14 Things the Misguided Religious Establishment Doesn't Want You to Know

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  • Опубліковано 17 кві 2024
  • Jim Palmer is a chaplain for the American Humanist Association and founder of The Center for Non-Religiouis Spirituality. In 2023, he posted a short article which provides plenty of food for thought. This is a video translation of his words to the screen.
    Jim's original post: bit.ly/3xGBCx2

КОМЕНТАРІ • 1 тис.

  • @jimipalmer5041
    @jimipalmer5041 Місяць тому +277

    I am not now, nor have I ever been a Chaplin of anything. As a matter of fact the only Chaplin I recognize is Charlie. 🕊💖🖖

    • @cartoonraccoon2078
      @cartoonraccoon2078 Місяць тому +20

      I'm only partial to Father John Mulcahy

    • @rebeccazegstroo6786
      @rebeccazegstroo6786 Місяць тому +6

      Lol

    • @geoffmower8729
      @geoffmower8729 Місяць тому +14

      You should look at his great dictator speech at the end of the same titled movie. It is on UA-cam. Charlie was a silent movie star that used his expressions and funny movements to communicate to his audience. But when he made his first talky movie what he said was timeless and phenomenal!

    • @ThomasNoonan-qc8vp
      @ThomasNoonan-qc8vp 28 днів тому

      Jimipalmer, his daughter Geraldine acted in a few good movies in the 60s and 70s.😊

    • @peterlennox4828
      @peterlennox4828 14 днів тому +2

      The word Seth used was 'chaplain'.

  • @dianahill5116
    @dianahill5116 Місяць тому +218

    Everyone is born atheist.
    Religion has to be taught.
    Atheism doesn't have to be taught.

    • @tomthx5804
      @tomthx5804 Місяць тому

      It's amazing how atheists come up with this sort of nonsense.

    • @glenliesegang233
      @glenliesegang233 Місяць тому

      Every child knows the natural world is miraculous until they are told nothing is miraculous, it is only blind chemistry

    • @JGLy22086
      @JGLy22086 Місяць тому +20

      Just as the song says, “You have to be taught from year to year … it has to be drummed in your dear little ear. to hate all the people your relatives hate. You have to be carefully taught.”

    • @tom-kz9pb
      @tom-kz9pb Місяць тому

      More "indoctrinated", "brainwashed", "drummed into" than "taught".

    • @bellmishpokhe
      @bellmishpokhe Місяць тому +5

      In a funny way, as a believer in Jesus, I agree with you (although probably not for the same reasons). Since I understand atheism to be at its core a rebellious denial of God's existence, I don't believe its a position solely based on objective inquiry, but rather one that is rooted in man's fundamental rebellious condition from birth, outlined by Paul when he states, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (my note: speaking of mankind generally, touching on our nature more fundamentally), who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God (my note: knowing in the way a religion teaches God, but knowing in the core of one's being, even if one professes to be atheistic and denies certain [or all] religious concepts of God), they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened" (Rm. 1:18-21). I know you might say that this is just the Bible (which will then lead to arguments regarding the reliability of the Bible, if there is any at all), but I just wanted to state how I agree with you, that man (if one allows for atheism to be the line of thinking that rebels against the natural bent of humanity to believe in some sort of deity) is born into a state of atheistic rebellion of the God who made them.

  • @ToshiCat2009
    @ToshiCat2009 Місяць тому +48

    Would be awesome if Seth could interview Jim Palmer for either a podcast or UA-cam video!

  • @rogernull6151
    @rogernull6151 Місяць тому +27

    The point about god being a projection of our own minds is crucial.
    I went from Christian to non-Christian theist. When I considered the disparity of conflicting beliefs about the nature of God-- and how my own version of god was so different from the norm-- it suddenly dawned on me: I had created god as I wanted him to be.
    And everyone else has done the same.
    That's when I became an atheist.

    • @OceanusHelios
      @OceanusHelios Місяць тому +2

      A non-Christian theist is called a Diest.

    • @GenerationX1984
      @GenerationX1984 Місяць тому +1

      Makes me wonder how psychopaths view God. Their version of God probably looks more like a normal religious person's view of the devil.

    • @bobs182
      @bobs182 13 днів тому

      We have a strong capacity and propensity to envision a mind in people in which we interact then project that envisioned mind back onto the person. This capacity is diminished in people on the autism scale making it difficult for them to understand other people's intentions and motives. This capacity gets overused when we project minds onto objects without brains which we call spirits/gods. Our minds are good at projecting as the image of our computer screen which is formed inside our brain/mind is projected back to the source making it seem the image in our head is in front of us.

    • @lightatthecape2009
      @lightatthecape2009 День тому

      I won't point out why your reasons for the adoption of atheism are not relevant or have the evidentiary weight to justify your conclusion.

    • @hemiolaguy
      @hemiolaguy 6 годин тому

      @@OceanusHelios It's spelled "Deist."

  • @terencebooth8271
    @terencebooth8271 Місяць тому +66

    As someone who was raised as a mainstream Christian, but never could fully accept/believe the creeds, doctrines, and dogmas, I appreciate Mr. Palmer’s 14 theses. They pretty closely align with my own understanding based on years of study and reflection, but stated much more cogently. I appreciate him and you for making it available.

  • @jaredb6934
    @jaredb6934 Місяць тому +101

    This is absolutely beautiful. Thank you.

  • @Grandpa_Boxer
    @Grandpa_Boxer Місяць тому +33

    Outstanding points!! Palmer represents "courage and intelligence!!!"

  • @alschneider5420
    @alschneider5420 Місяць тому +114

    I have had theists confront me at: subway, grocery store, mall, walking down the street, sitting at home, sitting on a mountain top in Colorado, in a computer store, In a dry cleaner store, Target, Walmart, at work, at work, at work, ETC. And more than once at each of these. I am thinking of making a little pamphlet of this to give those people when they hit on me. This is really excellent.

    • @jiminness6799
      @jiminness6799 Місяць тому +15

      I'm working on a pamphlet taking the reader from the tooth fairy and Leprechauns through Thor and Zeus and more all the way to Yahweh so I can hand it out to some religious person that knocks on my door or confronts me on the street. So go for it I'm with you.

