Inside the Mind of an Evangelical
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 พ.ย. 2020
- Evangelicals are freaking out after falsely prophesying that Trump would win a second term & are now turning to prayer, calling down angels, and speaking in tongues. But I used to think exactly like they do, and for decades, I believed the same things as them. Now I'm an outspoken atheist, and here's my breakdown of the crazy things they're saying based on experience as a former evangelical.
--
My evangelical freak out video: • Evangelicals Freak Out
My history in the church: • Never say this to an a...
How I became an atheist: • How to Become an Athei...
My Amazon wishlist: www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls...
If you enjoyed this video, please consider supporting my work:
Make a per-video pledge: / holykoolaid
Make a monthly pledge: subscribestar.com/holykoolaid
Make a one-time donation: www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_...
Join my newsletter: www.holykoolaid.com/newsletter/
--
Get Holy Koolaid Merchandise: holykoolaid.creator-spring.com/
+ Twitter: @holykoolaid
SUBSCRIBE
+ Please Subscribe to my channel: goo.gl/ie3EZh
Thank you so much for your ongoing support. Science is greater than Dogma. Dare to be curious, but don't Drink the Koolaid!
![[UNCUT] ฝันรักห้วงนิทรา | EP.8 (4/4)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RDYJYiDwsj0/mqdefault.jpg)
Thank you again for being wonderful. I'm grateful for each and every one of you.
If you like this video, I think you'll enjoy my deconversion story: th-cam.com/video/9t8MhsE4vW4/w-d-xo.html
Stay safe out there everyone.
Let me preface my statement by saying I'm not religious and I like this channel, however, people often abandon being crazy or obsessed over one thing or in one area, only to continue being crazy and obsessed towards other things like so-called "SCIENCE", VACCINES, EXPERTS, SCIENTISTS, humans with the letters Ph.D behind there names etc.
Who cares about religion, so-called holy literature, gods, demons, angels, prophecies, where we came from, evolution, creationism, whether the earth is 6000 or billions of years old, whether or not the stories in the Bible, Quran or Torah are really true etc. WHO CARES? NO ONE KNOWS. Whether you're Christian or an atheist, Atheist scholar or Christian scholar, wouldn't humans have to be ALL-KNOWING to know MOST of the answers to all of this stuff? I would think so. So, again, WHO CARES?
Live, be happy and try to enjoy your short life, do some good in the world and die. Why concern ourselves with all of the things this man talks about on this channel. All humans have are THEORIES and nothing more.
With respect, your passion and focus on so-called "SCIENCE", VACCINES, EVOLUTION, EXPERTS, SCIENTISTS, humans with the letters Ph.D behind there names comes across much like RELIGIOUS FANATICISM in my humble opinion.
These idiots do not speak for my faith as a Christian. It is sad that these fools who abandoned what Jesus said is the greatest commandment is this Love God and love your neighbor. I think people abusing Gods word to control people not love them.
@@paulquinn344
Even WITHOUT these people your SO-CALLED faith is CRAZY FOOLISHNESS.
What is your relationship with your family like?
@@clbo9878 so just be uncurious your whole life. Idiotic.
I'm a atheist in Nigeria. My community will literally not communicate with me if I tell them i stopped believing in God and the idea of sin. I look forward to meeting more people
Damn that’s sad
not the atheist part the part about your community not talking to you
Nigeria is an extremely religious country. With islam in dominating the north christianity dominanting The south. Not having a religion makes people scared of you.
Justin verz. First of all, atheism does not exist, every human being believes in something or someone. Secondly you don't need religion to fallow Jesus Christ. Study the bible, obey it, live it
Atheist dose not mean not believing in anything. Atheism is a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods. The idea that there's a being that pulls the strings of humanity but we still get punished for our choices is a flawed way to think. I believe in the suns ability to keep me warm in the afternoon if it doesn't rain. But I don't think it brings any God luck. I believe if I set my heart to do something and I work hard enough when the opportunity arrives. I should do well. I don't believe that humanity needs a God or gods. If you study Jesus's life very well he was always trying to tell the people that. By not observing religious traditions, having little regards for the religious leaders and helping people who where afflicted. The wrongest thing to do would be to start a religion after a man who hated religion. Over the years his story has be edited to suite a God like status. To make matters worse anything that contradicts was called heresy or forbidden.
Greetings from Zimbabwe! I know what you mean! One tends to become socially isolated being atheist in Africa. Socially speaking, you're better off being a criminal than atheist. But keep your head up. THIS life is the one to make the most of, the relationships in THIS life are the ones to value rather than what may or may not happen after we die. Morality is compassion, empathy, no need for Bronze Age tales.
"I'm in my 30s now & I'm still discovering just how much misinformation I was taught" - THISSSS
Innocemce is a liability, not a virtue.
All that religious obsession about childhood innocence amd demonizing worldly exposure is predatory, not just sexual, but also vicarious.
Agree what can you call an indoctrination that can permanently program you to remain in a state of complete acceptance of not knowing what is really going on? And block any knowledge of normal healthy maturity and growth .
I cant stand evangelicals. They worship MONEY.
I also attended an evangelical church as a child up to when I was about 14. I stopped when our pastor had a sermon (in 1975) about how "these long-haired boys can't be good Christians until they get a haircut." My hair was longer than all the other boys (below the collar in the back & covering my ears on the sides), so every eye felt like it they were on me. That was the last time I attended church. When folks would ask why I didn't attend church the next Sunday, I just said, well based on the pastor's sermon last Sunday about long-haired boys, I felt that it wasn't the place for me. Of course they tried to excuse what he's said by claiming that I'd misunderstood what he was saying. Even the pastor called me saying the same thing to try to make me come back. I told him, "I may only be 14 years old, but I'm smart enough to know when someone blatantly disrespects me & calls me out in front of the entire congregation as an example. I also know that each time you tell me that you didn't mean what you said, you're either lying to me, or you're lying to the congregation. Either way, I don't attend churches that have liars for pastors or that follow pastors that are liars. Maybe if the congregation fires you, I might be back, but until then, no."
"The average person in the pews is just a hurting person saddled with guilt by their religion searching for relief from that guilt in their religion"
This is genius and full of that grace christians say they want.
I kinda thought that religion helped make people happy, give purpose, and give back. Perhaps there is a darker side. This comes from an agnostic.
@victorhumphrey131 depends which religion and how you interpret it.
I feel the purpose to find a path to peace and humility.
But humans have egos and it can easily become self serving and negative. Maybe that's why people like th3 duality in Eastern philosophy.....
It takes someone who survived the storm to explain what it's like to those who never been in the storm.
Well said.
Exactly!
Absolutely .. well said
True like some part of Africa has never seen storm and snow
Yes very well said. You seem very wise 🤔
You freed me from a decade and a half of guilt and terror of hell. Words aren’t enough to thank you.
Hell is still real but Christianity ✝️ is fake
Thank him by doing your best to free others from these death cults
Cool
Were you in a charismatic church?
Ironic
I've recently deconverted. It was not easy and my journey is far from over. I haven't told anyone close to me since I live in a extremely religious area. Less than 1% of the population here is atheist, and it's almost totally evangelical Christian. Having to live a lie and being unable to be open is incredibly taxing on my mental health. Being able to watch videos like yours is legitimately keeping me sane. So thank you, honestly.
All I can say is wow. Hearing your story, your raw truth, your journey into the man you are today is inspiring. Everything you said hit like a rock. I grew up in church, was heavily active in church growing up and even spent time in my teen years as an evangelical. It’s a tough journey, especially when you realize the hell you put yourself through to fit a perfect mold. When you break free and realize good people come in all shapes and forms, life is a whole lot sweeter. I really appreciate this and all of your other videos. Everything goes to show you if we just sit down and talk to each other, get to know one another, and actually try to help one another; we would all be so much better. Thank you for this man!
