Why We Wanted to Believe

[@ksturmer5388]

Honestly, your videos posted a while back, refuting even the basics (Noah's Ark onwards and stuff) helped me escape from the cult mind control, and changed my life for the better. I've never looked back since. You are a remarkable human being. Cheers Aron. Your talks get stronger.

[@bretzajac7986]

Hey moron here is one thing the bible got right and i would love to hear your opinion on it. How do you explain the 70 weeks prophecy in light of the Dead Sea Scrolls containing Daniel pre-dating Christ.? Not the evangelical 1850's BS but the Isaiah (Cyrus) pre-1850 interpretation. That is just 1 and there are 1800+ prophesies the bible "got right". At least if you are going to criticize Christianity learn a bit 1st. This moron is so off on his so called religious studies only his fan boys fall for his con.

[@skyshroudsylvan6022]

@@bretzajac7986 Aren't you supposed to upstanding? Calling someone a moron isn't what I'd call upstanding or forgiving for that matter. A book written by man which points out that slavery, mass genocide, and incest is okay. Unless, you cherry pick and skip over those. The only fan boys for a con, as you put it, are of religion. I suggest that if you want to talk then call The Atheist Experience. They will gladly talk with you about whatever beliefs you have. Unless, you are afraid.

[@exactly7788]

Yeah I found the Noah's ark videos back when I was starting to question my belief, it definitely help me out alot

[@exactly7788]

@keecefly well calling him a moron instead of refuting his point isn't really a point for us

[@exactly7788]

@@bretzajac7986 other than the adhomoin attacks, good point

[@toddlazarus5952]

Thanks for being instrumental in my deconversion from a strict and oppressive religion. I owe you a beer.

[@phxbillcee]

You got a "like" from Aron Ra because he's gonna hold you to that beer offer! LOL

[@factsabouturmum9250]

ur mum's an oppressive religion

[@toddlazarus5952]

phxbillcee Giving him $15 on Patreon should cover it, for now.

[@phxbillcee]

I believe you're correct, that ought to do it,...for now! LOL

[@DrownedInExile]

I'll drink to that!

[@thomasruwart1722]

"I'm quite happy to be an atheist, because, I think God actually likes atheists better. We never ask him for anything. We're not bothering him all the time: Oh God, please help me, I'm in a... " -Dave Allen

[@danielf.7151]

Isn't it weird how followers of a religion that says "Arrogance is a vice" have a such hard time accepting that they're not a special part in some cosmic plan?

[@fredriksundberg4624]

Daniel F. : It messes up their interpretation of their reality that they're not being at centerstage of the whole world and Cosmos.

[@halloen33]

hi hi hi at least it is easy to talk with an atheist even for me as a believer

[@tofu_golem]

Thomas Ruwart Thank you for admitting that theist belief is based on reason-destroying fear. Now I pity them even more.

[@energyquicksand]

He might like you a tad more if you'd stroke something else....just wondering?

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

"Faith is the excuse people give when they don't have evidence." -Matt Dillahunty

[@thetruthchannel349]

All hail the pinhead.

[@josephrodriguez2780]

Faith is an empty word.

[@Therebesquare]

The irony of you, you poor fool.

[@thakraken6995]

@@Therebesquare *condescending prick detected*

[@poozer1986]

@@Therebesquare irony? Please, expand

[@jeanetteyork2582]

The chief reason people fall into the addiction of religion is that religion feeds ego at every point. People are also lazy. If they can believe something happens by magic, that means they don't have to spend years studying to understand the world. I've known many "Christians" who were both tremendously ego-vain and lazy. Dr. M. Scott Peck said that human evil is a result of vanity and laziness. I agree with him. Vanity and laziness are hallmarks of many of not most religious believers. Keep up the good work, Aron !!!!

[@hshocker98]

*"What is worse than a blind man is a blind man that calls other blind for the things he cannot see."*

[@fredriksundberg4624]

Who's the biggest fool? The fool, or the people following the fool? And according christians and their bible :we've said in our hearts there's is no god and we've professed ourselves to be wise? Religion Reverses Everything.

[@jilliansmith7123]

The WISE person hath said in his/her heart, "I don't believe in things without sufficient empirical evidence, therefore I don't believe in a god or gods.: The fool hath said, "I know that I know that I know" without evidence except gullibility and wishful, magical thinking.

[@vladislavdracula1763]

Who is that quoting?

[@hshocker98]

Fredrik Sundberg true

[@blackmachinima2711]

'A fool says in his heart that God is not real... A wise man says it aloud.' - Thanks Aron

[@phxbillcee]

Your talks are becoming more succinct, concise & on point the more you give them! Kudos!

[@blixx8931]

phxbillcee fucking Ra and Dillihunty are badass.. i wish i could meet them and hang out with them..i like harris and dakins and all the other horsemen but these guys are the new horsemen..and not to mention i know Aron is a metal head like me..

[@phxbillcee]

Yeah, gonna have to keep an eye on the local skeptics "clubs" to see if either of those guys are giving talks. I wouldn't mind meeting & speaking with them myself!

[@r.joshuacollins7621]

Here is Scientific proof that there is a Creator - it actually takes more faith to believe there is no God - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZLLi5-ortqVY5Y

[@blixx8931]

R.Joshua Collins lol really? And you didn't get a nobel prize or anything.. Wow amazing.. Can't believe this whole time that i was wrong being an atheist... Hope your sense my sarcasm.

