[@MadebyJimbob]

Because she is strawmanning.

[@nightshade99]

@@MadebyJimbob Makes sense. Her experience means it covers all Christiandom.

[@renny3816]

Because you can’t think for yourself? You have to live by a book, created by the Roman Empire. The people that wrote the Bible, are all dead, while you are sitting here, stressing yourself out, over what you can or cannot do, say, or think. The Romans are so powerful people, who knew they would fool people like you.

[@nightshade99]

@@renny3816 I DO think for myself actually. Scripture was not written by the Roman Empire nor do they follow it explicitly. Are you saying that the inspired authors of Scripture have to be alive for it to be authentic? ha, ha I am not stressed out about anything; YOU seem to be, however. What can't I do, say, or think? I have no idea what you are talking about. You do not understand the history of Rome nor how they adopted pagan practices into the Christianity system. Your rejection of God has rendered you foolish because your arguments are based on absolutely nothing.

[@HEADEDWESTWARD]

I don't drink coffee or like pasta and I don't like the Beatles. I'm from another planet.

[@mulekickhandmadeguitars8465]

In my humble opinion: Christianity, itself, does not deprive us of anything, and certainly not our ability to thrive. Religion is what does the depriving in our lives. The kind of Christianity that too many denominations convey to their followers creates for them a false Land with so many Laws to obey and abide by that it becomes impossible to do normal things without being in perpetual violation. The result is a life of fear, self loathing, and resentment. Truth is, God loves us.....no matter how much we screw up. Full stop.

[@harryfaber]

I guess it also depends on what people think 'thriving' is. I came rather late to faith, and feel so much healthier than I did before. Financially? Well, not so good, but that is not everything!

[@pwoods100]

The New Testament is full of both good and bad, but many of the bad things Jesus actually believed in - an eternal hell, teaching that you should love god more than your families, saying that simply looking at a woman with lust is adultery (something that is impossible for any teenage male), believed in end times, taught that people should never divorce except in one certain circumstance, believed in old testament laws, and said any adult who leads a child to sin should have a stone hung around their neck and flung into the sea. Those are the core things that most evangelical churches teach, and most of it came from Jesus's own mouth. Oh, and Jesus also says for slaves to obey their masters. So Christianity deprives people of plenty of things - namely the ability to think for one's self.

[@harryfaber]

@@pwoods100 I wonder where you get your ideas whether something is 'good' or 'bad'. If there is a hell, then believing it exists is a sensible thing. Loving God, well, if you love God you are commanded by Christ to love your neighbour, including of course your family. Lust? Lust is a bad thing, it causes an awful lot of harm and damage. Divorce is for many people a terrible trauma. Old Testament laws, you mean things like 'thou shalt not steal' and the rest. They are all pretty good laws for any sort of society. You misquote 'flung into the sea', Christ says it would be better for a person who causes a child to sin that he have a millstone around his neck and cast into the sea. Well, that would be better than hell,and most societies recognise that protecting children is a good thing. Christ taught 'love', and if you love someone, you will not steal from them, lie about them, cause them to do bad things. You will protect them, feed them, visit them in prison and clothe them. All seems good to me.

[@pwoods100]

@@harryfaber "If there is a hell, then believing it exists is a sensible thing." Even if it does exist, your god is a horrible being if he sends good people there who weren't Christians. "you are commanded by Christ to love your neighbour" I can love my neighbor just fine without being commanded to, thanks. "Lust? Lust is a bad thing, it causes an awful lot of harm and damage." That depends on the situation. If you can't contain it to the place where you are stalking someone or have to rape someone, then of course that's bad. But do you think that represents the majority? No, the majority of teenage boys just want to wack off, when they see a good looking woman. That is a normal biological reaction in the body, and it's a healthy practice. And you should ask why your god made people's body's that way- if he didn't want people to do it. "Divorce is for many people a terrible trauma." Yes, but it is also necesarry for people who are in a bad relationship. , "you mean things like 'thou shalt not steal' and the rest. They are all pretty good laws for any sort of society." Yeah, and you ignore other laws that condone slavery, stoning rebellious children to death, and stoning women who aren't virgins on their wedding night. "You misquote 'flung into the sea', Christ says it would be better for a person who causes a child to sin that he have a millstone around his neck and cast into the sea. Well, that would be better than hell,and most societies recognise that protecting children is a good thing." So, basically you're describing the exact same thing. I simply used differnt wording. "Christ taught 'love', and if you love someone, you will not steal from them, lie about them, cause them to do bad things. You will protect them, feed them, visit them in prison and clothe them. All seems good to me." I can do all of those things, and I can be loving without believing in Christ. And Jesus beleived in eternal damnation for people who didn't believe in him - that is NOT loving. Good day.

