Thank you for reloading this, Julia. My Christian faith left me a few years ago, and every year I come back to this refreshing and thoughtful perspective.
Beautifully done! I never realized she was so thoughtful! A wonderful Irish friend once told me, "Seek out those who seek out God... and avoid those who have found him". I agree!
Atheist here. I could be completely off the mark. But I think the quote is: find those who are always willing to search and learn more. Aka use critical thinking and question. Avoid those who’ve decided to plant their feet and declare their ignorance and bliss.
Many years ago, one of my relatives (in her teens back then) asked me "How can you NOT believe in God?" I smiled, said nothing, and gave an audio CD of this to her. She listened to it, came around a couple of days after, gave it back, and said "thank you". She's been an atheist since then, she grew up to become an accomplished scientist, and a loving mother to three children who won't have to overcome superstition and dogma. Just for this, I will forever be grateful to Julia Sweeney. This is a masterpiece, not just in performance and delivery, but also in merging compassion, humor, and intellectual honesty. And it makes for a great gift to your loved ones!
So a person will base their entire life and eternity on a comics CD? Because there are explanations of the Big Picture in each of these stories....too bad that people can't see this is entertainment, not a theology class. Sad.
I love this show-not just because it’s very funny-but because it also reminds me of my own journey from Catholic to atheist, especially the “penny drop” moment when suddenly everything became clear to Julia. Thanks so much for posting!
This was such a wonderful special. If and when people of faith start to question, there are so many places their questions can lead then, and you touched on so many of them. You spoke honestly about the struggle between faith and reason without taking either too seriously or too flippantly. This was so relatable and so human. I hope anyone who questions their place in the universe finds their way here and finds comfort.
Wow… how did I stumble upon this - thank you for being vulnerable and funny and smart and kind - all the way through - it is not easy to let go- I find my comfort and wisdom in history and philosophy now.
@@dtschuor459 I've been an atheist my entire adult life and some more, but yes. I am glad I found this video. Julia does a superb job narrating how she dismantled her faith one small step at a time.
@@jensenat It helps defuse in a gentle, humorous way, the fearful and forceful reaction of people who are threatened by people who don’t believe in God or share their religious views.
I let go off god when my beautiful husband got cancer. Couldn't figure out how god could exist in the same world as cancer. I found a treasure when I watched this special, watching again today ❤
Sorry of the loss of your husband that is traumatic. God cares for us and we can Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding despite the traumas of life.
I saw this in a small theater in LA many years ago when she was first developing the show. When the DVD came out a few years later I rushed to buy it and shared it with as many people as wanted to borrow it. It finally disappeared somewhere and now I see that the full show is here on YT and it makes me very happy. This show started me on my own journey to let go of god and it has been nothing but rewarding in every aspect.
Best video I've watched in a long time, maybe even forever. Thank you, Julia! I wanted to make a comment once about every two minutes, but I held off because I didn't want to flood the zone.
Well god damn. Thanks for sharing this to youtube. I've not seen this before today, which is a shame cause it was brilliant! Great special and story! And like others have said it was told in a very beautiful and cleverly put together way. Thanks for sharing your story Julia, and that I finally got to see it. I loved every minute!
As someone who was raised as a JW, I am extremely grateful that this video exists. Critical thinking skills should be taught to every child by their parent(s). I can relate to so much that she says, although as JW kid I never felt part of a "special club"! If anything quite the opposite! hahah Thank you for making this and thank you for sharing it here for everyone.
Sorry to hear about your negative JW religious trip, MJ. No parent no matter how well meaning, should alliw his kid such religious torture. JW is a dangerous drawback which is modernized attempt to practice abandoned r
The way Julia tells her story and describes Naturalism is poignant and beautiful. It reminded me of my entrance and exit through the Catholic Church and my journey as a naturalist. I now realize I need to do a better job of living at one with those around me. Thank JS, you’re a saint, eh I mean a really admirable person.
I've never heard of Julia Sweeney before, but now I know her as someone who put together one of the funniest, most poignant, entertaining long-form meditations on life. Thank you for posting this, I never expected to be enjoying something like this today. I wish I could give it 10 likes.
