To any Christians reading this, When you tell people that you are Christian, no one in your family will respond with the statement "I wish I was dead" or "I wish you were dead." Please watch the video and imagined if people said those things to you when you tell them you are Christian. Imagine your family saying these things to you.
@eduardozanin8520
3 жыл бұрын
What are you trying to prove with this statement?
@eduardozanin8520
3 жыл бұрын
@Pretty little thing subliminals ohh, now that I've read it again I understood it. The first time I read it I thought it was saying something like: "because telling you are a christian won't give negative reactions, being a christian is better".
@MrMojoRising909
7 жыл бұрын
I just came out as an atheist to my mom in Panda Express and she cried which made me sad and angry that people tricked her when she was younger.
@yitzchakepstein2142
8 жыл бұрын
Thank God I came across this video. (see what I did there?) I'm financially dependent, and I was thinking of coming out real soon. This probably saved my life from going to shit, just because I'm atheist.
@TheProsaicCult
8 жыл бұрын
aka: out of the closet atheist/i'm 59 yrs. old and i only just converted/bravo to you
@thebatmanover9000
4 жыл бұрын
I have been out and open for 6 years and I am 25 now. My mom freaked out and my dad and sister didn't give a damn. Everyone knows I am an atheist and I refuse to hide it from the public.
@nirestrunk4923
6 жыл бұрын
....but.. What if you have the kind of family that would be absolutely distraught/destroyed (not angry) at the idea of you being an atheist? My sister came out to my mother and she sobbed inconsolably. She told her own daughter she would have rather been told she was dying of cancer. She would rather have heard that her own daughter was dying a slow, suffering death than to think about not living with her eternally in heaven. My sister and father have begged me to please, please never come out. I love my mother..... I do hate the lying though. It wears on my heart constantly. :( But..idk..... I'm just in discomfort. I don't want to destroy my mother to relieve my own discomfort. I'm angry at religion for putting me in this position.
@Siegbert85
6 жыл бұрын
That's fucked up. Idk how I would handle that. I would propably just don't bring it up. But if my mother straight up asked me I would tell the truth and maybe try to address her concerns.
@harrisonmyers1572
9 жыл бұрын
While I don't think I'll be telling my family anytime soon that I don't believe in gods, this has certainly been chockfull of good advice as to how to tell them and how to respond to any/all rebuttals they'll give.
@socksumi
5 жыл бұрын
I told mine and they launched in my face ready to attack even physically. Then the shoe dropped. I slammed my fist on the table over and over in a rage and started swinging in the air while I told them that if they ever got violent with me for being atheist that I would go like a crazed pit bull and rip their fucking heads off. They never bothered me after that.
@jbrunning534
4 жыл бұрын
@@socksumi r/iamverybadass
@TheScrowlingFender7
8 жыл бұрын
I recently made another email account just to make a second facebook page so that I can post atheist content without my folks knowing.
@randomhumanoidblob4506
4 жыл бұрын
@S Quinney Comments like yours make me so sad. I'm from a much more secular country and what religion there is is mostly quiet and personal, we coexist happily and it's not a big deal. I hope you have managed to find some kind of support network where you can just "be", whether online or irl. It must be exhausting, but I fully understand your need to be open somewhere. It's only when I started exploring atheism in a social context that I realised how lucky to be able to take my position for granted and I hope one day you can too. Good luck.
@katieflick888
4 жыл бұрын
I changed my name and profile pic on my youtube account, so that I could comment on videos like these without the risk of certain family members or friends reading them and knowing it was me writing them. So I completely relate to your struggle. It's frustrating when you feel that you cannot be yourself with those you love the most. Hopefully one day we can both stop hiding how we feel and think.
@charlieclark2609
5 жыл бұрын
When I try to explain that I don't feel right about something that the Bible says about what God aaid, they say well it's not up to you what you like , it's about what God wants ciz he's over us. They don't even think that they have a choice in what they like , it's insanity
@jjamerican93
7 жыл бұрын
My mother sent me a pile of mini religious books recently even though she knows I hate church. Smh... Honestly I never liked going to church when I was a child. I was picked on all the time there, and over the years I just started questioning if it was all even real or not. But I'm glad I don't believe the dogma anymore. It's just tough though since most African-Americans are religious. Otherwise, I enjoy not feeling like I'm not accountable to some distant deity.
@dolnick7
6 жыл бұрын
At least you're all set if you happen to run low on toilet paper.
@fromthe4621
5 жыл бұрын
Same. My entire family (we're African) are generational Christians.
@CollapseSurvivalSite
9 жыл бұрын
Excellent video to watch on Openly Secular Day!
@LordPresley
9 жыл бұрын
Excellent!!
