"I'm Barely Holding On To My Mormon Beliefs" | The Atheist Experience: Throwback

Call the show on Sundays 4:30pm-6:00pm CT: 1-512-686-0279 or use your computer to save on long-distance charges: tiny.cc/callthe...
► LinkTree: linktr.ee/athe...
► Don't like commercials? Become a patron for ad-free content & more: / theatheistexperience
► Find all of our links here: linktr.ee/athe...
► Podcast versions of the show may be found at:
www.spreaker.c...
► Atheist Experience merch can be found at: https:tiny.cc/merchaca
► Become a KZbin member: / @theatheistexperience
► Join our discord:
tiny.cc/acddiscord
Note: We request pronouns as part of the call screening process on our shows, and we display the pronouns our callers provide. If you see a caller with no pronouns indicated, this is because they chose not to provide us with any, and we respect that decision.
-------
WHAT IS THE ATHEIST EXPERIENCE?
The Atheist Experience is a weekly call-in television show in Austin, Texas geared at a non-atheist audience. The Atheist Experience is produced by the Atheist Community of Austin.
The Atheist Community of Austin is a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit organization based in Austin, Texas. The Atheist Community of Austin is dedicated to promoting atheism, critical thinking, secular humanism, and the separation of religion and government.
We define atheism as the lack of belief in gods. This definition also encompasses what most people call agnosticism.
VISIT THE ACA'S OFFICIAL WEB SITES
www.atheist-com... (The Atheist Community of Austin)
NOTES
TheAtheistExperience is the official channel of The Atheist Experience. "The Atheist Experience" is a trademark of the ACA.
The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, or callers are their own and not necessarily representative of the Atheist Community of Austin.
Opening Theme:
Shelley Segal "Saved" www.shelleysega...
Limited use license by Shelley Segal
Copyright © 2011 Shelley Segal
Copyright © 2024 Atheist Community of Austin. All rights reserved.

[@amarshati289]

"God always hate the people that you hate"..that quote is really powerful

[@HamptonDoubledayJr]

It would be even more powerful with the correct spelling 😉

[@quentind1924]

So god must hate everyone, because everyone's being hated by someone. Unless that was supposed to be an egocentric quote...

[@davidsewell9227]

When I realized that God was individual to each person, I started to see astounding arrogance with people who believed they were tramsmitting God's message.

[@quentind1924]

@@davidsewell9227 God being invidual to each person doesn't seem coherent with that god being true. Unless god truly decided to show to everyone in different ways (which doesn't make any sense imo), that's admitting god is only on our mind

[@animtres]

​@@quentind1924 you didn't understand. As an example, if you hate LGBTQ+ people, then most definitely your god hates them and he'll send them to hell. If you hate a group of another religion, your god definitely hates that group too. In short, your god makes his decisions through your lenses. He hates what you hate and loves what you love. It is just a long and detailed way of saying, "gods are man made and they're made in the image of the believer." 😂That's why god had to look like a human and be proclaimed to have made man in his image. That's why that god could not look like a cow, lion, goat or hen. No, he had to look like you, a human. Ooh and he had to be a "He" also. 😂 Because the so called prophets were "He"s

[@amtlpaul]

A reminder to all the trolls commenting here: none of you are entitled to have your claims taken seriously, let alone believed. If you want us to even entertain your claims, be prepared to make a serious case for them.

[@rbwinn3]

OK. 1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he who denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denieth the Father and the Son.

[@Lazy_Sundae]

@@rbwinn3 Wanker

[@Mike-om4tv]

Yeah now make the serious case about why we should give half a fuck about the bible​@@rbwinn3

[@amtlpaul]

​@@rbwinn3Calling me a liar for not believing your claims does not a serious case make.

[@cliponbowties4799]

​@@rbwinn3 You know why that isn't gonna fly here, right?

[@Mewse1203]

This guy is the poster child for why religion is so awful. He is torn up inside. He knows his religion is bunk and yet pain has been conditioned into him every time he gets close to any real fact that contradicts his "true" religion. Cognitive dissonance is a hell of a thing, is extremely painful and religions use it, and your family, like a weapon.

