My all-time fave moment on TAE was when she said "If I could stop a rapist from raping a child I would. That's the difference between me and your god."
Yeah, every time I watch the end of that exchange after the guy hangs up, and she says "I did grow up in a different Christianity than that guy, and I think it was a better one," I laugh.
+RyujinZero The caller didn't hang up. His response to what Tracie said was that the child was just as guilty as the rapist. Matt cut him off, saying "Goodbye, you piece of shit"
It amazes me that when I tell people I no longer have any contact with my abusive father how many want to interject how much I will regret it and that I MUST work to restore the relationship. Why in the world would I want to restore a relationship with an abusive alcoholic that has no remorse for their past actions? Cherishing relationships with moms and dads can be wonderful. Forcing yourself to stay connected with a toxic relationship just because there were the sperm donor or birthing unit makes no sense to me at all.
Carl P Exactly! My father was extremely abusive and even tried to kill me multiple times. My mother who I loved failed to protect me, but later felt terribly guilty but also always, always tries to defend his position and choses him over independence and over me. I spent 50 years trying to normalize my family. Two years ago at thanksgiving my father interrupted me speaking with my niece and I frowned dismissively at him briefly and went back to my conversation with her. Apparently later he pitched a fit to my mom about it inspiring her to write me a letter chastising me about being so rude to him and saying I owed him an apology. My head exploded. I am just done. She triggers me more than I ever realized. She always tried to train me to subordinate myself to the delicate male ego. She on the other hand did gripe to me how she had subverted her own artistic talents because he would pout if she got compliments on her art as he wanted to be seen as some great starving artist. (and starve we did, btw) So she couldn’t do art and I needed to be hospitalized for malnutrition. He was just insane with his power and abuse. But everyone thinks he is just the greatest guy and soooo sweet and kind. Because these people groom everyone-not just children. And everyone then tells you you are a bad person to not forgive. Sorry-NOTsorry-but somethings are unforgivable. The physical shape and internal working of my physical brain have forever been shaped by this abuse. When home is the most dangerous place a child can be...It is a disaster for that child’s whole life. My nightmares are somewhat under my control after decades of cognitive work...but only repressed really because my brain is still overwhelmed by thousands and thousands of the incidents that made up my life. I feel guilty because mom is too alone and unappreciated by anyone except me. But I just can’t keep doing this to myself by allowing the renewed, refreshed trauma in my head. Forgiving is not an option. Child abuse is FOREVER.
Thank you for speaking up for the abused. I had an abusive, alcoholic father and an enabler mother. I never felt safe at home. I blame both of them for my PTSD. She wouldn't leave him and get a job znd protect herself and me. They were both toxic. I grew up, put myself through school, moved away and had minimal contact. People just don't understand how horrible it was so they expect you to love and associate with these toxic, abusive family members.
I found that people with reasonably happy families who grew up with our abuse, cannot wrap their minds about what we have been through. And if we told them, if we could bring ourselves to say it out loud, it would change their world forever if they listened. Sometimes they imagine something they could deal with rather than seeing the situation as it is. By doing that, they just had to be abuse.
@@Kafei I checked out your encounter with Tracie and you made a fool out of yourself. The fact you think that was some kind of victory for you indicates that you may be delusional.
Tracie's point about loving your parents really resonates with me. I've always thought that the idea of "unconditional love" was stupid - just like faith. Love is always "conditional" - just as beliefs should be based on facts and evidence.
I found Seth pretty annoying there. I hate it when people reflexively start to tell people that they're being extreme when they hate their family or have no contact, etc. For all Seth knew, Tracie's dad might have raped her. If someone tells you they're glad a parent is dead, you shut the $*#* up, assume there's a reason, and move on to the next topic.
Actually, if someone has a marked reaction to a statement, it often provides an opportunity for elaboration. I had no idea about her parents, and the good-natured, frank exchange that followed my reaction really fleshed out an angle of the interview that I hadn't expected or planned. As a result, Tracie's perspective on her father also helped to encourage others in their own circles, as we can see even in this comments section. "For all Seth knew" could give us an excuse to skip or avoid all manner of discussions. I was struck by her candid statement about her father's death, and I had no desire to "shut the $# up." I wanted to know more, and I wanted Tracie to know I wasn't approaching the subject flippantly. Thanks for listening. - Seth
My family was hugely influencial in the irrational way I pursued happiness and enlightenment . I take responsibility for allowing it and for making the decisions I did , but it still stands true that they had a hand in those things . Once I stopped following their lead I was far more successful . In doing so I thought why do I give them access at all ? I had only the weakest of rationale in doing so . From that moment they were treated as someone who had only the weakest place in my life .
I really like her take on the mom/dad issue. I don't really like my parents but there's still that expectation that I should. Not interacting with them or the rest of my family has lessened the stress on my life.
thats exactly how I feel. My life simply is "better" for me without them participating in it. I have moments of regrets flaring up from time to time based on this sense of expectation especually from people who dont understand the situation and cannot entertain the idea that the relationship between me and my parents is so toxic that its bad for all involved. And frankly, I usually dont tell them the details either.
