Julia Sweeney: The Gifts of Not Believing in God

Comedian, author, and atheist Julia Sweeney was raised Catholic, with a God who, in her mind, "was like a really loving uncle." Since letting go of God, she has found new meaning and inspiration in the simplicity of just being human, even as she wrestles with what atheism means for her, and most importantly, for her family.
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[@K4R3N]

Believing in God is a handy way to avoid the larger questions of existence and meaning

[@baxterpaschal3392]

mrn4s believing, or wondering, or knowing that we (humans) don’t actually know everything about existence and meaning leads some to believe in God.

[@AndieBlack13]

@@baxterpaschal3392 Believing, Wondering and Knowing, are three separate things. Believing, "to have confidence of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so." Wondering, "...a desire to know something." Knowing, "Possessing knowledge or understanding". Believing is patently a guess at best...many things thru the ages, the really big questions, we now know to be true. Where do we come from, why are we here, what is our future...The why is up to us, we are the masters of our own fate...don't take that medication...see just where it takes you. The "magic" of faith has really faded over the past dozen centuries, we are all aboard a giant rock floating in space orbiting and even bigger ball of compressed gas, compressed so very very much that nuclear fusion is happening right now, this very moment...

[@chadrasmussen6127]

Accually that's not true at least for me because I have faith in God makes my life more excited to learn about god and all that stuff if god truly exists he's someone we cannot fully understand It Is a mystery I just trust he is in control of this universe and yes I still do think for myself too :)

[@chadrasmussen6127]

Not true it makes me wonder even more living with my faith in a loving god accually makes me question things more it's just that I don't really care who's right or wrong I love to discover new things about gods endless universe

[@bluwater1422]

It's very true but when some people believe in God they dont take responsibility 4 they own life nor actions which I find 2 b very scary & disturbing they will say that its gods will or the devil when that's not the case ,they choose 2 do what they do @ the end of the day I dont believe in God no more & I'm glad that I stopped believing & praying & live in reality that's all besides god is a horrible & evil character that I dont wanna worship

[@xtscarfacem8255]

My life seems a little less stressful without god.

[@brianparent4882]

Mine too. A lifetime anxiety sufferer I was made to believe that I did not pray hard enough, that I was not immersed in the words enough, and it all contributed to self hate. I let go of god a few years ago but held a conviction that medicine wasn’t the answer. At 46 through therapy and the help of pharmaceuticals, I’m finally at peace. I’ve been asymptomatic for a year and god had nothing to do with it.

[@terrycrosslin7866]

Mine to

[@justincore13]

Definitely less stress and depression. It was literally making me crazy and I'm still not the same. Things still trigger old feelings and thoughts.

[@dan69052]

truth How does all religion start? It starts with the children . Here is a short 4:00 min video that sets the stage. Look it up on KZbin “Well Come to This World”. Sound familiar?

[@xtscarfacem8255]

@@dan69052 all religions start as a cult. Sound familiar, describe the rituals religion has without mentioning which religion, and it will sound just as a cult. And i call that indoctrination. It starts as a child, they teach you to fear god.

[@miaa7097]

this woman changed my life forever .. back in 2008 i listened to here series "letting go of god". i left Islam and became atheist because of you .. thank you Julia i wish i can tell her that !!F

[@teresasorenson5255]

Mona Al Aaawe...well isn't that sweet. Not! I didn't become an atheist because of her. I didn't give up my beliefs because some addle-brained individual came along and sounded soooooo refreshing, that I just had to give in to the things she says.

[@lloydchristmas4547]

Teresa Sorenson, but it's okay to become indoctrinated from birth, where you are most impressionable, and you have no choice of what religion to follow. Is it dignified when your fundamental beliefs in life are decided not by your rational thought, but by enlarge your family, environment, and other cultural influences? If it wasn't for non-religious tools such as science, you wouldn't have a keyboard to type up and attempt to spread the fairy tales you've been indoctrinated to believe without question.

[@MsNooneinparticular]

That's awesome! Islam can be one of the most strict religions, so that's huge. Maybe she'll read this :)

[@teresasorenson5255]

Atheos B. Sapien Well, I can see you feel threatened. My job is done....you scared sissy. 😂😂

[@teresasorenson5255]

Lloyd Christmas First of all...we are all what you call indoctrinated in some way or another, either by a thiests who teach their kids right from wrong, or Christians who teach them right from wrong. Then there are parents who have problems with attitude, who cuss, do drugs, drink, engage in domestic violence, and just plain don't get along. However you live, kids grow up, seeing and hearing it, then think It's ok to live like that. You're going to indoctrinate a child from birth, no matter what you do....and by the way, my family wasn't Christian. I became a Christian at 24, after seeking God of my own free will, and that's often how it happens, thank you very much. Only 30 % (approximate) of kids are raised in good Christian homes, and even less than that amount, end up following what they were taught.

[@roddychristodoulou9111]

Becoming an atheist is a great feeling of true freedom.

[@chadrasmussen6127]

While that maybe true whats more important free dom of doing the right thing

[@roddychristodoulou9111]

Chad Rasmussen as humans we generally do do the right thing , but the problem lies with our governments who are consistently making the wrong choices and bad decisions, and sometimes deliberately .

[@roddychristodoulou9111]

Richard Williams thanks ! Now if only we can convince all the others .

[@Ralphsmom]

And lots of money spent on therapists

[@roddychristodoulou9111]

Pro life medicine Relovsky yes that's true , it will come from within at some point in your life , as it did to me . The choice is yours , you are the customer in this game . If you want fiction stay as you are , if you want facts then convert , it's as simple as that .

[@Starchild222]

I was forced to believe in God as a little girl growing up in Nashville, TN, (not that everyone raised in TN was forced to believe that the Christian God was the only way to NOT roast for eternity), but, I was brain washed to KNOW that if I didn't believe, my flesh/soul would BURN forever!! Being brought from church to bigoted church, Sunday to Sunday, I was terrified, so frightened! Seeing "The Exorcist did me in! I wouldn't dare listen to reason until the age of 27. This was Child abuse! Sad!

[@bthomson]

This is fear and ignorance.

[@bmoe4609]

Yup it how they get u. Till u learn tht mess not real

[@lagaman11]

If there were a God, I would thank him/her for Julia Sweeney. Thank you Julia! You were the turning point, in my life, to FINALLY lay down the heavy burden of religion.

[@trafficjon400]

You never had to join it? sow whats the big deal. i could stop believing god any time. but makes more sense that a great intelligent being made the food and all nature just seem to fit perfectly for man except evil destroyed every thing.

[@lagaman11]

@@trafficjon400 If that's the direction that your own logic and reason leads you, then I am happy for your decision and your contentment. For me, letting go of god has felt like a lead jacket has been lifted from my shoulders and blinders removed from my eyes.

[@richrichy3015]

@@trafficjon400 You could stop believing at any time, aye? What a fragile belief then.

[@samdyer1921]

@Michelle Orr "God made man" did he though? I will send him the bill for my wisdom teeth. Is the creator lacking the power and foresight to genuinely convince people? Seems to me this "creator" has quite a bit of things to answer for so I look forward to the day I can pass judgement upon his morally reprehensible behavior.

[@samdyer1921]

@Michelle Orr gods will be done I guess.

[@SquidDesign]

Ironically the closest I ever had to a "religious experience" was the moment I decided to let go of religion. There I was, expecting the sky to fall, but the birds were still singing, the sun was still shining, and everything was just fine... and I felt completely free.

[@howcomeitsbeeping]

It feels great to know that God *doesn't* have a plan for your life :). You have to come up with that yourself.

[@SquidDesign]

Yes... it was first real "leap of faith".

[@hayleylewis11]

Jeffrey Chuang Free to sin without conscience?

[@SquidDesign]

@@hayleylewis11 You think we are born without conscience? Do you believe that God is the only thing that keeps you from doing things that make you feel bad or guilty?

[@hayleylewis11]

@@SquidDesign No, we are made in the image of God and born with a conscience. Conscience is the voiceless voice of God. That's why we automatically feel guilty when we lie, steal, commit adultery etc. When people choose to abandon God the freedom they feel is an illusion. They just fool themselves into thinking that sin is now of no consequence because they have decided God doesn't exist. But in reality nothing has changed. God is still watching us all, nothing is hidden from His sight.

[@liviadix1433]

I went to an Unitarian church while visiting Mexico, I enjoyed the service, they never spoke about God, instead they talked about how the church by its involvement in the Community was providing assistance to its people. I thought that was what a church should be about it. It was a good experience.

