The Wild World of Ancient Christian Propaganda

[@GeneticallyModifiedSkeptic]

I probably mispronounced something in here, so for those of you who are better with Greek, enjoy the cringe! Otherwise: If a modern day high-level apologist accused other Christians of using love potions, and having demonic, magical powers of seduction, do you think they'd be taken seriously by other apologists?

[@LongJourneys]

Actually, yes, I do. A lot of Christian sects out there have beliefs and practices that are crazy, even to one another. I grew up Mormon, and Mormon theology was "normal" to me, but crazy to others. But when I heard about the whole "speaking in tounges" thing that Pentacostals do, I thought that was completely nuts.

[@mikeharrison1868]

@The Greater Good Ha Ha. Good Joke! ;0)

[@soniasoares7768]

Probably not. I am Christian by birth and like most people I know, them and I do not believe in the power of potions of any kind beside the holy water (if you can qualify it as one of the "potions".)

[@manolisworld]

You pronounced it just fine buddy! Keep up the good work! ;)

[@kathryngeeslin9509]

@Eh Ok Perhaps the joke is the danger of being unmasked alone with a camera and microphone. One good joke deserves another.

[@Marconius6]

I love the fact his first thought isn't "this guy is a fraud, he's just tricking people", it's "he actually does have magical powers, but they're from a DEMON!"

[@zigzagzaag]

You wouldn't want to get into a tube full of DEMONS, would you?

[@Manticorn]

the Bible had actual magicians performing real evil magic, after all.

[@EVL_GRN]

@@gf11511 A man after my own heart

[@TheMilitantMazdakite]

As a Zoroastrian, I actually say that about Abrahamic religions.

[@vrencan9735]

I'm just here for the women with battle-axes and the audacious amazons.

[@sophiawilson8696]

If there ever a nation of Amazons in the Middle Century the Catholic Church would have call crusade or jihad that the Muslims call it . Because they are different and women were independent of man.

[@souljastation5463]

The funniest thing is that it would be seen as sexist today.

[@rolfebowers2826]

There’s a legend the Amazons cut off the right breast to prevent bowstrings from snagging. I’m humbled, because I’d never cut anything off just to avoid getting them kicked, Also supposedly their leader met Alexander the Great on the isle of Crete, and in the midst of battle, they locked eyes, fell in love (over mutual admiration of their shared prowess in combat) then had a death match - blind to the battle going on around them . Sexist historical embellishment for sure, because she lost, but kinda hell yeah, since the story offers an unintended compliment to her cause : that only irrational violence ( such as Alexander’s ) could ever explain the usurpation of egalitarian gender politics (which had been underway for some time or the Amazon’s - at least their legends - would never have arisen)

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

Same here really.

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

Wait, Alexander? Could I get a source on that? While I haven't finished the Anabasis I have, it mentions Amazons sending warriors to fight FOR Alexander. Althought the author is skeptical as he thought their tribe was extinct in Alexander's life time.

[@ManahManah77]

I swear when those ancient writers were talking about the sexual acts they sounded soooooooo jealous 🤣

[@LordOfTime23]

@@DianaCHewitt current ones too lol

[@tharrock337]

Right? In a better world there would have been a BDSM club Epiphanius could have joined and he'd have lived a happy life.

[@harrypeter5626]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@eileendover3938]

He probably invented it all in his head because that’s what he wanted to do.

[@Wyrdangus]

@@DianaCHewitt Weren’t monks “vol”cels and mega gay

[@DeadBoneJones]

I love how Tertullian just comes right out and says "all new or different ideas are automatically wrong, you don't even have to think about what they're saying." It's really one of those 'oh my god, he admit it' moments.

[@loturzelrestaurant]

Saying in general: I'm glad Theists come to GMS and watch him, just like Prophet-of-Zod, as they are so polite and adorable. Thats nice and all, but it makes me wonder if they then shy-away all the more from harsh confrontations with solid Walls of Truth, like what Aron Ra just did in his videos about '7 Truths'.

[@saldiven2009]

Honestly, Marcion's belief that the god of the New Testament was a different being from the god of the Old Testament makes more sense than the belief that god's personality just radically changed from the wrathful, jealous, petty being of the Old Testament to the kind, beneficent, forgiving deity of the New Testament.

[@Lyonatan]

They didn't have the word for "rebranding" back then.

[@cheryldeboissiere1851]

Not so forgiving or kind, G-d of the NT raped an underaged minor then killed his own kid.

[@susbus1703]

I kinda love how serious, formal, and carefully written these texts are, especially when what they're describing is conceptually so silly. "Hmmyes it would appear that his familiar spirit, according to my calculations, is perchance, a demon 🧐"

[@SMPKarma]

thank you! I was beginning to think I'm the only one. The language seems so posh and sophisticated, while the substance of it is basically like a forum post of a 13 year old edgelord. I guess things haven't changed much.

