Atheist Debates - Interview with Vi La Bianca

[@Redhunteur2]

Vi, you are an amazing addition to the effort. Love you all. Or "ya'll" if that's how y'all get it. 👍

[@adamgrotto8163]

Vi, you are a freaking HERO!!! Thank you for telling your story and thank you for what you did to help the others from your school!

[@ErizotDread]

This was a fascinating conversation, please continue it! Thanks for what you do!

[@fullup91]

That recent Talk Heathen episode with Matt and Vi was awesome

[@gornser]

Love these interviews. This is no exception!

[@sebastianrubio928]

You know, these stories, I've heard them online, but where I live (Belgium), this is close to unthinkable (one of the most atheist countries in the world), this is just so fascinating to hear, it's like hearing some alien describing his weird culture. My parents were kind of christian, but barely, my mom lot her faith through all the shit she went through, my dad still believes, but when you talk to him, he sounds dangerously close to what an atheist would sound like.

[@askani21]

Same here! I'm in Quebec, and everyone I know doesn't believe in religions - nor care. Except my grandparents when they were alive, and old folks from their generation. I also met believers who were immigrants, they came from religious countries. But that's it. Most people here don't even know the meaning of the word atheist, because they don't care, and we don't actually need the label since that's what most people are anyway. American Christians are so strange for us that when I talk about their beliefs, most people think I'm exagerating or joking. It's unthinkable. PS: parles-tu français? :)

[@kenthazara5477]

@@askani21 what are you, 10 years old? Everyone you know. Everyone YOU Know. You asked, specifically everyone you know, what are your religious beliefs? And could any one of them have been lying to you? What kind of name is “Horrifying Apocalypse”? Is that Greek?

[@askani21]

@@kenthazara5477 What a strange reaction you had! Loll I'm 38, atheist. No my KZbin name isn't Greek, it's English loll. (My cat's name is "Apocalypse", or Apo for short. It's in French, but the word is the same in English!) And yes, I was talking about the people in my life. But it's also cultural. Religion is just not something people like in general here. The only time we hear about religion is usually to make fun of it. Most of our swear words are "sacres", i.e. old sacred words from Catholicism, like tabarnak, osti, caliss, ciboir, etc. Being anti-religious is really at the core of our modern culture since the Revolution tranquile (i.e. Peaceful Revolution) in the 60s. We revolted against the Catholic Church, we threw them out without any bloodshed, and it's the historical foundation of the modern Quebec. Here you go!

[@tidallock848]

Wow, Vi's background sounds so much like mine. Homeschooled, father could not settle on a church home, young earth creationist, end of the world preppers, courtship not dating, etc. It's comforting but tragic to know that I wasn't alone. I'm glad we both got out and it gives me hope for others with our background.

[@davidjimenez7556]

Similar to mine as well. Crazy how many of us there actually are.

[@kenthazara5477]

@@davidjimenez7556 not crazy at all. Unfortunate, would be more accurate.

[@davidjimenez7556]

@@kenthazara5477 Agreed. Very unfortunate indeed.

[@SunnySecular]

Vi is amazing. Great interview.

[@andybeans5790]

I thought Vi hosting TH with Matt co-hosting was a really good arrangement

[@nietzschescodes]

I love Vi. What a great discovery and new addition to the team.

[@habi0187]

When I hear stories like this I am happy that I am a continental European. In my country homeschooling is illegal. What Vi’s parents did to her is clearly emotional child abuse. I am happy that she could overcome this programming and be such a nice person today.

[@astrophotos8368]

Europe is light years ahead of the U.S.

[@habi0187]

An Amateur's Astrophotography when I listen to such stories and other stuff like the schooling system and health care I get the feeling that in certain aspects the US is not a first world country but more a member of third world. This is annoying me because when I was young some decades ago in the seventies / eighties America was the country of dream of several of my friends. I personally dreamed more of Australia but America sounded also cool for me. Now I am happy that I did not emigrate to any of it.

[@Steelmage99]

@Gwapa snuna Serious question; if you feel that the US' schools are shit, what should be done about it?

[@luke31ish]

People usually have an opinion about home schooling without doing their homework first. Google home schooling and look at the data, homeschoolers outperform their public school peers at every level, including socializing. Off course there are exceptions, like everywhere. How many weirdos are in public school?.... Should we ban public schools for that?

[@habi0187]

Luke .Haidautu tho home schooled are out performing the public schooled kids because your public school system is completely underfunded and rotten. But schools are only a mirror of the society.