[@phxbillcee]

R.J.C. Irreducible complexity? Really? & using the human body as your example? Geez, read a biology book/text for bog's sake! That argument is as bad as the "god of the Gaps"! I advise you to read Dawkins' biology/evolution books, watch more Aron Ra videos or even & maybe better, tho you may have to dig a bit more for specifics to this topic, any biologist who has no horse in this race (as a proponent of atheism) who is a specialist in this subject. The only "scientists" that will back this view are usually not biologists & have a decidedly creationist worldview. This failed in a Dover, PA court a number of years ago, & it fails now!

[@juliebarks3195]

A worthy replacement for the late great Christopher Hitchens. Keep up the good work AronRa.

[@NoodlePastie]

Definitely

[@bretzajac7986]

Hey moron here is one thing the bible got right and i would love to hear your opinion on it. How do you explain the 70 weeks prophecy in light of the Dead Sea Scrolls containing Daniel pre-dating Christ.? Not the evangelical 1850's BS but the Isaiah (Cyrus) pre-1850 interpretation. That is just 1 and there are 1800+ prophesies the bible "got right". At least if you are going to criticize Christianity learn a bit 1st. This moron is so off on his so called religious studies only his fan boys fall for his con.

[@jovicagasic98]

@@bretzajac7986 I'm still waiting for tyre to fall and be barren.

[@bretzajac7986]

@@jovicagasic98 wow you are very uniformed on tyre. the prophecy states it will be scrapped to the bone and used by fishermen to dry their nets. so lets look at this to get you up to speed. the original tyre was abandoned and the entire city moved to a near by island for safety. when alexander the great went to destroy tyre he used the original city (scrapped to the bedrock) to make a bridge to the island to attack them and fishermen use that bridge made with the original tyre to dry their fish nets to this day. so you see my uninformed atheist friend it came to pass exactly as prophesied. wow get a clue you're too easy.

[@jovicagasic98]

@@bretzajac7986 okay even some of the ancient city pillars are still standing so I know you're full of shit when you say it was leveled to "bedrock" but even further it's still inhabited today. Meaning it did not come to fruition as stated. Considering that the location of the "original" city is within the new one. Your book is still false and your prophecies have 0 predictive power today.

[@anna-elizabeth]

My best friend died last December. I miss her very much. She was, and I am, Atheist. She was kind, generous, hilariously funny, and a deep thinker. Do I wish I could see her again? Of course I do. But neither of us believe in afterlife. Instead, I remember my friend. Sometimes with sadness, but most often with a smile. She was not the only person whom I loved or cared for that died in 2018, and so I resolved to be a better human being in 2019, and to be the best I can be for my departed friends. Believe me, I sympathize with the longing to see the people one loved again someday. I wish I could too. But knowing that I will not see them again, I am trying to live the best life I can, to enjoy what they cannot, and to tell others about my friend.

[@healthyone100]

i miss acyhara S. she wrote books about Jesus a beautiful soul she died in 2015!

[@stevenhogenson4880]

"It's all about the power of pretend." Nice! I love your indication that belief is a delusion. After I left the faith, every time I drive by a church on a Sunday morning with a parking lot full of cars, I simply mutter "Ahhh! A gathering of the dearly deluded...." I owe much to the rationality and knowledge of people like Aron and Matt Dillahunty. Deep knowledge of the faith premises and then the ability to utterly refute it.

[@emptybucket1988]

A gathering of clearly deluded 😂😂😂

[@markdoldon8852]

I watch all your stuff, and I'm a Patron. I can truthfully say that this was a brilliant, eloquent talk. I'll listen more than once, I know. Thank you.

[@deelostyles3957]

I love this guy and his expertise on this subject, science, and philosophy in general.

[@BlackEpyon]

The lovely thing about being an autodidact is that you are never confined to only the subject of your doctorate. The whole world is your classroom.

[@Tonylarkins39]

Aron Ra absolutely does not have expertise in Philosophy. Just an FYI, he says himself that he "doesn't do Philosophy." I'm not trying to be insulting, but he's one of the least Philosophically literate people I have ever heard speak.

[@Tonylarkins39]

Aron Ra says himself that he "doesn't do Philosophy." No offense, but he's one of the least philosophically literate people I've ever heard speak on these subjects, or at all.

[@Tonylarkins39]

What can be said about Aron is: He's memorized a lot of Evolutionist propaganda. This does not qualify as scientific expertise, though. It qualifies as propaganda memorization.

[@jebuskrist1302]

That was awesome. I plan on showing my grandmother who is 87 yrs old this. She has finally started to think outside of the Christian beliefs she's held onto since a child. Thank you

[@Baigle1]

I like your name, maybe "Brian of Nazareth" would work just as well.

[@Zer0.-_]

Jebus Krist Why bother? She is so old and in my opinion doesn't have the time to process the fact that the afterlife she has been promised for almost 90 years likely isn't there. I'd personally let her go happy in her faith that her family and friends are there waiting. Just my opinion anyway.

[@NejatMolla]

Man, if she started rational thinking by herself go ahead tel her the truth. But never ever, try to convert an 87 year old religious person to atheism, because at that point they need religion, don't let their last few years be in misery. Not everybody feels liberated when they quit religion, for example i was depressed for a while when i quit islam, because altough i was free, knowing that i won't live forever in a heaven, fucking virgins and stuff made me a bit upset.

[@izellets7361]

"Why bother? She is so old and in my opinion it's like she's already dead. She might be sad for not getting her afterlife candy and having been lied to. I'd personally let her go happy in her deception. Just my opinion anyway." Man, old people are alive. They can still move forward, experience new stuff, learn and grow... and maybe come to terms with old demons. What of all the people she's lost who she might think were doomed to hell? What of guilt? What of her fear of hell? What of people she might have shut out because of her faith (maybe Jebus's parents are not christians and that reunion was long-awaited). Not everyone would react in a set way when "losing" their faith. It all depends on circumstances.

