People like Aron Ra and Richard Dawkins can come off as overly harsh and pessimistic towards religion, but *now that I've learned over the years the sort of horrendous religious people they've had to deal with* I don't blame them in the slightest.
well they don't talk about Jesus very much be he did not represent what complain about John 18: 35"Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?"36Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."37"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
AronRa: "Here's the thing, if what you say is actually true, I would want to know it too. It's not that I have this bias at the outset where you'll never convince me and I'll never convince you. No, that's wrong. You can convince me. And, if it is true, I want you to convince me. And, if it is true, you can convince me AND I will thank you for convincing me." That is the goal!! It's about having an accurate view of reality... whatever it is, no matter what it is.
Megan Dover I must have expressed myself badly... I am convinced, I was convinced before this video. I'm simply saying that I agree with what AronRa is saying.
I never was totally convinced that God existed but I went along with it because I wanted to believe that I would go to heaven and meet all my relatives. I think the wanna believe factor (ie. can't handle the alternative) is a major part of all believers' faith. Logic and evidence isn't going to change that. It took the things we learnt from DNA to finally make me dump religion.
I think that AronRa is one of the most fascinating personalities on youtube. He comes across as an individual in his style, and his message. People like him are part of the richness of humanity that the internet has given voice, which old media lacked with its singular ratings-for-ad-revenue driven homogeny.
Self praise under another pseudonym is evidence (in an atheists' ideology) that "Truth isn't truth if it is constantly changing".Question is that statement true". Obviously self-contradictory! Such are the stupid statements made by atheists who never think before they speak.
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you in all eternity for such a brilliant, brilliant, brilliant comment. Sorry, my synonyms dictionary isn't very good, not good at all, just not good.
@@thermal1580 Saul's name was changed to Paul. I don't know why you would have a problem with it if there's a biblical precedent. I also can't find any proof that his first name was Larry. We have the initial L, and Prisoner (06452017) refused to call him Aron because he couldn't find evidence that his name had been legally changed. Now, if we use that standard, shouldn't we stop calling Prisoner (06452017) Dr Kent Hovind since all of his "degrees" aren't acredited?
I feel the exact same. He's one of a few people who I really admire and I am also thankful for him fighting so hard for the truth to make this world better for all of us. I emailed him that basically and he responded. I really want to see him speak live, and maybe shake his hand..
JCG - show us where the actual truth hurt you. You bible thumpers are a joke and your holy book of fairy tales is not evidence of your magical sky daddy! get over it!
@Jesus Christ Glorified -- Why choose that religion? Why aren't you a Hindu or a Muslim? Were you raised as "atheist" or just a-religious? Why don't I believe you?
@Jesus Christ Glorified -- If you had really been atheist you wouldn't say stupid shit like atheism is a religion. You say God is real. The atheist says, "I don't believe you". How is that a religion? Someone who had been atheist would understand that and apparently you don't, so now I know you're lying. And you completely ignored my question about why choose the religion you chose.
@Jesus Christ Glorified -- Why is it so hard for you to just be honest? Would an honest discussion kill you? How can you claim the moral high ground when you can't even have an honest conversation?
We are all grateful for what you do AronRa. In my case you're not telling me something I didn't know...I got my education in biology in Canada so I'm well informed about the scientific truth of evolution...and I was raised Catholic so I followed the same path as you of discovery of the weakness of the supernatural. What I love about what you do is that I know there is someone out there who is publicly saying what I want to publicly say. I am not alone in my desire to reject fantasy as fact. You rock. Thank you.
I think most Atheists like myself think the way he does; there was never a turning point. It always seemed like religion (Catholic, for me) was always a tad off, even at a young age. It might just be my imagination, but there was never a "ah-HA!" moment.
***** Yes, reading the bible made me an atheist at 9, when I got 3/4 of the way through genesis. I read the rest to torture the nuns. I once got teeth thrown at me, I'm very proud of that.
+DameunPutazo "It might just be my imagination, but there was never a "ah-HA!" moment" Maybe, perhaps youre too young yet to have had an NDE experience lying on a bed in intensive care on life support?
+Marilyn Newman Wow so intelligent at 9 years of age!! Have u grown up since or r u still caught in that childest mindset?"There are those who believe whatever they want, not on the basis of proof, but what they find attractive" Blasé Pascal.
AronRa you are an inspiration. Your humbleness and and unwavering quest for truth is what we should all strive for. Thanks for the this brilliant post as well as your other mind opening posts.
When I first saw one of your videos posted I said to myself, "what a strange looking guy" "he looks so scary". But I saw the video and liked what you said. It explained facts with authority and a wonderful voice. I went on to see others and have learned so much . You have a privileged mind and a very human commitment. Thank you.
Thank you AronRa for your efforts in saving humanity from itself. Thank you TheThinkingAtheist for posting this. And thank you positive posters below for showing that we are not alone.
I admire all atheist activists and I'm glad they do what they do. I'm strongly considering my own you-tube channel devoted to this as well with some arguments I have yet to hear from other atheists. I really wish they would talk about how religious people *need* to believe in something. Children invent imaginary friends because they help them and comfort them. That does not mean they actually exist. There are millions of people who believe in a god mainly because they can't accept the harsh reality of life without one. So, in order to sleep at night and feel some peace, they invent a god to believe in who loves them, who will solve their problems if they pray enough, who will listen to them, etc. That does not mean a god exists. That's the epic failure of theists. They so desperately WANT their god to exist, that in their own minds, it does, and to hell with everyone else (literally) that does believe in their imaginary friend. They simply can't accept the thought of it not existing, because without it, they cannot endure the realities of existence. Life is harsh, deal with it. It's time to grow up.
