Worshiping Ignorance - The Thinking Atheist Radio Podcast #61

[@drake149]

Love the rants from you, I often feel the same way. I have to live and work as a doctor in a small bible belt town. While I am often given credit for my work, it burns me up when folks come in and comment that God brought them to me. When it was really their friend referred them. Then God healed them, instead of the fact that they are benefiting from my 10 years of college and a thousand years of scientific progress.

[@hadeskingoftheunderworld7010]

Keep up your good work friend, your an excellent person and you have probably helped more people than I can think, I know this is really late but I appreciate every doctor and scientist in our world

[@TheFirstAtom]

I know I’m 7 years late to this comment, but rest in the fact that you do good to help people. And even if they don’t give you the credit, helping others is a gift in and of itself. You make a difference where some cannot.

[@elliottpaine9259]

I was part of a religous group that would refuse to take people to the hospital, while they did eat extremely healthy and reduce the sick among them that way, still there were pockets of sick and profundities to wonder about. But they held firm and wouldn't take the ill to the hospital. But heres the contradiction: I was healed at 10 years old and gotten a bone marrow transplant. Healed of A plastic anemia. They felt god healed me, yet would refuse to take people to the place where god healed me.

[@eddieclark9802]

I appreciate you and respect your education. 🤓

[@pameladeleone135]

I know what you mean. I am a retired nurse. I can't tell you how many times people told me after a major surgery. Thank God! I always asked them, did you Thank the Doctor. They always told me, No. I never could understand that. Even if they do believe in god, why not Thank the Doctor. I told my relatives that the Doctors appreciate it if you do. Personally. I am an atheist.

[@brianhardcastle6575]

I worked for the church that I attended for 35 years. I got a divorce and was immediatley fired. Not one single church " friend" called me> I was shunned. But Im thankful that they lead me to "Deconvert".

[@franciscosustek7249]

No hate like "christian" luv

[@danmiller6462]

I left the faith because I cannot be part of a group that hates people who are different from them and won’t accept progress and science.

[@glenarledge1825]

Mirror

[@wilfarplaylay8469]

Enough said. Atheist never judged me for having interest in magick they respected it I felt safer around them than christians. To come to think of it Atheists and MOST people from unorganized religions don't feel safe around people that belongs to organized religions.

[@helpyourcattodrive]

If they don’t accept such and such, they fry in fire for eternity!

[@deborahbain9915]

Tell me about it

[@mikehawes2]

So, again we have a person here who is determining the truth about something based on the behavior of human beings. So, again, let’s think this through. If you had found out that Einstein killed someone, would you stop believing in relativity? No, that would be silly. If a drunk man on the street told you your house was on fire, would you dismiss him because he was drunk? No, that wouldn’t be smart. It’s best to find out the truth for yourself, regardless how someone is behaving.

[@chrisfortin4251]

Thank you for your honesty, Seth. Hearing you voice your struggle is therapeutic for the rest of us. I know this was posted a while ago, but it’s still relevant in 2022.

[@kenobi1985]

Religion doesn't respect boundaries. Don't apologize for being pissed at their blatant rudeness and disrespect.

[@glenarledge1825]

Mirror

[@bradzimmerman3171]

Creates horrible people that's for sure ( not all but sure could start thinking &asking questions won't take long if they are honestly curious and want to be helped) its not easy but can be done

[@nasticanasta]

Atheism doesn't respect boundaries. Stop making excuses for your religion..yea atheism is a religion

[@kathleen5237]

@@nasticanasta Atheism is normal. In the beginning man made gods,, then the problems started. Religion is an advertising campaign for a product that doesn't exist. Morality is doing what is right regardless of what you are told. Religion is doing what you are told regardless of what is right - and feeling no shame

[@buttkid3548]

@@nasticanasta Atheism is so not a religion. Look up the word "religion". Atheism is non of that. Is not collecting stamps a hobby?

[@domiro8156]

Twelve years later, in 2013, Seth is still a devoted atheist... and we love him for it... Thank you Seth for your remarkable determination and dedication!

[@helpyourcattodrive]

Seth turned my life around and freed me this week. I’ve been spiritual but not religious, just in case. And now, no more, after listening to Seth and a bunch of reference, books, interviews w historians. Done. I’m free.

[@averyray3812]

Welcome new Heathen!!

[@kenobi1985]

You haven't failed. You don't owe anyone an apology for having feelings whether it is to us or to your family.

[@Wawagirl17]

I listen to the first 40 minutes of this podcast whenever I'm feeling down about my mom giving me shit about my deconversion. Knowing that I'm not alone that you've had to face such difficulties always cheers me up. I hope someday your family will see what a fantastic and positive influence you've had on so many people.

[@steelcash]

Seth: Thank you for changing my life and improving it one thousand times over. You have made a positive impact on people’s lives that probably cannot be measured. However, rest assured, they are grateful, and it has rippled. They in turn are changing lives and creating positive vibes that reverberate all across the globe. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@kenobi1985]

Don't apologize for losing your cool. If your family refuses to respect your wishes for boundaries and a change of topic they are responsible up to a point. Breaking points don't just come out of nowhere.