The Bible says, "The truth shall set you free." As soon as I took this seriously, I was on the road to escape from what is toxic and corrupt in Christianity.
Seriously? The Hindu Upanishads have a similar saying, "Sa Vidya Ya Vimuktaye" that means "The knowledge that liberates". I guess ultimately that's what people want, the truth/knowledge about their existence and freedom from their dreary lives. That is what Religious leaders take advantage of.
For me it was the realization that truth withstands scrutiny that set me on the path out.
@@HolyKoolaid Is it possible for you to do a scientific analysis of the "scientific Miracles" in the Quran? Maybe a historical analysis as well? I think most of the atheist community is sleeping on this.
Bro, me too. Only after reading the Bible fully I realized how much BS I was being fed.
I am a *former* lay minister because I can not go along with anyone whose response to science, facts, logic and truth is so abhorrent, angry and ignorant.
Put another way, if what you are selling is so awesome it doesn't need this level of manipulation much less the support of any government to convince others.
I was an Evangelical Christian until I was about 60. It has been about 8 years and wow, do I feel set free! Glad it didn’t take you as long and hope you continue to share your story.
I dumped this nonsense at 20, almost 60 now, still shaking that shit off to this day. Frightening
@Joseph Cohen Good for you!
I'm happy to see this sort of comment, because I think a lot of people are very afraid to let go of a toxic belief-set and/or lifestyle after living it so long. Enjoy your freedom!
I was a youth worship leader and dumped the religion at 17. I've felt so free ever since but it makes me sad for my fellow brainwashed humans. This is such a wholesome thread.
@Joseph Cohen Make sure you have some good outside support. It can be very hard at a young age if your family is heavily involved
Thanks for all your stories dude. I was a very devout Catholic into my late forties when I began the slow process of rethinking and finally converting to agnosticism. At first, after my conversion, my attitude toward my former faith was benign and even affectionate, but as more time goes on, the more bitter I find myself becoming about the huge chunk of my life that I wasted in thrall to a superstition.
Congratulations on your recovery from what must be the "hell" of religious extremism. I wish you the best. When I can afford to help more, I will. Thank you for being another voice of reason.
They need to pay taxes then if they are no longer going to pretend they aren’t involved in politics
Absolutely!
Yes yes yes
Oh they don’t want to talk about that.
Right?! Especially after Joel Olsteen’s church received 4.4 million in last ppp relief! Unbelievable they should be paying taxes when they are spouting this Trump is God’s chosen one bs
Or you could opt out of paying taxes by filing form 5768 and making a statutory claim.
As a psyc major who studied how trauma could affect adolescents, I am so happy that you made it out! To think that people need to pass a test to drive a vehicle, yet no requirement for becoming parents, is sometimes frightening to me. Human lives are at stake both when driving and parenting.
Psyc major. Hilarious.
These people are crazy
Good quote from saving Arizona, but parents are tested every day. Before and after they have children. The traumas they encounter whilst growing up become the reference they use to parent there kids. Or traumatize them.a vicious cycle. Only love, real love, can break the cycle.
@@cincin4515?
As a psychotherapist and doctor I agree with most of what the psych Major says. I really appreciate the video and the personal side of it and how the creator of the video got through his ordeal and made it out. The only think I can say slightly critial about ricky's quote is not his main point but the idea of who would be conducting the drivers test LOL The answer for us I feel is not to create another tier of humans to decide what is good and bad parenting, rather it is people working from a loving place and learning how to see everyone as equal and having more civil a dialog. It happens that the percentage of Christians has declined a lot over the last 20 years. This is not due to the voices of non believers being stronger or louder than those of believers but because of the conduct of the practitioners being violent. I think violence eventually turns people off to religion, especially one that preaches love thy neighbor. it ends up too contradictory and confusing. (and @cincin4545's comment about "psych major" seems like most comments I hear where someone just attack a person instead of the content of what they are saying. It actually does not matter what our so called credentials, as human beings we all have minds and decide for ourselves. That is what democracy and America is about.
I see myself in your shoes in so many levels, I was that kid as well, I was in the youth ministry, Sunday school, Christian school monday-friday, home church twice a week, preaching Saturday mornings, etc. Your videos and your story has helped me tremendously, I know I lost a lot of time, but when you are in, you don't see the real world, it's like they trained your mind to feel, behave and act in a certain way and anything outside that it's concider sinful or wrong. Thank you so much for all you do, I sincerely appreciate it.
What was it you feel like you missed out on?
Glad I stumbled upon this channel. I can so relate to this. I grew up Methodist, then attended nondenominational churches and during covid I did online church. I no longer attend a brick and mortar church building. I’ve read the Bible from cover to cover and had to say a few times…”hey wait a minute….the Bible says this…why does the church say another?” My eyes were opened and now think for myself.
I'm an Orthodox Christian and I love this channel. Even as an atheist, you are far more fair than most American Christians.
Same. I'm a Catholic Christian and this channel is is very fun. It's always nice learning new perspectives about each other. Thomas is more fair than most athetubers and the animations are very entertaining. Wish he continues with his battle against "psychics" and pseudoscience.
The catholic church was divided, running for 2000 years, i stayed a Catholic no matter what they done.. But the evangelic. Now comes in to play!!! where did it start THE SOUTH, invented in the south, Rebel Republican states, there ministers make hundreds of millions, and the South is still hunch back ignorant gator eating sick people why? gator eats humans just like mad cow there brains are scrambled.
@@monarchblue4280 LoL a Catholic “Christian”, LoL.
@@beedee9534 The south isn’t that bad. I live here and most people are fine.
The problem is that there are some horrible people in power who use religion cause for most people here, there is this idea that church doctrine is sacred and should not be questioned. Therefore it’s way to easy for crooks to do things by just saying the current equivalent of Deus Vult as long as they can tie it to the Bible well enough
@@Nostripe361 depends on who you are. My moms from Woodlands, TX my dad from Michigan, I grew up in Michigan and lived in a few states. California, Utah, Georgia, Texas (Dallas and Ennis mostly) lots if family i spent considerable time with in others like Tennessee, Florida, New Mexico and family from over Maryland way and of the places I lived or spent time in the Southern states like Texas (especially texas) and Georgia were the only places serious emphasis was placed on me being a "Yankee" like thats still even a thing. The south will rise again yelled in my face more than once. Their is some deep seated hatred from things that happened over a hundred years ago in large parts of the south and it definitely has impacted their, twist ill call it, on religion.
"Asking God for victory over puberty," is my favorite description of the shame ridden purity cult ever. LMFAO
"Ex-Gay ministries" are similar. Basically their whole raison d'etre is the promise to the recruit that God will give him victory over his own natural sexuality. Yes, I'm using the pronouns he, his, and him because the usual recruit is a gay man
LOL! I'm a PK who was raised on "YOU WILL BE A VIRGIN UNTIL YOU MARRY!" Thank God I didn't listen to that one, considering I'm nearly 60 and have never been married! Think of what I would have missed out on!
@@edwardmiessner6502 I heard Ted Haggard is completely heterosexual! Some guy even sang so in his song after the scandal with Mike Jones! Certainly, he has nothing to be ashamed of!
But that's how these religions get you - they make you feel guilt for being the way you are so that they can sell you the solution to the guilt that they put upon you.
@@FrankCastle-tq9bz and then they get offended by "opium of the people" phrase.
Tom, I wish I’d met you and your channel earlier. Years ago. I can’t tell you how grateful I am for you and how you’ve dedicated your life to helping people just like me escape Christianity. I have been wanting out for a couple years but I had intellectual barriers as well as obstacles that could only be removed by hearing from someone that went through the same experiences as I did: the emotional depth of the religion, the tears shed in the presence of the Holy Spirit, when God “speaks” to us. You know it all, and still, are firmly convinced it wasn’t what it seemed. Thank you so much for sharing and giving logical explanations behind the science of religion. The freedom I feel since letting go of those beliefs is indescribable. ❤️
What denomination church were you in?
