Mormon Holding on to Belief | Mitch - Kansas City, MO | Atheist Experience 21.25
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- The Atheist Experience 21.25 for June 25, 2017 with Matt Dillahunty and Jen Peeples.
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This guy is soooo close to waking up. Hes following matt at every turn. You can literally hear his eyes opening...
If I had to guess I'd say he's likely now come around and dropped religion altogether.
He is so close. I think hes afraid of losing his family, keeping g his eyes shut.
I hope he has burnt his underwear by now
Mos def, I love it when the callers are honest
Chad Zeller you’d be surprised the amount of ex Mormons who realize it’s not true but still believe in Jesus Christ the savior. Mind blowing
Poor guy. I’ve been where he’s been and the pain and fear is overwhelming. Hope things worked out for this fella
Bro me tooooo. I wasnt mormon but dayum the guilt was real.
You know someone is close to the switch when Matt stays calm and understanding.
Wasn't Mormon but I know exactly what this guy was feeling and going through, too. It sucks; decades of useless lies and fucked up ideas about how to live life and they're basically arbitrary. It's insulting on the highest level.
Me too, Jehovah's Witness for 30 years. Brain-washing cult, so glad I escaped, but shunned by so many friends and family...but you do come out through it a better person.
Me too. I'm fresh outta the religion thing...still a bit shakey.
As an ex-mormon, I feel for Mitch. “It’s my entire world which would be ripped from me.” Yes, my whole world as I knew it was ripped from me when I discovered the church wasn’t true and JS was a fraud. I went through all the “personal revelation”, near-visions, etc. I married in the temple. But my sagging shelf collapsed especially after reading the CES Letter and actually finding real evidence of ugly church history. I realized that anyone in any other religion also had the same feelings of “truth” that their church was the only way. You can’t go based on feelings. I lost family and friends. But now I don’t live a lie and am happy! Wish I could talk to Mitch. Sounds like he is brave enough to actually look for truth and evidence.
Former Mormon here too. Told my wife a year ago that I no longer believe, due to the CES letter, and other things. But it's been terribly hard on our marriage, and she thinks I've been led astray by the devil. Her family, I'm sure, believe the same. It's so hard. But the truth is worth it. The LDS church, and all other religions, are going to suffer because it's so easy to find information these days. What I found was horrible. If the church were true it would be able to stand up to investigation. But it doesn't. Good luck. Glad I'm not alone.
Cheryl Haynes I was mormon too before I became an atheist. And I felt so afraid and hopeless at the start. You start asking yourself questions and finding answers. It's a process and it's painful. It's painful because you see the truth, you see reality.
How did you deal with the fallout? ie friends, family, spouse, church, etc. Are you still in community with them? Were you 'cast out'?
Cheryl Haynes, Mr Jeremy seems to have gotten cut off and accidentally left out what he meant to say: “because you are worth so much more”
Me too, Jehovah's Witness for 30 years. Brain-washing cult, so glad I escaped, but shunned by so many friends and family...but you do come out through it a better person.
Is it just me or are Mormon callers are often the best callers. They seem to tend to actually listen, think and speak honestly rather than react, dance around questions and talk over you. Much respect!
The stereotype of Mormons being extremely nice isn't just a stereotype. I've known a few. Infuriatingly arrogant about their belief, but nice.
I think it's a facade. You ones you speak to are almost always really young and eager, and they often approach with respect, but when they get rattled from their scripts or you cause any doubts in their faith, they become a whole other person. I got onto a couple of them who knocked on our door at 9pm when we lived in Washington State. I was annoyed because we were trying to get our 4 year old to go to sleep and they loudly knocked on the door after hours. I quickly said we weren't interested, and they could easily tell I was annoyed but they persisted to want to talk. I laid into them. The guy said I should have a sign up if I didn't want after hours knocks on the door, and I told him he should have enough common sense and respect for other people to know not to bother them at 9pm. I chewed his ass out and he came right back at me. I ended up putting a sign on the door that told everyone to leave us alone (a very snarky sign) and reported him to his Church. I fucking hate Mormons.
It's because they are taught from a baby that (anger & contention) are the spirit of Lucifer or his rebellious spirits tempting you to commit sin. To become angry is to become possessed by the Devil. So you aren't to be angry even if someone hits you or threatens your life! The reward for being obedient is to God & Jesus, is recieving all knowledge & all power, becoming a God yourself.