[@nnnnmhughuuhhjiijj9457]

That's beauty of it.

[@viderevero1338]

@@SMPKarma Tbf this is how religious scholarly text was written back then. With in equal measure superstition and wild imagination.

[@matthewjamestaylor]

So, they lived in a really cold place but ran around naked? Sure, why not? Great video. Cheers.

[@autonomouscollective2599]

People of cold regions are used to the coldness. Running around naked, though maybe not common, can be tolerated. Interestingly, anyone can get used to cold weather. It might take several months, but it can happen. When such a person returns to warmer climes, even to a temperate zone, they’ll find the temperature too hot.

[@BananaBrainsZEF]

As a New Englander, I can attest. We do, in fact, run around naked in the winter.

[@philojudaeusofalexandria9556]

@@autonomouscollective2599 I've lived in Canada all my life. You get 'used to the cold' by learning to dress properly to keep yourself warm. If you go around (nearly) naked (hanging axes from your bare breasts....) somewhere too cold for rivers to flow, you will indeed die of cold regardless of how 'used to the cold' you are.

[@noname-by3qz]

Mathew Taylor ... Believe it or not I know for sure some people know how to do that. 1) Himalayan Yogis have a technique called Tumo. Even Americans can learn it and say it worked. 2) the first Spanish ship going north of San Francisco on the coast found a tribe which needed almost no clothes, even though the men on board could hardly stand the cold winds.

[@philojudaeusofalexandria9556]

@L Train 45 What? A (proto)Christian lying?!

[@DarkMatter2525]

Aaaaaand not a thing has changed

[@variedgaming5402]

Lol exactly

[@pyrokittykat744]

Good to see you hanging with us mere mortals in the comment section @DarkMatter2525 💖

[@onlyechadtherebellious2467]

Yooooooo

[@saulesquer4371]

I read that with Jeffery's voice

[@TheStarDragon]

Great to see you DM.

[@KPC-123]

I can see this guy being deposed by a lawyer, L: "So how did you come to learn about these people doing this wicked stuff even though you are not a member?" "Well, I had to join and engage in this activity, but I did not derive any enjoyment from it." L: "And then you left to report it?" "Not right away, because I wanted to make sure I was aware of ALL the wicked stuff they were doing." L: "And then you left?" "Well I had to stay a bit longer because I found out they were having orgies w/ all the women." L: "And so you left after you saw the orgy?" "Well..." L: "How many did you take part in?" "UMMM...all of them."

[@mattmorehouse9685]

"But my mind was totally pure. I was just going through the motions, while I repeated the Lord's prayer to steel my soul from corruption. I wasn't, you know... thinking impurely. It totally doesn't- I mean didn't affect me. So I'm good... right?"

[@animillation6918]

@@mattmorehouse9685 💀😂

[@alexbruckshaw1448]

Sounds like a Monty python

[@pansepot1490]

It’s just a wild guess but I have the feeling that the reason almost none of those early “heretical” writings survived is because they were destroyed by orthodox Christians.

[@n3v3rm0r3]

Burned

[@siLence-84]

If it's a wild guess you haven't studied history. Book burnings were extremely common.

[@ogg5949]

I've always thought that the Vatican basements are filled with ancient things that would destroy the church if exposed.

[@nnnnmhughuuhhjiijj9457]

*The more you know*

[@randomango2789]

No, bishops in those days didn’t have enough power as many people today think they do. The Nag Hamadi texts were likely buried by someone who wanted to take his books to the grave with him, this is what Egyptians Pharos would do when they die. Athanasius wrote against heretical books but that doesn’t mean he ordered a crackdown on them since bishops didn’t have that much power over the people. Here, have some religion for breakfast 🥞:) kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5W1Yqx9pN6ladE U may learn something

[@maei9656]

Man who wrote that text at the end seems mad he wasnt invited to join in their blasphemous "hand shaking"

[@stevewebber707]

That does seem a plausible explanation. A hot woman trying to seduce a competing religious leader by divulging secret heretical practices is implausible at best. More likely that she would have resisted his inappropriate advances, and bruised his ego. Followed by lots of bluster and lies. All the sour grapes about the debauchery of heretics has hints of jealousy.

[@frontiervirtcharter]

It also sounds a lot like the MAGA/Q-Anon playbook of conspiracy theories.. Would be consistent with someone well-versed in historical church writings being an influential source for them

[@taliomerelli6298]

". . . Uncover the breast, upon which they hang battleaxes. . . " You think the author may have been projecting his kink?

[@KateeAngel]

I can't imagine how to hang a battle axe on the breasts. How is that supposed to work?