You clearly belonged to a Christian cult, not to an orthodox Christian congregation. Denying what makes you feel bad doesn't make what made you feel bad false. I haven't observed any logical explanations refuting Christianity from this formal Pentecostal. Pentecostalism is based on emotion. His Atheism is clearly also based on emotion.
So relatable. My childhood was very similar. When I moved away and was no longer surrounded by my religious family and friend circle, the faith started to fall apart and at first, I felt so guilty by that. I went down a long dark road of depression and anxiety and fear. I had sleep paralysis and started hallucinating demonic intrusions in the night which only made it worse because I'd pray to "god" to help me deal with the "demons" which of course didn't work so the cycle got deeper. Eventually when I embraced the scientific reasons, I got over the sleep disturbances which empowered me. As I let go of my faith, it felt like heavy chunks of stone and metal were breaking away from my body. These burdens of guilt and shame and fear that I had carried with me for decades were falling away and I was becoming free in my thoughts and to be who I wanted to be.
To anyone who's gone through their own journey of recovery from religion, I salute you because it is NOT easy.
Hello, I know your comment is from 2yrs ago but I just now read it. How are you doing now? I'm going through what you described terribly and my only conclusion according to what I've been taught and the Bible says I'm under demonic attack. But I still keep searching to understand bc my faith is all but gone and then there the ppl who claim to have seen Jesus in the flesh. Any literature or scientific literature that you ma able to recommend would be great. Thank you. Your comment really stood out to me. I've read it over and over 🤔 wow. Thanks! 😊
I come from many generations of southern Baptist pastors. It’s been a weird, uncomfortable, scary, and isolating experience. Thanks for what you do because it makes people like me feel less isolated
Hugs through the internet. Good people will be good. Bad people will be bad. It takes religion to make good people to do evil and to make bad people to feel good about doing bad things.
So true! I’m a recovering Southern Baptist myself, so I understand!
It says a lot about the moral code of so-called christians when they shun and isolate their fellow humans for not believing as they do.
You’ve helped me and my daughter. It’s lonely being an atheist. I spend hours watching you and others unlearning everything my parents forced on me.
I'm glad I can help. We're out there, and our numbers are growing, slowly but surely. Love to you and your daughter.
I can relate too much.
It's not lonely being an atheist here in the UK or in most European countries. In fact it's regarded as totally normal and it's the religious nutters that are viewed upon as irrational and weird.
@@WhizzRichardThompson true dat. It's amazing from this side of the pond
I think about 70% of New Zealander now identify as non-religious. Religion rarely impacts daily life and secular debate is the norm. Be strong or Kia kaha as we say
We don't need the threat of eternal damnation to be nice and help one another. So glad to see you on our side!! Keep up the good work! Thnx from the Netherlands.
I was a fundamentalist evangelical minister. I woke up and saw the light and your program is helpful to making that decision. Thank you for your videos. Your awesome!
I'm not broken and don't need to be saved. 50 years it took me to realize that. Good show dude.
You are the perfect candidate for hell .
Now put that beer bottle down And get a job!!!!!!!!
@@danielgoldner2646 😂🤣😂
Yes, it is brainwashing.
"Sort of like offering the antidote to someone after you poison them, how gracious." That is BRILLIANT!!!!
It is more like claiming you poisoned them and offering them water you call the antidote, I would say.
@Chuck Nelson Salvation is a restoration plan to reunite lost creation back to their Creator. The premise of your joke suggests that the creation is self dependent and self created, whereas Jesus is not restoring him to his original reality but deviating him from it.
@@rightlydividing1457 the premise of your comment assumes what you read in a collection of stories, Poems and letters written during the bronze age is true
@@rightlydividing1457 "Salvation is a restoration plan to reunite lost creation back to their Creator" ... Ha, yeah... Because the original plan was so well though out!?
@@kmcarchive8288 It was and the plan still in place. The salvation plan is a subset. The Lord sits in a realm of Eternity and perceive every possible limitation of the carnal realm, and makes provision for it. So if man does not connect to a particular plan for a season, that's not going to nullify the plan. The mind of God is eternal, therefore the status and function of His plan is eternal, accounting for the weaknesses in man and making provisions for their weaknesses.
Mate, the only thing you owe us is to keep going, making the best content you can. And you have done so, we all thank YOU
Hey man. I'm agnostic and am in the Bible Belt of Tennessee. It can be really hard for me sometimes to feel like other people understand me and my view points on the world. It's rare that I'll encounter anyone that's not a christian. I love all of my friends and the people close to me whether they are Christian or not but sometimes it is hard feeling like I'm the only one that believes the things I believe. Your videos have really helped me feel like someone understands my position on things and I just thought I'd let you know that. You make a difference and make people's lives better. You've certainly done that with mine. Keep being you man.
Recently came to the conclusion I may be agnostic I live in Ga so I definitely understand.
No one needs a god to tell them to be decent human beings. If they do, then they were never decent to begin with.
The contradiction is that "God " made us sinners and then commands us to be good. That is lunacy !!!
He created us knowing our future, he knew we would "go off the rails", then God punishes us for his own doing. That is also lunacy.
There can be no such thing as "free will" if God already knows our future.
I don't necessarily believe that. We are good because we want to follow Christ and his ways. When I tell a lie it's God that tells me, that was wrong. I wasn't born with the knowledge. When people are evil they have no conviction telling them otherwise.
@@robr268 You don't need God to tell you it's wrong when you tell a lie.......you know yourself.
@@WildPhotoShooter I see you have a christian back ground. Why not just stop the ignorants, repent and obey the Lord's word cuz you already know scripture
@@gerhardkrahn2630 Religion is garbage .
I am a Christian who grew up Evangelical. Only in the past few years or so have I began to realize the issues with what I was taught. It basically threw love thy neighbor out the window and just had so much negativity. As a trans person, it was designed to make me feel bad for being trans. I began to understand I am trans when I was like 12. It took me until I was almost 19 to accept it. Now I am still having to deal with family members not knowing where to turn just dying to fully be myself and get the things I need. It has been painful though.
Please don't take this the wrong way, I'm not a religious person, I'm just genuinely curious.
How did you realize you were Trans when you were under the reign of Christianity? That sounds like an inspirational story to hear.
I'm only just now seeing this... I wish I could've been among those able to help... living in Charleston sc and surrounded by people furthest from my beliefs(ot lack thereof) I COMPLETELY understand the emotion of realizing I'm not alone in the world, no matter how alone I may be in my immediate surroundings... I think it's safe to say we're all here for each other
I was the son of a preacher. For 20 years I was a Christian. I totally understand where you are coming from. Much support to what you are doing!
Did you ever meet Dusty Springfield? Sorry mate couldn't resist it.
IMAGINE NO RELIGION ITS EASY IF YOU TRY✌️
@@cartesiancircleYou beat me to it , I was just going to say that or something slightly cruder.about Cher.
God is not the author of confusion. It took me five times to read the bible before I fully understood it. I am still read the bible. So far I have read it seven times. I first start reading the bible, but I didn’t understand it because I was allowing everyone who had ever taught me about the bible in my thoughts, while I read the bible. Once I release all those voice who taught me about the bible out of my thoughts the bible was easy to understand.
2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
don't shrinks shorthand that "pk" (pastor's kid) ? :-o
careful with those koolaid withdrawals ! B-)
@@AudranER I've studied the Bible for 20 years. It definitely contradicts itself.
Your work speaks for itself 👍🖖
The religious insanity ...everything is fake.