[@Mewse1203]

@@JimCastleberry every fact....

[@Lazy_Sundae]

@@JimCastleberry You lost me at "What fact contradict". Does God's guidance not stretch to grammar?

[@jonclark8252]

@@JimCastleberry "I can prove it." You have been proven to be a lying hypocritical coward. You have never once proven anything you claim.

[@stevesmith1689]

I always try to remember that these people are the victims here.

[@Mewse1203]

@@stevesmith1689 it can be hard sometimes

[@anthonycraig274]

This is weird, hearing someone who is rational, who was indoctrinated, now been asked questions and is using critical thinking. Critical thinking and intellectual honesty is kryptonite to religion.

[@nelsonc6173]

Very true. That's why I tell my religious friends if you want to talk to me about your religion I will apply critical thinking and intellectual honesty to your statements so do not get angry if things begin to unravel for you. In the end they stop talking about their religion which is fine as I always tell them there is no use talking about your religion as a truth for the universe and creation. Religion is based on faith not fact. If you believe then good for you but don't throw it around like it's the end all be all because if you do I will challenge and they end up just struggling in the end which is not a pleasant thing to see. Some people need religion and it's not my job to take it away from them.

[@thedave1771]

He’s already an atheist, he’s just not ready for the social consequences. Maybe he never will. Maybe he’s already there, given how far back this is. It would be lovely to know, and to support him either way.

[@AtheistRedBlue]

The world needs more atheists.

[@quotedotes]

The data says that the world would be a better place with less religion in it.

[@RichardLelandLevineIII.]

​@@quotedotesnopes, it says the opposite. Atheistic humanist governments which are all Communists without exception killed more of their own citizens in the last century than all of the civilizations combined since written word. And I'm not even including the countless forced abortions on women living under atheistic humanists China. Christians on the other hand created the greatest civilization in the history of mankind which is modern Western Civilization. Unfortunately we did have atheistic dictators take over governments not just countries like East Germany and USSR with the atheistic governments but you have humanists anti-christian like Adolf Hitler and his socialist Nazi party and his atheist humanist anti-christian philosophical Ally Mussolini with his fascist party. Not even atheist humanist want to live under atheistic humanist Godless Utopias like North Korea they rather live under what Christians created

[@RichardLelandLevineIII.]

That is the last thing the world needs.. any country becoming more Christian and less atheists prosperous. Any country becoming more atheist and less Christian declines..

[@AtheistRedBlue]

@@RichardLelandLevineIII. I do not agree with you. I think you don't know what you are talking about and you have no proof. Here is something interesting that I have found. It shows that places with a high rate of atheists are doing perfectly fine. Research suggests that countries with higher percentages of atheists tend to have lower crime rates. Here are some findings: 1. A 2019 study published in the journal "Social Science Research" found that countries with higher percentages of atheists had lower homicide rates. 2. A 2018 study published in the journal "Criminology" found that countries with higher percentages of atheists had lower rates of violent crime. 3. A 2005 study published in the journal "Journal of Religion and Society" found that countries with higher percentages of atheists had lower rates of property crime. Some examples of countries with high percentages of atheists and low crime rates include: 1. Japan (around 60% atheist, low crime rate) 2. Sweden (around 50% atheist, low crime rate) 3. Denmark (around 50% atheist, low crime rate) 4. Norway (around 45% atheist, low crime rate) 5. Australia (around 30% atheist, low crime rate) It's important to note that correlation does not imply causation. There are many factors that influence crime rates, such as economic conditions, education levels, and social policies. Atheism is just one aspect of a country's cultural and demographic makeup. Additionally, it's worth noting that some countries with high percentages of atheists, like China, have higher crime rates due to other factors such as economic inequality and political repression. In summary, while there is some evidence that countries with more atheists tend to have lower crime rates, it's not a straightforward relationship and requires further research to understand the underlying factors.