[@Anonymous-rx9lp]

@@KateeAngel will power can make anything happen bruh

[@aprilwilliams8073]

@@KateeAngel I suppose, since everything was blasted stiff by the Great Bleak Chill, it might not have been so hard to hang your battle axe by breast

[@DevilishChrist]

@@KateeAngel I imagine the battle axes just hanging by a hook in the nipple. Lol

[@mikeoxsmal8022]

@@KateeAngel probably around the neck and the wood part in between each breast I guess

[@mathnerd97]

Imagine my disappointment when you suggested that maybe they weren't so sexually deviant.

[@elgatofelix8917]

Imagine my confirmation bias when somebody commenting on an atheist apologist channel admits to being fond of sexual deviancy. It's no wonder atheist activist groups like Klantifa are campaigning to legalize sex with small children.

[@mathnerd97]

@@elgatofelix8917 The only group I'm aware of doing that is Catholic priests.

[@Sara3346]

@@elgatofelix8917 no need to imagine your confirmation bias it's on full display, along with flat-out making up bullshit attributing it to others you disagree with purely on that basis with no evidence given. No actual imagination is needed given how you made this very clear thank you for making a mockery of yourself.

[@elgatofelix8917]

@@mathnerd97 Catholic priests sanctioned by Pope Francis who openly endorses atheism? Another group you should be aware of is NAMBLA the peophile advocacy group that founded the so-called "gay liberation movement" which is now also endorsed by the Pope.

[@elgatofelix8917]

@@Sara3346 the OP admitting they're disappointed in no sexual deviancy is evidence in itself. But if you want more evidence just take a look at publications like Salon which openly promotes such practices.

[@cunningham.s_law]

he's basically calling them cucks ah glad to see humans have not changed at all since the beginning of time

[@1313hman]

​@stockart whiteman there are actually several other species that can "speak." An article from 2017 titled "What bats have to say about speech and language" (you can google it if you are interested) notes in its abstract that "bats employ complex vocalizations to facilitate navigation as well as social interactions, and are exquisitely tuned to acoustic information." Dolphins also have a form of spoken language, as do some other animals, and fascinatingly enough, human languages and "animal languages" have the same basic structure. Sadly enough, the only source I have for the above is my word since I can't find the episode of the documentary show I watched a few years back, so feel free to doubt that all you want.

[@owenoulton9312]

Jeez, that "Against Heresies" text sounds like he's commenting on the current run-of-the-mill televangelist, and in Panarion 26, 5, 4-6; it sounds like something out of QAnon's PizzaGate propaganda or the 1980's Satanic panic... The more things change, the more they stay the same!

[@justinwolz4932]

So are you saying that Alex Jones would've been a welcomed church father in their time? HahH

[@Speederzzz]

@@justinwolz4932 Pater Alexios Iohannes

[@metroplexprime9901]

@@Speederzzz And so, dear brother of faith, I appeal to thee this: I detest these blasted, vile chemicals that they intermix with the waters to transform the frogs such that they are of a homosexual persuasion. Dwell upon this vile deed for a moment; do you understand it?

[@Speederzzz]

@@metroplexprime9901 ye, being gay is mad cool

[@RedAngelSophia]

Could the modern "Atheists just want to sin" trope be an extension of this?

[@AreGeeBee]

An especially funny argument since religion doesn't seem to stop many religious people from sinning anyway when they think nobody is looking

[@LittleMissLion]

It's such an odd concept. Sin seems to be entirely subjective and not about wellbeing or health. In that instance, I'm glad they think I'm a sinner and keep away from me.

[@irrelevant_noob]

And not only that, the eating of babies seem to be an extension of this too. ^^

[@Pedrosa2541]

2:30 - "But nothing is more barbarous and sad than the fact that Marcian was born there" I laugh so much in this part, biggest rent I've ever seen, perfect for a rap battle.

[@enlightenedchipmunk2001]

Honestly, as an atheist, I love theology and religious texts more than I probably should. But if you think of religion in terms of anthropology and history, it’s actually a really interesting subject and says a lot about the human experience.

[@handstandish]

That was a good presentation Drew. Your closing lines really summed it up well. Early Christianity was a hodge podge of religious sects and the dominant ones survived. The common view is that Christianity was a consistent unbroken tradition but history shows a very different path. Another interesting topic would be say Greek Syrian or Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity. These are older versions than European Christianity and the comparison would be interesting. Lots of work and easy for me to make suggestions I know. Your videos are always a treat. I live in Australia so your work is getting out in the world.

[@johnjacobs7791]

Hey there fellow Aussie! Great comment for Drew. I love his work too!

[@claireclaire238]

I'm not sure anyone will ever get to the truth. Interesting that the Ethiopian OC is different.

