Thanksgiving Religious Debate - All in the Family

This is a selection of clips from an episode of America's most popular TV show of the 1970's - All in the Family. The episode was in Season 6 and was titled 'The Little Atheist'. In this episode, Mike Stivic (an atheist) and his wife Gloria are expecting a baby and they are adamant about letting the child decide for itself whether it will follow a religion or not. Gloria's father, Archie Bunker, has other ideas, and at Thanksgiving dinner an argument ensues.
Enjoy.
My US subscribers will no doubt be familiar with the show, but for the benefit of my non-US subs and younger subs who don't know much about the show, here is the wikipedia link:
en.wikipedia.or...

[@juliettemacdonald5792]

Watching this show again touches my heart!!! We ALL loved Archie...+ Edith, Mike, + Gloria! They provided us with such wonderful clean fun +, through the seasons on the air, they debated + raised questions on practically every subject. How I wish that this shows first episode aired tonight so all children, teens, + “we all” could enjoy every episode again! R.I.P to all cast of the show now passed!💐

[@margaretroselle8610]

This show was the absolute best.....totally brilliant!!Boy,I wish we still had it on television!!

[@1969stanpoulan]

I can listen to Archie and the Meathead argue for hours!!! Classic.

[@1969stanpoulan]

Daniella. Yea she sucked. Lol!!

[@ginabeadling7796]

I watched this with my Grandma when I was little ,along with the Jeffersons and Good Times . Great stuff from the 70s. She was a true Meme

[@Ghostviperz]

This show had major balls. I wish they would tackle these subjects today.

[@jaymike3302]

No mention of Christianity is allowed on television today.

[@37Dionysos]

"That kid's gonna grow up with the same religion we always had! Hey Edith, what the hell are we?"

[@tommyau2006]

this series was brilliant.........still is

[@bull864]

No, I'm older and was forced to go to church as a child, rebelled, and now I'm glad my parents forced me to go. A lot of people feel the same way as I feel. I'm glad I was forced to go to school, play the trumpet, etc. etc.

[@suestefaniuk4027]

I loved this show they covered alot of topics

[@ZAOUWV]

This was really brilliant

[@gabilisi4673]

I LOVE THIS SOooo much..in 2019 still the best show ever!!

[@michelr657]

I'll never forget the 'WOW'

[@lavalizard3]

Hahaha The raspberry to god is one of my favorite scenes ever.

[@joyville2]

Perfect episode!!

[@petey8887]

Archie's face at 4:36 is priceless

[@jpc08109]

This is why this show was one of the greatsest, way ahead of it's time, t.v. shows today are too afraid to even go near the subject of religion

[@spiltbluhd]

It might have been that confusing period of the 70's but this show tackled the intersection of WWII generational conservative values with the contemporary times. The beauty of the show was embraced across the spectrum. I can't name many shows that did the same.

[@calamityjane5484]

"Don't look back or He'll turn you into a pillow of salt." LOL

[@JeffersonDinedAlone]

Well, thanks everso much for an explanation which none of us actually required.

[@EsterKunin-zs2dw]

They had this same discussion about religion so many times, even when Gloria and Mike still lived with Archie and Edith.😅

[@eksiarvamus]

@Aeriths it depends on the country. Some countries are bashing religion all time..

[@yobaby7780]

I love this show I watch over and over as many I know.how can one not as it takes us most back To the day where many witness hope through another family . Times many couldn’t speak up as those times were dark and grim.nice how many can laugh at a time in the beginning of major changes in most homes.

[@Avonidsed]

Notice the 8 month pregnant woman with the big glass of wine in front of her. How times have changed

[@lilianmaher2809]

They knew then it was bad but I guess it wasn’t pushed much to stop

[@baddriversofmoosejaw8681]

Back then it wasn't considered harmful to drink and smoke during pregnancy. These days however the advice is no alcohol at all. www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fetal_alcohol_spectrum_disorder. The 70s was also a time when Cocaine was considered a safe , nonaddictive miracle drug. They talked about that on the 1000 Ways to Die story Lawn of the Dead. In the story where a guy threw a lawn dart upwards, it then fell back down and impaled him in the head. It's here on KZbin.