[@elih9700]

@@quotedotes What is the creed then that we hold ourself accountable too? When should we stop x, why should we not stop x? Do we not need a creed, should we make it up as we go along? Are there some ideas found in religion, that is man made that are useful?

[@SouthernMenace]

Hopefully Mitch is out of religion now, and leading a happier, more honest life alongside his family.

[@fang_xianfu]

I think the most likely scenario is that he keeps his mouth shut to keep the peace and gets on with life as best he can. The next likeliest is that he caused a scene and was ostracised. I do hope that didn't happen to him.

[@ninaschust3694]

​@@fang_xianfuI hope he watches the atheist experience, Zelph on the shelf, nuancehoe and cults to Conscience.

[@WhrsTheMoneyLabowski]

This poor man. This perfectly illustrates the harm and detriment religion can have on people. Such a good hearted and honest and thoughtful individual should never have to struggle like this. It breaks my heart

[@scrumpymanjack]

I feel very deeply for Mitch. What a nice guy - and having to make these terrible choices because he grew up surrounded by this nonsense. Good.luck to you.

[@rustygray5058]

Intellectually, you want to tell him that if someone would leave him just because he no longer believes in faeries, he's better off without them. But you can't help but feel bad for him, because it's not his fault that he cares for people who don't care for him.

[@scrumpymanjack]

@@rustygray5058 I'm sure they do care for him. But this is why it's so hard to question religion: it's not just the (idiotic) beliefs, it's facing the prospect of leaving every single thing you have ever known - mother and father, brother and sister, wife and kids, friends and community. I have such huge respect for people like Mitch who are intellectually curious and clever enough to dare to doubt. I hope he reads this and realises that there is a huge world of support out there beyond the cultish myopia of Christian Town.

[@davidford5896]

The Holy Ghost is our cognitive dissonance trying to protect our already held beliefs and feelings.

[@Lazy_Sundae]

@@JimCastleberry Are people who don't believe in Santa, the Tooth Fairy or the Easter Bunny suffering from delusion too, Edith?

[@Lazy_Sundae]

@@JimCastleberry Did the chemicals cause those brainless delusions too? Why can't you Bible-thumping trash answer a question?

[@queuecee]

@@Lazy_Sundae Why does Jim always ask for atheists to answer questions that's been answered over and over? Is that what he means by chemical delusions?

[@RichardLelandLevineIII.]

​@@Lazy_Sundae Even believing in the Easter Bunny and the tooth fairy isn't nearly as harmful as atheist humanist faith-based beliefs like the ones that cause their children to be cross-dressed and mutilated.

[@quotedotes]

Great way to say it, personify the thoughts and feelings meant to keep you in the in-group, as a means to better keep people in the in-group.

[@lynnefeatonby1693]

"yeah, but", "I agree, but" "I see what you're saying, but" but but but is always the answer given when religious people can't face admitting that they bought a lie. What a fantastic call. I feel for this man but really admire him.

[@danleach8266]

Everybody involved is so sincere with one another. Refreshing to see!

[@quotedotes]

It's very helpful, to see what an honest religious person sounds like, compared to the dishonest ones, that's why I regularly watch these shows, to remind myself that not all of them are allergic to reason and logic.

[@lynnez.2818]

I was practically dragged kicking and screaming out of the Mormon church by life circumstances. Once I deprogrammed myself, I found that I had been in a religion that is a cult. Later, I realized ALL religions are cults. I am able to consciously choose right action out of kindness and compassion as opposed to fear or social pressure. Sure feels great to be free.

[@svenleeuwen]

Hearing him open up about his fears (13:00) breaks my heart. I hope he and his family are still happy.

[@aidenisduranarzuaga4030]

can these type of calls please include a follow up call if there ever was one. this caller seemed so genuine and I truly hope everything went well for him and his family.

[@qwadratix]

These are ancient videos freshly posted. This one's probably a decade old.

[@robertschriek1353]

If i would have grown up in the same environment as Mitch I would have ended up being just as torn as he is. Best of luck to you Mitch.