[@gloriaf6971]

People who talk about God and claim to know things about God are liars. The people at the Unitarian church probably didn't mention God because they know nothing about a God. Knowing a God that is invisible, noncommunicative and undetectable is actually impossible.

[@BojanBojovic]

The definition of religion is believing in at least one god. Not talking about god in some of the churches does not make them less religious, maybe just more cautious. Also you do not have to be religious to provide help to your community and be a good part of your group, whatever this group is. Really no need to be religious to do anything, there is no reason to be religious other than having those crazy beliefs for this or that reason. With that being said I really do not mind anyone's religiosity, however I oppose the system in which religiosity is considered as morally correct by default, in which religion is equalised with morality, ethics, and correctness of any kind. Not only that this is not true, but in many cases it is just the opposite. As someone smart once said, humans are moral not because of religion, but despite of it.

[@saintmichaelministry]

a church that does not talk about God and to repent and to love and to be moral and to be holy is not not not a church

[@BojanBojovic]

@@saintmichaelministry Church and morality within the same sentence is called an oxymoron.

[@dontfeedthefred3718]

I think she hits on the beautiful thing about atheism around 7 minutes or so. The realization that all we find to cherish in our existence is so very fleeting, and it is exactly this brevity that makes it so valuable.

[@mikeygarcia8271]

You are missing a lot , my friend.More and more people these last few years are seeing visions of the Spirit realm, experiencing God in the process. It is written in Bible prophecy that in the last days young and old, male and female will dream dreams and will see visions of the Spirit realm. I have seen it for myself..while praying in my room..fully awake.We are living in the last days...Take advantage of it..ask God to show you a vision..come to Him in repentance and seek Him with all your heart and He will make Himself known to you.

[@debbiethomas4472]

I went to a separate religion and Church and when they tried to explain to me that God created us to work for him metaphorically. I've lost relationships to be told God intervened because it wouldn't benefit him. So all that I worked for could be taken if God decided it wouldn't benefit him and if you don't accept that, this loving God will put you in a burning hell to be tormented through eternity. When I refused to go to Church, my family wouldn't reach out when I needed them and forget family gatherings? Forget those as well. I was never invited unless I agreed to go to Church

[@marahnatha5724]

Just because people are stupid doesn't mean God is. Maybe he wants you to lead them out of the darkness. No church saves and if the church isn't meeting the spiritual needs of a person, including how to love the unchurched, it is the wrong church to begin with. Jesus didn't come to be served, He came to pour out His life for humanity. But as for Julia, you are a member of a group. Who do you think you are speaking to?

[@bobs182]

It it sad that tribalistic religion teaches people to place fidelity to it above family.

[@suuquan6363]

@@bobs182 Isn't that the definition of a cult?

[@ndeamonk24]

This woman is unintentionally hilarious. It's like British comedy.

[@mistylover7398]

Wha?

[@RONPEE-STINGER]

@@mistylover7398 British comedy is trash

[@mistylover7398]

@@RONPEE-STINGER just like yo mama

[@RONPEE-STINGER]

@@mistylover7398 u must be British Using elementary school jokes

[@mistylover7398]

@@RONPEE-STINGER nah 🇺🇲

[@MrExEssex]

2:30 "... I still just find it really hard to believe that anyone believes in a god at all." My long-held sentiments exactly. Stories about a heavenly deity, virgin birth, resurrection etc. are so obviously made up that it shouldn't be possible for an otherwise intelligent person to consider them true. But so many do. There's nothing wrong with them as stories. As stories they work well. People who read Lord of the Rings know that the events portrayed in the books never happened and the people and other characters never existed. But for some reason I've never been able to understand, when they read the Bible, their disbelief goes out of the window. The things in this particular man-made book actually happened and the characters exist. It's truly astonishing that so many people actually believe that to be the case.

[@ilikeanimalsoverhumanspier5215]

So when something really bad happens what are the words that comes out of you mouth ( oh God no) or oh science no, so you think that we are from evolution, if that's the case why the animals are have not evolved

[@jyvben1520]

@@ilikeanimalsoverhumanspier5215 that's just cultural programming nonthing todo with a real god (aka which does not exist, no proof of it's existence) , faith is a fantasy so is praying, it happens to be good (wow) it is bad then god's ways are mysterious, all lies.

[@konyvnyelv.]

People just don't read the Bible actually

[@mariost-jacques7490]

Exactly what I always said to myself,,,,with everything we know now how can billions (with a ‘’’ B ‘’ ) of peuple in the world still believe in these medival fairy tales is beyond me

[@solomonchege2986]

@Ex, @Sweeny - Just read the Bible - Especially the New Testament Books about Jesus Christ. Cut out the long talk, just read the actual book for yourself, dont hear from others - READ the Bible for yourself. I believe that Sweeney wouldn't need to talk so hard to discredit God. If it was so obvious and strange that God exist, it should be so mush easy to dismiss Him. We don't argue too hard that unicorns don't exist, do we ?

[@nursegrace7492]

The purpose of life is to stay alive...hopefully with some happiness, and the ability to help others. What's so terrible about that? The party has to end, some time.

[@worldhated]

Well, "purpose" is the reason something is created. That's the definition. So, in order for you to have purpose then you have to be CREATED. So, if you think life has a purpose, then you are admitting that God exists.

[@bffr6]

World Hated i was created with the purpose to make my parents happier, later on in life i achieved more than that.

[@carloisidoresalcedo6325]

Evolution has no purpose. It's also impossible.

[@johnthijm5113]

I don’t know if there’s a purpose of life, heck since I joined all of you on this planet my mission is to give it purpose and try to love every each one of you.

[@sceb]

@@worldhated however, to be created you need to prove a creator.

[@dudgs3928]

A free thinking existence is priceless at least we do good things with our Sunday’s!! 😂

[@junevandermark952]

I believed in the existence of a god until I was 70 years of age, at which point, I had more than enough confusion taught to me by mythologists. I now believe (as did Stephen Hawking, before he died) that the universe always existed in one form or another ... which takes the talk of a god, right out of the picture. I am now 81, and the last 11 years have allowed me to feel that I am whole, just as I am.

[@ihavefallenandicantreachmy2113]

Happy 82nd.

[@junevandermark952]

@@ihavefallenandicantreachmy2113 Thank you.

[@ihavefallenandicantreachmy2113]

@@junevandermark952 You are welcome.

[@pierceaero3005]

Joan Crawford went through that as she matured to approaching death. You are already with at least one star.

[@junevandermark952]

@@pierceaero3005 I went from wondering if a creator existed to care one way or the other ... to believing that it's as possible that humans have souls that will fly away from deceased material bodies, as it is that flies, pigs, tigers, alligators, or any other living creatures have souls that fly away from deceased material bodies. Much ado about nothing ... Shakespeare

[@TheSpicyPotatoe]

it truly is a gift...changes your whole perspective of fear and logic

[@kevint9125]

I used to be ambivalent about religions, I thought that they were, overall, a good for society. after many years and a lot of exploration, my earlier views are wrong. I am not an atheist any loner or an agnostic, I am an anti-theist. Religion is a pervasive and destructive construct, I watch daily, the way the faithful treat their fellow man. I see suicide bombers, mass shootings, ethnic cleansing and righteous wrath being visited upon people who are different. Religion is a methodology of separating a group of people from the rest of society, one could say, it effectively dehumanizes those who aren't of a group. it creates an "us vs. them mentality. The whole religious philosophy seems to be that after-death is preferable to life, and if you "believe enough" you will get a future reward. In essence, it is like saying "to hell with working things out, and making life better on this earth, to hell with solving problems and working together as a species, you just have to have faith and everything is in Gawds hands". this is the antithesis of what we need as a species, we need people who will find commonality with all, and want to go beyond superstition and childhood fables. Religion is a tool of division and ignorance, IMHO.

[@216trixie]

Awesome comment. Should be a video by itself.

[@MWL4466]

YES. Good comment indeed. There are too many people who believe a little cash in the collection plate every Sunday will absolve them of the shitty way they treat others the rest of the week.