[@szzk7937]

They didn't view a glass of wine or a beer as like actually drinking. There was a different way of looking at things, like eating a fattening meal wasn't bad as long as you didn't have 5 or 6. They saw it like that. They knew too much was bad. They saw alcohol as like food. People who lived then still usually see it that way. Like ice cream, an ice cream cone is wholesome, a box of ice cream isn't. The idea of addiction wasn't a thing yet.

[@laurie113]

A glass of wine won’t her her or the Baby!

[@debbiedouglas2642]

All In The Family is one of my all time favorite shows. The show was a first of it's kind, and demonstrated the ignorance of society in the 70's regarding race, religion, homophobia, etc. The character of Archie Bunker was so ignorant, he was hilarious! If you cannot laugh at ignorance, what else would crack you up? I often see a comparison of All In The Family to Family Guy, another show that I think is hilarious. The two are very similar for pushing buttons, and uncomfortable laughter!

[@karagi101]

Debbie Douglas Too bad all the alt-right Neanderthals come to All In The Family clips to display their support for the ignorant thinking Archie portrayed.

[@Zeldarulah]

Loled @ the "Don't turn around or you'll turn into a pillar of salt"

[@vladlenin2698]

A hunk of Kraut shrapnel !!! Cracks me up every time.

[@diegorodrigo1780]

Hola Por favor tienes algunos capítulos de Archie bunker en español? Muchas gracias!

[@cne08]

I like when Mike told Archie to get out of his chair.

[@essardaudinett6934]

I like how they taught women how to disrespect men.

[@שולמיתרוש]

I didn't.. respect for his in law I think

[@JohnRisti]

To each their own. Peace...

[@BasicallytoBasics]

I think it's a good idea you withheld that juvenile comment that did nothing for your argument.

[@EricCanada50]

4:37 is the best part!

[@sbloftness]

God love Archie! There is no way a show like this would fly today with all the do gooders we have.

[@jaydublis]

Old school Christian Family Ethics! I love it!

[@chongqinger]

Let's say Archie was a devout muslim, and he said the exact same things. How different would we react? Maybe it'd still be nice to have current shows like this now? I think it might be interesting to see reactions from common day people, especially from different faiths.

[@LogosRisen]

Ross Brooks how can Archie be a devout muslim? all his beliefs go against islam?

[@Raphaelus13]

Its f*ck*ed d up that these topics and issues are central to human existence, yet we neeeever see them in popular media.

[@marjoriefarrington]

We are on the same page. I'm happy to know that younger people are watching shows I grew up watching. I watched The Waltons, too. We needed that positive type of show, it gave a balance. It's hard for younger people to grasp that we didn't have much t.v. time, or choice. All in the Family was amazing.

[@cheryleverett2318]

I always like to look back at shows like this that I grew up with to understand what their influence was. Sort of gives insight on where we are today. This one on religion is quite revealing. The ignorance of a generation that largely went through the motions when it came to Church, or reading Scripture themselves confronting the unbelief of the newer generation that Mike represents. The older generation being caught flat footed on the importance of God and belief, the younger generation spouting beliefs that rejected God. 50 years later we find ourselves in the mess we’re in and wonder why. Rejecting God and God giving us over to that and letting us go our way without Him is having some dire consequences. This episode just reminds me that I grew up at the beginning phase of the sorrows yet to come.

[@ChrisLupetti]

This is great!

[@TheY2AProblem]

Don't look back, you'll be turned into a pillow of salt.

[@riversonthemoon]

I think the apron just makes her look that way. Rob Reiner is great. Have you seen The Bucket List? I saw that last month and thought it rocked, despite it being poorly received by critics.