[@loturzelrestaurant]

@@johnjacobs7791 Saying in general: I'm glad Theists come to GMS and watch him, just like Prophet-of-Zod, as they are so polite and adorable. Thats nice and all, but it makes me wonder if they then shy-away all the more from harsh confrontations with solid Walls of Truth, like what Aron Ra just did in his new video

[@johnjacobs7791]

@@loturzelrestaurant good question. In my experience, theists don’t really like to be challenged to the degree that Aron Ra does, particularly creationists who usually run the opposite way when threatened with facts.

[@loturzelrestaurant]

@@johnjacobs7791 Exactly my Sayin'!

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

I've always loved this channel for the reason that you're always speaking facts.

[@Androsk32]

I didn't think I would see you here

[@BalaenicepsRex3]

@@Androsk32 Neither did I lololol. This channel is a bit specific isn't it?

[@GGGG_3333]

I thought I was safe from you and your mustache here. Apparently you are truly a man of culture 😂

[@Androsk32]

@@BalaenicepsRex3 Yup

[@iamwrong2239]

I still believe you should question him as much as you can so that he doesn't get cocky and arrogant

[@lekiscool]

They walk around naked in a wintery environment?

[@Ruskad]

And hang battle axes from their boobs... >

[@tatiana4050]

@@Ruskad and how do you do it? Like nipple piercings hooks and you hang them on that? Or very floppy saggy boobs and you can just tie a know around them? Or are they so pointy and firm you can hang stuff on them (like a door knob) Or did he mean chest and they hang it from their necks? I can't imagine any one being comfortable. Especially if you are planning for some steamy sesh in the wild

[@mackereltabbie]

Pretty badass

[@lekiscool]

@@tatiana4050 I'm hoping they had a strap that held the ax to their chest.

[@stylis666]

Far fetched, yes! Sexy, hm... yeah! :D I'm diggin' it. I'll go see that movie for sure! :D

[@bubbleteacore]

"In his preface, he says this..." *Crunch bar ad plays* "Do you like Crunching? I like Crunching."

[@reidheidler5138]

You too?

[@thecallankids4718]

For me it was, "In his preface, he says this," Salvation Army Ad: "even though I am a he, I feel like a she"

[@labrat585]

Mine was : happily ever after

[@danielkeys8974]

Is that what the kids are calling it nowadays

[@danielkeys8974]

@@shovel_salesman The Nyom-Cat Bible?

[@taann7360]

Tertulian sounds like an edgy 12 year old lmfao

[@cerberaodollam]

or Eliot Rodger

[@EdwardHowton]

I was struck with exactly the same impression. I'm pretty sure I've had to delete this guy's comments on some of my videos, actually. The more religion changes, the more the religious stay the same, huh?

[@CoryMcCarvilleSchueths]

And Irenaeus sounds like a bitter incel, by the way he describes Chad Marcus. Able to seduce women? Must be demonic!

[@robertplatt643]

Marcus was known to have a full head of stiff silver hair, and wore the black garment known as the turtle-neck.

[@nnnnmhughuuhhjiijj9457]

It's like he's trying his best to not straight out, say the F-word.

[@VolcyThoughts]

So basically Tertullian wrote 208CE’s version of a diss track 🤣🤣

[@alexandrorocca7142]

The Euxine Sea sounds like an awesome place for Spring break. Epiphanius sounds like a precursor to QAnon.

[@SmellySquid]

I know, I want to visit this place of battle axe women and barbarism. Sounds cool as heck

[@blede8649]

Sadly, it's just the Black Sea, and it's not nearly as cool as that. Still pretty nice though.

[@victordennett]

I don't know. All that stuff seemed pretty normal to me. We used to do all that stuff at my Southern Baptist church.

[@DrumWild]

Thou shalt not bear false witness*** ***Unless thou is smearing thine's enemies, in which case, go nuts.

[@solkoselig3686]

Probably me favourite comment

[@2ahdcat]

Thou shalt not flip Alex Jones off, lol

[@davidhildebrandt7812]

*thou art

[@im093]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂👏

[@Sluppie]

I thought about this, too. How holy can these Orthodox people be if they are bearing false witness like this? How did these people get into a position to define the religion?

[@donsample1002]

So ancient heretics claimed to have prophetic and other magical powers, and lured their followers into lewd and lascivious behaviours...so just like a lot of modern evangelicals.

[@zimmerlicker]

and mediums:-)

[@brenthernandez6910]

I would love to challenge your belief and I want you to explain away the mathematically perfect nature of the bible as described by biblical studies and organizations m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHq6pmWYedNno5Y explain how all the "uninspired" men from the old testament to the new testament somehow by total assinine accident made the bible mathematically perfect. Explain that, good luck. Because its IMPOSSIBLE that "uninspired" men from the old and new testament collaborated and crunched the numbers and came up with mathematical perfection that is ingrained through out the bible. You're in my opinion, mistaken and incorrect and need to reconsider your position

[@donsample1002]

Brent Hernandez Basic numerological nonsense. Human beings are by good at pulling patterns out of random data, and assigning meaning to them. For example, after I fixed your spelling of "asinine" in your post, I noticed that it has exactly 666 characters in it, so obviously you added that deliberate misspelling to disguise the fact that you are the Beast of Revelation, the Anti-Christ, here to usher in the end times for your lord and master, satan.