Thank you Julia from an old altar boy at St Lawrence O’Toole grammar school not too far from Larchmont. I’ve been in and out of faith so many times. I loved coming along on your journey and seeing all the ways it has fit mine. Just brilliant! What a gift!
@@juliasweeneymeh Thank you so much ! I was just curious, all i know is from Rudolf Steiner schools about Christ light. I was raised as a Hindu, learned Sanskrit and the Bhagavad Gita and to look down at " white" people, i do not know what my parents wanted me to learn, i lost my faith in them, with a Qoran and a Bible as books in the house treated with respect, but just the books, not the people, ( ??? ) and now i am 42, i can tell you, i love religion, but i.......i think i am an devout atheist who believes in all the gods. Marvel hero's, Norwegiean, Vedic, Djinns, angels.
you gave me a giggle today as my heart hurts. This is the power that religion holds over people, it allows a get-out-of-jail free card while the deity just happens to hate all the people and things his/her/its believers do. A system that allows horrible people to have real power while they are assumed to be virtuous.
@@tonymnQuan When I practice spirituality, whether with Taiji or progressive relaxation or meditation on the breath or intense aerobic exercise, I consider it manipulation of my neurochemicals. I do it to feel calm, to experience a high. It has nothing to do with a "higher power". But I do acknowledge your point that the truly "religious" (even as I cringe at using "truly" and "religion" in the same sentence)... those people are not the ones in front of the cameras. The grifters certainly are.
This was excellent, Julia!!! I went about my day listening to this- in the shower, in the kitchen, driving around on errands…. My husband will love it too, I can’t wait to share this with him. You are such a masterful storyteller :)
Thank you for this video. I've understood in my mind for a long time that our brief moment in this universe is precious. For the first time on my life, I feel it my heart.
My half Catholic half Jewish 5 year old twins on the way to Passover seder the night before Easter: "Is this the one where all the babies die or the one where the guy gets nailed to wood?" Me (after pausing for a monent): "Tonight is the one where the baies die. Tomorrow is the one where the guy gets nailed to wood."
Amazing!!! Thank you thank you thank you. One of the best and most helpful things I've heard since my deconversion began. I wish all the best for you and your family 😊
This is extremely relatable. I think a lot of raised through Christianity or Catholicism went through this as we "strayed" from our faith. It was a bitter pill to swallow at the time.
When I was 10 years old I was sent to a Catholic summer camp. One of the priests asked me to go with him to town, to pick up some supplies ( don't worry, nothing happened!😮). On the drive back, I asked him how he knew God existed. He responded that I should look around look at all this magnificence. Certainly, somebody had to create this. I responded that if someone created this magnificence, they're even more magnificent. Who created them? The rest of the drive was VERY quiet!
I’ve been aware of Julia since her first stint on SNL. Immediately thought she was a great entertainer. Followed her career and always amazed at her performances. Every once in a while I find her on UA-cam and watch again and again. Always amazed and through her monologues find myself closer to her in words and thoughts. Be they old shows or new I’m still connected to her way of thinking. I think we’ve aged side by side. Parallel lives so to speak. I’m no longer a Catholic. Gave that up when it dawned on me that The Catholic Church is like a restricted country club with a list of rules and regulations longer than “Santa’s” current bad boy and girl list. I follow the words of Christ - much simpler to understand and follow. In a way Julia started me on that long ago. Good person, loving human being and a good lady. Thanks Julia!
People have recommended this to me for years, but I never got past the first few minutes before now; Having basically always been atheist, people's deconversions have never really interested me. But I now find her story very illuminating because it finally helped me understand the position of believers, and empathize with the uphill climb they face before they can honestly consider objective realities that are probably much easier for others who don't have these structures to navigate around. This really is an excellent work.
Well said. I've always been an atheist but I was fascinated when I heard the shortened version on This American Life years ago. This here is the first time I've heard and seen the whole show. She's so good at writing and acting and being funny, it's a joy to watch!