[@harryfaber]

@@pwoods100 I assume, perhaps wrongly, that you have not listened to Pope Francis. Not being a Christian is not a 'do not pass go, go straight to hell' position. Christ explained that divorce may be allowed. The 'other laws' ceased with the new covenant. It is very much hoped that people who are of all faiths and none love other people charitably. To enter 'heaven' or 'paradise', call it what you will, to spend eternity with the Lord, you do need to believe in the Lord, and if you neither believe in Him, or believe that there even is a Him, why would you want to go to 'His house'? You have free will, you may choose to ignore Christianity, either in favour of another religion or none. If you choose to not go to heaven, well, if there is an eternal afterlife, you will go to 'the other place', of your own choosing. Thank you for your kind thoughts, it has so far been a good and productive day, one hopes that yours will be too.

[@HEADEDWESTWARD]

Second time watching this video. I sure hope youtube is paying you tons of money because I literally had to watch 10 commercials.

[@HarmonicAtheist]

Hi, Susan, unfortunately at my level I make almost nothing off the channel, even with ads. But I've adjusted this video to have fewer ads, and will adjust the others as well.

[@darkstrifequeen1458]

been seeing "rich dad, poor dad" related ads a lot but not interested, and it's very annoying.

[@atheistechoes9594]

Yeah if god has a plan for us theres no.free will

[@stevengraham779]

Is that what you see today i dont think so

[@MadebyJimbob]

Now do one about how victim mentality and scapegoating deprives you....

[@grimlund]

And you can do a video about how upset and hatefull you get when people start to think for themself and are leaving your fear based religion.

[@presentfuture7563]

Fun Fact: I got my persecution complex from being raised in the faith! The whole "everybody hates Christians because we love God" narrative. Couldn't have been because we aggressively proselytized people with toxic, punitive beliefs we insisted were all REALLY from a God of love and mercy

[@grimlund]

@@presentfuture7563 Christians love being persecuted. Jesus said to his followers: "The world hates me and therefore the world would hate you to!" So the feeling of being persecuted just give more fuel to their belief. But offcourse they arent persecuted.

[@presentfuture7563]

@@grimlund Oh I know firsthand. Used to love those verses and went back to them regularly

[@mads597]

@@presentfuture7563 the channel Belief it or Not has a fantastic (and funny) video on the Christian persecution complex :)

[@lanazak773]

Please consider making shorter videos, topics look interesting but I don’t want to spend 1-2 hours…

[@albertapressley5871]

Then don’t.

[@elliottmurphy5219]

Yeah if only , we could embrace this person's childish Utopian vision , then the world would be a heaven on earth, a perfectly egalitarian paradise. It worked so well for Nazi Germany, the USSR and all the other paradises of history. For those of you who would point to western Europe as a real life example of a post christian Eutopia a few facts for thought, western europe is stagnating in economic prosperity and international influence , also it is on the verge of extinction , which is why they had to import millions of Muslims. So another nice lecture , regurgitating the same abstract non evidence. based data from the likes of karl Marx, Engels , Nietzsche , and so fourth. The effite so called intellectualts should really stop this non sense , it's not 1888 , these ideas have been tasted many times and failed all over the world. Your ideas have been weighed , measured and been found seriously wanting.

[@Pablo113]

I am not into Yahweh, Thanks.

[@midnightexpress726]

It depends on what you mean by “ thrive” You people are all pretty young still. What you don’t understand is when you get older and older, you change your mind a lot. You may actually come back to the faith in 20 years. Your comments are pretty lame and false. Sorry, just being honest.

