The gospel of doubt | Casey Gerald

Casey Gerald traces the drama of his life back to an East Texas church on the night of December 31, 1999, the night he believed the world was to end. When the rapture didn't come, he searched for something new to believe in - at Yale, Lehman Brothers, Harvard Business School and his own nonprofit - but found only false saviors. In this moving talk, Gerald urges us all to question our beliefs, to embrace doubt and to find the courage to believe in something new.
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[@sttate]

Probably the most eloquent and poetic speaker TED has had.

[@busTedOaS]

+gnihton He's an excellent speaker and can back it up with a very interesting life experience, it seems.

[@letsgoiowa]

+gnihton One of the best I've ever seen, period. Beautiful.

[@jo-han]

+gnihton eloquent? poetic? He's just mimicking a priest, or evangelist. The tone of voice he uses annoys me simply because he's gospel-ing, preaching to make sure he's heard by the religious sheep who grew accustom to praising everything spoken in this manner.

[@busTedOaS]

jo han He is humorously criticizing his own past way of preaching. You are taking him too seriously, listen to the audience laughing to such a dark topic!

[@letsgoiowa]

jo han That is also a poetic technique. So you just proved his point.

[@Ebob101]

This is an excellent speech, it's not necessarily about religion, it's about how people put their faith in systems that don't serve them. Very eloquent, I'm here for it :)

[@quAdxify]

+God Knows As long as you don't question your religion... The religion that allows you to question itself, be critical and change itself dynamically is a deeply good one, but to my knowledge it does not exist. I mean even the most open belief system called science has it's limits. While in theory it works well, in practice new ideas and theories were, are and will often be denied because it would shatter believes of how things are "believed" to work. I honestly don't think it's a misconception, it's very very true that every system no matter how good it's intent is, should be questioned.

[@crispybacon4240]

+quAdxify Unfortunately, given their screen name is "God Knows", they might question everything but their faith. (Note: I said _might_, I know nothing about this person)

[@_SimpleSam]

+Ebob The speaker did a commencement at... Yale, I think. Great speech as well.

[@crispybacon4240]

Music Calgary "Hustle" "Snake oil"? I don't think he's selling anything...

[@TheBwerts1]

This needs to be trending. Possibly the most powerful TED talk yet.

[@DeoMachina]

A guy talks about how his pastor lied to him, and the comments are full of people simply spamming "Jesus is real tho". Yeah guys we get it. YOUR pastor isn't a liar.

[@justdoit1200]

you're missing the point as much as they are

[@Tequilaboylv]

I can't help it. It's my favorite TED Talk

[@Moccy.]

This gentleman is a true joy to listen to. Hats off to you sir.

[@ChesoXD]

I have seen hundreds of these talks and this may be the best.

[@thebudkellyfiles]

This man is a superb speaker. Very self aware, sincere, and honest. Many people, myself included, have been what you might call the victim of various belief systems- religious, political, academic- by being incentivized by those that wish to make us our feudal serfs.

[@suze144]

Wow. So much grace in this human and this speech.

[@ModaNRJ]

What an ORATORRRR!!! Jesus Casey, i was bawling during this speech. This was amazing !

[@AtheosNous]

Bravo! An eloquent, sermon-like speech befitting the title, well written and delivered with steadfast passion. One of TED's best. It takes courage to ask "why" and learn something new.

[@memoryhero]

"But there on that night, I did not stop believing... I just believed a new thing." A short history of religion.

[@jandroid33]

+memoryhero . Not only religion I would say. It just as well describes the history of science. First we believed in Newton, then Einstein, then everything was messed up by quantum mechanics, strings and I don't know what... Science learns us to doubt.

[@TheAnnoyingGunner]

+jandroid33 If you "believe" in Newton or Einstein, then you should pay the shrink a visit.