So nice to hear a woman’s story. I don’t know too many atheist women like myself especially at my age (64). Although in my case I never liked going to church as a child. I found it endlessly pointless and boring. By the time I entered my teens I did not believe and refused to go to church anymore.
It depends on the church. When I lived in London, for a period I loved going to the Catholic 10.30 Mass at Westminster Cathedral. It was (mainly) in Latin and the mass was sung. They usually did Mozart's Coronation Mass (Krönungsmesse) and Haydn's Nelson Mass. It was a wonderful show. Yes, I know you had to listen to some fairy stories before you got to the musical part, but it was worth it. And the price was, whatever you put in the collection plate. Bargain. Later they changed the organist and choirmaster, and they started performing all that atonal Schoenbergian cr*p. I stopped going. Even Julia Sweeney introduces this show with Vivaldi's Gloria. THAT'S what makes Catholicism so beautiful. The art, music, architecture and culture. Whether I BELIEVE the stories they tell, is frankly by the by.
@ I grew up in a strict Protestant home. Church was endless boring sermons and hard wooden benches and that was it. As a kid I hated going. I haven’t been to a church service since I was 14, which was 50 years ago.
Just came across this and loved it. My folks weren’t religious but all my friends and their families were. I grew up watching TV shows about Jesus and his life. As a child I believed it because my friends and their families believed it. Most of my life I’ve had a sort of vague belief but never attended a church. I finally realized I was an atheist about when I reached my forties. I’m 61 now and comfortable with my lack of belief. This was a delightful video. Wish I could have seen her in person.
There are many of us, just maybe not vocal. I’m almost 89 years old and have gone through many of the steps Julia describes, finally, a few years ago decided to really “come out of the closet” and say, “I am an atheist, meaning I do not believe in a divine being in charge of the universe.” I was an evangelical, immersed in the Bible and religion for decades without thinking critically about what I believed. Just stupidly accepting “by faith.” I wish there was more community/fellowship among unbelievers, like that in churches. I miss that so started a small group of 10 liberal women who meet monthly for conversations and caring.
Exquisite! So close to my journey I could not relate more! So funny and so true. Such a genuine account of our private inner worlds and a flawless performance! I absolutely loved this show, so happy to have found it!
I did not grow up in the Catholic faith, but as a J.W. I believed in it with all my heart and even knocked on doors. At 16 I devoted myself to spreading the good news of Jehovah's Kingdom and immersed myself in Bible study from there my journey closely resembled that of Julia's. I found myself yelling out, Yes! Exactly! throughout this monologue. So real and elegantly spoken!!!
Looking at it with natural skepticism and curiosity, as someone from within, I can respect that! And you're articulate and entertaining, too. Subscribing. 😊
I've listened to this several times throughout my life. First time when I was a teenager (im 34 now) and I was just coming to terms with my own loss of faith and you put into words a lot of what I felt. Since then I listened because you are such an engaging a funny story teller. This is the perfect excuse to listen/watch again. Also discovered and loved all your other shows. God said ha! being another favourite.
Spectacular. Best birthday present to myself. Thank you Julia for doing the heavy lifting with your knowledge journey. I’ve found myself living out the same truth. Sometimes scary, sometimes moving me to do my best. You are incredibly funny and smart
I saw Julia perform this piece in Park City, Utah a few years back. Absolutely fantastic. It is a finely crafted piece of art created and delivered deftly through her masterful use of her instrument-- her body and her beautiful mind. I also performed a solo show, mine based on my experience in Iraq as a Marine, so I know first-hand about the magic that happens when an artist shares their healing journey; through it, the audience is given permission to take the journey themselves. Letting Go of God informs, challenges, uplifts, and I would even say teaches but not in any off-putting, heavy-handed way. Hearty congratulations and gratitude to Julia Sweeny for this important and provocative work. God bless you. (whoops! ...oh come on, it was a joke.) Keep doing your thing, ma'am. The world needs more you and less of all that other bullshit.