AronRa's intellect and encyclopedic knowledge has always astounded me, and this video just makes me appreciate his mind even more. He speaks more eloquently, off the cuff, than I can if I were to write a speech, beforehand, and read it.
And I'm sure creationists have done great things, but they do great things, because they are good people. Goodness is goodness no matter WHAT you believe. And same with cruelty. What you believe doesn't dictate how you behave toward others. That is something that is already a part of you, whether you deem it personality or soul. What you believe just becomes the conduit.
My parents used to drop me and and my five brothers and sisters off at Sunday 'school' so they could go home and have sex, I have recently found out. They used the Sunday School here (Australia) as a childcare center. I really HOPE they didn't realize that they were having me forcefully indoctrinated into a cult that THEY never even went to once even. I honestly have nightmares/flashbacks still of being in the toilets with the pastor. If I said anything about it as a child, I would definitely have been punished by the small church, but most of all, my parents would have flogged me. That is why I AM an ATHEIST. No LOVING God would have allowed a child to go through that. I'm sure there are worse cases than mine, but I thinking of you(NOT praying). Peace
Bipolar...The Bible says the Sabbath is to be a delightful day off work and relaxation so your parents were quite justified in going home for some good sex. Why are you bipolar?
I can completely relate to Aron. I was literally kicked out of Sunday school because I was constantly calling the Sunday school teacher out for her constant contradictions. I had to go sit in the big church with my mom and dad. It was easy to call the preachers BS out as well. after that my mother told me if I don't want to go to church anymore I didn't have to and I was free to believe whatever I wanted to believe. Completely liberating
As annoying as religious people are, as asinine their beliefs, and as immoral their attitude toward life, I am still grateful to be able to witness all of these great minds adverse these idiots. I live in the south. In North Carolina, where religion is woven into the fabric of life without a second thought. Where evolution is a lie, and where Jesus is a house hold name. I can barely stand it at times. Sometimes I feel suffocated. My wife believes there is more to life than this, and was raised christian. Though she is far from fundamental, and is very intelligent. But she still holds onto a belief in the supernatural, almost as if, the wonder and beauty of the universe is nothing special. This also bothers me. Naturally we get into arguments, and most of the time we just tire ourselves out, and come to a mutual understanding. Either way it is still frustrating, because I have 2 kids. And one of us will teach them, that this is it, and my wife will teach them, that she doesn't think this is it. Though I am sure they will grow up free thinkers because regardless of what I described of my wife, she is a free thinker, maybe agnostic, just not a pronounced atheist, and anti theist like me.
I would describe myself as an agnostic. I just say, I don't know what happens when we die. To me, that's a reasonable position. I don't see anything threatening about that.
@Syc0tic: Oh boy, can _I_ relate! . . . . (I just hope my impact will eventually make my two young sons to grow up _shunning_ their mother/my ex's [& _her_ family's] take on reality!) . . . . .
I moved to southwest Missouri years ago from CA and hearing about the past of the southern US, I will never understand how a group of people could cling to the teachings of Christ but kept people in bondage and treated them worse then animals at the same time and have not changed much to this day.
People are attracted to religion the same way they are attracted to the freak show at the state fair mid-way. One of those fascinating facts that can't be explained.
The work he does is truly inspirational. I love how he is not only concerned with his own good (what most Christians or generally theists are concerned with), he also cares about what other people are taught as apparently truth, with is illogical.
This offering is so amazingly crystal clear, honest and beautiful. I saw AronRa at the last Reason Rally but was afraid to say HI outta fear of bothering him. Now I regret it. Next time.
Missionary work: "you're not feeding people, you're lying to them" - love love love it. This man is an outstanding exponent t of reason and common sense, sorely needed today, I a sorry to say.
There is one thing that Aron Ra said that I don't agree with. It's nothing to do with religion, but it sill pissed me off a bit. He said that if you are not a feminist then you are a sexist. I disagree since I'm not a feminist and I'm also not a sexist.
zemorph42 My issue with feminism is that there are so many different types and some of them are some pretty hate filled individuals. I also don't think you can achieve equality by focusing on the problems of one sex.
Hector Maddock-Greene I agree, it seems too many are eager just to switch places with their perceived oppressors to realize that that just perpetuates the problem.
I get what you mean, but it's safe to say that he's taking the route of actual "equal rights" when he talks about feminism. As opposed to the idea of "equality, for women" when it comes to radical feminism. Seems like he's more of a humanist than anything.
***** I don't think anyone should call themselves a feminist. Why do we have to be in a special group labelled after one sex? Feminism makes out that women are the only people with problems. Oh and when it started it was pretty racist. It was only for white women's rights. Humanist sounds much more appealing. It sounds like equal rights for all people no matter sexual orientation, gender or skin colour. In my opinion all peoples social problems are just as important as everyone else's. Black, White, Asian, Gay, Straight, Men, Women etc... have their own problems. Why should we just focus on women? I'm not saying that we shouldn't focus on women's problems, but to only focus on them would be a little bit sexist.