[@timetoreason181]

...what you don't understand is when you get older and older, you change your mind a lot. You may actually *leave your indoctrinated blind, foolish, faith, beliefs or dogmas* in few years. Your comment is pretty lame and false too. Sorry, just being honest... *And that is the TRUTH*

[@midnightexpress726]

@@timetoreason181 I’m sorry my friend, but Jesus Christ is the Truth. There is just no way around that fact no matter how much you try to push it away. I truly believe you will change your mind again one day. You’ll see ;) Take care and stay safe.

[@bellezavudd]

@@timetoreason181 👍👍

[@st.isaacofniniveh9909]

Just my two cents. There can be no happiness without the Other. God is the Other and the purpose of our existence is to come into the communion of His love. Jesus is God made flesh, so that He, being totally unreachable, could be infinitely close to us. The infinite God descended down to be with us and to thus give us the abundance of life and love. That's why I cannot live without looking at the face of my Beloved, Jesus, Who gives purpose to all things.

[@trilithon108]

What about abandoning the concept of God as Other? Is there an Other anything? God or Light (E=MC) or Radiant Being is perhaps the very substance and context of life? If everything is literally Light, arising as Light, wouldn't that mean you and God are One?

[@TomeRodrigo]

Stop spreading nonsense on the internet.

[@st.isaacofniniveh9909]

@@TomeRodrigo I mean, I have the right to share my opinion. God bless you! :)

[@st.isaacofniniveh9909]

@@trilithon108 This line of thought seems to be close to Buddhism, as far as I can tell. As a Catholic, I reject it. The idea of personal relationship is at the core of the Christian concept of God. God is a Trinity, that is, a communion of love between persons. He is not lonely, but if all things are but one Thing, that seems lonely to me. I think the worth of everything lies in loving and being loved by the Other.

[@trilithon108]

@@st.isaacofniniveh9909 Why would you be lonely if you are not separate from anything? If you face was separate from your body would you say now my face does not feel lonely?

[@tombrown7936]

HOPELESS-DOOMED HUMANITY Without A Clue - IN THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL OF ROMANS 1:18-32 😇🕊️🙏

[@renny3816]

I hope you can find true freedom someday, because Roman religion ain’t it.

[@lauraamick463]

So there’s no God? No afterlife? 😥

[@HarmonicAtheist]

Hi, Laura, why would we believe that there is either? I see no evidence for it anywhere. The Bible is chock full of mythology. If there is another religion that has evidence of a god or afterlife, I'm glad to take a look, but so far I haven't seen any.

[@timetoreason181]

To be clear try to prove yourself that there is a God and an afterlife, not subjectively but objectively on scientific basis.

[@Unicysis]

Atheism is not a worldview, it is a movement Christianity is not a worldview, it is a faith based on a prophetic event that also includes free will What's the moral? It takes FAITH and FREE WILL to conduct a MOVEMENT

[@renny3816]

No. Christianity is a movement.

[@drewjohnson4811]

Watched a few of these...the former Christians, while they know the gospel message they don't seem to know the kingdom message (i.e. the concrete evidence supporting the truth of the gospel)

[@renny3816]

Because a book said so? So devote time and money, on a book, that nobody knows where it comes from? Just believe everything you were taught as a child, and never think for yourself? You can live that way, but I choose to live in reality. You people want to shame people, who live in reality, because you want everybody to be a slave to a book created by the Romans. The Romans are the winners in the end, because they fool people like yourself.

[@drewjohnson4811]

@@renny3816 I understand the thought, but that's not the approach I take to verify the text. I agree you can't verify the Old Testament by reading the New Testament, but you can verify both by looking at the real world events they were pointing to. The fall of Jerusalem is the key event/turning point prophesied down to minute detail in both the Old and New Testaments. It was fulfilled after the testaments were published, so you can be sure it's not written into the prophecies. Most Christians today don't realize the evidence they have right in front of them. For instance, they think "the beast" in the Book of Revelation is something in our future. Many don't realize the text is pointing to the fall of Jerusalem. When we don't know or check out the history, we begin to make up connections.

