Oklahoma Freethought Convention 2011 (speech 3 of 5) - The Thinking Atheist
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ส.ค. 2011
- A former Christian of 30 years (including 12 years as a Christian broadcaster), Seth ultimately found the bible's answers to Life, The Universe and Everything to be profoundly lacking. He finally became skeptical of the teachings of his religious upbringing and culture to began "thinking" for himself, and he encourages others to do the same. A professional video producer and recent apostate, he now challenges the claims of his former faith through videos, podcasts and the TTA online community: (www.thethinkingatheist.com).
This is Seth's first official public appearance as a non-believer.
Great speech, Seth. Enjoyed listening to it.
I know I'm six years later, but I'm a big fan of yours darkmatter, cheers
He even made a video inspired by this very speech!!
I know I'm 8 years later, but I'm a big fan of yours darkmatter, cheers
I know I'm 10 years later, but I'm a big fan of yours darkmatter, cheers
I know I'm 11 years later, but I'm a big fan of yours Darkmatter, cheers
"He's in a place where there's no violence, no pain"
Yep, in reality we call that the ground.
I agree so does scripture Gen 3:19; Job 7:9
James Mccluskey
What a discovery 😂😂😂😂
Love that one of so yrue
"It missed all the vital organs, it's a miracle!" "This woman survived for 5 days, it's a miracle!"... I look at the death toll.... "No, nature just missed one."
I took off the God Glasses (tm) and realized that God was just painted onto them.
BlackEpyon Very palatable
You stole that patent from me! 😜
capie44
Ken Ham had it first.
+BlackEpyon: So THAT is who I stole it from :P
While I was watching this it was hard to not scream yes at every sentence that you spoke! I have never been able to map together with words the journey and you have done so in such an elegant and truthful way! Thank you!
"The Philistine Foreskins" is gonna be my new punk band.
That is a catchy name.
+ArtfulDawdger Sounds a little like a neo-nazi band name, though.
+Jimmy David perfect for punk :)
"I wanna feel good, I understand when somebody sees a child die that they want to be comforted, but more importantly than that I wanna know what's right, what's real. I'd love to feel good but if that's not the truth then it doesn't really help me."
The truth is sometimes not what we want to hear but that is reality.
I remember when I told my family I don't believe in god... my mom said "Who told you you're an atheist?"
my sister said "how could you do this to mom?"
among other things...
and that made me feel like I was a piece of shit... It's not easy to do these things...
My mother cried, insisting it was "just a phase"
Qualquer gamer i felt the same way.. our relation was never the same
Qualquer gamer btw are u brazilian?
You are just rebelling against god because you like to sin. Or, the devil has got a hold of you. Or, why are you mad at god, he still loves you. Or, you are throwing away your immortal soul? One day you finally learn to forgive these people for being brainwashed.
My family members are still praying for me. It's okay. I support their right to follow their beliefs.
BUT - those shit heads trying to make laws forcing everyone to bow to religion GOTTA GO!
I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for an indoctrinated person to leave the prison of their indoctrination. Just the family problems must be very hard. It must take a special kind of bravery and it's good to see that little by little, Americans appear to be taking that huge step out of superstition and irrationality. Wonderful video.
You just keep it from your Grandma.
barlart Wait, so you never had to do it?
Yeah, that's crazy to me. Even being out of it, it's pretty in your face here in America. And I know to people on the outside, there's the temptation to think, "Nobody really thinks like that, it's just a couple of nutters." Nope. And it's not just the leaders, the scholars, etc. The crazy shit you hear is what ordinary people of faith, at least here in the US, believe.
Tim Hucks No, not personally had to test my bravery in such a way. I come from UK. The Church of England (CEO Her Majesty the Queen) is falling out of favour. However, that said, "they" do also say that nature hates a vacuum. This appears to be true given the extent that Islam is growing, a worrying trend indeed. There was a pathetic picture in all the papers of the heads of the European States walking Arm in Arm in unified support against ISLAM? after the Charlie Hebdo attack? No. A protest against TERRORISM because we all know just how loving "real" muslims are, don't we? Not one Muslim could be found who would outright condemn the murder of cartoonists for the heinous crime of making fun of an Ancient Arab paedophile whose brethren brought down the Twin Towers in an act of brotherhood which will ring down the decades until UK is a muslim country under Sharia law. Perhaps even the US one day.
barlart Have you heard of Ben Carson? He's almost certainly running for Presidency in 2016, and I am not at all interested in his ideas about religion and the state getting buddy buddy. If he wins, we can almost definitely expect, not a theocracy (let's not be dramatic), but probably a sharp increase in violations of separation of church and state.
The first public speech ... the first of many excellent talks by a regular guy *who figured it out*.