    • @joejoe-lb6bw
      @joejoe-lb6bw Місяць тому +4

      So many confrontations by theists? Maybe the Universe is trying to tell you something.🙂

    • @mr.pavone9719
      @mr.pavone9719 Місяць тому +1

      ​@@joejoe-lb6bwthat theists are annoying busybodies?

    • @Navybyrde
      @Navybyrde Місяць тому +43

      ​@@joejoe-lb6bwthe universe is telling us that theists are pushy people, with no respect for others.

    • @gamd666
      @gamd666 Місяць тому +6

      Case and point of this video... youre confirming your bias by limiting yourself to thinking its a sign from your psyche(yhwh) 👀​ have you considered yourself delulu? @joejoe-lb6bw

  • @wiilover07
    @wiilover07 Місяць тому +48

    "Being less religious won't save us"
    I disagree.

    • @5353Jumper
      @5353Jumper Місяць тому

      Religion, as in the following of one particular church teachings, is either the root of bigotry or used as the justification for bigotry.
      Bigotry is the entire reason humanity is not living in a prosperous utopia in harmony with nature.
      Organized religion's role in that makes it one of the core evils of our society.

    • @bobs182
      @bobs182 Місяць тому +7

      Less religious extremism would be helpful.

    • @jacksimpson-rogers1069
      @jacksimpson-rogers1069 Місяць тому +2

      It actually seems to me, reading some of the news, that Ireland is getting better by "being less religious". The standard reason for The Border was that "Home Rule is Rome Rule", and when Garret Fitzgerald as Taoiseach attempted to reduce the extent to which Irish rule was Vatican rule, the Pope came to persuade him otherwise.

    • @davidcattin7006
      @davidcattin7006 Місяць тому +7

      Keeping it out of politics and women's' bodies would help.

    • @chriswilliams1096
      @chriswilliams1096 5 днів тому

      Being less religious won't save us - but it reduces the damage caused to us by religion.
      Being free of religion is only a starting point. We still have all the work of healing ahead of us.

  • @spankflaps1365
    @spankflaps1365 Місяць тому +40

    Look for BBC’s two part documentary “Who was Jesus” (1977).
    Some say it was ahead of its time, but really it was 1500 years too late.

    • @istvansipos9940
      @istvansipos9940 Місяць тому +3

      at least 1977 - 33 = 1944 years too late.

    • @cecilr7986
      @cecilr7986 Місяць тому +3

      Thank you. Will look for it.

  • @SteveJones379
    @SteveJones379 Місяць тому +99

    "You cannot petition the Lord with prayer!" - Jim Morrison (The Doors, The Soft Parade)

    • @peterbathum2775
      @peterbathum2775 Місяць тому +3

      I just need a place for me to hide…

    • @tomthx5804
      @tomthx5804 Місяць тому +4

      You mean the guy who died of a drug overdose in a sleazy french hotel? Not exactly the kind of guy you would want to listen to.

    • @izmark671
      @izmark671 Місяць тому +15

      @@tomthx5804 Too bad we can't point fingers at the authors of 'accepted' scripts like the bible, all unknown. No drugs or sleaze back then?

    • @stevenstewart3414
      @stevenstewart3414 Місяць тому +21

      @@tomthx5804 Oh puleeze! It's the lyrics to a song.
      If I need someone to tell me who I should listen to, I may as well join a church.

    • @toddduchesne1749
      @toddduchesne1749 Місяць тому +2

      ​@tomthx5804 You are telling people the truth, and we know people don't want to hear the truth.

  • @cartoonraccoon2078
    @cartoonraccoon2078 Місяць тому +61

    Exactly! The training children recieve while working on their magic boat coloring books sets them up to be adults who put people in out-groups.

    • @deankittelson2798
      @deankittelson2798 23 дні тому

      Dude... Nicely put.

    • @lightatthecape2009
      @lightatthecape2009 12 днів тому

      Really and just how this coloring the basis for outgroup bias?
      Let's look at some findings of how atheists and theists differ..
      The religious experience less anxiety or depression
      Believers have significantly less incidents of suicide.
      Atheists are more likely to have substance abuse problems than believers.
      The religious are far more likely than atheists to have completed a first degree.
      Atheists as a group have a higher percentage of autistic spectrum disorders.
      Atheists tend to score lower on empathy than the religious. Given empathy has been stressed as a necessary foundation for moral behaviour the lower scores of atheists might mean more difficulty in forming moral behaviours.
      Believers donate significantly more to both church and secular charities.
      The religious live an average of 4 years longer than atheists
      Anglicans, Episcopalians and Jews score higher than atheists on standardized IQ tests.
      There is no evidence that the religious are less able to think analytically or critically than atheists.
      Over 90 percent of believers are neither biblical literalists nor believe the bible is inerrant.
      Maybe its time to drop the claims the religious are suffering from delusions or are mentally ill.--- they are not

    • @deankittelson2798
      @deankittelson2798 12 днів тому +1

      @@lightatthecape2009 It's so funny. OP said that theists (Which I am one. I am an Omnist) are taught to "other" people, and you wrote this long ass response othering people. Classic.

    • @lightatthecape2009
      @lightatthecape2009 12 днів тому

      Sorry you can't read.

    • @SPL0869
      @SPL0869 4 дні тому

      @@lightatthecape2009none of what you wrote(if true) means that what believers are placing their trust in is true; some might find it useful but there’s still no demonstration that it’s true. “90% don’t take the Bible literally?” Can you give a source for that? Not saying you’re wrong but I’d love to dive into that one more.

  • @CoraFrances
    @CoraFrances Місяць тому +58

    This had me in tears ( in a very good way). I would love to be able to send this to my evangelical mother. Her beliefs have harmed our relationship in many ways. However, I will be sharing this with my nephew who is studying to be a professor of philosophy and religion. Thank you Seth for sharing this. 😊

    • @curtishegner9245
      @curtishegner9245 Місяць тому +2

      I feel for you as my family is gone
      . I get bombarded by religious people. I got use too that. But when family or spouse do this. I try to tolerant but it doesn't work.

