TTA Podcast 116: How Atheism Changed Me

[@PRHILL9696]

I have known so many people who were brought up Christian who when they grew up got out of it and now have very happy normal lives free of religion

[@joeyeka07]

As a pastor's kid, it's hard to maintain my stand against religion. I still have to pretend that I am one of them though deep inside, thoughts of skepticism run every claim they make. Sometimes I still get confused being new to atheism but your videos and thoughts I get the answers I look for clearing my mind. Thank you so much Seth and all other fellow atheists out there for continuing to bring the people on the sane side. Let's spread the good news! We can be free from fantasies! :)

[@TheRazz1717]

Hey Seth glad you're okay. A few years ago I had quadruple bypass surgery. The night before surgery I slept like a baby because I was putting my life in the hands of science and a skilled surgeon. I didn't have to worry if I prayed long and hard enough or if god was going to spare me.

[@DRayL_]

Seth, glad you're doing better. I had those moments in my life where my heart was doing things it shouldn't. At that time, I was a christian, so did all kinds of praying. But in the end, it was a lifestyle change that managed to fix it. Any "prayers to a god" were just coping mechanisms that ultimately didn't make me feel any better. In the present time, any minor fluxuations are just ignored. Glad they figured out what was causing your issue. Good episode!

[@dyinteriors]

I speak from experience. I am a gay man and an Atheist. I lost my home and support at 16 years old. I am ok, but I wish I had saved the coming out until I was in college and no longer dependent on my family. It damaged my life severely. Yes my super religious born again mother threw me out. Be careful.

[@dreamingfifi]

Several of my friends are getting through deconversion. I've never had a religion and therefore never had to go through it, so learning about what they could be going through is very helpful. Thank you!

[@JohnCx666x]

I wanted to say that becoming an atheist has been on of the few liberating experiences ive had in my life. Im mentally handicapped with severe epilepsy and related brain damage and have always felt a slave to it, helpless before something that destroys my very mind whenever i experience a seizure, but becoming an atheist removed many of the weights around my neck when it comes to these cultural delusions. Id rather deal with the social repercussions than lie to myself and accept such a collar.

[@jasperwinkle769]

Dear Seth, We've never met, but I've adopted you, also. Thanks for your wonderful podcasts.

[@Keywy]

Loved this podcast, nice mix of humour and seriousness :)

[@0cbuhr]

Seth I appreciate you so much! As a 57 year old woman who has finally found that my skepticism as a teenager had reason, I can't tell you that it feels good, but yet it hasn't been easy because after being in this lifestyle of Christianity for so long, it really hasn't been an easy transition. I have had periods of guilt, frustration, and periods of anger. I have to thank my son for giving the opportunity to share you with me.

[@gero1369]

Good to hear that you are not having a heart problem. Hopefully you get 110% better soon!

[@dyinteriors]

I am 51 now and with my partner and husband for 18 years now. We own three profitable solvent businesses. I am an Atheist and my husband is an agnostic. We are well regarded in our community. Good luck to you! P.S. Mom still is religious and disproves of gay marriage.

[@aprilmarie1986]

Hey Seth, just wanted to say I love listening to your show! You are spot on about everything!

[@teresagdavila5442]

Seth! you are the Best!!! Thank you for your outstanding work!!!

[@wedding_photography]

Stay healthy, Seth. The universe is better with you.

[@kirsteni.russell5903]

This podcast reminds me of a talk I had with my brother right after our mother died. In the past year I had lost my childhood belief in God, and my brother had seemed to lose his with me, and we had deep talks about the matter. But when our mother died, he told me that night that he'd prayed for her to live. I hadn't even thought of praying. He later married a Catholic and has become a church-going believer again, but I've remained an atheist.

[@lianidri80]

Hey Seth. I am so glad you are ok. I love your podcast and you. You have helped me so much. Love your empathic and understanding nature. The world needs you.

[@CAngel57ful]

I look forward to this podcast every week and am so surprised at how much I really like it.

[@natashaestes154]

Glad you're ok! I changed in that I quit feeling guilty for being a woman, accepting & managing my mental illnesses, getting back into learning about sciences that I abandoned as a kid, & escaping my creationist ex-fiancé & his abuses. Love the show. Keep up the good work.

[@JessicaDuane]

Seth, I think it would be awesome to do a show on the death penalty. The brief mention of it set the wheels in my head turning, and I would love to hear the opinions of other atheists on it.

