"You Just Don't WANT To Believe In God!" | The Atheist Experience: Throwback

[@MooseMaunu]

This dude is more proof of the dangers of religious indoctrination.

[@stevewhite6861]

It is so sad to listen to, some dickhead priest has preyed on him when he felt down.

[@craedonbillstowe4587]

Indoctrination? Kids? I want YOU mutt-stupid atheist liberals to stay away from kids. I don’t want them thinking they came from a rock and that they are nothing but the worthless sum of MINDLESS chemical reactions that made them into a worthless evolved animal. I want them to know that they have a purpose in life - to love G0D and love their neighbor as themselves. A lot of these school shootings are the result of your idiotic religion of atheism.

[@CelestialGalaxy7]

@@craedonbillstowe4587 kids are overrated. Buy a puppy or a cat. Way better and cheaper on the long run 🤭👍🏼

[@Support_Ad_Blocker]

@@CelestialGalaxy7bunnies or birds are even better.

[@nsf001-3]

Religion is a mental illness

[@PastelOddity]

He was 17. I am a DRASTICALLY different person at 26 than I was at 16, 17, 18, etc. Was an atheist the entire time. I gave *myself* structure, found secular community, found family, found love and friends, and we’re ALL atheists. It’s never god changing you, it’s *you* changing you. It’s your own experiences changing you.

[@TheTruthKiwi]

Yup, 100%

[@Refertech101]

I despised society at that age, I despise it even more now, I moved up on the side of the mountain and stayed there, now I live in a nice remote ghost town and farm sheep and make solar systems for others to get off grid and away from the degeneracy of modern society, No sky fairies needed! and all done by hard work, like you say it is the mind that did it, not Santa or Easter bunny

[@Lord_Mecca]

WELL SAID !!!

[@Ultramentsh]

That's awesome for you personally. But typically not the case with many others. Myself included. But good luck 🤞🙂

[@Ultramentsh]

@@Refertech101 it sounds like you're right where you belong 🙂👍

[@Mr_Porter]

Translation: I believe this story in this book I read, why don't you?

[@wread1982]

😂😂😂 because it was written by flat earth Adobe dwellers

[@emmanuelpiscicelli6232]

Probably goat skined tents.​@@wread1982

[@FreakinFred08]

I don’t think he has really read any of the Bible. Things from the Bible have just been professed to him by others…and he fell in love with the picture that was painted for him.

[@lukewojtanowicz1991]

"It's not a religion, it's a relationship with God." Funny how a relationship with someone, who you can't demonstrate the existence of, requires you to do all the things you would do if you're part of a religion.

[@TreeHairedGingerAle]

Bingo! ☝🏾✨

[@kasocool2812]

"I have a girlfriend she just goes to a different school"

[@BaronVonQuiply]

You wouldn't know my supermodel girlfriend, she uh... goes to school in ...uh, Canada. "Dude... we're in Montreal"

[@robinharwood5044]

I don’t understand why they think a relationship with god isn’t a religion.

[@smitty347]

@@robinharwood5044 I can kind of understand if you don't participate in the church stuff, rituals and all that. Religion is usually a lot more than just believing a god exists. Maybe that's the difference?

[@brucewilliams4152]

By the time I was 12 I was thoroughly convinced that there is no evidence for God.. As a person with a degree in ancient history archaeology and philosophy, there is still no evidence for any Gods.

[@maaGere]

But- but- but- eye witness testimonies and- and- the prophecies!

[@GeneticReconstruction]

Bu-b-bu-but muh miracles😢

[@Dankpuffin]

Jesus Toast *drops mic*

[@kasocool2812]

Raised in the UK I never really believed in god, went to a nondenominational school. Like pretty much all religions it was just something that was studded in RE and I treated it as a mythology study

[@Support_Ad_Blocker]

brucewilliams4152 I got kicked out of Sunday School before I was 11.

[@romazone101]

Poor guy! Self hypnotized into magical thinking.

[@chuckhunter77]

My mother witnessed a street magic trick at a tent revival as a child in the 50s. To this day she swears she saw god grow a woman's short leg.

[@romazone101]

@@chuckhunter77 I had my own "miracle" stories when I was a wanna believer. I seem to lie a lot less since becoming an atheist.

[@Support_Ad_Blocker]

Jimmy Stewart had an invisible rabbit named "Harvey."😂😂

[@jimbob3030]

It's not self hypnotizing at all, it's brainwashing and coercion. He said he felt all encompassing guilt (he was probably filled with self loathing about his sexual orientation) and fear of hell, and other people filled him with the idea that jesus was the answer to this problem, he didn't do any of that to himself.

[@Support_Ad_Blocker]

@@jimbob3030 just another life ruined by religion.

[@themasculinismmovement]

I wanted to believe in a god. I tried to believe in different gods. But in the end, logic won.

[@FlyingSpaghettiJesus]

@@RickLambert963 What a shitty straw man 😂 Was that copy and pasted dribble meant to do anything?

[@carefreemc1445]

Ditto

[@dx1450]

I wish I could believe in a god. The idea of having an all-powerful being looking after us and which has our best interests in mind would be a great comfort. I just don't believe that it's real.

[@Frankya92]

Yep, that was my story too. My very last experience was when I went to a religious retreat over a weekend with my dad. I walked out of it wanting to learn more. Irony is one hell of a thing

[@susiemartinez8983]

I remember this call and also remember how sad it was. Dude just couldn't see beyond what he wanted to see/feel. It definitely felt more like a preachy call rather than a real talk. Hope he got better.

[@skepticusmaximus184]

It was sad. The stange thing is, despite repeatedly reiterating over and over how joyous and happy his relationship with Jesus makes him he, he actually sounded like someone about to unalive themselves; like a very depressed person TRYING convince themselves or others that they're blissfully happy..

[@AmitRahman_LoneWolf]

@@skepticusmaximus184 honestly the caller sounded like he was being held a hostage. And he must convince the hosts that he is in a relationship with Jesus, or his captor would torture him.

[@topgunaudio7983]

Wow, that is actually scary, if anything contrary to his belief happens to him it will destroy his peace and his mind. Well done on the calm handling of this caller.

[@zxys001]

(next caller please) - Hi Tinkerbell - “If you believe, wherever you are, clap your hands, and she’ll hear you. Clap! Clap! Don’t let Tink die! Clap!”.

