How I got Officially Unbaptised

[@frbill]

I am a Catholic priest and love the study of science, astronomy, and enjoy astrophotography. I've been following your channel from its earliest days. You have helped many people with your videos on astrophotography. I have benefited myself. Thank you. Regarding the process of getting your baptism record annotated, etc., I'm sad the parish of your baptism didn't handle it well. Your letter to your local Archdiocese was polite and clear, and I am glad that it did get settled to your satisfaction. Your side-note of abuse cases reveals that the people in the Church are sinners and in need of repentance. All abuse is abhorrent. Period. That needs to be said, an we all agree that those cases need to be adjudicated and the victims given the care they need for healing. Regarding databases, every Catholic parish has a record of who had been baptized. Those pages may be sent to the (Arch)diocese office of said parish for archival uses in case the parish suffers some kind of incident that destroys the local documents. The Vatican does not have your name in any database, but rather a count of numbers of baptisms per diocese each year. Keeping records is not a bad thing. Locally, these baptism records serve a good use for Catholics who want to show their local parish that they are eligible for other Sacraments such as First Communion, Marriage, etc. So, no worries, the Vatican does not have your name anywhere. The local records are permanent, and you were rightfully told that yours be annotated. Just so you know, bishops often make frequent trips to Rome for a variety of reasons. For example, every five years, bishops make visits to talk with the Pope and share questions and guidance. Sometimes, they can be told to come for disciplinary action, but those are rarely needed. Mostly, it is part of their role to stay in communion with the bishop of Rome (aka the Pope). I read the article you referred to and read others from the area during that time. I have not heard or read anything that said the Pope tried to cover up anything. So, some of your comments may be an overgeneralization, but due to the seriousness of the abuse cases, clarity and not insinuation is needed. It is a horrible thing that members of my Church have perpetrated. It demonstrates that all people have the capacity to do bad things, and their leaders are no exception. It also demonstrates that we still have a journey of repentance to God for our sins. On a different note, are you aware that the Catholic Church has two observatories? One in the Vatican and the other in Tucson, AZ. You might find it interesting: vaticanobservatory.org The goal of the observatories is to further scientific understanding of our universe. Good stuff! Keep looking up!

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey thanks for the feedback! And the grace. Here’s a reference article for you that I was referencing .. amp.smh.com.au/politics/federal/royal-commission-hears-vatican-told-priest-to-offer-a-mass-every-friday-for-his-victims-20131219-2zmqa.html

[@frbill]

Yes. Thanks for your response. That’s the one I found. There is no contesting that the Catholic Church has caused tragic harm to the innocent. One is too many. Today, bishops are to take seriously all accusations that are received today and are to be reported to the civil authorities. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have recognized their faults to keep children safe and have since bound themselves and us priests to follow a document called, The Charter for three Protection of Children and Young People. It’s pretty extensive and requires pastors like me to ensure that all staff and volunteers are background checked, attend annual safety training, and are always vigilant for potential bad actors. Will this completely stop abuse? Not as long as we humans are sinners. But, this side of eternity, this charter goes a long way to help prevent harm. It is more strict than any other institutional document I can think of when it comes to the protection of the innocent. Pope Benedict XVI and again Pope Francis have made the process of investigating and penalizing an accused minister quickly compared to what was reported in the article you read. www.usccb.org/resources/Charter-for-the-Protection-of-Children-and-Young-People-2018-final%281%29.pdf Keep doing your astrophotography videos! Your humor makes me laugh and smile. We need more humor and joy in the world. Astronomy and related sciences lift up my faith and peak my imagination about the wonders of creation!

[@chattywalrus8485]

​@@DylanODonnellThat level of zeal is not for everyone. So sorry you didn't take it easy on religion! Petty... don't you mean disturbing? You don't believe that? Have you taken a look around? Do that once in a while, even if it's way uglier than the Heavens. Oh, pardon me, I meant the Universe. Let's not get into why we're here, guarding the gates.