@polanco187
7 жыл бұрын
I can't imagine what it would be like in being born in a fundamentalist family.
@maryelizabeth2751
9 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for posting this video! You have really good advice on this topic. I hope you keep posting videos.
@trustinjesus1119
5 жыл бұрын
"It's simple, atheism is the denial of the deity claim." That's the only way you come out.
@jarrod752
6 жыл бұрын
Bible knowledge *is* more important. The more you have the less you tend to believe.
@ianfowler8743
6 жыл бұрын
Bible knowledge is a cancer. It gives the ignorant a sense that they actually know something. How about you read a Physics textbook and learn something real instead of living in your fairy tale world..
@jarrod752
6 жыл бұрын
I'm referring to people who already live in the fairy tale world. They claim to follow the bible but have no _real_ knowledge about it. It's usually the people who are _actually_ searching for god, _actually_ read the book, and then realize it's _actually_ a load of crap. Then the realize that the *other* books from the *other* religions are _actually_ crap too. If you don't believe in god, then bible knowledge is useless to you. If you believe in the god of the book, and you actually read the book, you probably won't believe in the god in the book anymore, and therefore, the bible knowledge *is* important. It also helps to sweep the feet out from under the indignant christians... esp ones who say _the bible doesn't say that!_ But yes, teaching children the bible as if it's a reliable guide to reality is child abuse.
@mender722
6 жыл бұрын
I heard many of those when I came out as gay. I am still unable (or fearful) to tell family or friends that I no longer believe.
@mender722
6 жыл бұрын
When I came out as gay, I also told people that I legally changed my name. That was a bit too much. Still pondering about mentioning anything about unbelief.
@jimmyhayden5292
5 жыл бұрын
I once told my parents about a how prayer experiment was conducted and it showed in short that prayers don't work. I got the sarcastic response" well I guess there's no god". At first I was confused. I soon realized that he said this because it makes logical sense ,but the emotional connection to the religion prevented him from actually accepting it. Another time I asked "what type of eye witness accounts would convince you of alien abductions?" The response was" I could accept their honest recollection of the events ,perhaps, but not the explanation or the truth behind their claims". I then was wondering if he could make the parallel between this analogy and the resurrection of Jesus, but I really doubted it . Then he asked me " Would you believe that a man rose from the dead if there were 500 eye witness accounts?" Surely he is talking about the resurrection, I thought. I really wanted to lie and say " yeah I'd believe. I do believe Jesus rose from the dead". But instead I said ," I would accept their accounts as honest, but I wouldn't actually believe it happened" . Then he shook his head as is thinking" yeah that makes sense". I then asked "would you believe?". And he said " what you said", agreeing with my logic. I was so confused. I could not tell if he made the connection or not, or if his religious-thinking-brain blocked out the logical flaw with him still believing that eye witness accounts are good enough to believe Jesus rose from the dead. It was defiantly a ,"is this you wallet? ", moment.
@briandd27
4 жыл бұрын
I was raised in a Southern, devoutly religious family. My sister, brother and I were taught to trust in God and attend church every Sunday. There was a point in my life that I thought I accepted Christianity for what it is. I got saved and baptized in my early teens. As the years rolled by after me getting saved and baptized I meet a family who lived down the road who were Atheist. While spending time with them I began to realize how ridiculous religion is in general. I'm so grateful I got to meet these people because they pulled me out of a very confusing time in my life. For 32 years of my life I never spoke out against religion out of fear of rejection or retribution from my religious family members or friends. As a message to those of you who're struggling with the decision of practicing religion or leaving religion all together-just follow your heart.
@randomhumanoidblob4506
4 жыл бұрын
Welcome to the Heretic's Club ;-) Seriously, I'm fascinated by this as I come from a far more secular country. And I think those of us who have the freedom to just "be" without it making us some anomaly at odds with our families and communities can at the very least let you guys know you're part of a silent army. A cantankerous army that can't agree on much except that there's no psychopathic sky daddy, but here nonetheless. So welcome to the merry band of outcasts, we have stonings every Wednesday and sacrifice a virgin (if we can find one) each weekend for the Sunday roast.
@gdawg1585
2 жыл бұрын
Most Southerners don't realize the Bible tells you to go to church on Saturday and not Sunday
@kuro_kei
8 жыл бұрын
For the worried question, my response to religious family members would be something along the lines of 'Don't worry, because I'm doing my best to be honest with myself and search for truth, and if God is real I will come to him in my own time.'
@HunterRichardson
8 жыл бұрын
I just made a Godless Bingo card. When I come out to my family, it may be amusing to see how many hits I get.
@paulcrawford5437
6 жыл бұрын
Anyone else think it should be the opposite? We are not born religious so Atheism is the norm so you should come out as religious.