Where is the god everyone is talking about? After all the books are read and the video has run its course, where is he. Believers point to mountains and oceans and say there he is, can't you see him? They talk about death, war and every disgusting, deprived perversion ever committed and say, can't you see him? Well, no I can't. I think that religion/faith, for most people is like any other earthly investment, it comes with risks and rewards. Good investors know that the secret to success is hanging on during the bad times. The greater the investment the more risk but it's the reward that keeps the holder of a declining stock hanging on: And I think that's where we're at. Worldwide, people are feeling the effects of a declining market. It's most often interpreted as an attack on religion/god but I don't think it is. It's the side effects of logical and rational conclusions that is most likely responsible for the devaluation of the religious markets, worldwide. Investors/believers are in panic mode but they know not to let go, it's the bad times or as is sometimes said, 'The end times,' Regardless of the 'stripe' religion's infestors are in panic mode and have been conditioned to hang-on and stay the course. I don't think that this will change anytime soon. Believers will continue to point at the mountains and oceans, start wars and reject reality. The brilliant light of logic and understanding has only begin to shine, blinding to most a relief to others. The erosion and devaluation of ancient mythologies is a certainty and as obvious as the Grand Canyon and that I can see. (Please don't pardon the pun.) Thank you AronRa for you guidance and inspiration.
"for the most part ,most of secular thinkers that I've encounter, truth really is their big issue" I relate to that, I was lied to by parents, neighbors, fellow students and priests and I resented it for a long time. Then very slowly I discovered and I still am discovering hones,t bias fighter, thinkers. Thank you the interview.
1. Many secular groups give to others, and so do many atheists as individuals. 2. What is being criticized here isn't PEOPLE who believe in a god but the blind belief itself. 3. What you term as ridicule is often our rejection of those who come on here and attempt to convert us. Your arguments are ridiculous to those whose minds are free to think for themselves. 4. Atheists have actually done A LOT for mankind in the science as well as humanitarian fields.
There are a lot of characteristics about you that I appreciate. and that have made me grow to really like you. but there's one characteristic that truly makes me really like you and that is your honesty. I have an issue with lying because I'm a piss poor liar. I get caught most every time so I have no use for lying. and because of that I can recognize honestly fairy easily. the fact I can see that you are doing a very good thing. for people to break the bonds with something that serves no good purpose. and that you do this freely of yourself I consider such a great thing. anyone that does what they do to help others really gains my appreciation. and you do it better than anyone else I know of thanks so much Aron Ra.
When I was a child my mother told me our Catholic neighbor's church would not allow her to read certain books. That pretty much cut organized religion out of my life. The churchgoers are obviously being conditioned by their congregations to shut out any knowledge not sanctioned by the church. Very sad.
10 years and 5 months later, there is demonstrable evidence that secularism is rising and Aron has made a very real impact on that and I am tremendously grateful for him and proud of his continued and sustained efforts He is what this world needs and I hope it continues for the foreseeable
Aron ur a hero for what u do brother, ur bettering society's potential just doing what u do, wish I could shake ur hand...don't ever let anyone tell u what u do isn't very important, keep fighting the good fight. :)
Had been a skeptic for a while. But so thankful for RUclips. I have been watching Aron Ra, and other Athiest talk and I am inching towards to saying I am an atheist. I never knew there were so many. I remember my mother talking about " The most hated woman in America" when I was a kid. But had never met an atheist. With the Christians and Republicans ruining this country... something has to be done.
Brilliant! Keep fighting the good fight! I can see it being difficult to turn your back on everything that you, and possibly everyone you knows, believes in and there are probably a lot of people who stay with religion because of that fear and anxiety. Still, it is of the utmost importance that we all trying to open people's eyes and help them with the difficult transition. Above all I would say don't condem people who have been lied to their whole life, they probably don't know any better.
William Shockley (1910-1989): American physicist and inventor. Along with John Bardeen and Walter Houser Brattain, Shockley co-invented the transistor, for which all three were awarded the 1956 Nobel Prize in Physics Alfred Tarski (1901-1983): Polish logician and mathematician. A prolific author best known for his work on model theory, metamathematics, and algebraic logic
Born into a catholic family & raised as a catholic, i rejected as a teenager the church's claims that only catholics could be saved. It just didn't make any sense that all members of all other religions would be condemned to hell by a god who loves us all (?). therefore, i abandoned my faith when i was in college & never looked back. This was about 50 years ago.
I wish you'd make more short, actually sit through able videos. That's why I subscribed to you but so far I've only seen the podcasts, and the clips from this, now I get a combined form of the clips. I don't unsub from people, I don't do that. But as a request from a viewer, please make more of the short videos.
Hermann Joseph Muller (1890-1967): American geneticist and educator, best known for his work on the physiological and genetic effects of radiation (X-ray mutagenesis). He won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine Max Perutz (1914-2002): Austrian-born British molecular biologist, who shared the 1962 Nobel Prize for Chemistry with John Kendrew, for their studies of the structures of hemoglobin and globular proteins
What I'm learning from these videos is that at its core...atheism is sincerity in an age that tolerates and even rewards INsincerity. I find that incredibly liberating.
Aronra is a real american hero. He goes around preaching truth, in a place where it is much easier and financially beneficial to lie and make a ridiculous amount of money.
The statement about how the scientific truth is so much better, gives me such a wonderful feeling. I know exactly what AronRa means. How brilliantly awesome are new discoveries. It's like chocolate coated ice cream for your brain. Just gotta love it!!