This was so very nice Seth. I really enjoyed getting to know more about Tracie Harris. All your shows are awesome, but this lady... wow!!! My kind of woman. I love and respect her even more. Thank you Tracie for all that you do for the community. I hope to one day be able to educate and enlighten others in such an honest and sincere way. More power to you both!!!
The things I like the most about God are: his passiveness, his silence, his invisibility, his intangibility, his being imperceptible in every way possible. I think that is what makes him so strong and worthy of worship! In all seriousness, I like her points about meeting god halfway and how he is unwilling to do even that.
This lady sounds like a kindred spirit, for those of us who abhor unnecessary drama, but feel a certain duty to contest stupid and dangerous claims. Good for you, Ms. Harris!
tracie's take on parental relationships was a revelation for me. I've always been twisted with guilt because I and my family do not like each other. no more! the viewpoint she articulated exactly described my reality.
Ms. Harris is easily my favorite of the Atheist Experience crew. She's incredibly intelligent and insightful; seeing through to the heart of the matter quickly.
That just touched me and my husband so much and I am so glad that other people are talking about it especially you and your guest and thank you so much for bringing that to the Forefront it means a lot and it brings great relief and comfort for us that struggle with this everyday thank you so much Seth and to your guests for bringing this out and making us feel better about having issues with our family and toxic people in our lives
Re: 19 minute mark, or so... When I was younger and attended AA meetings, one of the many things they would repeatedly say was "Fake it 'til you make it." This conversation of people 'talking a good game' made me think of that. In my case, I faked it and became even less of a believer (I did, at the time, consider myself "spiritual.") It wasn't later until I realized that I was simply re-defining "God" until I had re-defined him out of existence.
Timothy Carroll wow. That’s exactly my story as well. I never really believed, despite being raised in a very catholic home. In 97 I got sober. I was so desperate that I was willing to say, do, or believe anything. After about 10 years I couldn’t stand my own hypocrisy. My dad died at that time. He was the most honest, humble man I’ve ever met. On his deathbed, he was shaking, crying, and praying aloud to Jesus, asking him to not send him to hell for the things he did in the war (WWII). It disturbed me so much to see what religion did to this great man. It was at that moment I became an open, militant atheist. Even in the rooms of AA
Wow.. first time I've ever listened to a full show or yours Sir Seth -- was a fan of all your efforts and presentations outside your own channel for years -- and was instantly drawn to mentions of Tracie Harris, who I have likewise enjoyed for years on as co-pilot with USA's own 'Sir' Matt Dillahunty on Atheist Experience. Must say, I was sincerely impressed by both the interviewer, and the guest. Honestly, was shocked at how brilliant Tracie came across. Her fast, yet in depth responses to discussion points were not something I was used to seeing so expansively while sharing shoulder space with Matt; quite impressive indeed. Truly a great show for all participants, callers included.
Tracie! I can't believe you got her to collab on your channel. Awesome! Tracie is my favourite host on the TheAtheistExperience. One of my favourite persons in general actually. It's about time for a new marathon with TAE. I love you Tracie
I’m shocked how much in common I have with Traci! My wife and I are constantly telling people we’re boring. We stay home a lot. I retired from the military, loved mytime in but yet am not a lover of war. She does a great job and her upbeat attitude is just a joyful thing to see! I must say also Seth, you are totaly awesome! I love your content!
Thanks for having Tracie on Seth, I always enjoy hearing her thoughts on religion. She's very bright/smart and makes very good points. I feel she thinks more "outside the box"
Quote of the video "Hitler had relatives" ^_^; Thanks Tracy for being such a straight honest talker. You expressed those tricky ideas so very well. I have always struggled with being the odd egg in the family and have had tremendous guilt about not having strong relationships with them. Sometimes you just need to here that some else had the same experience and it is completely ok that you don't have the Disney sugar sweet family that society makes you must have.
My go-to at this point when believers ask me what it would take to convert is to say that God needs to reveal himself to me in a way that is convincing, and then the first thing he needs to do is apologize. If God can come down to me and say he's sorry; sorry for being so hard to find, sorry for causing plagues and cancer, sorry for allowing his followers to hurt people, etc. Just humble yourself to me, your creation, which you claim to care about, and that's at the very least the first thing he has to do, and then we can maybe talk about a relationship. It's basically like someone asking "What would it take for you to accept your abusive absentee father back into your life?" - Iunno, maybe if he showed up and tried to build the bridge that he very purposefully never built in the first place?
One of my experiences as an atheist with death is this. Knowing we will die one day permanently forces us to make the best of everything NOW. And believers, they do think they'll have forever. Which is why they never spend time with people. REally spend time with them. They are always looking towards heaven. Never on earth. When a really close friend died, I was strangely at peace because I spent so much time with him during the last years before he died. We have friends who have never seen him physically since we all graduated from school. Who are absolutely devastated at this death. I think it's a loss to be looking towards this heaven thing.
Wow, I didn't think I could like Tracie anymore than I already did. Her points about parents really hit home for me. I am No Contact with my mother and it is great to hear someone I respect so much validate my situation. Thank you for everything, Tracie, and thank you for this upload.
Seth, thanks SO much for having Tracie on your show! What she said about family and marriage/alternative lifestyles so resonated with me. I like how she just came out and addressed that parents don't necessarily need to be put on a pedestal...especially when they did not earn the respect. She slaughtered that "Sacred Cow".