@@Pay-It_Forward this is it! Mormons are taught that anger and arguing are devilish things, so they cultivate a passivity they consider holiness
I've lived in Utah forever and Mormons are generally great, though quite nosy in old age 😂
Mitch is a very honest person. Plus, he is very open to new and confronting arguments. He is a good guy.
as an ex mormon, I feel this man's pain. My heart breaks for him. I hope he was able to find the truth, and peace in his life
Audra Thomas the fear of family reactions is terrible. My family just found out a couple weeks ago. My mom still does not know. I could not imagine having the stress of dealing with a spouse who is active.
It sounds like this dude had a bad LDS trip.
Quite a few of us have
So happy you don’t live in Utah. It’s tough to find the truth anywhere, but Utah would be worse. Lived here 63 years
Sometimes simplicity is truth.
Talk to your wife. She may be in agreement and afraid to say so.
More like a great one! he woke up, just like me after my trip. Goodbye theism!
Ricardo Koch wooosh
This was the saddest most emotional call I've ever heard on this show...to hear the guy talk about how his family is still firmly mormon and he is having doubts but doesn't want to jeopardize his family relationships
Every time Mitch talks about something being a dilemma for him, I thought "I'm so proud of him, he's almost there." I hope he got there.
Keep going, Mitch. Keep going.
I can almost hear his voice breaking up when talking about how tough it is to lose his faith. Been there; it was the hardest time in my life.
“When you grow up, and invest so much, and have an entire family that comes at odds with how you’re raised” literally the definition of indoctrination and if they leave you for believing something different, that is ostracizing. That is what conditional love is. Family does not love conditionally. Some of us have learned that the hard way.
Struggles with logic, but as honest a caller as I’ve heard. Good luck Mitch.
Former LDS-I must say that this video is incredible. It touches on so many things. I always say to my LDS friends/family that if you have a sure testimony of that religion being true than what about the Muslims, Catholics, Scientologists etc? Matt bringing up his past and the logical question here is great. Mormons also believe that you don’t (fully) get the Holy Ghost until you’ve been baptized so how people can find the truth through this means before joining is confusing. THANK YOU Mitch and The Atheist Experience for providing a way for others to see this.
Me too, Jehovah's Witness for 30 years. Brain-washing cult, so glad I escaped, but shunned by so many friends and family...but you do come out through it a better person.
Man, am I off with the faeries today. I read this whole comment thinking about LSD, Not latter day saints (LDS) 🤦♂️
Take a cold bath and you are admitted to the special club...
As a FKA Mormon, your comment about other faiths is almost exactly what I said to my mother when I was leaving the LSD church.
@@nunyabusiness979 I work
In Dearborn Mi, most heavily Muslim populated city in the 🇺🇸. So many people there believe their faith is the one true religion,..go to Salt Lake City Utah and you’ll find the exact same response but with Mormonism. Both with powerful testimonies but both can’t be right.
It sounds like the caller is starting to wake up.
"Going to church , having that 'peaceful feeling".
Each time I have good bowel movement I get that calming, peaceful feeling.
Great, isn't it? 😌
Haha thats why I stopped going to church, I can get that feeling on the toilet
JOHN L OPPERMAN, I know that feeling 😁
@Toughen Up, Fluffy I got the same feeling from the Jehovah's Witlessness when they were reading the Wholly Babble.
@@jeffknott7360 Have you ever been buggered forwards then?
I get that feeling at church. Those bathrooms are legit. A fitting place for a poo. Perfect place to play pokemon
this is definitely one of the best conversations on TAE. excellent stuff. honesty is everything.
This was a pleasent one. An actual discussion and i found it educational and helpful. Thank you caller and thank you A crew.
@ beneath.the.roses Lucid Dream
You are so right. I was a born again Baptist like Matt but the nagging thought always was:
How can we independent fundamentalist Baptists be the only ones going to heaven when there are so many good people in the world who are not Baptist or born in a different culture/religion. I am not that smart but it gnawed away at me. Then I read 'The God Delusion '. It did take more agonizing than that but...I am out but still curious.
Mitch, you have my respect. Why? Because you're intellectually honest ... and, in my experience, that's a rare quality among theists.
This is an awesome video, and those theists that call in a yell at Matt for having no morals and that he’s a horrible man, should watch this and see Matt’s compassion for his fellow man..