[@markrichter2053]

D’ya know, I really enjoyed the belly laugh when you said, “…and I failed!!” 😂 it was such a relief. It’s so cathartic too for the rest of us who share your pain and appreciate the confession. So good to get it outa the system! What a f**king relief!!! I think it’s also the relief of realising we don’t need the approval of the community/family. Yes, it’s painful when those close to us are so into their worldview that they can’t be curious about our lives. It’s a deep rejection. But we can move forward once we face that truth. We can become a key part of a new and honest community. Just as you have done, Seth. And we thank you for who you are and what you’re doing here.

[@kenobi1985]

Religion sounds like the worst kind of Stockholm Syndrome.

[@eddieclark9802]

I wonder how many know what that means.

[@nicholemoore2448]

You mean the condition that Jesus had. Yes, I agree :)

[@coffeeaka5569]

Sorry , no

[@ItsAnOldCroneLife]

I know. He's a really smart kid, and his mom teaches him to think for himself. Our mom didn't teach us to be self-sufficient as kids (expected women to just get married, stay home, clean house, & take care of kids) plus we were in an abusive household, so it was a long, hard, and painful process for us from ignorance to enlightenment. My sister's making sure her kids know early how to be self-sufficient, especially in how they think, so they won't be vulnerable like we were.

[@sueware8377]

Thank you, Seth, for being honest and sharing your story with us...I am a recovering Mormon, and a lot of what you are sharing is part of my story too! I am also a scientist and evolution is definitely part of my "wheelhouse". the title of your talk " "Worshiping Ignorance" is perfect...I see that every day, all over the evangelical channel, and in my personal realm. These people are ignorant and PROUD of it! Thanks for staying with your path and goals...we need you and your outlook and the discussions really teach the rest of us! MUCH appreciated!

[@ItsAnOldCroneLife]

The worst abuse, I think, is that which isn't as noticeable, because nobody knows to intervene. With me, I was taught that there was an all-good god who helped us...but no matter HOW much I prayed as a kid for my family to get along, nothing changed (got worse actually). I was also told if I told anyone outside, all the kids would be taken away, and it'd be my fault. I ended up with so much guilt, thinking God WANTED me to suffer, since he "talked" to my mother but didn't listen to me.

[@N1976DL]

My fiancée, a christian, broke up with me, because I left "the faith". Especially sad, is that we had a son, who was only 16 months old, at the time. I've asked her the question, do facts matter? Her ongoing reply, "I like my church, and that's where I feel comfortable. It resonates with me". At the end of the day, facts are irrelevant to those with "faith". I was once there, too. Thankfully, Seth's podcast has been a "voice in the wilderness", for me, after the breakup with both my fiancée and christianity.

[@OmarAngelGarcia]

David Allen Happened to me too SMH and they are not supposed to judge but yet they do.

[@DragonsREpic]

clearly doesn't care what she believes is true. Which is never good

[@americanmuscle3090]

Funny that you had a child with her out of wedlock and she thinks she’s a good little Christian.

[@joecoolioness6399]

@@americanmuscle3090 Right? They pick and choose so nicely don't they? That child is now going to suffer the consequences of her decision.

[@firefalcoln]

Hey Zeus That’s rough. I hope your kid at least avoids the same indoctrination of his Mom. I think that whether or not facts matter depends on the Christian and the potential conclusion one could draw from accepting each particular fact. I think what’s more accurate often is that religious people care about confirming the merits of believing the supernatural claims they already believe. They don’t want to have to deal with the potential realization of being wrong. And this human confirmation bias problem extends far beyond religious questions. For Christians, the notion of “Satan” seems to exist for Christians to disregard any good evidence against their position. What other useful purpose could Satan have for the Christian narrative? An angel choosing to turn against an all-powerful omnipotent God who knows the future before it happens makes God look weak, stupid, or as if he’s manipulating people by secretly working with Satan. Satan allows Christians to construct a narrative where good events are God and whatever isn’t good is either Satan or God’s lessons. It’s an unfalsifiable construct. In the Christian mind all of the options of events leave no option for a fake “God”. Which means they are in a dogmatic closed-minded framework disinterested in their position having an measurable merits for being true. I try to reason with Christians that if God is really true, then fairly exploring the merits to God being wrong shouldn’t work to do anything other than prove that God is real. This is what scientists do all the time. They try to overturn or amend the current explanations offered as the most accurate models of reality.