Saw Julia perform this show live in Chicago. SO good! So fun to be able to laugh together about an experience that can be quite painful, and to recognize how much better life is on the other side.
Amazing, what a performance and deep search, Julia. It resonated enormously with me, having been raised as a strict RC, while I had so many questions that were never answered by my parents, nor my teachers or priests in the 50s .Having gone through my life so far, I have never stopped looking for spirituality and the Devine. I have walked a very similar path to you, Julia, and your performance has clarified a lot to me. Thank you!
Magnificent story telling. I somehow found myself laughing and crying at the same time. I have seen her movies without noticing her somehow. So this feels like the first time I have seen her and I am blown away. Such a powerful performance.
Thank you for reloading this, Julia. My Christian faith left me a few years ago, and every year I come back to this refreshing and thoughtful perspective.
Christians believe in the Easter bunny too. Lol...
Share
Imagine a world where billions of people invited Julia Sweeney into their hearts. I’d go for that version of reality right now.
Yes. 100% this. Thank you.
...and now I'm picturing her teleporting around the world exploding billions of people from the inside out.
Beautifully done! I never realized she was so thoughtful! A wonderful Irish friend once told me, "Seek out those who seek out God... and avoid those who have found him". I agree!
avoid those that seek god. why should it be good to seek god?
@@matswessling6600 Sincere spirit grapples with its ignorance.
Bad advice. Both are best avoided.
Atheist here. I could be completely off the mark. But I think the quote is: find those who are always willing to search and learn more. Aka use critical thinking and question. Avoid those who’ve decided to plant their feet and declare their ignorance and bliss.
Excellent! I've never heard that one. 😄
Many years ago, one of my relatives (in her teens back then) asked me "How can you NOT believe in God?"
I smiled, said nothing, and gave an audio CD of this to her.
She listened to it, came around a couple of days after, gave it back, and said "thank you". She's been an atheist since then, she grew up to become an accomplished scientist, and a loving mother to three children who won't have to overcome superstition and dogma.
Just for this, I will forever be grateful to Julia Sweeney. This is a masterpiece, not just in performance and delivery, but also in merging compassion, humor, and intellectual honesty. And it makes for a great gift to your loved ones!
How old is this?
@@dougandmp First release is 2007 according to Google.
@@dougandmp Around the 2000s I guess, she had her awakening in her 40s, which is around 2000.
2008
So a person will base their entire life and eternity on a comics CD? Because there are explanations of the Big Picture in each of these stories....too bad that people can't see this is entertainment, not a theology class. Sad.
That was amazing and I had many similar experiences. Well done Julia. Holy cow - what a brilliant performance!! BRAVO!
I love this show-not just because it’s very funny-but because it also reminds me of my own journey from Catholic to atheist, especially the “penny drop” moment when suddenly everything became clear to Julia.
Thanks so much for posting!
I love this play. Whenever someone tells me they are confused about religion I suggest this. So happy to see it on UA-cam.
Still as relevant, heart warming and funny as the day recorded.
This was such a wonderful special. If and when people of faith start to question, there are so many places their questions can lead then, and you touched on so many of them. You spoke honestly about the struggle between faith and reason without taking either too seriously or too flippantly. This was so relatable and so human. I hope anyone who questions their place in the universe finds their way here and finds comfort.
Wow… how did I stumble upon this - thank you for being vulnerable and funny and smart and kind - all the way through - it is not easy to let go- I find my comfort and wisdom in history and philosophy now.
Exactly my thought😅
So grateful I did❤
Comedy such as this makes objective reality a much more pleasant prism through which to view this world.
This is brilliant. I need more, says my dopamine
These have been the best two hours I have spent watching a UA-cam video. So funny, eloquent, thoughtful and profoundly captivating.
Glad you found it…it’s helpful, isn’t it?
@@dtschuor459 I've been an atheist my entire adult life and some more, but yes. I am glad I found this video. Julia does a superb job narrating how she dismantled her faith one small step at a time.
@@jensenat It helps defuse in a gentle, humorous way, the fearful and forceful reaction of people who are threatened by people who don’t believe in God or share their religious views.