His work is literally speaking. Speaking IS his work. 😆 So uhh yea... I'd say it does!
Sure, but it doesn't say much if no one hears it! Don't forget to share!
You’re a hero man.. for real. As a woman in Texas apart of the LGBTQ community and an atheist, It feels so lonely and isolating leaving your faith especially when it’s the only thing you’ve known. You are helping so many with your words. Thank you so much for sharing and giving this community a safe space to be❤.
Did you leave your faith because of your homosexuality?
@@adamquirke6024 I left because I started reading the Bible and realized there are too many contradictions and shit that made me uncomfortable and I’m so much happier now
@@kayleeyates27 what was it that made you uncomfortable? And which parts did u think we’re contradictions?
I only found your channel this week and honestly am super excited with what you are doing. All you've been through is phenomenal. I have a complex abuse trauma history and it's taken me so so so much resources and really hard work & sacrifices to heal. Everything you shared reminds me of that. Well done and keep doing the incredible job you are doing. Love from Ireland 🇮🇪 ❤
Nobody told me this was going to be a tear jerker...uou rock Thomas
Awe, thanks, Neil! :)
I came for the laughs, stayed for the feels. Dude, I was similar in believing a lot of this and even thought I foretold something to a friend once, that they would soon have a relationship that would be all great and just the right one, blah blah. She's still a believer and divorced and only reason I haven't sincerely apologized to her is because I'm still in the closet.
@@themaster408 I assume you're still in the closet for safety and family reasons? I hope someday soon you will be able to come out. I'll be here to hear your deconversion story when you do. 😁
@@NeilThe604Atheist Family. Father nearly disowned me because he thought I wasn't 'doing enough for the lord and following the devil' and this was when I was 100% on board with Christianity, like, gun-ho about it. Years later my parents said they didn't want to see their grandchildren till we started going to church on a more regular basis. We were still 100% Christians at that time too. My wife is disabled and I can't always get her to appointments, my mother had been doing that and refused to do it again for a while.
Yes, I can live without them, but don't want to be ex-communicated from family. Pretty sure the majority of extended family would be similar.
@@NeilThe604Atheist I worked IT for a company that made programs for churches. The summer is slower and was able to surf the web / youtube more. "The Rational Channel" had some good videos like debunking anti-vax claims. I eventually watched more of their stuff that had religion in it as a 'I should know this so I can talk to my atheist friends' very very similar to Matt Delahanty's story. One of them mentioned Hitchen's Razor, the extraordinary claims Sagan quote, and a 'why would god sacrifice himself to himself' quote. Then they talked about the lack of evidence of Jesus and I went "wait, that's not true, there's tons of evidence" then looked it up and specifically looked for secular sources and found it lacking. Not sure what was next, but read Iron Chariots about how religions always match the culture they start in, found biblical contradictions and some were me going "oh yeah, that always bothered me". Then found some Hitchens debates, Tracy Harris 'beast mode' and Matt 'beast mode' and AronRa's excellent "The evolution of Genesis" where he talks about how it stole from other religions.
Not sure exactly when I was like "oh, I'm an Atheist" but I kid you not, I spent that week reading and watching dozens of debates, and arguments and wasn't a believer pretty soon after, like maybe 1-3 weeks.
About 6 months later my wife (who had asked me several times why I stopped praying with my child at night) was talking about something random and said "I just don't know what to believe about the bible anymore" and I was like "yeeeeaaah, me too, huh, isn't it weird how..." and now she's at least not Christian, but sorta a deist or 'spiritual with nature'.
I should note, I told my best friend who is an Atheist about a month after I deconverted and he was like "I NEVER would have thought you would, you were super Christian" and at one point talked about Epic of Gilgamesh having the flood story in it with my wife. For her, she has now said that was a big moment for her, finding out that other religions had similar stories and earlier than the bible.
I have now had various conversations with some close friends, some more open than others. About 6 people know and wouldn't tell a soul. I've had 'street epistemology' conversations with some and had at least SOME success in "huh, wow yeah I think that part of the bible was just written by some dude, but the REST of it is true" which is a BIG BIG step where I come from to admit that any of it isn't true.
While I know what that guilt trip feels like, I’m honestly disgusted that this is done to kids. Nobody should have to go through that.
That stuff scars people for life.
good point but what about abortion which is done to children????
@@kinnish5267 are you assuming he's ok with abortion because he is not a beliver?
It has to be done while they are children. A human who has higher brain function and critical thinking skills wouldn't fall for that $#!T.
@@kinnish5267 WTF has abortion got to do with atheism?
I have a similar view of my childhood raised a conservative Roman Catholic. It makes me wonder how different my life might have been if I hadn’t spent my childhood focusing on sin and hell, all that wasted time and potential Thank you for your work 🙏 ☺️
Damn...same here....wasted too much time...on praying, praise and worship cos i was convinced all that would fr get rid of my epilepsy....so much peace that i stopped drinking the koolaid
@@colindsouza979 lmaooooooooo 🤡
Same! So much of my youth has been wasted worrying about spiritual warfare, witch doctor's, demonic shrines, and trying my hardest to get into heaven because my family fearmongered me.
I am a non believer in a house of "Catholics" stories like yours keeps me going.
Kenneth Copeland is so frieking scary.
He's a true maggot
He looks like a demon in a skin suit
His face kind of reminds me of Hoggle from "Labyrinth" lol. Which made me realize that while it looks sort of weird and whimsical in a muppet movie, looks absolutely horrifying on a real life person
He looks like the embodiment of a demon.
He really looks DEMONIC!!!!!!
One thing I really appreciate about holy koolaid is the compassion here. As an atheist, it’s easy to get bitter, snarky or downright mean and frustrated when you run into people causing harm, but have absolute confidence, believing they have god on their side. The compassion, sensitivity, and understanding shown here is inspiring stuff. Thanks for your voice man.
And it's absolutely the approach anyone should have with anyone they disagree with. I used to be a Catholic and truly viewed atheists as decieved by Satan. But seeing the true voice of empathetic reason in the world view brought me out of my indoctrination.
You should probably edit this comment lol
@@stevexmartin I wouldn't even know where to start. As informal as a YT comment is, I wish I knew the rules of writing better than I do. You can do it if you feel like it though.
God has no religion. -Mahatma Ghandi
Kookaid is right
I used to be an evangelical worship leader, now atheist as well. I also worked in IT so we have a lot in common I think. Kenneth Copeland and Benny Hinn were my heros. Been watching your videos in the last month and I love your stories and totally relate. It's like looking back at another world. I'm finally happy now and living an enjoyable life. The guilt and constant shame was horrible. We were constantly told Jesus gives us victory and joy but you still had to constantly admit you needed that victory...from your flesh and bad thoughts. It's a cycle that keeps you chasing a carrot on a string you can never get.
Wow man! Great message and thoughts to share with us, your viewing fans. Thank you for everything you’ve done for all of us! especially those that aren’t quite sure where they stand on their religious views.
"...arrows, tears, and naked Turkish women"
YOU GOT MY ATTENTION THERE!
😂😂
Do those naked Turks like Americans?
Turkish women don't put out unless they're married!
You're talking about sleaze!
They are not Turkish women! Be specific!
@@goodperson2809 he literally says it in the video-
Isn’t that just Skyrim?
I started crying towards the end. He seems so sweet & genuine
Lmao
@@diamond852 May I ask your opinions on Holy Koolaid?
@@witchypoo7353 No opinion yet; I've only watched one video. This is my second.
@@diamond852 I understand that. I’ve watched quite a few. This was not the first one I saw
Me toooooooo 😭
Man, thank you for everything you've given to help us with similar stories. Your channel played a huge role in my deconstruction, and it seems you've helped a lot of other people too. I can't be the only one who feels isolated while leaving my faith, but this feels like a safe space, and I feel less alone. Seriously, thank you.