[@robinette64]

But you have to be alone and “don’t tell anybody!”

[@DJMaul1031]

I hate speculating, but I'd be very willing to bet this young man's "shame" at his "terrible past" has a LOT to do with his sexual orientation and how he was raised to deny it.

[@Bunny99s]

That's a quite far "freudian" stretch. Some people like to reduce things to the sexual orientation. How do you come to this conclusion since you know almost nothing about that person besides the fact that he's stuck in his religious believe? In the past people tried to frame homosexuals as being "sick", nowadays I see more and more people who have the audacity to essentially claim the opposite and frame people as being gay and not admitting it. They "can see it" but that person just "denies" it. That's just equally toxic. Stay out of other peoples businesses, please.

[@aimliard2276]

It could be drugs especially at that age

[@geoffallshorn5167]

​@@Bunny99s LGBT people being compelled to deny their sexuality within religion is a common problem.

[@stevesinner3501]

@@Bunny99s get some education. you'll see it. Also, maybe take a few English classes. And learn to spell.

[@ZombieXee]

I was thinking drugs, robbery and maybe gang activities.

[@pdoylemi]

"He's my best friend!" - What's his favorite food? Don't know? Favorite color? No? Does he prefer football, or baseball? No idea? I know all these things and much more about MY best friend.

[@amtlpaul]

The notion that one can believe something of which one is not convinced by sheer force of will is silly.

[@Finckelstein]

Funnily enough people of all world views and (dis-)beliefs think like that. Had a talk with an atheist the other day who was 100% convinced that we choose our beliefs. Upon challenging him to start believing in the FSM he claimed that he chooses not to because there's too little evidence for it and that him not choosing to believe it reinforces his point. Which is absolutely hilarious. "I can't believe in the FSM because there is no evidence for. Therefore I chose not to believe in it!"

[@MG-ot2yr]

@@Finckelstein You're correct, not everyone is able to choose their beliefs, but many do and more of them are on the religious side rather than non-religious. It also works in politics similarly. I can't choose my beliefs, but do understand that other people do.....I refer to is as self gaslighting.

[@Finckelstein]

@@MG-ot2yr No, absolutely nobody is able to choose their beliefs. You believe something because you were convinced by something. Some religious people may have terrible epistemology and are convinced for poor reasons, but that doesn't mean they chose to be convinced. Most of them simply never questioned their beliefs after being "convinced" (read: brainwashed) as children. But that still doesn't constitute choice.

[@MG-ot2yr]

@@Finckelstein You're wrong, many do choose to be convinced. I witness the mental gymnastics all the time., there's no critical analysis, no skepticism, logic and reason is suppressed. It's a constant exercise of searching for things that support the belief while filtering out the things that conflict with it. I would agree that with most its subconscious rather than intentional, its a product of religious conditioning or brainwashing if you will. So yes it does constitute a choice if you are blocking the skills necessary to come up with a different conclusion.

[@Sanxioned1]

@@Finckelstein The atheist your speaking to either is being unclear, or you are unfairly and deliberately misrepresenting his point. Beliefs are not a. Why? Because one has to be convinced to believe a thing. The convincing event doesn't have to be a person either (like in a debate, though it can be of course). The real choice is when someone begins an exploration honestly, but when the evidence begins to point opposite to their preconceived conclusion, they are then CHOOSING to ignore it. Or they will use a series of fallacies to get to their conclusion. This is usually where most christians and muslims begin to pick and choose what passages are literal and which are figurative -- whatever is necessary to make the end conclusion (that their god is real and just) true. I am unconvinced that god exists, as such, I do not believe in God. I couldn't sit here and FORCE myself to believe in God. It just doesn't work that way. I can CHOOSE to explore a religion (which I have, several times) and perform the rituals (which I have, for much of my life) --- but actions don't depict beliefs; yet beliefs often determine actions. The two are not reciprocal.

[@williamwatson4354]

I remember this clip. Very sad.

[@ApatheticFish3667]

"I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned." (Richard Feynman)

[@wrencestondwanson3437]