[@Bill_Garthright]

+jandroid33 "It just as well describes the history of science." No, not at all. I recommend "The Relativity of Wrong" by Isaac Asimov, a brief essay that's easily found online. Basically, scientists are always getting more and more precise. Newton's findings are still valid enough, in most situations. Einstein added to that, and "everything" hasn't been "messed up" since then. Indeed, as our technology improves, we're still confirming much of what Einstein predicted.

[@jandroid33]

TheAnnoyingGunner I of course meant their theories... I refuse to believe that you did not understand that.

[@jandroid33]

***** Yes, their theories are still valid tools. But I believe that at the time, people believed that their equations was the true laws of nature instead of approximations. We can only achieve approximate models is what I want to say I guess... And yes, I guess I say the same thing about religion, which also are somehow approximate models...

[@SirPieRoyal]

I came here from a song I liked for a while and wondered where the lyrics came from. So glad I found the original, it‘s definitely worth listening to

[@Darkcon-1]

PleasureKraft perhaps??

[@Overonator]

Doubt is a virtue. False certainty is a vice.

[@davidfreeman9876]

+Overonator And my penis is real nice

[@Overonator]

My comment thread has been ruined.

[@arthurdent6256]

john smith We must treat it with ice and rice.

[@WiseDude50]

+john smith hey you repeated vice! that is not very nice!

[@5peas442]

What a spectacular storyteller. Really great presentation.

[@iwnunn7999]

Excellent. I've watched a lot of Ted Talks and this was excellent. I could listen to this guy all day. World, if you haven't already, discover this guy.

[@stewartsubjinski6260]

Just a heads up: his talk isn't about religion, he just uses a great analogy.

[@PogieJoe]

This is one of the best TED talks I have ever watched.

[@carylannebeltran]

Remains my favorite talk. He's got to be the most brilliant speaker and writer TED has brought.

[@PresidentialWinner]

I usually dislike talks without scientific meaning but thid talk had alot of meaning in other ways. It felt like another Martin King, but better. I am aweinspired. Thank you.

[@wrndlabs]

+PresidentialWinner A man that holds on to straws as easily swept away by the smallest current.

[@charlizard100]

Amazing speech well done sir!

[@ObasiritaObi-lv2xh]

It was so amazing. It really makes us to understand that we are giving the power and authority to creat things and good dreams in the world , community by ourselves without the spirit of fear

[@grambo4436]

Where there's doubt, there's freedom - Latin Proverb

[@busTedOaS]

belief = closing off to alternatives

[@nice-new5904]

Casey Gerald, the church you were in 1999 and all his elders forgot to read the book they pretended to preach: *At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Messiah!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it.* (Matthew 24:23)

[@elainejuquiana1712]

nice-new come on! False theology preached at that church!

[@ebhodaghesylvia1369]

7 years and I still find this astonishing

[@gopro_audio]

Instant standing ovation!

[@gopro_audio]

+Mac Bizzo not all ted talks get one... just saying

[@SeekersofUnity]

Wow, this man is a poet and prophet. We are blessed.

[@farithdiazA]

This guy is a prophet. Best TEDTalks ever.

[@ChaosmanOne]

Believe nothing. Question everything.

[@Macadamian111]

love that motto

[@8Quietscheente]

+ChaosmanOne Why?

[@KingDooburu]

+ChaosmanOne I don't believe you! What do you know!

[@Searibox]

+Hirasawa Yui because you will be easily lied to, manipulated and used. Also you will take false information presented as truth to be true

[@TheGerogero]

+ChaosmanOne Do you believe that you should believe nothing?

[@friedricheckert1619]

Anyone else listening to this because of the techno remix by pleasurecraft? :D

[@FrankieBones]

THAT WOULD BE ME.

[@spacecadet8843]

What a monster track and album by them too

[@dennisv.9434]

"we see suffering as a necessary act of capitalism that is our god" So True!

[@dennisv.9434]

And Bernie the Democratic Socialist is the Devil.

[@solomonfinite]

is there a button more than like

[@DesmondSky]

Add to favorites lol

[@JRibs]

The let down of something you think will assuredly comfort you but fails you is a bleak feeling. Overtime, you come to expect your hopes and dreams will fail, rather than grasp reality.