[@lasmirandadennsiewillja9435]

I'm on of these Europeans who shake their head and wonder what's going on over there?! If the topic comes up, it's usually the same conversation most of the time: "Oh no, I don't believe in God, but don't worry, I'm not one of THOSE atheists who thinks you're stupid for believing." "Nah, I might believe in God, but don't worry, I'm not one of THOSE church-crazy, cherry-picking believers." "Yeah, that's good. Gotta admit, I enjoyed Sunday school, it was just the thing to do and an excuse to hang out with friends on the weekend. It wasn't like they hammered God's words into us. But then I discovered I rather slept in." "I hear you, getting up this early on Sunday after a hard week at work or school really is a pain in the ass. Hey let's order pizza and buy beer." "Pizza, yes, but I don't like beer." "WHAT! HOW DARE YOU YOU HEATHEN!" You think I'm kidding? Dudes, I'm from Germany, nobody gives a damn why you go or not go to church/Sunday school, if you stop going, if you go on Christmas because the atmosphere is nice or because you really believe in Jesus, if you believe in general or not as long as you aren't annoying about it. But oh, mention you don't like beer and hell breaks loose!

[@danmiller6462]

Lasmiranda Dennsiewillja here in America I shake my head. I’m increasingly embarrassed to be an American because of all the lies being perpetrated by the right wing assholes about America being a Christian nation when in fact it was founded as a secular nation. It’s really sad when the happiest countries are the Scandinavian countries and not the so called greatest nation on earth, which we aren’t any longer.

[@jenniferbrewer5370]

I'm American and I'm shaking my head at my countrymen too. SOOOOOOOOOO glad I live in California!

[@aturchomicz821]

ughh,bear is awful

[@birgitk6518]

I agree! The best place on earth to be an atheist is Europe. I am from Estonia and there it was more of by default you are not religious until you say you are. Nobody barely talks about it. Here in Finland where I live now, dent to be a little bit more christian covered than Estonia but still atheists is very normal thing here and I have many friends and I now a lot of people who does not believe anything such close to religion and its normal. Nobody just dont say anything. And its not even a big topic here. I love Europe ❤️

[@mikeyhau]

Germany and Australia have a lot in common!

[@dawnwhye9429]

I just learned about your podcast and I am impressed by your knowledge and understanding of the world. I am an Afrikan atheist and I am proud of it. I place emphasis on being an Afrikan atheist because it’s not so common to be Atheist in the black community in this country. I practiced organized religion for over twenty years and all the praying I did never changed any difficulties I was experiencing. I cannot believe I wasted all those years believing in myths and fables. I’m thankful for platforms like this and I will continue to support the atheist discipline.

[@mruncletheredge]

Good for you.... My story is the same.... I wish you peace because it's so hard to walk alone in a community who thinks you're crazy...

[@jeffreymallory4889]

As an educator, I appreciate your skepticism and tenacious willingness to confront prevailing error.

[@rodrigodezubiria2007]

Fantastic. It’s so great to see somebody with your talents and background earning a living by telling the truth rather than earning a living by willfully and Knowingly selling lies fabrications and distortions.

[@sweetpeabrown261]

Glad you set some boundaries. Think you're being a bit rough on yourself. If somebody treated your child the way Theist treat atheists, I would hope you wouldn't stand for it. You're as precious as any human. You have the right to not be treated with such disregard. Anger, in your case, because you are a compassionate gentle person, is a healthy sign that something is amiss. Everyone that is angry or calls out people on their poor behavior is not a dick. Remember that.

[@bluwater1422]

I agree

[@MrEmpireBuilder0000]

I am listening to this just now. Coming from a Catholic background, you and I know exactly why they remained silent when you 'came out'. The church prepares everyone for apostates among the congregation. What probably went through their head was what went through MY own head when I was still a believer. "another one has fallen. I must redouble my faith." That's it.

[@autumrose1]

I've been a atheist for 10 years. I haven't came out to my family yet. The only people that know are my grandma, brother and sister. My grandma raised the family under the Catholic faith and my sister is Baptist. They respect me and don't try to push God into my life. I went to my sister's reborn ceremony at a Baptist church and I absolutely couldn't stand it and wanted to start debating the whole thing, but I didn't because it would not be right to start a argument in a church.

[@arthurhunt642]

This is one of the most powerful messages I've ever heard! My thoughts here have been put under the light of a brand new day.

[@magicalsimmy]

What Seth says at 42:50 really hit home with me. I'm constantly being told, "You think too much, you just need to 'Let go and Let God.'" It makes me sad, because one of those friends - a friend who I converted, sadly - is a fantastic person whose company I enjoy. We had a horrible moment when two members of her family died and she started grilling me about my non-belief. "So you think my loved ones are just...gone?" I said nothing - the truth was, at that moment, too heartless to speak out loud.

[@BluesGirlBabe]

I don't think the truth is heartless at all. What is wrong with, "Yes it is very sad that they are gone but you have your memories of them that live on."

[@crystalheart9]

I'm always amazed at how people you hardly know will ask what church you go to. As if it's their right to know. I kind of side step the question and say I'm not religious and don't attend a church. They give me a rather confused look. I've also had people ask me what church I go to and I said I was raised Catholic and they immediately attacked me on how much they hate Catholics! How Christian is that?!