[@PoeLemic]

Lucky you for not growing up in it. You just don't realize how hard it is for people to come out. It took me 10 years of questioning and searching to finally break free.

[@KrelianLoke]

I notice that the young generation these days have much stronger resistance towards extraordinary claims than adults have. Try telling a bunch of youths that there is a higher dimensional being who created the universe and wants to save us all from an eternity of hell, they will shun away from you as though you're someone who has escaped some mental health institute.

[@Gazman4816]

"Faith is the magic word you use that keeps you never having to think for yourself" Unknown

[@queuecee]

There's a dumb theist who goes by Jim and sometimes as Edith. He claims that theism is a cellar full of great wine and atheism is toilet water. This makes no sense as an analogy. So here's one that's more accurate. Theism is some guy saying that there is a cellar full of fine wines with subtle flavors and distinctions to discover. Just give them 10% of their wealth, and they PROMISE that on the day of your death, you can have all that. And atheism is: "Yeah... no. I'm gonna wanna see some evidence of that cellar."

[@wizardsuth]

A better analogy might be having a glass containing a transparent liquid with no colour, odour, or flavour. The theist insists the liquid is wine. The atheist asks why they think it's wine and not just water, and the theist says, "You have to take it on faith".

[@queuecee]

@@wizardsuth Saying a glass containing a transparent liquid implies that the liquid exists. God doesn't exist. The issue isn't that there's some other thing that the theists are confusing as a god.

[@t800fantasm2]

"theism is a cellar full of great wine and atheism is toilet water. " It actually makes sense.... Once you are done with wine you piss it into the toilet.... Doesn't matter which wine, it all ends up being piss.....

[@HamptonDoubledayJr]

I've noticed that there are a lot of unanswered questions/points put to Edimbo on several threads on this page. For someone who rants about us not being able to answer _his_ questions, it's amazing how often he ignores us and runs away! 🏃‍♂

[@queuecee]

@@HamptonDoubledayJr Yeah. He really can't seem to maintain a discussion on the comments. And that's why he is so afraid of having a real voice debate. He wouldn't be able to just run away. But he really is ok with the humiliation he's receiving here.

[@PoeLemic]

This is a very powerful discussion. I sure wish that I would have heard this 15 years ago. I'd be further along by learning through this Guy's experiences. Glad he called in.

[@gaagsl]

You have to give them credit for the effort to explain what they believe. Pastors and priests ask and demand these people to embrace these beliefs without questioning. The punishment for not believing is eternal damnation. They come out of the comfort zone because truth matters to them. I respect that.

[@Nocturnalux]

In this case, no eternal damnation as hell is not a Mormon concept.

[@sixfootoneistall2002]

@@Nocturnalux it can still be scary to give up beliefs that you’ve had for a very long time and play a massive role in your life

[@Nocturnalux]

@@sixfootoneistall2002 Hell is not part of those beliefs for a Mormon. So hell did not play a role in the caller’s life, unlike what OP seems to think.

[@sixfootoneistall2002]

@@Nocturnalux yes my reply was specifically addressed to that point

[@XEndlessSteelX]

My brain skipped the second "M" in Mormon... I can see why.

[@ChrisM-zm4li]

I’ve read the first 20 pages of the Book of Mormon so far and it’s so absurd. Like a college kid’s parody of the bible. I continue to be shocked and disappointed in most people.

[@pauldriscoll6319]

Dave Allan said it perfectly " Goodnight and May Your God Go With You" - The MRI test was interesting and say it all.

[@nicolab2075]

That's right! I remember those shows 😊

[@graemeclifford6358]

Mitch is well on his way to become an atheist. I hope he continues this path

[@jeanineacree6355]

Yup very good. I had to figure this all out on my own.

[@iammclovinyeah]

I left Mormonism and soon after divorced after my hypocrite wife kept needling me about it and trying to turn my kids against me.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

One of the best calls. You've gotta feel for people in this situation, it wouldn't be easy, i totally sympathise.