[@tbayley6]

Stop grasping for hope and you'll end the bleakness of fear. Reality is waiting for the day you let down the barriers of hope and fear. It's not how you believe it is.

[@heycandacemae8894]

this is one of the best TedTalks.

[@HispanicAt7heDisco]

Wow this guy's a phenomenal speaker!

[@edible349]

Wow, this hasn’t left my mind since I first saw it a week ago. Haunted by his last words, “there must be...another way”

[@nandotemplo]

Great talk, but just to be clear, it doesn't say anywhere in the bible that Jesus would come back in the year 2000. (even though I also believed that as a child. )

[@LoganBlackisle]

+Nando Freire You're absolutely right; Jesus explicitly said that he would be back within a single generation.

[@김민우-q7i]

Why, when, and what's the return of Christ, that he promised: www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20131201/about-the-return-of-christ/ and in this site: jw.org, or in this section of the site: www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/ you'll find all the answers to the most important questions about God, Jesus and the Bible, as: Does God Live in a Specific Location? or What is the Kingdom of God? or Is The Bible a Book of Human Wisdom?!! :)

[@Queenwbee27]

I'm Muslim and even we believe Jesus (Isa AS) pbuh will return and defeat the Anti Christ.

[@frydac]

+Minwoo Kim No doubt?

[@lorettehomoki3548]

What an amazing speaker.. I loved every moment of it.

[@joycesvarvar]

What a prophet, but who is listening, woe unto America. There are no Miracles, and no boots to lace. Woe unto America, the land of the free and the home of the brave.

[@oumardiaw8076]

A great speaker who masters all techniques of public speaking

[@kathleenk7726]

thank you , this is one of the best TED talks I have ever heard!

[@enumaelish11]

This talk should have waay more views.

[@iamaonyaKB]

So riveting. Moved me at my core.

[@DeletedDelusion]

A very moving and thought-provoking speech, thank you.

[@minashah9933]

underrated ted talk

[@gradualuprisintheory]

Im immersing in Casey Geralds message and being.

[@randomlivstuff]

I'm just gonna call it now that this guy is gonna be a major leader someday

[@johnaens8759]

This man is obviously awakened 🙏

[@kaymfranklin]

This was amazing!

[@ginawang2692]

Please run for president ! We need you to show the way, to uplift us out of the hole we are in!

[@bernardbruno3789]

Thank you for this wonderful moment

[@RGNSS-dp8st]

Beautiful. Bernie should have this guy open for him at his next rally.

[@emmaose322]

Remembered this talk in 2022. Had to come back to listen.

[@alastairvergara4228]

Before I was a Christian only prophecies ran my mind but not until I came to Jesus I knew I had to live here on earth to serve God and love others the way Jesus loved me and to bring others to Christ

[@TheAnnoyingGunner]

+Alastair Vergara You came to Jesus. No ambiguity here.

[@Bill_Garthright]

+Alastair Vergara And how do you know that? Do you have any evidence to back up your beliefs, or did you just decide you were going to believe whatever you _wanted_ to be true?

[@alastairvergara4228]

+Bill Garthright And also know that Jesus was prophesied 700 years before he was born and he was prophesied during the time of King David but he was even prophesied far back during the time of Moses when God gave him the tabernacle and if you look at it there is so much symbolism there of Jesus the greatest one for me is people would have to go to the tabernacle to get their sins forgiven just like going to Jesus to get their sins forgiven.