12:00 that is what I always say... "God" is just YOU giving YOU permission... period."
Honest dude. Feel his pain; he will get there eventually.
How best to help these people?
One of the greatest videos, no doubt.
The moment a human being waking up to his own self.Yes.Least we hope so...
What an honest conversation, difficulty as may be, but acknowledging many aspects. Good luck Mitch! Thanks Matt and Jen!
Matt, You are so much more effective when you are nice to people . Colin Lavery SCOTLAND
>.> God is allowing me to binge watch one more video
@@robertsipe9748 The mormon church has made it too easy to lose members by instilling in them a great desire to be honest about finding the truth.
@@Gorg0nops damn that's true. never thought of it like that
To be fair he's a lot nicer when people are open to a back and forth, and willing to not just assert things without evidence
I hope he keeps calling back for the honest answers he will get from this format. The call made me sad. The chains of religion....
Nah, what's sad is when the person calling see the chain, but see no way of escaping them, even at the end of the conversation. At least this one just found some tools to get rid of them.
I like this guy. His mind is open to concepts and logic and facts, despite having been brain-washed all his life. I went through the same thing having been raised as a Jehovah's Witness...
Sounds like a really nice an honest person that was fed a lot of toxic lies. Hope he makes it out okay 😊
Me giving Mitch a huge human hug
Hug
Hope all is well with you brother
What a wholesome conversation! Wishing all the best to Mitch
I really like this guy and I hope things went well for him.
Great caller, I feel for this guy. I also find it hilarious that all the advertisements I get watching this channel is for religious establishments. 😂
I still remember that Sunday. I called to express my concerns and my happiness out of the LDS church. Had they taken my call after Mitch, this would have been the quintessential episode for Mormons on their way out of faith.
Greetings from Loncoche, Chile.
He seems like a really nice man who is trapped by religion.😔
Mitch has guts. Keep asking questions, Mitch. All the best to you.
Good for you, Mich. You're so close to being free, so close to the end of the tunnel. I sincerely hope you make it. This is the type of call that warms my hearts.
I’m 13 minutes in and I genuinely feel like he’s actually searching. Would be amazing if he comes back on the show to see where he’s at now. Wish him best of luck 🤞
the 'holy ghost'. that name alone should be enough to cause a rational thinker to reject a god.
"The Still Small Voice," "The Holy Spirit of Promise" ... Any better? Mormons use those too.
@@utah133
no
@@utah133 no
Holy ghost? Ghost of whom?
Maybe he left LDS using a ghosting technique. That might best explain why he (?) is not quoted in the bible, and the messages they recieve from him cannot be repeated using words.
Search, ponder and pray. In other words, talk yourself into it according to their finely tuned gaslighting formula... I'm an ex-Mormon. This guy is edging hard! He's about to blow a load of lifetime indoctrination.
What a great session! I was very impressed by both the moderators and the caller.
I hear a lot of fear and pain in his voice - what a hard place to be....
I feel you, Dude. Been there, done that. Very honest exchange. Mitch is courageous, just for voicing his mental anguish. Also very enlightening responses from Matt and Jen.
Congrats mitch. Enjoy the truth.
Love this call, I know exactly where he is.
I was born into the LDS church and left when I was 17. The guilt trips and strained social relationships with family after leaving the church in a big Mormon family is a VERY real thing.
Mitch reminds me of my coming out (as gay) dilemma. After several years of wracking my brain on whether I should or shouldn't and how and what I would be giving up, etc.., I finally admitted to myself, that I can't live in the dark any longer. I prepared myself for a total loss of the family - all members - that I would be totally cut off and on my own. I was 25 at the time and still in school. In the end, it went as I suspected. But that only lasted about 6 to 8 months. Then my family started to come around. That was 40 years ago. Now, I'm back to being the favorite, I can basically do no wrong, I'm looked up to as the responsible and dependable one. I'm also the one they go to for advice and help. So, for me, it was the best decision I could have made. Sure it was difficult, but once on the other side, Mitch will be much happier with himself. In his case, he may have to realize, not everyone will support him and some will drop him. I've dropped many a friend in my life after I realized they were a toxic influence with no long term regrets. Sometimes family can or has to be the same.
This call is just wonderful! I really hope Mitch continued this line of thoughts. And its great, that he reached out to you, to help him sort out the chaos.