[@chattywalrus8485]

​@@frbillGod bless you, Father❣️ That's what I call grace❣️ Will you say a prayer for me, 'cause my reply to Dylan got stuck and flew just as I... well, I was only going to say "allegedly" and maybe some joke after that? Yeah... I need to get church soon. And maybe out of this just past Strawberry Moon... right after I film it and then pack up my scope... 'cause she's rising later every night, while Saturn's not rising any sooner.

[@chattywalrus8485]

​@@DylanODonnellDylan, by the way, I'm Orthodox... if you ever wish to see the church I've been baptised in... it's right across the street from a Catholic church, which, in turn, is right next to a Reformed church, and I pray in all of them... admittedly not very often. I can't read the Bible, though... it's too disturbing... one look around and... it just doesn't look good. But we're terrans, and life around here's supposed to suck. There's no point in whining... getting upset at God like you know Him personally (you shouldn't judge someone you don't know), getting upset at the Church as if you wouldn't know it's made of people (yeah, like Soylent Green)... and generally whining about the meaning of your life. You know what the meaning of your life is? Your parents thought they wanted you because they didn't know any better and, in those times, they couldn't have seen what was coming, unless... never mind. That's why you were born, that's why you are here. Suck it up and stop finding things to blame... unless you're fighting the spiritual war... in the front lines!

[@alexdecicco5716]

Your sign off is one of the main reasons why I started following your channel.

[@donondre7314]

"it's a good thing I wasn't Jewish"...Man, I almost spewed my coffee over the keyboard! Great story!

[@DylanODonnell]

hehehe

[@jdpjamesp]

You went one step better than me. Still wiping the stuff off mine.

[@Grimzentide]

I'm here for the comments that are coming.

[@DylanODonnell]

😂

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Popcorn!!

[@dextro808]

i'm cumming for the comments that are here

[@jasonadrian6201]

Baptized Catholic -> become atheist -> discover heavy metal -> become astronomer. Yeah... that sounds familiar.

[@DylanODonnell]

😂🤘🏼

[@traiviator]

Same. Take my church-tax, Cannibal Corpse

[@DylanODonnell]

@@traiviator yesssss

[@Christiaan-qj8fi]

As an ex-Mormon, I’m so happy and proud! It’s an extremely emotional journey, and I’m glad you were able to get it annulled. Congrats man!

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey thanks friend !

[@rexsterling7346]

Nock Nock...

[@LogansAstro]

My father told me as a kid that he didn't have me baptised because he wasn't baptised, and the reason?........, he said if he was going to hell, he wanted some company. True story.

[@DylanODonnell]

I like it :)

[@LuisRivas-ir6ul]

“A bit of science distances one from God, but much science nears one to Him.” ― Louis Pasteur

[@The3DP]

which one tho

[@GeneoftheWorld]

@@The3DP The one where love wins or love doesn't win? Man, thats a tough one.

[@The3DP]

@@GeneoftheWorld none of the bullshit gods you follow is real

[@GeneoftheWorld]

@@The3DP oh wow you just outed yourself as a troll on here!

[@The3DP]

@@GeneoftheWorld Right, this person doesn't agree with my view therefore is a troll, makes sense

[@maryannechilton1465]

You once again are one of my heroes. I too grew up being tortured as a young catholic. Endless masses before the crack of dawn, onward to catholic school…etc. I could go on but you know the drill. What you did was totally brilliant and if I didn’t detest getting in contact with the church where I was baptized, I would definitely follow your lead. Bravo my brother!

[@ReneFolse]

LMAO. I am 78 years old and share a similar story. One day when I was 40ish, I said out loud at a family get together "I am glad I am not a Catholic anymore," to which the entire room full of my toxic Catholic family said "Oh no! Once a Catholic always a Catholic." This was the last day I had anything to do with my entire Catholic birth family, never saw any of them again. My pursuit of getting "unbaptized" was similar, except I spoke to a Cannon Lawyer, and was also told excommunication was the only way. I said "great what do I gotta do?" He explained "something serious like threaten a Bishop," to which I replied "great give me a name and address," and at that point the Cannon Lawyer hung up. A non-catholic friend of mine heard my story, and found an ex-nun somewhere, who hand created a certificate proclaiming that I was not a Catholic any more. She signed it with her name and title "Ex-Nun." I hung it on my wall as my prized trophy, and feel as though I was "unbaptized" as you put it. Love your story. Now I know I am not the only one on the planet who wanted to be officially declared "not a Catholic." Woooohoooo for you Dylan.