[@anthonycraig274]

Mitch was worth listening to. I am listening to it a second time.

[@TheOne-d3t]

I'm trying to understand the logic behind the toxic behaviour displayed by several theists here. It's clear that they dislike atheists. But why go out of your way to verbally abuse people rather than ignore them if you don't like them?

[@inefffable]

Trolling, or using bait to hook a sucker, is when you post inflammatory comments to derail the topic and get people engaging with things on YOUR terms. There is no sincere reason besides riling up atheists and get them to respond emotionally. They aren't here to actually engage with atheists or discuss things. They're here to shitpost and derail conversations.

[@Beacon80]

It's bullying 101. They need to insist the people who disagree with them are lesser for it, so they can feel good about themselves.

[@jonclark8252]

In the case of Jim I'm convinced that they have a shame fetish. Neppy seems consistent with someone who was verbally and mentally abused as a child. Some just do it to get off on getting a negative reaction from others. There are a couple that have shown a willingness to at least have a real conversation., though it's rare.

[@amtlpaul]

They are trolls. They enjoy provoking people.

[@queuecee]

A scorpion wants to cross a river but cannot swim, so it asks a frog to carry it across. The frog hesitates, afraid that the scorpion might sting it, but the scorpion promises not to, pointing out that it would drown if it killed the frog in the middle of the river. The frog considers this argument sensible and agrees to transport the scorpion. Midway across the river, the scorpion stings the frog anyway, dooming them both. The dying frog asks the scorpion why it stung despite knowing the consequence, to which the scorpion replies: *"I am sorry, but I couldn't resist the urge. It's my character."*

[@dimitrioskalfakis]

imagine that talking about lord of the rings bears as much weight as christianity and the other mesopotamian myths.

[@Specialeffecks]

Lately I've been viewing serious discussions between apologists (like Paulogia often covers) the same as I view Star Wars Fanatics discussing the attributes of The Force, each simply fans getting into their favorite flavor of fantasy. Yes, Lord of the Rings bears as much weight. The difference is the Jedi Knight religion is small but growing and Christianity is large but shrinking.

[@PoeLemic]

@@Specialeffecks Same with me. THat's how I explain to my religious brother how I see Christian Denominations now, battling it out over tiny doctorine differences.

[@Mr_badjoke]

I have a friend from that kinda Mormon family also ... He is unsuccessful & struggles daily w basic life functions. Boy this caller was a real zinger! Hope he can stand the pressures 🤙

[@davidallen111]

NW BBQ is best. The only thing wrong with it is that it is so tender that you don't get to chew on it as much as you would like.

[@roner61]

11:36 Thats what i was waiting for, an interesting scientfic experiment. Nice.

[@darrylmccallum2377]

It's funny how many times theists ask for the question to be repeated

[@jonclark8252]

Isn't it interesting that all of the theists that act all big and tough here in the comments section all run away when I challenge them to a live debate?

[@emjaywright6158]

It's not all that interesting, a live debate is a very specific kind of conversation that requires particular skills, that most people don't have. Being good at debating does not necessarily mean your views are correct.

[@MegaFrog]

Something I've noticed about this "feeling of peace" is that most of the time, it's induced by lighting. Growing up in church, we had a large well-lit auditorium for services. During special occasions such as communion, Easter, or Christmas, we would turn off the lights and use only small candles and torches to see. This induced a feeling of connection, as we couldn't see into the darkness, but we could see each other. And if you look at different churches across all religions and cultures, you will see an area that is mostly dim with small lights. This seems instrumental in inducing religious feeling, and in truth, it worked on me back then and it still works now as an atheist. Science Direct has a really good article that goes over the use of light in Iranian architecture and its role in Islam, I recommend it highly (I'd link it here, but KZbin doesn't like links).

[@Beacon80]

Music can also trigger similar feelings.

[@loggrad9842]

Mormonism is the opposite. Everything is bright lit and in fact, in the temple increased holiness is marked by increased brightness of lighting.