[@VerumAdNauseam]

Another great show, Seth. Thank you.

[@dyinteriors]

randominterestperson- take heart you are a good person and an enlightened. Be proud that you prize the truth above all else. Those around you seldom have the courage of their convictions to prize their sexuality and their thoughts as you seem to do. Make sure you are coming from a place of strength when you come out to those around you. Think it through as to weather you are in danger of losing you food and shelter by coming out to your family as it can impact your entire life in the future.

[@Linkous12]

Loved the last section of this, Seth. Glad you're doing okay!

[@Zonedweller]

Seth from my favorite book: The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Richard Bach

[@beeto45]

the history channel: where the truth is history

[@danielmacoveiciuc]

beeto45 Ah, that South Park reference XD awesome!

[@beeto45]

Daniel Macoveiciuc HA! i knew someone would get it eventually ;-)

[@DarkBangle]

You know, on the bit about the family you choose over the family your born you... There is that old adage, blood is thicker than water. I recently found out that the saying is short for "the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb". The meaning of the saying is the opposite as the way everyone uses it; it means that the bonds we choose are stronger than those we are born into.

[@raffaelschafer312]

I have enjoyed the whole show but in particular the "tangent" at the end was absolutely awesome. Together with aron ra´s "pounds of rotten ape meat, thats all, but thats enough"-speech the best I have ever heard on this topic

[@jimkordahl9490]

Great topic. Glad you are okay Seth!! Thank you for the pleasant community you have created here! Bravo!

[@afifkhaja]

Great podcast 👍. Very entertaining and informative. Thank you Seth

[@farriskc]

So true. What I've found interesting is that of my friends that are the most religious remained my friend.

[@SquireLep]

Sorry for you "loss" of "friends" but, WELCOME TO REALITY! Good to have you!

[@hobosorcerer]

Seth, I'm having a bit of trouble myself, and the comment section may not be the right place to do this, but I'm 15 years old and an Atheist, but my family is hard-strung Christian. On top of that, I'm homosexual, but my parents are homophobic, and they do not know about my Atheism or my sexual views. I'd just like to know that if, maybe, you had some bit of advice for me. I hate to beg for a reply, but if you could do so it would help me out so very, very much. Thank you, from a fellow Thinker.

[@AndrewPena89]

I stopped everything I was doing at work to listen to your heart emergency story...edge of my seat, Seth..edge of my seat because I know that could have been "it". No place to go afterwards and that makes life that much more important to me :)

[@dubldeka]

Just had a near Seth experience listening to this podcast.

[@JwilliamsAssociates]

SWEET Thank you so much for the heads up.. I will check it out, DVR'ing it from my phone right now!!!

[@sekkhiaakare7701]

Love the stories. Love the logic and intelligence.

[@ravenhoId]

Oh, I wanted to comment on that too, that I feel like I'm finally living in THE REAL WORLD. It still hadn't gotten through to me that I'm free to do anything I want.It's so overwhelming.I just need to get my anxiety towards other people sorted out, and I'm good to live :) (Anxiety probably originates from my constant feeling of being an outcast when I was in elementary school, and was shunned by other kids,cause I was a JW and wouldn't go to religion classes with them, celebrate birthdays, etc.)

[@ZachValkyrie]

21:07 wait, a "long time caller, first time listener?" I'm very confused right now...

[@Lordradost]

Speedy recovery, Seth.

[@JohnCx666x]

thank you for all the good work you do to bring us atheists together. I myself am encouraged and emboldened in my own beliefs because of what you do. I know others like myself that feel less isolated because of folks like you who speak out and draw us all out and together. whether its just shooting the shit or serious topics its a good thing for all of us, atheists, americans, the human race. Thank you for doing what you do.

[@mkely9032]

I have never been religious but Richard Dawkins has an amusing story of the chickens that were randomly fed.After a unknown time they checked how they were going and they were doing all sorts of contortions because they thought something they did determined the feeding.This is the same for religion, people look for the cause of the unknown and if it coincides they will keep trying it.They show a bias to only the positive coincidences ignoring the misses. I now view the religious as just chickens

[@stvnshrules]

All im saying is the first comment i replied to talked about even atheists taking part in conditional love. thats one of the only conditions i can think of for me as an atheist because "we" dont generally stop loving people for bad reasons like they say they are religious.