[@Bill_Garthright]

I appreciate that, but I have a somewhat different take on it. My big problem with religion is that it's faith-based. Faith-based thinking is the real danger, at least in the modern era where we desperately need more evidence-based thinking. Religion is not the only example of faith-based thinking, but it's certainly the prime example. And when people believe anything by faith, it becomes easier to believe everything else by faith, too. (Just look at today's Republican Party.) Plenty of religious people are decent. Plenty do not believe the philosophy you credit them with. But if they believe by faith, how can they really criticize anyone else who also believes by faith? The fact is, faith is a TERRIBLE way to determine the truth of anything. The faith-based simply have no mechanism to distinguish reality from delusion and wishful-thinking. I'm glad to work with liberal believers on issues where we agree (and there are many of those issues). But they're still fundamentally wrong in using faith to get there. Faith is a vice, not a virtue. That's my big problem with religious believers of all kinds. (Admittedly, that forget-this-life-because-you'll-have-eternity-after-death is also a big problem.)

[@Piggy_Piggerson]

You're still an atheist if you're an anti-theist.

[@dianadiehl]

Spot on, Kevin T. Well said. The suicides, wars, lynchings, torture, shunning, and bullying propagated because of religious teachings are not made up for by feeding some people and building some houses. This is much like the drug lords of South America who build hospitals and orphanages but will as easily kill or torture someone to maintain their power.

[@VegarotFusion]

The way she starts laughing when talking about certain aspects or absurdities of religion makes me laugh.

[@ndeamonk24]

Yes. Lol She's so sincere

[@antonypelling9194]

Yes, on one level religion is a joke , but Revelation chapter 18 shows that God views it like a prostitute ! This is serious stuff and not a joke because its imminent demise leads to the big crunch , the Great Tribulation as described by Jesus in mathew ch.24 & culminating in Armageddon. Life & death is not a joke !

[@silentghost751]

Absurdities?

[@ndeamonk24]

@@silentghost751 Yes. Absurdities.

[@silentghost751]

@@ndeamonk24 how

[@billymccaughey3741]

Absolutely brilliant. My face hurts from smiling and laughing. Beautiful human♥️♥️

[@ElvinFizika]

It is a fact that you couldnt say beautiful "woman" isnt it?

[@johnthijm5113]

@Georges Chamoun “idiot” cussing scolding cursing are always bad arguments. Try again.

[@dan69052]

truth How does all religion start? It starts with the children . Here is a short 4:00 min video that sets the stage. Look it up on KZbin “Well Come to This World”. Sound familiar?

[@PaperBagMan884]

She's not beautiful lmao

[@silentghost751]

How do you define brilliant?

[@rcnal22]

The moment you really sit down and think about the whole history of religion, and I mean really sit and think about the stories and rituals, it's very difficult to keep the faith without wavering for a moment. The moment you really sit down and try to believe any story in religion, while being an atheist, it's hard to not laugh.

[@chrisb1478]

I'm laughing right at this moment! It really is hilarious...GOOOOOOOO Science!

[@mrcurly1147]

@AdamWayneone Hope you were wearing Hazmat gloves.

[@Jessuschavez]

Kris K-os Science shows us that the universe had a beginning 13.8 billion years ago!

[@trafficjon400]

Right'. they want to make sue they can believe they don't. ted ex has some pretty freak ways of putting people on.@Raw Engineer no body has to believe in any thing and just make sure you don't get caught up in God for you know he is not real and my foolish believing he is creation. not much faith he never answers me for i don't know God the creator. he is spirit i assume as-u-me stuff .

[@WienArtist]

@AdamWayneone Physicist Dr. Hugh Ross has also read every holy book, and has come to the opposite conclusion that you have - through his reading of the Christian Bible, he discovered that it is filled with truth and scientific facts where other holy books fail in this regard. Lee Strobel, who also was once an atheist discovered that truth of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and other Biblical facts after researching for two years. Antony Flew was once an prominent, outspoken atheist for at least 50 years, but recanted his atheism in light of his discovery of the truth of an intelligent designer behind all of nature. And the list goes on in favor of evidence of God. While religion itself is a construct of man, with all its faults and failures, it does nothing to eliminate the existence of God. Jesus Himself had much to say about organized religion when he quite eloquently put the religious leaders in their place, telling them that they were merely whitewashed tombs, and caring more for their religious traditions than following the true path of God. While religions in the strict sense are constructs of man intended on creating rules for church-goers to follow, and developing doctrines that many times (not always) depart from the truth of righteousness; Christianity departs from this concept in that it is not truly a religion, but a relationship with God - one that He had desired from the beginning of man's creation, but was corrupted when man decided that his way was more pleasing to himself. Jesus set down two commands that entail all others - 1) To love God with all your heart, mine, soul, and strength; and 2) To love others as we love ourselves. Jesus said that if we would adhere to these two commands, we have in effect adhered too all of them. The last point I would make is that reading books, holy or otherwise, does not make a person an atheist or a Christian - it is the decision that one makes in their heart, regardless. The Apostle Paul, who was once an atheist and a persecutor of Christians, met Jesus face-to-face, and became the most influential evangelist, apart from Jesus in the New Testament. He writes to the church in Corinth: "...the god of this age [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." 2 Corinthians 2:4 And lastly, as it is written, anyone who seeks God with an open heart and mind, always finds Him, if they seek in truth and honesty, for as it is written, " Acts 17:26 From one man[d] he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. 27 He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and have our being, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’

[@MetroAndroid]

I never cared whether I lived or died until I thought about losing my consciousness forever. I completely understand what Sweeney is talking about.

[@phdbutterfly9924]

I think that Julia has alot of courage to stand up for what she believes. It is never easy to go against the tide. She should not be ridiculed for it. I am Catholic and have gone pretty deeply into the theology. I also know having been a research psychologist that I began to and still do encounter a "creator" each time I get a glimpse of a true finding. Anyway, not to be long winded just ask yourself a few basic questions: Why are we here? If someone hurts someone else, if someone is kind...does it matter? If we suffer, does it matter? And last, what do we hold as sacred? Lastly, I loved Julia's work on SNL. I would never want all my friends to be just like me-I like the diversity of opinion-we need to show each other more respect.

[@777Rowen]

Thank you. I needed this. 💜 I was raised Catholic, my family is very religious, but I don’t want to do that anymore. The idea of God brings me comfort, but I know there’s no evidence to show that he or any god exists. But it’s hard to let go because everyone around me still believes but I’m an atheist. Closeted atheist.

[@matthewtenney2898]

We're not capable of making unbiased judgments about God. We make our decisions on other grounds and then rationalize.

[@777Rowen]

Juliana Maio True. I guess when it comes down to it I don’t agree with the religious dogma, but don’t mind the idea of there being a god.

[@777Rowen]

Matthew Tenney Yup.

[@777Rowen]

Juliana Maio Yes, I know. But we shouldn’t have to be threatened by that in order to believe. But I see where you are coming from. 👍

[@777Rowen]

Juliana Maio I have no idea. I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it. :)

[@PoeLemic]

Thanks for sharing this. I left Religion and found Science. I am so thankful. Only wished it would have happened much earlier in life. I didn't have the Tools (like Julia or Internet) to help me out. I only wish I would have, then it would have happened very quickly. Instead, it took 5 to 10 years of real painful searching, thinking, and sense of loss.

[@kikolugo]

You found science? If you don’t think God created life, then what did?

[@AlvaroCordobaCresp]

I am religious (catholic) and I love science.

[@evidencebased1]

@@kikolugo That is a fine question. The answer is that we don’t know (but we’re working on it). The bigger question is “why is there something rather than nothing” … that one we may never answer. The important thing is to keep an open mind and not accept a wrong answer just to have an answer. Life is is wonderfully interesting just learning new things. I am grateful being a part of a species that is so naturally curious. I am therefore wary of anything (eg. Religion) that through dogma would want to send us back to a more restrictive and punitive method of existence.

[@silentghost751]

@@evidencebased1 we already know. Why are you human and not a dog? Coincidence?

[@silentghost751]

You lost Jesus. Pray you find him and realize science and God go together

[@yashaouchan]

I love her letting go of god story.

[@RebekahSing]

I grew up as a Christian. I have always prayed. I've questioned my beliefs and have returned to them. I feel good when I read His word. I have had my prayers answered. Following him has raised my self-esteem. Those are simple answers that some might actually use to argue against Him, but they're honest.

[@PaperBagMan884]

God never answers any of my prayers.

[@Alaskanman]

@@PaperBagMan884 Cause you're expecting an answer in english, or any human language

[@PaperBagMan884]

@@Alaskanman I'm just expecting to hear something. Plus, what's wrong with expecting to hear from god directly in a language? God talked to people directly in the old testament.