We already have all the answers. There's no significant gaps in scientific knowledge and I used yours & my input to address it: ATHEISTS!!! Can you follow the preponderance of the evidence? Look around, do you see anything that could create/design an eye? An ear to hear? Let me educate you: How do you distinguish between something that is designed and something that is not designed? >>> First off, EVERYTHING is designed or NOTHING is designed. With that fact in mind, there are things that are clearly more designed than other things. The high-complexity/high function design of the digestive system in humans and animals is a clear design compared to a rock. These digestive systems not only work, but they repeatedly work. And humans can't duplicate any of it; thus, producing these bodily systems involves a power and intelligence that is far above mankind. Speaking of the digestive system... you know, the mouth, teeth, tongue, epiglottis, throat, stomach, stomach acid, small intestine, large intestine, anus? Those independent structures to deposit food, cut food, moisten food, taste food, swallow food, assimilate food, get energy out of food and remove food. All those structures are not a designed biological machine to sustain life? Of course, they are. Surely, atheists aren’t this stupid. Whoever produced this design has Godlike ability over mankind’s ability, no? Keep in mind that there is no INTELLIGENCE anywhere in the lies of atheism (big bang, abiogenesis, evolution) and therefore, there is no capacity to produce a digestive system without G0D. Atheism debunked. Firstly, observing order and complexity in nature does not necessitate the involvement of an intelligent designer. Natural processes such as evolution by natural selection can account for the apparent design >>> No, that's not possible. The model of evolution is a NEVER OBSERVED MINDLESS PROCESS with no INTELLIGENCE, POWER, PURPOSE, RESOURCES or MEANS. Therefore, there's no possibility that evolution could create/design/produce the high-complexity/high function that we observe in the parts of the digestive system (mouth, teeth, tongue, epiglottis, throat, stomach, stomach acid, small intestine, large intestine, anus). GOD DID IT and no part of nature CAN DO IT (e.g. star dust, moist rocks, mud puddles, hot rocks, moon dirt, warm ponds, gravity, oceans, primordial soup, nothing). and complexity observed in living organisms, including the human hand and bodily systems. Through the gradual accumulation of small changes over time, organisms adapt to their environments, resulting in the diversity and complexity of life we see today. >>> I get it. Magic did it. We can't do it but NEVER OBSERVED MINDLESS PROCESSES can do it (big bang, abiogenesis, evolution. Secondly, attributing the complexity of biological systems solely to an intelligent designer is a classic example of the argument from ignorance fallacy. >>> A "designer" much greater than humanity not only created/designed/produced the digestive system, but also created/designed/produced other systems that are co-dependent on the digestive system (circulatory, respiratory, reproductive, digestive, endocrine, lymphatic, urinary, skeletal, nervous, muscular, body/skin). These factual premises lead us to the rational conclusion that GOD DID IT. And to pile on, there is NEVER OBSERVED IN THE WORLD AT ALL any warm pond, ocean pocket or gaseous cloud that can produce any new information/gain of complexity/evolution/abiogenesis/big bang/new anatomy PERIOD. FULL STOP. A Godless world simply can't happen. Yet the atheist thinks that longggg ago and farrrrrr away, it happened, yet it's IMPOSSIBLE to happen today. Atheist ideas are all pathetically weak excuses out of desperation in hope that God doesn't exist, but this world proves God is required to exist or this world couldn't exist. Furthermore, invoking the complexity of biological systems as evidence for intelligent design overlooks the imperfections, inefficiencies, and vestigial structures present in living organisms-features that are difficult to reconcile with the notion of a perfect and intelligent designer. >>> There's no such thing as "vestigial structures." All bodily parts have function. God designed/created EVERYTHING PERFECT in “The Garden of Eden (Gen 1:31). Adam & Eve were immortal. But death/disease/bad things were brought into the world by sin: “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.” - Rom 5:12 Today, we have 3500 defects in our gene code, but there were none in the time of the “Garden” BEFORE God cursed Adam & what he ruled over (the universe). Lastly, the argument fails to consider the vast amount of evidence from various scientific disciplines, including biology, paleontology, genetics, and comparative anatomy, which support the theory of evolution by natural selection as the most plausible explanation for the diversity and complexity of life on Earth. >>> I already debunked MINDLESS NEVER OBSERVED NEW ANATOMY. It simply doesn't exist/can't exist/will never exist. But if you believe that a MINDLESS, NON-INTELLIGENT PROCESS (evolution) can do anything of complexity, jerk out your brain and make me a ham sandwich. Let’s see how far you get ;) In summary, while the natural world may indeed exhibit order and complexity, attributing these features to the work of an intelligent designer ignores the wealth of evidence supporting naturalistic explanations and relies on logical fallacies and gaps in understanding. >>> The impossibility of evolution is something I call “bonehead science” which is that purposeless mindless cold dead chemicals/forces/laws thought to themselves and then incrementally ascertained all needs, fixes, changes, goals, pursuits, questions and answers while developing a detailed specific creative thought out plan to create time/space/matter/energy ALL AT THE SAME TIME and the diversity of “all life” later, while also providing the first “life” “The Spark of Life,” then food, water, oxygen, sunlight, sun block lotion, temperature adaptability, predator protection, a girlfriend and searched and finally found and accepted the planet earth to place it all on. Then they followed this specific thought out plan with their mindless unguided ability and created all things in perfect arranged planned order by “accident” from “nothing” to do nothing. And this purposeless thing became an atheist and pointed out that although it seemed like a brilliant divine bio-engineer was the creator of all these things - he wasn’t! LOL

[@ApatheticFish3667]

@@wrencestondwanson3437 Those are answers you're not allowed to question because society won't accept you for it. Argument from Complexity: You argue that the complexity of biological systems, such as the digestive system, is evidence of intelligent design. However, complexity alone does not necessitate the involvement of an intelligent designer. Evolutionary processes, specifically natural selection, can account for the gradual development of complex biological structures over time, without the need for divine intervention. Misrepresentation of Evolution: You repeatedly assert that evolution is a "never observed mindless process" and claim that it lacks intelligence, purpose, or the capacity to produce complexity. This is a fundamental misunderstanding of evolutionary theory. Evolution by natural selection is a well-supported scientific concept that explains how organisms adapt to their environments through heritable variations and differential reproductive success. It does not require conscious intent or direction; rather, it operates through the cumulative effects of small, incremental changes over generations. Argument from Ignorance: Your argument relies heavily on the argument from ignorance fallacy, asserting that because we do not fully understand every detail of evolutionary processes, it must be the result of intelligent design. However, gaps in our understanding do not necessarily imply the involvement of a supernatural creator. Science is a process of inquiry and discovery, and our understanding of natural phenomena continues to evolve based on empirical evidence and rigorous investigation. Denial of Scientific Evidence: You dismiss the vast body of scientific evidence from disciplines such as biology, paleontology, genetics, and comparative anatomy that support the theory of evolution by natural selection. This evidence includes fossil records, genetic studies, anatomical similarities among species, and observations of evolutionary processes in action. Ignoring or denying this evidence undermines the credibility of your argument. Theological Assumptions: Your argument presupposes the existence of a specific deity (referred to as "God") as the explanation for the complexity of life. However, this assertion is based on theological assumptions rather than empirical evidence. Science operates within the realm of natural phenomena and does not address questions of theology or the existence of supernatural entities. In conclusion, your argument fails to provide compelling evidence for intelligent design and relies on logical fallacies, misrepresentations of scientific concepts, and theological assumptions. While questions about the origins of life and the complexity of biological systems are complex and multifaceted, invoking a supernatural creator does not offer a scientifically valid explanation. It's essential to engage with scientific evidence and critical reasoning to understand the natural world accurately.

[@truthdepot3582]

This kid is a perfect example of our failed educational system and the gullibility that failed education creates!

[@Refertech101]

and what the parents / family beat into them.

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

1. There is no "American Education System." Individual states and cities/counties dictate structure. 2. Odds are, as strong as his views, he is dictated to by family and/or a private evangelical school environment. 3. The teachers did not fail, they either helped the indoctrination or are outgunned by the family and social environment he chooses.

[@dx1450]

@@koolaidimmunity4032 Which just shows that the dumbing down of America is by design.

[@BigRalphSmith]

Autosuggestion can be an insidious and dangerous thing. Religion couldn't survive without it.

[@iedco4]

This young man is having a mental health crisis and is looking for answers in the wrong place. No normal young person is obsessed with religion unless they had an unlealthy relationship with it in the past !

[@Leith_Crowther]

It’s a six-year-old call, but he may still be having his crisis.