[@jhalfor2]

The take home here might be to try an maintain a broad and forgiving view of both Atheists and Christians. Regardless of what you believe, it is good to question where you stand morally, when ideas clash between two groups (such as Atheists and Christians) it provides an excellent opportunity for us to examine ourselves and our beliefs. Being our own critics could take some of the burden off of others-- but, always, we need to be honest.

[@cs9833]

This was my first time listening, and I'll tell ya, it will not be my last!

[@davemelnick]

The heart & chest & ekg part instantly reminds me of constantly going to the neurology hospitals for my epilepsy.

[@TurboDally]

There's only so far one can take the placebo effect, I wonder how great it would be in someone who believes they can defy gravity and walks off a sky scraper.

[@cullenarthur8879]

I really admire seth and his willingness to change his long held beliefs . Not many people have the courage to honestly look at what they believe and admit they were wrong. And as a gay man l really appreciate how he's changed his views on homosexuality.

[@8WholeThing]

That was a fantastic wrapup. Nobody wants to get old and nobody wants to die but everybody wants to do both.

[@gregg2060]

Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome. --Isaac Asimov

[@narayananshanker6066]

nice talk. tongue, tongue.

[@ravenhoId]

I'm 23, I've been a Jehowah Witness for my entire life, untill 10 months ago, when I watched some George Carlin and Ricky Gervais, Neil Tyson who made me think about evolution, science and common sence, and became an atheist. I left "the organisation" 1 month ago. I don't know if people talk about this, but when you leave the JW's, ALL your JW friends, who you knew all your life are OBLIGATED to not talk to you to "help" you realize your mistake, and to protect themselves from your views.

[@WiseIdiot9]

Hey man, first time listener and I live in Oklahoma as well! Can you stick your hand out of your office/home and I can give you a high-speed high five as I drive by?

[@fani5000]

If you lost friends when you stopped believing they weren't your friends.

[@0101Matrix0101]

How the fuck can people add 1000s of friends on Facebook if they wont even talk to 90% of them in the first place. and here I just have less than 100 friends and I talk to all of them 99% of the time face to face or by skyping.

[@TheCrescentKnight]

Please tell me when the Jehovah Witness episode is. I have a LOT of stories about discussing things with Jehovah Witnesses on online forums.

[@gorkmusic]

I second this motion!

[@beirirangu]

there has been an experiment that had people place their hands on a stovetop, a portion of the people that put their hands on the cold stove still had burns develop on their hands... and as for your outlandish assertion of defying physics, the effect ONLY applies to bodily functions

[@julzabro]

My sister posted the video of that preacher with the god complex and we both commented about him having a god complex and my other sister a conservative Xian said, "Even in the atheist world there are hidden and unhidden conditional love assumptions and requirements with all aspects of relationships. You cannot escape it. God is not the monster some portray Him to be. Those who truly know Him have figured this out."

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Since I never attended church growing up, I guess I should consider myself an atheist, or secular. I didn't attend church (on my own terms) until I was out of high school.

[@snuffsan]

Repeating a word over and over till it loses meaning is called "Semantic satiation" btw

[@ZeldagigafanMatthew]

The Placebo Effect doesn't work like that, rather the placebo effect is used to describe the phenomena that occurs when something that is medically useless is taken/used for therapeutic purposes. The Brain is one of the most famous tricksters in the book.

[@beirirangu]

technically, a placebo effect is any effect that is done solely by the body in belief that the believed idea or 'medicine' is producing the effect... so in that sense, it is correct terminology, just used in a broader range than solely medicine

[@daisyvision]

Why is the default setting on youtube always anger and profanity, rather than curiosity or simply asking for clarity? In good company, no less.

[@TestTubetheUnicorn]

The main reason I am against the death penalty is that our justice system should not be focused on retribution, it should be focused on rehabilitation and protection. Protection for all parties involved, even the guilty.

[@lDrownded2]

No need to apologize for the story at 55:00. It wasn't a tangent or melodrama. It's why I listen.

[@eupraxis1]

Never having been a believer and being in a family whose Catholicism was mostly sentimental around holidays, I never realized the struggle others have had asserting their non-faith. But I must say that over the last few years here in Louisiana, things have gotten much more combative in the religious community. I worries me.

[@goingclear2647]

Wish you could do a show on the Seventh Day Adventists. Please??