    • @curtishegner9245
      @curtishegner9245 Місяць тому +7

      The more I read the Bible the more confused I became. I'm agnostic. It's not right to tell people that if your not saved. Then all this bad stuff happens to you.

    • @war6nheaven
      @war6nheaven Місяць тому +1

      @@curtishegner9245it's immoral and manipulative for people to say those kinds of things. they think they're doing the best for you, but won't bother to place themselves in your shoes. i know how it feels.

    • @gregbuster4187
      @gregbuster4187 29 днів тому +4

      As I watched this I thought about how much I would enjoy sending this to my evangelical homophobic parents and siblings but they severed contact with me when I married my husband.

    • @bobbyb1607
      @bobbyb1607 29 днів тому +2

      I'm in the same boat. Religion is devisive

  • @tuttt99
    @tuttt99 Місяць тому +5

    12-steppers runied the word "spiritual" for me forever.

  • @user-pr8gx3vb9h
    @user-pr8gx3vb9h Місяць тому +93

    God is also a human invention.

    • @trollemctrollersen
      @trollemctrollersen 29 днів тому +1

      "Atheism is a disease of the soul, before it becomes an error of understanding." Plato

    • @user-pr8gx3vb9h
      @user-pr8gx3vb9h 29 днів тому +1

      @@trollemctrollersen not t really

    • @trollemctrollersen
      @trollemctrollersen 29 днів тому

      @@user-pr8gx3vb9h Look at you. A knee jerk reaction.

    • @fredlavergne7442
      @fredlavergne7442 27 днів тому +1

      You’ll know the day of your last Breath .

    • @trollemctrollersen
      @trollemctrollersen 27 днів тому +1

      "The man who invented God was a wise man." Plato

  • @elainebraindrain3174
    @elainebraindrain3174 Місяць тому +21

    Agree, well spoken.

  • @RickScheibner
    @RickScheibner Місяць тому +33

    Thanks for this, especially your last comment about secular society suppressing religion. I didn't want to discourage thought, I want to encourage it so others can come to conclusions on their own. Thanks for all you do.

  • @willievanstraaten1960
    @willievanstraaten1960 Місяць тому +36

    Damn, this is the best I have heard in a long time. Will save this in my library for use in debates.

  • @chill4625
    @chill4625 Місяць тому +140

    This should be taught to all high schoolers.

    • @Deutsch-um6rt
      @Deutsch-um6rt Місяць тому

      Amen brada

    • @markomib
      @markomib Місяць тому +12

      While there were of course things I didn't love about my kids school, one of the most impressive things was seeing courses focused on critical thinking, identifying facts through evidence - and changing your mind when better evidence shows you were wrong, taking into account bias. That alone, was an important step to defusing a lot of thought bombs that face humanity.

    • @toni4729
      @toni4729 Місяць тому +11

      By high school it's usually too late.

    • @BlacksmithTWD
      @BlacksmithTWD Місяць тому +2

      @@markomib Indeed, proper schools teach one how to think, not what to think. Dispite all their effords, still few people are capable of presenting their argument in the classical formal manner separating premises and conclusions, as in the wel known classical example:
      premise 1 : all men are mortal
      premise 2 : Socrates is a man
      conclusion : Socrates is mortal
      Also few people learned the difference between a valid argument and a sound argument. Example of a valid but not sound argument:
      premise 1 : everything that is blue is a cat
      premise 2 : my car is blue
      conclusion : my car is a cat
      It's valid because the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises however it's not sound because at least one of the premises is incorrect if one is able to think of something that is blue but that is not a cat.

    • @dwolfcoach
      @dwolfcoach Місяць тому +1

      I did this under the guise of scientific methodology. The politics of it are stultifying. My colleagues won't touch it w a 10 foot stick.

  • @justahungrywolf2429
    @justahungrywolf2429 Місяць тому +30

    Seth, tell Jim Palmer "Thanks" for me....

  • @Aurealeus
    @Aurealeus Місяць тому +18

    Seth, I just shared your video with Jim Palmer. He was unaware you made the video and seemed very excited about it so most likely you will probably be hearing from him. Just wanted to give you a heads-up.... Great Vid, by the way. I have no doubt Jim will be happy about it.
    Edit: Just came back to let you know that he has posted it on his FB page and elsewhere on his personal website and pages.

    • @TheThinkingAtheist
      @TheThinkingAtheist  Місяць тому +6

      Many thanks. I'd sent it to his DM, but he likely doesn't check it.

    • @Aurealeus
      @Aurealeus Місяць тому +6

      @@TheThinkingAtheist My pleasure, Seth. Great job on the vid, although, all your content is great. Let's keep'em thinkin'. 😇

  • @findiwindles
    @findiwindles Місяць тому +41

    7. People are born human, and are slowly conditioned by narratives of race, religion, gender and nationality to be less than human.
    So true. I just hadn't realized the recent rise of identity politics was just a more weaponized and strident version of an existing phenomenon.

    • @bobs182
      @bobs182 13 днів тому

      Racism, churches, street gangs, sports team support, and nationalism are all manifestations of our tribal nature.

    • @darlalathan6143
      @darlalathan6143 11 днів тому

      Identity politics dates from the Renaissance, with nationalism and Protestant denominations. The leftist versions date from the Age of Enlightenment, with revolutions.

  • @grepora
    @grepora Місяць тому +5

    When Jim Palmer specified societies that suppressed religion, I think he was referring to authoritarian societies such as the People's Republic of China or the former Soviet Union.

  • @iitywybmad29
    @iitywybmad29 Місяць тому +16

    superstition - noun
    1a: a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation
    b: an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God resulting from superstition
    2: a notion maintained despite evidence to the contrary
    Merriam-Webster

    • @OceanusHelios
      @OceanusHelios Місяць тому +7

      As my Sociology professor once defined it, "Superstition is somebody else's religion." I, for one, detest superstition because it clouds the minds and leads the eyes to not see what is there. It takes work to not be superstitious because our minds are built to fill in the blanks and use a mental short hand which is the basis of intelligence and imagination. However, imagination is grand if it can be remembered that it is ONLY imagination and can be helpful or a hinderance.