[@elliotterodriguez]

crystalheart9 lol people are so weird

[@MrKErocks]

crystalheart9 I've experienced the exact same thing!

[@BluesGirlBabe]

I hope you say, "I am an atheist."

[@joecoolioness6399]

@@BluesGirlBabe if I thought they knew what that meant I might, instead I just say "church is not my thing". Most just say something like "well our door is always open" and leave it at that.

[@crystalheart9]

@@joecoolioness6399 That is what I say, I don't want to follow any particular church. I like to pray in my own way and that seems to satisfy them.

[@AtamMardes]

"Religion began when the first scoundrel met the first fool." -- Voltaire

[@talkingprimate]

The internet KILLS religion. Glad we have the resource.

[@drfoxcourt]

Thank you Seth. Your story of deconversion is illuminating. You highlight religionists lack of curiosity, failure of argument, and dismissal of reality in a clear and sensible method. Religion makes claims to "the truth", morality, and decency which they are entirely incorrect to do, and The Thinking Atheist makes that clear.

[@jimhappnin1425]

drfoxcourt The only difference between an atheist and a Christian is the "creator"! The Christian believes that this world was created by an intelligent God who has existed eternally and created this world for a specific purpose. While the atheist believes this world was created by an inanimate "singularity" which has existed eternally and created this world without a purpose and without the power of thought! You tell me who the 'idiot' truly is!!

[@jimhappnin1425]

Please Complete All Fields """"""""" No. The atheist accepts that WE DON'T KNOW how the universe, and life was created""""""""" The 'answer' has already been given to us! This world exists!! There can be no doubt about this absolute 'fact'! We also know for a 'fact' that at one time in the past, there was no world and there was no life. That means there HAD to be an 'origin'. There is ONLY two possible 'origins'. 1. Whatever created this world was 'intelligent'. 2. Whatever created this world was 'inanimate'. There is no "third possibility"! That makes the 'answer' an "either/or" type answer. Your claim of "I don't know' becomes 'invalid'! The bible bears witness of an 'intelligent' creator. It is an "eye witness account"! The atheist chooses to "accept" the theories of men as 'evidence'! An "eye witness" account is to be considered 'true' until PROVEN to be false. Whereas the "theories of man" are to be considered 'false' until PROVEN to be true! THEREFORE: Your position of "I don't know" becomes an admission of "willful ignorance". Unless you can explain how it is feasible for an 'inanimate' object to create this world that we all live on, that we all can see for ourselves, without any 'purpose' and without the power of 'thought'. If you can do that, your position will be respected.

[@jimhappnin1425]

Please Complete All Fields I should have known my remark would 'sail' right over head. I sometimes forget just how 'stupid' you 'idiot' atheists really are!! Let me make it simple for your little mind to grasp: The only difference between a Christian and an 'idiot' atheist is the "creator"! The Christian believes that this world was created by an 'intelligent' God who existed 'ETERNALLY' and created this world for a specific 'purpose'. While the 'idiot' atheist believes this world was created by an 'inanimate' "singularity" which existed 'ETERNALLY' and created this world without a 'purpose' and without the power of thought!!! Your last reply says it all!!!

[@drfoxcourt]

@@jimhappnin1425 You have that wrong sir. An atheist sees no evidence of a god, creator or otherwise. full stop. No other issue defines the person as an atheist. Furthermore, you show your own ignorance of "big bang" cosmology when you hint that time goes eternally back from the singularity. You need to do some studying.

[@Ozone280]

My grandaughter is 18 months old and I intend to do everything in my power to prevent her being indoctrinated into this nonsense. Unlike christians, I hope to achieve this by using reasoned argument and a common sense approach.

[@mruncletheredge]

You will win..... Kids definitely respond to common sense....

[@eddieclark9802]

Power to you, sir. Most admirable. 😊

[@cr0nosphere]

Yay Seth! You are releasing the video on my birthday! Thanks for the gift!!!

[@krissyrivard7485]

As so many others have said, thank you for your work.

[@TrancorWD]

We share so much of the same DNA with everything .... almost as though ... we came from the same planet!!

[@realigiousrayne]

But there is also a theory that says the material need to seed life may have come from elsewhere. Maybe outside our galaxy even. ^_^

[@TrancorWD]

Oh sure! Not going to argue that one bit! Scientists keep talking about biological materials in comets. Who knows, earth may have been hit by comets or went through comet trails in its infancy. Blam, life seeded!

[@jeova0sanctus0unus]

Its not a Theory jet, its still a Hypothesis.

[@MsDjessa]

Yeah and if DNA was similar to other life forms so we could better eat... I suppose we were meant to eat chimpanzees. This may not work on a creationist, they deny the amount of DNA we share with them. Here's a video by Paulogia addressing the issue: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWiZdIeuq7eiiKM

[@kevinlitton1399]

Or it's almost as though we share a common ancestor. Maybe that's why our DNA matches.

