What's Good About Religion?

Let's be positive.
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[@exilfromsanity]

"Religion doesn't have any answers because it doesn't ask any questions", Great, where do you find these super lines Pat? Says more in 11 words than most people could say in 11 pages.

[@AS-er4ud]

He's brilliant. He should have considered writing for a career. I would buy his books.

[@danw1374]

@@AS-er4ud Pat has written several books which are on Amazon.

[@proculusjulius7035]

Made more sense than the first 11 pages of the Bible and the Quran.

[@leopantherakiller]

"The thing i like about christianity is that it's not islam" Laughed so hard. :D

[@GUNVALKERIE]

You should start your own religion it should be called "common sense" :)

[@huepix]

Yeah. That's Ray Comforts gig.

[@ferminrodriguez3015]

Haha Soo true

[@FaithLessTQWH]

I love the way you speak. I wish I was so eloquent and funny without even the slightest effort. Well done!!

[@gor265]

Absolute quality, excellent post on every level.

[@headrockbeats]

Very nice. I'm not sure Buddhism can be classified as a religion though, partly because it doesn't have a god, but also because in essence it also has no customs. It's pretty much just a philosophy (basically, "the world is an illusion, and the only way to break out is to let go of all earthly desires"). Granted, however, that a LOT of stuff has been tacked onto Buddhism by its adherents over the last millennium-and-a-half in an attempt to make it as close to a religion as they possibly could. People, go figure.

[@BallyBoy95]

Some Hindus don't believe in God (as it's not central to their faith, heck, Hinduism isn't even one religion, it's multiple religions merged together, which is why you get some Hindus who worship some Gods, and not others). A religion is any set of beliefs that determines your way of life to be honest. If you base it on whether it believes in God or not, Hinduism and Buddhism are not religions, they'd simply be ways of life.

[@headrockbeats]

***** Most if not all philosophies make unfalsifiable claims about spiritual matters. Otherwise Philosophy would be a science.

[@headrockbeats]

***** Those are beliefs, not necessarily religions. To have a religion you need customs, don't you? Otherwise, if you believe you have a soul, you would be defined as religious - no matter what you do with that belief...

[@huepix]

Siddhartha allegedly said that he didn't want to hear of anyone worshiping him. So after he died they built a temple of him with no ears and they worship the fuck out of it. That temple is one of the seven modern wonders of the world.

[@miltondavison-hc4ue]

It depends on the branch of Buddhism as they do have enlightened beings and would be in some sense gods .

[@MrHeadcave]

Condell was born in Ireland and raised in England as a Roman Catholic. His father was a compulsive gambler working in a betting shop until he was sent to prison for stealing money. He then died of leukemia. The family was impoverished, moving repeatedly from one rented flat to another. Condell left school at 16, and his first job was washing dishes in the revolving restaurant on top of the Post Office tower, for five shillings an hour Condell did a number of jobs including six years' logging

[@alvarovirtual]

Pat Condell is a genius! Congratulations on the video!!

[@caspianthackt92]

i'm a christian, and this guy is my favorite athiest

[@ricibatera]

Genius :D

[@evangelosnitsopoulos5897]

...bravo I love it...we need a little humour...

[@MrAsaphelps]

"What I like about Judiasm, they don't preach themselves in your face" As far as I am concerned that is perfection, I feel people can believe whatever they like as long as they keep it to themselves, which is what the jews are mostly doing.

[@ClarityZone]

The group also maintains World Trade Centre 7 - a neighbouring building which caught fire and collapsed later in the day - was only partially damaged but had to be destroyed because it housed a clandestine CIA station. Professor James Fetzer, 65, a retired philosopher of science at the University of Minnesota, said: "The evidence is so overwhelming, but most Americans don't have time to take a look at this.".

[@thereds66]

some of the greatest works of art and greatest pieces of architecture have been created by religious people, and depicts elements of religion in light of religious history

[@ericlarue8010]

Another masterpiece. Telling the truth so Sisincly. Thank you.

[@bigsqueegee]

Great video Pat!! Don't forget all those beautiful churches, synagogues, temples and such that religions build so they can worship their god. So what if they ignore their brothers and sisters needs for food and shelter. I wonder how many homes and meals could be provided with the effort that has been put into worshiping god.

[@SalemGamorrah]

I want to hear more about his thoughts on Buddhism, I'm curious

[@skawalker35]

There are some books out there. There is a guy who wrote a book called "20 minutes in Hell". A young pastor who scoffed at how bad Hell could be. The book claims God allowed him to be in Hell for 20 minutes. He woke up in a cold sweat screaming. Scared the shit out of his wife. His conclusion was that the place was so horrible, he wouldn't even want Hitler or Nero to go there. I do not see injustice in salvation. Justice was paid on the cross. That's the whole point.