Tracie Harris is definitely my favorite host on The Atheist Experience. I definitely enjoy her perspectives on anything honestly, even if i don't quite agree, she has a way of making me see a different side of things i wouldn't necessarily have otherwise thought of. This channel does that for me as well, so, this interview was especially interesting and fun to watch.
Tracie: For heaven's sake (!) you're such a positive influence on the athiest community! Let that shine and own it! I identify with you so much in the way you live your life, except that I was never indoctrinated. I did grow up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, so I was surrounded by so many Bible thumpers that it does give me some insight into that indoctrination. I also grew up gay in Oklahoma, so I consequently moved to West Hollywood a few years after finishing university. You are so intelligent, well spoken, thoughtful and positive in your approach to your athiest work, so that has a real impact on many of us, I'm sure. You're a beautiful person and it shows through that infectious smile. Keep up the good work!
BlackEpyon In all seriousness they all have their strong and weak sides, as should be expected of every human. Matt's strong side is scepticism, logic, reason-based arguments and exposing fallacies. That's what he brings to the table in terms of atheist-food. Other people have another "style". Aron doesn't bother too much about supernatural, personal beliefs as for denial of proven and accepted facts of the theory of evolution and he goes through extensive efforts to prove evolution is true and why that is, where a Matt would simply say "I'm not a scientist, but even if evolution was false, ...". Seth for example doesn't do neither. He doesn't spend too much time and focus on logically fallacies or proper reasoning nor does he provide lectures on scientific topics, instead his superpower is to tell stories of individuals, present some personal perspectives that one can relate to or learn about on a human level. I value them all for different reasons.
Seth, I don't know if you read comments on old videos, but this is great. And as far as I know Tracie has retired completely from the online Atheist community, but if you could get her back to talk again I think that could be a great talk.
+TheThinkingAtheist, I want to thank Tracie for her commentary on family. I had very abusive "parents" who cut off contact with me -- Seth, I think that I've mentioned this to you -- and cousins who blame me for the lack of contact. I would constantly second-guess myself as in "Am I wrong and what could I have done differently?", but hearing Tracie's story showed me that I'm not the only one and sometimes that's the way it has to go, and that helped me immensely. So, thank you again, Tracie.
Tracie's reluctance to actually take these debates is one of the reasons she is so good at it. She doesn't want to just speak over everyone all the time to say her bit, unless it is vitally important. Instead, she takes the time to pursue the Socratic method. Posing a question, listening to the answer and asking another question based on that. It goes a long way to leading people to an understanding of what they believe and then, having tried to explain the reasons for it to another person, they begin to realize what they do or don't have explanations for. It's refreshing, honestly.
Great conversation :-) I agree it is so important to be able to be honest (at least to yourself) about your family. Letting go of who you wish they would be for you is so important. I have had to cut off a family member and it has given me the space to grow.
If I drew that boundary in my family, it would literally be the catalyst for the fight. Tracie, your complete disconnect with a completely enmeshed codependent family gives you an emotional and psychological freedom to draw boundaries like an adult and that I do not have the intestinal fortitude to replicate. Perspective is your thing, so I just thought I would say as such even though you’ll never see this. I’m in my very own echo chamber.
I tried being a monk for fourteen months at three different places and came to the conclusion that the monks were basically sleep walking through life grooving on the institutional living which in a monastery is even more all pervasive than merely being a lifer in the navy, for instance, since of course they typically can’t have the equivalent of living off base in their own apartment, don’t retire, don’t get paid, and don’t get pensions. So they just stay there until they expire. But there was a sort of weird fluidity to their beliefs and mental states such that one got the strong impression that they were actually no more religious than most anyone else, based upon the way they typically spoke about things. So this is how I formed the distinct impression that this was essentially a lifestyle choice motivated by a desire to drop out of the rat race, which of course is pretty underwhelming. This is why I would bet that persons dropping out of the monastery frequently also quit attending church as well. And most new people do drop out. Also people who have been there for decades drop out as well, especially if their parents die and they come into money. Then also you get people who switch denominations after dropping out. After quitting a Catholic monastery I subsequently ran into the guy in the cell next to mine at an Anglican Catholic parish attending mass there even those Anglican Catholics are not Catholics at all but actually schismatic high church Episcopalians. So who knows what he was thinking. I thought that he might have been laying the ground work to put one over on this new denomination looking for a cushier set up to go move into. But I thought that these monasteries were so annoying that I’d most definitely prefer just working for the Salvation Army and living in one of their flophouses rather than put up with all the over-compensating monastic horseshit. Of course in the Salvation Army you can’t drink or smoke like you can in a Catholic monastery. And monks tell the best dirty jokes.
All of those people at the AE are very good, but I think Tracie is the best at advancing an idea successfully with impact. She also sounds like my kind of person. Where can I find someone like her? :-)
I am an Atheist white dude and my girlfriend is a Pentecostal Christian from Guatemala. She knows what I believe and don't believe and she doesn't give me any crap about it. I go to church with her sometimes and I have prayed with her also. It doesn't bother me. And it makes her happy. She isn't militant about it and we live together and sleep together. She is a believer and absolutely the sweetest person I have ever known. I know she is deceived but it works for her. So good.