[@DylanODonnell]

You are NOT the only one! We can’t be lifelong members just because they believe it to be true :)

[@kerihazelton5785]

@@DylanODonnellexactly! I mean, look at some of the other shit they believe. You can’t ever take a very religious person’s word for anything, or you’ll end up believing your fiancée you’ve never slept with getting pregnant is a miracle.

[@merryjane7558]

Your inclusion wasn't an informed choice in the first place, as you were a child. Indoctrinated is more accurate.

[@chrisross2916]

Good on you, Dylan, While never a Catholic, my parents were asked to remove me from Sunday school for "...asking too many questions..." 🙂

[@DylanODonnell]

hahaha sounds familiar!

[@GrowingAnswers]

I wish it was as simple as ticking a button online. Because I would do it too. I made the decision (realization) when I was old enough to understand my place in the universe despite all the misinformation I was being fed. Which was at about 12 years old. I also gained interests in astronomical material around that age too. My eyes opened and have been for the last 30 years.

[@humbugnh]

Never realized the "everything is meaningless" closing quote was biblical, though I always took it as a hopeful message of impermanence and using your time well. Glad I was partly right!

[@DylanODonnell]

I like the irony :) honestly great chapter. Pretty sure an atheist wrote it.

[@stevendrexler6138]

I love that Dylan reads every comment!

[@abhisheksastrophotography7826]

Why did the Astro-Photographer get Un-baptised? They realized the universe is mostly dark matter and wanted their soul to match.

[@GeneoftheWorld]

Dark Matter Matters!

[@wattswheelhouse]

This needs to be condensed for quick sharing on all platforms.

[@Mandragara]

My only memory of almost 2 decades of church is cringing at the sonic possum repeller that all the old people cramming for the final couldn't hear

[@Haiforse]

I was in a similar circumstance as you, but I had no idea you could annul your baptism. I’ll have to look into it, thanks for sharing your story Dylan. Never expected this from one of my regular astronomy channels lol

[@MoggioMTB]

Nice one! I found an astronomy book while studying for my first holy communion. Ended up going through that ceremony as an 9 year old ex catholic athiest.

[@DylanODonnell]

Hahaha nice

[@PeterAndersen1013]

People used to ask me what I was giving up for Lent back in the day. After saying "religion" multiple times they finally got the hint that maybe I was no longer Catholic 😛.

[@DylanODonnell]

haha!

[@astroimagers]

Astrophysicist Dr. Hugh Ross is a fascinating protestant I can respect.

[@thoselog]

I did the same thing with the mormon church before my son was born. Great video, I love your channel!

[@dmpase]

Superb! As a former Mormon, there are at least a few of us who have had similar journeys. It's nice to hear it from someone I respect and enjoy. Thanks, Dylan, for sharing this part of your journey with us.

[@AlanHowellphotovideo]

Well done Sir. Total space hero move. Bronze Age beliefs need to stay in the Bronze Age if humans are to move forward.

[@BSm2919]

Happily religious, and have no care whether you are or not. I'm just here for the content and a laugh, which your sign off gives me every time.

[@IAMDRREMULAKK]

Ahhhh... Catholic school and church. I remember it well. Like I remember a nun hitting me with a wooden baseball bat in 4th grade at lunchtime, because someone told her that I threw pretzels at someone (I didn't). And I remember getting punched in the face by a nun in 7th grade for rolling a coffee bean up and down the aisle in class (I did). Good times!

[@DylanODonnell]

lol yeh they were psychos .. our nun was into physical violence too.