[@Alaskanman]

@@PaperBagMan884 You'll be waiting a long time if you're expecting a direct answer. In my experience, god speaks through his creations. Whether an opportunity suddenly opens up for you, a stray animal follows you home or someone indirectly tells you what you needed to hear

[@PaperBagMan884]

@@Alaskanman I'm not saying I need to audibly hear him, I just need an answer that I'll know is from him, and not something that happened due to pure coincidence. For instance, I've seen some say "I've really been looking for an answer to this question about God and suddenly I see a recommended video answering my question! God answered me!" But obviously KZbin recommends videos based on what you watch and engage in, and if you watch and engage in Christian videos, KZbin will recommend additional Christian videos. I think what most things people think are signs being used by God to communicate with them are simply coincidences. I want a sign that would in no way be a coincidence. It doesn't have to be God literally standing right in front of me and literally talking to me.

[@KevinRoddy]

Julia’s experience was mine. I went to Catholic school until I was 14. My parents exposed me to religion, and at age 14 gave me a choice to continue or not. They never went to church, though my mother taught as a lay teacher at our school. My parents were pretty forward thinking in the 60s...

[@boiwonder3006]

An omnipotent, omnipresent, and all powerful being that claims to love and care for us yet lets suffering and injustice happen by the second to all of us (let alone its believers) is either non existent or doesn’t actually care for us at all.

[@aaronsilver-pell411]

only the catholics claim he is triple omni.

[@ianosborne188]

Let's Nay Forget the fact that This World Is Confused NOT By GOD.. (HIS WORD IS CLEAR) BUT.... By The Author of CONFUSION.. Satan.. Who Blinds and Decieves and Lures Us With EGO(EDGE GOD OUT) Just another Video By Another person.. Shalom.

[@creaseshield6983]

PEOPLE ALWAYS SAY THIS LOL SMH, THIS IS A FALLEN WORLD CURSED IN SIN BECAUSE OF ADAM AND EVE AND ALL OF THE OTHERS THAT SINNED IN THUS WORLD . STOP LOOKING FOR HEAVEN ON THIS EARTH THERE IS HEAVEN HELL AND EARTH EARTH IS CURSED W SIN BUT THERE IS ALSO A HOPE FOR SALVATION , SO THERE IS GOOD AND BAD HELL IS AMILLION TIMES WORSE HEAVEN IS A BILLION TIMES BETTER LIVE YOUR LIFE RIGHT KP THE 10COMMANDMENTS

[@MikeBrown-ex9nh]

3006 I couldn't have said it better, myself. Actually I have been saying it for decades. The idea of god is far fetched and without proof, but anyone with open eyes can see all the pain and suffering in our lives and in the world cannot logically believe there is a god that cares about us.

[@creaseshield6983]

@@MikeBrown-ex9nh ROMANS 5 12, ADAM AND EVE SINNED AND BROUGHT EVIL INTO THIS WORLD, THAT EXPLAINS THE PAIN SICKNESS DISEASE ETC, 2ND HEAVEN IS THE PERFECT WORLD U WANNA GET TO , NOT THUS EARTH, THIS EARTH IS SIMPLY TEST OR A PATH WHICH LEADS TO ETERNAL LIFE N SALVATION OR ETERNAL TORMENT AND DAMNATION, TO GET TOO THE ETERNAL SALVATION JUST ACCEPT JESUS AS LORD AND SAVIOUR ITS THAT SIMPLE, DO IT EVERY NIGHT BEFORE BED, HE WILL START TO SPEAK TO U AND CHANGE UR LIFE, MOST IMPORTANTLY U WILL HAVE ETERNAL SALVATION

[@JohnPirhanafish]

Thank you for the immediate motivation to enjoy living at this time.

[@mikeygarcia8271]

You are missing a lot , my friend.More and more people these last few years are seeing visions of the Spirit realm, experiencing God in the process. It is written in Bible prophecy that in the last days young and old, male and female will dream dreams and will see visions of the Spirit realm. I have seen it for myself..while praying in my room..fully awake.We are living in the last days...Take advantage of it..ask God to show you a vision..come to Him in repentance and seek Him with all your heart and He will make Himself known to you.

[@barbaranecker5719]

Julia,you're on the right track. I was brought up Catholic, singing in the church choir with my mom. & I must say the music was lovely. As a teenager, I considered becoming a nun but then rock & roll can along. I went to college after high school & re-thought my choices. As a result, I married a Lutheran man -- in the Lutheran church, because I liked all the trappings of a church wedding. Neither of us went to church after our wedding day & we lived a very happy life together. He died a painful death by cancer. I begged god to save his life, promising I'd return to the Catholic Church if he intervened &saved my husband That didn't happen , so I remained an atheist & have never regretted it. I do my best to be good to my fellow creatures-- 2 legged & four legged

[@dan69052]

the truth How does all religion start? It starts with the children . Here is a short 4:00 min video that sets the stage. Look it up on KZbin “Well Come to This World”. Sound familiar?

[@ivetteromanroberto]

I am so grateful I was raised going to Unity Church, and not having a clue about Catholicism or Protestantism and their narratives, because I never connected God or spiritual life with guilt or patriarchy, nor with discrimination against people's lifestyles.

[@jomc20]

But that makes no sense! Why do you believe what you were brought up to believe, yet admit you would believe something quite different if you' d been taught it? Are you saying you have no critical faculties and are incapable of making your own decisions? If you had been brought up in India you would be a Hindu or Muslim or Sikh and you would be saying you were grateful you had not been brought up in Your current religion!

[@dan69052]

the truth How does all religion start? It starts with the children . Here is a short 4:00 min video that sets the stage. Look it up on KZbin “Well Come to This World”. Sound familiar?

[@imivan695]

I’m in awe of her presentation like after so many religious n atheist videos I’ve gone through, I’ve never heard anyone put it quite like that. Yea she’s not a scientist or philosopher and because she’s an actor, she puts her perspectives and words so interestingly I’m wowed!

[@beverlyho9559]

I left fundamentalist Christianity after a very long trek. I began to have faith in the doubts I'd always had and realized that science, that admits to being imperfect, unlike the Bible literalists, has done more to improve the lives of the average person in 600 years than religion has done in over 10,000 years. I also found the true unconditional love supposedly in Christianity in therapy and in exposure to non-believers in religion. Religion always must resort to terror (threats of hell and torment) because love truly does cast out fear. In fundamentalism, I was in hell on Earth, so the threat ceased to work.

[@devitomichael]

Beverly Ho Well said

[@peakperformancetrain]

Since , “perfect love cast out fear” when you reach the imperfections in therapy return to.ask about the love in the Virgin Mary.meditate on the courage of the blessed mother in so many examples in her life and the life of Christ. Her courage to say yes to God and therefore usher into humanity an ultimate love for all of us. Julia Sweeney is afraid of the power of Love that exist in the blessed mother. Hopefully one day she will recognize this Love and receive this Love for her.

[@nicfarrow]

@@peakperformancetrain Or go for Islam, or go for fundamentalist Christianity with rejects your Catholic beliefs - or Mormon, maybe? Why should she turn to YOUR particular faith? And how did your blessed virgin slip up and let this woman go? Maria said, Yes to God? She's God's mother, isn't she? Come on. YOU need to have the courage to admit that your particular religion is as inconsistent and full of holes as any. Then, maybe the brave way this woman has chosen can become yours. No God - no crutch. Just you and all the wonderful people around you.

[@allencooper7853]

I left fundamentalism also.I left because i found out that the Bible actually teaches the final salvation of all souls instead of eternal torments,Eph.1:10,Col.1:20,James 2:13.

[@martymcmannis9121]

This means that everyone has been warned. Some will go kicking and screaming. I believe that it's all good.

[@VuNguyen-mh4oo]

Don't get yourself mixed up between religious and spiritualism. Julia was religious, she no longer is, she is free from religious dogma now. She can think for herself and find her own meaning without resorting to any ancient myth.

[@theultimatereductionist7592]

Well said!

[@chrisb1478]

So true, thanks Vu! Much appreciated!

[@cpann2000]

Vu! Is this you?? I know a Vu Nguyen who is a conductor in Indiana. This is Carter

[@ladym1910]

Van Nguyen, I think you mean SPIRITUALITY, not SPIRITUALISM. Spiritualism is the practice is trying to speak to the departed.

[@mytmouse57]

That rests in the false assumption that “religion” and “spirituality” are at odds or mutually exclusive. Religion without the spark of spirituality becomes empty dogma and blind tradition. Spirituality without the purpose and discipline of religion becomes self-absorbed meandering.