I let go off god when my beautiful husband got cancer. Couldn't figure out how god could exist in the same world as cancer. I found a treasure when I watched this special, watching again today ❤
Sorry of the loss of your husband that is traumatic. God cares for us and we can Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding despite the traumas of life.
My sympathies and condolences.
You're dumb and going to hell. God gave you a chance to understand but you decided to be an obnoxious bish. GG
@@markwarne5049 Don't be disrespectful.
@@larryparis925 yes i should of given my condolences and sympathys first before my comment I didn't think of that.
I saw this in a small theater in LA many years ago when she was first developing the show. When the DVD came out a few years later I rushed to buy it and shared it with as many people as wanted to borrow it. It finally disappeared somewhere and now I see that the full show is here on YT and it makes me very happy. This show started me on my own journey to let go of god and it has been nothing but rewarding in every aspect.
Thats amazing. Can you share some examples of how life got better for you?
"so, I'm going to die." Profound moment of reflection. Brings a tear to the eyes. Go, live life to the fullest!!!
It’s the terror management theory of it all
Best video I've watched in a long time, maybe even forever. Thank you, Julia! I wanted to make a comment once about every two minutes, but I held off because I didn't want to flood the zone.
I know the feeling. I keep stopping this video just to savor it.
Excellent. Just excellent. And what a delivery.
Brilliant, deeply thoughtful, and funny without being cynical. I am in awe of your talent as a performer.
What a delightful and loving show. Do you find anything "angry" in this? If so, "angry" has no meaning. What an endless delight! Brava, Julia!
Well god damn.
Thanks for sharing this to youtube.
I've not seen this before today, which is a shame cause it was brilliant!
Great special and story! And like others have said it was told in a very beautiful and cleverly put together way.
Thanks for sharing your story Julia, and that I finally got to see it.
I loved every minute!
As someone who was raised as a JW, I am extremely grateful that this video exists. Critical thinking skills should be taught to every child by their parent(s). I can relate to so much that she says, although as JW kid I never felt part of a "special club"! If anything quite the opposite! hahah Thank you for making this and thank you for sharing it here for everyone.
It is a part of HS curriculum in my country. It should be in all countries.
Sorry to hear about your negative JW religious trip, MJ. No parent no matter how well meaning, should alliw his kid such religious torture. JW is a dangerous drawback which is modernized attempt to
practice abandoned r
I'm a believer now . . . in Julia Sweeney . . . E X C E L L E N T
What a great one-woman show. Laughter and tears
You took me from laughter to tears such a beautiful monologue performance.
What a tour de force. She has put the work in. Wonderful.
The way Julia tells her story and describes Naturalism is poignant and beautiful. It reminded me of my entrance and exit through the Catholic Church and my journey as a naturalist. I now realize I need to do a better job of living at one with those around me. Thank JS, you’re a saint, eh I mean a really admirable person.
That was amazing!! Brilliantly done!! I can’t believe I’m just seeing this.. I’m sharing it w lots of ppl!
This is absolutely amazing! I had a similar realization though the road was much different. She really lays things out beautifully.
I've never heard of Julia Sweeney before, but now I know her as someone who put together one of the funniest, most poignant, entertaining long-form meditations on life. Thank you for posting this, I never expected to be enjoying something like this today. I wish I could give it 10 likes.
Unbelievably beautiful! Hearing the parallels I have was such a joy. Thank you!
This was hilarious and cathartic. Loved it.
This should be a book.
I'm pretty sure it is a book. Yes, I just checked and it is a book.
I am *so* glad this is out here again!! I watched it back in 2011 maybe?!?! It was so incredibly helpful…
Thank you Julia from an old altar boy at St Lawrence O’Toole grammar school not too far from Larchmont. I’ve been in and out of faith so many times. I loved coming along on your journey and seeing all the ways it has fit mine. Just brilliant! What a gift!
This is what my journey seemed like! Thankyou so much!❤
Thanks for reposting this wonderful show!