Andrei Sakharov (1921-1989): Soviet nuclear physicist, dissident & human rights activist. Gained renown as the designer of the Soviet Union's Third Idea, a codename for Soviet development of thermonuclear weapons. Sakharov was an advocate of civil liberties & civil reforms in the Soviet Union. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1975. The Sakharov Prize which is awarded annually by the European Parliament for people & organizations dedicated to human rights & freedoms is named in his honor
(From Wikipedia - some I chose. You can Google many more.) Zhores Alferov - contributed to the creation of modern heterostructure physics and electronics; invented the heterotransistor; won the 2000 Nobel Prize in Physics William Bateson - British geneticist; won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1958 for discovering the role of genes in regulating biochemical events within cells (cont'd)
Aron... you should have been one of those voice-over guys for action-movie trailers... "When one man.... has lost everything.... sometimes the only thing he can do.... is fight back." You have such a great voice. Ah well... Hollywood's loss is Rationalism's gain. Keep up the good work, you're an inspiration to many many people.
Robert Cailliau (1947-): Belgian informatics engineer and computer scientist who, together with Sir Tim Berners-Lee, developed the World Wide Web James Chadwick (1891-1974): English physicist. He won the 1935 Nobel prize in physics for his discovery of the neutron George Washington Crile (1864-1943): American surgeon. Crile is now formally recognized as the first surgeon to have succeeded in a direct blood transfusion (cont'd)
William L. Moore (1927-1963): Postal worker and Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) member who staged lone protests against racial segregation. He was murdered on his final protest Maryam Namazie (born 1963): A human rights activist, commentator and broadcaster. Namazie has served as the executive director of the International Federation of Iranian Refugees. She is spokesperson for the One Law for All Campaign against Sharia Law in Britain
You have faith in tons of things bro! You have faith in family members or friends, or a spouse. You have faith in the ground you walk on, you trust it wont just collapse under your feet. You put faith in loads of things, for various reasons! There is tons of reasons why I have faith (trust) that the creator of the universe exists and loves me enough to lay down his life for me!
Sir Peter Medawar (1915-1987): Nobel Prize-winning British scientist best known for his work on how the immune system rejects or accepts tissue transplants Jacques Monod (1910-76): French biologist who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1965 for discoveries concerning genetic control of enzyme and virus synthesis
Carl Sagan (1934-1996): American astronomer and astrochemist, a highly successful popularizer of astronomy, astrophysics, and other natural sciences, and pioneer of exobiology and promoter of the SETI.
He is right. Everything can't be possible, because the sum of all possibilities is always 100%, and in order for something to possible, everything else must be less possible.
J. Craig Venter (1946-): American biologist and entrepreneur, one of the first researchers to sequence the human genome, and in 2010 the first to create a cell with a synthetic genome James D. Watson (1928-): 1962-Nobel-laureate and co-discover of the structure of DNA
I just love Aron so much because I share sooooooo much views with him! It makes me feel so good inside. I observed that people really feel good when other people share their views. I think that's why religion still exists - it gives people long term good feeling and emotions. However, the realism of religion happiness is sadly very comparable to drugs. Happiness would be true only if it was gained from reality which we all share - that should be the goal of mankind.
People like Aron Ra and Richard Dawkins can come off as overly harsh and pessimistic towards religion, but *now that I've learned over the years the sort of horrendous religious people they've had to deal with* I don't blame them in the slightest.
well they don't talk about Jesus very much
be he did not represent what complain about
John 18:
35"Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?"36Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."37"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
"horrendous religious people"
So... now you're redpilled on Progressives?
AronRa: "Here's the thing, if what you say is actually true, I would want to know it too. It's not that I have this bias at the outset where you'll never convince me and I'll never convince you. No, that's wrong. You can convince me. And, if it is true, I want you to convince me. And, if it is true, you can convince me AND I will thank you for convincing me."
That is the goal!! It's about having an accurate view of reality... whatever it is, no matter what it is.
Megan Dover
I must have expressed myself badly... I am convinced, I was convinced before this video. I'm simply saying that I agree with what AronRa is saying.
im shocked there is someone besides me who thought about it this way.
I never was totally convinced that God existed but I went along with it because I wanted to believe that I would go to heaven and meet all my relatives. I think the wanna believe factor (ie. can't handle the alternative) is a major part of all believers' faith. Logic and evidence isn't going to change that. It took the things we learnt from DNA to finally make me dump religion.
He's simply not going to believe in something for what there's no evidence.
I think that AronRa is one of the most fascinating personalities on youtube. He comes across as an individual in his style, and his message. People like him are part of the richness of humanity that the internet has given voice, which old media lacked with its singular ratings-for-ad-revenue driven homogeny.
Grae Hall WELL SAID!
+Grae “seven” Hall nicely that Aaron.
Self praise under another pseudonym is evidence (in an atheists' ideology) that "Truth isn't truth if it is constantly changing".Question is that statement true". Obviously self-contradictory! Such are the stupid statements made by atheists who never think before they speak.
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you in all eternity for such a brilliant, brilliant, brilliant comment. Sorry, my synonyms dictionary isn't very good, not good at all, just not good.
P.S. God is brilliant!
When Texas meets science, you get Aron Ra, truly one of my heroes.
When 60,000 hot dogs meet a gastrointestinal tract you get larry Nelson aka aron ra.
@@thermal1580 Saul's name was changed to Paul. I don't know why you would have a problem with it if there's a biblical precedent. I also can't find any proof that his first name was Larry. We have the initial L, and Prisoner (06452017) refused to call him Aron because he couldn't find evidence that his name had been legally changed. Now, if we use that standard, shouldn't we stop calling Prisoner (06452017) Dr Kent Hovind since all of his "degrees" aren't acredited?