[@alastairvergara4228]

Bill Garthright Thallus, Tacitus, and Phelgon all wrote the history for Rome during that time and they mentioned Jesus various times. One even mentions his resurrection. Also going back, yes the Jewish people say that Jesus is not the one the Prophet Isaiah mentioned in Isaiah 53, yet the Jewish people say that he is talking about them. The thing is, the Jewish people have not forgiven my sins and yet they can't even forgive their own only Jesus has. As it is mentioned in Isaiah 53, "by his wounds we are healed." And yes historically Isaiah wrote this 700 years before Jesus. And as for the historical documents, we indeed do have them the catholic church has plenty of them and Martin Luther King translating it to other languages. I can speak 3 languages and if I were to communicate to others about the New testament to them we would understand each other even though they read it in a different language and I read it in English, this shows that there isn't any distortion in the New Testament. And I do not know your side of the debate whether it is to take down a christian (By all means I am willing to debate) or to prove to yourself that God exists. If you want to prove it to yourself then a christian would be a choice but since you do not have faith go and talk to a satanist go and speak to a witch go and find a possessed person. As the Bible says, "So you believe in God? Well good for you because even demons believe in him and they tremble at his name." I met a professor who teaches Christian Apologetics and he told me that he went with some professors from Berkeley University to India and they saw some possessed people yet scientifically they could not prove why these demons had abnormally strong strength and how they could speak so many languages and distort their own selves but the biggest question to them was why did they only fear Jesus and not anyone else. If you were to prove Christianity wrong you would have to go through History, Science, and you would have to give a good explanation as to how demons and how Satan is false and just a myth. And also prove how the prophecies in the bible are false because to me they are outstandingly accurate like the Hebrew language would be restored, Israel would be born again, the Jews would gather back, science would increase and so on

[@alastairvergara4228]

Bill Garthright and just so you know to me the christian case is far much stronger in this debate and know that I haven't even read much of the Bible the only book I have completed was Matthew and you're talking to a 15 year old not a professor or something like that I am not even done with High School

[@horrorduckftw]

What an amazing speech

[@aboobakkara836]

that was a mesmerising speech

[@Sp1derFingers]

Too bad Casey met religion and not the Flying Spaghetti monster who died to free people from religion....

[@Candlewick14]

+Spider Religion isn't the point of his talk. At all. derp derp de doo.

[@arthurdent6256]

+Spider He died to free us from the lie of the garden of olives... "Beware the false Italy..."

[@crispybacon4240]

+Sam G Be touched by his noodly appendage!

[@Candlewick14]

Crispy Bacon ewwwwww bacon donttttt

[@crispybacon4240]

Sam G His noodly arm. What did you - oh for fu... Get your head out the gutter!

[@biblosantral]

Yes brother we have lived these truths but were too scared to question them

[@bzsgzs]

best ted talk

[@doodelay]

He delivers speeches like 2008 Obama

[@memoryhero]

+doodelay Totally. Soaring. Full of a mysterious but buoyant hope. Delivered with a promising knowingness. But ultimately about as profound as the contents of a fortune cookie.

[@busTedOaS]

That's actually painfully accurate (and I love this talk)

[@akeemperez8509]

wow very powerful speech

[@ManofUlster]

“My technique is don’t believe anything. If you believe in something, you are automatically precluded from believing its opposite.” - Terence Mckenna

[@ChrisSeltzer]

Even if you don't agree with the message you have to admit he's an extraordinary speaker.

[@vortex2177]

Thank you. 🙏🏻💎💎💎🧘‍♂️☸️

[@thevoicesoflogic]

Hold on just a sec, I need to climb out from the palm of his hand...

[@aminahaliu6371]

It’s so good everything I listen to it

[@Danielle-xi5nm]

Beautiful

[@pablorodriguez3742]

Brilliant

[@divyajohn8936]

truly remarkable

[@lickmyshoe182]

Stunning!

[@heatherdawnpipke1669]

beautiful talk...fantastic :)))

[@RA1968able]

Excellent speaker. Mark 13:32, 33

[@ahquebueno]

iGuess your chuch failed to tell you to read your bible, it says NO ONE KNOWS THE TIME OR DAY OF HIS COMING. Just saying.

[@narutokunn]

Started with "meh" ended with *chills*. Terrific \m/

[@Candlewick14]

incredible man

[@MyPinkZebras]

this is beautiful

[@ivanurseryii1427]

Wow, this was eloquent and very compelling.