A big tip of the chapeau to you, Seth!
Like you I was born into a Christian family, attended Christian schools throughout my entire life. Considered the Priesthood. Preached to friends and family!
Gave my soul to Jesus at 14!
Then, I grew up! I questioned my life, I READ the Bible. All of it. I had valid questions, nobody had answers.
You sir, are everything I try to be.
Thank you.
Entertaining yet informative. Great speech, you have found a new subscriber.
"god needed another angel..."
Can't god just manufacture another angel, rather than killing a child for the purpose?
Every time he talks about Doctors I remember my aunt she always said that whenever she saved a live the patient (and their families) thank God, but if something went wrong it was her fault, she did not have enough experience, it was malpractice bla bla bla
Glad to see that you are just as comfortable in front of a live audience as behind the microphone, and just as inspirational. Tried looking for the rest of the two speeches but they are nowhere to be found. Hope they are not lost and I look forward to see those as well.
If there are any gods then I think too highly of them to believe they wrote the bible or the quran.
so agree with you.
like Hitchens said, it takes religion to make a good person do bad things...
I'm absolutely certain someone else has said this in the comments somewhere, but you're a VERY eloquent speaker.
Thanks for the speech Seth! You gave me chills.
Reason, logic, truth, and the scientific method prevail on the 3rd rock from the sun!
I am spreading this video....this is one of the most amazing lectures I have ever heard in my entire life. Thank you so much Seth!
HAHAHA Seth is telling darkmatter2525's video. I LOVE DARKMATTER2525!!!
No, darkmatter said his video was based on this.
True. He said this video inspired him.
darkmatter's video brought me here
@@stormwatcher59 me too, much later.
"I was living in a well and I thought that's the world.....until I climbed out of the well to see the whole new world."
Thank you, Seth, and thank you to all the men and women who have been fighting the church system for the last 2000 years even thought it meant death, mockery, abandonment, and isolation. A hearty bravo! from the heart. Here's to finding the truth.
i was glued to the screen for the whole 45mins. excellent first appearance seth!
Seth: "I host the most popular Atheist podcast in the world." I love it.
I'm an atheist, but I'm also pretty afraid of dying. That probably won't ever change (until I'm dead, of course).
as long as you are free to enjoy life you have right now, you should be good enough...
just imagine if somebody were to pause time on you right now... you wouldn't tell the difference.
whatever happens when you die, it can't be unreasonable to you... if you're scared there may be something out to torture you, you might aswell be a ocd maniac who assumes he has to lick the back of every spoon or else he'll get aids or something... it's just as unlikely as any other made up thing in the mind.
if what you're afraid of, is that you want to keep living on earth, forever, then i'm afraid there's no help for you there... but surely, this unknown, will do onto you, as it has, quadrillions of others who have also died.
what defines you, is your consciousness. whatever happens to that, is all you need to think about. if it is only alive in the brain, ultimately, just think of yourself as a biological robot, which will eventually run out of life, and fade out of existence. unless one day we can back it up into a computer. but backing up a consciousness doesn't make the backup you. when people go on about how they wish they could have their mind put into a machine, just make sure the one you wish for would have your human brain inside it. cause otherwise, what would really happen is, they would be killing you, but just making a machine with tons of 1's and 0's inside it...
wouldn't really be you, but enacts what you're consciousness would have...
hope my view points have helped.
I'm afraid of dying, but not of death.
@@emptyhand777 Its the opposite for me, im less afraid of the process than the state of being dead. It feels like the ultimate entrapment without equal.
I know living forever isnt a thing at all but this inevitable and utter end is simply terrifying to me.
Concepts like hell or gods dont bother me, i am and (pretty much) always was too secular for them. They make no sense to me.
@@PWN4G3FTW - think about the billions of years before you were born. To paraphrase Mark Twain, I was dead billions of years before I was born and didn't suffer a bit from it.
@@emptyhand777 He was kind of cheating with that statement. Being declared "dead" before birth is a cop-out, but I get the sentiment. I have no great frame of reference for that statement, maybe every human has suffered implictly and terribly for not being born billions of years ago. Or maybe not, Im too limited to tell. even for myself. I have no problem with being tiny or insignifiant. Not being at all on the other hand that is a problem for me, one I or anyone for that matter cant even hope to solve.
"Well, in the end it doesnt even matter" -Apparently
I got a lump in my throat on that last part. Seth, in only 5 years, you're up there with AronRa, Dawkins, Hitchens, Carlin, Minchin etc. in my books (and what a treasure Abbie Smith is, a brilliant force of energy) Even if we've never met, and I live in South Africa, I have such a tremendous LOVE for you guys, no religion could ever compare. I value intelectual reasoning, and you are one of my ultimate superheroes. Keep up the amazing work. Peace out.