He’s incredible
Aron, I wish as an atheist, I could express myself as eloquently as you . Keep up the good work and opening up eyes.
I kept reading that as 'I wish I was an atheist' 😂
@@w8m4n lol me too. I reread the comment twice XD
This man's videos had a tremendous influence on my thinking and my life. I have an endless amount of thanks for him.
I feel the exact same. He's one of a few people who I really admire and I am also thankful for him fighting so hard for the truth to make this world better for all of us. I emailed him that basically and he responded. I really want to see him speak live, and maybe shake his hand..
Best part : "*I don't like being lied to.*"
JCG - show us where the actual truth hurt you. You bible thumpers are a joke and your holy book of fairy tales is not evidence of your magical sky daddy! get over it!
@Jesus Christ Glorified -- Programmed since early childhood?
@Jesus Christ Glorified -- Why choose that religion? Why aren't you a Hindu or a Muslim? Were you raised as "atheist" or just a-religious? Why don't I believe you?
@Jesus Christ Glorified -- If you had really been atheist you wouldn't say stupid shit like atheism is a religion. You say God is real. The atheist says, "I don't believe you". How is that a religion? Someone who had been atheist would understand that and apparently you don't, so now I know you're lying.
And you completely ignored my question about why choose the religion you chose.
@Jesus Christ Glorified -- Why is it so hard for you to just be honest? Would an honest discussion kill you? How can you claim the moral high ground when you can't even have an honest conversation?
We are all grateful for what you do AronRa. In my case you're not telling me something I didn't know...I got my education in biology in Canada so I'm well informed about the scientific truth of evolution...and I was raised Catholic so I followed the same path as you of discovery of the weakness of the supernatural. What I love about what you do is that I know there is someone out there who is publicly saying what I want to publicly say. I am not alone in my desire to reject fantasy as fact. You rock. Thank you.
"Only accurate information has practical application"
You should copyright that quote as yours. It's ultimately badass.
We're STILL listening Aron! I respect your thirst for TRUTH. "Don't F-ing Lie To Us!!" I'm loving your solid stance on this.
This helps me to stay sane. Thank you for all that you do and say.
AronRa....seriously intelligent ,articulate and thorough .... religions worst nightmare.
I think most Atheists like myself think the way he does; there was never a turning point. It always seemed like religion (Catholic, for me) was always a tad off, even at a young age.
It might just be my imagination, but there was never a "ah-HA!" moment.
Well, I said 'most'. But I can certainly relate.
***** Yes, reading the bible made me an atheist at 9, when I got 3/4 of the way through genesis. I read the rest to torture the nuns. I once got teeth thrown at me, I'm very proud of that.
+DameunPutazo "It might just be my imagination, but there was never a "ah-HA!" moment" Maybe, perhaps youre too young yet to have had an NDE experience lying on a bed in intensive care on life support?
+Marilyn Newman Wow so intelligent at 9 years of age!! Have u grown up since or r u still caught in that childest mindset?"There are those who believe whatever they want, not on the basis of proof, but what they find attractive" Blasé Pascal.
DameunPutazo it is sad but lots of people have a momentous turning point when losing religion
AronRa you are an inspiration. Your humbleness and and unwavering quest for truth is what we should all strive for. Thanks for the this brilliant post as well as your other mind opening posts.
When I first saw one of your videos posted I said to myself, "what a strange looking guy" "he looks so scary". But I saw the video and liked what you said. It explained facts with authority and a wonderful voice. I went on to see others and have learned so much . You have a privileged mind and a very human commitment. Thank you.
Mildred Martinez 😭 I couldn't have said it better
Brilliant.
I have so much love and respect for Aaron. He’s a heroe in my book. A voice for so many who need someone like him. Great interview.
Aron is quite an interesting guy
@AronRa
I appreciate what you and what you do. I am thankful that you're continuing to educate others in any way you can. Thank you!
-Joey
Thank you AronRa for your efforts in saving humanity from itself. Thank you TheThinkingAtheist for posting this. And thank you positive posters below for showing that we are not alone.
AronRa, you certainly are the King of clarification. I love your videos, and have learned so much by them. Thank You.
I admire all atheist activists and I'm glad they do what they do. I'm strongly considering my own you-tube channel devoted to this as well with some arguments I have yet to hear from other atheists. I really wish they would talk about how religious people *need* to believe in something. Children invent imaginary friends because they help them and comfort them. That does not mean they actually exist.
There are millions of people who believe in a god mainly because they can't accept the harsh reality of life without one. So, in order to sleep at night and feel some peace, they invent a god to believe in who loves them, who will solve their problems if they pray enough, who will listen to them, etc. That does not mean a god exists. That's the epic failure of theists. They so desperately WANT their god to exist, that in their own minds, it does, and to hell with everyone else (literally) that does believe in their imaginary friend. They simply can't accept the thought of it not existing, because without it, they cannot endure the realities of existence. Life is harsh, deal with it. It's time to grow up.
You believe that there is no god. You yourself cannot live without believing something.
@@nerychristian Way to misrepresent atheism.
AronRa's intellect and encyclopedic knowledge has always astounded me, and this video just makes me appreciate his mind even more. He speaks more eloquently, off the cuff, than I can if I were to write a speech, beforehand, and read it.