[@fekinel]

Thanks for the correction. Where would we be without the internet 'spelling and punctuation police'? You are doing a 'vital' job. Keep it up.

[@Turtletoots3]

@thomassimonis523 It makes religious people feel special, makes them fear less of the things they don't want to think about or don't understand, "excuses" them of hateful, violent acts and what I think is the biggest advantage for them is their life being controlled by a leader- they love it, they don't have to think about anything or make decisions, just leave it up to an imaginary friend so when things don't work out they could go "Why God! What plan was my son's death a part of?"

[@PFWoody488]

penintech:Evidence is what makes me change my mind. The things that we cannot yet explain do not prove anything. They just mean that we need to keep looking for better theories. Inventing magical beings or supernatural causes is a cop out. It tells us to stop asking questions and explains nothing. The ability to think for myself and question things is the best thing about being an Atheist. I don't need 'magic books' or 'holy men' to tell me what to think. I can reason for myself.

[@DontBendOverForAllah]

Its good to see a Comedian like Pat saying something positive about religion. he's not the only Comedian pointing out the postives in religion - forinstance Billy Connolly recently pointed out the positive aspect of a Suicide Bomber - 'One less Wanker in the World!'

[@NECHOII]

*PAT HE'S-GOT-BALLS CONDELL!*

[@MookieTenembaum]

Hope is the last thing you loose, common sense is the one before last.

[@doublehazelshot]

You should read Charles Taylor - Sources of the Self, I defines the identity of mankind over the centuries and how they strip off of religion and culture due to modern technology and accelareted progress. I don't believe in religion as itself but the affect it has on people, the regularity, the orderliness it gives to people. Especially to those, who have no family or partner, can give religion alot of hope (yet also despair) In times, where the world is developing into a technologial society, where the world is moving faster and rushing into one development to another, alot of people can't even comprehend to that and in the end ( I ) we see alot of depressed people.

[@ughhim83]

The Canadian philosopher not that warlord piece of shit from Liberia.

[@rubym357]

I rather like crescent moons and stars as well, Pat. I wear them often and enjoy the stories of Selene and Hubal. *WINK* Good on you man.

[@Jeanne7774]

What I like about them: Islam: the sound of the Call to Prayer and the sound of Arabic; Christianity: the film The Omen 1973 about it and the sound of Gregorian chant is nice; Judaism: Elizabeth Taylor converted: Hinduism: vegetarianism

[@twochordcool]

The other day I was walking by and I overheard someone preaching Christianity and I couldn't help myself - I said to him "somewhere on the other side of the planet somebody is telling somebody about Buddhism right now" He gave the typical reply: :But that's not the truth" I proceeded to remind him that very same person may be telling someone the same thing about Christianity. Then I want for the throat! I told him that MOST people are BORN into whatever religion they become (continued)

[@manlyphal959]

I am believer in Christ, more gnostic though. One thing I really love,love,love and admire is an atheist that reads the bible and the Qu'ran. I am heavily opposed to Islam, but I read the Qu'ran. It gives insight and knowledge into my own belief, my theological opposition, and history.

[@NorthCitySider]

@xClaraJaynex He is in fact, a vegetarian himself. He saw a deer being butchered and he became a vegetarian after that. No eggs, no fish, no cheese as far as I know.

[@ShpinxiLotus23]

lol sunday school started giving me nightmares like as early as preschool age...maybe even before then...i mean i dont have them anymore but anything that gives children nightmares and adults are blinded by, then id say something is horrendously wrong

[@gianich73]

Oh my God! I am speechless. How can someone say so many offenses in six minutes without using one inappropriate word? He is a Master in Sarcasm. No, I am wrong. He is a Doctor in Sarcasm. My respects even if I am a religious person and your detrimental speech against religion does not affect me.

[@ReelGuyTv]

@instereovideos, well, I got to know a lot of these people, lived with them at their homes and spent a considerable amount of time with them and they called them Gods. These were not westerners, by the way, or tourists, but locals that have lived in China all their lives and never been anywhere else in the world. And I am beginning to believe that the western interpretation of Buddhism is very off course. Where are you from by the way?

[@XMeK]

Mr. Condell... you have my vote for Sarcasm Laureate of the World. Peace.

[@skawalker35]

Do you ever watch that show by Morgan Freeman called "Through the Wormhole"? I love that show. You should watch the one about religion. I enjoy the scientific exploration of the issue, and I appreciate how the show seems to respect beliefs on either side. To me, that is true science. Considering all possibilities.