I wanted to put out a 4k version but they wouldn't let me swap it out. So, this will be a better watching experience. xoxo
@@juliasweeneymeh I was wondering about the visual upload as wel.
Have always loved your mind your compassion but I was lucky to grow up with no religion @juliasweeneymeh
@@juliasweeneymeh Thank you so much ! I was just curious, all i know is from Rudolf Steiner schools about Christ light. I was raised as a Hindu, learned Sanskrit and the Bhagavad Gita and to look down at " white" people, i do not know what my parents wanted me to learn, i lost my faith in them, with a Qoran and a Bible as books in the house treated with respect, but just the books, not the people, ( ??? ) and now i am 42, i can tell you, i love religion, but i.......i think i am an devout atheist who believes in all the gods. Marvel hero's, Norwegiean, Vedic, Djinns, angels.
@@gangapoornima Kind of like the life of pi ?
Everyone in the world should watch this, we are all we have, lets be good to each other while we have a chance.
you gave me a giggle today as my heart hurts. This is the power that religion holds over people, it allows a get-out-of-jail free card while the deity just happens to hate all the people and things his/her/its believers do. A system that allows horrible people to have real power while they are assumed to be virtuous.
So true...
Wished more people would come to this understanding!
@@tonymnQuan When I practice spirituality, whether with Taiji or progressive relaxation or meditation on the breath or intense aerobic exercise, I consider it manipulation of my neurochemicals. I do it to feel calm, to experience a high. It has nothing to do with a "higher power". But I do acknowledge your point that the truly "religious" (even as I cringe at using "truly" and "religion" in the same sentence)... those people are not the ones in front of the cameras. The grifters certainly are.
She went on a boat with someone and ate other people?
@@UUpianoman
What about the grifters selling the idea of 'spirituality'? Why is that word a better word?
Wow, I loved this!! Thank you so much for sharing your story!!
As and old man I have empathized with this whole thing. Thank you. I cried several places. Thanks for that too.
Happy Holidays my friend.
This is brilliant. Thank you.
Thank you, Julia. That was a very impactful message and it was expertly performed. Bravo!
This was excellent, Julia!!! I went about my day listening to this- in the shower, in the kitchen, driving around on errands…. My husband will love it too, I can’t wait to share this with him. You are such a masterful storyteller :)
First time in 15 years of “atheism” I hear anyone state their preference for “naturalist” as a label. Grateful. This was a stirring treatise.
Anyone outside analytic philosophy of course…and there it stands for a thousand forms of reductionism…
Thank you for this video. I've understood in my mind for a long time that our brief moment in this universe is precious. For the first time on my life, I feel it my heart.
My half Catholic half Jewish 5 year old twins on the way to Passover seder the night before Easter: "Is this the one where all the babies die or the one where the guy gets nailed to wood?"
Me (after pausing for a monent): "Tonight is the one where the baies die. Tomorrow is the one where the guy gets nailed to wood."
That is hilarious! So accurate. I will copy it and share with friends. Than’s for sharing!
Brilliant!!
Amazing!!! Thank you thank you thank you. One of the best and most helpful things I've heard since my deconversion began. I wish all the best for you and your family 😊
Me too!🤗
This is extremely relatable. I think a lot of raised through Christianity or Catholicism went through this as we "strayed" from our faith. It was a bitter pill to swallow at the time.
Wow! What a gift you are Julia!! Thank you for what this has given me today.
This was amazing. We left our conservative faith culture in 2018. I relate to so much of her story! So thankful to see this here.
Thank you for being open and vulnerable.
Thank you for sharing your story! Heartwarming, thought-provoking, poignant and real💜!
When I was 10 years old I was sent to a Catholic summer camp. One of the priests asked me to go with him to town, to pick up some supplies ( don't worry, nothing happened!😮).
On the drive back, I asked him how he knew God existed. He responded that I should look around look at all this magnificence. Certainly, somebody had to create this. I responded that if someone created this magnificence, they're even more magnificent.
Who created them?
The rest of the drive was VERY quiet!
Thoughtfull, heartwarming and truely enjoyable.