  • @dagg310
    @dagg310 Місяць тому +22

    i was always confused when i see people praying to god to heal them.
    if u believe in god, why would u want to be healed? wouldn't u rather to be in heaven instead and end all ur suffering?
    this just proves what they truly believe deep down.

    • @joejoe-lb6bw
      @joejoe-lb6bw Місяць тому +3

      Agreed. I told my wife if a doctor says "it's incurable", don't wait to he finishes the sentence, just put me down.

    • @dagg310
      @dagg310 Місяць тому +2

      @@joejoe-lb6bw lol...exactly !

    • @cecilr7986
      @cecilr7986 Місяць тому +3

      My thoughts as well.

    • @hansj5846
      @hansj5846 Місяць тому +2

      Exactly. I always wonder why they cry at funerals. They should celebrate that auntie Jess is playing banjo with Elvis in heaven.
      Very strange, unless they have a sneaky suspicion that auntie is gone forever 😢

    • @Paul020253
      @Paul020253 Місяць тому

      It shows that you know very little about prayer. I probably thought that when I was about seven and beginning to7 th8ink about prayer. I am now in my seventies, I still believe in prayer and still practice it and one day I have hope that I will be in heaven. As a very wise man of my acquaintance once said: "Prayer is like talking to a friend."

  • @truecapitalist4718
    @truecapitalist4718 Місяць тому +11

    This one's excellent, Seth.

  • @sharonrich7414
    @sharonrich7414 Місяць тому +31

    Thank you,,something to start my day off !

  • @zenncatt
    @zenncatt Місяць тому +45

    Seems like the truth has set Mr. Palmer free. Good for him.

    • @kevchard5214
      @kevchard5214 Місяць тому

      I wouldn't get to excited. Remember he is a preacher so he only wants money and power.

  • @spaceman081447
    @spaceman081447 Місяць тому +3

    Jim Palmer's 14 points are exactly right.

  • @toni4729
    @toni4729 Місяць тому +6

    Being an atheist for my entire life, I tend to think that God is just a religious Ghost that people fear and run to when they're unhappy. I've never been in this state in my seventy-two years and don't expect to ever do this. The books were never shoved down my neck.

  • @jforrester1208
    @jforrester1208 Місяць тому +15

    This was truly amazing! It should replace the Ten Commandments wherever they are displayed.

  • @gsmarkham
    @gsmarkham Місяць тому +10

    I really liked this summary.

  • @ilovethe80s71
    @ilovethe80s71 Місяць тому +7

    Thank you Seth I really appreciate you presenting this material.

  • @johnwells2261
    @johnwells2261 Місяць тому +31

    'Secular society suppression of religion' ... he may be referencing things like the state policy of places like 'very communist' Russia before the dissolution into whatever it is now or North Korea as it is presently.

    • @badnewsBH
      @badnewsBH Місяць тому +5

      That was my thought as well.

    • @temmaxtemma9570
      @temmaxtemma9570 Місяць тому +2

      North Korea even banned wearing shorts for women. It's too western, i guess? lol

    • @OceanusHelios
      @OceanusHelios Місяць тому

      "I supplant your delusions and replace them with my own" kinds of Religion of the State and Cutls of Personality. And as we can all see this practice is still alive and well with the current cultists plaguing the planet and their worship of demogogues. It's funny how people who criticize the lack of relgion conveniently forger to menton that worshipping a leader is the same f'ing thing.

    • @brianfethers8806
      @brianfethers8806 Місяць тому

      Communist Russia at its zenith, and present day North Korea both have/had ideologies equivalent to a religion. In both Russian and North Korea a cult of personality substituted for religion. We can see the same thing in today in America in the the unquestioned allegiance to a narcissistic sociopathic conman.

    • @AGNOSTIC_incomprehensibleXIV
      @AGNOSTIC_incomprehensibleXIV Місяць тому

      Ironically, Communism seems to have come from Christianity.

  • @MikeBrown-ex9nh
    @MikeBrown-ex9nh 29 днів тому +2

    I knew, in my own reasoning, these things as a teenager as I was having religion forced upon me by my church and my parents. I walked away from it over fifty years ago, and am a better person for it.

  • @honodle7219
    @honodle7219 Місяць тому +12

    Religion arises from the fact we are self aware beings. We are aware of our own mortality, and so we make up ridiculous stories of deities and afterlife.

    • @freetibet1000
      @freetibet1000 Місяць тому

      @honodle7219 Yes I think you’re right. And since producing a coherent and believable world view on our own is a daunting task many of us resort to any of the standard views of the world instead. Thus making us into followers of a belief system that inevitably contains stuff that we did not signed up for. Fear arise when we realize that we are not true to all the doctrinal views and practices within the faith we have chosen. Fear turns into paranoia. Paranoia turns into extremism and terrorism.
      All this just because we weren’t able to hold back on the temptations presented by these well-packaged world views that came our way. Being born into this world is a dangerous situation when the place is so full of charlatans taking advantage of our “lost souls” and thus put us in the type of harms way that is much worse that death itself.
      Also worldly and secular views hold the same potential for personal disaster as long as they are not our own well contemplated views and opinions but rather a set of values and attitudes superimposed on us through the system of education for instance. Especially within the political spectrum we often encounter followers of any of the usual doctrines on the left or on the right side of the spectrum that comes across as completely brainwashed and absolutely untrustworthy in their constant ramblings that lack any contact with the actual reality at hand. The whole idea behind the concept of ‘ideology’ is deeply problematic since its foundation is based on the belief that a set of preconceived ideas can deal with any type of situation as a type of blanket solution. An ideologically controlled person is never in real contact with reality but attempts to superimpose a template solution that lack any connection with the real situation at hand. That is in a nutshell what the political establishment is all about and the rest of the world will suffer tremendously because of it.

    • @keithscott1957
      @keithscott1957 Місяць тому

      Are you telling me that I have not spent my whole life guided and protected by tree-elves so that I might spend my afterlife in the Eternal Garden?

    • @darlalathan6143
      @darlalathan6143 Місяць тому

      Especially when medical science and technology prolong and improve our lives.