[@curtcoller3632]

"One of these animals developed consciousness". WOW. Think about what you just said. They all have a form of consciousness, but we are the only species where a majority believes fairy tales, because the have evolved speech and speech creates "stories".

[@dan69052]

the true story How does all religion start? It starts with the children . Here is a short 4:00 min video that sets the stage. Look it up on KZbin “Well Come to This World”. Sound familiar?

[@michaelottinger3661]

What amazing honesty.

[@seaglider844]

Laughing and ridiculing bad ideas is powerful....that is why Theists feel the sting of it and react so strongly. How transparent to attempt to hide behind terms like "human dignity" or demanding that we respect their bad ideas. If you trot these ideas out into the public forum, and try to shape laws and public opinion with your ideas, expect them to be critically examined. They need to stand on their own or fall.....I want to believe what is true, and examine the logic and reason and proof behind why people have these opinions. Theists seem to want to end any critical examination with conversation stopping words like "I'm offended, "it's sacred".....sorry that just won't fly anymore. Make your case for the merits of your position....respect will come with the strength of your argument....not because you have large numbers who believe it.

[@MCWon212]

Well said!

[@PrincessPocketIzzy]

Brilliant.

[@serousridiuc9538]

Truth.

[@RT-Ford]

If you truly believe in open mindedness, paste the name Ravi Zacharias into the You Tube search box and listen to some of his answers to this sort of anti-God diatribe.

[@launabanauna8958]

Thank you, that was very well said.

[@Boepyne]

Bach was actually a protestant but he did write one awesomely beautiful setting of the catholic mass, the mass in B minor.

[@garethjones2596]

It's Lutheran, and at several points deviates from the established text. Pleni sunt coeli et terra

[@xaenon]

This lady GETS IT.

[@alwaysp3ng848]

A quote from one of my favourite movies (Franklyn) which underpins my atheism If a god is willing to prevent evil, but not able, then he is not omnipotent. If he is able, but not willing, then he must be malevolent. If he is neither able or willing then why call him a god?

[@jwb52z9]

The problem with that idea is that it makes a supposedly all powerful and all knowing being subject to what a human thinks. Even science would agree that you learn things by trial and error and problems more than you would if everything were perfect. Why must everything be perfect for a deity to exist or for that deity to be "good"? Why must that deity's existence be predicated upon what anyone specific human would like?

[@danielstoker2668]

@@jwb52z9 It doesn't and a god doesn't have to be perfect. A god can be imperfect but Christians believe in an omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient and omnibenevolent god. And these attributes of the god they believe in contradict each other. And in any case there's no evidence for any of the gods our species believes in or has believed in.

[@2448redbird]

I do agree with her. As our world attains more and more easy to access information with groups that interest us, we will need any religion less.

[@DavidAllenWizardgold]

Asking questions, finding out about science and thinking without boundaries obviously is a good thing and the result will be a good atheist.

[@dona4him]

Here's the catch....NO man is "good". ONLY God is.

[@DavidAllenWizardgold]

Dee M. Man has the capability of good and some are. To qualify your statement you have to prove the existence of one of the various gods first.

[@dona4him]

Here's an idea!!!!!!! YOU prove to me God doesn't exist! PROVE IT!!!!!! I'll bet you cant! There's NOTHING you can do to convince me or convert me either, FOOL!!!!

[@DavidAllenWizardgold]

Dee M. The burden of proof is on the person making the ridiculous claim in the first place. I won't hold my breath waiting for your proof!

[@dona4him]

Don't you know the most unpardonable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? And you're doing just that. I won't hold my breath either waiting for your proof either! Hahahahaha! You FOOL!

[@joelonsdale]

Lovely talk, full of joy and enthusiasm!

[@stargazer1359]

A critical thinker...........Thanks Julia!

[@davidkennerly]

Wonderful!! If only more parents were like her (such as mine, for example).

[@arnulfomarquez5772]

My proposition to anyone who believes that the judeo Christian is all loving, omnipotent, and omniscient just read Leviticus or numbers or Deuteronomy without pause or without prejudice until its finished then really analyze what it proposes. The fundamentals are flawed. And if the cornerstone is faulty the whole house of cards crumbles.

[@jerkojovic]

+arnulfo marquez God is not all loving. Where in the bible did you get that from? God is the source of love, but that does not mean He loves everybody unconditionaly.

[@duophile7692]

+jerkojovic Hormones are the source of love.

[@duophile7692]

***** Hell doesn't exist. If it did, then (according to some evangelical preachers) it clearly has some of the best music. Also, it'll most likely have all my friends (once they are deceased), Mahatma Gandhi, Christopher Hitchens, Charles Darwin, etc. Your threat is futile. I am not afraid of being sentenced to the Underworld of Ancient Greek mythology. I am not afraid of going to Azkaban. I am not afraid of going to hell. None of these things exist.

[@jacobmpruzynski1216]

alnufo m. You are absolutely right. i would add that The Holy Bible is the single most boring piece of classic literature i have ever read. Its terribly written. It rambles and jumps around and is super clunky. Ive even wondered to myself if it wasn't intentionally unreadable to keep its followers from examining it too closely. either way it is incredibly boring and dry. Not to mention the chapters and verses that are just genealogy. Its weird.

[@arnulfomarquez5772]

+Jacob M Pruzynski Not only that it's repetitive, the god is fickled, vengeful, and envious individual who loves the smell of blood sacrifice. A god who fails at every turn from Adam to Noah, and Abraham to Jesus is a comedy of errors and misplaced covenants. A god who resorts to violence as soon as something doesn't go his way. I can't understand how people in the present can attach themselves to bronze age semetic desert dwelling nomads. Take care Jacob, sorry that your name is attached to this mythology, but your more enlightened than the biblical Jacob.

[@Exceltrainingvideos]

Quite interesting...

[@josephheston9238]

It's amazing that two different members of the _Saturday Night Live_ 1986-1994 era took completely different directions regarding religion (Victoria Jackson became a BAC).

[@riminiri]

ever since man created god, they made it their own image and always a "good" god...... instead of a blundering fool

[@bobs182]

The god of the Old Testament is a blundering fool who believers pretend to be perfect.

[@dan69052]

a great short video How does all religion start? It starts with the children . Here is a short 4:00 min video that sets the stage. Look it up on KZbin “Well Come to This World”. Sound familiar?

[@dlawlis]

If you *really* want to lose your faith in God, try watching her movie It's Pat.

[@riley9663]

GET OUT that her?! I love that crazy Movie LOL

[@pastycayk1998]

Geez XD

[@showmebear]

Or just think about the bible and it's stories...much quicker.

[@dlawlis]

@@showmebear There's no apostrophe in the possessive form if "its".

[@dan69052]

another great video How does all religion start? It starts with the children . Here is a short 4:00 min video that sets the stage. Look it up on KZbin “Well Come to This World”. Sound familiar?

[@tjl93339]

Thank you Julia!! 🙂

[@fool4singing]

The less we know, the more we make up,..religion has always frustrated me too.

[@JohnPMitten]

don't seek religion, seek Christ for the forgiveness of your sins

[@chadrasmussen6127]

But the problem is we will never know everything trust me

[@johnthijm5113]

@@JohnPMitten define sin

[@bbhihoney]

Thank you. My best friend (who is a dear person) is catholic. I am an athiest with spiritual leanings (in the Native American manner). She and her husband attended 12+ years of catholic schools. I have always wondered why she thinks and does the things she does. It's like her whole life is based on being the good little girl and an enabler for her dysfunctional family members.

[@silentghost751]

She knows Jesus

[@kangaroo1888]

Dysfunctional family maybe the issue not the religion per say .probably needs some science based psychology .

[@jahouser6273]

Love your honesty and bravery.

[@dan69052]

here is some more honesty How does all religion start? It starts with the children . Here is a short 4:00 min video that sets the stage. Look it up on KZbin “Well Come to This World”. Sound familiar?

[@Sebastianmaz615]

I really like Julia Sweeney, she has a great personality, always seems so positive. I watched her video & still I asked myself what's the point of any/every thing if we're on our own? Don't tell me, "To be kind or to love each other."

[@ihavefallenandicantreachmy2113]

WRONG! The point, is, to Love to kind of Overpopulate/Pollute/Destroy this particular Planet. and, In the meantime, to try and find another "Inhabitable" Planet, for to overpopulate/pollute/destroy etc. etc.