Tracie is awesome! I sometimes want to hear her more than Matt, Seth is awesome also I really enjoy all of these people I guess it helps that I’m also an atheist
Love both of these people. They both manage to be confident without coming off as arrogant. Matt fails on the latter, from time to time but I still think he’s great too.
I realize this was 6 years ago but I have recently seen that Seth is still friends with Matt. I find it amazing that you can be friends with Tracie yet still maintain a friendship with Matt after everything. I'm interested to know how that works. And have you talked to Tracie about any of this?
I totally understand the "toxic family members" My sister has cut so many people out of her life (including me and my wife) because they don't meet her "Godly" standard. Even though I was a pastor at that time. If we didn't believe the exact same as her we were heading for Hell. Her children are close to the same. My mother in law is constantly telling us our life problems are because we don't go to church, but of course there is nothing we've gone through that she hasn't gone through something worse. (does that make sense?) She won't cut us out cause she lives in our home. Her Dad cut people out of his life over religion, my brother cut us out of his life because we support homosexuality, My grandmother cut my aunt (her daughter) out of my grandmothers life because of who she married and on and on it goes. I think my whole family is toxic. Glad (except for my mother in law) that I live a couple states away from most of them.
I was a Christian back in high school (around 27 (?) years ago and only recently found out that Anton Levay was an aetheist. I always thought that he really believed in Satanism lol
20:21 I can answer this. Weather you believe in a soul moving on or not, the person you knew is still gone from your life and that’s sad no matter what. A life is still gone.
When I left my Christian family I was immediately an outsider with the only way back in to adopt their belief, which I could not do. They set the rules and their rules could not bend.
I hate that people think it's bad to be "boring". I generally like just playing games and enjoying the company of friends online, so it's funny when people say my life is "boring". What's "not boring"? Going out to bars, getting drunk and getting in fights? =P
It's quite easy to respond by YT comment and by written word; one has time to gather one's thoughts and edit profusely before posting. True brilliance though, is being able to do this on the fly. Well done, Tracie.
Isn't it funny how sitcoms so often have at least one character (often the 'zany' one of the group) who actually does constantly walk into the house unannounced?
My all-time fave moment on TAE was when she said "If I could stop a rapist from raping a child I would. That's the difference between me and your god."
Yea, that was a good one.
That quote is the one that has always stuck in my mind too.
Yeah, every time I watch the end of that exchange after the guy hangs up, and she says "I did grow up in a different Christianity than that guy, and I think it was a better one," I laugh.
+RyujinZero The caller didn't hang up. His response to what Tracie said was that the child was just as guilty as the rapist. Matt cut him off, saying "Goodbye, you piece of shit"
cbak12sg
You're right, I forgot. XD
It amazes me that when I tell people I no longer have any contact with my abusive father how many want to interject how much I will regret it and that I MUST work to restore the relationship.
Why in the world would I want to restore a relationship with an abusive alcoholic that has no remorse for their past actions?
Cherishing relationships with moms and dads can be wonderful. Forcing yourself to stay connected with a toxic relationship just because there were the sperm donor or birthing unit makes no sense to me at all.
I feel that way as well and I have been living very great while on the journey
Carl P Exactly! My father was extremely abusive and even tried to kill me multiple times. My mother who I loved failed to protect me, but later felt terribly guilty but also always, always tries to defend his position and choses him over independence and over me. I spent 50 years trying to normalize my family. Two years ago at thanksgiving my father interrupted me speaking with my niece and I frowned dismissively at him briefly and went back to my conversation with her. Apparently later he pitched a fit to my mom about it inspiring her to write me a letter chastising me about being so rude to him and saying I owed him an apology. My head exploded. I am just done. She triggers me more than I ever realized. She always tried to train me to subordinate myself to the delicate male ego. She on the other hand did gripe to me how she had subverted her own artistic talents because he would pout if she got compliments on her art as he wanted to be seen as some great starving artist. (and starve we did, btw) So she couldn’t do art and I needed to be hospitalized for malnutrition. He was just insane with his power and abuse. But everyone thinks he is just the greatest guy and soooo sweet and kind. Because these people groom everyone-not just children. And everyone then tells you you are a bad person to not forgive. Sorry-NOTsorry-but somethings are unforgivable. The physical shape and internal working of my physical brain have forever been shaped by this abuse. When home is the most dangerous place a child can be...It is a disaster for that child’s whole life. My nightmares are somewhat under my control after decades of cognitive work...but only repressed really because my brain is still overwhelmed by thousands and thousands of the incidents that made up my life. I feel guilty because mom is too alone and unappreciated by anyone except me. But I just can’t keep doing this to myself by allowing the renewed, refreshed trauma in my head. Forgiving is not an option. Child abuse is FOREVER.
It's like when they say respect must be earned.
Thank you for speaking up for the abused. I had an abusive, alcoholic father and an enabler mother. I never felt safe at home. I blame both of them for my PTSD. She wouldn't leave him and get a job znd protect herself and me. They were both toxic. I grew up, put myself through school, moved away and had minimal contact. People just don't understand how horrible it was so they expect you to love and associate with these toxic, abusive family members.