[@Baigle1]

The truth hurts, but stupid hurts more.

[@phxbillcee]

"How the f**k can anybody be a serious theologian?" LOL

[@Polar702bear]

phxbillcee mental gymnastics.

[@thomasruwart1722]

Polar72bear: I think you're right - whenever I think about the twisted logic religious peeps use to explain their beliefs, I sprain a neuron every time!

[@phxbillcee]

Yep, fear of death, need to be the center of attention (the right religion, the universe created for you, your god listens & interferes for you) & much wishful thinking leads to such twisted thinking that the Gordian Knot was a simple square knot in comparison!

[@jwickerszh]

TBH, theology as the study of religions does not mean you have to believe in any of it, it is more like having a PHD in Tolkien's theology, although actual religions do have an impact on history and thus studying them is considered more useful.

[@skepticpsychologist5458]

exodus21v20, I strongly suspect that most seminaries have an extremely biased syllabus including teaching that denomination's particular interpretation of the bible, how to perform the magic rituals such as wafers into the flesh of Jesus, a deeply biased history of their denomination, some practice at straw-manning. But then mainly the tricks and skills of running a successful business ...I mean church - yes, church.

[@sweetpeabrown261]

You've become an outstanding speaker on atheism. Thanks for all the hard work that you do.

[@Redhunteur2]

Brilliant as always, Aron. Thank you for all you do in your speeches and science vids.

[@CrunchyDark]

Knowledge is power. Thank you AronRa!

[@emilyrobertson2261]

😂😂😂 The analogy about buzz lightyear finding out he is just a toy! "Realizing your not a space ranger" Hilarious! 35:05

[@raijinmeister]

Well said. Is just a shame that all those really good and compelling arguments will not be grasped or simply ignored by religious people.

[@Baigle1]

They ignore it and pretend they have won by spouting repetitive garbage.

[@rojh9351]

But a few will - it was listening to people like Aron Ra, Matt Dillahunty and - funnily enough - Ray Comfort that brought me face to face with the irrationality or my faith. I now reject any supernatural claim without the demonstration that such a thing is possible. It’s a very low bar that so far no supernatural claim has made, and it’s thanks to these irrefutable, rational arguments that I’m now free of all that.

[@BlackEpyon]

Go to any gathering of atheists. Ask people to raise their hand if they had been talked OUT of their faith. Note how many hands go up. Then you'll realize how silly your assumption is.

[@bretzajac7986]

Hey moron here is one thing the bible got right and i would love to hear your opinion on it. How do you explain the 70 weeks prophecy in light of the Dead Sea Scrolls containing Daniel pre-dating Christ.? Not the evangelical 1850's BS but the Isaiah (Cyrus) pre-1850 interpretation. That is just 1 and there are 1800+ prophesies the bible "got right". At least if you are going to criticize Christianity learn a bit 1st. This moron is so off on his so called religious studies only his fan boys fall for his con.

[@masonyeager9289]

Bret Zajac stop coping that comment. you were proven wrong in the first comment.

[@zvonimirtomac7896]

Yeah, when I was religious I also had a nag for ignoring arguments against God. Thanks to people like you Aron, I broke that shell.

[@victorvelie3980]

I think a major reason why people evolved to believe in myth is because it creates a psychological bond that goes beyond personal relationships allowing tribes to work together on a grander scale, which is why mythology is still one of the main sources of community for people and why it's so intertwined with social morality

[@WilbertLek]

150 years ago.

[@liljade53]

@@WilbertLek best comment on the interwebs

[@fashizzle78]

I love Aron Ra

[@ogreman-lll-957]

We all wanted to believe in magic. We all had faith in magic. But we all grow up at some point.

[@Cliffjumper24]

Hey Aron! I had an amusing conversation with a streetr preacher in Manchester earlier this year.... and it's right up there with the guy you told me who literally put his fingers in his ears, closed his eyes, and shouted "LA LA LA LA!!!" you told me about. So we're talking and the concept of sin came up. I asked whether lying and stealing are 'always wrong' in every situation..... and he said "Yes" I replied "Well I can give an example of each where they are the 'most' moral thing to do..... "No Mr Nazi, there are no Jews in my attic"!.". There are Jews in my attic, but if I say so, I know they will get taken away and killed, so by telling a lie, I am saving their lives!" "That's not a sin" he said. "But you said it's always a sin in every situation.... in this one there are Jews in my attic, but if I say so, I know they will get taken away and killed, so by telling a lie, I am saving their lives." I then gave the stealing example... "If I steal the gun from the friend that is showing signs of mental instability and saying they're going to go and commit a mall shooting, is that wrong?" "No" he replied. "But again, you said that it's always wrong in every circumstance and every situation! "It couldn't happen anyway..." he tried to counter", because guns are illegal here" (the UK) "Okay," I replied, "We're in America, where you have the right to bear arms, and the right to arm bears... what now" "It's not stealing" he faltered. "Of course it is, "I countered, "I'm depriving him of his property, even if it's only temporarily until I cen get him some help..... But not only am I saving the lives of the people he would have shot, I'm probably saving my friends life too, because he'd probably end up shooting himself, or the police shooting him dead... so either way, it's the correct and moral thing to do!" Well we batted it around a bit..... but in the end, he had to change the definition of how we use words..... ....by saying... ... "Lying is saying that Jesus isn't God!"... and showed me a bible verse out of context to the rest of the chapter!!! When someone has to resort to redefining how words are used.... you know that they need to protect their faith position by *any means neccesary* so they can continue to believe what they want to believe!! Oh Aron, by the way.... you have spoken to this same guy outside the Palace hotel in Manchester! kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6ikc5qVib-ia6M

[@Scyllax]

Cliffjumper24 He wouldn’t have a gun because owning a gun is illegal? Gee, a mass murderer breaks the law? Who’d a thunk it?