[@sirjames45]

Excellent point! Right and wrong never changes, and human nature never changes (unless God intervenes), and so the cultural issues are basically the same.

[@mclos91]

Archie's the best

[@JohnRisti]

Your logic is flawed. If anything, this show was the last of the great not the beginning of the end.

[@nickninja27]

@mustang6172 this is expecially true after u watch the "Archie's Place" episode when Gloria and Joey come back. Joey is older and can talk in the episode. Archie sits and talks with Joey about the bible and he doesnt even know what it is. U cant pick a side if u dont fully know what one side has to offer. Its kind of like food, how do u know that u dont like it if u dont try it.

[@riversonthemoon]

It's interesting that you say that. Wikipedia mentions that CBS ran a disclaimer at the start of the show: "The program you are about to see is All in the Family. It seeks to throw a humorous spotlight on our frailties, prejudices, and concerns. By making them a source of laughter we hope to show, in a mature fashion, just how absurd they are." Many later shows took their cue from AITF to raise issues in this way. I liked Archie's line "..defend American shores in all foreign countries" LOL

[@sgtcrab1]

Gloria was gorgeous but I never saw a woman hit the wall harder than she did!

[@BlumeHome70]

Bravo 👏👏👏👏🥰🥰🥰 I love. Adoro ver estas séries, deveriam continuar. 😘😘😘🇵🇹Açores 2022

[@JeffersonDinedAlone]

Whether you have a religious affiliation or not, if you compromise your values, then you don't actually have any values.

[@BladedArrowTBGamer]

@BCNBilly captain d's srry for the typo

[@jaqueitch]

The perfect show that could never be made again

[@StLennyBruce]

Down to the last line, these are great excerpts from this episode!

[@5urg3x]

This is EPIC !

[@Aristocles22]

Archie Bunker quickly became the most beloved character on the show, by far. Attempts to show him as a bigot backfired tremendously. Instead of using the character as a means of tearing down those social views, the show gave them a sympathetic outlet. There are even "Archie Bunker for President" shirts and mugs out there.

[@moescott5039]

I think we have that president now

[@karagi101]

Aristocles He played a bigot. If you weren’t convinced then his acting wasn’t good enough for you. If you sympathised with his social views you didn’t understand the show and it says a lot about your character.

[@Aristocles22]

@@karagi101 The show runners tried to make him a bigot, especially at first, but he became much more than that, and they eventually made him more sympathetic.

[@karagi101]

Aristocles The entire premiss of the show was to shine a light on the prejudices in America. They didn’t try to demonise him as that would have turned off half the nation. They made him lovable as a backwards thinking, illogical person with limited education but who also displayed good qualities. In other words, they showed that he’s like everyone, with both good and bad traits.

[@karagi101]

Aristocles Watch this documentary from the creator of the show and its stars: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGizhaB_bLqpptU

[@unapologeticallyme8513]

Lmfao archie cracks me up!

[@morelbel]

If it exists, there would be evidence that it exists. Lack of evidence that it exists, by correlation, indicates that it does not exist.

[@Toywithme200]

"when they get older there having too much fun to be religious." LMAO!!!!!

[@bull864]

another great episode! archie and mike had such good on-screen chemistry. carol o'connor played the role to brilliance..especially considering he was an irish-catholic democrat.

[@kevinbrooks6265]

you could have just ran 10 minutes of show instead of cutting out a bunch!

[@IMissedChurchForThis]

I notice Gloria (pregnant) has a glass of wine in front of her. I guess Archie doesn't care as long as his grandson is a CHRISTIAN drunk.

[@karagi101]

Michael Steven Martin If a pregnant woman drinks wine the baby will be born an alcoholic? Never read that in any medical literature.

[@Michigan25132]

Yes. The best character, IMO.

[@IwshIcldstrtover]

We will just have to agree to disagree. My logic is not flawed at all.