[@user-ho8fo1ko3x]

this was beautiful

[@michavonholzen8383]

The way he is talking sounds very sophisticated. Although, what he is saying is simply agnosticism. I'm a bit confused, I thought TED talks are more scientific of nature, but that one seems to be a testimony (vividness problem...).

[@JACK-ze8rp]

amazing speaker , blew my mind

[@iwnunn7999]

Love his accent

[@LynnColorado]

The church of TED needs humble doubt. Very good speaker.

[@TapeLeg]

Why is it that you commenters are all for this guy but when a video comes out with the words "social justice" in the title, you scream bloody murder? They're talking about the exact same things.

[@ronalddraper8845]

Wow. Brilliant.

[@NamePend]

Why is it that you believed it what your pastor said and never doubted him to try and find out if he's right? I know that you were a child back then and you didn't know any better but if your pastor or your read the bible correctly you would have noticed that no one knows when the christ is going to come back. He will chose the day and come on that day. If he was to announce the day of his coming, people would just live their lives in sin and when the day comes, pray for repentance and hope to be saved. We would all be hypocrites. One of the reasons if not the main reason why we think Christ was to come again in the year 2000 was because of one man. Harold Camping he made the predictions and through some logical explanations, people believed him, but he was just spreading lies. No one knows when christ is coming, and I've had my fair share of doubts but never stop believing in what I was raised upon. For those who do not believe in Christ, I respect you just the same as for those who do, but let me leave you with this: If you are right and God isn't real I don't owe you anything the day we pass, but if I was right, you owe me your life. Currently one of my friends knew exactly what I meant by this.

[@makehumanitygreatagain8128]

As is customary in the western world, those who view this speech will stare, marvel and opine on the hand pointing and completely ignore that at which the hand is pointing.

[@TheBaybunie]

Excellent!

[@goldmeteora5617]

Very insightful talk!

[@hamed7600]

Find the balance, both doubt and certainty/belief have their own functions in humans.

[@Mcgif21]

Everything has its negative and positive function.

[@BarisUnver]

As of right now, 19 January 2019 - 06.30 (UTC+3), there are 107 thousand views, two of which are mine: I watched it when it came out and I just watched it again. Anyways, feels good to be one of the lucky 50-100K people who _experienced_ this.

[@Sharedcare]

Awesome

[@Mcgif21]

There's a difference between doubt caused by good reason and doubt caused by fear and pride. Most doubt is of the latter and is a demon we must all conquer.

[@pguig22]

Being compelling is not a substitute for being right. See: U.S. President, 2008-present.

[@jonathancouch4603]

Do you have a counter argument to his point?

[@crispybacon4240]

+Patrick McGuigan Trump supporter, I take it?

[@thebudkellyfiles]

I meant to say, "that wish to make us their feudal serfs." Great vid, thanks.

[@hmmhmmhmm3]

Love!

[@22221mm]

This is like one long poem!!

[@JoeFlow]

Wow Amazing

[@wrndlabs]

To believe is to live as though it is so already, but then as man we connect a time/date by which it much become reality - isn't this the definition of planning (and plans failing)? True believe has no time limit.

[@Enlightened91]

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

[@TheAnnoyingGunner]

+Devon Burns Lemmiwinks route I guess?

[@Enlightened91]

I doubt you guys have seen the Howard Pittman Testimony. Doubt would seize to exist in your mind.

[@TheAnnoyingGunner]

Devon Burns So is he Jesus 4.0 or what?

[@charles281]

+Devon Burns imo the best line in the bible: John 14:12 I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

[@GuyWithAnAmazingHat]

This is a great talk, people who disliked it didn't even watch it. Stop judging videos from their titles and make up assumptions of its content, you're just keeping yourself ignorant.

[@nikzanzev2402]

+GuyWithAnAmazingHat Nah people who disliked it heard a criticism of capitalism and got their panties in a bunch...

[@jordangreen7567]

+zanzeh teh hero lol right own