[@vilmareynoso7343]

Love your work Seth. Thank you for everything you do.

[@dough3e3]

Seth's laughter is contagious lol

[@seanjones2456]

I really hope he uses the religious person voice when he and Natalie are being intimate.

[@LalK2K23]

@@seanjones2456 Also his whisper voice.

[@felixandboots2]

Frustrated, insane laugh- we all get it. I myself still don’t know how I haven’t strangled a believer yet because of their constant harassment.

[@benstephens348]

True. About the only other person I can think of with a laugh as contagious as his, would be Lisa Kudrow.

[@danniealexander4131]

My mother who claims to be Christian only read parts of the bible that gives her warm fuzzies. She's never read the entire thing and she told me she doesn't want to because she just likes to call on God to feel good. Well that just blew my mind because I'm thinking how can you profess that you believe if you haven't even read the entire text that you propose to believe in. My dad also does the selective reading of the text.

[@barkYdarkATFB]

That describes 99.99% of christians.

[@amberarizmendi7791]

Sometimes it is hard to be kind to people who are disrespectful, yet think they are not. Being calm is not always the way to be, sometimes you have to get mad. It is natural, and very human, to grow angry when those around you are being so hateful and mean, although they say all they want to do is help. It would be wonderful if those religious people could learn to love for loves sake, and not hate in the name of love.

[@mikehawes2]

Religious people hate. A true follower of Jesus cannot possibly hate anyone.

[@topcat2069]

An abusive relationship is an abusive relationship. You didn't fail you finally pushed back on your abusers. "If you don't believe in heaven, why bother ?" answer: I don't have time to answer that, I have a bunch of things to do today.

[@BluesGirlBabe]

Just add "a bunch of things to do today in REAL LIFE!"

[@JakubNoniewicz]

On one hand I'm sad for you having (having had) it that difficult, but on the other I have a deep respect for your sanity and integrity. I personaly I'm happy to never have such problems, despite living in predominantly christian country. Aslo great listening!

[@donaldcook2484]

Seth is awesome and sooo right!!👍

[@ItsAnOldCroneLife]

...and THIS is why I do not tell my mom I'm atheist. She got mad (honestly mad) when my 7 year old nephew said Christmas wasn't Jesus's birthday. She got into an ARGUMENT with a 7 year old and demanded my sister tell her WHERE he heard that. My sister's answer? A special on THE HISTORY CHANNEL. My mom said, "Well, they're WRONG. Christmas is Jesus's birthday. Don't listen to these people. They're telling lies." *Total facepalm*

[@chossenone730]

😢💔

[@johnmalcolm7549]

Seth. I know exactly what you went through. No family member, save one, genuinely asked me to explain myself. If I had cancer in my ass with 2 weeks to live the phone would be off the hook, but because I apostatized and am going to hell, not one call or conversation, except for my one sister who was outside of the fold for over 20 yrs. The stupid posts come but zero conversation. So be it. Thank you for everything you do.

[@susanatkinson3978]

Sorry you are going thru this❤

[@bobster451]

My cousin kept proselytizing me from his government email account at his job. I asked him for at least 8 months to cease with the fire and brimstone, hell talk. He did not stop. So the last email I got from him I told him that the next time I get this type of email from him I would contact his email administrator and report him for waste, fraud, and abuse. That was the most effective thing I had tried. He no longer emails me! Problem solved.

[@barkYdarkATFB]

I’m not even half way through and I’m enjoying the crap outa this. Seth, this is awesome. It has everything, so far. Drama, comedy, horror... and the narration is on point. 10/10 ...5 stars.

[@bradzimmerman3171]

Seth & Matt are awesome!

[@smooth_sundaes5172]

A great and very familiar story. Thank you Seth.

[@KendrixTermina]

My favorite is probably the one Gospel that plagiarizes the last words from a common account of Hercules story. It's like they went, "Hercules is cool. Lets make a jewish version of that."

[@wodentoad1]

Seth, this has been one of your best shows! I know you fear shows where you rant, but it's nice to hear you get off your chest some of the same things that the rest of us are feeling.

[@morganmickle2846]

Literally meant to be that I heard this today. My mom treats me this way & let me have it this morning. It makes me sad that I can’t even have a normal conversation with my own mother because of her religious beliefs. She thinks something is wrong with me. Super toxic.

[@deathwrenchcustom]

Which begs the question: Meant to be by whom?

[@FaolanHart]

When I first started making videos on KZbin I was your typical angry atheist & angry teen. I have calmed down a great deal since then & thanks in no small way to your videos & ones like them. The patience & calm you have is something I espier to have myself. & hell you have it worse than I as those in my life have never tried to make me believe something. Keep up the good work, the patent atheist is far better than the angry atheist.

[@GodlessScummer]

Even if there was 100% absolute irrefutable proof provided that God doesn't exist there would be religious people that wouldn't accept it.