He seemed like a thoughtful caller.
It's always fascinating to hear someone desperately rationalizing their remaining beliefs, for a need just to hang on to their faith.
It is definitely a life-altering thing.
Everyone's process is different.
26:57
His voice, the way he said that, makes me feel so sorry for him.
Like it when callers are willing to listen and question things. Also when Matt shows more patience and works in a more surgical, supportive and precise way.
This is honestly my favorite episode to date. You really helped him out.
20:40 Point - To take the orphanage analogy one step further, the other kids in the orphanage are also getting these strange and cryptic occasional messages, but they contradict the messages you are getting.
Matt is almost always kind to people who are willing to engage in an intellectually honest way. It's the dishonest actors that he gets cranky with. Even then, he's often far more patient with them than I would be able to be.
Yeah Matt cares more than he gets credit for
Thanks Mitch, You don't have a clue how you just helped me 😢
Best call I've heard,
Thanks so much
I really feel for this guy. The fear of losing everything he cares about is on full display. That fear is probably the only thing holding him back right now, and I'm sure he doesn't want to know the things he has come to know. I typically say that I'd always rather know the truth than live with a comfortable lie, but this guy really makes me empathize with the idea of trying to hold on to that lie.
When he said: "it hurts" I felt it, as exJW, I can relate to losing everyone who was your best friends your whole life,and family. That sucks, a lot, and it is still worth living true to your self. Would do it everytime
This guy seems honest enough compared to many other callers.
What a great call. One of the best I have heard.
Great channel! Really appreciate the work you guys are doing.
Born in the covenant here! I needed this years ago lol I had to find my way out of Mormonism myself haha.
I am glad you made it out. Hope you are doing well now.
I feel good every time the Flying Spaghetti Monster speaks to me. And She has a great Italian accent.
momma mia! a big bosomed brunette
I'm an ex-mormon. The fear of losing my family, friends, and world was very real. I feel for this guy.
But you can't live a lie for others.
it's like he just made this call to confirm something, and he did. good luck my friend.
The fumfering and stammering Mitch does when he begins answering their questions is the sound of his faith slowly losing its hold over him and the logical part of his brain finally taking over.
An amazing call. I hope that Mitch has found happiness, and am sorry for the terrible deck that his church stacked against him. No one should have to fear losing their family. THAT is evil.
Did y'all ever get an update?
This guy is in real trouble if he comes out. He really stands to lose a lot. I wish him all the luck and fortune life can give.
I love great and honest theist callers
When God told me with absolute certainly that he was myself this whole time, I told my wife immediately. She stuck with me the whole way and we’ e been happily post-Mormon for 17 years. My brother soon followed, and my little sister finally walked away recently. Don’t walk by fear. As they say, choose the right, let the consequence follow.
I was where this guy is. I wasn't a mormon but catholic. The revelation is unnerving at first. Eventually the truth is more comforting than the lie.
Hey KCMO is my home town my whole life. The Garden of Eden is here! Spoilers, it's not that exciting.
Yesssss!!! Dis is by far da best type of calls. Keep callin Mitch ; da truth will reveal it's self. Oh & Matt / Jen handled da call so well 👍
Contradictions in theists dogma ,
“ Holy Ghost “ is truthful ( if that exist )
then why many denominations have completely different beliefs?
It is good that ppl question their own thinking process and reach out to others to exchange information , best way learning ,
Questioning is the beginning of knowledge.
U can get that peaceful feeling in many places. So many of these people equate sitting thoughtfully and thinking as different than praying. U can get the same "answers" with some peace and quiet and self reflection
I have such a crush on Matt
I almost drowned as a 2 year old and can't remember a thing of it. However scared of water till I was forced to go to swimming classes about 6 years later. Everything was fine till I took scuba lessons, panic when I looked up and saw how far the surface was. Fortunately I realized why I became scared some rubbish still in my subconsciousness. Just people should realize why they are scared to get freedom of thought.
This kind of a caller is rare
Very honest and willing to think
THIS IS THE BEST INFORMATION ON THE WEB ! I HOPE IT LIVES A LONG TIME.
Thanks to Mitch for such a reasonable open discussion.....with all parties listening to the other and trying to comprehend the others comments and arguments!!.......and it’s amazing that when a caller listens Matt becomes Mr Nice Guy!!..excellent listening!!..