Your comment about not being afraid of death was one of the most profound changes I went through. It is awesome to hear that at least one other person had that realization. Great video.
Did Saul make a cape or something out of the foreskins? Or were they just in piles around the house?
The anime Panty & Stocking has a scene where they take the foreskins, deep fry them, package them and sell them as snacks... It's a possible solution he may have had to go to. Can you imagine what decomposing foreskin would smell like?
MPythonGirl
threw em all in a well full of hot grease... the invention of pork rinds is born
MPythonGirl
the grease is heated from hell, since some wells can reach the center of the earth, and the foreskin were to be damned to hell... too funny
MrOnionterror Gross
MPythonGirl Smells like my senior principals breath
Nice talk :D
That was truely epic, good sir. Halarious and inspiring, Intelligent yet accessible. I wasnt bored for a second.
You NEED to do this more often. You had the audience glued to their seats. I so wish I could have been there to see it live and shake your hand.
Excellent presentation!
I don't usually have the patience to watch videos longer than 15 minutes, but this one grabbed my attention. Though I wasn't raised in a church-going family, I spent the last 5 years of my life engrossed in Christianity. Three years ago 2 of my Christian friends (who are now Deists) helped me disprove the dogma of hell & ever since it's been a slow deconversion process. Only recently have I been honest enough to admit I'm an atheist.
It's nice to see I'm not alone.
Hell has always been the one thing that makes me positive that there is no god. Or at least not the one described in the bible. If your family is really concerned for you and suffering for all of eternity then they should consider just what that means. I could never be happy for eternity knowing someone I cared about would suffer for eternity. I would not want Hitler to suffer eternally. So its impossible for an all caring and loving god to allow people to suffer for eternity.
Seems strange, doesn't it? Infinite punishment for finite crimes? Yeah, seems legit
when god closes a door he opens a window ... (on the sixth floor - happy climbing)
Good luck at getting past the bars -- the only friggin' window He is going to allow you and the only one with bars.
The first time I watched this video, I was at a point of critical mass. As the video finished, I sat back into my chair, stared into space for a moment, then uttered "I'm an atheist." Then I realized that I had been an atheist for the past 15 years and I had been lied to about what an atheist was.
You know when you start watching a video, and you just HAD to watch it all the way through to the end? This was one of those videos. Superb.
And now you have my respect from syria
darkmatters
2525
+Martha Nelson
"The Answer To Everything" by DM2525 video sites this speech as inspiration.
Seth, I knew the words to all the songs you sang, and I was seriously marked by "A Thief in the Night" at age 13 during a sleepover with our Youth Group. I appreciate your talk so much. I know what you know, in a way. Like you, I believed for a long time that the people who did that to me were really "good people". But, then I remember that ALL the church members did not do it -- it was int he hands of the really crazy few. I am sorry for them all, now. Thank you for this.
I actually teared up a little during the last five minutes. Thank you Seth.
Words cannot describe. How much I love this speech.
5000 thanks for posting these!
Great talk!
Now I have a face to put to the voice of one of my favorite podcasts! My kids enjoy it almost as much as I do.
Thanks Seth!
Great job Seth! You are a welcome voice to those of us who have deconverted. Keep up the good work.
Great job Seth, we NEED to see more of these!!
Outstanding. One of the best talks I've seen on the topic.
Seth, I had a similar deconversion and subsequent reading list. I have voraciously been researching everything that would inform my position and prove that I'm not crazy. I am no longer a slave, but I live in Southeast Kansas, and I share your sense of geographic isolation. I was unable to attend this conference and greatly appreciate your posting of it for us. I'm pleased to see the crowd, knowing that for each in attendance there were many like me who would have liked to have been there.
absolutely awe inspiring speech. Without a doubt one of the best i have ever heard.
What a wonderful speech. I too was raised in a Protestant home, but narrowly escaped christian school only by the fact that my parents bought a home in a new neighbourhood where there was supposed to be a christian school built, but it never happened, so we ended up going to public school. All my cousins went to christian school, and they are still completely brainwashed to this day. I am a 51 yr old woman, and I've been an atheist for about 40 years.
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. You were awesome again. Cheers!
I attended this convention,,what a Greatw way to spend the day,,thx 4 posting it on youtube....karl
This video made my day, in a day when I needed something to make it. Thanks for that.
Very powerful ending. The entire presentation was fantastic as well, but that ending was really ....real. Thanks, man. I'm glad you do what you do.
Simply brilliant, heartfelt, truthful and honest. Nicely done.
I am going to watch all of these videos!