[@TheSnoeedog]

Jesus has taken out a restraining order against this guy

[@NotAPacifist825]

Poor kid. I hope he grew out of it.

[@maxmac7845]

I feel so sorry for this guy. I suspect his parents may be proud of the damage they've done to him.

[@mistylover7398]

Yup. Stupid people still exist

[@georgem2334]

This is your brain on religion, folks.

[@wread1982]

His brain is dead 😢

[@mrxmry3264]

@@wread1982poisoned by all those ridiculous fairytales.

[@MossyMozart]

@@mrxmry3264 - There is always the chance that he will wake up. He isn't even 18 yet. It took me to 19-20.

[@mrxmry3264]

@@MossyMozartwhen i was young, my mother got me out of bed and sent me to church every sunday, and I ABSOLUTELY FLUFFING HATED IT. i guess she wanted to make me believe those ridiculous fairytales in the goat herders' guide to the galaxy, but because of the way she went about it, she achieved the exact opposite of what she wanted. i started rejecting anything and everything religious and not much later i realized that the goat herders' guide to the galaxy is full of BS. so much for my belief in those fairytales.

[@dx1450]

@@mrxmry3264 When I was a kid, we went to church every weekend and I absolutely HATED it too. It was soooo freakin' boring! I never liked church as a kid and is probably one reason I eventually became an atheist.

[@Robeebert]

The boy's peace is so perfect that he calls into an atheist call-in show to display his... Discontent.

[@wizardsuth]

For a mental virus such as religion to persist it must infect new hosts, which it does by convincing infected hosts to spread it to others. The usual route of infection is from parents to children.

[@MossyMozart]

@Raseal0 - True.

[@sfprivateer]

I'm more and more convinced that "Jesus" is a street name for LSD ... "I could sit on the grass all day and I fall more and more in love with Jesus!" Dang.... has to be LSD....

[@Yoandrys23]

I was 16 years old when I first read the Bible from cover to cover. My pastor had a schedule for reading Bible verses that was like a puzzle made up of mostly New Testament verses and a few selected Old Testament passages, but I like to read and I read them in order. That's when I realized that the Bible is made up of 100% humans. I remember my pastor trying to reconcile the stupidest conflicts and mistakes and thinking this guy has no idea what he's talking about.

[@jacksimpson-rogers1069]

Brilliant! Dawkins describes Randolph, Winston Churchill's son, as having a similar experience.

[@Yoandrys23]

Thanks. I'm not particularly smart but even a 16 I could tell something was wrong. For example, why did God "punish" the serpent if it told the true? Or who killed Goliath, or how Judas died, or why God had wheels on his throne if he is Omnipresent. @@jacksimpson-rogers1069

[@MomolosZtips]

Do the same with literature on ancient religions. I found , as a teenager , that they were all the same ... only the names were different. All are based on human frailty and strengths ... we call it "good and evil". "God" has no place in any of those stories, except as the observer of the outcome.

[@Yoandrys23]

Thanks. I'm not particularly smart but even a 16 I could tell something was wrong. For example, why did God "punish" the serpent if it told the true? Or who killed Goliath, or how Judas died, or why God had wheels on his throne if he is Omnipresent. @@jacksimpson-rogers1069

[@outermarker5801]

I was him once, not that young but I was deep into it as an adult. Part of me would love to believe in god again, it was the safest and most comforting thing believing all the bad stuff in my life and that of others' could turn out ok. It was like spiritual anti-depressant, pain reliever, hot cocoa, shot of whiskey, explanation for the unexplainable - anything you needed. But it wasn't real. Having to actually deal with life as it is, loving because it's right, trying to avoid hatred, taking responsibility without a heavenly carrot or a hellfire stick. THIS is hard, and so worth it.

[@wrencestondwanson3437]

So then.......a MUD PUDDLE is real? But God can't be real? Let’s talk about the atheist faith. The Godless faith is that EVERYTHING came from NOTHING. NOTHING exploded (or rapidly expanded). The rocks that came via the big bang became planets. Those planets cooled down. It rained on those rocks of the planet and a soup formed. Out of that soup came the FIRST CELL w/ systems within to eat, digest food, eliminate waste, move, breathe & reproduce, not to mention also having the DNA blueprints of the human being, 9 million DIFFERENT animals and 300,000 DIFFERENT plants. THAT is what atheists BELIEVE and THAT is the best that they can do as an atheist explanation of reality. And EVERYTHING I just presented is TOTALLY IMPOSSIBLE. And they accuse Christians of God using magic! LOL! But if any of my description above happened, it could also not happen without MAGIC! LOL! Science tells us that EVERYTHING can only come from a source of EVERYTHING. NOTHING of this world of FINITE NATURE (time/space/matter/energy) gains in complexity or new information (e.g. multiverse, big bang, abiogenesis, mistakes (mutations) gaining in complexity/new information, star formation, evolution). That garbage has NEVER BEEN OBSERVED and NEVER WILL BE OBSERVED. And since that’s the best atheism can do, then all atheists are delusional idiots.

[@MightyGalvatron]

This is why aliens won't talk to us.

[@jeffbeck8993]

😄👍

[@cursedkennedy7605]

Or why they stopped...

[@joshsheridan9511]

The existence of god is irrelevant to how i live my life. So it has nothing to do with want.

[@thorts]

Oh man that was painful. I know he is just a kid but damn. Sigh.

[@jeffbeck8993]

Bad to paint with a broad brush, however a part of me knows how calls will end up based on the location they're calling in from. This kid's story suggests to me he's never been out of the Tennessee town he's being raised in. A Church on every corner to keep the devil away. 👹👻

[@MG-ot2yr]

There's nothing more irritating than when Christians say this, belief or disbelief isn't a choice. Maybe some people can make themselves believe something, I definitely can't override my skepticism with delusional thinking.

[@TheTruthKiwi]

100% agree. It's so annoying how they think we don't want to believe and they don't seem to realise that we CAN'T believe.