I found that people with reasonably happy families who grew up with our abuse, cannot wrap their minds about what we have been through. And if we told them, if we could bring ourselves to say it out loud, it would change their world forever if they listened. Sometimes they imagine something they could deal with rather than seeing the situation as it is. By doing that, they just had to be abuse.
Long time fan of Tracie. Highly underrated as a thinker.
Yeah and what i am most impressed by is how real and down to earth she is and not fake and plastic like many other people out there.
Underrated thinker and cute lady
If I wasn’t married I’d love Tracie to be my wife :) learn so much from her knowledge and views
Agreed
@@Kafei I checked out your encounter with Tracie and you made a fool out of yourself. The fact you think that was some kind of victory for you indicates that you may be delusional.
Tracie Harris... I frickin' love Tracie. She's such a brilliant thinker and an amazing person! Thank you for having her on.
Thanks for giving Tracie more exposure. She's a good speaker and should do more debates.
Tracie - Intelligent and modest. Hooray for nice people.
And kind of a cougar
@@JoNDOE66613
*[insert big cat snarls here]*
So rare to see all those qualities in 1 person.
Tracie's point about loving your parents really resonates with me. I've always thought that the idea of "unconditional love" was stupid - just like faith. Love is always "conditional" - just as beliefs should be based on facts and evidence.
definitely!
I found Seth pretty annoying there. I hate it when people reflexively start to tell people that they're being extreme when they hate their family or have no contact, etc. For all Seth knew, Tracie's dad might have raped her. If someone tells you they're glad a parent is dead, you shut the $*#* up, assume there's a reason, and move on to the next topic.
Actually, if someone has a marked reaction to a statement, it often provides an opportunity for elaboration. I had no idea about her parents, and the good-natured, frank exchange that followed my reaction really fleshed out an angle of the interview that I hadn't expected or planned.
As a result, Tracie's perspective on her father also helped to encourage others in their own circles, as we can see even in this comments section.
"For all Seth knew" could give us an excuse to skip or avoid all manner of discussions. I was struck by her candid statement about her father's death, and I had no desire to "shut the $# up." I wanted to know more, and I wanted Tracie to know I wasn't approaching the subject flippantly.
Thanks for listening. - Seth
+aaronpolitical Whoah!! Why so hateful ? ;)
My family was hugely influencial in the irrational way I pursued happiness and enlightenment . I take responsibility for allowing it and for making the decisions I did , but it still stands true that they had a hand in those things . Once I stopped following their lead I was far more successful . In doing so I thought why do I give them access at all ? I had only the weakest of rationale in doing so . From that moment they were treated as someone who had only the weakest place in my life .
I found it fascinating to find that she doesn't like debate or controversy;
but is in the trenches of the fight
because she cares.
Atheism is false because Tracie Harris is obviously a goddess!
She has a FB account and she personally replies to people! :)
I'll worship her
Oh sht. I've been looking for the creep section.... not.
That hilarious 😂 luv it!
oddly in profile she looks like a witch. she does have a shapely brain though.
wow Tracy Harris has such a beautiful heart! she's had it rough and she doesn't complain keeps such a positive attitude, good for her.
Tracie is my role model - she's such an inspiration.
You both are my role models and are true inspirations also! :)
I really like her take on the mom/dad issue. I don't really like my parents but there's still that expectation that I should. Not interacting with them or the rest of my family has lessened the stress on my life.
thats exactly how I feel. My life simply is "better" for me without them participating in it. I have moments of regrets flaring up from time to time based on this sense of expectation especually from people who dont understand the situation and cannot entertain the idea that the relationship between me and my parents is so toxic that its bad for all involved. And frankly, I usually dont tell them the details either.
Its amazing how Tracie get prettier with time
Yeah I have to say I have a small celebrity crush on her. Smart, beautiful, humble. What's not to like?
666Maeglin She reminds me of my oldest friend's sister - not necessarily a classic beauty, but nonetheless attractive as all hell.
gorgeous lady. I love watching and listening to her on the videos
Yep. She could re-arrange my tools in the garage, and clean out my gun safe, WITHOUT me complaining-at all.
I agree. I have the hots for her and she’s probably old enough to be my mom
Loved this episode. Tracie Harris is addicting! I really wish she would host a youtube channel. I would sub in a micro-second.
This was so very nice Seth. I really enjoyed getting to know more about Tracie Harris. All your shows are awesome, but this lady... wow!!! My kind of woman. I love and respect her even more. Thank you Tracie for all that you do for the community. I hope to one day be able to educate and enlighten others in such an honest and sincere way. More power to you both!!!
The things I like the most about God are: his passiveness, his silence, his invisibility, his intangibility, his being imperceptible in every way possible. I think that is what makes him so strong and worthy of worship!
In all seriousness, I like her points about meeting god halfway and how he is unwilling to do even that.
This lady sounds like a kindred spirit, for those of us who abhor unnecessary drama, but feel a certain duty to contest stupid and dangerous claims. Good for you, Ms. Harris!
tracie's take on parental relationships was a revelation for me. I've always been twisted with guilt because I and my family do not like each other. no more! the viewpoint she articulated exactly described my reality.
I think she's just gorgeous!