    • @bobs182
      @bobs182 Місяць тому

      To be a religion it has to be part of a group/tribe identity otherwise it is just an idea.

    • @freetibet1000
      @freetibet1000 Місяць тому

      @@bobs182 It’s still just an idea, albeit shared by more than one person. The whole idea about dogma is to establish a set of ideas for a group to follow. But nevertheless it is just a conceptual formulation about reality that is no longer in direct correlation with reality since it has been conceptualized into a formula.

  • @TheTruthKiwi
    @TheTruthKiwi Місяць тому +11

    Brilliant piece as always good sir. I agree with all apart from where he thinks a lack of religiosity would harm society. I think humanity would be almost infinitely better off without superstitious thinking and delusions.
    If humanity was humanist and naturalist, and by that I mean if ALL of humanity was actively involved in seriously trying to ensure the wellbeing of one's self, others and the planet, then I'm pretty sure the world would be a much better place

    • @Rogstin
      @Rogstin Місяць тому +2

      I think his point is worded poorly and incompletely. It isn't that becoming less religious wouldn't be good, it's that being dogmatic doesn't require being religious. It is that being dogmatic is dangerous.
      We could forge a religion that does what you desire, with supernatural elements. It wouldn't be dangerous _as long_ as it is allowed to evolve and adapt to new information.
      Of course, I would prefer a non-religious worldview that simply admits when we don't know things, but the danger isn't supernatural ideas, it's the unshakable mindset.

    • @karngray4340
      @karngray4340 6 днів тому

      Your key word is ALL. For most people, the key word is, and always will be, ME. I will look after myself and what is mine first. After that is protected and assured then I will think of others, maybe. This is why the world has been, and always will be, a hard place in which to live. Everyone thinks of himself first. And that includes people that some think of as good. Their reason for being good are as selfish as those he do socially bad things.

    • @TheTruthKiwi
      @TheTruthKiwi 6 днів тому

      @@Rogstin Yes, dogmatic fundamentalism is never a good thing.

    • @TheTruthKiwi
      @TheTruthKiwi 6 днів тому

      @@karngray4340 Yup, that's true man. And the apathetic are also as bad.

  • @adamc1966
    @adamc1966 Місяць тому +29

    Yep. And he left out pope on the list of people who have no divine authority 👍

    • @darlalathan6143
      @darlalathan6143 Місяць тому +5

      And ayatollahs!

    • @DrachenGothik666
      @DrachenGothik666 2 дні тому

      The pope is accounted for in the term "clergy", as in order to become pope, the candidate must be in the priesthood.

    • @DrachenGothik666
      @DrachenGothik666 2 дні тому

      @@darlalathan6143 Ayatollahs would fall under the prevue of "clergy", as they are a religious figure in their faith.

  • @mzmscoyote
    @mzmscoyote 20 днів тому +1

    When I think back to how my parents turned me into a believer I realize that by the time I can on line I had been sitting at table with them saying grace for 2 to 3 meals a day for several years. So, when my mom taught me a blessing and bedtime prayers, I was already indoctrinated. I was not even aware that I was learning something before the explicit lessons.

  • @mjdhpd
    @mjdhpd Місяць тому +2

    Very awesome and Very True!!!

  • @steveg1961
    @steveg1961 Місяць тому +22

    "Religious people should not use government to promote their religious beliefs" equals "Secular society suppression of religious belief" in the persecution complex of the fundamentalist/evangelical Christian mindset.
    Which is just another example of how they twist, distort, and misrepresent everything in their Christian apologetics rhetoric.

    • @steveswangler6373
      @steveswangler6373 Місяць тому

      as someone else commented, i think he was referring to repressive governments like North Korea and the Soviet Union.

    • @DisappearingNightly
      @DisappearingNightly Місяць тому +1

      @@steveswangler6373 In fairness however, though it's tempting to do so, it's also intellectually lazy to assert that secular totalitarians and theocratic totalitarians are qualitatively equal. While neither is ideal and both are ultimately hostile to the fundamental dignity, rights and freedom of people, one could rationally argue that theocracy is the much worse option in that it has a nasty tendency to usher its populace into the ignorance of the dark ages. Not exactly the conditions in which progress occurs. For all the faults and flaws of modern secular authoritarian regimes, they are at the very least, for the most part, advanced modern societies. The same cannot be said of the modern examples wherein the clergy becomes the government. So although, I do appreciate most of the points Mr. Palmer is making, I think he misses the mark badly on this particular point.

    • @Paul020253
      @Paul020253 Місяць тому

      @@steveswangler6373 He is clearly aiming at an audience in The US. The Soviet Union ceased to exist over 30 years ago, which in this day and age is in reality ancient history, although most Americans still think half of Europe is still communist. Perhaps he is playing on their ignorance? Having said that North Korea and The US are very similar, almost like siblings who cannot cope without an inbred rivalry. Both are pariah states and have leaders who in any other country would have been incarcerated in a secure mental asylum

    • @darlalathan6143
      @darlalathan6143 11 днів тому

      It also shows that religion is a fear-based philosophy.

    • @DisappearingNightly
      @DisappearingNightly 11 днів тому

      @@darlalathan6143 I'm afraid you might be right.

  • @essenceoneessence
    @essenceoneessence Місяць тому +26

    I agree that less superstition would be better. I found it striking that he mentioned that. He may be looking at it the way religion was forced on populations with violent suppression of existing beliefs or nonbelief. Picturing violent suppression of religion? Whatever the case, we’re definitely better without it. Everything else he said resonated deeply and much of it were concepts that led me out of religion. Thanks for creating this video 😊

    • @haroldwhite5761
      @haroldwhite5761 Місяць тому

      China vs. Tibet is a good example of the violent suppression of religion. Free Tibet!

  • @celticmarc
    @celticmarc Місяць тому +3

    Simply.......brilliant

  • @bobs182
    @bobs182 13 днів тому +2

    Religion relies on social pressure to conform. Fear of hell goes with social fear of rejection by one's society/group.

  • @annmariethompson4587
    @annmariethompson4587 Місяць тому +8

    Thanks Seth. This was very informative!