[@brenthernandez6910]

@@donsample1002 You are uneducated and you are misunderstanding. It is only fact, as fact goes hand in hand with numbers. The numbers do not lie my friend. Both languages Greek and Hebrew have only one set of characters used for both words and numbers. The old testament is written in Hebrew, and the new testament is written in Greek. When a word in Greek, for example, is written out, it has a mathematical value. In the video the mathematical values can show many things that are definitively not by accident. Because to call it accident would be idiocy.

[@donsample1002]

Brent Hernandez And that post has 99 words in it. Take 3 away from each of those 9s, and you get 66, and the two 3s make another 6. 666 again. Irrefutable PROOF that you are the Beast.

[@CaptainTae]

This sounds like how modern people otherize their friends and family online.

[@cerberaodollam]

nihil novi sub sole, eh?

[@CaptainTae]

@@MetalNick You’re doing exactly what I meant. And you don’t even see how hypocritical you look. What a shame.

[@CaptainTae]

@Josh Karnini So brave.

[@ObjectiveZoomer]

Do you think ots to the same extent?

[@CaptainTae]

@@ObjectiveZoomer in modern days it’s often much worse. You missed the guy who proved me right then deleted his post.

[@WallBreakerOfficial]

Just goes to show humans have historically preferred drama over facts. I almost expected a "gone wrong at 3am" bit in the writings.

[@jcnot9712]

_top 10 truths the Vatican don’t want you to know_

[@eddyguizonde401]

there's a brothel on st. peter's plaza, and is one of the longest running in the world. no guesses why

[@elgatofelix8917]

The same Vatican of Pope Francis that now openly endorses atheism and Marxism.

[@KaiHenningsen]

@@elgatofelix8917 It does? You obviously have sources for that?

[@elgatofelix8917]

@@KaiHenningsen as a matter of fact I do! Here ya go! 😎 www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-atheists-idUSKBN1621I3

[@joeypeterson9198]

Boogaloo Facilitator what part was an endorsement of Marxism? And better to be atheist than a hypothetical Catholic is hardly an endorsement.

[@allhumansarejusthuman.5776]

So did early Orthodoxy just write thier.... Sensual fantasies out as propaganda?

[@duckhawkninja3614]

Who can blame the poor guys? If they tried to write their erotica any other way they’d be executed.

[@rudra62]

"To trick less knowledgeable people into following them". I see a lot of contemporary evangelists doing exactly that... for their own following, the money and power it brings. Things do not change in that way, as P.T. Barnum said.

[@cerberaodollam]

Nice Elder Sign 😉

[@rudra62]

@@cerberaodollam Thank you.

[@AmySorrellMusic]

These texts say more about their authors than anything else.

[@uncleanunicorn4571]

It was these crazed attacks on 'heresy' that convinced me these sects could never have originated from the teachings of a single man.

[@evevangelist5910]

Thanks so much Drew, for your concise and clear explanations on how Porto-orthodoxy became established. As a young man and zealous Christian, I read various early church father’s writings and this type of treatment of “false sects” is quite familiar to me. Now in my 60’s and an atheist, I can see more clearly how falsely maligning these church fathers actually were. To think that I took for granted that what they wrote was gospel truth is now astounding to me. But if you didn’t bring it out, I noticed how these heresiologists used scripture-like wording to give importance and authoritarian sounding appearances to their writings. So simple minded followers like I was would be more easily duped. I should mention that my particular sect/cult of the Mennonites still today regard these writings as sound. Their large “Martyrs Mirror” which is found in every faithful conservative Mennonite and Amish home, is also full of quotes from these early church fathers.

[@RedAngelSophia]

Listening to this video gives context to the environment in which the blood libel was made up. The question is --- did _all_ early Christian groups rely so heavily on libel and slander of their rivals -- or was it just the ones that ended up winning out? And what can we learn from this in structuring the modern marketplace of ideas? After all, we would like to have a marketplace in which the _best_ ideas win ---- not one in which the ideas that are most aggressively promoted win.

[@solomonherskowitz]

35kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpm4pWOKdpyBgpY

[@crhu319]

Ideas arent sold in a market at all.

[@1SPQR2]

8:10 This argument sounds painfully similar to some Christian rhetoric today

[@KC-oz7hn]

I’m so happy you are covering this! THANK YOU SIR! This topic is what first made me question my belief. The cult like religious wars and the capturing of pagan holidays and making them Christian. I always thought of Christianity as holy and god given. Untill I saw how much the hand of man had influenced and penned in to what we call Christianity today...