[@DanielKennedyaeos]

Never christened, never baptised, came close in my teens but managed to dodge it. Good on you taking the symbolic step to uncatholicise (a word) yourself.

[@eltorocal]

EVILgelicals... ain't no Hate like Christian Love... Reich?

[@DSOImager]

The most fascinating thing for me about going through a similar process was seeing everything for the outside once that threshold had been crossed.

[@SuperBoatdoc]

The apostle Thomas went on to become one of the most widely traveled of the Apostles, and a powerful evangelizer- to this day, there are Christians in India with the surname Thomas. He was said to be martyred (driven through with spears or swords, something like that) in India. There are even accounts in the Jesuit missionaries(The Paraguay Reductions) of South America of hearing from the native tribes an old tale of a man named Tome who crossed the continent carrying a cross, who was beaten and had multiple attempts on his life, performing miracles to include raising people from the dead. “Doubting Thomas” was apparently only a temporary phase in his life.

[@lilithgaither9603]

Thanks for sharing this part of your journey with us! Resonates with mine for sure, and though my life is filled with love and happiness and shit like that, you've still managed to make an internet stranger that much less alone

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey thanks 🙏🏼

[@wodclerc]

Lol, lovely! Actually made me and the missus lookup how we could do that over here too. Didn't even consider for a second to baptize our kids. However we're in the same boat as you. Hope the family is doing ok! All the best!

[@roderickwho1983]

Great stuff, Dylan. Thanks for posting.

[@collins7299]

Absolutely love this dude. Every bit of it. Clear skies, buddy.

[@MrRickJose]

And just when I think that there surely can’t be anything else to admire about you, this… love it.

[@DylanODonnell]

Haha thanks Rick!

[@NetlistPCB]

I'm catholic, but not Roman Catholic. I appreciate your honesty in your faith. Sounds like you were raised well in a Christian type home, which was a positive influence on your adulthood. Sounds like you are also familiar with the Word and have it in your mind. Stay safe and enjoy your journey. Blessings from a Christian Astronomer, Engineer, and Science Geek.

[@KenStough]

I have enjoyed all of your KZbin videos. But this one is the best! I never thought about it, even with the sour taste left in my mouth by the catholic church. No, that taste was never left in my mouth by a priest either. Have had nothing to do with the church or any church since the passing of my Mother. BRAVO! Thanks for all your videos, keep it up. Sincerely, Ken L Stough

[@KenStough]

p.s. I wonder if I can become UnCircumcised? I had no say in that and am not happy about it. I want it back. KLS

[@Wombatzone31]

Ahhhhh.... you make morning coffee so much better with information like this!

[@EdDarter]

Fair play Dylan - you have me wondering if I can do something similar from the Church of England...

[@CheapHomeTech]

Another fantastic segment. It's your snarky clever insights that make all the topics you discuss interesting.

[@tutting]

Thanks for sharing, having being brought up a catholic as well, going to catholic school and also serving as an alter boy as a child, much of what you said was very relatable and now as I'm older and discovering the universe (and your channel) through astrophotography i feel better now than i ever did as that child.

[@DylanODonnell]

Well done man!

[@prnzssLuna]

This is quite interesting. Here in Germany, your confession is tied to government stuff too (for paying taxes to the church for example). I too was babtized as kid an as such, my records show(ed) that I'm catholic, both in the church and legal documents. As far as I know, here you really just have to go to the local government, formally leave your confession, and you'll get removed. The priest will often contact you to reconsider your decision, so I assume this basically does the same too. Costs a good chunck of money too unfortunately (60€). I did this too a while back and don't regret it either.

[@Dana_Watson]

I really enjoyed the video, astro related or not. I was raised with a strict Pentecostal upbringing where it was taught "Bible only, no questions." It was definitely frowned upon, and I was discouraged as a kid when I decided I wanted to be an astronomer when I grew up. Things didn't pan out that way, but I did end up in the hobby of astrophotography.. Just wondering if it was accepted when you brought up astronomy as a child in the religion, or was it similar to my experience?