[@Cliffjumper24]

+M. Hall *He wouldn’t have a gun because owning a gun is illegal? Gee, a mass murderer breaks the law? Who’d a thunk it?* Here in the UK guns are illegal... except airguns and some shotguns, but you need a licence which is strictly policed. The only place you could buy a gun is from criminals... and most are WW1/WW2 era weapons brought home from the war by grandad, and are pistols. And then you can't get ammunition for them either. You certainly can't get AK-47/74, M16's or AR-15's, or their ammunition. Personally, I like it the way we have it. The police don't have to worry that the driver of a car with a broken tail light is armed, and we have had just three mass shooting incidents in the time I've been alive! Hungerford in 1987, Dunblaine in 1996, and Cumbria in 2005. That amounted to 46 mass shooting deaths in the WHOLE of the 20th century!

[@Scyllax]

Cliffjumper24 I’m just saying a really determined person could find himself a gun if he wanted to. I wish the US had strict gun laws, and confiscated military weapons from the population.

[@Cliffjumper24]

I understand. :^) The difficulty is.... even if I was determined to get a gun.... I wouldn't know where to start. Even if I managed to find a drug dealer who knows someone, who knows someone, who knows someone that might have a gun... every single link in that chain might inform the police, because as much as they don't mind selling drugs, they wouldn't want to be party to a shooting, because people go to jail for that kind of thing.

[@chamicels]

what does that have to do with sin

[@MINDYOUROWNBUISINESS]

Just wanted to say that Aron Ra is perhaps my most admired living American.

[@infinitysalinity7981]

Not even close. But he's still a good public speaker.

[@BlackEpyon]

He's no Christopher Hitchens... But he's in the same class of heavy-hitters, IMO.

[@VoytEngineering]

And Aaron is a Texan no less.

[@CJCroen1393]

The Toy Story analogy was spot-on.

[@seatspud]

And I'll go sailing no more.

[@williamchamberlain2263]

the feels

[@bn2593]

I absolutely love watching you. You speak the truth!!!! ❤️

[@phxbillcee]

When you think of what the odds are against "us" existing, rather than another combination of genes, embrace what you have, make the most of life here & now & live life to the fullest!

[@YouHolli]

Well, you can't be rational in all areas can you?

[@phxbillcee]

Who would want to be?!? I enjoy a good fantasy or horror flick, I'm just not going to worship Gandalf or Freddie Kruger!

[@YouHolli]

i'm sorry, this comment was meant for somebody else.

[@GrungeMaster92]

time dilation. the odds are zero. time not experienced is null. (infinitely fast). that means reincarnation. with vague uncertainty

[@pdoylemi]

+GoldyLuck Please clarify - because that made no sense.

[@PigRipperLAW]

Love this guy. Thank you AronRa! Keep sticking it to them

[@Trillidotia]

This is the best lecture I've ever heard Aron give. Once I examined my faith with integrit, there was no going back, and I struggled with why it took me so long to see that it just didn't hold any water. I was embarrassed and ashamed at how I'd been duped well into adulthood. In my case, it was the desire to be accepted and seen as a good person, which entailed being a believer. That was pretty much it. I realized I'd been pretending it was all real all along. But I do see that for many evangelicals, it's tantamount to addiction.

[@typingcat]

"Here is my thesis about how Jesus could walk on the water." "Good, good. Could you please review my thesis about how Mohammed could fly on a horse?"

[@YY4Me133]

:D

[@engiecat705]

I walk on water every winter.

[@BlackEpyon]

Physics, yo!

[@elephystry]

There’s a lizard called Basilisk that can run on water.

[@denbecr49]

Jesus could walk on water, but only before they put those holes in his feet.

[@sicpuppy9435]

Thor is the only true god, as written in the holy Marvel comic books - He is the god of storms, thunder, lightning, fertility, oak trees and you can find a hammer in almost every household. All of which are real and can be proved by science to exist - Proof Thor is the true god

[@seanmichaels8060]

I've read the Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda as well as Marvel Comics. All those books and comic books have become my holy scriptures. They're more entertaining than the Bible. LOL.

[@sovietbot6708]

We can objectively prove lightning and a Chris Hemsworth exist as well, moreso proving Thor. Also, people in Nordic countries are often happy proving even more that Thor exists.

[@connorirons4542]

I am now convince that the god Thor exist. It has more evidence than god so...

[@Truth-Be-Told-USA]

Idiots don't want to accept everything living dies. They want to believe magical spirits exist after death

[@RealLife-dp9dd]

Your clarity of thought makes it so compelling to listen to you

[@noname-by3qz]

We didn't want to believe. We were told to when we were little. I'm totally impressed that the unitarian had him speak. Good for them.

[@thomashugus5686]

RN speaks with such clarity!

[@dkyoungson151]

Theology is a subject without an object.

[@omarisawesome1996]

DK Youngson it (like philosophy) is a field that doesn't care about facts and disrespects science. Fuck that theologian he debated.

[@omarisawesome1996]

hey! dude! if youre majoring in something (philosophy and theology) where you can just make shit up and assert it as fact, fuck you. I especially hate when philosophers make their statements overly complicated with excessive "ology's" to make themselves seem smarter.

[@omarisawesome1996]

hey! dude! making shit up is when you assert stuff without any intention of testing it or backing it up with facts.

[@omarisawesome1996]

hey! dude! an example would be all of philosophy.

[@thetruthchannel349]

Says a guy who knows ZIP about Theology, subjects or objects.