  • @christopherbabick2099
    @christopherbabick2099 Місяць тому +4

    Thank you for this video and for sharing the link. Much appreciated. 👍

  • @tracykeats7394
    @tracykeats7394 Місяць тому +5

    Brilliant! Thanks so much for sharing ❤

  • @popgoestheweasel95
    @popgoestheweasel95 Місяць тому +12

    At 70 I’m glad I was never required to believe in such time wasting nonsense and did the same for our four children. I’m here only because I really enjoy listening to Seth and his stories. Life would be so much better if we were more like the Star Trek characters, don’t you think 🤔? Beam me up Scotty!
    JustMyThoughts 🙄🙄

    • @TheTruthKiwi
      @TheTruthKiwi Місяць тому +1

      I suppose you think you're Captain Kirk do you? Allright then, I'll be Spock. 🤭

    • @stunningkruger
      @stunningkruger Місяць тому +4

      @@TheTruthKiwi Capt Kirk (Church) & the Star Ship Enterprise (capitalism) have boldly taken us to where no-one has gone before! But captain ... this is not logical! ... Logic is the beginning of wisdom… not the end! Live long and prosper.

    • @georgH
      @georgH Місяць тому +3

      At least there would be fewer justifications for war and discrimination, without religion.

    • @OceanusHelios
      @OceanusHelios Місяць тому +5

      You can notice if somebody is being genuine by their comments and the kinds of statements that people make. I repeatedly and instinctually can tell if somebody is a theist or relgious fantatic by their types of comments. And, generally I can tell somebody is Atheist because their comments seem to be heartfelt, honest, and the person is expressing their genuine appreciation for things. If it is a theist, I can expect a bit of regressive attitude, loudness, brazen coldness, and snarky commentary that is terse. Thank you for your comment.
      I grew up with a semi-religious mother who was stern, strict, and would lose her mind and blow her top all of the time. When I told her that I didn't believe in god, she freaked out and suddenly started to behave like I was somehow either tainted or doomed and "less than" what she was. It was dispicable how she acted and the comments that came out of her mouth towards her own son, who she already knew was compassionate and more kind to her than any other person of the family, and who had shown her more understanding. But yeah.
      I've never seen the benefit of religion other than people's rude way of aggrandizing themselves of things that they did not earn.

  • @emurchu
    @emurchu Місяць тому +87

    I also don’t entirely believe one of his claims is accurate, I believe studies have shown that less religious societies are happier and more just. Makes sense, when you have a group of grounded people relying on reality and their senses to make decisions rather than the supernatural and make believe…especially when, as religion in, it is based bigotry, elitism and generally in a lack of understanding of humanity and the world.

    • @TheTruthKiwi
      @TheTruthKiwi Місяць тому +17

      Yes, that one didn't sit well with me either. As others have said he may have been referencing suppressive countries like communist Russia, China and Nth Korea but when I think of free, predominantly secularist countries I think of Australia, New Zealand, Finland, The Netherlands and Sweden to name few which are demonstrably much better off

    • @anthonyjohn9000
      @anthonyjohn9000 Місяць тому

      If you believe God is supernatural and can do miracles, the why it is not happening. Means believing in God is nothing but blind faith, delusion. The miracles mentioned in the Bible never happened nor the persons mentioned in it ever existed. It is the stories written by men mixing some ancient kings, nation and PHYLOSOPHY. Do your honest research and be free from the lies.

    • @youtubestudiosucks978
      @youtubestudiosucks978 Місяць тому

      ​@@TheTruthKiwi you might want to scrap rhe netherlands of the list. They are starting to make rules that allow religious people to use violence on non-believers, they even implemented a rule that makes it a crjme to burn religious text and a bunch of muslims got to kill somebody who burned a quran which they got a billion copies off.
      If you got a billion copies of a book then murdering somebody for burning one is just terrorism overall.
      Like england, the netherlands is falling too :/

    • @AGNOSTIC_incomprehensibleXIV
      @AGNOSTIC_incomprehensibleXIV Місяць тому +9

      ​@TheTruthKiwi It's also worth noting that at least many of the early Communist theorists were in fact Christian including the mentor of Marx and Engels. I'm pretty sure Communism is actually a byproduct of Christianity. The daily atheist has an article about it called *'The Seed of Communism was a Christian Seed'.*

    • @haroldwhite5761
      @haroldwhite5761 Місяць тому +2

      China suppressed Tibetan religion, how did that work out?

  • @andysims9184
    @andysims9184 Місяць тому +3

    I just found Jim on Facebook and immediately subscribed to his substack. I've really enjoyed his perspective

  • @joejoe-lb6bw
    @joejoe-lb6bw Місяць тому +3

    Excellent list. I'm puzzled that religious people have not realized this already. Then I meet a religious person and know why.
    There should be more honest discussions within the theist communities about all this.

  • @robmagee100
    @robmagee100 Місяць тому +5

    As an ex fundamentalist evangelical, I’m with you, Seth. For me, the bottom line is always Truth. The question must always be, Is it True? That is the only way to make the best choices for ourselves, as well as our society. Even the most inoffensive religious belief systems introduce unsupported claims and take us away from the path of Truth, robbing us of the ability to make the best decisions in our lives.

    • @dagg310
      @dagg310 Місяць тому +5

      exactly. i'm not here to reject god...i'm here to find the truth. questioning the existence of a god is not the same as rejecting him. i can't reject something i'm not even sure exists in the first place . if it's fully revealed that god does exist and i go with satan, then yes i'm now rejecting god. it's like asking someone who grew up without a father who's father left at birth and u ask them, did u reject ur father? how could they reject their father when he was never around !

    • @karngry4286
      @karngry4286 27 днів тому

      Well, the claim that God doesn't exist is as unprovable as the claim that God does exist. So both beliefs are a matter of faith, not of scientific evidence. Therefore, one claim is as vaid as the other. So which you chose is a product of your physical and emotional environment and your personal mental makeup. It is a silly argument for people of one belief to denigrate a person holding the opposite belief (and I emphasize the word belief). We will find (or not find) the truth of our belief when we die. Either an after-life will be there or we won't even know that we are dead.