[@thhall459]

Your Baptist friend in Slidell, Louisiana still loves you, brother!

[@DylanODonnell]

Cheers brother 🙏🏼

[@Thexderify]

Thank you for sharing. Great to hear your experience. Will have do the same one day

[@ScottyP5947]

That was great, the middle name bit at the end had me laughing my ass off. Good stuff.

[@Froobyone]

Thanks for sharing your story. I hope it guides others to the freedom of secularity.

[@bronco_fv]

I’m glad my parents decided to leave it up to me.

[@LEDNight]

I'm actually thinking of going to get unbaptised so I'm watching this video to see how, thank you so much for telling your story to us

[@DylanODonnell]

You are very welcome ! Thanks !

[@millsbobster]

reading to hear the good news from my all fellow recovering Catholics

[@kevinburke8608]

Dude, getting kicked out for apostasy is hysterical. Used to be Catholic...

[@rosscayley8773]

The school review! Lol....

[@DylanODonnell]

Hehe I try to mention the school in as many published interviews as possible.

[@astrochristie]

Thank you for the inspiration! I have just reached out to the church that baptized me to do the very same. I hope they make it a little easier for me, but I'm willing to jump through hoops to make this happen!

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey congrats ! I hope it works out!

[@fidelpacheco6666]

I have to say this has been one of the best videos that you have done. Don't get me wrong I like the other ones as well but something about this one. Great job love it..

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey thanks for saying so :)

[@MrDanielRabin]

This is brilliant. What a fantastically frivolously significant endeavor. My only question now is, as a Jew, can I have my Brit Milah reversed? 🤔

[@DylanODonnell]

Bahaha!

[@davidskybrody]

Brilliant story. Thank you for sharing. As a long-confirmed atheist I will say: Faith is not a bad place to have come FROM (it can help young kids to trust the universe) but for some of us - at some time - blind faith starts to interfere with making good decisions.

[@grahamstevens9642]

So much deep stuff here, congratulations. Give me Dylan Thomas any time over these befrocked automatons.

[@damienf4581]

You're so not alone on this. Eight years in Catholic boarding schools - my grandmother's brother was a monseigneur, my elderly uncle is a priest, my mother is a Dame of the Catholic Church, my 90 year old father still reads at Sunday mass - sheesh!! I don't give a rats that I'm still a statistic because I don't care what the church does or doesn't do. Same view for any of these organised cults. Science and reason rock!

[@KevinRudd-w8s]

Great idea Dylan, I would never have thought of that. I was christened in the Anglican church just under seventy years ago, apart from the odd wedding and funeral it was the only church service I ever attended, not that I remember it, though I do like looking at old churches for their architecture. And I totally agree, everything is meaningless and we are all going to die. Doesn't bother me at all.

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks !

[@lixiaoyu1067]

Wish you luck mate! Love, peace and knowledge are all around the world and in space 😊

[@SamStars8811]

Congratulations on your unbaptism. I've not been Baptised nor Christened, I have no middle name, neither do the rest of my family. The closest I got to God was attending church parade with the Brownies once a month. My family encouraged questioning anything and everything and I am eternally grateful for it.

[@David_Glazebrook]

"We were so catholic that ...." sounds like a line of jokes, a bit like "Ya mama so fat that ...." ;)

[@DylanODonnell]

Hehe a priest, a rabbi and a super catholic walk into a bar …

[@Starman1959]

Dylan I am impressed that you took the time to read the Bible and even know the stories!

[@DylanODonnell]

Oh yeh it’s full of weird stuff .. my main copy has the apocrypha too which is even funnier. It’s not a “good” book though .. in the sense that if it wasn’t special and you just made someone read it .. they wouldn’t make it through numbers.

[@Q_Bits]

I had no idea this was possible. I guess I’m going to get unbaptized too. Thank you for sharing this!

[@GregMcCall]

EXCELLENT. Scored a bonus laugh at the end

[@DylanODonnell]

Hehe thanks for getting that far!