[@skawalker35]

Cont - As for people who have never heard the gospel message, there have been accounts of missionaries who have found distant tribes who were aware of Christ and the existence of God in some sense. Even without a Bible. I think I said before, that God has revealed Himself through His Word, Creation, and Jesus. Apparently, they were able to see that. Again, believing in a merciful God, I believe a distant tribe in the Amazon rain forest would receive grace specific to their situation.

[@TheCattracker]

@salamace7 i did some very bad things and i finally realized i didnt want this life for myself. i went to a yatec christian meeting and the power in that building was truly GODS Holy spirit. undeniable for me, i wept, i got on my knees and asked for forgiveness. my life has never been the same since. do i still sin? course, its a constant struggle against the evils all around. but my heart is with the LORD.

[@DonJohnSpain]

Great sense of humor, the world religions are described in a sarcastic but funny way. Many may be offended by it but surely mainly the ones that fit the describtion of intolerance. Great to live in a part of the world where freedom of speech is not the exlusive right for centain religions.

[@instereovideos]

@MikesMethods No problem, I didn't mean to sound rude... I'll try to explain. It doesn't make any sense that any Chinese Buddhists would be offering gifts to statues of Buddha. Maybe these weren't Buddhists, and they held some other beliefs. But the statues of the Buddha represent the quest to reach a "Buddha like" understanding; that everything is impermanent, life is suffering, and that being like Buddha (not worshipping him) can help you escape the cycle of suffering as he did (cont.)

[@Charismatic789]

Nothing if it ignores its own doctrines. "Thou shall not Kill" for example - is often ignored. But Atheist also kill - so that’s one thing they have in common.

[@GuntherL1]

Good for you! Hearing about the feelings of guilt that are imposed by religion, makes my blood boil. Do you know whether there are many others like you, in a similar situation?

[@fonstuursien]

Courage, truth and time... and also modiration. We should not be as extreme as religious fools. Fight with words not swords (or guns or knives or...)

[@obrium]

I think this is probably because the Greeks had a much better more laid back opinion of their gods and while the did give offerings, they didn't force the belief in them on anybody. I definitely prefer the Greek gods as they always have much better stories that are intentionally violent on occasions. Because of course that's all any religion is. A series of stories past down through generations that are eventually evolve into a belief. Maybe that's why its better not to record events

[@TeamCrazyTrain]

Happy Easter. - Bernard

[@Falloutmoon]

love your comment , you took the words right out of the tip of my typing fingers... :)

[@LucienLeeSeoul]

religious critics DO make differences in the world. they have been freeing humanity from religion and introducing them to reason. what were you doing whilest, irishtraitor?

[@obrium]

hey jcabrerapineda there is nothing wrong in believeing something that is reality. It's when you start believing in fictional characters is when you get the problems. What exactly do you get AT THE END?

[@esnakk]

thanks! You're right & thank you for enlightening me. I did not know that there were any good things about religion but now I know better! Thanks alot.

[@LEEDSmix]

I love your comments dude!

[@ClarityZone]

Atheists' mind set is exposed in that verse: "And when Our communications are recited to him, he turns back proudly, as if he had not heard them, as though in his ears were a heaviness, therefore announce to him a painful chastisement." The Holy Quran 31:7 You see, arrogance, fabrication of lies, whaling and shrieking...all age old tactics of disbelievers who deny and poison the will.

[@SamITNY]

VERY well said!

[@siegfriedgugg5973]

Hello! I always listen to you a few times. First for the content and then for your language and expression. Keep up your good work. It soothes my disappointment of the discouraging state of the human mind. You are a light in the darkness of mankind.

[@skawalker35]

And vis versa. I also know of people who were atheist and became Christians. I know people who were gay and became Christians. Again, I believe there are many variables. Many people become atheist who were previously religious because they had a bad experience or something. That's human failure. Not God failure. Maybe those who were studying to be ministers still didn't really get it, or were never really saved. They believed their works made them saved. Or made a decision based on feelings.

[@TearsOfWar1]

I can be the most positive person in the world and I still wouldn't know how religion is good for us.

[@christianitymustfall]

@Akuroth1, Yeah, I figured as much, I've been schooling him for a fortnight now. I would've stopped by now but it's to fun. Throw your hat in if you wish, I already have a few comrades in this debate.

[@mewanksta11]

religion gets you hope and force when you need it its like a mindcontrol that says BELIEVE IN ME it was very useful in the dark ages but were now in the 21 century and dont need that crap

[@sophivorus]

something good about islam is that they dont have priests like catholicism, and that they dont allow iconic representations (statues) of their religious figures

[@febbra2]

Oh, how striking. Yes, I rather had my eyes sewn shut. And I wouldn't describe myself as atheist. Just reasonably sane.