[@johngurvan8279]

UK now 80% non religious. 45 churches in the area I live about to close. Cannot come quick enough I live next to one

[@lycanblud]

listening from india here

[@mattbrooker3482]

My dear old mum had the best answer to arguments from popularity: "Well, a million lemmings can't be wrong, can they?"

[@jfphotography69]

Matt Brooker a million Nazis where.

[@heavymetalzombiepilot4049]

What about the Jonestown massacre?

[@jenniferbrewer5370]

My answer to arguments from popularity is this: Millions of Germans voted for the Nazi Party in 1933; does that make the Nazis' ideology valid?

[@ufutz]

Your mum may have been a genius. I had an old Korean woman tell me that millions of Koreans believe in Jesus. I said, A billion plus Muslims believe in Allah... No response.

[@adamfutch6719]

For those who think matt brooker is supporting popular opinion with his mother's quote, lemmings commit suicide en mass annually.

[@kevincasson9848]

Could listen to this man 24/7. I really could! What an incredibly voice as well! He should narrate hundreds of audio books he would make a fortune! Please inform me more about the man and voice io these podcasts please!!

[@raymondsanders3584]

What I find very sad is the fact that so many people believe in some sort of a deity to a point where their earthly life is miserable in the hopes that their heavenly life will be wonderful. Most of the time this alienates others around them for the sake of something that if you use critical thinking you know is not true.

[@samuelphillippi]

I wish my family would ask me why, but they honestly don't want to know. Thankfully they accept me for who I am regardless of what I (don't) believe. Thank you Seth, for everything you do, and I accept you MORE because your not perfect... we all know how well "perfect" beings turn out.

[@eArtrash]

The god of the gap argument is my favourite. It amazes me that religious folk can actually hold onto their beliefs, even when so much of it is proven wrong. They just sweep facts under the table, and carry on believing.

[@olesyashuparskaya6077]

I couldn't agree more with everything said! ❤❤❤

[@lukemilton9587]

I live in NYC and I'm an Atheist and I LOVE THIS SHOW!!! Keep up the GREAT work Seth!!!! Love the show!!!!

[@ItsCindyHey]

Really good podcast. Listening while I finish up my portfolio.

[@siezethebidet]

Refreshing. I feel like a friend stopped by and we had a great discussion.

[@Anunnak]

You've got an awesome voice! But the message is even more awesome.

[@Niicklo]

Listening to these podcasts make my day ~ Thanks

[@ronaldkretzerii9339]

I've enjoyed before, but am now officially a fan!!! I need help &/or direction. How do I best drop the bomb on my southern fundamental bible believing Gaaawds own words truth family? I know it's going to hurt my mother very deeply, but I can no longer in good conscience (yes w/out Gods guidance) fake it because it feels awful spouting garbage I no longer believe. Help! Anyone!!

[@JessZomb]

Ronald Kretzer, II I'd do it over the phone, best not be near them incase they get violent.

[@ronaldkretzerii9339]

Sin Burner That would probably be the smart thing to do because sadly that is a possibility .

[@Thrall079]

Ronald Kretzer, II Have you told them yet?

[@ronaldkretzerii9339]

Thrall079 quite recently actually. The Supreme Court ruling kind of forced the situation because I just couldn't stand the stupid hate speech another second. Just like I've heard others say, no one asked me why or tried to understand. My grandma was the real shocker. She actually started calling me a "fag". I'm not, in fact her lectures usually dealt with me seeing too many ladies & settling down with none. LOL I actually couldn't contain my laughter when my sweet mousy grandma started calling me a "fag" or "1 of them demonic gays" haaahahahaaa! Gotta love wild & wonderful West Virginia

[@cullenarthur8879]

My family is from west Virginia and penocostle. I have had to come out as gay and an atheist. Most will never except me . It's definitely not easy.

[@rhondah1587]

Ah Seth, you have finally reached the frustration level so many of us have already experienced. Being nice is relative to how much BS gets tossed at you b/c at a certain point one just gets enough of it and has to strike back with a bit of forcefulness. Like most of us, I never am the one to bring up the subject of religion but if I am confronted and challenged with BS I just have to dish out some reality.

[@maryaannonymous5365]

One of my friends had an argument with me that lasted days and one after the other was refuted, finally I just said please, let's agree to disagree, these arguments only made me disagree further, then he whispered... ' don't be close minded ' :) BOOM.

[@chossenone730]

😂

[@ericflynnster]

I feel ya man, I have exactly the same pattern with my parents and extended family. Not only the emotional appeals, scare tactics and baseless claims but also the health scams, conspiracy theories and bogus warnings. Realize that a lot of what you are experiencing is the evolution of religious ideas: religious minds simply try appeals and responses at random. Those that stick continue to propogate; the others die off. Once you realize this, you can respond much more effectively.

[@rodneydowney2561]

Why do people worship ignorance? Because they didn't do their homework at school, and that's a convenient excuse.

[@FreedFenrir]

I kinda like it when you are angry. I do normally like your calm and even temper, but it is also good to see that like everyone else, you are just as capable of anger.