[@wesleydonnelly2141]

Dylan I was raised Roman Catholic. My father is from County Kerry, Republic of Ireland, which is hardcore Catholic. I'm best described as "none Church going, sometimes praying, semi practicing sometimes Catholic weirdo" 😂 Dylan thank you for answering a question I've wanted to ask you for so long! Your infamous parting statement "and remember, everything is meaningless...and we're all going to die!" LOL now I finally know where it comes from! Thanks!

[@DylanODonnell]

Hehe they thanks for watching! O’Donnell literally translates to son of the Donnells so we’re probably related way back :)

[@wesleydonnelly2141]

@@DylanODonnell LOL and you know what Dylan I have sometimes wondered if our very similar surnames were somehow related from the past! Enjoy your evening cuz! 😂

[@GrantValente]

Thank you for sharing this! I truly appreciate this as another ex-catholic searcher of space. I love collecting data, I may need to look into revising some as well!

[@DylanODonnell]

nice one man!

[@janetwillson3502]

There is no conflict between the Catholic Church and science. Have you heard of the Vatican Observatory? They have been involved with astronomy since the 1500's. There are three telescopes in Rome and one in the US (Arizona). Lots of incredible astronomy research gong on there. The Vatican Observatory also has one of the largest collections of meteorites in the world.

[@pascalnelson9034]

Great story, Dylan. Congratulations on achieving your quest to become unbaptized. I was raised in the Southern Baptist Church here in the USA. You may have heard of that denomination. At one time it was the largest Christian denomination in the USA, with more than 15 million members. When my wife (also raised Southern Baptist) and I were married (51 years ago) we both decided to try to remove ourselves from the Southern Baptist membership rolls. After several very unpleasant sessions with ministers of our local churches, we were unsuccessful. We were told that the only way to remove yourself from their membership was to die (and even then it was uncertain). Needless to say, we haven't darkened the door of a Southern Baptist Church since. In fact, we went on to remove our bodies and souls from all churches altogether.

[@jrkorman]

Also a proud ex-SBC!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Now that was fascinating! Also your signoff on YT is the best thing ever and I love it :)

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey thanks my man!

[@phatchimp7619]

Amen !!

[@mattlee4973]

I just wanted to say that I love your videos and sense of humor. I have a similar story to yours re: religion except my parents were some indie American protestant Christians, which meant no red tape or census to quit the church, only judgement (hooray!). I think around the time I realized "wait a minute, we can measure all this stuff?" religion just turned into old campfire stories written down by old men, which is way less interesting than just looking up. keep up the good work sir.

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks Matt!

[@chrisblacklock9468]

Dealing with reality is beyond a lot of people it seems. Glad to hear you are not insane, but only mildly alcoholic.

[@JonSnow009]

The Church - serving tough to get rid of cookies (much like Chrome) since 2000 years ago. FWIW, you never know if you're actually off the database in either case.

[@stevenholt824]

I have to agree about your sign off ,after id watched my first video of yours and the sign off i was hooked.

[@russellmm]

I really thought you were going to give some deeper answer about how as your understanding of space and the universe grew you realized that the odds of a "god" creating it all became less likely. I grew up in a very religious family as well and I do have to say as I grew older and my knowledge of ancient Rome, as well as space grew, my position on a god creating it all has shifted. Similar to how I feel it is very unlikely we have ever (or will ever) be visited by aliens (once you grasp the vastness of the universe).

[@DylanODonnell]

Agree! I didn’t want to bore people with my personal epistemology too much. There are plenty of those KZbinrs :)

[@ivolol]

I feel like if some God-being existed with some fantastical way to imagine Earth into being, them also being able to do the rest of the universe as well isn't that big of a jump. Once you can pop one thing into existence from thin air, why not all things? That said, I'll be waiting for evidence that points to this process actually occurring to the exclusion of other possibilities, before ruminating on it further.