[@AccentYouLovingheart]

So true. I myself examined the so called holy Bible and walked away from religion in it’s entirety.

[@undrwatropium3724]

What we call Christianity today. Evil is what I call it

[@KeshiaRambles]

This just reads like a very early conspiracy theory.

[@gregcampwriter]

The Russians who think of the Crimea at the north end of the Euxine Sea as a summer resort must be laughing at Tertullian.

[@alanpennie8013]

If you're from Africa you probably wouldn't regard The Crimea as super - warm.

[@badnamewolfie7789]

I highly suspect some of the writers were just slanderous perverts

[@Sal.K--BC]

It's too bad so many ancient writings were destroyed. Hopefully another ancient cache is found one day (like the deadsea scrolls).

[@kai_plays_khomus]

*I would love* to have the proto orthodox' write an evaluation of the modern christian cults who claim to be their successors. Compared to the modern christian practice the ancient heretics might have been pretty close to the proto-orthodox position.. And to be honest: some of the modern preachers seem to be close to what is written about Marcion. One thing is for sure - these devout christian preachers had an incredibly dirty mind - those phantasies didn't come from nothing..

[@yohannes6434]

Read, Fr Seraphim Rose, American Orthodox Saint. He has a book called Orthodoxy and The Religion of the Future. Similar to Agianst Herieses. Seraphim was a Univeristy of Berkeley alumni before he become a monk. There is even an audiobook of that book. He lays out the cults of his time, from eastern religions to modern Christian cults and more. he reposed in 1982.

[@yohannes6434]

Here is an audiobook playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLfcm1-wmkwADreyCPsZ-2vvoVIqUTnxyW

[@kai_plays_khomus]

@@yohannes6434 Thanks for the hint, I'll check it out.

[@yohannes6434]

@@kai_plays_khomus for sure, FYI he was also an atheist at one point in his life before he discovered Orthodoxy after looking at Easter faiths such as Buddhism, Hinduism and more. He has many books as well, as a philosopher he also wrote on the subject of Nihilism. His book is called Nihilism: The Root of the Revolution of the Modern Age. He deconstructs the atheism and nihilism of this modern age and it’s roots. But I suggest you read/listen to Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future first.

[@robynrollins1960]

Thank you. As a lifelong Atheist I have read many religious books to gain a better understanding of human nature and why so many of us believe in a god. I found this post very interesting. Keep it up.

[@johne.nobody2946]

One of the best, most important channels on YT.

[@7Be]

Yes watching it is the cleanest, best pleasure.

[@Oyasumi05]

I wholeheartedly agree

[@ddwkc]

I guess next time I meet a girl, I gonna ask her to "perfom the Agape" with me!

[@Cybernaut551]

Pornography is threatening trash.

[@wargen8121]

Presidential election in the year 300: -What is your healthcare plan? -My opponent eats babies. -Understandable.

[@rompevuevitos222]

Has it really changed tho? lol

[@wargen8121]

@@rompevuevitos222 arguments nowadays are less "from the divine wisdom of our One True Diety" than back then. Aside from that? No, not really.

[@cobrasys]

This made me actually LOL. Nicely done. 😆

[@cerberaodollam]

LMAO that description. They wrote the same stuff about my ancestors (Hungarians) back then. :) Though, I do like the idea of recycling dead people as food, because as a 2ndworlder, food waste bothers me. ("Never throw away bread!" - grandma)

[@janTesika]

it's just logical, no? never really understood the problem with cannibalism.

[@TechySeven]

@@janTesika Aside from mere sentimentality? Well, there's also the potential for a deadly & incurable brain-affecting Prion Disease, a virtually-unstoppable cascade of misfolding proteins that eventually destroys the brain from the inside-out, increases in likelihood from consumption of too much Nervous Tissue from a Closely-Enough-Related Organism. It's been called "Kuru" (when documented in a human cannibal tribe), Mad-Cow Disease (in Cows), also known as Chronic Wasting Disease or "Zombie-Deer Disease" for Deer. There are a number of varieties of it, and it Really Seems a Pretty Bad & Very Undignified way to go. More likely to be developed if the nervous-tissue is directly from the Brain or Spinal-Cord, but even Other Organs have significant amounts of nervous-tissue in them. Also a Greater likelihood of it developing if the nervous-tissue is consumed Raw, of course, but I think the possibility Does still exists even if it's been cooked. And IF it was ever practiced enough throughout the 200,000+ years of human history (or prior), then this explains the relatively-widespread cultural disgust at the very notion, because most of the populations that had a genetic Tendency to Want to Try it... died off... leaving mostly only the populations that were disgusted at it. Just as the case with Other Potentially Deadly-to-Consume Things (like Most Decaying, Rotting & Molding Things, just for instance).

[@janTesika]

@@TechySeven fair enough! sounds like if you avoid the brain and nerves it's okay, but that's actually rather interesting.