Thank you for sharing.
I’m in awe of delivering a two-hour one woman show with only stumbling over 1 word.
Staging prowess.
Thank you for voicing this!
Wow, Julia is quite the talented and relative genius. And she uses a very informative entertaining method brilliantly.
I’ve been aware of Julia since her first stint on SNL. Immediately thought she was a great entertainer. Followed her career and always amazed at her performances. Every once in a while I find her on UA-cam and watch again and again. Always amazed and through her monologues find myself closer to her in words and thoughts. Be they old shows or new I’m still connected to her way of thinking. I think we’ve aged side by side. Parallel lives so to speak. I’m no longer a Catholic. Gave that up when it dawned on me that The Catholic Church is like a restricted country club with a list of rules and regulations longer than “Santa’s” current bad boy and girl list. I follow the words of Christ - much simpler to understand and follow. In a way Julia started me on that long ago. Good person, loving human being and a good lady. Thanks Julia!
Beyond words. So touching and I believe how do many think about God and religion. Not to mention a 2hr, 1 woman show. What a talent!
Thank you Julia. From the bottom of my heart.
Wow! Thank you Julia. This is my best moment on UA-cam in a long time. ❤
People have recommended this to me for years, but I never got past the first few minutes before now; Having basically always been atheist, people's deconversions have never really interested me. But I now find her story very illuminating because it finally helped me understand the position of believers, and empathize with the uphill climb they face before they can honestly consider objective realities that are probably much easier for others who don't have these structures to navigate around. This really is an excellent work.
Well said. I've always been an atheist but I was fascinated when I heard the shortened version on This American Life years ago. This here is the first time I've heard and seen the whole show. She's so good at writing and acting and being funny, it's a joy to watch!
Wow! Such an amazing show ! Great story telling.
So nice to hear a woman’s story. I don’t know too many atheist women like myself especially at my age (64). Although in my case I never liked going to church as a child. I found it endlessly pointless and boring. By the time I entered my teens I did not believe and refused to go to church anymore.
It depends on the church. When I lived in London, for a period I loved going to the Catholic 10.30 Mass at Westminster Cathedral. It was (mainly) in Latin and the mass was sung. They usually did Mozart's Coronation Mass (Krönungsmesse) and Haydn's Nelson Mass. It was a wonderful show. Yes, I know you had to listen to some fairy stories before you got to the musical part, but it was worth it. And the price was, whatever you put in the collection plate. Bargain.
Later they changed the organist and choirmaster, and they started performing all that atonal Schoenbergian cr*p. I stopped going. Even Julia Sweeney introduces this show with Vivaldi's Gloria. THAT'S what makes Catholicism so beautiful. The art, music, architecture and culture. Whether I BELIEVE the stories they tell, is frankly by the by.
@ I grew up in a strict Protestant home. Church was endless boring sermons and hard wooden benches and that was it. As a kid I hated going. I haven’t been to a church service since I was 14, which was 50 years ago.
@gilmichaud5852 If it's just boring sermons and hard wooden benches, and nothing else, I'm not surprised you stopped going.
Just came across this and loved it. My folks weren’t religious but all my friends and their families were. I grew up watching TV shows about Jesus and his life. As a child I believed it because my friends and their families believed it. Most of my life I’ve had a sort of vague belief but never attended a church. I finally realized I was an atheist about when I reached my forties. I’m 61 now and comfortable with my lack of belief.
This was a delightful video. Wish I could have seen her in person.
There are many of us, just maybe not vocal. I’m almost 89 years old and have gone through many of the steps Julia describes, finally, a few years ago decided to really “come out of the closet” and say, “I am an atheist, meaning I do not believe in a divine being in charge of the universe.” I was an evangelical, immersed in the Bible and religion for decades without thinking critically about what I believed. Just stupidly accepting “by faith.” I wish there was more community/fellowship among unbelievers, like that in churches. I miss that so started a small group of 10 liberal women who meet monthly for conversations and caring.
This was such a beautiful story of your journey. Thank you for putting it out there.