[@yzfr1grl]

One more reason to love your channel even more. Now I need to see if I can have my Mormon baptism annulled.

[@ankitjain3760]

You are real Sheldon Cooper.

[@DylanODonnell]

Lol

[@Jason_AstroNovice]

Fantastic Story! I’m an even bigger fan now!

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey thanks Jase!

[@georgalbrecht8029]

Dylan, I am all there with you...👍

[@richards3192]

Born human, baptised Catholic (Irish side on Ma's branch), received a stellar education at a Jesuit school with a side order of indoctrination and fear, then University and enlightenment. Let it wash over you, Dylan.

[@TheBignick243]

The young Dylan ODonnell mullet is awesome! @ 1:35

[@DylanODonnell]

Hahaha

[@pczYT]

I never cared about my baptism. Maybe because we weren't practicing catholics. And as a side note, Tom Araya has always been a practicing one.

[@naturealbums]

You think you were hard done by. I'm an ex-muslim apostate try getting uncircumcised. To be fair my parents were secular religion was never a part of our family but somehow I was still circumcised as its part of the Turkish culture. Most Turks have never read any Quran it's in Arabic Turkish is a Latin based alphabet. Real Islam is strict about usage of arabic. These days I see myself as Ignostic (similar to agnostic). I also grew up fascinated by astronomy in those days we didnt even have those amazing detailed photos in books.

[@DylanODonnell]

Wow interesting!

[@stevensiwinski]

I'd be interested in a video on your reasons for leaving religion. I suspect most of us have similar stories.

[@mitchellharper5853]

Nice one... so glad to hear that people that went through that nonsense can get out and reduce their stupid influence on the masses. Keep up the good work.

[@scottcurenton8920]

I love your channel! And I fully support your decision my son! 😆 So, I have a thought for content- It’s cost me thousands for my current Astro gear. It would cost me a couple hundred to package it all up and send it to you. You could then make an entire video showing me how to use it correctly! From setup to final image processing. I would be willing to pay you for it. I mean, if I owned $8000 in astrophotography gear and paid $1000 to someone like you to show me how to use it correctly, it would be worth every penny. You then post it on your channel for others to learn. You could explain what things might be needed to complete my rig, and if you have these things, use them during the video to show its proper use. Anyway, love what you do. Thanks for putting in the time and effort to enhance our lives. 😊

[@HerbivorousFuture]

Anyone in Germany, when they notice that Tax office collects Church taxes: (Yes, unfortunately it's not a joke. The state collects taxes for the church from anyone who has been baptized Catholic or Protestant and has not left the church.)

[@DylanODonnell]

Omg that’s crazy!

[@datenraffzahn6094]

@@DylanODonnell It gets worst, when you leave the church you get - in stereotypic German fashion - a certificate which you should guard with your life. Because if you want to move to another town, the local church will check - with support of the registration office - if you have been "in the club", and together with tax authority gladly "rebaptise" you with all the financial liabilities - even back payments -, if you can not prove - with mentioned certificate - that you left for good. Even someone moving from France, baptised as a child, with no further connection to the church since was faced with church tax fees, when moving to Germany. Parents right? And yes that is somehow legal here.

[@ancientcolors]

@@DylanODonnell And their tax rates are not cheap. 100s to 1000s Euros per year, depending on your income tax. I don't need to pay them yet, but as soon as I do, I will probably take on the fight with my family over it.

[@ebvalaim]

At least if you leave, you stop paying. In Poland, the state gives something like 1.8 billion PLN (roughly 400 million euros) to the Church every year, and that's supported by everyone's taxes. So essentially you chip in for the Church even if you're not a member.

[@datenraffzahn6094]

@@ebvalaim no, we have that too, but my post was long enough already. But since the church runs social institutions like Kindergarten we funnel tax money from non-members to the church as well. Church in Germany is a giant cluster-f***, obviously in Poland too ...

[@pimesonhadron]

Heh, awesome stuff mate! As an atheist who really doesn’t like organized religion, I love your story. Thank you for sharing!