[@Sebastianmaz615]

@@ihavefallenandicantreachmy2113 I guess to live life is to pollute, so let's just launch the nukes & get it over with! Earth will eventually heal itself whether were here or not. Good-bye.

[@nocturnal6129]

Bravo. Thank you for posting this and thank you to her for such a necessary topic so eloquently expressed. I love ted talks on many topics but especially this, since it is so critical for building a new fire to light us from religious darkness. Bravo.

[@dianadiehl]

What a delightful and open monologue on the path from religion to reason. It's good to hear from someone who had a positive religious upbringing but still came to understand the essential underpinnings of religion that deny reality.

[@MrMarkmd]

Wow! Too much!

[@geirerlinggulbrandsen851]

I am embarrased on behalf of our species that we still have so many religious individuals. We are a pretty good species, but religion has no place in the modern world.

[@susandrakenviller3683]

I am embarrassed by this kind of judgmental and short-minded thinking. Many extremely intelligent people are or have been religious in some form, Einstein for example. But I guess they don't deserve a place in the modern world.

[@ludvig4752]

I see how you think. They are geniuses but still has some faith. The thing is that these geniuses aren't agreeing on everything that stands in the bible for example. They don't think the world is 6000 years old and so on. There is alot of videos and documentaries that explains how you can still be religious even when you are more than good at thinking logically.

[@jacobmpruzynski1216]

+Susan Drakenviller. Im sorry to read that you were offended by the criticisms waged at religion. Ideas should be open for discussion, debate and yes even criticism. The comments weren't directed at anyone personally but rightfully aimed at religious dogma. Im fairly certain that nobody would say that if Albert Einstein WAS religious it was because he was foolish. The example of Einstein probably wasn't the best choice to make your point anyway though. Although he was Jewish he was almost certainly secular and didn't believe in a god that you could have a personal relationship with. His more famous quotes that refer to god are widely misunderstood. However, its possible he wasn't very smart. I mean he misspelled his own last name.....TWICE. The alphabet doesn't play dice with its vowels.

[@laurensvanderklis2669]

Dear Jacob. I am in now way offended by criticism of religion and I fully underscore your notions of free discussions an debate. However a statement such as "I am embarrased on behalf of our species that we still have so many religious individuals" (not yours) is not intelligent criticism, it's debunking of a large group of people on the basis of a personal adversity. To me this is really really stupid, just as I would find it stupid to say that atheist are incapable of ethically motivated discussions etc... If you really are an advocate of free debate, sweeping statements like this have little place in it. It's very 'religious' to belief that if religion would leave the modern world, the world would be a better place. But some people think this is some sort of scientific fact. (Laurens aka Susan ;-)

[@ludvig4752]

+Laurens van der Klis Heh you're on the internet sweetie. If he would have said "anyone wants to debate atheism with me?" Then no one would answer.

[@dan679]

You are such a joy listening to !!Hugs

[@RocApologetics]

What is more likely: sand particles building a sand castle on their own, or outside intelligence manipulates the sand to build one? The answer to this question will then answer how the amazingly complex universe, including DNA, formed out of the particles inside it. (Romans 1:20)

[@briansherling5515]

Sand isn’t made from DNA. Over time rocks break down and sediments form. Does that make water a GOD ? It takes many eons. It HAPPENS. And beneath the Pacific Ocean not far from japan are formations that many swear are manmade. They are not. But many people swear that formations like this are not naturally occurring. These people are usually NEVER geologists because geologists say that these can be formed naturally. We ascribe all mysteries to some imaginary mannin the sky. Once we start discovering the true natural origins of things the less god plays a role in creation. The God Of The Gaps which will sooner or later squeeze God out entirely. “There’s no Santa Claus”. “Oh yes there is! How do you explain all these presents?” “Mom and dad bought them.....hey mom, David said there’s no Santa and You wrapped all these presents” Yes I wrapped them but only because Santa is So Busy because all the good children of the world”. Moms agenda? Keeping the kids in line with a threat of no Xmas but lucky for her she can blame it on Santa! That’s religion!!!

[@muslaw1]

Brian Sherling I hear the what happened, Brian, but I don’t hear the how or for that matter the why. Remember, there was nothing! From the presumed Big Bang how did ANYTHING else happen? What was the mechanism? Explosions, if that was what the Big Bang was, generate chaos. How did this one generate galaxies and water and people? Don’t give me evolution until you can describe where that comes from?

[@muslaw1]

Brian Sherling you completely misunderstand religion, at least as I believe it. Christ was sent here to offer us a gift, not keep people in line. He said here is freedom from your inevitable death (no one has escaped as predicted in Genesis) and what I want you to do is accept it and tell others about it. That’s it. Don’t build me any cathedrals or give me money or a fine home or a new Mercedes every year, just say yes and it’s yours. I do this because I love you even though every day you rebel against me. I will take your punishment. He proved he could defeat death by dying and returning from the dead. No one in history has done that, including Santa Claus. I don’t expect you to accept this, I expect you to do your research and see if it is true, not just plausible, true.

[@RocApologetics]

@@briansherling5515 So you say: "naturally occurring". The problem is that atoms are inanimate irrational chunks of matter. They have no power on their own, and the very fact that they group together shows that they are being sequenced from the outside by a Programmer. The universe is not naturally occurring, especially since "nature" began to exist at the beginning of the universe. So, because of this, the universe clearly came from something that is beyond nature, meaning: supernatural. When you say "man in the sky" you are showing that you haven't read the Bible, which is important, as the very opening line clearly states that God CREATED the sky, and so obviously wasn't living in the sky before He created it. God exists outside the universe. There is good reason to believe Santa does not exist, because of evidence. God is not like that, as the universe clearly provides evidence that God DOES exist. A universe without a God would be one in which nothing even looked designed, as things not designed tend to not even look designed. The universe, including DNA, is exactly the opposite as they are such intricate complex systems that we barely understand how they work. This is not any kind of evidence that points to God not existing, but rather points TO the existence of God. Btw, this is all coming from a former hardcore atheist, so I would forget about the past and give Jesus another shot like I did.

[@TheGreyHollowRoad]

@H - Milch Sand and cells are made of atoms, and so you can compare the atoms to grains of sand. Atoms, like grains of sand, have NO power on their own. So, the fact that we have a digital DNA code logically points to an outside Programmer Who is sequencing/coding the atoms into things like DNA.

[@tigertiger1699]

Love this lady🌹

[@rds990]

What is more likely: A guy who comes once a year, and drives a sled and lands on EVERY roof in the world and delivers gifts to EVERYONE within 24 hours, and then returns home to his NORH POLE home....... OR A supreme being who placed us on one of a trillion planets, and also created billions and billions of galaxies (some which we will never know about), just for those on Earth. C'mon man !

[@pondartinc4002]

+RD S Do you have any other shitty choices?

[@teresasorenson5255]

RD S Are you dumb??? 😲😲😲

[@gustercc]

Teresa Sorenson be gone troll, unless you want a house to fall on you, like your sister.

[@rorscach1]

You only know about galaxies and planets because of science. And we're probably not the only intelligent life forms in the universe... But god would never tell you that. Nope, he would have you believe that you are his only children in the entire universe. For what purpose would a god bother to create an entire universe and only have created life on this single planet?

[@davidwestwater3028]

@@rorscach1 the catholic faith does not preach we must be alone

[@rhoisinlawson3939]

You are just wondrous. Thankyou

[@marymcreynolds8355]

She makes a lot of funny sense here. I appreciate her honesty. When you kick the traces of how you were raised belief wise, it is a scary prospect that nonetheless becomes more compelling as you continue to think and consider life and death and the mysterious imponderables.

[@dan69052]

truth How does all religion start? It starts with the children . Here is a short 4:00 min video that sets the stage. Look it up on KZbin “Well Come to This World”. Sound familiar?

[@robarerobare]

Well said Ms. Sweeney!!

[@kassifoster6224]

I have a question. Since I was a little girl I started to pray and my prayers where answered. Time and time again my prayers were answered. In fact I have seen what would seem impossible happen through prayer. How can nothing answer my prayers?

[@howeffingridiculous]

answered prayers are not proof of a god. Perhaps your answered prayers are the result of a hidden principle that's not totally understood.

[@kassifoster6224]

@@howeffingridiculous So when I was a little girl and I asked (Jesus are you real?) and at the same time I prayed many prayers and these prayers where answered; that was not conformation that Jesus was real. Why would it not be conformation? Also how come in the last 24 years when I have prayed to my God my prayer seem to be answered? I truly feel if there was not a creator my prayers would not be answered. In fact I would not claim there is a God.