Exquisite! So close to my journey I could not relate more! So funny and so true. Such a genuine account of our private inner worlds and a flawless performance! I absolutely loved this show, so happy to have found it!
I did not grow up in the Catholic faith, but as a J.W. I believed in it with all my heart and even knocked on doors. At 16 I devoted myself to spreading the good news of Jehovah's Kingdom and immersed myself in Bible study from there my journey closely resembled that of Julia's. I found myself yelling out, Yes! Exactly! throughout this monologue. So real and elegantly spoken!!!
holy hell, this was so funny. I'm glad i found it 😂
Well Done! and I Loved (and related to) the Deepak bit!
So enjoyed every moment. Thank you❤
Man, this was brilliant
Just brilliant!
This is a masterpiece.
Looking at it with natural skepticism and curiosity, as someone from within, I can respect that! And you're articulate and entertaining, too. Subscribing. 😊
Thank you, Julia Sweeney, this was beautifully told.
I've listened to this several times throughout my life. First time when I was a teenager (im 34 now) and I was just coming to terms with my own loss of faith and you put into words a lot of what I felt. Since then I listened because you are such an engaging a funny story teller. This is the perfect excuse to listen/watch again. Also discovered and loved all your other shows. God said ha! being another favourite.
Absolutely Brilliant.!! 🙂 Such an honest, funny account of her voyage to freedom.
Wow!
The word 'Special' is thrown around so much, in comedy these days, that I tend to ignore a lot of them.
I'm so glad I didn't skip this.
Beautifully done. Thank you.
The Flat Earth Society “with offices round the globe”.
That's a good one, love irony
Masterful! So much fun!
Spectacular. Best birthday present to myself. Thank you Julia for doing the heavy lifting with your knowledge journey. I’ve found myself living out the same truth. Sometimes scary, sometimes moving me to do my best. You are incredibly funny and smart
Absolutely brilliant, inspiring, courageous, hilarious, and tear inducing in only the best way!
Can't Like this hard enough. Thankyou, Julia.
Absolutely brilliant
Wow, this was beautiful and exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you.
Thank you!. Please release this in chapters so I can send them to friends without blowing them off the sofa.
I saw Julia perform this piece in Park City, Utah a few years back. Absolutely fantastic. It is a finely crafted piece of art created and delivered deftly through her masterful use of her instrument-- her body and her beautiful mind. I also performed a solo show, mine based on my experience in Iraq as a Marine, so I know first-hand about the magic that happens when an artist shares their healing journey; through it, the audience is given permission to take the journey themselves. Letting Go of God informs, challenges, uplifts, and I would even say teaches but not in any off-putting, heavy-handed way. Hearty congratulations and gratitude to Julia Sweeny for this important and provocative work. God bless you. (whoops! ...oh come on, it was a joke.)
Keep doing your thing, ma'am. The world needs more you and less of all that other bullshit.
Brilliant, insightful, inspirational, funny and a journey with which many of us can identify.
Saw Julia perform this show live in Chicago. SO good! So fun to be able to laugh together about an experience that can be quite painful, and to recognize how much better life is on the other side.
Amazing, what a performance and deep search, Julia. It resonated enormously with me, having been raised as a strict RC, while I had so many questions that were never answered by my parents, nor my teachers or priests in the 50s .Having gone through my life so far, I have never stopped looking for spirituality and the Devine. I have walked a very similar path to you, Julia, and your performance has clarified a lot to me. Thank you!
Loooove it. So funny and poignant ❤
Thanks!
Thank you so much for sharing this, Julia! I haven’t seen this since i lost my DVD - it’s brilliant ❤
Thank you for this delightful show. So many fond memories of my first viewing.
What a wonderful journey, and so beautifully related!
What a great show, so incisive and funny and tear jerking, Thank you for making it!
What a journey. Thank you for sharing it.
Magnificent story telling. I somehow found myself laughing and crying at the same time. I have seen her movies without noticing her somehow. So this feels like the first time I have seen her and I am blown away. Such a powerful performance.
THAT was freakin Brilliant !