The key word here is compassion and I felt it all through this exchange thanks.
That was a great collar. I know this is an old show. Or an old upload however I just found it. I think it’s great this person was being very honest. And very intelligent. Whether he finds his way back to faith or not. Is relevant it was a great conversation I think it was very good.
This one was rough. Seen this play out w a lot of people from different section and denominations. I know a few mormons (even have a few in my family) and one of the ones I'm closest to is by all means an atheist. I guess ya could call em a "cultural latter day saint" cause he doesn't believe any of it anymore really but his entire family is deep in the local branch, his wife and her fams all are too and he isn't mad scientifically literate so he has some trouble leavin it all behind. It's created a miserable ass experience for em. Shit breaks my heart cause he's such a solid cat and is a1 to/for everybody in his life except on the LDS/god question and that's the one a lot of people in his life care about the most. Homie would give ya the shirt of his back (literally) and he's a mechanic that spends at least as much time helpin folks that's hard on their luck for free as he does makin a living. But that shits ripping him apart day by day, started to mess up his relationships with his wife and family and it's messing up everything else. Probably the #1 thing I hate about religion, our state and economic system.... can't just walk away from it so easily at all. It's never that simple.
I'm a cultural Mormon, but am an atheist. It's a hard situation sometimes.. Especially since I live in Utah and most of my family are Mormons. I'm in my 60's though.. They don't fuss about me as much as they would about young people.
One of the most self aware, honest callers they have had. This perfectly exemplifies why people find it so painful and difficult to abandon a religious belief, especially one they grew up with and are surrounded by. These callers demonstrate why shows like this are important and why having such discussions are necessary. If you review all the arguments logically and rationally then you start to see the frailties of the framework religions are based upon. I feel for this poor man as he’ is obviously starting to seek the truth and the answers he’s finding are uncomfortable and diametrically opposed to everything he has lived up to now.
Very genuine questions Mitch .. and a very gently response from Matt.. loved this session..
Thumbs up to this guy. I kept expecting him to bend over backwards to defend his indoctrination information, but his honesty led to the kind of conversation which always happens when someone is honest with the evidence, even if it means his lifetime religion must be thwarted to the curb. This is what honesty leads to, the truth.
This is awesome!!! Honest callers are the most awesome ones!!!
Am I abusing the word awesome? That's awesome!!
😂😂😂
Mitch may find his social life is far more rewarding once he has left his church.
Well done! Another saved.
Good for u Mitch. it's extremely hard to break free.serenity is so close!
Good call.
Wow, I remember this period of time, it's frightening and scary pulling away from something you've been born and raised to believe as the truth. The worst is believing that you're gonna burn in hell for even questioning the faith. It's only when you step away and look back that you begin to realise how ridiculous the whole religious culture is.
Keep pushing through my friend, soon you will experience true freedom and happiness, free from superstitious nonsense, hypocrisy and guilt.
I'm from the UK and was raised a catholic but I'm sure the strict rules are pretty much universal throughout the religious world.
This is one of my favourite time killers and love to listen to the in depth conversation.
Keep on keeping on.
I was raised a Southern Baptist-I have to say that I never felt comforted or peaceful in church. And I thought myself a good Christian.
Nice to hear a caller whose mind is open to honest thinking.
i can relate to this caller so much. even though i don't believe in any sort of God now. the fear creeps in every now and then.
If you were introduced to religion at a very early age - it will never go away. Unless maybe you get some Electric Shock Therapy That will fry all your memories...
Hang in there, I do hope you find what you are seeking! This caller deserves answers to help him out of this confusion. He seems to be a gentleman with serious social issues regarding that deeply troubling inculcation. This nice guy deserves a natural serenity.
Well done Mitch for getting this far in his journey - it must be so difficult if your whole social network will fall apart if you reject their nonsense.
The truth is so refreshing
I’m fortunate to have released myself from the chains of religion and hope more people have that opportunity
Just found these videos after leaving the church 2 years ago. The guilt and weird mind fucks really still mess with me from the church but these types of videos really help me kind of process how I was brainwashed. I hope Mitch is out now! Hello to any other fellow exmo's!
6:24 I’ve never heard that argument about the “Holy Ghost” before. That is BRILLIANT! I love that!
This guy converted, for sure...good 4 him
*DE-converted.