[@talkswithravens982]

Yeah, I agree! When I think about this idea of choice, to me it’s about facts. I change my ideas about things as I learn new facts. It’s how science works. I see how a lot of conservative, religious people will not learn new facts and ideas. They will reject any information that does not reinforce whatever crazy feelings they have. Same with flat earth believers. You cannot have a rational discussion with either type without going crazy. It’s a waste of time. They are just not capable of assimilating new (and especially radically different) facts and ideas. They reject the facts because the facts don’t fit their narrative. It’s the difference between facts and feelings, science and religion. Sometimes when I read a new paper about quantum mechanics and I see a new, radical concept, it takes me a while to accept it. But, eventually (sometimes with more proof) I do accept this new idea as a fact, even if I don’t like it. It’s not about my “choice” being out of my control, as some theists here are trying convince us. It’s about assimilating new facts and then changing my understanding (I hate to call it a “belief”, lol).

[@mike5556]

I really hate when people talk about their "Relationship" with their invisible friends.

[@mistylover7398]

Religious illness

[@RighteousnessWillPrevail]

Why? Jealps or something? =/ You can have them too. Everyone ot to know one. =]

[@mike5556]

@@RighteousnessWillPrevail Why would I be jealous of an invisible friends who cannot interact in any demonstrable way?

[@amtlpaul]

"Each individual human has unique features, therefore God" is a novel argument from the Convict Neppy. Unfortunately, it is no improvement over the Convict's previous arguments. So Neppy's batting average remains unchanged at .000.

[@KyouTGD]

"Shame" is toxic and disgusting. Especially the way it leads to attacking other people for not feeling shame. They're still supposed to do the things that make them feel shameful, but then they're supposed to hide it, lie about it, feel shameful and guilty about it. Then they see people doing those same things but feeling happy about it, and they call those people sinners and demand they be punished.

[@TreeHairedGingerAle]

Agreed! It is truly depressing, especially because he's just a poor kid, having to deal with this burden of senseless dogma and guilt. I remember what it was like to virulently hate myself and internally verbally abuse myself for having perfectly harmless human wants and drives. I remember what it was like to have a tangled knot of anxiousness in my chest _all the time:_ worried about what I *might* inadvertantly be doing at any given moment to anger god. There's a lot that I don't miss, when it comes to religion.

[@TheTruthKiwi]

Well said. That's one of the most disgusting things about religion/christianity.

[@chatpilot]

Speaking from experience as a former fundamentalist Pentecostal believer I understand where this young man is coming from. I once believed that I was filled with the Holy Spirit and anointed to the ministry. It was these feelings and beliefs that I had received through indoctrination that served as evidence of God for me. Theists can't imagine or fathom why anyone would reject God after claiming to have had these experiences. This is why we are often accused of never having been real Christians etc. This poor young man is seriously deluded, but he is content in his delusion so much that he doesn't even know that he is deluded.

[@MikeBeltMikeBelt]

An indoctrinated kid that could not overcome it..abuse.

[@Andre-zw5kl]

Agree. Kids like him are the reason why my girlfriend and I decided to raise our twins into a secular way

[@jeffbeck8993]

@@Andre-zw5klGood. My sister got herself into the mormon cult. They didn't have a pot to pee in or a window to throw it out of, but she dutifully had 1 kid every year and a half/2 years or so, and after #5 (I think), her Doctor told her she needed to take a break and let her body repair itself. She didn't. Finally stopped at kid #7, and a few years later, her wonderful, godly mormon husband dumped her. He ignored the lesser female kids in favor of the boys, which he had working for him for free. Rarely, if ever, provided my sister with money, she relied on food banks and the "temple" and our Mom for help, and I donated funds to help her get updated work training so she could eventually find a decent job and get on her feet, which she did. Jesus, or Xenu - whatever they believe in - was nowhere to be found. Kid 1 ended up in prison for 5 years for gang related/violent felonies. #2 became a hippie fruitcake and left as soon as she turned 18. #3 is an immature punk who I'm surprised didn't wind up in jail himself. #4 is an uneducated, arrogant punk. #5 is a closeted gay guy, but has done well getting educated and into an excellent career field all on his own. He'll be just fine. #6 is afraid of the real world, so she finally got married and is about to start having multiple litters of mormon kids. #7 is a headcase on meds but he's so nice, it's a shame. My sister was so worn out by then, so he was pretty much on auto-pilot.

[@Andre-zw5kl]

​@@jeffbeck8993I'm so sorry for your sister and her kids that didn't make it to a good living standard. That's why it's important into a relationship to respect your bunderies as much as your partener's onces I am an atheist while my girlfriend is a Chatolic. We respect our bunderies and each other so the relationship between us it's really stable. We agreed togheter to not get married because we don't beleive in the importance of it and also because our adoptive daughter was born anglichan we agreed to let our twins to grow up and choose their believes when they will be old enough to do so. Till then all out secularism

[@ApatheticFish3667]

I'm surprised NEPy has the courage to show his face here after he got exposed as a complete loser. You weren't smart enough to not lose your job, not go to jail, and not go homeless. Why should we take the word of someone who's completely mental?

[@Beacon80]

You underestimate how good NEPy is at gaslighting himself.

[@IamKlaus007]

A religious person, telling an atheist they must have a "god" in their life, for whatever reason, opens the door for the atheist to reciprocate. Meaning; to set about convincing the zealot they DON'T need a "god" in their life.

[@amtlpaul]

Clearly the Convict Neppy has nothing but hot air to offer-- and, when it comes to sound arguments, a batting average of .000.

[@haactgaming9687]

The Guy is high enough to see god in a banana! Just like Ray Comfort!

[@chesterdamolester6990]

*Gay Cumfart

[@mirandahotspring4019]

It must have been hard for Ray when he was eventually told that god didn't create his banana, it was the result of selective horticulture over many years by man.

[@stevesand8845]

@@mirandahotspring4019 but the Banana is curved toward the mouth he said…. explain that

[@Refertech101]

@@stevesand8845 I think that was influenced by Kirk Cameron ;)

[@mirandahotspring4019]

@@stevesand8845 He's probably fixated with the similarity between a banana and a penis.

[@78endriago]

my life was out of control, till i gave my life to santa, and became determined to get on his good list, and stay on his good list. now i have a relationship with santa.

[@holgerlubotzki3469]

Next thing we know, you'll be telling us he brings you presents once a year when it's not even your birthday. Huh.

[@78endriago]

@@holgerlubotzki3469 no, being a good person is it's own reward.

[@MossyMozart]

@@holgerlubotzki3469 - Yeah, suuuuure. And I bet he has "elves" make the presents for him, like a sweet, peppermint-flavored sweat shop.