[@garyspring5981]

what a great interview i like this talk alot

[@sr1549]

That was such an interesting conversation....

[@kwahujakquai6726]

To be honest, i was hopeful and then saddened to not hear if her name was given at birth, or self made.

[@sr1549]

@@kwahujakquai6726 Why does that matter?.. Doesn't take anything away from the conversation...

[@kwahujakquai6726]

@@sr1549 okay.

[@vinny5638]

@@sr1549 I mean, when you rebrand your linguistic identity it bares some trickling significance to your mindset. it's pretty silly imo, frankly pornstar name level goofy but it doesn't truly matter to her arguments.

[@kwahujakquai6726]

@@sr1549 What takes away from the conversation for me, is the fact that there are so many questions left unanswered because we get to hear about Matt's life experience more than Vi's. I was curious if being homosexual was a primary reason for her to leave religion. We didn't hear anything about that. Just how she would have wore a tux to the prom in highschool, but then feel the need to ask her mom if being friends with a blue haired gay man in college would be okay or not. Sounds to me that if she was given the option to go to prom, she would have to get permission with her parents what to wear anyhow! I would like to know if there was any conflict with her and her parents, and if her sexuality had anything to do with it. And what did "take away from the conversation" is Matt talking over the top of Vi as he explained his reasons for her, and talked about himself instead of Vi. Not much of an interview, more like a chit chat. I'm glad you loved it. Of course this makes me think your expectations are very low!

[@jb9652]

30:07 Vi: "It's actually quite a painful process to deconstruct everything and then build it back up". Indeed it is. Especially if you've tried really hard for years to make your belief system real to you. Given the (physical) way belief systems are represented in the brain, major physical changes have to happen to the brain to expunge a belief system. This takes time and significant emotional lows can be experienced en route. Understanding this might be useful when helping another escape their belief system, or when helping yourself escape a belief system. Anyway, Hi Vi! I enjoyed hearing about your journey! : )

[@kenthazara5477]

Major physical changes have to happen to the brain to expunge a belief? Can you elaborate? And ahhh NO, paraphrasing Matt, you just need to stop believing in things that have no evidence that they exist, like Santa Claus Did your brain experience major physical changes in regards to Santa?

[@Heretical_Theology]

I can absolutely relate to Vi's numbness and "God being Gone". My circumstances were very different but the feeling was identical... I totally get it. Love you, Vi. Thank you.

[@koraggknightwolf8454]

Yeah Matt and Vi new favorite duo

[@andrearovati]

Vi is great... she's super smart and relatable.

[@Moviocrity]

I've been enjoying Vi La Bianca on their shows. This insight into their background is fascinating. Vi rocks.

[@lmccahill45]

When I was controlled by my parents like Vi was I told a friend that I had at the time that she was going to hell because she was going to be, "unequally yoked" because she was marrying a man who is Jewish. I have apologized since. Fear and brain washing can do horrible things.

[@r4tb4st4rd7]

My southern baptist upbringing made me suppress both my sexuality and gender; I externalized that suppression as transphobic against one of my friends who came out. I’ve since apologized to her and we now joke that we traded genders, lmao

[@maripaura4945]

I got a bit emotional watching this... Idk... Maybe it's cause I find some similarities between my deconversion and Vi's. It's actually happened only few months ago. Love both of you, Matt and Vi!

[@lydiafayre9806]

Vi, you are one of my favorite people. I hope I get to meet you someday.

[@denvercriss78]

Vi you would've been beautiful in your prom tux

[@RickReasonnz]

Vi's one of the best things to happen to the ACA. Always a pleasure to listen to.

[@donneuner2883]

I love this! Vi is amazing, I want to make friends with people like her.

[@mickwillson3239]

I was wasn't expecting this to be a self serving indulgence, but not,quite fascinating, what an interesting unusual upbringing. 👌

[@jopezu]

that "god's not here" feeling after visiting the other church is just your realization that your moral hive switch can't be flipped on in the current (unfamiliar) setting. the trust & abandonment feelings are normal. you'll assume you can get that feeling back once you revisit your own church "where god is". matt's experience of "god was never here" was different because this schema of balkanized moral binding was apparent to him when he experienced it.

[@thomaso.1572]

Great interview. Vi, (anyone else) support and vote for Bernie Sanders for debt forgiveness, among many other great things.