[@Ersa1a]

That guy from Maine....I thought you had Stephen King there for a couple of minutes...LOL...nothing like a Maine accent

[@keithpopko7068]

Seth, let me clarify how to do TM, something I learned in 1973 and practiced for 9 years. I've moved on from it to other styles of meditation long ago, but I've got 42 years of meditation under my belt so I think I know what I'm talking about. Sit down comfortably with eyes closed and just relax for a minute or so. Take notice of how spontaneously thoughts arise. They come effortlessly all by themselves. No special way of sitting is required, but being upright rather than lying down is better since you will fall asleep lying down. Then begin to think your thought (mantra) as easily as you think any other thought. A one or two syllable word is sufficient to use. Something that has no meaning is best so your mind doesn't spend time thinking about its meaning. The idea is to use the mantra to lead you to deeper levels of awareness, and discursive thought keeps you from getting to those deeper levels. You don't concentrate on it or hammer away with it during meditation. Gently introduce it in your mind very easily after a minute or so with eyes closed, and when you realize you are thinking other thoughts then bring the mantra back very easily. Losing the mantra is part of the process, so don't worry when that happens. When that does happen the INTENTION to bring back the mantra is enough to get it going again. The mantra will spontaneously change, so let it. This means it may get more and more faint or unrecognizable, so allow that to happen. As you get more attuned to what's happening you'll notice that the mantra drops away completely and no other thoughts arise. You are totally awake, yet you aren't thinking thoughts. This is the "transcending" in Transcendental Meditation. This is very peaceful and it feels great. As you get more proficient you will begin to notice the very beginning of thoughts arise at more and more subtle levels, and when that happens you can bring back the IDEA of the mantra at this very subtle level. The IDEA of the mantra is better than trying to think it very clearly at these very deep levels of awareness. Bringing it back clearly takes you way from the deeper level of awareness that you were in. Stay in the deeper levels. Any kind of straining is an indication that you are trying too hard, so learn to relax and let it happen. You will notice your breath slows way down and get very subtle, almost as if you aren't breathing at all. Don't panic, this is natural and indicates your body is getting deep rest. Continue this for 15 minutes or so and then stop thinking it; keep your eyes closed for a couple of minutes and think about other things, take some deep breaths, stretch and move in your chair as necessary, and then open the eyes, get up, and go about your business. If you get up too fast right after stopping the mantra you will get a headache, so it's important to get out of meditation easily before returning to activity. Twice a day is optimal. Don't meditate after eating because the body is busing trying to digest food and you just won't feel comfortable doing it and you won't get very deep. There, I just saved you $1500. When I first learned in 1973 it cost me $35, which was very reasonable. Now, the TM movement is more about getting as much money out of people as possible. The meditation is good, in my opinion, but everything else about the movement is just a money making scheme. They offer "advanced" techniques and other programs, which are equally expensive (and unnecessary). Other meditation techniques are very good as well. I highly recommend mindfulness meditation. Jon Kabat-Zinn is most noted for bringing this to western audiences as a means of reducing stress and recovering from illnesses. He has lots of youtube videos where you can learn how to do it for nothing.

[@rstevewarmorycom]

Keith Popko You should go into describing the effect of it. I used Zen counting of my breaths and letting ideas that arose float away, and I experienced a kensho one morning. When I came out of the session I had come into a state of mind that suddenly let me know that there was no suffering within it, and that every other state of mind I had ever experienced had suffering at its core, but in this state suffering was impossible. It lasted all day into the evening, It didn't interfere with my day, with my chores or duties, and it didn't go away till I went to sleep. It was as if I was standing apart from my life and witnessing a movie about me. It was extremely pleasant. I have not really continued meditation, but it is as though I can sort of re-enter that state at will, as though it has permanently taught me the technique. It is wonderful. I'm a retired physicist and an atheist who is dying of numerous organ failures, and that doesn't seem to bother me.

[@MartinIsRunning]

Y

[@julzabro]

wonder if religious folks read how the prodigal son was actually lauded for what he did?

[@brentlsturgeon]

What was the name of that documentary you mentioned about the guy who started a cult to show how easy it was?

[@dfadden62]

I get that heart thing too. If I really focus on it I hyperventilate. For me it's an extra heartbeat and it IS very distressing, yes.

[@tycho_m]

Goosebumps around 24:00

[@JwilliamsAssociates]

Have not need to check it out... What is up with it, as a teaser?

[@MrAdvancedAtheist]

29:20 Unfortunately in my case, the girls enforced my separation from them. I knew some datable girls in East Central High School when I went there in the years 1975-1978, but they wanted nothing to do with me. Especially my favorite, Shelley Conrad.

[@angels2online]

19:20 Did he say Okinawa, or is this just me?