She could be in an oil of olay commercial. She's no spring chicken but damn she still looks fantastic. And without all the make up and camera filters.
Intelligence is sexy
Yes!
Ms. Harris is easily my favorite of the Atheist Experience crew. She's incredibly intelligent and insightful; seeing through to the heart of the matter quickly.
My favourite line of Tracy's love without evidence is stalking
She is a wonderful person! And I've had a crush on her since college 😳
Beauty and brains. An unbeatable combination.
Tracie, I'm a US servicemember who is not pro war. Great example!
That just touched me and my husband so much and I am so glad that other people are talking about it especially you and your guest and thank you so much for bringing that to the Forefront it means a lot and it brings great relief and comfort for us that struggle with this everyday thank you so much Seth and to your guests for bringing this out and making us feel better about having issues with our family and toxic people in our lives
Re: 19 minute mark, or so...
When I was younger and attended AA meetings, one of the many things they would repeatedly say was "Fake it 'til you make it." This conversation of people 'talking a good game' made me think of that. In my case, I faked it and became even less of a believer (I did, at the time, consider myself "spiritual.") It wasn't later until I realized that I was simply re-defining "God" until I had re-defined him out of existence.
Timothy Carroll wow. That’s exactly my story as well. I never really believed, despite being raised in a very catholic home. In 97 I got sober. I was so desperate that I was willing to say, do, or believe anything. After about 10 years I couldn’t stand my own hypocrisy. My dad died at that time. He was the most honest, humble man I’ve ever met. On his deathbed, he was shaking, crying, and praying aloud to Jesus, asking him to not send him to hell for the things he did in the war (WWII). It disturbed me so much to see what religion did to this great man. It was at that moment I became an open, militant atheist. Even in the rooms of AA
Wow.. first time I've ever listened to a full show or yours Sir Seth -- was a fan of all your efforts and presentations outside your own channel for years -- and was instantly drawn to mentions of Tracie Harris, who I have likewise enjoyed for years on as co-pilot with USA's own 'Sir' Matt Dillahunty on Atheist Experience.
Must say, I was sincerely impressed by both the interviewer, and the guest. Honestly, was shocked at how brilliant Tracie came across. Her fast, yet in depth responses to discussion points were not something I was used to seeing so expansively while sharing shoulder space with Matt; quite impressive indeed.
Truly a great show for all participants, callers included.
Tracie's smile is magical
Tracie! I can't believe you got her to collab on your channel. Awesome!
Tracie is my favourite host on the TheAtheistExperience. One of my favourite persons in general actually. It's about time for a new marathon with TAE.
I love you Tracie
I’m shocked how much in common I have with Traci! My wife and I are constantly telling people we’re boring. We stay home a lot. I retired from the military, loved mytime in but yet am not a lover of war. She does a great job and her upbeat attitude is just a joyful thing to see! I must say also Seth, you are totaly awesome! I love your content!
Thanks for having Tracie on Seth, I always enjoy hearing her thoughts on religion. She's very bright/smart and makes very good points. I feel she thinks more "outside the box"
Quote of the video "Hitler had relatives" ^_^;
Thanks Tracy for being such a straight honest talker. You expressed those tricky ideas so very well. I have always struggled with being the odd egg in the family and have had tremendous guilt about not having strong relationships with them. Sometimes you just need to here that some else had the same experience and it is completely ok that you don't have the Disney sugar sweet family that society makes you must have.
My go-to at this point when believers ask me what it would take to convert is to say that God needs to reveal himself to me in a way that is convincing, and then the first thing he needs to do is apologize. If God can come down to me and say he's sorry; sorry for being so hard to find, sorry for causing plagues and cancer, sorry for allowing his followers to hurt people, etc. Just humble yourself to me, your creation, which you claim to care about, and that's at the very least the first thing he has to do, and then we can maybe talk about a relationship.
It's basically like someone asking "What would it take for you to accept your abusive absentee father back into your life?" - Iunno, maybe if he showed up and tried to build the bridge that he very purposefully never built in the first place?
Great interview, luv Tracie Harris! Nice to hear her honest talk about the relationship with her parents.
Tracies take on morality is eye opening … what a beautiful human being… Thank you
When I want to have a moment with Tracie, I put this interview. Love Tracie ❤️
One of my experiences as an atheist with death is this.
Knowing we will die one day permanently forces us to make the best of everything NOW.
And believers, they do think they'll have forever.
Which is why they never spend time with people. REally spend time with them.
They are always looking towards heaven. Never on earth.
When a really close friend died, I was strangely at peace because I spent so much time with him during the last years before he died.
We have friends who have never seen him physically since we all graduated from school. Who are absolutely devastated at this death. I think it's a loss to be looking towards this heaven thing.
Wow, I didn't think I could like Tracie anymore than I already did. Her points about parents really hit home for me. I am No Contact with my mother and it is great to hear someone I respect so much validate my situation. Thank you for everything, Tracie, and thank you for this upload.
4:13 "You have a life, right?" ugh, dont lifestyle shame. i love how unapologetic tracie was with answering that she's 'boring but not bored'. genius
Thank you for the brief glimpse into your life. I have always enjoyed seeing you on TAE.