[@taijiteufel]

Ill give you that its about him but it is also about me because if i am created to be logical skeptical and made to judge existence soley on the criteria we use to judge existence then he knows exactly what this specific creation needs as input to create the output of belief in him

[@Hubs88]

I like your way of thinking!

[@gershonperry5952]

Mr,. Condell, it was the Romans that crucified Jesus. The Jesus invented thou shalt not kill and the Romans placed the guilt on other since by then, they already became followers of the Jewish teacher who did not come to change the law... or even one iota of that book.

[@skawalker35]

The fact that there are many different denominations I believe is a human failure. Not a God failure. Even inside Christianity, I believe that people who judge others based on their denomination is a human fault and causes division. There are people who may have a preference about which church they attend based on the methods on how they carry out the gospel. I do not associate myself with a denomination. Again, I could proclaim "taiji beast" religion, and there's another documented religion.

[@PhilWithCoffee]

Actually, the star and crescent is an ancient Anatolian symbol that was adopted by the Ottomans and then, later, adopted as a symbol of Islam. So, technically, it's a pagan (or, as some may say, heathen) symbol. Nice end to the video, also

[@TheDARIEN54321]

May I ask how? This very moment, one of my closest friends is with his mom while she is having a huge seizure. These seizures damage her brain and are going to cause her to have Alzheimer disease. It is in this time that we turn toward the lord and God, because you cannot walk through these things alone. People like you think that religion is all bad because you haven't seen the good sides of it, which far outweigh the bad sides.

[@foxfuzzbox1541]

Dang! He's a jolly poet too! And a rather good one, even.

[@JamesRichardWiley]

How does he do that, never missing a word. Teleprompter, photographic memory, Scientology?

[@scobra6652]

He was once a professional comedian so is used to public speaking.

[@ReelGuyTv]

@instereovideos, well, that's just the problem. Everything I read here is very different from what I experienced over there. I will question my friends and family in China on the matter since I'm so confused and learn more about the images they were bowing and praying to. Some I already know: Buddha, Guanyin and the 8 immortals. But there were HUNDREDS of statues in those temples. They even left money and offered gifts to them. I can get back to you if you want after I contact them...

[@ImhotepRamses]

that was so deep got tears in my eyes.

[@prowokator]

I've never regretted being drunk.

[@JaiChavan]

Amazing, how one could talk like a HINDU without knowing HINDUISM. Kindly do not convert else you could be corrupted. Be just the way you are, and I know it is most difficult, but try and try again without sacrificing life, Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Jai Hind.

[@Makyui]

@Charismatic789 The difference being atheists don't kill in the name of atheism, an atheist killer has absolutely nothing to do with his nonbelief in a god, so the commonality is about as meaningless as the commonality that they both breathe oxygen to survive.

[@PetesNikon]

Ha ha, Pat does it again. 'putting it all in a nutshell' and disguising insults with praise. How lovely.

[@CBMMmercinary]

It certainly provides a great analogy!

[@rogerdiogo6893]

I love how religion explains itself very easy, we did very bad things in the past, however now we don´t do any more harm, LOL!

[@skawalker35]

I want progress too. I just simply believe that if you remove that of which establishes principles and a basis on how we ought to live, then you destroy that society on which it was founded. Then, everything is permissible. Is it not? Why is not ok to murder or steal from someone? Who or what established that? If you then establish a new set of rules for how we ought to live and call it "taiji beast" doctrine, is that not just another religion? Logically speaking?

[@instereovideos]

@mattrR678 Well, no. A real Buddhist could never see the Buddha as a god. Central to Buddhism is the idea that there is nothing any more or less significant than anything else, and nothing is permanent. If you believed that Siddhartha was more significant than any other being, you'd be making a contradiction according to his own teachings. There are, however, many misinformed people who believe that Buddhists worship the Buddha. But they are not Buddhists, and Buddhism is not a system of belief.

[@TheSchemer1]

Not now that im now an agnostic atheist.

[@taijiteufel]

In what manner could you honestly debunk every religion and their respective religious claims unbiasedly and by that i mean giving the old their lieing, delusional, or satan tactics without the other religions being able to apply that same scrutiny to your religion?

[@MarkAllen-f1n]

Psalms 37:29 says "the righteous will possess the earth and reside on it forever" I believe that I'll be reunited with my late mother in paradise as promised by almighty God. I suppose the alternative is eternal death, but, if I can get comfort from the hope of the resurrection - why would that bother you or anybody else?