[@kokobunni5897]

🙄🙄😂💀

[@buck_maize111]

What do you guys make of NDE's? The generic athiest goto answer is "it's just chemicals in the brain" But it doesn't explain shared near death experiences.. some ppl say they meet God,Jesus,angels etc.. but they aren't religious.. or they believe in another religion.. yet they die and meet with guides who show them their life and go over the good and bad things they did..

[@lostbooks2918]

Thriving in this world costs us our soul. Which you seem to no longer care about "I wanna do what I wanna do" is satanic. Just call yourself satanic now

[@HarmonicAtheist]

I recommend you write down this comment in your calendar somewhere so you can go back to it in a few years. When you deconvert, seeing the silliness of that comment will give you a laugh, but also make you a little more circumspect about how easily you allow mythology to become part of your worldview going forward.

[@clearlake3492]

Lost Books I suspect you are an American. Most people who come out with crazy comments like yours are American. You should come to Europe and see how Christianity is dying on its feet...thank goodness!

[@harryfaber]

@@HarmonicAtheist 'When you deconvert'? Don't you mean 'if'?

[@PqV72MT4]

I think doing what you love to do is why God made us. Your comment makes me sad.

[@harryfaber]

@@PqV72MT4 Not doing what is right, or doing what is good? I know a lot of folk who do what they love who make their immediate neighbours pretty miserable. Prisons are full of people who did what they love.

[@gordongoodman8342]

Lies.

[@BeachsideHank]

Yep, that is the core value most religions spin out on the gullible, glad you too recognize that evilness.

[@gordongoodman8342]

@@BeachsideHank Jesus of Nazareth is the Truth. That's it.

[@BeachsideHank]

@@gordongoodman8342 *Sapient Wisdom* One religion isn't enough to fool everybody. That's why we have thousands.

[@LM-jz9vh]