[@Berbs73]

I really loved this. So refreshing! Thanks Aron!

[@Monev360]

Aron Ra, in my home state doing his thing! Great work!

[@jonisponis6560]

No idea how I have missed your channel during all these years following Hitchens, Dawkins etc. This channel is a gem. Love that everything you say is run by facts and not purely by emotions. Keep it up AronRa! From Sweden with love

[@jonisponis6560]

he11b1ade Thanks!

[@seanmichaels8060]

I like how he says at 19:30 that the universe doesn't care about balancing good and evil. But the justice system does, as does the person who will punch you in the face or kick your ass if you act bad. It's up to us to punish evil or ensure that something bad happens to the evil-doer. There's no God to care.

[@slothimpairment8841]

Thank you for the well worded speech.

[@samartzis2000]

The biggest problem with talking to theists is the definition of words. You both have to agree on the definitions otherwise it very quickly turns into a mess. Aron has this experience many times, I also have this problem 99% of the time.

[@Ycekhold]

They don't want to do that, though. They're in the mindset of Humpty Dumpty from the story of Alice In Wonderland, who said "When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean -- neither more nor less". If they allow words to be pre-defined, it becomes very difficult (if not impossible) for them to move the proverbial goalposts, and that's something they can't have.

[@samartzis2000]

Da Rat Bastid tell me about it! They keep their heads deep in that rabbit hole.

[@Longtack55]

Paul Samartzis. Ludweig Wittgenstein wrestled with Tautology so you're in good company. When he says "Propositions of Logic are tautologies" he's referring to the fact that the axioms of propositional logic are only tautologies, and therefore any statements that can be proven therefrom are also tautologies?

[@samartzis2000]

David Renwick please forgive me if I got this wrong , so does that mean (for example) that Ken Hams logic carries the same weight as Bill Nye ?

[@timhyatt9185]

as soon as you pin the down on a definition, they'll move the goalpost and start switching other things around.....it's an inherent part of most creationists arguments, particularly when they talk about the information in DNA, as well as in the old canard: "Evolution is JUST a "theory"...." they KNOW they're misusing the term; they do it deliberately....

[@yishaqdavid2029]

Found my brother dead from a drug overdose. ( accidental) I tried to believe in something hoping that maybe he was still somewhere happy. I took me years to find it. He was inside me the whole time, my brother, not god. Memories are what I have left and as they fade so does my brother. Not that I could ever forget him but I can easily talk about it openly now.

[@OldHeathen1963]

I'm sorry for your loss. I think as long as we have our loved ones in our minds....they live and are loved.

[@j.dmetalhead7517]

Aron Ra another excellent speech. I sat and chuckled throughout most of the video. Thanks again for a concise and erudite speech.

[@Leadbellylindy]

Sir, you are the first evolutionist, athiest I have ever listened to. My mind is blown. I am thankful for being duped by "Dr." Hovind many moons ago. If I had not, I'd never would have watch your debate with him. Thanks!

[@rammsteinrulz16]

Cheers for finding your way away from that tool, and lets continue forward together, but lets find a recycle bin for the term "evolutionist" seeing as its about as useful as a conservative Democrat. Quite frankly it just sounds like "Trumpist".

[@thecatsays]

My father used the old Proverbs spare the rod spoil the child. I was six and brushed my teeth. My batshit mother watched, and when my father came home, he whipped me with the metal end of his belt. At 12, I couldn't do a math problem his way because method changed. I told him that seven others besides me were confused on that exact problem. I was picked up by the neck and thrown so hard into the couch it flipped over on me. I went to school with finger bruises on my neck and nothing was done. I was told religion allowed my ex husband to rape me in my sleep. When my parents' friend tried to rape me, my parents used the bible stating my clothing needs to be better and more modest to not get SAed as per the bible. I love hearing Aron talk with his voice and knowledge.

[@Sparkydr07]

We may have lost Christopher Hitchins , but we now have AronRa to stand in his shoes . Are you coming to the UK anytime soon to do any talks ?

[@juliebarks3195]

Yes I agree . We are getting off shoot churches from the USA coming here, like the vineyard movement, started by the late john wimber. They split from the infamous toronto christian fellowship . They target university towns, and schools. They are spreading throughout the country.

[@AnnetQuintanaKnowsBest]

Julie Barks I'm sorry. Just another thing we Americans should apologize for, along with unnecessary international warfare, the egotism to think we are better than anyone, and the nasty rash on cuisine that is fast food. We may have, once, led civilization in the areas of science, human rights and discovery. Now, we are a nation of oblivious sheep that actively seek habits and/or substances that cloud our minds while our media (along with governments encouragement) feeds us a steady diet of unimportant fluff to complement the absolute crap we eat. I love my country, I would fight for its continuance and gladly give my life. But this country no longer espouses the virtues that made it great once. It saddens and angers me, makes me wish I could open societys eyes to the dark road they have started down. I plan on leaving this country soon, feeling guilty that I should instead stay and change things. However, while I would give my life, I refuse to sacrifice my children s futures to a country that no longer respects their rights, that instead of supporting their citizens, supports the corporations that seek to strip them of the little freedom and health they have left.

[@Sparkydr07]

Annet Quintana Human beings as a whole should apologize to each other and everything on the planet , we could be excused through ignorance throughout history as because we evolved into a heightened state of self awareness we required answers for things . We have developed reason now through science and observations . We no longer have the excuse of ignorance . We are all guilty as a species . If humans wish to survive we need to do away with ignorant traditions , forget worrying about offending people , you'll always have bad people , but you'll only get good people doing bad things through necessity or more commonly Religion . Not only America but we in the UK and Europe need more people like Aron to educate people !