[@mwudzy]

Well if this guy's arguments haven't convinced you, then I don't know what will. Next you'll be telling me that even Santa isn't real, I guess you're just against unseen bearded wonders who either bestow or deny reward depending on our behavior!!

[@jacksimpson-rogers1069]

Oddly enough, the USA has a Germanic Santa. I was Old Father Christmas for a few performances of Christmas Revels one year, the English version, a far less judgemental fellow.

[@Sharon-fw9qw]

This call is EXCRUCIATING

[@smochygrice465]

Nope! I just don't want to do boring AF God ritual activities like worship and prayer as honestly I'd rather be out in the garden or walking the dog. Simple. And a good Monday Morning 🌞 AXP Fans and Theists ❤❤❤ Peace Love Empathy From Australia 🇦🇺✌️🤠🤘

[@somersetcace1]

What I want or don't want, is irrelevant. The religion he believes in is uncompelling and irrational. At some point the same old arguments he's regurgitating become tiresome. It doesn't matter how much crap you pile in your hand, when you're done, it's still a pile of crap. But somehow they think if they pile it up high enough it will turn to gold.

[@AlbertHess-xy7ky]

I can never decide which God to not believe in.

[@wrencestondwanson3437]

The God of the Bible is the one true God and Jesus is the only one God the Father has ever raised from the dead. There can only be one infinite being: 1. An infinite being lacks nothing. 2. For 2 beings to differ, one has to lack something the other has. 3. A being that lacks something, is not infinite. 4. Therefore, there can only be one infinite being. 5. An ultimate being has no potential, because the potential is maxed out. Therefore, it’s a contradiction to say there can or should be more than one infinite being. That would erroneously state that a finite being is not maxed out potential and another one is needed to reach full potential. 6. To say this infinite being is the Christian G0D, we go into the historical evidence of Jesus and his Word. It is patently obvious there can only be one supernatural first cause/prime mover/God.

[@AlbertHess-xy7ky]

There is no infinite being. the only thing that is infinite is time and space. Man invented the concept of God for power and control. @@wrencestondwanson3437

[@ApatheticFish3667]

Flojo: NO name is hated soo much as Jesus! Hitler:

[@alasdairwhyte6616]

" I gave my life to Jesus" - you were robbed 🤣

[@nicksykes4575]

Well, that's a compelling argument, I'm totally convinced....NOT!!

[@eagletrippin]

The look on Eric's face at 7:14 = Priceless!🤣🤣🤣🤣 ...followed up by the "Wow😳" at the end 7:24, LMAO

[@lockedonlaw]

I don't want to believe in anything. Belief in things is for children.

[@bmoshareholderappleshareho855]

Believing in God is no different than believing in Santa Claus.

[@Liaam04]

Fr I’ve always said this😂

[@Seticzech]

I get your point (sort of) but life without believing is impossible.

[@supereldinho]

I think you're confusing belief with faith.

[@aberrantreptile]

Either that, or depending on what kind of definition of belief these people try to wrangle into the conversation, I want to ‘believe’ as many true things as possible. And a god belief doesn’t exactly line up with that.

[@brentmiller3951]

I don't need this boys god

[@williamjohn2910]

This poor young man is trapped by fear

[@SnakeMan448]

Either he got creepily obsessed with Jesus by himself or someone made him so. Either way, he needs to dial it back.

[@user-Terry314]

Don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you see.

[@notreallydavid]

I wasn't great at shaping a story when I was in my late teens. Neither is the caller. I was better at answering questions, though. He speaks quite movingly about his happiness. I still reject his conclusions.

[@glen46823]

Correct, I don't want to believe in the God of the Bible because he's an absolute tyrant. But if the proof showed he existed, I would admit it, but fortunately, that proof isn't there or that tyrant would probably torture me for eternity.

[@Jynksz]

I enjoy the kindness in your responses. 💙

[@Beacon80]

NEPy: Do you have empirical evidence? Me: Yes. NEPy: No you don't!!! Me: Are you even going to ask what my evidence is? NEPy: No! Because you don't have any! This is what "winning" looks like.

[@steveboone7390]

I do admire this caller for sharing his cocooned worldview. Very brave albeit naive. It's like discovering fire or the wheel. Hope he gets over it when more years test him.

[@Currin4]

As a proud member of the Temple of Satan, there is no god, only this life matters. Be a good person to each other. Don’t let a book control your happiness.

[@smochygrice465]

Congratulations on 410k Subscribers AXP ❤❤❤

[@Noooo-gd3jw]

Poor kid!!!😢 so brainwashed

[@MossyMozart]

@Noooo-gd3jw - He sounded so lonely and vulnerable. Ripe for the plucking. B^(

[@traktorek3675]

The “don't tell anyone what you are doing” talk is so telling. Like dude can't comprehend people can just play something challenging their beliefs in their homes without a reaction from family members

[@ChrisFerguson-zm4gt]

0:27 no its not fine. These people make decisions based on imaginary friends. I guarantee some of the nutjobs have been driving and literally have thrown their hands up and yelled "jesus take the wheel".

[@jamesreed620]

Cut him some slack. He is still learning how to think

[@CheesyChez421]

Dudes about 17 years too late.

[@keaco73]

Sounds like this guy is in a cult compound

[@carefreemc1445]

I have some experience with this subject. I've been an atheist for nearly 20 years and I've been very poorly for 8 of them. At my worst I was being tube fed through my heart and required surgery that only had a 20% survival rate. I was so terrified of dying I actually prayed. I would have given everything for that blind faith, but no matter what I simply couldn't believe! My atheism is definitely not a choice!

[@xelasomar4614]

So you should believe in something just for believing, no reason necessary? If that's the case, why not just believe in magic fairies instead?

[@TreeHairedGingerAle]

😂 Or heck, I could just believe in a random object! "Me, I'm going to believe in these colored pencils today!" n_n I'll look at them, touch them, admire them, I'll doodle with them....and, lo! :o When I awake tomorrow, there shall be simple, prettily colored sketches in my journal to remind me of the day that I believed in colored pencils. We could all make feelings just as beautiful as any religious delusion, if we choose to believe in something harmless and fun each day ☀️✨

[@AXKfUN9m]

Does believing in magic fairies get you a tax break? I don't think so.