[@zavar3485]

Hey! Just want to say I’m a big fan of your vids and have been watching you for quite a while. I’m a Muslim and quite firm on my beliefs but you’ve helped opened my mind to new concept and ideas. Although we may not always agree on certain topics, I still have a lot of respect as you don’t come bashing down a certain religion or idea but rather explain both sides equally. Keep up the good work! 👏

[@solomonherskowitz]

8kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpm4pWOKdpyBgpY

[@nondescriptcat5620]

"They uncover the breast, from which they suspend their battle-axes, and they prefer warfare to marriage." Iconic. We stan the Barbarian Queens of the Euxine Sea.

[@janicemurphy7878]

As you probably know there was many books that were not included in the Bible, there were many books about lost parts that the Romans decided not to include them because they contradicted other parts. And many of the parts that they have used or taken from other religions such as the Egyptians. Awm

[@lucideandre]

I mean...honestly, some of the practices they’re describing there seem like a lot of fun. Sure, they’re probably lying. But...if not, I get a feeling Christianity might have been a bit less toxic if a couple of those had survived. Not all, but some...

[@maloc1824]

I'm certain this guy would hate today's Christians. I was eating, I should have headed your warning.

[@joshuaallgood7030]

Stuff like this makes me extremely skeptical of accounts from that time period of what pagans and occultists actually believed.

[@drewstillexists]

Wow, Tertullian really went hard on Marion and his hometown.

[@VolcyThoughts]

Lmao bro said “fuck you and yo whack ass hood” 😂😂😂

[@alanpennie8013]

It's not likely to feature in any Turkish holiday brochure.

[@PitboyHarmony1]

After a handful of videos, I have decided that your channel has value. Not because I am a wondering and potentially disillusioned Christian or a distinct follower of any other religion or faith based system ... I am not. Not because I am a stoic atheist, I am not. In fact I reject the idea of the polarity between both ideologies, but I respect more the intelligence of the athietical constant that requires religious pundits to prove their statements using a reasonable, conclusionary based thought process. The empirical scientific experiment and proof standard is the most reasonable form to do this, and that is your approach to each subject. What I like about your channel, is the way you promote kindness towards all. A rare strength, often sidestepped.

[@LegendaryDorkKnight]

18:27 "Bro, this harlot verily wanted to sleep with me. Yet, I said 'Nay wench! For I love God!' and the whole bazaar didst applaud." He was just an ancient incel.

[@ColorMeASatanist]

Glad to see you back with another video! Very interesting and informative!

[@MicahBuzanANIMATION]

These ancient Creepypastas are juicy.

[@hadleyjolley3375]

My reaction to allegations of cannibalism and using menses in ritual: possible, but sounds more like what you make up about your out group. My reaction allegations that a religious leader was using his position to coerce women into having sex with him: Almost certainly true. Seems to be the most common driving urge of cult leaders.

[@AaronEllisOfficial]

Lmao the opening with Alex Jones running after a random guy is hilarious and yet also frightening

[@shridharbiju7370]

Woooo that's what I'm talking about baby. Early Gang

[@albertjenkin1146]

Fascinating stff, fellow skeptic. Fools and cranks are still around.

[@FakingANerve]

I'm finding it hard to concentrate on the actual content of this video after that insane Alex Jones clip was cut off. I want to know what happened!! 😳

[@rosxjun]

Here ya go kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXmtZ5d4nKaii6s

[@jacksonvandenberghe9420]

Very interesting, I appreciate the amount of research you put into these videos

[@ar-jv5fc]

love the memes, Drew :)

[@2xanadu]

Always great videos, Drew. Keep ‘em coming?

[@encrypticfishy6683]

I'm not an atheist but I enjoy learning about others people views. Your channel gives me some insight on seeing an atheists viewpoint which I find very interesting. Cheers!

[@solomonherskowitz]

3kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpm4pWOKdpyBgpY

[@Walkingcedar2006]

A grain of salt, indeed. I shall take GREAT pleasure in annotating this! Why've I NEVER heard of Marcion or this Tertullian!? The first chapter write-up is so scathing, it is riddled with the implications of what is NOT being said. My, my, my. Christian propaganda, indeed. Today is nothing, compared to this crazy shit. Thank you, Drew!!!!

[@Miki_Naz]

On one hand i'm completely willing to believe that actual sects like that existed, and assuming their innocence imo is not really ideal position given the time period, but on the other hand, believing words of someone who's interests were in direct opposition to them is just plainly naive and stupid.