That resumes my childhood too. I was evangelical in the South of Spain. Sometimes I feel shame for my Christian life, albeit I had no other option, as I was born inside it.
CHILDHOOD is a hostage situation. That was child abuse. Your parents are the ones who need to begging for forgiveness.
So true..we are born innocent..it's the circumstances that determine
Likewise ..my family was devout mormons.. and was indoctrinated and brainwashed in it just as my fathers side has been since they literally helped first hand Joseph Smith start it. I was forced 2 hours of daily bible studies and seminary 5 days a week ... plus all the Mormonism book of mormon and other doctrine.
They are a extremely oppressive religion. They completely believe in oppression of thought, sexuality, and are atrocious.
People have no idea how much they as any other religion are truly just cults. No one is safe from them and what religion does in targeting children at all . With any form or teachings is completely child abuse. Of the worst kind. ..
These parents do not owe us an apology... The apology is just words.. it means nothing they are idle and have no effective meaning.
Not that some may feel their parents should apologize.. but really it does nothing.
What I would want is the promise to stand against and fight like indoctrination and teachings by religion period upon other children.
I am not talking about outlawing religion...no.... I am saying if an apology is felt to be owed and given by a perpetrator... by an abuser... then let them give it in an action of standing against the churches and religions and making it clear it is wrong for them to be abusers.. and to stop the cycle of abuses.
I came out at 16 that I was no longer a believer, not just as a Mormon, but in a god deity period. And that cost me everything. I was attacked and beaten by my father and kicked out of home. I was disowned. That is what religion leads to..that is the abuse.
When it compromises rationality, reason and logic, critical thinking and basic humanity of decency toward another human...whether they are family or not..them it is abuse and that belief is now cult ideologies and that person that follows such is no longer mentally healthy. They are mentally unfit as parents, as leaders as members of the community.
It took many years of counseling and therapy to deal with the many abuses I grew up suffering. Both from religion and from other sources and or means.
Because I was such a disgrace to the church as a walk away and denouncing them . They literally held it as a failure upon my father and wanted to punish him.. that is how sick and twisted these cults are.
And this happens in all of christianity period. It happens in ALL Abrahamic religions.
Sorry for the tangent..but I sometimes get a bit passionate about how dangerous and harmful religion is. And I am strongly against it being taught or promoted, proselytized, indoctrinated upon any other person, of any age period for any reason whatsoever.
I do not say, there should be no freedom to believe in such or hold to such belief practices. But it should remain a personal private and individual internal thing. To each their own and never subjected upon any other at all at any time. If one wants it and seeks it for themselves upon their own choice then let that be so. And never , ever should it be put upon children for any reason or cause in any form or manner. It does way to much harm. Just a brief exposure can take years or a lifetime to undo the harm and damages done.
Can’t believe this shit is still legal
If any cult becomes popular enough, they call it a “religion”. Teaching children that they are inherently evil is straight-up child abuse. There can be no excuse. My mother told me that as a very young Catholic, she was forced to LIE in confession. She was expected to say something, and what sins does a seven year old have to confess?! “I had evil thoughts of eating cookies”? Sick stuff.
@@metalhead0274 - First, a big thumbs up to your name here ;) ...It's horrible what happened and the abuses that your Father did to you. I am a former fundamentalist Christian and I used to study a little about the Mormons so I could debate with them back then. I remember the Mormon missionaries telling me that in the afterlife, if I didn't become a Mormon, then I would go to a "good" place somewhat similar to earth but a bit better, and I said "okay, that's cool, I will just stick with that and avoid your "upper" "gold" or supreme level then". They were puzzled by my choice! Lol........Anyway, you were brave to leave at such a young age, and you should be commended for doing so, despite all the pain you went through because of it. I hope your family starts to wake up one day as well, but wouldn't count on all of them doing so. I'm the only outsider in my family as well, always being told I must have demons of deception and that I'm going to go to hell because I don't believe in Jesus anymore. What a horrible joke. Any "god" that would send someone to eternal torment for the simple act of being a human and rejecting a belief system that didn't make sense to them would be nothing short of an extremely evil god.
Our former belief systems are literally evil disguised as good and holy. Not saying that everything in it is evil, but rather the overall message is evil. Stay strong and best to you.
What a brave, intelligent young man. It angers me greatly that religions cause so much anguish and corrupt so many young people!
Dude thanks for making this, I definitely relate a lot to your background and current stance as an atheist and a skeptic. I hope to share these videos with my family who is still under the thumb of the church as I am unable to explain my views to them without getting terribly frustrated and angry. Keep up the good work man!
You are one of my favorite TH-camrs and voice for rationality and skepticism. Thank you for all your content!
When she was speaking in tongues she got one word right: caca
Does no one ever ask their followers what these people are saying? If they were really speaking in tongues like the Bible described, everyone would understand it. So ask 2 different followers what they're saying and see if they agree...
🤣🤣 Caca-do-do!
Rata also which is rat 🐀 in Spanish
There be loads of people talking in tounges on New Years Eve and not one will be religious 😂
I'm Christian and that was funny 😂😂
In the words of Eren Yeager: “You’re not a god. You’re not a slave. You’re just a human being. You don’t have to serve anyone. You’re free to chose.”
Much love and respect. As someone who grew up in a religious home your story hit home for me! 🙏🏼
It’s easy to mock and ridicule fundamentalists, but for those of us who have been on the other side and managed to escape, it’s depressing to know that deep down they’re probably just a normal person whose beautiful mind has been vandalized by superstition. As Eren Yeager also said: “You were just ignorant children, and these falsehoods were beaten into you by ignorant adults.”
Having said that, while I can sympathize with him I still fundamentally disagree with what Eren is currently doing in the manga, and I hope he fails.
I didn’t find this channel until after my deconversion was finished, but I have enjoyed its content on and off over the years, so I hope he’s doing okay now.
"You're free to choose"
Proceeds to bring the apocalypse... 😂
@@littlefinger3312 you know what they say you can't fight with the other races if there aren't any
It's lovely that you can find weebs at basically every channel. It makes me happy!
My parrotlet's name is Eren. I don't know what that means, though
That is so deep. You gave me shivers, through your storytelling, to be there with you and have that flash back with you.
Amazing job!
I am so glad I found your channel.
I grew up in an extremely conservative, Christian home. My entire family is Independent, Fundamental Baptist. The first 18 years of my life was Church 3 times a week, Sunday Morning, Night, and Wednesday Night "services" we attended. Plus "Vacation Bible School" most summers for a week and Bible Camp when I was a teenager for a week. Life was constantly centered around Church and doing "The Will of the Lord"
Some churches I went to were better than others. My father was a failing pastor himself when I was young around age 5 and 6 and after his church closed he had to find actual work. He's never managed money well and we ended up moving because of "the economy" several times throughout my childhood. Cross-country moves. From Illnois, to South Dakota, down to Tennessee and so on. So I experienced a rather broad range of "Christianity" as we moved across America every 3 or so years. I started to have doubts at around age 12 or 13. It was the last Christian school that I was forced to attend, thankfully, and it was the reason for my very first seeds of doubt being planted about God. It was the typical, extremely right wing leaning backwoods Baptist church one might run into while driving the backroads of any state in the midwest/Bible belt. The people were full of hatred and my sister and I were both bullied from the very start because we didn't exactly fit in being outsiders. (Most of the kids there were lifers/born and raised there at this point) We went thru just about the same thing anyone goes thru in that environment. Abused in every way possible, including sexually and Physically. Brainwashed, sheltered from "the world" my sister and I managed to break free of the psychological strangle-hold that religion had us in. I up and joined the army while she stayed in Indiana and works for law enforcement/first responder. We finally became exposed to reality and having to catch up on everything else that's been going on in the world like music, movies, anything other than fox news, it's almost embarrassing. I didn't get the same normal experience as a child and I'm often jealous of the people who did. Not only did I grow up somewhat poor, or low-middle class, but also religious and strict. So everything the the kids in my neighborhoods were doing, I wasn't allowed to take part in. The only "friends" I had were kids at church. And I'd never quite fit in there anyway. Without even having any knowledge of atheism or science or any of that, from a very young age I was able to ask my father real, thought provoking questions that would infuriate him. Innocently, I'd ask things like "if the jews are God's chosen people then when does he allow things like Hitler?" Deep, thought provoking questions that no normal 7 year old would ask. His vitriol reaction to these types of questions scared me. So I just decided to stop asking.