    • @robmagee100
      @robmagee100 27 днів тому

      @@karngry4286 Incorrect. The two claims can be evaluated, tested in many, many ways, and the claim of the supernatural is never supported by actual evidence, whereas natural processes are consistent and predictable. The reason we can predict future eclipses decades away, to the minute, for example, is because of Newtonian physics, AND we can count on no God messing with time and stopping the sun like the Bible claims in Joshua 10. Opinions are rarely of equal validity, and when the outcomes of those opinions are as life-altering as that of the supernatural vs natural, it is worth testing to find out which is more likely true!

  • @tabularasa0606
    @tabularasa0606 Місяць тому +5

    Spiritual can also mean drunk.

  • @jeffrice3044
    @jeffrice3044 Місяць тому +8

    All religon is bunk. There are some 3000 Gods, you do not believe in 2999 of them. I go one more.

    • @three-stripes
      @three-stripes Місяць тому

      Very Christopher Hitchens-ish...

  • @sambabisky4742
    @sambabisky4742 Місяць тому +2

    Bravo Zulu my friend. I hope one day that all will come to understand we are on a small speck of dust hurtling through space, molecules you might say. None are special, all are special.

  • @cjfroese70
    @cjfroese70 27 днів тому

    I appreciate Jim Palmer’s great work.

  • @taketheatrain5393
    @taketheatrain5393 Місяць тому +3

    Great video and as always Seth, your commentary is brilliant. Thanks for posting.

  • @hopelessnerd6677
    @hopelessnerd6677 Місяць тому +41

    A most valuable video. If you want truly unconditional love, get a dog.

    • @haroldwhite5761
      @haroldwhite5761 Місяць тому +5

      A dog is a good one!
      I choose to view the sun as unconditional love; it doesn't stop to ask whether I love it back it just rises every day.

    • @catalinberchi4069
      @catalinberchi4069 Місяць тому +1

      @@haroldwhite5761 sun is a planet my friend.We are speaking of unconditional love from living creatures.No offence!

    • @haroldwhite5761
      @haroldwhite5761 Місяць тому +2

      @@catalinberchi4069 The sun is a star dude. Of course it's not a biological being that can walk around or meet your gaze with its eyes. But what do you do to stay sane and loved when you're locked away from living beings? Learn to see love in nature.
      Abuse victims and POWs can't always go get a dog. I adapted well- some of the others became narcissists, sadists and murderers. I kept my faith in goodness and health instead of buying into Mormon doctrine.

    • @deedeskin2439
      @deedeskin2439 Місяць тому +3

      I'm fully convinced that my old nanny goat years ago loved me infinitely more than any "god" ever did. Besides, animals can't lie or make up stories or threaten us with imaginationary punishment, etc. I miss that sweet old goat, but I don't miss religion.

    • @catalinberchi4069
      @catalinberchi4069 Місяць тому +2

      @@haroldwhite5761 Couldn t agree with you more, you are perfectly right.I was just underlining what hopelessnerd said, yours it s a specific cause not usually life.Didn t mean to be arogant or mean.Respect and all the love.We all share the same sun.

  • @radiojet1429
    @radiojet1429 Місяць тому +2

    I have been saying these same things for years but I couldn't have said it better myself than in this great video.

  • @salviaspuzzle
    @salviaspuzzle 14 днів тому +1

    This is brilliant. I wish every religious person could see this. 🤘

  • @edsmith1054
    @edsmith1054 Місяць тому +13

    This Jim Palmer has a better fastball than the Oriole pitcher. A perfect game sir. Thank you.

    • @Donathon-qx8kq
      @Donathon-qx8kq Місяць тому

      I was hoping someone would mention that 😅😅😅😅

  • @Night-ec7ef
    @Night-ec7ef Місяць тому +2

    People have brought up that countries with almost no religious practitioners have lower crime and stuff. Don't know how true it is.

  • @Je1St2
    @Je1St2 Місяць тому +2

    Thank you for sharing, Seth. This is an amazing article. It really articulates a large part of my struggles while I was in religion.
    I believe his point made @8:55 regarding “my authority is what they taught me in seminary…” could be modified. It seems many pastors operate more from a perspective of “my personal relationship with god is my authority,” which opens greater abuse of congregates. I’m referring to the whole “god tells me I need a private jet so give me your money to buy one.”

  • @AllThingsFilm1
    @AllThingsFilm1 Місяць тому

    Great commentary. Thank you for the link. I am printing it out so I can reread it again and again. It was a very calming experience to hear and read Jim Palmer's commentary. Subscribed.

  • @adropofgoldensun27
    @adropofgoldensun27 Місяць тому +5

    I don't like the use of the word "spiritual" or "spiritually" it often means "supernatural" which brings us
    back to imaginary unproven myths.

    • @OceanusHelios
      @OceanusHelios Місяць тому +2

      Me too. On observation it just means that he person has given themselves a break from the drudgery and mundanity of the world and stopped long enough to appreciate what was around them, and tell themselves "Gee I don't know everything" and maybe there are wonders out there, somewhere, and maybe I don't have the ability to predict everything, and can just get high on being alive. That is what it boils down to. It boils down to a person giving themselves to be appreciative and vibrant, and little else. There is no magical flu floo fluffies even if, in their experience, it kind of feels that way.

  • @mikedeluca3897
    @mikedeluca3897 Місяць тому +3

    I think it’s pretty simple zero evidence for God 100% evidence man creates God to me. It’s a no-brainer. I do appreciate what he said for the most part and believe that he’s right for the most part.

    • @cantablocal6768
      @cantablocal6768 Місяць тому +1

      Scripture says the following about its relevance, if you are unwilling to consider its contents then it will be zero evidence for you but to those who faithfully understand it it tells us what & why major events have & will happen in this world leading to its destruction.
      Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
      We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Amos 3:7, 2 Peter 1:19)

  • @garypage9515
    @garypage9515 Місяць тому +2

    Listening to Pavarotti sing Ave Maria de Gounod is a spiritual experience. Watching a sunset from the beach in Naples Florida is a spiritual experience.