[@lincolnyaco5626]

Casper the holy ghost--my favorite comic book when I was a kid.

[@Shytot-1]

Where ignorance is bliss religion thrives.

[@curtyerg]

Oh no... he called the "Atheist Experience" rather than calling his Bishop. It is like for the first time in his life, his lifelong cherished beliefs were actually held up to standards of rationality and critical thinking. Much different advice than simply "Pray, Pay, and Obey" more...

[@lucifers.morningstar3805]

Mitch : "I agree with everything you said, but...I don't agree with you."

[@uncleanunicorn4571]

27:34 props to kansas city oasis. No magical beliefs needed.

[@tedgrant2]

Many people like to have something to cling on. It could be Religion or Music or a Teddy Bear. It is comforting.

[@dorkception2012]

Ted, Teddy bears and music very rarely told me to how to enslave, how to murd3r other people, or to throw fresh born humans onto walls. Are you seriously try to compare an immoral rulebook on how to stone homosexuals to music?

[@minimobilereview6570]

He explains some of the things I went through when I lost my entire community coming away from JWs

[@nopeaceforme837]

British Military Intelligence produces JW documents

[@GodFraud]

This guy is way to open minded to be religious. Mormons did a good job there.

[@LGpi314]

I really wonder where Mitch is at now.

[@JustineWiniker]

Didn't you see that South Park?? Mormonism was the right answer!

[@queuecee]

Dum-dum-dum... dum-dum, dum-dum-dum.🎶🎶🎶

[@missy8347]

So the caller is saying the Holy Spirit goes through all these Christians through different doctrines and God let's people compartmentalize what's true what isn't ? Sounds like God is trying to let you do the jigsaw for him

[@maarten_notjustagrip]

Mitch should chat to his wife carefully. There is always a chance that she is also doubting and keeping up a front for him and would LOVE to drop the pose. Then they could move on together.

[@eternalselph]

True

[@jjpopnfresh6822]

8:05 😂 That's gawd in a nutshell

[@gaagsl]

How can an angel in heaven turn against God?

[@scottkelsch9015]

Is it not amazing how ALL religious people will defend their indoctrination starting with well well well well well every time ???

[@SmokeychefFf]

He seemed absolutely lovely 💚

[@NoodleKeeper]

Did they ever hear back from him?

[@RosieRoserules]

I've always held up to Satan story to show that they are not enemies because of course in the book of Job Satan and God taught good naturedly like buddies. But I know if I get fired from a job or kicked out of a place they don't give me one-third of all the people in there to take with me and a kingdom to rule.

[@James-ye7rp]

I have a question: Does Satan have to follow God in terms of Divine Hiddenness? I would guess not, and that Satan could easily show up to, at least, demonstrate the existence of some sort of God.

[@RyloreVanguard]

At least Satan would have a good reason to hide. He would have good reason for people not to believe that god existed. Of course, a kind and loving god would know this, and it would give even more incentive for him to reveal his existence.

[@BlarglemanTheSkeptic2]

​@@RyloreVanguardbeing that God never shows up, Satan could just declare that he is Jesus, do angel miracles and Bob's your uncle, he's openly running the world as the Returned Messiah. Funny how that doesn't happen either... Almost like none of them are real.

[@RyloreVanguard]

@@BlarglemanTheSkeptic2 While that's true, if belief in the Christian god is the only real prerequisite for entering heaven, Satan could ultimately be shooting himself in the foot if he fraudulently convinced people to believe. Either way though, it makes the bible look pretty silly.

[@BlarglemanTheSkeptic2]

@@RyloreVanguard most Christians hold to the requirement that at least "repentance" is also necessary, and as we saw in the 1930s and early 40s in Germany, when you are convinced that you are acting for God, there is literally nothing that is beyond the pale. The Bible will even DIRECTLY support most such acts, sand for the rest, there is obscure language and metaphor (such as used to justify the belief that the Bible is against abortion). As for a lack of repentance, that's super easy to achieve: Satan can simply say that anyone who follows his command is automatically saved, nothing more is needed.