[@efi3825]

The attitude at 3:27 is what puts this woman way above Frank Turek and the likes. She actually tries to stay on topic and elaborate on one point, while Frank tries to subtly step away from the topic as soon as he feels his collocutor has a good answer.

[@Refertech101]

I can fell amazing, at peace, whole, complete, absolute bliss that is perfect, it happens every morning, when the first cup of coffee is sipped cuddled with the dogs! That there folks was a Jack Chick level creationist, he was there to preach, not learn.

[@diogeneslamp8004]

👍 coffee

[@Beacon80]

Doggies make everything better.

[@diogeneslamp8004]

@@Beacon80 As does coffee.

[@charleslipscomb2567]

I went through something similar at 16, I didn't experience anything really world shattering, and over time I felt I wasn't meeting the 'quota' of sharing the gospel to others. I began questioning things but I was too scared to share it with anyone in my church because I thought they would 'shun' me. Eventually I drifted away, I am now a 62 year old agnostic. I also learned at age 46 that I'm on the autism spectrum. I have no hostility against sincere believers, my Mom still prays for me and that's fine, I just can't go along with these 'fundamentalists' who want to turn this country into a nationalist theocracy! No way! Have a good day everyone.

[@Lord_Mecca]

Its so sad to hear how brainwashed this kid is 😞

[@Lcacique]

He notes that Jesus says in the Bible that "whoever asks for the Holy Spirit, I will give it to them." He assures us that he really wanted it and at the age of 12 he gave his life to Christ at a church revival and asked to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The outcome, he states that nothing happened. From 12 to 16, he's a bad person. Then, he says he gave his life to Christ again - I guess - when he was 16. But this time, life is just fuckin' magical and Jesus if my best friend. So, why did your best friend not follow through with His promise, ignoring you for four years? For those who aren't indoctrinated, the answer is obvious.

[@patbrumph6769]

Christianity is not about God or Salvation. It's is about money and power. Religion is a business. It's the way minister's make money. Jesus is the merchandise, Salvation the sales pitch, and fear of Hell "The Great Motivator." The minister teaches you to scrutinize and pass judgement on every minute aspect of your life. Every imperfection should be highlighted and condemned. No matter what you do, you are ALWAYS wrong. He admonishes you to OBEY God, confess your sins, admit your weaknesses, and get down on your knees to PLEAD for God's love, mercy, and forgiveness. Above all you must fear the fires of Hell. Psychiatry tell us these are toxic self-destructive behaviors. The preacher is teaching you to degrade yourself in your own eyes. Humble, fearful, regressed people are easy to manipulate. A self-respecting person works to develop his strengths, NOT his weaknesses. He builds himself up, and avoids TEARING HIMSELF DOWN. A confident person questions authority and makes reasoned decisions that serve his interest. People look to self-confident people for their leaders. In the competitive world, humility is a dysfunctional behavior that leads to failure, abuse and MANIPULATION. Self-respect is strength. It's the name of the game.

[@FiveInchTaint]

Always has, always will be.

[@mr_mr]

"go alone" "don't tell anyone" ...this poor kid

[@Tucker358]

This poor kid

[@MichaelMoellerTRLInc]

It was hilarious that he somehow believes that atheist have never actually opened their hearts to Jesus and that's the only reason they're atheist. It's always the old, you just didn't try hard enough or really want to believe, excuse. All while cherry picking out their favorite versus to justify their belief. I really wish we would just spend more time utterly annihilating these references and justifications from the bible when it is filled with hypocrisy, contradictions and demonstrates just how awful God is if he exists. The bible, regardless of which version or edition, is the worst possible anecdotal evidence for God that there is. Anyone who believes differently has clearly never read the book or is just a blatantly dishonest apologist.

[@jaflenbond7854]

Atheists, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and fanatics of all kinds of Religions KNOW and are fully aware that they are all living and existing on planet Earth loaded with billions and billions of liars, slanderers, deceivers, traitors, and murderers, arrogant, cruel, hateful, and merciless persons Atheists, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and fanatics of all kinds of Religions DON'T BELIEVE that the Creator's favor and reward of ETERNAL LIFE and existence on earth without sufferings, pains, griefs, sickness, and death is NOT for arrogant, cruel, hateful, and merciless persons NOT for liars, slanderers, deceivers, traitors, and murderers but ONLY for lowly, ordinary, kind, and respectful persons on earth who honor and obey Jesus Christ as their loving, kind, and merciful Master and Heavenly King and believe his teachings about the "Kingdom of God" and "Resurrection of the Dead" Atheists, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and fanatics of all kinds of Religions DON'T BELIEVE that the teaching of Jesus Christ about the "Resurrection of the Dead" is NOT for arrogant, cruel, hateful, and merciless persons NOT for liars, slanderers, deceivers, traitors, and murderers but ONLY for lowly, ordinary, kind, and respectful persons who died recently and thousands of years ago like Abel, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Job, Ruth, Naomi, King David, Jesus Christ's Followers and disciples, and many others, They will all be RESURRECTED back to life in the right and proper time so they can happily, abundantly, and peacefully live and exist on earth forever as subjects and citizens of the "KINGDOM of GOD" and fully enjoy the eternal love, kindness, goodness, generosities, compassions, favors, and blessings of the Creator and his Christ for eternity under the loving and kind rulership, guidance, and protection of Jesus Christ as the Creator's Chosen King and Ruler of the heavens and the earth.

[@howlingwolf7280]

This is another example where I just wish the tools had been given to this kid to think critically, to question and explore his beliefs at an early age. I honestly feel that he wants to save me, he wants me to be happy and to be saved in his heaven. He cares about people, but he can't even fathom that he doesn't need religion to feel or act that way. It comes from him, in his heart, being a good kid.

[@chrisb9740]

This is a very old clip, hopefully Paul has opened his eyes by now.

[@renedekker9806]

Yes, I already thought I had already seen it. Are they re-uploading old clips?

[@sandersson2813]

Pretty sure he was one of the many prank callers to the show.

[@urhere976]

​@@renedekker9806evidently, yes. And I Like this duo.

[@notreallydavid]

​@@sandersson2813I think he's sincere. I don't hear any provocations in what he's saying.