It wasn't until i was twenty-two that I finally actually thought about, and finally rejected Christianity and religion as a whole. I spent a good 4 years just not caring about it or even thinking about it after I graduated. But life slowed down a bit, I had kids and more free time when I got out of the military. It started to creep back up. I discovered that my wife had been having an affair and so I left the home for a summer. I stayed with a good friend and we tripped on psychedelics after I'd explained to him my whole situation. It took 22 years, alot of trauma and abuse, pain and devastation. But I finally broke the chains off and started living my life the way I wanted to, without shame or fear of being judged or going to hell. It really is like that, folks.
I was a devout Christian from 15-27, I can relate to what you’ve been through. Glad you’re where you are now man.
What happened?
Thomas, I lost my wife at 44 to brain cancer in 2015. I lost my mom in 2016. I was robbed at gunpoint and shot in 2017. I ended up homeless and on the street. I'm slowly getting back on my feet. I was never able to donate money, but I have liked and shared your videos. I also clicked on as many ads as possible thinking that it would help you. If it did, great! If not, I tried!!!
Best of luck to you!!!
Jesus Christ, what a run of misfortune. Hoping the universe is done shitting on you. To better days. 🍺
Eldon, that breaks my heart that you went through so much tragedy. I want you to know that I really appreciate you. And yes, all of that does help. You're very kind. Thank you.
I am so sorry for your losses. Keeping you in n my prayers
@@utubepunk I hope so too! So far so good! I had to have 3 major surgeries because of the gunshot wound. The first was the day I got shot and I woke up in the ICU with a colostomy bag stuck to my stomach. I was devastated! The surgeon said he might be able to reverse it in 4 months. I got shot in March of 2017 and in July 2017 I was back in his office begging for him to reverse it. A week and a half later July 13, 2017 I had my 2nd major surgery. You have no idea how good it is to be able to poo out of your butt - instead of the side of your stomach!!! Some of the staples failed and my incision reopened and didn't heal right. I had to wear a wound vac (vacumm) for several months. My intestines pushed through and I developed a 12cm stage 2 incisional hernia. I became disabled and couldn't work. Finally, Medicaid approved my 3rd major surgery - a Flap Graft Abdominal Wall Component Separation surgery on October 22, 2019. The surgeon cut my abdominal muscles and pulled them together and sewed them up. It took 3 months to heal. Once I was discharged from doctor's care and could return to work, the pandemic came...
But I have to admit... The universe hasn't shit on me since my hernia that was repaired 13 months ago. I'm finding some work here and there. So far so good!!!
@@HolyKoolaid You are very welcome!!! And yes, my life was and is a mess!!! I got shot with a 9mm hollow point at point-blank range. I was leaning forward, so the bullet entered my chest 6mm from my heart and went through my large and small intestines, then hit and fractured my pelvic bone and then ricocheted to my back/side waistline. The bullet sat there for 3 1/2 years. It surfaced recently and started leaking lymph. I was worried about infection and went to the hospital to have it removed. They called the police and the police came and said that they were taking the bullet as evidence because my case was still open. I got so angry!!! They came to the hospital one time when I was in the ICU and very groggy. I haven't seen them or heard from them in 3 1/2 years and they want to take my souvenir that destroyed my insides and I carried inside me for 3 1/2 years!!! Not once did they come with a photo lineup or ask me any questions! I told them that if they want it, they're going to have to get a court order to have it removed from my body because I'm keeping it in me!
And I walked out of the hospital!!!
Do you want to see a self-removal?
Let me go copy the link from my 2nd channel...
Man your story hits home. My last all out desperate call for help from God was a year ago and never again will I look back. Got tired of feeling I was lesser of a human and never adding up because of my faults. Thanks for what you do Holy Koolaid
What did you pray for?
BRO THE RAWNESS HERE IS SO TOUCHING I LOVE YOU AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO HELPING PEOPLE BREAK FREE FROM THE INCOMPREHENSIBLE TRAUMA OF IRRATIONAL ETERNAL THREATS
There's not much that I can think of to say, other than a sincere, heartfelt thank you.
Your series on the failures of Bible history came in absolute clutch for me as I was just starting to truly unpack everything and be honest with myself and my conscience, even under the fear I was deceived and actually throwing myself into immorality. You have no idea just how much of a positive impact you're making helping people to become functional amidst a very sick world, free from their dread that humanity is fucked and generally beyond true hope
This is one of the most compassionate, honest, and accurate portrayals of the “inside story” that I have ever heard.
Thank you.
I’m humbled by your courage.
My grandmother's deathbed words to me were to tell me that she was sorry she wouldn't see me in heaven because I turned my back to God rather than live up to my potential.
I raised 3 amazing kids, worked a job I loved until I became disabled and have managed to live 43 years without breaking any major laws or even commandments. I've volunteered, I've taken in strangers who needed a safe place to be, I've never purposely hurt anyone, and most who know me would say I have a loving heart. I've lived what most would call a good Christian life, if you don't count the whole disbelief in God thing.
But my life was wasted in her eyes because her God required total obedience and faith that I didn't give.
that is the trouble with heaven, none of the folks I'd want to see will be there.
If hell exists, we'll have better company than we would in heaven.
Yes, I have friends that are “worried about my soul”. Yet they would not lift a finger to help a homeless person.
Wow, that is so sad, sorry.... That was one ofy major problems with "faith" when I was young, I found it unacceptable that anyone should burn in hell for all eternity just because they "didn't believe".It sounds to me like you embody the values of Christianity more than many who claim to be.
I am deeply and truly sorry that when she had so few words left to speak, your grandmother chose to waste that precious currency to say something so awful.
I haven't told anyone that I'm struggling and starting to deconstruct my faith. I'm 32. My family are all trump-supporting Christians. I even voted for Trump in 2016. And then i started to see things i couldn't ignore or justify. It's really hard seeing how radicalized my family has become, and now if i even have a political disagreement, but even mentioning religion, my mom had said she fears what would happen to me if i faced God's judgment. And that really hurt. And made me start thinking about if the God I've loved so deeply would really condemn me for supporting progressive policies. Like, tax policies, i haven't even mentioned my support for pro-choice. And if my mom is right and i might be condemned for thinking progressives have more compassionate policies, is God's love really so boundless and perfect? And if God is so perfect, loving, and powerful, why would He let me and my family be on such polar end, even if we're all trying to do what's right by His word and love?
Anyways, i really appreciate creators like you sharing your story. It really is being me process. Because I know i want better for my daughter, for her to never be afraid to be whoever she wants to be, to great i may reject her, or suggest she may be eternally damned for political difference, let alone her own identity. I cannot imagine that. But it's hard to just throw away a lifetime of belief, including belief that got me through deep depression.
I don't wonder you get emotional and feel grateful. You walked away from the only support system and community you'd ever known, and a really intense one, at that. We, too, are grateful to you. I hope you have a real life community in addition to the people you inform, entertain, help, and interact with online. I think you're amazing.
Learning to think for yourself is sometimes very difficult.