[@DylanODonnell]

thanks!

[@yannfolkestad9147]

Fantastic!! Thank you for sharing Dylan. I had no idea this was even possible. I don’t have a certificate, but maybe I’ll be able to find the parish from all these years ago and get the books annotated.

[@astrodojo1]

I must tell you this, I'm recording a Thrash / Death metal album and I discovered I can Vocal / Sing death metal, you know, like the cookie monster and I have this middle bridge section where I say in a lofi effect intercom voice, "Everything in Meaningless and we are all going to die" and just in this moment the heaviest part of the album strikes in!, So thank you and when its out there public I'll send it to you.

[@DylanODonnell]

Yessss

[@nicklloyd9165]

I don’t tell god what to do, god doesn’t tell me what to do, and we get along just fine.

[@wethoughtyouwasatoad4684]

Thanks for the story! It makes me want to get baptised so I can get unbaptised.

[@nightwaves3203]

Catholic school where all cusswords originate from. Maybe an old Roman originated practice started when a girl named Dorothy realizing they are headed to the Colosseum games of lions and tigers and bears.

[@bakerfx4968]

This kind of content is important as the world shifts to non-religious affiliation. I never even considered getting unbaptized!

[@TheVirtualTim]

OMG that is awesome! I was really hoping you’d get excommunicated. I would want to be excommunicated! 😂

[@jimcraig8754]

I was not-so-politely asked to leave the United Methodist Church when I was 16 and starting on my journey of self-discovery and questioning about the nature of the universe. Fortunately, I managed to avoid baptism. I think my questioning began when I asked my grandmother why we were Methodists instead of a different church (where all the cool kids went). She told me it was because we lived a block from the UMC and the other church was four blocks away. That was the basis of our whole religious life: geographical convenience. In 1981, I made a declaration (to myself if no one else) that I was an atheist and I've been one ever since. Thanks for having the courage to post this. I hope it doesn't cost you any subscribers. I'm sharing your link with folks in my local atheist community because I think they'll enjoy this.

[@nadinesteinert2003]

I am also no longer Catholic... But it seems way easier to leave the church in Germany. I had to fill out a form, pay 30€ and that was it. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@DylanODonnell]

$30 for something that doesn’t exist ! Haha

[@nadinesteinert2003]

But now I am not paying monthly church taxes anymore, so that's a bonus 😉

[@catherinegrimes2308]

@@nadinesteinert2003 I am British and don't know how this works. Did you have to inform the tax authorities of your religion when you started work? I heard that people are unhappy about having to pay in order to be exempt from the church taxes. There was a court case about it because people considered it to be discriminatory against Atheists.

[@nadinesteinert2003]

@@catherinegrimes2308 yes, I did have to inform my employer. Depending on which church you belong to and how much you earn you pay. The Catholic church is most expensive 😅. Well paying 30€ once is better than paying 10-12€ monthly.

[@catherinegrimes2308]

@@nadinesteinert2003 Many thanks for your reply. There no such taxes in the UK and I would imagine that it would be the same in Australia as well. My parents made me go to a Church of England (Anglican that is a form of Protestantism ) church for Sunday School but I never really believed it because I had a scientific world view at an early age.

[@stevensiwinski]

This is fascinating. Thanks for sharing. I was also raised catholic and practiced religiously up until I started college and (maybe not coincidentally) got into astronomy. I found out a few years later that the parish priest touched boys and it was covered up (explains why he mysteriously got transferred to another parish without warning and why no one in the church would talk about it). Anyway, I'm going to look into getting unbaptized. I think the number of religious people has been falling rapidly in western countries and I don't think the numbers accurately reflect that.

[@hansf2281]

Thank goodness we live in a more enlightened age in which we can safely (mostly) air our views on such matters. After all, "blasphemy is a victimless crime".

[@cratervanawesome]

Getting officially out of the catholic church sounds like a gym membership.

[@DylanODonnell]

lol

[@ryanmichaelhaley]

And you're still a dork, but that's why we love you Dylan!