Seth, thanks SO much for having Tracie on your show!
What she said about family and marriage/alternative lifestyles so resonated with me.
I like how she just came out and addressed that parents don't necessarily need to be put on a pedestal...especially when they did not earn the respect. She slaughtered that "Sacred Cow".
I adore Tracie Harris
Tracie Harris is definitely my favorite host on The Atheist Experience. I definitely enjoy her perspectives on anything honestly, even if i don't quite agree, she has a way of making me see a different side of things i wouldn't necessarily have otherwise thought of. This channel does that for me as well, so, this interview was especially interesting and fun to watch.
Tracie: For heaven's sake (!) you're such a positive influence on the athiest community! Let that shine and own it! I identify with you so much in the way you live your life, except that I was never indoctrinated. I did grow up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, so I was surrounded by so many Bible thumpers that it does give me some insight into that indoctrination. I also grew up gay in Oklahoma, so I consequently moved to West Hollywood a few years after finishing university.
You are so intelligent, well spoken, thoughtful and positive in your approach to your athiest work, so that has a real impact on many of us, I'm sure. You're a beautiful person and it shows through that infectious smile. Keep up the good work!
Jenn and Tracie are my favorite TAE hosts.
Agreed. Matt annoys me because he has zero patience and flips out.
AJ Not only that but I'm sick and tired of heaing him after consuming so much YT videos of him. ;-P
BlackEpyon In all seriousness they all have their strong and weak sides, as should be expected of every human.
Matt's strong side is scepticism, logic, reason-based arguments and exposing fallacies. That's what he brings to the table in terms of atheist-food. Other people have another "style". Aron doesn't bother too much about supernatural, personal beliefs as for denial of proven and accepted facts of the theory of evolution and he goes through extensive efforts to prove evolution is true and why that is, where a Matt would simply say "I'm not a scientist, but even if evolution was false, ...". Seth for example doesn't do neither. He doesn't spend too much time and focus on logically fallacies or proper reasoning nor does he provide lectures on scientific topics, instead his superpower is to tell stories of individuals, present some personal perspectives that one can relate to or learn about on a human level.
I value them all for different reasons.
*****
As they say, it takes all kinds.
Mine too!
Seth, I don't know if you read comments on old videos, but this is great. And as far as I know Tracie has retired completely from the online Atheist community, but if you could get her back to talk again I think that could be a great talk.
Tracie is great, I love her directness and clarity.
Two of my favourite people to listen to. Calm and insightful.....Thanks Seth.
I hope Tracie would return to the ACA along with a few of the other past hosts.
Tracie is one of those people that have a contagious smile. I find myself watching with a big dumb smile on my face.
Watching all the ads showing my love for this channel. LOL
Whoa, way late to this party!! Two atheist activists I LOVE to listen to!!!
+TheThinkingAtheist, I want to thank Tracie for her commentary on family. I had very abusive "parents" who cut off contact with me -- Seth, I think that I've mentioned this to you -- and cousins who blame me for the lack of contact. I would constantly second-guess myself as in "Am I wrong and what could I have done differently?", but hearing Tracie's story showed me that I'm not the only one and sometimes that's the way it has to go, and that helped me immensely. So, thank you again, Tracie.
Tracie's reluctance to actually take these debates is one of the reasons she is so good at it. She doesn't want to just speak over everyone all the time to say her bit, unless it is vitally important. Instead, she takes the time to pursue the Socratic method. Posing a question, listening to the answer and asking another question based on that. It goes a long way to leading people to an understanding of what they believe and then, having tried to explain the reasons for it to another person, they begin to realize what they do or don't have explanations for. It's refreshing, honestly.
She's so smart, I'm really enjoying her insight. c:
I love Seth and Tracie. "The day he died, he made the world a better place...". Haha!
I love Tracie; She's so down to earth.
Great conversation :-) I agree it is so important to be able to be honest (at least to yourself) about your family. Letting go of who you wish they would be for you is so important. I have had to cut off a family member and it has given me the space to grow.
If I drew that boundary in my family, it would literally be the catalyst for the fight. Tracie, your complete disconnect with a completely enmeshed codependent family gives you an emotional and psychological freedom to draw boundaries like an adult and that I do not have the intestinal fortitude to replicate. Perspective is your thing, so I just thought I would say as such even though you’ll never see this. I’m in my very own echo chamber.
I tried being a monk for fourteen months at three different places and came to the conclusion that the monks were basically sleep walking through life grooving on the institutional living which in a monastery is even more all pervasive than merely being a lifer in the navy, for instance, since of course they typically can’t have the equivalent of living off base in their own apartment, don’t retire, don’t get paid, and don’t get pensions. So they just stay there until they expire. But there was a sort of weird fluidity to their beliefs and mental states such that one got the strong impression that they were actually no more religious than most anyone else, based upon the way they typically spoke about things. So this is how I formed the distinct impression that this was essentially a lifestyle choice motivated by a desire to drop out of the rat race, which of course is pretty underwhelming. This is why I would bet that persons dropping out of the monastery frequently also quit attending church as well. And most new people do drop out. Also people who have been there for decades drop out as well, especially if their parents die and they come into money. Then also you get people who switch denominations after dropping out. After quitting a Catholic monastery I subsequently ran into the guy in the cell next to mine at an Anglican Catholic parish attending mass there even those Anglican Catholics are not Catholics at all but actually schismatic high church Episcopalians. So who knows what he was thinking. I thought that he might have been laying the ground work to put one over on this new denomination looking for a cushier set up to go move into. But I thought that these monasteries were so annoying that I’d most definitely prefer just working for the Salvation Army and living in one of their flophouses rather than put up with all the over-compensating monastic horseshit. Of course in the Salvation Army you can’t drink or smoke like you can in a Catholic monastery. And monks tell the best dirty jokes.
what really amazes me is how much of harmony is out there between secular talk shows!