[@beirirangu]

reminds me of a question I've been hearing a lot recently: why should I become an atheist. it's like asking why should I not eat an imaginary apple? The body will be convinced that the apple was real (the placebo effect) if you believe it's real, but it's not to anyone who looks for more proof than the person or book that claims it is

[@beirirangu]

how is attempting to elude starvation anything remotely like anti-gravity?

[@autumrose1]

That is why I'm a atheist. Church pastors are so full of it, those preachers who say the word of "god" and speaking of helping the unfortunate, and while he/she are talking. I can't help but to notice that big shiny watch and the rings.

[@davemelnick]

Lotf hearing that preacher at the start. :)

[@theatheistpaladin]

After the JW could you add Seventh Day Adventist?

[@jhalfor2]

It is also important to define "fantasy" in my first comment as general fantasy. When you say "prone to delusion" and you mean "prone to believing in God, etc." then you are not using the same phrase ("fantasy") with the same meaning (non-specific fantasy or delusion). You may or may not be doing this, but I wanted to make things clear for other readers.

[@ravenhoId]

Thanks for your comment. It means a lot to me even though I haven't met You. By the way, are You ironically referring to "The New World" in the Jehovah's Witnesses meaning? :P

[@JaguarRawr]

The point of a prison should be to rehabilitate someone back into society who may otherwise endanger the population. You can't lock a guy in a box, give them no resources, say "you're a terrible person", and expect them to be better. For similar reasons, I oppose the death penalty, as it does nothing to fix society's problems. The ONLY time I see that it as okay would be for people with Antisocial PD (lack of human empathy).

[@romperstompist]

I was referring to your idea that punishing criminals with slave labor is a good concept. If that is not what you meant, I apologize, but that is what it sounded like you meant to me.

[@rchuso]

Capital punishment - my stance reversed when I calculated how many people the planet can sustain with a reasonable standard of living in the absence of virtually free energy from petroleum products.

[@YouHolli]

What viral video is Seth referring too?

[@The_Other_Ghost]

Needs 5 more likes.

[@saxmanchiro]

Lies from adults during my childhood made me an atheist and science made me an anti-theist, advocate for logic and reason, teacher of science, pain in the ass for theists that I meet, happy, healer, appreciative of nature, life and the Cosmos.

[@MrTopper123]

*raised eyebrow* did that caller say "long time caller first time listener?"

[@Troubleshooter125]

"I'm important, I'm somebody." SUUUUUUUUUURE he is. Said it on the clip and will repeat it here: SCHMUCK!!!

[@HeavenlyH3R0]

I work at mcdonalds and on multiple occasions I am handed from customers "readings" that are religious propaganda from jahovas witness. I dont know what to do I usually take it laugh a little and trash it. But I feel like I give them some kind of feel good sensation about converting me over even tho I am not buying into these bogus readings. First time was hidden in an unsuspecting book

[@BattleRogue]

I know what your allergy is Seth. You have the same thing I do. It's caffeine. We have both developed an allergy to caffeine. For me, it first manifested itself because of caffeine-based diet pills, so I stopped them. Later it was coffee, and I gave that up also. Then it was also soda, no Coke-a-Cola any more, Finally, even Excedrin and chocolate was removed. That's your problem. I guarantee it. Hope this helps.

[@FreethinkingSecularist]

Mr. Andrews, Give us a podcast about Jehovah's Witnesses. You talked about it over a year ago...I know it isn't easy to find good literature about it, but there are enough converts to make a show full of preorganized interviews! What do you say ThinkingAtheist? Hook us up!! Thanks for all your work!

[@LeMonS531]

For me, not a whole lot has changed except my views I had before were re-evaluated without them being wrong and critically thought over (like abortion or sex) and without the ever present peeking Tom in the sky. Now I see abortion not as wrong but as a personal choice.

[@Squelch133]

Does DNA evidence allow us to show guilt for sure? I work in this area in the UK and I hope not to see the death penalty here. It would steal the chance for a person to be sorry for what they have done.

[@FatherZakura]

Lovely.

[@ravenhoId]

Thanks man ;)

[@blackice9088]

How Atheism changed me: I am much happier without the obligations of any church and having to put up with pastors like the "important" one at the beginning of the podcast.

[@adrianpetyt9167]

Combining your story with Adam and Eve, I actually knew a guy with a life-threatening allergy to apples.

[@lDrownded2]

7:37 "I tried to be submissive." That gave me sick chills.