AronRa is amazing! For me, religions are the emperor with no clothes! :-)
Such a well spoken man, and when he gets going he can speak at incredible rate of speed.
And I'm sure creationists have done great things, but they do great things, because they are good people. Goodness is goodness no matter WHAT you believe. And same with cruelty. What you believe doesn't dictate how you behave toward others. That is something that is already a part of you, whether you deem it personality or soul. What you believe just becomes the conduit.
Good interview; thanks for putting the raw version up too!
My parents used to drop me and and my five brothers and sisters off at Sunday 'school' so they could go home and have sex, I have recently found out. They used the Sunday School here (Australia) as a childcare center. I really HOPE they didn't realize that they were having me forcefully indoctrinated into a cult that THEY never even went to once even. I honestly have nightmares/flashbacks still of being in the toilets with the pastor. If I said anything about it as a child, I would definitely have been punished by the small church, but most of all, my parents would have flogged me. That is why I AM an ATHEIST. No LOVING God would have allowed a child to go through that. I'm sure there are worse cases than mine, but I thinking of you(NOT praying). Peace
Bipolar...The Bible says the Sabbath is to be a delightful day off work and relaxation so your parents were quite justified in going home for some good sex.
Why are you bipolar?
I can completely relate to Aron. I was literally kicked out of Sunday school because I was constantly calling the Sunday school teacher out for her constant contradictions. I had to go sit in the big church with my mom and dad. It was easy to call the preachers BS out as well. after that my mother told me if I don't want to go to church anymore I didn't have to and I was free to believe whatever I wanted to believe. Completely liberating
As annoying as religious people are, as asinine their beliefs, and as immoral their attitude toward life, I am still grateful to be able to witness all of these great minds adverse these idiots. I live in the south. In North Carolina, where religion is woven into the fabric of life without a second thought. Where evolution is a lie, and where Jesus is a house hold name. I can barely stand it at times. Sometimes I feel suffocated. My wife believes there is more to life than this, and was raised christian. Though she is far from fundamental, and is very intelligent. But she still holds onto a belief in the supernatural, almost as if, the wonder and beauty of the universe is nothing special. This also bothers me. Naturally we get into arguments, and most of the time we just tire ourselves out, and come to a mutual understanding. Either way it is still frustrating, because I have 2 kids. And one of us will teach them, that this is it, and my wife will teach them, that she doesn't think this is it. Though I am sure they will grow up free thinkers because regardless of what I described of my wife, she is a free thinker, maybe agnostic, just not a pronounced atheist, and anti theist like me.
I would describe myself as an agnostic. I just say, I don't know what happens when we die. To me, that's a reasonable position. I don't see anything threatening about that.
@Syc0tic: Oh boy, can _I_ relate! . . . . (I just hope my impact will eventually make my two young sons to grow up _shunning_ their mother/my ex's [& _her_ family's] take on reality!) . . . . .
I moved to southwest Missouri years ago from CA and hearing about the past of the southern US, I will never understand how a group of people could cling to the teachings of Christ but kept people in bondage and treated them worse then animals at the same time and have not changed much to this day.
Great job editing these clips! We really need media-savvy people working hard for our side. Keep up the good work!
People are attracted to religion the same way they are attracted to the freak show at the state fair mid-way. One of those fascinating facts that can't be explained.
Aron you truly are one of my heroes brotha thanks, and you too seth of course!
The work he does is truly inspirational. I love how he is not only concerned with his own good (what most Christians or generally theists are concerned with), he also cares about what other people are taught as apparently truth, with is illogical.
This offering is so amazingly crystal clear, honest and beautiful. I saw AronRa at the last Reason Rally but was afraid to say HI outta fear of bothering him. Now I regret it. Next time.
Man that’s a sad comment
I love how he looks like a cliché-satanist... even though he actually is a very reasonable person! xD
Awesome! Your visuals are simple yet powerful. Excellent both content and quality-wise!
We will have religion as long as there is money to be made from it!
Missionary work: "you're not feeding people, you're lying to them" - love love love it. This man is an outstanding exponent t of reason and common sense, sorely needed today, I a sorry to say.
There is one thing that Aron Ra said that I don't agree with. It's nothing to do with religion, but it sill pissed me off a bit. He said that if you are not a feminist then you are a sexist. I disagree since I'm not a feminist and I'm also not a sexist.
He does not accept the new definition of the word, "feminism" or that there are people, calling themselves by that label, who define it that way.
zemorph42 My issue with feminism is that there are so many different types and some of them are some pretty hate filled individuals.
I also don't think you can achieve equality by focusing on the problems of one sex.
Hector Maddock-Greene I agree, it seems too many are eager just to switch places with their perceived oppressors to realize that that just perpetuates the problem.
I get what you mean, but it's safe to say that he's taking the route of actual "equal rights" when he talks about feminism. As opposed to the idea of "equality, for women" when it comes to radical feminism.
Seems like he's more of a humanist than anything.
***** I don't think anyone should call themselves a feminist. Why do we have to be in a special group labelled after one sex? Feminism makes out that women are the only people with problems. Oh and when it started it was pretty racist. It was only for white women's rights.
Humanist sounds much more appealing. It sounds like equal rights for all people no matter sexual orientation, gender or skin colour. In my opinion all peoples social problems are just as important as everyone else's.
Black, White, Asian, Gay, Straight, Men, Women etc... have their own problems. Why should we just focus on women?