[@thomaso.1572]

@Gwapa snuna nice addition to civil discourse! 👍

[@johnmccarthy7241]

I would love to hear more of Vi La Bianca, especially in Atheist Experience. Still Matt is the best🥰

[@robertdullnig3625]

I also spent a year in England going to different churches. If one of them had had chocolate croissants, I probably would have converted. The best they could do was scones.

[@Taj_Rahine]

Vi is so interesting

[@MicrophoneHell-ec3bm]

On paper, Vi La Bianca and Tracie Harris would have been a great team.

[@陈瀚龙]

Smart people need to stop saying "drugs and alcohol". Having said that, Vi is a freaking killer host on Talk Heathen, and one of the sharpets out there. Kicking ass, Vi. You've made Talk Heathen a better show.

[@colaboytje]

I've said this before, but where I live (Belgium), atheism is nothing to be ashamed of or have the feeling of being shamed by others. However, as the muslim community grows here because of immigration, we are witnesses of the extreme pressure of islam on muslims and doubting muslims. But I don't grasp that feeling of coming out as an atheist, as it's not an issue here. I never had to explain why, or have been pushed or have been shamed. I understand indoctrination, but I have not felt it. I went to catholic school, but religion class was laughed at and nobody of my class mates paid attention during that class. In college or university, religion is only taught in terms of history of religion, or religious rights, ... in an academic way. Not in a 'this is the holy book' kind of way. Why or how is this still so present in the US? If you had to explain to me why a country that proclaims to be the land of the free, still has this huge presence of religion, how would you do it?

[@colaboytje]

@va m Sure, but Europe was also very catholic back then. My question is more: why still today?

[@henrim9348]

@@colaboytje Money, power and control. Religion has lots of tax exemption . Churches and preachers are very rich. Nobody controls / regulate them, they do what they want. With their wealth, they can buy/corrupt anything...including political power/influence. Religion controls the Republican party, the supreme court, many governors and states, ... Religion also dictates race relations, which is a huge deal in the USA.

[@allenmarkham]

How common is the idea that the 'End of the World' is coming so it really doesn't matter what we do, as long as we believe? I never heard of the 'End of the World' until I was an adult and I find the idea - - - interesting?

[@damion1757]

Atheism - It's not about what you want to be true, like most religions, it's about what is KNOWN to be true.

[@Jamie-bu9cq]

Very similar to my own upbringing. This was therapeutic to listen to.

[@davidclarke3450]

Go Vi 👍👍

[@briannewton3535]

Catching up with all of these videos across KZbin. I have seen Vi on Atheist Experience, but seeing her journey is enlightening, The conversation of how each Christian can create their own god because an emotion will almost always have something in the bible it can align with helps me appreciate how Christians believe bonkers stuff. Lucky for them that the bible contradicts itself so much, to allow the delusion to continue.

[@ImGoingSupersonic]

Between these two, im not sure wbich haircut i like best.

[@kristinwright6632]

Know how to shut down Matt. That is a resume line. Serious skill. More! I want more of Vi's life. This is fascinating.

[@ThermaL-ty7bw]

in Belgium they say ''opa'' to grandfather , opa and oma

[@mikewilliams235]

Instead of discussing opinions why not discuss possibilities?

[@seanbirch]

she's pretty cool

[@druittlover1]

I'm wondering if this is part of your Master plan Matt; making this video Knowing that we would love this interview with Vi. Since you Knew we would love it in advance, I'm curious and have just one question: Are YOU God Matt? Also, it would follow that, since you KNEW in advance that we’d love this, there is a part two in the wings….please post it! LOVE your honesty and insight. Reply

[@jeffciaccio2463]

Was it just my phone or was the audio terrible?

[@scottplumer3668]

It's a little distant, but I wouldn't call it terrible. They're using lavaliere mics, but I don't think Matt's was on.

[@sailingsolar]

" What was it like to have your father lead his own church whose only members were his wife and his children?" To me it sounds like it would be similar to having Kadafi for a father and he doesn't have Libya to rule.

[@vladtepes7539]

wonder if doomsday will be like a slow process, you know some weird silence in the air which slowly takes on a sickly green tone before the sky rips open and the apocalyptic rider storm out or its more like god unplugs the-plug n static. spontaneous apocalypse: hits sudden n hard.

[@disenfranchisedamerican6804]

Or trump is president and it's not quite slow.

[@Raz.C]

I wonder if the interview wa awkward at all. I seem to recall that Matt had some harsh things to say about a part of the book that Vi had written (or possibly some book that she had been talking about). He said that he hates it when people do what she did and that he refuses to host the show with her because of the stance that she took on issue 'x'. Unfortunately, I can't remember any more details than that and I may be mistaken about what few details I seem to remember. Still, if I'm not mistaken, then I have to wonder if this interview was awkward at all...