Keep it up, brother.
Crazy is crazy no matter how much guilt their religion has imposed on them
His point is the exact opposite. When you are on the other side of that line in the sand, you don't see "crazy" - you see what appear to be rational explanations for the striking of arrows against the ground...
@@jameshache4756 True. And separation is pounded into your head. “Don’t throw your pearls before swine”, etc. Fear, and guilt are an effective tool for brain washing.
@@jameshache4756
And I disagree. The fact that they see insanity as rational only makes them crazier.
@@Richard_Nickerson you could have been one of those "insane" people if you were randomly born as them instead of you. Compassion and forgiveness helps those we see as insane heal while attacking them just makes the situation worse. Are you more likely to hear the perspective of someone who calls you insane or is kind to you?
It's not insanity. If you want to know why people believe all kind of stuff, i know a short series that explains it here (the first 3 videos aren't voiced, but the rest is) : th-cam.com/video/n1A9vrsw6Hw/w-d-xo.html
You are an inspiration. Thank you for doing what you do, and for being who you are.
Never stop reaching. Never stop learning. Welcome to the world.
Dude, your videos are great, you really do a great job, I'm sure you helped a lot of people, and the fact that you put all this time and effort into this shows how much you care about helping people, keep going.
I resonate with this so much. I was a youth leader in my penecostal church in my early 20's, basically an intern to the youth pastor. I slowly realized how much of a cult it was when I would be punished for missing a prayer meeting due to doing church admin duties, or being fired from volunteering at the coffee bar they had because I requested someone to take over for me so I could get one of the family's that didn't have a ride to church and drive them myself. Even now that I've broke free from that, I still hear in the back of my head that I will burn in hell because of how I was raised and indoctrinated. I was raised in a church and sent to a christian school from K-12. I was thrown out of my home when my father died, after being his caretaker, because I refused to go to church anymore. It has literally left so many scars on both my body and my mind. Treating "secular" people poorly, gossip, judgement, all of these things they will even admit are sins are a constant for many of them. But, I suppose that the sense of a second family and community drives them to release their minds from guilt, fear, and loneliness. I've been there, I get it. Part of me misses the community, but without the radical nature of the cult.
You're a great person, Tetrelle. I'm glad you were able to remove yourself from this cult.
So happy you reached the “age of reason”, what a shame so many never do.
I believe in reason and I'm a Christian believer...Believing in Jesus Christ means I'm not reasonable?
@@timbarr8710 correct. The reason is that there is no evidence for any gods. If you study enough science (I'm a scientist) you will see that we understand a lot about our origins. There isn't much space for any gods left (gods of the gaps) and it's dishonest to claim that there are gods filling them because that's just made up. As for Jesus - maybe there was a teacher, but things like the Shroud of Turin have been debunked. Good luck in your journey. A book you might find useful is Dawkins' The God Delusion.
@@timbarr8710 no it means you have done insufficient study and possibly lack critical thinking skills. Answer me this, what else do you believe and commit too without any provable supporting evidence, in other words purely on faith ? The bible and for that matter all the other religious books i.e. the Torah, Koran, Hadith and others all have one thing in common, completely implausible events that when written would be believed by the uneducated superstitious peasantry of the day. We know better today because science simply disproves so many religious claims, the most obvious being that the earth is some 6,000 years old which is preposterous. I could quote innumerable others.
In my opinion religion is the biggest con that’s ever been perpetrated on mankind and was created purely as a control mechanism to provide rules via storytelling for the simple, illiterate people of those times.
@@farvision Farvision do you really believe that the world we experience is the product or random chance and time?...And if there is no transcendent Creator how do you explain the existence of Morality? I think that people like yourself would be happier living in a country that embraces your world view. Like China...no offense...
@@timbarr8710
Ah yes. The, "If you don't like it then leave" gambit. The not so passive aggressive cousin to, "You'll see when you die". It's always a nonsensical suggestion and a tacit admission that one is out of valid arguments for ones position.
Besides, why would people who value free expression and enquiry want to live in China of all places? Especially if they already live in a secular country like the U.S?
You would have to first establish there WAS such a thing as a cosmic "creator" (something which has NEVER been demonstrated) before even attempting to show a link between them and the development of human morality, something easily explained by naturalistic means.
And arguments from ignorence & incredulity fail to refute the reams of overwhelming evidence we already have for the formation of the universe, the development of our world and the evolution of species'. Remaining gaps in our knowledge cannot simply be spackled in with supernatural claims. People once thought that lightning came from Zeus; now we know better. People once thought that sandstorms came from Genies; now we know better. People once thought that stars were the campfires of their ancestors; now we know better. People once thought that the earth was "built" in six days; now we know better.
Anyone who valued reason & honesty, and who was actually aware of our scientific discoveries and the methods used to make them would understand that.
Whilst many intelligent and decent people ARE religious (no one is perfect), no. It is NOT reasonable to be a Christian.
I grew up in a nominally Catholic family, but not excessively so. While I am no longer a practicing Catholic, I have a benign attitude toward religion. My wife, on the other hand, is hostile to all religion, militantly so. I never understood why she was so angry at all religious expression. She grew up in an extremely fundamentalist family who attended the Church of Christ in the South. She was like you as a youth, carrying her Bible around and being psychologically oppressed by her church and hyper-religious family. When she made her break from the oppression and insanity, she did so with a lot of anger and bitterness. I always thought that her hostility was a little extreme until I realized the hell that she was put through as a youth. Her experience was extreme. She was molested by church elders, and then made to feel guilt as though it was her own fault. As a pretty young girl, she was a temptation from Satan, and it was her own fault when men failed. She needed to pray harder and suppress her good looks. It was out and out torture and child abuse. I understand now.
When I was a child my mum was religious, but kept battering the crap out of me...so I got confused all about Christianality...my mum was always trying to turn me religious while still being toxic...now I am 63 it has taken me all these years to sort out the confusion in my mind and my mother is no longer with us...your videos have helped sort the confusion in my head thank you very much...watching from the uk 🇬🇧.
I use to be a monthly patron, but fell deep into debt due to a work injury and had no choice but to back out. I'm just about to fully recover from what has been an uphill battle of climbing out of high intrest debt. I will definitely continue to be a patron when that happens. This channel is one of the best and needs to stay alive!
Because of this post, I upped my patreon level. You get yourself back on your feet.
That's really thoughtful, but please take care of yourself first. I'm sorry to hear about your injury, and I hope you have a complete recovery soon.
I hear you. I used to be a “on fire” Christian, too. It took the better part of a decade after I started questioning Christianity for me to accept it wasn’t true. You have a new subscriber with me.
Glad you made it out. And thank you. I hope you enjoy the rest of my content.
Atfer spending about fifteen years of my life believing I was a Christian. I am now leaving that life behind me. Thanks to you and other people like you I am now seeing the truth. The actual truth.
I never cared much about god, my family would only talk about god at church and no other times. Once I actually questioned the bible, it seemed like I was being read fairytales, and I thought of god as nothing more than the Santa claus for adults.
So sad, Richard. But your ‘disbelief’ does NOT make the Almighty, creator of heaven and earth just ‘go away.’
He’ll wait for you.
@@Mark-yb1sp And your belief doesn't make your deity more real for anyone else.
I appreciate you and your work, Thomas. You've helped me in my deconversion.
I know this is over 2 yrs late, but I hope you read this for encouragement.
You are wonderful and I will be giving after hearing your countless thanks in the episodes. Thank you for creating this masterpiece!!!!!!
Your compassion for these people really reached me, as I was one of them once myself. Thank you for what you do.
I'm glad you said that. I often hear atheists simply bash religious people, but these people used to be me.