[@qwadratix]

How does this Holy Ghost 'tell' somebody things? What the hell IS a 'Holy Ghost'?

[@HamptonDoubledayJr]

@@JimCastleberry Edith, this is weird - the Premiership has just finished for the year, yet in your case it seems Arsenal are still playing at home.

[@Beacon80]

​@@JimCastleberryYou still don't know what "delusion" means, do you?

[@Lazy_Sundae]

@@JimCastleberry You're a bad witness.

[@jonclark8252]

@@JimCastleberry "It's the Spirit of God..." In the past you've said that your deity was a spirit, now it would seem that you're saying that it's not.

[@amtlpaul]

​​@@JimCastleberry, what's your evidence that the Holy Spirit exists at all? Or is it, like the wines in your cellar, simply a belief that is a matter of personal taste rather than fact? Do you actually believe that the Holy Spirit exists, or do you just think it's a nice belief to have, like a bottle of Chateau Lelouche 1974?

[@topgunaudio7983]

Totally understand this mans concerns, even though i didn't say was leaving religiion behind, my father gave me a long lecture how i was going to hell when i left the chirch i grew up in. Theism is responsible for a lot of hurt and bigotry.

[@PeninjaPlaysTheThing]

A feeling and a notion in your head mixed with some confirmation bias does not make truth. You have to test that truth for yourself.

[@stevoravens1]

Thanks!

[@TheAtheistExperience]

Thank you so much!!

[@RosieRoserules]

Free Will doesn't exist because I had no free will determining where I was born into what parents and what ethnicity I am and how my genetic makeup is whether I'm tall or short fat or skinny. It's hard to talk about free will if you happen to be born in Bangladesh or Gaza.

[@lepidoptera9337]

Let's put it this way, you don't have free will, but you have some level of agency. Your daily decisions still matter, even if you can only excercise them in a narrow legal and economic band.

[@sohu86x]

Stop saying "you know'. We, in fact, do not know.

[@harkema8090]

It is more a dorky ghost..

[@Tuna_Man2323]

Michael! I'm claiming first.

[@queuecee]

And JUST like Michael Anderson, you claimed to be first without being first. 🤭

[@GroundhogRoy]

I'd love to hear Donny Osmond's thoughts on this conversation but he's remained suspiciously quiet on it 🤐 PS: if he does drop by, can someone let me know and we can have a sing-song while he's here 🎵

[@GalaxySid]

"[...] Then everytime the holy spirit convinces a southern baptist that they've got it right then ain't that spirit lying to them?" "Well it would be more of - may - okay - and the - I agree with you on that and and it's still - right so if the holy ghost still is telling them - maybe then - and this would be the excuse that would be used is - well the holy ghost is telling them a certain portion of his truth and they're confusing it with the whole thing."

[@onpsxmember]

Has anyone that study that is mentioned testing brain areas? That'd be really helpful.

[@nick281972]

When all arguments fail when the all powerful all knowing god has been demonstrated to do absolutely nothing when he could have, fall back on the ultimate get out of jail for free card (free will) because everything wrong is down to man not the architect and controller of reality.

[@EmersumBiggins]

Careful talking about “peaceful” or “easy” feelings…Don Henley will have your video taken down 😂

[@Lazy_Sundae]

Don Henley? OK, adopting nerd mode... That song was written by Jack Tempchin and sung by Glenn Frey. Henley just did backing vocals and drums on it. I would get out more but I prefer to take it easy.

[@EmersumBiggins]

@@Lazy_Sundae Henley is known for wanting to keep all Eagles music off of free KZbin.