[@howeffingridiculous]

@@kassifoster6224 have you ever thought that a demon was pretending to be Jesus...or that your subconscious was doing some wish fulfilment or that you were witnessing coincidence? Could it be that you have found the occult power of prayer? My point is there are other explanations. You've arrived at your answer as a matter of faith, answered prayers are not proof of god

[@kassifoster6224]

@@howeffingridiculous I pray alot because I know that my God listens. I do not believe it could be my subconscious because my prayers are not answered they way I think they should be in my mind yet they are answered way better than what I imagined. This is because my God is a great father and he takes care of my needs. Now as for it being a demon, its job is to torment and pull people away from God. So why would a demon bring peace, comfort, and much love? As for occult power of prayer, I personally do not know how they pray but I know when I pray to God it works. Bong Gnostic I want to switch the subject in a different direction if you do not mind. I am going to share with you 2 stories on how I believe God spoke to me. My first story happen when I was 19 at this mans house. To make a long story short I was at a friends house and on his couch when thoughts of why he was committing suicide entered my mind. About 20 minutes later I checked up on him and he was chanting in a low voice "Help me I do not want to die." over and over in his bed in a paralyzed state. I than grabbed his hand and asked him if he wanted me to get help to squeeze me hand. He than very weakly squeezed my hand and off I went to the neighbors house to call for help. The paramedics came to the house shortly and he survived his suicide attempt. My second story happened in my earlier twenties when I came up to a stop light one night while driving home. When the light turn green thoughts entered my mind saying it was not my turn yet. So for a moment I do not go on this green light. I then thought I should go before the light truned red again. As soon as I started to go a truck flew in front of me running a red light. If I had went on the green light as soon as it truned green I would have been in a horrible car reck. Now why did these thoughts came to my mind? To me it is a simple answer, there is a creator who loves and cares for us and helps guide us if we are willing to listen. My question is why do people get this kind of thoughts or bad gut feelings before something bad happens?

[@howeffingridiculous]

@@kassifoster6224 some amazing incidents you've experienced, thanks for sharing. I think there's a genuine mystery at work with those kind of happenings. I have the same question too: why do people experience premonitions?

[@baolongnguyen8203]

Thank you for your beautiful speech. That really helped my belief in god

[@laurenhaywood6250]

I’m a Unitarian Universalist and Julia I took my son to church for the exact same reason. He is grown now and has not chosen to join the church which is ok with me however spiritually he tends to lean more toward a zen philosophy because in our religious community the kids are taken to and exposed to all the various forms of religion. One of the most important aspects of his religious education was the OWL program which is sex education emphasizing the experience of sex inOUR WHOLE LIVES not just puberty. The class also emphasizes above all the importance of respecting your partners feelings when having a sexual relationship and respecting women’s bodies as well as men’s.

[@ilikeanimalsoverhumanspier5215]

Hunchback of of atheists lol

[@dan69052]

the truth How does all religion start? It starts with the children . Here is a short 4:00 min video that sets the stage. Look it up on KZbin “Well Come to This World”. Sound familiar?

[@mikeygarcia8271]

You are missing a lot , my friend.More and more people these last few years are seeing visions of the Spirit realm, experiencing God in the process. It is written in Bible prophecy that in the last days young and old, male and female will dream dreams and will see visions of the Spirit realm. I have seen it for myself..while praying in my room..fully awake.We are living in the last days...Take advantage of it..ask God to show you a vision..come to Him in repentance and seek Him with all your heart and He will make Himself known to you.

[@PeaceLoveforourworld]

She has a right to her beliefs , I Believe in God

[@mentalfloss100]

Peace & Love I was driving down the highway one day many years ago, I had a conversation with Christ ! I was a huge gambler spent thousands in the casino. I was pondering if it was sin or not to gamble . All my christian friends gambled so I was ok with it . Not more then 20 minutes later in my drive my car approached along side the highway a Casino . I could see the big Casino sign tall and bright from my car .Let me tell you the power of God. The only large letters that my eyes witness was the letters SIN , the Ca and the o at the end of the word were gone ! caSINo . I asked and He spoke . I have seen that sign a million times and never realized how the word was written. I have many stories like this one that happen many times , should write a book, name it “ this is why I believe “ just a little story of faith to share .

[@brit1066]

Peace & Love Your BELIEF IS SIMPLY A CHOICE, you can say I believe in The Wizard of Oz, that also is a choice. Neither of these CHOICES require ANY EVIDENCE OR REASON OR PROOF, IT IS SIMPLY A CHOICE. My BELIEF that the Wizard of Oz is the ONE TRUE GOD IS JUST AS VALID AS YOUR BELIEF. Not only that but I can produce EVIDENCE that the Wizard EXISTS, I saw the movie the Wizard was in it. What more REASON DO I NEED. But it do NOT BRAINWASH MY GRANDCHILDREN TELLING THEM THAT THEY WILL BURN IN A LAKE OF FIRE UNLESS THEY PRAISE THE WIZARD. BUT YOU DO.

[@Alexandra-ng1ih]

Peace & Love sad, you’ll never know ur wrong

[@brit1066]

jessica birchfield Oh you POOR FOOL. SATAN! There is vastly more SATANISM IN THE PRESNT WHITE HOUSE THAN HAS EVER EXISTED ANYWHERE ELSE.

[@brit1066]

ihtpn ihtpn Yes you POOR FOOL. The complete lack of any EVIDENCE in your comment says it all. All you have is your assertion which is WORTHLESS. OPEN YOUR EYES YOU ARE BEING LIED TO.

[@fantasyreflection]

When Christians speak of being saved, what exactly does that mean?

[@flexbrat]

NOTHING NOTHING they are all nuts !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@anonperson5104]

they weakly gave in to the controlling government , and became two faced cult members. sheeple

[@MrMarkmd]

anon person Sheeple is so old guy,Wake up!

[@anonperson5104]

I'm sorry, what does your kind like to be called these days ?

[@MrMarkmd]

Human being! Fool!

[@lifesize3377]

What does She do there if not lecturing to a crowd

[@daleandrews3552]

I hadn't remembered her name - from SNL - but when she started to talk, I recognized the voice. She was hilarious at the "Pat" character!

[@izthemovie]

I've been an atheist for a little over 2 years now. And I will be completely honest. I still wish there was a higher meaning than just living then dying. Don't get me wrong, I love life and I'm a very happy person and find life quite valuable. But the idea that we are essencially, all alone in the big universe in terms of any diety, is still lonely and depressing for me. But no matter what I do, I cannot pretend to believe in any god, goddess, etc. It's just not logical to me. I just hope that someday I can let go of the loneliness of knowing there is no higher form out there, watching over me.

[@pdcdesign9632]

"I just hope that someday I can let go of the loneliness of knowing there is no higher form out there, watching over me." Just think of where you were before you were born into this life. For billions of lonely years your brain didn't exist so you couldn't imagine any sense of loss. When we die the same concept applies. The heart stops pumping blood, the brain stops functioning and we go back to that special place were we don't exist. :)

[@izthemovie]

rog nad Good point. If when we die, we really do cease to live without a soul, then I guess I wouldn't care huh? lol

[@huckster699]

rog nad That sounds a hell of a lot better than Heaven.

[@huckster699]

izthemovie Yep but if there is a Heaven you would go there and miss the people you left behind. You would also know that a lot of your family and friends are burning in hell. Nothingness sounds like Heaven to me.

[@dona4him]

.

[@patbrennan6572]

i'm irish and i grew up catholic too, buy i have since made a full recovery.

[@JohnPMitten]

The words Irish or Catholic have nothing to do with God.

[@christodoula]

I'm still suffering from Irishness, unfortunately.

[@newfoundlanderonthego8729]

You are just so charming ,funny and bright,I agree with your thoughts and really enjoyed your talk.

[@caitlintaylor9781]

I became an atheist in a Christian family at 8. Saying grace at dinner makes me uncomfortable... just that book was written so long ago. It literally says haircuts are bad in there... that you should never cut your hair... so what is in there to believe? I’m the « demon » of the family. I’m twelve now and can’t move out until I’m 18, what should I do?HELP

[@victorbela5317]

i declared my self an atheist a year ago and i have never been suicidal , depressed, purposeless, ....... don’t not turn your head on god don’t follow religion BUT at least don’t leave god or Jesus i am telling you you will suffer you will remember me when you suffer don’t follow any religion but don’t leave god and Jesus you will regret your choice i am telling you man .