@slowtrainexpress1892
4 жыл бұрын
I tell them: I am proud to be an Atheist. If you knew what I know, you would be one too. I feel like Columbus, when people thought the earth was flat. Somebody has to break away from this madness. Like a frontiersman. Not afraid to venture. I'm actually, an advocate.
@Melatina77
9 жыл бұрын
A line from the Beatles Movie, Help! Ringo: "I don't subscribe to your religion!" Christians needs to know that not everyone subscribes to their religion!
@roxolanathor48
5 жыл бұрын
I was a theist for 20 years after being an atheist, I ignored science until my 7 years old started asking me questions and I said “god did it”... I am pretending to be a believer for 2-3 years... I needed to hear that! Thanks!
@lotusrhysing7775
9 жыл бұрын
Another Great Talk! I appreciate your approach and your tone.
@woogha
9 жыл бұрын
Fantastic work as always.
@Siegbert85
6 жыл бұрын
You Americans are a funny bunch. I couldn't even imagine anyone bringing up such stupid points in favor of religion over here in Germany... You generally don't talk about religion. It's kinda of a taboo topic.
@Setherrrrrrrr
5 жыл бұрын
@@trustinjesus1119 idiot
@matthewtenney2898
5 жыл бұрын
Just how do you tell your loved ones that you don't really care if you are eternally separated from them?
@amphitheatre
9 жыл бұрын
always good to see a new vid from neil.
@billkeon880
5 жыл бұрын
What a great talk
@dolnick7
6 жыл бұрын
"I just thought through things and I don't think the same way anymore." That right there is all it takes. I don't think too many Christians are encouraged to think or question their beliefs. Faith takes the place of rational reflection and is encouraged; actual thinking is not. Thanks for sharing.
@roxolanathor48
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@Antis14CZ
4 жыл бұрын
Every time I watch a video like this, I feel so lucky that I live in a big European city where being an atheist is the normal thing. Stay strong y'all.
@fourhorsepersons7447
9 жыл бұрын
Great talk
@pdxhillbilly
8 жыл бұрын
sorry for the typos I'm taking a crap. I like to think about religion whilst I shat
@_souldier
3 жыл бұрын
.......im a Gay Atheist Kid How do i Survive in This World lol
@shannonw8359
4 жыл бұрын
What a gift this video is. I just recently outgrew my closet and watching this felt empowering to me. Thank you
@teachpeace3750
4 жыл бұрын
Man, the audio with the coughing is horrible. Love the talk though!
@josegaleano1530
3 жыл бұрын
When I was 15 I used to wonder at night around the cemetery looking for a ghost or dead person to rise up looking for an answer to life after death today I laugh over the idea of God because that crappy idea it was invented and does not exist but I questioned myself why so many people believe in negative and they don't ask questions about it and why so many people praying on others getting so much money so rich and yet the government don't do nothing about it is this government built with honesty I still wonder
@Rico-Suave_
2 жыл бұрын
Good points, Watched all of it
@mooseofmanyunicycles
7 жыл бұрын
Hi Neil. Thanks for this - your suggestions are super helpful to me as I navigate the gradual journey away from my old faith. The quote from your friend at 37:30, is it from a blog or something? Can you link to the original if so? Thanks!
@storminswanson
8 жыл бұрын
Very good video -- bingo game was a great concept. I know that Neil's work in secular circles is helping him to reach a wider audience, but what a shame that he is no longer in the classroom. Can you imagine how much students learn from him by his approach?
@_souldier
3 жыл бұрын
im Never Going to Tell them. or Maybe i will in a Long long Time
@cerberaodollam
6 жыл бұрын
I got the "phase" crap. Sigh.
@showmethescience2514
4 жыл бұрын
#NormalizeAtheism🇺🇸
@pipertripp
9 жыл бұрын
Good craic.
@benfaust
4 жыл бұрын
"You were never a real Christian" came for me in the form of "Were you really saved?" This was asked by the one who raised me and taught me what it meant to be saved. So if I was mistaken about my salvation, so were they. I wish I had thought of that at the time.
@Iplaygoofy
7 жыл бұрын
Take off your shirt please.