  • @brialapoint2608
    @brialapoint2608 9 днів тому +1

    I was raised Christian and became a polythestic (without Jesus) Buddhist. My experiences are based on personal experience. It doesn't work for everyone but it works for me

  • @johnfkennedy1019
    @johnfkennedy1019 Місяць тому +3

    Congrats you guys finally figured out what most atheist and agnostic ppl figured out themselves. Welcome to the team. Now that we got this behind us can we stop killing each other over glorified fanfic from a couple conartists 3000 years ago?

    • @deconry
      @deconry Місяць тому

      Right on.

  • @StopWhining491
    @StopWhining491 Місяць тому +3

    Whoa!

  • @BlarglemanTheSkeptic2
    @BlarglemanTheSkeptic2 Місяць тому +2

    *Pray* verb: _The act of trying to talk an Omniscient being into changing its mind, unaware of the obvious logical conclusion that an actual Omniscient being could NEVER change its mind._

  • @nealfager8126
    @nealfager8126 29 днів тому +1

    I’m so glad I never became a missionary! I want to when I was a freshman in high school and was told I would need to take Latin to be able to. But I was failing it in the first couple of weeks and the teacher told me I should switch to another class while I still could before the first 2 weeks were up and that was the end of my attempt to preach Gods word as a profession and wondered why God would let me fail if that was “My Calling” or if the best thing I could do was preach his word!

  • @tomnanD3
    @tomnanD3 Місяць тому +3

    I don't agree with No. 10.

  • @stevenbyers8747
    @stevenbyers8747 Місяць тому +3

    Spirituality seems to really just boil down to an emotional response to something. It seems to me to be an entirely unnecessary word.

    • @boxelder9147
      @boxelder9147 Місяць тому +1

      IKR? A spiritual path, a spiritual journey, a spiritual this or that. Wtf does all that mean? For me it boils down to a concious form of daydreaming

  • @uniseine
    @uniseine Місяць тому +2

    To Seth, re:10, 14. Society needs to teach us how to understand and reply to superstitions and innate biases.

  • @miamichaels5999
    @miamichaels5999 Місяць тому +2

    Having been new to coming out of the evangelical movement, I can relate to so much of this. Thank you for a beautiful presentation.

    • @michaelwilliams2430
      @michaelwilliams2430 Місяць тому

      I came out of it 40 years ago. Congratulations! It's not easy as you deal with all the scars and hurt it inflicted but it is worth it.

  • @dietwald
    @dietwald Місяць тому +4

    I think the original author was referring to societies like the USSR where Official Atheism was imposed.
    What matters is not secularism, but freedom of conscience.

  • @RhoArtMagic
    @RhoArtMagic Місяць тому +4

    I find it hilariously ironic that (just within Christianity), there are 40,000 ish sub sects all damming each other to hell. 🤣✌️

    • @Ex_christian
      @Ex_christian Місяць тому

      Ya, which is more evidence that the Christian cult cannot agree on anything in the Bible. It’s disgusting!

  • @grayintheuk8021
    @grayintheuk8021 Місяць тому +1

    Excellent - thanks Seth. Absolutely true.

  • @EvolutionFitness369
    @EvolutionFitness369 27 днів тому +1

    Thank you.

  • @itsROMPERS...
    @itsROMPERS... Місяць тому +3

    "spirituality."
    :::::CRINGE:::::

  • @macsgrandma
    @macsgrandma Місяць тому +2

    Thank you for your brilliant treatise on the reality of religious institutions. Historically religions have caused great human suffering, i.e. the Spanish Inquisition and multiple wars throughout human history. Political and religious leaders use fear to motivate humans to join their brand and increase their power.

  • @hopefulskeptic42
    @hopefulskeptic42 Місяць тому +1

    Doing GOOD without promise of reward OR fear of punishment, is the only 'true' worship.

  • @jeffwatkins352
    @jeffwatkins352 Місяць тому +1

    Not only do you have the most interesting and enlightening podcasts, but you also find some of the most enlightening ideas from others, and this is a great one. Many thanks!

  • @dingbop963
    @dingbop963 12 днів тому +1

    Here's a few more thumbs up 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

  • @corujariousa
    @corujariousa Місяць тому +2

    Thanks for the video! A pity that what is supposed to be commonsense may come as a surprise and even be rejected by some.

  • @donaldcook2484
    @donaldcook2484 Місяць тому +2

    Unbelievably awesome stuff and Seth your an inspiration to many critical thinkers like myself 👍

  • @markthurman9390
    @markthurman9390 11 днів тому

    Thanks for sharing. What a thoughtful and well written piece.

  • @Howie672
    @Howie672 11 днів тому +1

    Great and well read.

  • @ecstaticeclectic
    @ecstaticeclectic 24 дні тому +2

    Theist can't prove God exists, Atheist can't prove It doesn't.

  • @A-nontheist1
    @A-nontheist1 Місяць тому +1

    Thanks for that Seth. Your so awesome.

  • @Wishyouwerehere435
    @Wishyouwerehere435 26 днів тому

    Outstanding. Thanks for posting this.

  • @laurajarrell6187
    @laurajarrell6187 Місяць тому +1

    Wow, Seth! Fantastic. 👍💙💙💙🥰✌

  • @Spock_Rogers
    @Spock_Rogers Місяць тому +1

    Thank you! 🖖

  • @richardmigneault7460
    @richardmigneault7460 15 днів тому

    Your videos are always engaging and even challenging. Love your work , thanks

  • @Mobev1
    @Mobev1 День тому

    I was religious very young in an atheist family. I always felt like I had a hands on my shoulders.

  • @zqxzqxzqx1
    @zqxzqxzqx1 Місяць тому

    This was really great, Seth. Thanks for sharing!

  • @jcreajr
    @jcreajr Місяць тому

    Thank you for the conversation. It’s reasonable.

  • @BrianPeloso-ln4ry
    @BrianPeloso-ln4ry 27 днів тому

    Outstanding... I'm going to have to rewatch this several times... It's like you have been in my head for a long time and formed it into a coherence I can't...thank you.🤣🇨🇦✌️

  • @gayasparagus
    @gayasparagus Місяць тому +2

    I am soooo excited to see you on the line routinely 😍