I'm not saying that we shouldn't focus on women's problems, but to only focus on them would be a little bit sexist.
Hay man you made my life so much better you open up my eyes thanks so much
Where is the god everyone is talking about? After all the books are read and the video has run its course, where is he. Believers point to mountains and oceans and say there he is, can't you see him? They talk about death, war and every disgusting, deprived perversion ever committed and say, can't you see him? Well, no I can't. I think that religion/faith, for most people is like any other earthly investment, it comes with risks and rewards. Good investors know that the secret to success is hanging on during the bad times. The greater the investment the more risk but it's the reward that keeps the holder of a declining stock hanging on: And I think that's where we're at. Worldwide, people are feeling the effects of a declining market. It's most often interpreted as an attack on religion/god but I don't think it is. It's the side effects of logical and rational conclusions that is most likely responsible for the devaluation of the religious markets, worldwide. Investors/believers are in panic mode but they know not to let go, it's the bad times or as is sometimes said, 'The end times,' Regardless of the 'stripe' religion's infestors are in panic mode and have been conditioned to hang-on and stay the course. I don't think that this will change anytime soon. Believers will continue to point at the mountains and oceans, start wars and reject reality.
The brilliant light of logic and understanding has only begin to shine, blinding to most a relief to others. The erosion and devaluation of ancient mythologies is a certainty and as obvious as the Grand Canyon and that I can see. (Please don't pardon the pun.)
Thank you AronRa for you guidance and inspiration.
+Gordon Gravelle God is fleeing Syria will you help?
"for the most part ,most of secular thinkers that I've encounter, truth really is their big issue" I relate to that, I was lied to by parents, neighbors, fellow students and priests and I resented it for a long time. Then very slowly I discovered and I still am discovering hones,t bias fighter, thinkers. Thank you the interview.
1. Many secular groups give to others, and so do many atheists as individuals. 2. What is being criticized here isn't PEOPLE who believe in a god but the blind belief itself. 3. What you term as ridicule is often our rejection of those who come on here and attempt to convert us. Your arguments are ridiculous to those whose minds are free to think for themselves. 4. Atheists have actually done A LOT for mankind in the science as well as humanitarian fields.
There are a lot of characteristics about you that I appreciate. and that have made me grow to really like you. but there's one characteristic that truly makes me really like you and that is your honesty. I have an issue with lying because I'm a piss poor liar. I get caught most every time so I have no use for lying. and because of that I can recognize honestly fairy easily. the fact I can see that you are doing a very good thing. for people to break the bonds with something that serves no good purpose. and that you do this freely of yourself I consider such a great thing. anyone that does what they do to help others really gains my appreciation. and you do it better than anyone else I know of thanks so much Aron Ra.
i have never disagreed with aron, he makes too much common sense..
+Pat Brennan What is an example of a truth statement uttered by your other pseudonym, Pat aka aron?
one of my favorite videos of aron. always enjoy the personal touch.
When I was a child my mother told me our Catholic neighbor's church would not allow her to read certain books. That pretty much cut organized religion out of my life. The churchgoers are obviously being conditioned by their congregations to shut out any knowledge not sanctioned by the church. Very sad.
+jfsfrnd is that proof for you that God doesn't exist or just wishful thinking?
Great interview! I appreciate what AronRa is doing.
10 years and 5 months later, there is demonstrable evidence that secularism is rising and Aron has made a very real impact on that and I am tremendously grateful for him and proud of his continued and sustained efforts
He is what this world needs and I hope it continues for the foreseeable
AronRa is just awesome .... i love his succinct messages and thought process. Great job !!!!
Aron ur a hero for what u do brother, ur bettering society's potential just doing what u do, wish I could shake ur hand...don't ever let anyone tell u what u do isn't very important, keep fighting the good fight. :)
Aron Ra, is my hero! Words he just said are solid! Very intelligent dude with pure intentions.
I woke up and so did my husband. Our lives have been much better since we became faithless.
What an honest and brilliant man.
AronRa's really good at articulating the points. Great video.
Thank you very much for posting the uncut interview, but you didn't have to.
I love the lighting in this!
No one edits the Ra!
(Thanks for uploading the unedited version.)
Had been a skeptic for a while. But so thankful for RUclips. I have been watching Aron Ra, and other Athiest talk and I am inching towards to saying I am an atheist. I never knew there were so many. I remember my mother talking about " The most hated woman in America" when I was a kid. But had never met an atheist. With the Christians and Republicans ruining this country... something has to be done.
I have great respect for this man.
Aaron Ra is very good at balancing arguments between logical and psychological, moral, sicentific, all in all very well balanced. Congrats!
Thank you for uploading brother.
Brilliant! Keep fighting the good fight!
I can see it being difficult to turn your back on everything that you, and possibly everyone you knows, believes in and there are probably a lot of people who stay with religion because of that fear and anxiety. Still, it is of the utmost importance that we all trying to open people's eyes and help them with the difficult transition.
Above all I would say don't condem people who have been lied to their whole life, they probably don't know any better.
He does a great job at tackling anti-science and religious extremism
AronRa is such a fantastic speaker... thanks Seth.
William Shockley (1910-1989): American physicist and inventor. Along with John Bardeen and Walter Houser Brattain, Shockley co-invented the transistor, for which all three were awarded the 1956 Nobel Prize in Physics
Alfred Tarski (1901-1983): Polish logician and mathematician. A prolific author best known for his work on model theory, metamathematics, and algebraic logic
Born into a catholic family & raised as a catholic, i rejected as a teenager the church's claims that only catholics could be saved. It just didn't make any sense that all members of all other religions would be condemned to hell by a god who loves us all (?). therefore, i abandoned my faith when i was in college & never looked back. This was about 50 years ago.