[@AnnetQuintanaKnowsBest]

mark reynolds I completely agree. Aron is definitely an example of the world view that humans as a whole need to espouse. One that recognizes science and reason as the forces that will save us from the actions of our predessesors, help us undo the damage we have done to this planet and the regressive path we have taken in the areas of health care, civil liberties and human rights in general. You have a good day Mark and I will join you in hoping that its not too late to reverse the wrong we have done, in ignorance and pride.

[@Sparkydr07]

Annet Quintana Education is our strongest weapon , I love learning . I do not understand why people settle with being told a holy book has all the answers . To me that's so lazy ! Anyway I could go on and on . You have a good day to , may you never get tired of learning 😊 . Peace .

[@MegaChickenfish]

35:05 That is my favorite analogy out of any of your lectures so far. So perfect. *THUD!*

[@MrWessiide]

Praise be to Ra! I just want to stand up and yell Preach!

[@lizardpieable]

This is just what I needed to hear. You make so much sense...your ideas about karma are what I see a friend of mine going through right now, karmic justice...and I get so frustrated at times listening to it. He's committed to that belief. You've given me clarity on this situation, thank you.

[@milohilltop3691]

Karma was the last supernatural belief I gave up also, but I think it was a tenuous belief from the beginning for me. It is an extremely seductive wish for someone who values justice and fairness, but when I left my religion and the subject of karma came up I immediately recognized the disconnect from reality. Thank you for your work.

[@sabrinaloizides-merideth9874]

I truly loved this one. I'll be sharing it around. The Buzz Lightyear analogy was awesome and on point.

[@louistournas120]

15:00 Having a doctorate in theology is like have a doctorate in mother goose! LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL. "The American satirist Mark Twain remarked in his essay "The Lowest Animal", originally written in around 1896, but not published until after Twain's death in 1910,[77] that "[Man] is the only animal that loves his neighbor as himself and cuts his throat if his theology isn't straight. He has made a graveyard of the globe in trying his honest best to smooth his brother's path to happiness and heaven... The higher animals have no religion. And we are told that they are going to be left out in the Hereafter. I wonder why? It seems questionable taste"

[@deadbunnyking]

Keep doing what you are best at. Your information helped me greatly when I deconverted. So thank you and I hope to see future works from you.

[@MrYondaime1995]

I watched an interview with a famous writer in my country where he claimed that he was once "the biggest atheist of all" and that he later converted to christianity. When people asked the reason for the conversion he said that "the jesus character is so impressive that there's no way he was just a man". I facepalmed so hard when i heard that. Even if Jesus really existed the gospels aren't realiable, and we can't know if any of the great deeds and words of jesus were just made up to make him look like a great guy. And even then he makes some crazy things like beating people in the temple. Also Buddha was too a really great guy, but that doesn't mean he was god. Thinking about it now, his anwser resembles the CS Lewis' "Liar, lunatic or lord" apologetic.

[@Longtack55]

Fortunately the Buddha and his followers don't claim he's a god and there's evidence that he lived. (Gautama Siddhartha lived from about 563 to 483 BCE.)

[@BlackEpyon]

The apolegetics of C.S. Lewis are worth some reading if you wish to get practice in identifying logical fallacies, because they are well hidden. But one of the things I actually agree with him on is that a man, who is just a man, and said the kinds of things that Jesus said would be a lunatic on the level of a man who says that he is a poached egg.

[@elephystry]

There is one word missing from that trichotomy, and that is legend.

[@Jay-xw9ll]

Do these ppl that say "why can't I believe what I know has been proven false" not value truth at all then? They seem to see no merit in truth, or honesty?

[@drumcircler]

Aron, you put my thoughts into such clear explanations.

[@michaelpondo6324]

Great philosopher. A grat lecture to prvoke a conversation about religion and its place in our livrs.

[@artawesome30]

I had a psychotic episode during which I believed myself to be a goddess with superpowers, the second coming of Jesus, and the chosen one of magic. It lasted almost a year and a half, and only ended after involuntary hospitalization and medication. One thing I remember so vividly, a few days after coming home from the hospital, was watching that scene from Toy Story, of Buzz realizing he’s not a space ranger. I remember relating so deeply to it, except for when Buzz said “I’ll get through this”, I didn’t think I would. Fortunately, I have so far. I find it so funny you’d use that scene as an example, that was exactly my experience. You really nailed the comparison.

[@Troubleshooter125]

Aron, I hate to contradict you, but the one _Twilight Zone_ which, while wonderfully written, subjected its harmless protagonist to perhaps the cruelest cut of all was "Time Enough at Last." Therein, Burgess Meredith's unforgettable Henry Bemis goes from being a henpecked book lover to the sole survivor of an atomic holocaust to seriously contemplating suicide, right up until he seems to get his "just reward" in discovering the public library. Yet we both know what happens to him, and no, I won't divulge the end for those who have never seen that episode (and PLEASE, no spoilers, gang!!!) ... and it is that denouement which gives that short story its power and poignancy.

[@OldHeathen1963]

Very cruel. Poor guy didn't deserve that.

[@SchiwiM]

You are so right, thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@hewhomustnotbenamed5912]

We must never forgot why we debate creationists. No matter how stubborn they are, no matter how much they refuse to listen. We still do it for the audience. For the people on the fence. Atheism is one of the fastest growing, if not the fastest growing religious affiliation. This shows that we are clearly wining and that someone is deconverting and it's not who we debate. It's who's watching.

[@kinglyzard]

The reason that debates in this region go nowhere is that the debaters aren't on the same mental page. Scientists argue from the critical and logical view and apologists argue thru emotion. No wonder nothing is accomplished.