[@MsDjessa]

56:43 I would like to see a fictional villain who would do similar atrocities as attributed to Yahweh in the Bible. There would be no mention of Abrahamic religions at all, it could take place in a fictional world like Star Wars of Lord of the Rings. Just to test how many people would recognize the atrocities and to see how those who realize or were told that these were inspired by Yahweh would react.

[@bensteinundknochen9404]

I would pay to see that. And by "that" I mean their reactions.

[@joecoolioness6399]

@@bensteinundknochen9404 Darth Vader literally destroyed a planet and everyone considers him evil. I guess when a god does something similar, he gets worshipped. At least Darth never told us he loved us.

[@eddiebrevet4000]

MsDjessa agree , that be funny

[@dragowolfraven3806]

I am pretty sure that even the worst fictional villain would be gaping in horror at the atrocities the God of the Bible ordered his followers to do & would think that it was going too far😂

[@SilentEcho9194]

You have 11 of those 20 years covered and the number of people checking the none box on those surveys keeps going up. 😮

[@TheRazz1717]

Half of Americans believe... Don't care that's an argumentum ad populum and is a logical fallacy. Prove your God and prove creationism is true and I will believe.

[@Posiedon58327]

"Knowledge is preferable to ignorance." - Carl Sagan

[@luckyotter623]

I'm not an atheist, but I definitely believe in science and evolution. I love your rants.

[@metatron478]

Please, please dont feel bad for using us as your bartenders! Everything youre feeling, I can relate to and I appreciate your content so so much. You are a valuable individual and I genuinely enjoy your rants!

[@cerberaodollam]

Ugh, the Joshua thing. it reminds me of Marching Through Georgia. A cheery song about what was essentially genocide. Humans....wtf.

[@TheDevindevine]

seth the nice guy thing is working but sometimes you need to unplug get some distance and occasionally you will loose your patience you are a good man thank you thank you

[@jamesstaplesv1250]

listening to this in 2016- evolution strong as ever!!! still a pantheist, but a non creator pantheist

[@QuidamByMoonlight]

Oh hey, the Free OK speech about the "Now on something something FM..." with all the common theist arguments was amazing. How you equated an overplayed song with tired arguments. Brilliant! It was soo good. I watched it on KZbin. You did great, man! You covered all the bases there for sure. I've heard all of those many times...

[@rennhoalohaloren6211]

It's high time for the god of Abraham to go the way of Apollo, Zeus, Thor, and Odin, and vanish into the shadows of superstition and ignorance from whence they came. Enough is enough, already.

[@gloriaf6971]

It sounds like Seth's family members are too frightened of hell to ever accept disbelief in God.

[@saristaa1]

17:20 "Let it GO!" ROFL

[@FearlessNimue]

I've said something similar to my family. I just want to talk like normal. I just want to restore our relationships. Nothing. I barely get health updates now.

[@benyass001]

I want some about Islam my family is Muslims I want some good argument

[@jfphotography69]

yassin art there is plenty of Muslims who left religion, who finally woke up, there is a few on KZbin. Here is a good book by a Muslim author, short and sweet. www.amazon.com/gp/product/150277528X/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I also recommend The God Delusion, you can also find it on Amazon.

[@FearlessNimue]

I've had to ask my family to stop sending me verses, articles, and the like. Seems that's the only communication they are willing to utilize. One-way conversations are NOT constructive. So, basically I never hear from my family anymore. I am sorry you (or anyone) are experiencing this on any level!

[@FearlessNimue]

Just realized this is 11yrs ago 😂

[@tangerinefarmer]

The Dunning-Krueger effect is a bitch...

[@dogmahacker8278]

Yea, anyone who demonstrates their having it doesn't know they have a Dunning Krueger psycosis, so they only deny it. You can't argue with ignorance. Every dumb person thinks they're smarter than they are.

[@tangerinefarmer]

Andre Danielz Yes, it is a hopeless situation.

[@GenerationX1984]

I'd be interested in an experiment that proved that people overestimate intelligence based on income. For example, I'd like to see if the stupid rich guy is perceived as more intelligent than he is due to his wealth and influence alone.

[@steveb0503]

Chris Nilsson How ELSE would you explain so many people's perception that Donald Trump is NOT the blithering idiot that he actually is?

[@kendrixhavlik3051]

1:11:34 ...a recent conversation with one of my sisters went that way. I even started it with, "I don't wanna debate you, I'm just curious" At that point, I pretty much stopped it because I didn't wanna annoy or pressure her. I really just wanted to ask/know since I was recently somewhat surprised to find my other siblings are all somewhere between agnosticism and this 'Don't wanna be confrontational or feel comfortable fully letting go of the concept' phase. Thankfully, the school system in Europe isn't half bad, everytime I asked, "...but you do know this and that, right?" She just devolved into babbling and 'it's hard to explain', and... she was essentially venting at me about stuff that was going bad for her, so I didn't want to make this any sort of hostile converation/ stop being someone she feels she can talk to, I wouldn't want to be prosletyzed to either; i can very much coexist and I'm not being pestered right no at all. I just thought that she conversation sounded exactly like that.