@TheThinkingAtheist your bravery is laudable, and inspiring. Your hard work will pay off, stay optimistic. Reason will prevail. The Flying Spaghetti Monster loves you.
Seth, this is the best speech given at the convention. Great job!
You story strikes me so profoundly! It's like I'm listening to my own life story...right down to the Thief in the Night movies. They were utterly terrifying to me as a child. I had nightmares for years about them. It wasn't until I was in my mid 30s that I started really digging into all this stuff and was finally able to leave it in the dust. Thank you for sharing your story. I wish I could put my own in such amazing prose as you've been able to here and in your many videos! Keep up it up!
Well done Seth! Well done! Can't wait for your next podcast!!
Seth, you rock!!! It's good to finally see your face. I'm your fan and after all these podcasts on my headphones I felt like having a personal relationship with a voice in my head! :)
I love listening to Seth, such a great presentation.
So great to see you speak Seth, both entertaining and thought provoking. Great delivery as expected :P Keep up the good work.
Wonderful presentation!!! Thank you so much for your hard work and effort in showing the world that it is okay to think. All the best in your in continued efforts!
I am a recovering Christian, 6 months sober, and oh fiction, is it great to see truth and not blind faith.
Wow. Incredibly touching ending, Seth. I loved the whole video. That was amazing.
great talk, absolutely phenomenal and inspiring, thank you
Wonderful presentation,the best by far.
Took me over 50 years on this earth to figure it out. Chalk it up to intensive Roman Catholic indoctrination from early childhood. Thanks to Seth and all the podcasters and internet resources dedicated to promoting critical thinking and skepticism. I AM FREE!!!! Great to put a face with "the voice". Awesome job, Seth!! Thanks.
Well you look younger than i thought plus now i can put a face to the voice i have heard for so long . . loved it. Waiting for more Oklahoma Freethought Videos part 4 and 5 . . . I Appreciate that you took the pains of uploading these videos . . . for people like me who live half way across the world in India and can't attend such events these video episodes real are the best.
Awesome job and congrats on finally showing your face!
Looking forward to more.
That was truly inspiring, as an ex-christian I know exactly about the fears of hell and the indocrtination of christianity. I really appreciated the heartfelt message of hope at the end of the presentation. Thank you so much..........
You're speech was brilliant Seth. Entertaining and insightful.
great stuff, seth. hope to see more like this from you.
Thank you for this great sermon!
Wow, I had no idea you have only been doing TTA since 09. What you do is truly amazing. Keep it up.
Nice to finally see the face that goes with the voice. Great presentation.
Great presentation Seth. I too, am the only atheist in a family infected by fundamental christianity. My journey to rational thinking began when I read the entire bible as a requirement for earning the "god and country" award as a boyscout at the age of 14. I'm grateful I somehow developed the ability to think for myself.
Thank you - this was truly moving.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING THE THINKING ATHEIST!! I LIVE MOBILE,ALABAMA IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BIBLE BELT AN I THINK I'M THE ONLY ATHEIST FOR MILES AROUND!!!! YOUR VIDEOS HAVE MADE MY DAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK
I'm coming to the end of Seth's book, "Deconverted", and I'm here watching this video as he talks in his book about this speech he gave as being his first ever, official public "coming out as an atheist" speech. So naturally, I had to come and listen to it! 😂
Wonderful stuff Seth, you should definitely do this more often :)
I decided to gradually, over time give hints that I am an Atheist. Thanks for the help. It really helped!
good job Seth , great to see you on video , keep it up !
wonderful speech. really hit home.
I continue to prove to myself how terrible I am at matching a voice with a face. What an awesome talk Seth, you have a great talent for getting and holding people's attention.
Fantastic video.Sir,you inspire me.
That was so great. I'm from Oklahoma and I was out of town when this went on. I'm so pissed I missed it
Thank you!, thank you! thank you! for this upload!
Thank you Seth. I don't feel so alone now in my family. I wish I could tell you how much it means to me.
This really was an amazing talk, Seth. You have an apt handle - you certainly are a thinking person, and an obvious rationalist. Please come to TAM next year.
Awesome speech is awesome....truly moving....
My favourite of the 3 so far, although I wait patiently to hear Matts efforts.
Good work.
More please.
This person makes an excellent speech - it captivated me for the whole video!
@Jagonomic I think it is just that it was mentioned in the video. I see strange ads all the time for videos, but then notice that something similar was mentioned for a second in the video. I really would love to know how that system works.
Fantastic talk. Relate to this very much.
Great speech Seth, and thank you for showing us your face.
Nice to put a face to the voice. Thanks for the vid, Seth!
Amazing job, Seth! Absolutely stunning!
very very inspiring speech. thank you.