[@kinglyzard]

Little wonder nothing gets accomplished in these debates. The opposers are not on the same mental page. Scientists argue from critical and logical thinking, and apologists argue from emotion.

[@vincentlospinuso7232]

Well done Aron, well done. You are an inspiration of mine when it comes to critical thinking. Thank you

[@mattwoods4815]

You're final statement couldn't have been more perfect.

[@elephystry]

Dragon mage Your*

[@OnlyTruthLove]

Darn it! I was really hyped to see the hair moving around from the fan!!!

[@AttentiveDragon]

"Even if there is a god, the meaning of your life is determined by what your life meant to other people, in addition to the purpose you've chosen for yourself." That just sums it all up so perfectly.

[@HeavyHauler]

Aron Ra came here to North Carolina. WOOT! But I couldn't afford to go. At least I get to see the video presentation.

[@b.j.blazkowicz9362]

Great presentation mr. Ra. I was a hardcore fundamentalist christian for over 5 years of my life. My life was based on prayer and repentance, social relations werent that important to me because "i had God." I really thought it was the right way because i FELT it was. But now I do realize that I believed only because I wanted it to be true because it offered me flawless afterlife, nonstop God's guardian power over my life and also I didnt want to enter hell after death. Its a really weird life nowadays, i have to adapt to the cruel reality of life.

[@JosephKeenanisme]

An older vid I haven't caught. Great presentation.

[@FerrariKing]

Well if the lady you mentioned believes it is Satan speaking through you if you make sense then perhaps she should pray that her God helps her out with her argument if he actually existed.

[@markshipley6119]

Keep up the good work Aron. while I was already an atheist before I ever listen to you, you have given me much ammo to use when talking to the religious.

[@tofu_golem]

Theology has fixed conclusions that can't be challenged. How can anything count as an academic field when that is the case?

[@badblues9]

Always spot on, thank for opening my eyes

[@alexandruianu8432]

Funny thing about 'complex theology' is that the Elder Scrolls series has a way more complex theology than any human religion, and it was mostly made up by one person: Michael Kirkbride, all that without taking any drugs and made within years... so much for haughty theologians...

[@engiecat705]

Yep. Nine divines' version of ten commandments is way better, too.

[@alexandruianu8432]

Secular Puritan Since they are obviously all false, that isn't even on the table. I'm referring to the fact that theology is generally awkward and the source material is pretty poor and low volume by comparison to modern fantasy seetings, which date the concept to a bygone era.

[@MisterHild]

Aaron, sir, I am still captured by your prose. The faith I was brought up in diminishes as I grow older. Indeed, I mourned the loss I realized was happening. Yet your words truly moved me. The purpose in my life is not wrapped up in some cosmic plan that I never seemed to be able to make sense of. No, our purpose is indeed reflected in how we impact others and that which we choose for ourselves. I don't want to break Mom's heart, but I truly don't feel any fear of some imagined lake of fire. I don't feel guilty for not living up to some imagined ideal that nobody ever seems to live up to anyway. And, like you, even karma seems to be an idea that I've clung to hoping for some cosmic justice. No. My purpose is in the knowledge I give to my students and the love I share with my wife. Thanks, man. Truly. Letting go of a faith that was trained into me was ... not really so hard. I don't think I ever really believed that stuff anyway. But to have a purpose was important to me. I don't have to be part of some Plan. I can just be me. As far as I can tell, that's pretty cool judging by the reaction of those who love me. You're the goods, Aaron. Don't ever change. I hope you win your office, sir. We could use some sanity in our government somewhere.

[@xxxild]

Go AronRa!

[@TorstenPihl]

Fascinating, and a beautiful ending, thankies!

[@meatmun7747]

But Winnie the Pooh is real! He's locked up in my basement!

[@BlackEpyon]

Oh bother...

[@Rico-Suave_]

Great video, thank you very much, watched all of it

[@kenhoover1639]

Letting go of my imaginary friend and the idea of an afterlife is particularly hard for me because I was born with Cerebral Palsy and for 64 years my life has been a struggle. The idea that one day I won't have to deal with all this is naturally very appealing to me, the thought that one day I will be able to walk, to run and to dance like Michael Jackson. It has not been all bad. I have been able to work and support myself and I have been married twice. Despite my challenges, I have tried to maintain a positive attitude and I try to motivate others to have the same attitude. As I am growing older, things are becoming more difficult to me and I am finding it hard to let go of beliefs which have provided me with a great deal of comfort.

[@OldHeathen1963]

They say " ignorance is bliss". Maybe it's true. I want to be cremated, and scattered to the winds someplace on earth...my home, one with all earth's flora and fauna.

[@lucyferos205]

I also deal with chronic, debilitating illness. What helps me is acceptance and Stoicism

[@chriscox3709]

I really love this channel. It is nice to hear someone as intelligent as Aron Ra talk logically about the way I have always felt but have hidden for fear of judgment. I live in Texas too, which is a very nice state but very judgmental. We need more people like you dude. Please keep it up. You are a voice of reason in a insane country. I love this country so don't get offended people.

[@friedtofu4568]

Black Sabbath dio days reference... I'm clicking like after this

[@johnbelcher3688]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@soulman71901]

That Jesus stance on homosexuality line was like "Oooo...SNAP!!!"

[@EdgePitSwing]

The Buzz Lightyear comparison was masterful.

[@fredriksundberg4624]

Yes that's tragically accurately spot on. But according to some theists a non-belief is somehow also is a belief. How?

[@MINDYOUROWNBUISINESS]

And bald is a hair color, and not collecting stamps is a hobby. Not believing impossible nonsense for no good reason is a religious position, obviously.