I wish you'd make more short, actually sit through able videos. That's why I subscribed to you but so far I've only seen the podcasts, and the clips from this, now I get a combined form of the clips. I don't unsub from people, I don't do that. But as a request from a viewer, please make more of the short videos.
Hermann Joseph Muller (1890-1967): American geneticist and educator, best known for his work on the physiological and genetic effects of radiation (X-ray mutagenesis). He won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
Max Perutz (1914-2002): Austrian-born British molecular biologist, who shared the 1962 Nobel Prize for Chemistry with John Kendrew, for their studies of the structures of hemoglobin and globular proteins
Thanks for responding to the feedback!
What I'm learning from these videos is that at its core...atheism is sincerity in an age that tolerates and even rewards INsincerity. I find that incredibly liberating.
Thanks for this. I'd much rather a music-less version of an interview than one with a music track. It just throws me off.
What a refreshing breeze of clarity
Aronra is a real american hero. He goes around preaching truth, in a place where it is much easier and financially beneficial to lie and make a ridiculous amount of money.
The statement about how the scientific truth is so much better, gives me such a wonderful feeling.
I know exactly what AronRa means. How brilliantly awesome are new discoveries.
It's like chocolate coated ice cream for your brain.
Just gotta love it!!
Andrei Sakharov (1921-1989): Soviet nuclear physicist, dissident & human rights activist. Gained renown as the designer of the Soviet Union's Third Idea, a codename for Soviet development of thermonuclear weapons. Sakharov was an advocate of civil liberties & civil reforms in the Soviet Union. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1975. The Sakharov Prize which is awarded annually by the European Parliament for people & organizations dedicated to human rights & freedoms is named in his honor
I like Aron Ra. Keep up the good work man.
I would give every cent I have. To have just 1 day to sit and talk with Aronra. and just pick his brain on everything.
(From Wikipedia - some I chose. You can Google many more.)
Zhores Alferov - contributed to the creation of modern heterostructure physics and electronics; invented the heterotransistor; won the 2000 Nobel Prize in Physics
William Bateson - British geneticist; won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1958 for discovering the role of genes in regulating biochemical events within cells
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Haven't seen AronRa in hi-def like this since 2011.
Aron was never a child; don't let him fool you. He was born with that beard.
Thanks for the upload. This is great!
Aron... you should have been one of those voice-over guys for action-movie trailers...
"When one man.... has lost everything.... sometimes the only thing he can do.... is fight back."
You have such a great voice. Ah well... Hollywood's loss is Rationalism's gain. Keep up the good work, you're an inspiration to many many people.
I love AronRa's channel.
Robert Cailliau (1947-): Belgian informatics engineer and computer scientist who, together with Sir Tim Berners-Lee, developed the World Wide Web
James Chadwick (1891-1974): English physicist. He won the 1935 Nobel prize in physics for his discovery of the neutron
George Washington Crile (1864-1943): American surgeon. Crile is now formally recognized as the first surgeon to have succeeded in a direct blood transfusion
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AronRa is very intelligent and I love his voice.
William L. Moore (1927-1963): Postal worker and Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) member who staged lone protests against racial segregation. He was murdered on his final protest
Maryam Namazie (born 1963): A human rights activist, commentator and broadcaster. Namazie has served as the executive director of the International Federation of Iranian Refugees. She is spokesperson for the One Law for All Campaign against Sharia Law in Britain
You have faith in tons of things bro! You have faith in family members or friends, or a spouse. You have faith in the ground you walk on, you trust it wont just collapse under your feet. You put faith in loads of things, for various reasons! There is tons of reasons why I have faith (trust) that the creator of the universe exists and loves me enough to lay down his life for me!
Sir Peter Medawar (1915-1987): Nobel Prize-winning British scientist best known for his work on how the immune system rejects or accepts tissue transplants
Jacques Monod (1910-76): French biologist who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1965 for discoveries concerning genetic control of enzyme and virus synthesis
wow im watching this exactly a year from when it was made!
Carl Sagan (1934-1996): American astronomer and astrochemist, a highly successful popularizer of astronomy, astrophysics, and other natural sciences, and pioneer of exobiology and promoter of the SETI.
He is right. Everything can't be possible, because the sum of all possibilities is always 100%, and in order for something to possible, everything else must be less possible.
More people should watch this.
I love this soooooo much. it just gives me the chills.
I love the LOTR lighting and color management. :P
J. Craig Venter (1946-): American biologist and entrepreneur, one of the first researchers to sequence the human genome, and in 2010 the first to create a cell with a synthetic genome
James D. Watson (1928-): 1962-Nobel-laureate and co-discover of the structure of DNA
I just love Aron so much because I share sooooooo much views with him! It makes me feel so good inside. I observed that people really feel good when other people share their views. I think that's why religion still exists - it gives people long term good feeling and emotions. However, the realism of religion happiness is sadly very comparable to drugs. Happiness would be true only if it was gained from reality which we all share - that should be the goal of mankind.
I love all of you because THIS IS THE ONLY THING WE ARE REQUIRED TO DO!
A brilliant mind. That's all I can say. Supremely brilliant.
Thank god for AronRa