@@gordongoodman8342 *Why Jesus?* Jesus has been held in high regard by Christians and non-Christians alike. Regardless of whether he existed in history, or whether he was divine, many have asserted that the New Testament Christ character was the highest example of moral living. Many believe that his teachings, if truly understood and followed, would make this a better world. Is this true? Does Jesus merit the widespread adoration he has received? Let's look at what he said and did. *Was Jesus Peaceable And Compassionate?* The birth of Jesus was heralded with "Peace on Earth," yet Jesus said, "Think not that I am come to send peace: I came not to send peace but a sword." (Matthew 10:34) "He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." (Luke 22:36) "But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me." (Luke 19:27. In a parable, but spoken of favorably.) The burning of unbelievers during the Inquisition was based on the words of Jesus: "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." (John 15:6) Jesus looked at his critics "with anger" (Mark 3:5), and attacked merchants with a whip (John 2:15). He showed his respect for life by drowning innocent animals (Matthew 8:32). He refused to heal a sick child until he was pressured by the mother (Matthew 15:22-28). The most revealing aspect of his character was his promotion of eternal torment. "The Son of man [Jesus himself] shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:41-42) "And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched." (Mark 9:43) Is this nice? Is it exemplary to make your point with threats of violence? Is hell a kind, peaceful idea? *Did Jesus Promote "Family Values"?* "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:26) "I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household." (Matthew 10:35-36) When one of his disciples requested time off for his father's funeral, Jesus rebuked him: "Let the dead bury their dead." (Matthew 8:22) Jesus never used the word "family." He never married or fathered children. To his own mother, he said, "Woman, what have I to do with thee?" (John 2:4) *What Were His Views On Equality And Social Justice?* Jesus encouraged the beating of slaves: "And that servant [slave], which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes." (Luke 12:47) He never denounced servitude, incorporating the master-slave relationship into many of his parables. He did nothing to alleviate poverty. Rather than sell some expensive ointment to help the poor, Jesus wasted it on himself, saying, "Ye have the poor with you always." (Mark 14:3-7) No women were chosen as disciples or invited to the Last Supper. *What Moral Advice Did Jesus Give?* "There be eunuchs which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it." (Matthew 19:12) Some believers, including church father Origen, took this verse literally and castrated themselves. Even metaphorically, this advice is in poor taste. If you do something wrong with your eye or hand, cut/pluck it off (Matthew 5:29-30, in a sexual context). Marrying a divorced woman is adultery. (Matthew 5:32) Don't plan for the future. (Matthew 6:34) Don't save money. (Matthew 6:19-20) Don't become wealthy. (Mark 10:21-25) Sell everything and give it to the poor. (Luke 12:33) Don't work to obtain food. (John 6:27) Don't have sexual urges. (Matthew 5:28) Make people want to persecute you. (Matthew 5:11) Let everyone know you are better than the rest. (Matthew 5:13-16) Take money from those who have no savings and give it to rich investors. (Luke 19:23-26) If someone steals from you, don't try to get it back. (Luke 6:30) If someone hits you, invite them to do it again. (Matthew 5:39) If you lose a lawsuit, give more than the judgment. (Matthew 5:40) If someone forces you to walk a mile, walk two miles. (Matthew 5:41) If anyone asks you for anything, give it to them without question. (Matthew 5:42) Is this wise? Is this what you would teach your children? *Was Jesus Reliable?* Jesus told his disciples that they would not die before his second coming: "There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom" (Matthew 16:28). "Behold, I come quickly." (Revelation 3:11) It's been 2,000 years, and believers are still waiting for his "quick" return. He mistakenly claimed that the mustard seed is "the least of all seeds" (Matt. 13:32), and that salt could "lose its savour" (Matthew 5:13). Jesus said that whoever calls somebody a "fool" shall be in danger of hell fire (Matthew 5:22), yet he called people "fools" himself (Matthew 23:17). Regarding his own truthfulness, Jesus gave two conflicting opinions: "If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true" (John 5:31), and "Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true" (John 8:14). *Was Jesus A Good Example?* He irrationally cursed a fig tree for being fruitless out of season (Matthew 21:18-19, and Mark 11:13-14). He broke the law by stealing corn on the Sabbath (Mark 2:23), and he encouraged his disciples to take a horse without asking permission (Matthew 21). The "humble" Jesus said that he was "greater than the temple" (Matt 12:6), "greater than Jonah" (Matthew 12:41), and "greater than Solomon" (Matthew 12:42). He appeared to suffer from a dictator's "paranoia" when he said, "He that is not with me is against me" (Matthew 12:30). *Why Jesus?* *Although other verses can be cited that portray Jesus in a different light, they do not erase the disturbing side of his character.* The conflicting passages, however, prove that the New Testament is contradictory. The "Golden Rule" had been said many times by earlier religious leaders. (Confucius: "Do not unto others that you would not have them do unto you.") "Turn the other cheek" encourages victims to invite further violence. "Love thy neighbor" applied only to fellow believers. (Neither the Jews nor Jesus showed much love to foreign religions). A few of the Beatitudes ("Blessed are the peacemakers") are acceptable, but they are all conditions of future reward, not based on respect for human life or values. *On the whole, Jesus said little that was worthwhile. He introduced nothing new to ethics (except hell). He instituted no social programs. Being "omniscient," he could have shared some useful science or medicine, but he appeared ignorant of such things (as if his character were merely the invention of writers stuck in the first century).* *Many scholars are doubtful of the historical existence of Jesus. Albert Schweitzer said, "The historical Jesus will be to our time a stranger and an enigma." No first-century writer confirms the Jesus story. The New Testament is internally contradictory and contains historical errors. The story is filled with miracles and other outrageous claims. Consisting mostly of material borrowed from pagan religions, the Jesus story appears to be cut from the same fabric as all other myths and fables.* Why is Jesus so special? It would be more reasonable and productive to emulate real, flesh-and-blood human beings who have contributed to humanity--mothers who have given birth, scientists who have alleviated suffering, social reformers who have fought injustice--than to worship a character of such dubious qualities as Jesus. Why Jesus? Nontract (August 1999) - Freedom From Religion Foundation ffrf.org/publications/freethought-today/item/18409-why-jesus

[@gordongoodman8342]

@@LM-jz9vh I quit reading after you used Jesus parable to claim he supported buring people. That's dumb.