[@fredriksundberg4624]

And we're the ignorant ones? For not believing unprovable bullshit for no reason whatsoever? And then when i tell some theists ( christians), that i also used to Believe what they do Believe, their response is usually that i wasn't a '' true christan'', yeah, right? :-) And now somehow, still acording to some theists, i've been transformed to a '' Devout Atheist'', just because i've been fed up for hearing unprovable bullshit which still haven't been proven.

[@munstrumridcully]

Fredrik Sundberg Because they assume you believe the opposite proposition is true. Most theists think all atheists are _strong_ atheists, as in that they believe no gods exist. Many atheists, however, are intelliectually honest enough to acknowledge the fact that it is almost imposible to prove a universal negative. Unless, of course, there is some logical contradiction in a given concept of a god(this kind of position is called igtheism). But, imo, the most honest position is disbelief in a claim until that claim has been demonstrated. In practice, even most skeptics will accept someone's word on mundane claims that stay close to the realm of human knowledge like, "I have a new car" cars are known to exist, and one may have little doubt of the claims (unless there are reasons to make the claim unlikely, like the person is unemployed and flatbroke) but people tend to become more skeptical of a claim the more removed from demonstrable human knowledge it strays(unless one was indoctrinated into such a claim from youth, before their minds mature and develop critjcsl thinking). However, this is just human psychology at work, not good epistemology. Good epistemology is to doubt a claim until verified, and even then to hold out the possibility that new information may change their mind.

[@Longtack55]

And not-swimming is a sport and bald is a hair-style.

[@fredriksundberg4624]

The theists that i've met and that are intelligent and educated ( which also happens to be a lot more logical and explainable of a lot of things that i don't understand), they just happen to don't behave themselves like rabid raving incoherent street preachers spouting non-sense. So my impression are at least that education matter but also critical thinking, which they happen to use more compared with the majority of christians & other theists which i've come across in the street & on the internet. But of course there's also the exceptions to the rule as well ( Ben Carson for instance among other), and like my neighbour, sigh. :-(

[@lennefujimura]

The tertiary education in Mother Goosing is not imaginary! That's every Bachelor's degree from the Liberty U! The Doctorate is known as Quackanistics!

[@Roedygr]

Atheists feels awe for what is really there. A Christian spits on reality. Reality is wonderful only because of their fantasies surrounding it. The more you learn about reality, the more mind-blowing it is. Christians miss out on that.

[@engiecat705]

Not only. A good work of fiction can inspire no less awe, without claiming to be true. And it is by comparison we know that the Bible is not only a fiction, but exceptionally poor one.

[@PaulTheSkeptic]

That thing he said about them reading between the lines but not reading the lines, now that I think about it I've heard that too. A creationist once linked me to an Encyclopedia Britannica article about the geologic column that to me seemed an extremely compelling case for evolution but since the writer at one point describes the geologic column as a "mental abstraction", that meant that it didn't exist in reality to him. Bizarre.

[@spiderlime]

i'm an atheist myself, but i never could support the assertion that fields of study such as theology, myths, or literature are as worthless as suggested here. they are a means of understanding human thought through the ages/ i'm sure that mr. AronRa knows the meaning of literary terms such as "metaphor" and that many famous works in these fields were written in context with the times and places in which they were written, and the thought-patterns associated with them/ just as importantly, atheism relies to a considerable extent on knowledge of the religious tenets to which it objects/ thus, knowledge of theologies , mythologies and literature is a valuable asset to atheists.

[@NejatMolla]

This was beautiful. You're great

[@tach5884]

"You pass butter."

[@theangryholmesian4556]

In Soviet Russia butter passes you.

[@renardleblanc5556]

That closing comment about "the purpose we choose for ourselves" at the end really hit home... see, I used to be a gamer, as in a medically diagnosed addict gamer, 'till I had to choose between my health and gaming. Wasn't until I decided that being an artist mattered more to me than being a gamer that I was able to quit cold turkey.

[@WilbertLek]

After almost ten years I can't be bothered with "gods-believers" in the comments anymore. Nowadays I just come here to see their childish bickering and call them what they are: *sad children.*

[@skillethead6968]

Yeah and I can see your childishness as well. So God bless you.

[@benlundquist2778]

Thanks Aron Ra for pointing out the flaws in the many ways people come to *belief.* I abandoned my faith in my college years yet belief still lingered. Each stage of letting go put God farther out into the cosmos and not too concerned over the day to day traumas on Earth. After proving the utter failure of prayer...several times...I concluded that George Carlin got it right when his lampooned both religion and God as bullshit. Thanks also for your superb video series on the *Foundational Falsehoods of Creationism* ...a classic I listen to about twice a year. AND your *Refuting the Irrefutable Proof of God* series that made me a patron. A straight thought provoking analysis of the God myth. All the best to you.

[@DeconvertedMan]

Well put.

[@hshocker98]

Deconverted Man ay bos

[@helgesamuelsen9097]

Aron Ra at his best. Great presentation!

[@Lucius1958]

Speaking as a figment of my own imagination, I agree. Perhaps, of all religious icons, Gautama Siddartha came the closest to the truth: we each create the Universe according to what our senses tell us. The whys and wherefores are of no importance: what matters is what we do here. Practically every religious code can be boiled down to these words: *Don't be an asshole.*

[@Anonymoose0523]

Love watching these older videos

[@jessewiley2209]

Why didn't Jesus just use his magic powers to make the fig tree bear fruit?

[@pdoylemi]

Because it was an evil fig tree for not anticipating his hunger :-)

[@infinitysalinity7981]

The tree was a demon

[@sabastianblak]

more genius from someone who can actually think...great work as usual Mr. Ra