Tracie Harris is so reasonable, she's hilarious.
All of those people at the AE are very good, but I think Tracie is the best at advancing an idea successfully with impact. She also sounds like my kind of person. Where can I find someone like her? :-)
biggregg5 look inside a fat girl.
Thanks for the plug Tracie !
Great interview. ❤
I am an Atheist white dude and my girlfriend is a Pentecostal Christian from Guatemala. She knows what I believe and don't believe and she doesn't give me any crap about it. I go to church with her sometimes and I have prayed with her also. It doesn't bother me. And it makes her happy. She isn't militant about it and we live together and sleep together. She is a believer and absolutely the sweetest person I have ever known. I know she is deceived but it works for her. So good.
Tracie is awesome! I sometimes want to hear her more than Matt, Seth is awesome also I really enjoy all of these people I guess it helps that I’m also an atheist
Being assertive and having boundaries is not being rude. I wish more people would understand that. Also, you can be honest without being a jerk.
Love both of these people. They both manage to be confident without coming off as arrogant. Matt fails on the latter, from time to time but I still think he’s great too.
I realize this was 6 years ago but I have recently seen that Seth is still friends with Matt. I find it amazing that you can be friends with Tracie yet still maintain a friendship with Matt after everything. I'm interested to know how that works. And have you talked to Tracie about any of this?
There are no gods to mess up!
Love her way of thinking
I came for Matt to watch Atheist Experience, but Tracy made me stay.
that kick ass hotwheels collection going on in the background.
She is sooooo beautiful and smart.
I totally understand the "toxic family members" My sister has cut so many people out of her life (including me and my wife) because they don't meet her "Godly" standard. Even though I was a pastor at that time. If we didn't believe the exact same as her we were heading for Hell. Her children are close to the same. My mother in law is constantly telling us our life problems are because we don't go to church, but of course there is nothing we've gone through that she hasn't gone through something worse. (does that make sense?) She won't cut us out cause she lives in our home. Her Dad cut people out of his life over religion, my brother cut us out of his life because we support homosexuality, My grandmother cut my aunt (her daughter) out of my grandmothers life because of who she married and on and on it goes. I think my whole family is toxic. Glad (except for my mother in law) that I live a couple states away from most of them.
Very nice interview, I always enjoy listening to Tracie.
I was a Christian back in high school (around 27 (?) years ago and only recently found out that Anton Levay was an aetheist. I always thought that he really believed in Satanism lol
Satanists dont believe in either Satan or God. Dont mix them with Devil worshippers.
20:21 I can answer this. Weather you believe in a soul moving on or not, the person you knew is still gone from your life and that’s sad no matter what. A life is still gone.
I have saved up all the livestock, ( ten cows ) now I find her father can't accept it .
+Phelan you re not the father !
+Phelan think cheese !
When I left my Christian family I was immediately an outsider with the only way back in to adopt their belief, which I could not do. They set the rules and their rules could not bend.
Honestly I don't even click a TAE experience thumbnail without her in it - without her, Matt is like 80 proof with no chaser.
I just realized that I’ve heard this before. I think it was one of the first atheist talks I listened to.
I have the most respect and admiration for TH
Tracie, you rule!
Tracy is a light and hope,a true free thought activist..
Seth and Tracie are so smart and great critical thinkers!! Amazing minds here!!!
I hate that people think it's bad to be "boring". I generally like just playing games and enjoying the company of friends online, so it's funny when people say my life is "boring". What's "not boring"? Going out to bars, getting drunk and getting in fights? =P
My favourite debater on TAE, clear, thoughtful and she talks common sense.
I singlehandedly LOVE Tracie Harris. Dam!!!
I miss seeing Tracie as much nowadays!
I ALWAYS love to listen to what she has to say.
Tracie is such a beautiful and inspirational person ... so down to earth and no bullshit about her
It's quite easy to respond by YT comment and by written word; one has time to gather one's thoughts and edit profusely before posting. True brilliance though, is being able to do this on the fly. Well done, Tracie.
That's actually something I say too ... "The only way (s)he can still improve the planet is by not being part of it anymore."
I like Tracie..crafty like Matt ... different temperament ... makes a great match with any of the other personalities.
Isn't it funny how sitcoms so often have at least one character (often the 'zany' one of the group) who actually does constantly walk into the house unannounced?
I must admit that I'm not an atheist anymore because i believe in Tracy
i know where your coming from re your dad Tracey my father was the same was not sad when he died either
Tracie is the goat.
I love Tracie, can relate so much. Be happy and have a good life woman.
Love Tracie!