[@pernilsson2394]

This idea of homeschooling and Christian college sounds absurd in this day and age. Anyway for me living in Sweden.

[@allenmarkham]

It will be interesting to see where the 'new' people - those who's explorations have brought them to atheism , are in another 10-15 years. Is atheism an end point or just a stop along the way?

[@joshkirby2372]

Atheism is simply them not believing in a God/s. Obviously that can change, but if they've came to that conclusion through logical, rational thought, it's extremely less likely.

[@mutalemwananshiku4098]

Im curious how old is vi?

[@goat9199]

Less old than my balls.

[@mutalemwananshiku4098]

@Thomas Mc Arthur wow real mature.

[@damonm3]

Thanks! Would be great to know how your relationship with your parents is now. And any advise on speaking with fundamentalist parents. My father is one and we literally disagree on everything. He’s 67 and has a 3 yr old daughter. Met a girl at church younger than me and married her with a 3 day notice. My first question was “does she know?”😂😂. And then I had a sex talk with my dad because I knew it was the motivating factor for marriage... he said “no kids, no way”. And I predicted 2 months tops. I already told you who was right. Anyway. Long long crazy story but we all have em. 🍻👊

[@henrim9348]

Wow 67 ?

[@damonm3]

@@henrim9348 now almost 70 and she’s 5. Time flys

[@maxmac7845]

I miss Tracie.

[@ryanp0342]

Wait! There are really a sizable percentage of the population in the US who don't dance because of religion? I thought the movie Footloose was just fiction! LOL

[@henrim9348]

I have family members who are hardcore evangelicals. They refuse to even discuss music genres.

[@agnosticmonkey7308]

That's a cute jacket.

[@goat9199]

Dear Matt: I'm glad that you're having good sex. Life is too short.

[@jesserochon3103]

wtf

[@evilgenius747]

Vi is gorgeous. I don't care if she is married. I'm not the jealous type. XD

[@ari1234a]

The most easiest thing to do is to lie to yourself.

[@baphnie]

Ooh, this sure sounds like my time at APU.

[@joethompson9864]

I grew up the same way! Everything was about the Bible and basically hating yourself for Jesus haha what a mess but I forgive my parents and hope some day they understand why I rejected everything about there cult! Life has become amazing sense I left I got into body building and really enjoy life!!

[@kwahujakquai6726]

I'm curious if one of Vi's primary reasons for questioning religion is because of her sexuality. It seems to be a growing pattern. We don't trust religion because of our sexuality. For me it is more of a frustration with how most all of the religious folks that I have had contact with, are lacking critical thinking skills, and are one step away from joining a camp Davidian style of religious cult and have zero clue why that is a problem. They see a cross and assume that they are Christian. They hear someone speak about God, and they think of the same God they think of. It is all very sad that there is such manipulation in this world to control peoples minds!

[@kwahujakquai6726]

@krelfurnace Very sad that gay folks have to make life and death decisions at a young age. Most of humanity aren't equip to make major decisions when their brains haven't fully developed at young ages. I'm sure that this doesn't help anyone hoping to live a happy life.

[@jlastre]

I don’t know Matt. I think there are many dogmatic theists outside the Protestant fundamentalist tradition. I’m a lapsed Catholic (capital L) having gone to Catholic primary, then Jesuit HS, and finally Jesuit undergrad. But I know plenty of dogmatic Catholics not to mention the crazy Opus Dei nuts. Btw never knew another Catholic that didn’t think of themselves as a Christian. We only go around calling ourselves Catholic to differentiate ourselves from the heathen Protestants.😂

[@midnightodyssey215]

VI is alright but I prefer seven.

[@nitehawk86]

As long as you don't prefer emacs. (I apologize to everyone for this joke, especially Vi.)

[@goat9199]

@@nitehawk86 nano is where it's at for us new school AI coders. But Jupyter is obviously what's up.

[@nitehawk86]

@@goat9199 Oh for sure, I make sure nano is on all our linux systems. I can't stand either of the old editors. Just recently moved from Eclipse to IntilliJ, its really great.

[@Raz.C]

She seems really nice. I can't help wondering why she says "like" so much, though. Isn't that something that high school girls do, that they grow out of by college? I suppose that being home-schooled might have pushed her development back enough, so that she's only just going through that phase now, where every second-fifth word of every sentence has to include the word "like"...