[@Xkillah202]

a UFO isn't a little green man. A UFO is an I identified flying object.... lolz if I see something in the sky and I can't determine what it is, it's a UFO to me. xD

[@Xkillah202]

Unidentified flying object*

[@jennoscura2381]

Exactly! I have seen a UFO. But I have no good reason to believe it was anything other than a regular aircraft

[@kahluaqueen]

They didn't want to know how you got there because they're probably scared they'd get there too, and that scares some people. Seth, people don't like to think and they don't want to, you might've been forcing them to do some thinking, which most people. Believers love to know that you're falling in line!

[@realigiousrayne]

Gods are so limited by human thinking it is pathetic.

[@blackice9088]

I agree, and yet the gods are supposed to be limitless in all of their powers..

[@PixelSlayer247]

I was just looking through my subs box, wishing there was something nice and long to listen to, refreshed, and now here's this, hot off the press. It's a miracle!

[@StarSong936]

@1:00:48 I was a christian for 56 years. I had to own up to the fact that I was wrong, and to be honest, I was rather relieved to let it go. If you are wondering, I'll be 57 next month, and I've only been an atheist for 2 months now.

[@BluesGirlBabe]

Good for you to break out of the chains. I am one of the lucky ones - coming 62 and have never believed so I have lived my life freely.

[@barkYdarkATFB]

My christianity was a tad shorter, but being honest, I was already atheist during the last couple of years I was still creating bible study guides and praying for help and forgiveness. When my mom died, I realized I didn’t have to go through the motions any more. There was no family obligation to continue the pretense. Like you say, it was a relief. Oddly, there’s not three days go by that I’m not reading from the bible. But these days it’s to clarify a response to someone I’m in conversation with about christianity, or to put in context a verse that’s being thrust on me in condemnation. (Those verses are usually wildly out of context). Congrats on your lighter burden, and cheers to leading a fulfilling, rational life.

[@joqiii3]

Oct 2022- love Seth, saw him Orlando earlier this year. He was informative and highly entertaining!!

[@nunyabizness573]

It's my theory that the geniuses who wrote the Bible only "thought" they were skilled authors, since the priests and rulers were the only ones who were literate (compared to the under classes). But as literacy has developed, it's pretty apparent they were not as skilled at "the word" that they thought they were. An example might be describing the Gaza strip as "parting the Red Sea" so the Israelites could get out of Egypt. It IS a land mass between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, but not literally "parting" the Red Sea- it "parts" the two seas. It probably pre-existed the Exodus from Egypt, and maybe at the time the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea seemed like the same sea.

[@larryfulkerson4505]

Jesus was entertaining a crowd in the town square answering questions and so on when some religious leaders brought before him a woman who was allegedly caught in the act of adultery and asked Jesus if they should stone her like the scriptures call for. If he says yeah, go ahead and stone her he would be ignoring his message of forgiveness and love and if he says don't stone her he would be negating the law of Moses. So what should he say? He squatted down and started writing in the dirt with his finger and after a short minute he stood up and said: "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." And then he squatted down and continued writing in the dirt. The people in the crowd were struck in their conscience that they weren't without sin and one by one they peeled off and walked away. All of a sudden a rock sailed out of the smaller crowd that was left and it struck the adulterous young woman in the forehead and knocked her down. A nasty bruise was forming and her forehead was bleeding. Jesus stood up and said" "Sometimes you really tick me off Mom."

[@Nietzschean1000]

There is not enough love and goodness in the world to permit giving any of it away to imaginary beings. Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 - 1900)

[@QuidamByMoonlight]

***** Awh, it's ok, Seth. We understand. We've all been there...frustrated beyond belief (quite literally!) at how absurd things can get dealing with the programming of religion, of strangers and of the one's we love. And I try not to be that "angry atheist" too. But it can be HARD to hold your tongue, to be patient, to stay calm. It's tough. But we're here for you too, like you're here for us! Keep on keeping on, man! You're not a failure. You're doing great work! :)

[@PokemonRules333]

tbh though I hate how I have to not tell people that I'm an atheist because of the fear of people thinking I'm a bad person just because I'm an atheist jeez

[@gaillewis5472]

When you keep getting answers that tell you to rely on faith and emotion instead of facts and the tangible, there is a problem. We do this with no other aspect of life. We work for money, clean our property, maintain hygiene and athletic regimens, have healthy reciprocal relationships with actual humans, but are supposed to wait on the imaginary to save us from danger and adversity. Has it ever occurred to anyone that religion could be the foundation for stalking? A hint of attention or the thought of love from afar can make an unhealthy mind snap, yet we are told to wait on God, pray for deliverance, and hope for a sign of grace. The parallel is chilling.