[@riversonthemoon]

It was very edgy for the 70's. It never aired in Australia while I was growing up, so I've only just started to watch the series, and suddenly understanding many references to the show in later TV shows. I find it interesting that the culture wars of yesteryear are nearly the same as the culture wars of today - same issues (religion, military campaigns, civil rights, economic mismanagement, etc), only difference is in the details.

[@JeffersonDinedAlone]

Accepting the fact that others have adopted beliefs which you do not hold has no correlation, whatsoever, to what I stated.

[@thetruth156real3]

The guy with the trash looks different to other episodes I’ve watched? I think?

[@geegeezlouis86]

@jamdawg respects our choice in faith. I really believe that I will follow suit. If I find myself trying to mess with my kid's head about it, I hope I'll look back on the conversation and slap myself. :)

[@mirrorreflection3479]

The atheist was burning on his own anger lol

[@asdfasdfasdfsdfadfa]

How did the pregnant lady get throught the kitchen door before the husband.

[@JohnRisti]

They just don't make them like this anymore.. Actually, this show was a hybrid, there was nothing else like it. Raise your hand if you miss the 20th Century

[@shruthithyagarajan]

Lol, hilarious. Ah I miss good TV. Very few good shows nowadays.

[@oldndayzd9281]

This is when it all started

[@MysticalSelah]

I've never seen a person so low and depaved! That they would go "Pthththt" to the lord!" :p

[@bigguyjames34]

@PsychoPunk1965 Archie took the baby to be baptized behind Meathead and Glorias back.

[@EminemFan202]

Wow.... WOW!!!!!

[@marjoriefarrington]

Guess I'm misunderstanding you? You think he was the greatest,then we agree...I am 56 next month. I grew up watching the show.I saw his character evolve,it had to be a challenge for writers back then,tackling subjects,better I believe than we do today.Carol O'Conner regretted playing Archie when he got older,sad,because Archie represented so many men back then,George Jefferson never evolved,Sherman Hemsley wanted him to,writers said no.Yes,Archie was well played,gets my vote.

[@lilianmaher2809]

That’s not true he believed Archie and Edith were one

[@cowboysfan782008]

@DavidLouisRozycki You can think what you want, and so will I.

[@mervinsmith7507]

There is still meat head's today just a lot more of them l thank god l grew up.in the 70tees

[@karagi101]

Mervin Smith Glad you’ve held on to that 70’s mindset. Most of us have grown since then.

[@hogtiechamphoa9434]

Thanks for digging up this clip! I watched this show as a kid... saw "The Little Atheist" rerun shortly after my brother was getting this grief from our family for not christening his daughter. And now... I'll be 40 this summer, then my first child will be born in August. The mom and I aren't even married! *gasp!* I love being "Meat-head" in my family!

[@JUGGALOMETAL80]

i agree with mike church shouldnt be forced on any child

[@JeffersonDinedAlone]

In that case, if your family participates in having a Thanksgiving dinner, then refrain from participating with them.

[@JeffersonDinedAlone]

What you are blatantly unaware of is that it is not disrespectful toward other's beliefs if you choose not to adopt them as your own.

[@cowboysfan782008]

The lesson's taught in Church are great for children, as well as many troubled older ppl too, and I see nothing wrong with it at all. I think our whole society, especially the younger generation has their priority's straight up their rear! Too many choices for ppl that don't even understand the basics. I don't like anyone "pushing" religion, but there is too much negative talk about it, in the same way their is disrespect for a lot of things now. Too many "know it all's" that know nothing!

[@daveyboy_]

Whats wrong with going to church when ur a kid

[@47and28]

it's called brainwashing. religion/churches are cults. and to top that off, do you really want a priest fiddling your little boy?