[@solomonherskowitz]

38kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpm4pWOKdpyBgpY

[@kjmartin815]

as a non-pauline Christian, i enjoy your tact and your factual treatment of history; i also appreciate your restraint from judgmental treatment of individual worshipers, and of sects you are not familiar with. i think a skeptical worldview is important in matters of the physical world as only scientifically provable material facts and intensive research and study of reliable historical sources should influence decisions relating to the material conditions of people and the environment and i do not evangelize in a modern sense as i believe that Christ's admonition to spread the gospel was a mandate to do acts of service to those in immediate need and that his salvation was never posed as a gift limited to those who have a certain set of beliefs. i know so little about what "exists" (if that is the right term, even) beyond our physical comprehension and so it seems like it would be foolish of me to act outside of the deductible truths that i can comprehend through skepticism and scientific thought. what you do in videos like these is greater than what most of these so called Christians achieve with their self-serving "ministry".

[@turtleguy123r3]

My friends genuinely believe I'll go to hell for being gay and atheist, but say I can repent for my sins, but those two things are some of the biggest factors in why I'm me. I rather burn as myself than be a slave to a God.

[@timetoreason181]

One more brave soul, who is standing up to this evil God, Jesus.

[@Secumind]

Your intros are always the best

[@catalinacaro8183]

"they uncover their breast from wich they suspend their battle axes" that sounds like the place i want to live next 😂😂😂😂

[@carl-antonluninck6113]

Dear GMS I am very regretful that I can't double-like this video! But I wish I could!

[@timetoreason181]

One from me!

[@mikeyahl7363]

Ephanius: "And then they eat his emissions" The Bishop: "The..the what-"

[@gothicanimegirl44]

In this works preface irenaeus says "yeast infection" great time for an ad break it had me in stitches.

[@neilforbes416]

Bring this into the 21st Century, substitute *Tertullian* for an Evangelistic christian, and *Marcion* for every other person, religious or not, and you've illustrated evangelism exactly.

[@MrRezillo]

Very informative vid; thanks, Drew.

[@jhill4874]

Irenaeus looks like an evil sorcerer. A fine one to cast stones.

[@willmind4296]

Wauw, i take my hat of to your ability how you tell the story. It astonishes me every time. You have a gift!! ... and the content is Great also!👍🏻

[@sarahmoyer6501]

Atheist KZbin be like: "Welcome to the squad. On *insert day* we wear black." I found your channel this past week and have been binge watching and learning so much. Thank you!

[@ryosworkshop500]

Phew! And here I thought I was the only one hanging battle axes on my boobs

[@hellishhybrid1839]

*draws sword* CITATION NEEEEEEEEEEEDED! *charges into battle*

[@solomonherskowitz]

3kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpm4pWOKdpyBgpY

[@AlexejCeros]

Tertullians description of the “Marcion” women sounds absolutely awesome.

[@frontiervirtcharter]

Bikers existed long before motorcycles did. Back then, they were called 'barbarians on horseback'

[@BlueproteaSagittarius]

I cant pick my jaw of the ground 😲😲

[@biotorex8999]

Let me help you

[@SuperNoah9999]

No joke: I accidentally found this video when looking for an Xavier: Renegade Angel clip. I never thought I'd find a video of one of my favorite Atheist youtubers when looking for XRA clips.

[@howtheworldworks3]

Sounds like propaganda against the Kingdom of the north.

[@milesdantravis]

I love how from the first page it lists all the people who translated it, then edited, then revised and edited it and so on.

[@loturzelrestaurant]

Saying in general: I'm glad Theists come to GMS and watch him, just like Prophet-of-Zod, as they are so polite and adorable. Thats nice and all, but it makes me wonder if they then shy-away all the more from harsh confrontations with solid Walls of Truth, like what Aron Ra just did in his videos about '7 Truths'.

[@the_hanged_clown]

what a terrifying world it must have been, if one took seriously these writings

[@Spacemuffin147]

That thumbnail is dope.

[@2ahdcat]

Alex Jones is a fruitloop, lol. I bet when He caught up to the kid that flipped Him off He jumped up and punched Him square in the knee. LOL.

[@clubadv]

Wow, I got an ad for Pure Flix before this video. The irony

[@keineangabe1804]

This text sounds like it inspired our idea what a barbarian, like Connan the Barbarian, looks like. Is this what inspired our fantasy pop-culture?

[@solomonherskowitz]

D

[@thebs8037]

It's crazy how much projecting there was :p

[@imazebrahonest7700]

I'm enjoying the historical interest, and am curious, when did the concept of God-granted morality come into play? I wonder if old-age Christians could justify their perspectives of those who hold alternative moral views by pointing to morality originating, by necessity, from God, this would allow them to say that everyone knows what is right or wrong because we're connected to God, that's what right and wrong is, if others don't recognize this same moral truth, they are demonic because they aren't connected to God.

[@rapid7939]

daaam, you keep looking better and better my man

[@solomonherskowitz]

34kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpm4pWOKdpyBgpY

[@DavidAmrod]

These ideas ring very much like today with Far Right groups like Qanon.