[@hanyuguo]

Knowledge has nothing to do with how you treat others. That has to do with morality, which has nothing implicitly connected "knowledge". If you find it moral to treat all others with respect and dignity, that is your choice. If this applies to people who are causing harm to others, that is also your choice and what you define to be moral. Condell does not. He finds harmful people deserve ridicule. Who are you to impose your morality on others? Are you not violating the very ideal you speak of?

[@Halofreakanoid]

Oh really? Like who exactly? And how does that make them popular within the actual atheist community, especially since this community is relatively new in its combined force.

[@wildtatz]

no brilliant in every form !!! pure truth ,,,!!!

[@TheDARIEN54321]

I can tell you that god certainly has done a lot of things. You can't judge off of him because he is close to non-existent in your life as you chose him to be. Prayers of mine have been answered. It wasn't like a beam of light out of the sky but a day or so after a prayer I would witness something that would be in direct relation to my prayer. I could hardly believe it myself.

[@kowalityjesus]

I pray for you.

[@taijiteufel]

One more thing ill mention so i dont forget is that what ive gathered from the christians ive been able to have conversations with such as this one they wont do this because of the box they try to stay in about not studying other religions is taking the time to research and study the anthropological evolution through history of judaism and eventually christianity, which is something ive bothered to do because well know thy enemy as they say lol. When you do that you start to see how the......

[@kevinsharma6969]

John Antonucci once ate a bible while water skiing

[@vrghiks]

Actually it's sad that Satan keeps these people's eyes blinded from the TRUTH. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.Matthew 23:15 Missionaries with a false gospel

[@l8rthen]

ricky, tx 4 the response. 1. Neither premise is correct. But religionists/religionists countries have not killed anywhere's near as many have athiests/athiests countrie. Not even close. 2. naturally social has a hierarchy. we are animals. In the animal world, there are heirarchies. usually just 1 is top dog. 2 preserve 1's trice, may mean taking away threat of others.

[@60BDoubleDollar]

Don't allow the religious zealots or the naïve atheists to confuse you about the SCIENTIFICALLY verifiable Reality of GOD.

[@munstrumridcully]

why are you watching it then? A few thoughts just aren't enough in the face of religious anti-reason and anti-liberty. People can believe anything they want, no matter how unsupported by evidence, as long as they don't infringe upon the rights of others. Unfortunately, religious people insist on using force of arms or law to force their beliefs on others, hence the need for constant vigilance and resistance through word and deed.

[@skawalker35]

Those are extreme examples. Those men, going as far as they did, were so far away from belief that it was probably one of the factors that I believe drove them to do what they did. Nero went on a Christian killing spree. It's obvious he hated God and wanted nothing to do with Him. I was simply using that as an example of how far God's love goes. The point is, anyone is redeemable in Christ. But, you have to choose to be in Christ to be redeemed. They obviously didn't.

[@brainsaladsurgery4594]

Buddhism is not a religion, it is a Philosophy. how to train the mind. And be happy in the here and now.

[@ChristianIce]

There is no "soul" and after studing your language a bit i found out there is no "hart" either. Religion .. too bad, it exist for real, it was not a bad dream. god .. who?

[@brandisify]

This is exactly what Jesus taught! It is not about religion, the key is to have a personal relationship with God.

[@locouru]

Theists always say this and that MUST be a certain way. MUST be something is meaningless. Show that it is that way and you will get people's attention. If everything had a beginning like you say then so did god. If god didn't have a beginning show why god does not fall in the category of "everything".

[@zh1412]

@Anandfulness We all wish for the same as you do:) I, as an atheist wish that religious people are like you, rational enough to know that religion is a private self indulgence. But look at all the theistic religions around you, trying to force their way into secular governments. Have controls over tax exemptions etc. Makes you wonder what have they contributed to this society to gain such an untouchable status. And such religions ARE hurting us,inhibiting progress, as a species.

[@taijiteufel]

Excluding my dahmer bit thats still a gross injustice for this reason (besides doing all the good works and being an atheist bit) god me the way i am and for my brain to rationalize and process existence in the manner that it does, with this in mind god is also all knowing, knows he made my brain with this thought process, and knows exactly what it will take for me to believe in him but refuses to provide me that evidence.

[@taijiteufel]

things aside can you aptly demonstrate which one is THE right one without debunking your particular position of christianity?

[@nowfoundmichael]

Thumbs up if you notice that Pat Condell is always an angry old man with glasses in all his videos

[@gorthorki]

free-thinking, life-enjoying,...