[@meggrotte4760]

@@47and28 you know it's really ironic that church has brainwashed people. Pretty much the same when you attend a public school and they crammed Evolution down your throat. It's pretty much the same when they teach about homosexuality lesbianism transgenderism in any other ism you can think of. Public Schools need a complete overhaul. They should be teaching the not brainwashing children into Democratic ideology. Whether you like it or not freedom of religion exist and whether you want to admit it or not America was founded on judeo-christian principles. That foundation will never die. You can intellectually persecute Christians verbally abused them physically abuse them murder them but I promise you. Persecution helps Christian's to persevere. There a 1.5 billion Christians in the world excluding Christian pseudo Cults. We're not going anywhere and we've had a pretty good impact on history and we still do so live with it. And if you're thinking of bringing up the Crusades don't bother it was the second Crusades it was a counter-attack to Muslims who are coming in and slaughtering the for 400 years. Is the church perfect no. How Christians perfect no and that's why we need Jesus. Whether we like it or not one day we will die and we will stand before Jesus. My suggestion would be get right with God before it's too late.

[@kadii2natalie]

@@meggrotte4760 Amen!!!!

[@kingy002]

You wouldn't want to be brainwashed on any other issue so why accept the brainwashing that goes with religion?

[@JeffersonDinedAlone]

Your reply has nothing, whatsoever, to do with what I stated, nor did my statement include any religious perspective; it is simply an actuality.

[@bull864]

That's an absurd statement. I hope you're kidding.

[@mervinsmith7507]

The Jefferson's gave it as good as they got it it was no hate just honesty loved it

[@hothmandon]

I bet god watched this episode when it first aired and Laughed hiss ass off

[@JeffersonDinedAlone]

Except that the flaw in your perspective is that a lack of evidence for something does not, by correlation, neccesarily indicate that it is false.

[@cinematedman]

TV used to be bold, fair and well-rounded. Not to mention suitable for the whole family. Now, it's all reality shows, Ken and Barbie dramas and dissecting humans to music. The beauty of this show is that no one was completely right and no one was completely wrong. The show attacked liberalism as much as it attacked conservatism. It even attacked the center. Everyone's views, left, right or center were treated with humor, irony and pathos. This is good TV.

[@MrPatbradley22]

have you not watched tv in the last 10 years?

[@thomasmalin6795]

Michael was woke before being woke was even a thing

[@marjoriefarrington]

I don't care what you think..I have seen other episodes on youtube All In the Family, many young people are amazed at the subject matter on this and other tv shows of that time that were confronted. So, if you don't like my comments, move on. I didn't ask for a response or if it was required,your reply certainly wasn't..

[@OldMillEntertainment]

@pang00lin LOL all great points

[@CaptainBeefy]

Michael was right Archie was wrong.

[@Kllgg]

They do but, we've gotten so uptight, we can only get away with it in cartoon form (South Park, Family Guy, Futurama, etc).

[@waan54]

Mike aka “Meathead” is really ungrateful. He eats Archie’s food, has a free “room and board as well as sleeps with the warden’s daughter” according to A. Bunker himself.

[@magnusatheos7301]

Typical leftist

[@marjoriefarrington]

Why is anyone arguing over this? It was a t.v. show! We watched it when I was a kid. Archie represented many people, not democrat or republican. His character evolved over time. But this time period, it's the way it was. Every race was prejudice, not everyone,but every race during that time. It was a show that took on serious subjects.

[@JeffersonDinedAlone]

Again, no, it does not. Nor do I have any "burden of proof", as I am not trying to convince you of anything. My previous reply stands.

[@motaungwaramokhele663]

Why are they having a thanksgiving dinner if they are atheist? It makes no sense to me.

[@Ghostviperz]

@Patrick yea House and BB theory riff on the theme but in not a like this video.

[@geegeezlouis86]

@jamdawg That's very cynical of you. I'm personally okay with my kid believing in a god, even if I don't. I don't know a single person in real life who is an atheist besides some family members. My parents never introduced me to religion, although the family is traditionally Christian so we still celebrated Christmas and Easter and all that. But I learned on my own what those holidays were even for and when I knew I thought it was all quite silly. I have a problem with religion, but not