[@Cookie-ri9pz]

Religion wasn't beat in my brain in childhood. My deconstruction started young and was an athiest by 12 yrs old. I read a lot and read the bible at 12 and again at 17. I thought it was a very disgusting book that had a very disgusting little nacacistic baby man character that would snuff out his own people and went against his own rules (the killing, genocidal murderer). He seems to lie through the whole bible. I'm disabled and started taking classes so as not to get bored. It was quite interesting. I took a few classes😅 about the Torah and Koran. I stopped at Hindu because it is a complicated religion. I might try again at some point. I guess my point is that I had questions and they wouldn't or couldn't answer them as a child you get suspicious. At least thats what it seemed like to me. Religion is a waste of time. Wouldn't a community based organization where you gather once a week to discuss the community and what they can do to make it better but you don't need a god to do all that. It exist to do for everyone in the community not just religion, you can love whom ypu love and have sexual expression? Ect ect ect. Just think about it. Live in peace and as John Lennon sang, Imagine . And the world will live as one.

[@RosieRoserules]

Why hasn't anybody questioned the holy Ghost. You would only have a ghost if something had been killed or dead or died. What died before life and time began that became a ghost and now works with God. If it is the ghost of God then God is dead

[@lepidoptera9337]

I did question several Catholic priests about it... and only got bullshit in response. That kind of sealed it for me. ;-)

[@smochygrice465]

I couldn't be bothered being a mormon, looks boring AF as the rest em. And a good Wednesday Morning 🌞 AXP Fans and Theists ❤❤❤ Peace Love Empathy From Australia 💪🤠☝️

[@ChrisM-zm4li]

I’ve watched dozens of these videos and heard nothing but illogical emotional desires and delusions. I’d love to have Heaven be real and live forever, but reality matters.

[@loggrad9842]

Mormonism doesn't make you cut ties if you leave. Socially there are definitely repercussions but it's nothing like, say, scientology where they are forced to cut tied officially. Mormonism doesn't do that.

[@vertigo4236]

Oh... So they have no "offical" doctrine of shunning, it is just common practice. Now, that makes it way better, right? No, it doesn't.

[@my0p1n10nst1nks]

Best not speak about things we don't fully understand. Diminishing the experiences of people leaving Mormonism doesn't really accomplish anything but to paint you as unempathetic.

[@loggrad9842]

@@vertigo4236 where did I say it was better? Stop assuming and putting words in people's mouths. I was just commenting on the accuracy of the video. I was an active practicing Mormon for 45 years. I know how it works. And for many of us leaving was hard on our families and some relationships but then people get over it. There is no official doctrine to cut off people who leave, that part of the video is not true.

[@ButterknifeofMoses4]

Good. Hopefully it’ll be out with Mormonism and in with Christianity!

[@canbest7668]

Yep. That’s like saying I’ll take stomach cancer over lung cancer.

[@albaniahenry-franklin2829]

Same difference! They're both a big stinking pile of bat guano😁

[@albaniahenry-franklin2829]

"No True Scotsman" logical fallacy on full display!

[@HamptonDoubledayJr]

Go talk to your workmates

[@Lazy_Sundae]

The Jesus Christ Church of Latter-day Saints is officially recognised as a Christian denomination, whether that's convenient to you or not and regardless of whether they meet your approval. Now get off that company PC and go get a life

[@2Timothy42-tl6lh]

Repent of your sins, believe in Jesus Christ for salvation and become a new person in this life......... Luke 24:47 KJV And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. John 3:16 KJV For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:3 KJV Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

[@mattarnold4903]

And here comes the C&P army, yet again with no evidence that the bi-bull is true

[@canbest7668]

You know you sound like a Muslim, a Hindu and so on right? That should be a serious reason for you to pause and think…

[@inefffable]

"It says so right in this book!"

[@mattarnold4903]

​@@inefffable Love a good circular argument....

[@Tamara-ju3lh]

I don't sin.

[@HarryShagnasty-sc9zd]

I dont understand how a grown up man talks about crap like holy ghost without being embarrassed. .

[@PoeLemic]

Because you didn't grow up in it. And, you weren't taught critical thinking early on. Sorry, no, we were taught it, and we were indoctorinated from a very young age. The religions teach people to JUST BELIEVE and not ask any questions. And, that's how this Mind Virus continues throughout the generations.