@@HolyKoolaid this was an important reminder to me. I'm so far from where I was, but I really needed to be reminded that these are human beings who are suffering the human condition that we all are. They are vulnerable to people who claim to give them answers, or relief. As different as I feel from them now, I realize I am still not so different.
"Minecrafting my way to America"
That got me XD
Lol
That was indeed hilarious!
Keep up your amazing work, you are helping heal many that have been hurt by the church.
I just found your channel the other day, and can't stop watching. Keep up the great work man.
You are a wonderful person. Remain strong in your mission. I believe you are doing the work you were meant to do.
Is he... not... secular now?
There's no "work you were meant to do" BS without religion, so...
@@Richard_Nickerson Okay, I get that, but I do believe everyone has talents and this young man chose to use them in an opposite fashion than he was groomed. He also gave up a job that would have seen him not use his talents for "good". He's helping a lot of people, maybe even saving lives. I don't know what his inner feelings are, but I know he is driven to do this work, so he is "doing the work he is meant to do." Even if it's in his own heart. Okay?
@@jasonfrisk2296 he is still a very driven person. He could have chosen a different, less public path, but he chose to make a mission of this work. I agree with him.
It’s interesting that an atheist would use terms like “meant to do” and “I believe”.
It's like he's describing my childhood. My father is a pastor, so is my uncle and my other uncle is also a preacher. Trust me, I get it.
They were arseholes right?
Do they still go abroad to evangelise?
So when Jesus returns for His Bride. And you are left behind what will you do on that day or night
@@dianestafford6968 Do you believe that Jesus will return as God?
Also will the anti Christ also have done the same miracles as Christ did?
@@Ghurabauljayid the Antichrist will deceive Millions of people. Have you read the book of Revelation?
I just started watching you a few days and you’ve already helped me with my fear of hell so much. Thank you ❤
Appreciate your story. I grew up in the same cult & took a lot of reprogramming to lose all that shit. Just discovered your channel today. Followed.
The guilt/redemption cycle is how the fundamentalist sects operate, I've seen friends and family go through the cycle, they "back slide" then "get right with God" over and over in a never ending cycle.
Someone said during the Clinton yrs
That Bill would go to church on sunday to repent for sinnin on a Saturday Night !!
When I was a young man I was told I would "believe" when I got older, I am now 71 and still no change.
Praying for your Salvation
You will on Judgment Day. Then it will be too late.
@@holyexperience1976 Prove it.
@@dianestafford6968 : And we are hoping you wake up and think for yourself.
@@holyexperience1976 4 Words: You were Brain-washed
hey man,respect!!! i'm sooo reliefed seeing that's hope for all those blinded people, keep up brother
Thank you for being so open.
Hugs! And you are so very welcome for the support, Thomas. You are supporting us, too!!
I was very involved with my church (flavor of the koolaid was Lutheran) and held many leadership positions over the years. I came to my epiphany late in life. No one thing, just a gentle drift over many years toward agnosticism and, finally, grudging acceptance that I was agnostic. Then a much faster transition to atheism and easy acceptance that I am an atheist.
At my age, with as many friends entrenched in religion as I've got, I cast about on the internet to find examples of how to talk about it. I'm still not living a fully authentic life, but I'm getting there. (I won't lie to people when asked but I still strategically avoid talking about my apostasy with certain folks.) I'm able to confidently talk about it with most folks thanks to help from people like you. I am very thankful for your work.
Much love from Kenya! An eye opener indeed! Reminds me of Islam ..which I was born into..but the shackles fall off with knowledge! To be humane is to be humble and kind and caring ..To be human is to feel ..and you don't need religion for that which resides in you! Just found your channel! 💕
You’re wrong
@@Hazeleyonidas using corny heart emojis is about the only thing I see wrong there.
Love
Education
Love
Kenyan too 😅🙏🏾
@@amalessi6809 keep scrolling. No one needs your pointless opposition
Thank YOU so much for making amazing videos that are so eye opening and compelling!!! 🙌
Thank you for being so genuine in your efforts and sincere in your purpose. Sending you love and light🙌🏾🙏🏽
The "strike" lady has nice shoulders. Lot of evangelical christians probably struggled with their thoughts.
All that striking is a good shoulder workout
She was getting practice for the bedroom later with Mr crazy 😅
One can be the most attractive person in the world, but if his or her soul were filled with the most repulsive of evil, body and soul, they are ugly.
All that plastic surgery has cost her flock thousand$. She and Benny Hinn were caught in an adulterous affair in a hotel in Paris. I’m sure she can relate to trumps issues- she’s the perfect spiritual grifter adviser.
My only thought was how far up the crazy meter she is. Speaking in tongues is the excuse for talking rubbish.
"I'm in my 30's now and I'm still discovering how much misinformation I was taught." - This is a statement that hits me -hard- in the feels. I was born and raised within the Mormon church and even got as far to go through the disfellowship process to get married in the temple to a man who struggled with porn addiction and a family that never saw me good enough for him because my parents were converts and I made mistakes they shouldn't have known about... I've been on the fence for a long time about sharing my story.... I'm no one famous or anyone of note, I'm just a person who has lived a life, and maybe my experience may help another.
If I ever decide to move forward, it'll be you that motivated the action. Thank you.
Keep it up! Just started watching this year and this has helped me deal with the trauma from my days of being tormented at my church.
Great video bud! Glad a relative shared you with me
Dude...that was one of the strongest things I've seen you do...to show your heart on camera like that? Simply encouraging. I was tearing up with ya there bcuz I knew exactly how you were feeling. Stay strong my friend, we're all in this together.
I am a proud Christian and I have more in common with atheism when it comes to stuff like this. I am equally horrified by how my fellow Christians on the Evangelical side behave!
This year has completely turn me off of Christianity. I still believe in God and the Bible but not the religion
Can I ask why you are proud to be christian ?
@@MrGordozzzz Thats called cherry picking
Well (I'm not sure if you are Catholic, but my comment applies to every church), do those in the Catholic side behave better? Because I'd been a Catholic missionary for 15 years plus other 15 in my original parish, and as an former insider, I can tell you things are not better. Perhaps you don't see Catholic preachers like this ones, but behind the scenes the life of the Catholic clergy and of many consecrated persons leaves much to be desired. Ultimately, the problem on both sides is the same: the Christianity industry has come so far in history and in the consciousness of so many peoples, since its progressive and complex elaboration in the first centuries, that today it cannot be retracted, because on this lie depend the hopes and strength of millions of men and women who only learned to put their destiny in the hands of "god" and the pastor/priest, while the pastor or priest gets the benefit of prestige and compensation. When I was inside, I knew it was all a big sham, but ordinary people wouldn't even understand it. I was not acting in bad faith, but clearly understood that I had inherited a successful belief system based on human hopes and fears that I could not change. I never took advantage of believers, but it is easy for me to understand the minds of those who use the power over consciences to obtain benefits, knowing that no one in the Hereafter is going to hold them accountable.
@@josephruffin6451 God and the Bible are still part of "religion", perhaps you meant that you don't recognize the legitimacy of preachers, cult sessions or Biblical schools but only your own interpretation acording to your criteria. That's cute, but it is even more deceptive and addictive, because it does not even connect you to a common (albeit illusory) search for good, but rather you associate what you freely interpret with some kind of divine will. But if it satisfies you, consume it. In the end it is what religion is.
WOW!!! How similar our experiences are! So glad for the utter relief from the chains that held us down.... Thanks for all you share!
You absolutely hit the nail on the head. Thank you. I too come from a similar back ground. My father was a preacher in the Salavation Army and was ultra religious until he left the church when I was around ten. I understand where you are coming from and to some degree I agree with you. Most of these people are not crazy and I resent anyone who wants to label these guys as crazy. They're just hurting and looking for answers. We shouldn't mock them. We shouldn't look down on them. We should try to help them and enlighten them.