[@MagnumInnominandum]

Salvation would be meaningless where "everyone" is "saved". Of what purpose would judgement be where all are acquitted.

[@croccofanto]

CLOUT! XD

[@MsTree1]

DANG! You were allowed to eat BEFORE church? We had to fast prior to receiving the body of Christ. #OldSchool

[@shallfrisch1]

Can't contaminate our cannabalism now can we.

[@MsTree1]

@@shallfrisch1 😈😁😈 As a small child, you haven't died for anyone while alive until you've had a Baptist to Catholic convert mother... Too funny.

[@douglasharris5216]

Umm, what part of the body is being served in communion?

[@shallfrisch1]

@@douglasharris5216 yes.

[@shallfrisch1]

@Ahimsa42 Really? Sounds like moral immaturity. If one conflates the morality of cannibalism to that of eating meat in general I have great concern. If one thinks cannibalism is the pinnical of disgusting I am also concerned.

[@jackstevenson4679]

The Coward

[@seunosewa]

Vi is great but I can't believe how easily all the older women were replaced without anyone missing them.

[@TobinTempleman]

Tracie and Jen are missed and remembered.

[@TobinTempleman]

From my understanding they wented to put there efforts into other works.

[@TobinTempleman]

@va m Woahhhh... Interesting, thanks for the heads up.

[@seunosewa]

va m They wanted him to apologize for hurting the feelings of their transsexual friends. That does not in any way diminish the value of the work they did over the years. How would you feel if, instead of what happened, all the older male hosts on ACA including Matt suddenly disappeared from TAE and were replaced by hot young guys, and were never heard from again, with no send-off or formal acknowledgement of their contributions over the years? And if the reason for that was because the men did *not* want some dude to apologize? TV shows I watch always celebrate the transition of a host regardless of their reason for leaving. This is unheard of. These women devoted years of their lives to this work and just because they thought a guest was transphobic they are discarded like trash?

[@heteroclitus]

@va m That's not accurate. Poor decisions were made on all sides of the issue, but it's unreasonable to attribute them to maliciousness.

[@tyrander1652]

Dancing and Cards... I KNEW Matt D. was never a true Christian! LOL

[@Silkroads733]

Fantastic interview, Jesus Christ has blessed both of them, and they will dwell in the house of the lord for all eternity... Amen

[@p.a.f.mitasol8071]

Nice ..lm sure they would love hearing you say that .

[@Silkroads733]

P. A. F. Mi Tasol that is why I’m going to ring the show on Sunday and express that to them..it I don’t get through, I will e-mail instead.. God bless you my brother

[@Vivi2372]

You're not actually serious are you?

[@dennismueller9396]

Gosh... Dwelling in the house of the Lord with all them raping priests ... Or did you mean arse swelling?

[@thickerconstrictor9037]

Oh please do call the show. Please.

[@Jinreeso]

I’m just not a fan of Vi. Not being a Dick I just think she is toooooooooo green. She gets flustered too easily and can’t answer basic Christian arguments, from what I’ve seen.

[@nitehawk86]

Go back and watch some really old episodes with Matt. It's like improv, you can't study this, you just gotta practice.

[@Fluffykeith]

If you have to say “I’m not being a dick” as a preface to something.....then yeah, you’re being a dick.

[@kelseymaypole7048]

Everybody starts out green. It's the only way to eventually become great. Give her some time

[@randellmathews5961]

Shawn Williams Becoming an atheist doesn’t come an HOW TO PROVE ARE RIGHT ! Bible.

[@cavebeastdemon3631]

Matt has trouble letting people talk.

[@richardgay7990]

Evolution was not kind to these two.

[@Oncopoda]

Hey Matt, I'm sorry to hear about David Silverman and your ex-wife. For the record, open marriage or not, if you asked her not to cross that line and she did anyway, you had every right to be pissed.

[@Azozeo]

KillerB86 , Fuck off 👋🏼

[@sickboy666fu]

what happened?

[@Oncopoda]

@@Azozeo fuck you too asshole

[@shallfrisch1]

@@Oncopoda why bring this up here? It comes across as passive aggressive. Not saying you aren't being authentic but it seems fairly inappropriate place to hang that particular peice of dirty laundry

[@Oncopoda]

@@shallfrisch1 I guess I didn't even think about it like that. I just found out and I was flabbergasted. I feel for the guy.

[@CulturedWhiteBoy]

Yuck.