[@dan69052]

hang in there maybe this will help How does all religion start? It starts with the children . Here is a short 4:00 min video that sets the stage. Look it up on KZbin “Well Come to This World”. Sound familiar?

[@sandibraico8442]

OMG the funniest ever!! I remember my own conversation with my son at 6 or 7.. kinda went the same way!!

[@mikeygarcia8271]

You are missing a lot , my friend.More and more people these last few years are seeing visions of the Spirit realm, experiencing God in the process. It is written in Bible prophecy that in the last days young and old, male and female will dream dreams and will see visions of the Spirit realm. I have seen it for myself..while praying in my room..fully awake.We are living in the last days...Take advantage of it..ask God to show you a vision..come to Him in repentance and seek Him with all your heart and He will make Himself known to you.

[@PhilLaird]

So what about the ribosomes which are made in the biological factory that is also made of proteins?

[@dantecortez2856]

This should have been one of your skits on SNL vert funny. Thank you.

[@bruceshand8052]

Love this person.

[@terryelizabeth2841]

She is so wonderful. She has helped me so much.

[@betholson2199]

If you actually confused about why she doesn't believe listen to her letting go of God story.

[@diyalectic52]

Agreed. We (adults and kids) don't need religion for morality or guidance. Philosophy, ethics, science, art, law, psychology, evolution, sociology, etc. guides us in understanding ourselves and our species, how to cultivate meaning and how to treat one another, in a way that's vastly better than religion ever could.

[@natasa04tsats15]

When i was a kid i never thought I would stop believing in God... But to be honest...becoming an atheist gave me a huge feeling of freedom I've never felt before

[@dan69052]

knowledge How does all religion start? It starts with the children . Here is a short 4:00 min video that sets the stage. Look it up on KZbin “Well Come to This World”. Sound familiar?

[@johnramirez3247]

Same with me. During my teenage years I never imagined becoming an atheist.

[@kevinmartin2419]

I really like her

[@bonnerwf]

A couple of months ago i was with a friend from high school and we were talking about everything and some how the topic of time came up and i said "sometime in the future the sun will burn out and life on earth will end. Will that be the end of time ?" He said "no". I said " who's counting ?"

[@trafficjon400]

?

[@PerseusToons]

Gotta give her points on her peppiness.

[@jessesipprell]

We aren't the first, and we might not be the last, although we are probably the first to make it this far. About a million years ago there was a species called Homo Erectus, who are related to us but not our ancestors (there's still debate on that point). They populated much of Europe and Asia and survived longer than modern humans have existed. The had fire, used tools, walked on two legs and even had different skin colors just like we do. But they definitely looked different than us.

[@JACKnJESUS]

Don't take her laughter too seriously folks...she's a natural giggler. Religion is the adult fairy tale that people simply don't want to give up. Understandable I guess, but keep it to yourself please. If you aren't happy if someone else does not believe your version of the fairy tale, that's an insecurity on your part. If you truly believe, it should not matter one whit if no one else on the planet agrees with you.

[@bluwater1422]

I agree wholeheartedly

[@powerofthemind4028]

wow this is the most happiest atheist i ever seen in my life

[@bobs182]

She has Jesus in her heart.

[@ilikeanimalsoverhumanspier5215]

Anybody here that does not believe that God exists tell me then why in Genesis in the Bible it says that Adam the first human was created from dirt, and God breathe life into his nostrils, why when we die and our body is buried in the ground turns back to dirt? Any takers? Plz explain this to me, I have lots of patients. I'm waiting........

[@gino007able]

When anyone is faced with the impending doom of death, the first words out of their mouth is "help me, God".

[@plaidpanda]

Nope. Mine are "oh, shit," or "fuck me".

[@rogerk2049]

Lyla Lolliberry Yeah Right.

[@plaidpanda]

@@rogerk2049 Right.

[@ilikeanimalsoverhumanspier5215]

I heard real atheist say these exact same words, that I had to tell them I thought you don't believe in God , see the thing with atheist is that they do believe, it's just that with all the bad things that happens in the world it's much easier for them to not believe

[@plaidpanda]

@@ilikeanimalsoverhumanspier5215 It's not so much about "bad things" happening as it is about critical thinking and intellectual honesty.

[@Woltato]

I recommend "The Greatest Show On Earth" by Richard Dawkins. This book explains clearly all of the evidence that proves the theory of evolution.

[@greatdaneacdc]

Well I'm glad something works for her! Every one has lessons to learn !

[@trafficjon400]

Its not a lessen to be learned just because you believe some thing gorg.

[@mikeygarcia8271]

You are missing a lot , my friend.More and more people these last few years are seeing visions of the Spirit realm, experiencing God in the process. It is written in Bible prophecy that in the last days young and old, male and female will dream dreams and will see visions of the Spirit realm. I have seen it for myself..while praying in my room..fully awake.We are living in the last days...Take advantage of it..ask God to show you a vision..come to Him in repentance and seek Him with all your heart and He will make Himself known to you.

[@Nozoki]

@@mikeygarcia8271 We've been in the "last days" for like 3000 years now. We don't care what the bible claims. Yes, claims. The bible is the claim, not the evidence.

[@mikeygarcia8271]

@@Nozoki Can I ask you...is it possible for a people to become a nation again after more than 2 thousands years of exile..and in the countrried where they were scattered , they were heavily persecuted and were subjected to annhilation attemtpts by powerful kings, political leaders, religious leaders? do you thjink they could survive as people scattered and persecuted all over the globe for more than two thousand years? Tell me..

[@Nozoki]

@@mikeygarcia8271 yes, especially if the leaders of the most powerful countries believe that bullshit and work to make it happen.

[@dblshotz75]

I love her voice

[@kimcraige]

I agree completely. I am part of an art group, so if that’s my only religion so be it 😬

[@dan69052]

truth How does all religion start? It starts with the children . Here is a short 4:00 min video that sets the stage. Look it up on KZbin “Well Come to This World”. Sound familiar?

[@mikeygarcia8271]

You are missing a lot , my friend.More and more people these last few years are seeing visions of the Spirit realm, experiencing God in the process. It is written in Bible prophecy that in the last days young and old, male and female will dream dreams and will see visions of the Spirit realm. I have seen it for myself..while praying in my room..fully awake.We are living in the last days...Take advantage of it..ask God to show you a vision..come to Him in repentance and seek Him with all your heart and He will make Himself known to you.

[@jonathoncassell7757]

So to her, belief in God is the same as belief in Catholic doctrine.

[@Finians_Mancave]

Um, yes. She WAS raised Catholic so Catholicism is her particular window into God. A Jew would question his Judaism. What is so difficult about this for you to grasp?

[@jonathoncassell7757]

I'd say "grasping" isn't the issue. Logic is. She certainly knows the difference between a particular doctrine and the more general concept of God.

[@wadegray2069]

What is more likely: that which appears to have order and design, was ordered and designed OR that which appears to have order and design came about from complete random chaos? Chaos that then organized itself into order and took on the appearance a designed system.

[@rorscach1]

What makes you think anything is either chaos or order? What if your perception of "chaos and order" is just your brain trying to make sense of your confusion, but everything simply IS?

[@wadegray2069]

@@rorscach1 I begin with "I think therefore I am", so, at a minimum, I know that I exist because I have to exist in order to ponder the question of my existence. So, I exist. I am either a product of intelligent design or I am a product of no design, I just am. So, using whatever cognitive reasoning I possess, I invoke my senses to try and arrive at a variety of determinations. That's all I can do, that's all I have to work with. So, to your question: Everything either "simply IS", which is completely possible OR everything that IS, wasn't, until some transcendent force initiated everything. For me, my cognition results in believing that there is chaos and there is order, they are distinctive and discernable and through science I see an extremely high level of what appears to be order, order typically implies design. So I can either believe that what appears "to me" to be order and design, was not ordered or designed (denying my senses) OR I can believe that what appears to be order and design, is in fact ordered and designed. I choose the latter. Then that just leaves me with who the designer is?

[@georgiapeach3109]

Amazing. The sense of joy and relief that Atheists talk about seems so familiar to the way a new born again Christian carries on. I was raised Christian, and have been a Pantheist since 2011. So I literally believe in "god" but more so as the ground of all being. But if this helps people, then that's great. Namaste ☯️☸️

[@mendezcreative]

The older she gets, the more she looks like Pat!

[@ggsluv]

She is Pat! 😉😄✌🏼

[@greenbeagle13]

Good observation... hahaha