[@ALTDOK667]

Yes, that's why it called a Throwback in the title. @@renedekker9806

[@miguelserrano3935]

Jesus get a room😂

[@JadedzUzi]

That poor poor child, I remember myself that way...I now feel so many things, whole-heartedly and have more joy than ever. I used to turn off my feelings when it didn't concern god. How much I was missing in life and the people around me. I have MORE appreciation for things and people and value my time on this earth as it is limited. We have one life, live well.

[@StarTrekLivz]

These Christians believe that their feelings are as valid as objective facts and information. Well, I have a warm feeling when I listen to the symphonies of Gustav Mahler. Therefore, by the same reasoning, Gustav Mahler is God. It never fails to amaze me that people exposed to modern education, the internet, think that books written 2,000+ years ago are absolutely authoritative. And this particular "Christian," if he grew up in an Islamic country, would probably make the same argument for Islam, or if in India, for Hinduism.

[@nikkinfl]

Bless his entire heart!

[@natas3503]

No gods, no masters. The amount of gods you would have to pray to is quite astounding. Xristianity is quite new in the evolution of religion. If I were to pray, it would be to the old gods.

[@jacksimpson-rogers1069]

Yay! Dear @natas3503, If you have not read "The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul" by Douglas Adams, you should do so. His definition of Thor, who believes that his father Odin should demand from the Norns the return of his eye, is a god whom if he existed I might be willing to worship.

[@natas3503]

@@jacksimpson-rogers1069 I only know Douglas Adams from the hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy, so I'll have to check that one out!

[@mrxmry3264]

@@natas3503i particularly like the part where he proves that god does NOT exist :-)

[@aliasalias8681]

He says he is 17 but I’m guessing he’s actually 16, and he doesn’t sound like a particularly bright 16-year-old.

[@davidszeremi1786]

Why should I want to believe in a god? Does God make sense? Is there anything good that only a god can give? Are there bad things that happen because you believe in a god? Does it matter if it's the wrong god? How do you know?

[@ilonachan]

Oh no, he literally just said "I don't have any close friends beside Jesus [my imaginary friend], and my home is not on this world but in heaven [an imaginary place], that's where I belong". When he said that it hit me on a personal level. It actually reminded me of a recent anime called "Stardust Telepath", where the main character had basically the exact same thought! (Except instead of heaven it was alien planets & Jesus was a bunch of cute space aliens ^_^) The show is about her finding real people to be friends with in the real world, and it's super sweet! It also leaves ambiguous whether the other MC is actually an alien (she clearly has SOME kind of psychic powers tho), and that means it's possible to keep this dream goal of hers alive while still having something meaningful on the one planet where we do know people exist. It's absolutely possible to "have a relationship with Jesus" but not consider that literally the most and only important thing in your life... and I hope this caller will realize that someday. (of course not clinging to an imaginary friend at all would be even better, but hey, baby steps)

[@ApatheticFish3667]

Christian: "Atheists believe the universe came from nothing!" Atheist: "What did god use to create everything?" Christian: "Uh... His powers." Atheist: "What is the source of his power?"

[@twine682]

I know this one...MAGIC !

[@FiveInchTaint]

It's amazing the scrutiny they can apply to things like big bang or evolution by natural selection, but accept stories like Noah's Ark or the Tower of Babel at face value. Perfectly rational....

[@wrencestondwanson3437]

@@FiveInchTaint I accept God; I don't accept nonsense. Maybe you should put in 50 yrs of research, study & experience to know. Our INFINITE/ETERNAL/SUPERNATURAL God is required to exist so that this FINITE/DYING WORLD could have it's beginning: NOTHING of nature can produce the human being (e.g. star dust, moist rocks, mud puddles, hot rocks, moon dirt, warm ponds, gravity, oceans, primordial soup, nothing). NOTHING of your asinine, lost & clueless atheist cult is POSSIBLE & NONE OF IT can be EMPIRICALLY OBSERVED IN REAL TIME (e.g. multiverse, big bang, abiogenesis, mistakes (mutations) gaining in complexity/new information, evolution). NOTHING but TRUE NATURE can be EMPIRICALLY OBSERVED IN REAL TIME (e.g. flower bloom, reproduction, photosynthesis, digestion, respiration, top down production, gravity, sunshine). THAT is the litmus test for true reality regarding the truth (God, Creation, The Bible) and your Godless faith is hereby debunked and the truth (God, Creation, The Bible) is factually supported. Try to learn what I'm teaching you before it's too late (when your temporary free will expires at your last gasp on earth and you go to an eternal hell - wishing you had never been born). YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO GET THIS WRONG. Because 100+ trillion yrs from the moment you entire hell, it won’t even be the start of eternity! For now, you and every facet of your asinine, lost & clueless cult of atheism are hereby debunked (e.g. multiverse, big bang, abiogenesis, mistakes (mutations) gaining in complexity/new information, evolution, gain of complexity/gain of new information/new anatomy).

[@mrxmry3264]

so if god created everything, who or what created god?

[@dx1450]

I changed my life when I quit religion and became an atheist. I believe a lot more empathetic toward other people.

[@exaucemayunga22]

This guy still reasons like a 7 year old. He couldn't even shut up and answer simple questions.

[@DrDeathpwnsu]

17, been a believer for over a year! Kids really do say the darndest things.

[@themasculinismmovement]

Lol my imaginary friend is my best friend and lover too lol

[@MrCanis4]

You Just Don't WANT To Believe In Vishnoe, now do'nt ye.

[@deenyc1049]

Actually I would love if there were actually a God that doles out justice. But I can only believe in reality and facts. That's why it's vital for the church to keep people poorly educated and indoctrinate children early. Otherwise religion and conservatism in general would die out.

[@wread1982]

Can’t feel fire in hell without nerves and a brain and neurotransmitters 😂😂😂

[@RosieRoserules]

If this young boy gave his life to Jesus does that mean that he is out feeding the poor in the hungry especially the immigrants

[@johnm24358]

This guy is a troll..... He is just seeing how long he can stay on the line and fool the hosts....

[@arthurunknown8972]

I "want" to believe in true things & reject false things, regardless of how I feel about it. Then, I "want" to use the best methodology to determine true from false.

[@petermeichan3160]

way to throw your life away dude

[@amtlpaul]

Mr. 'Dwanson' 's penchant for strawmanning is tantamount to surrender, as they leave unanswered the actual positions of atheists here. So much for their self-proclaimed 50 year track record of victories in debate!