@katantoine8139
4 жыл бұрын
I'm a Christian with strong faith but a lot of questions. Before the questions started piling up, I had already encountered God in unexplainable ways beginning in my early 20s. For example, when I was 24, I came home crying. I was asking God what is the purpose of living a Christian life when it doesn't always look different from any other lifestyle, and many professed Christians lack a commitment anyway. I cried for about 2 hours as if mourning a loss. I just wanted things to make sense. It was an experience that I chose not to share because I didn't want my Christian friends to "label" me. Meanwhile, an old neighbor of mine who I hadn't seen or spoken to since I was about 16 reached out to me on Facebook messenger with an invitation to attend prayer at her church. When I ignored the invite, she persisted (ANNOYINGLY). On the night of the prayer service, a friend of mine was hosting a small gathering and as much as I was open to going to prayer services in general, I just preferred to hang out with my friends. But the woman persisted even more. When I told her my car keys were missing (a half truth), she offered to pick me up. Long story short, my best friend advised me to go and leave early so that I could still make it to the gathering afterwards. I figured it was fair enough. When I got there, I was shocked to see only 3 other people!!! I felt like it was a joke and I was being filmed. But about 15 minutes into the service, the woman who had invited me walked up to me, asked me to come closer, and as God is my witness (though that might not mean much if you no longer believe), she said to me, "there was a prayer that you prayed in your room, on your bed, and you cried and cried out to God and it touched His heart." My legs instantly turned into jello as I collapsed and wept like a baby until the services ended. The woman continued on and on addressing things that only God knew. And I've had other similar experiences to this. So how did I end up here? Recently, I began struggling with some questions. Mainly around the character of God in the old testament. I searched "I almost lost my faith" in the search bar on KZitem and this one of the videos I came across along with one about things you miss when you leave the faith. Something along those lines. The truth is, I probably don't fit in with other viewers of this video. But I can relate to having questions that have effected my fellowship with God. My prayer is that I'll find those answers. But I've experienced God too deeply to give up quickly.
@T.Rex33
4 жыл бұрын
My intent is not to diminish your experience. However, don't most people pray/cry out to God in their bedroom?
@anonymousjohnson976
2 жыл бұрын
Kat: Did someone see you in the bedroom crying and maybe told this woman about it? There are natural answers to most experiences.
@DamnTropic
9 жыл бұрын
Never knew it was that hard overseas, I just told my parents and they accepted it. However they thought I was joking at the beginning. It also didn't affect our familylife in any way.
@FluffyBuzzard2TheMax
9 жыл бұрын
It fucking sucks over here
@sleepyenby8036
8 жыл бұрын
Oh my fluck, it's awful in Alabama...
@DamnTropic
8 жыл бұрын
meanwhile no one cares about religion in Luxembourg lel:(
@dolnick7
6 жыл бұрын
When I hear most Christians speak in America I think that they're the ones who must be kidding. :)
@astramouseeverywhere6923
4 жыл бұрын
I’m going for a very, very slow, conversational approach with my Mom. Remarking that I read this or that the other day. Asking about her time as a young woman in the church. Various small things, building up. I think she is under the impression that I am “questioning” which sect of Christianity is “correct.” I know she is hoping I will choose hers. I wish I could just pop out and say “Hey, I’m an atheist, have been for two years, not just the past month I’ve been bringing this up.”
@dw2369
5 жыл бұрын
I came out as gay years ago and atheist several years ago. I recently went to church with a coworker after she kept asking me to go and felt as if I was drawn back into " the faith" and subsequently ended up telling my parents and sister that I had recomitted my life to God. Here I am a few months later and I don't feel that way anymore, I am back to how I felt when I proclaimed I was an atheist. I feel like I either am denying God or am easily delusioned.
@richardkranium2944
4 жыл бұрын
Was never really in the closet. I do tend to choose my battles though. I don’t feel the need to discuss religion with people and will change the subject to something that actually matters. I have to be polite to homeowners, and not irritate them at all. I hear a lot of weird stuff and get asked to pray with people before I leave.
@ignoreme1216
5 жыл бұрын
Oh my gosh! That guy that was coughing got on my nerves! Like leave the damn room! I wanna hear what he’s saying! Scram!
@joshthomas7999
6 жыл бұрын
I'm going to watch more of your stuff, Neil. Thanks for this.
@socksumi
5 жыл бұрын
One of the finest and well spoken yet underrated atheists on the scene.
@jordanornelas4102
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you thank thank you for this
@anthonynuzzo9512
8 жыл бұрын
Seems like a desperate attempt to acquire attention.
@Zaprozhan
7 жыл бұрын
Seems like a conscientious attempt to spread truth and understanding.
@dolnick7
6 жыл бұрын
No, you're mistaking it for public prayer.
@jeffsmart7552
9 жыл бұрын
Get a Real Job, Dude!
@bhadmomma8664
8 ай бұрын
I can’t allow a “christian” to label me because so many of them have mislabeled themselves as “Christians”.
@nigglenoo
3 жыл бұрын
I wonder what would happen if all American politicians who don’t believe came out publicly? When UK Labour Party leader Ed Miliband said he an atheist it apparently caused a bit of a stir, but it can’t have been that bad as I don’t even remember it, whereas his inability to eat a bacon sandwich with decorum was the thing the right wing UK press targeted him over.
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