My family made sure I was immersed deeply into this religion and it’s teachings. I school, I was learning a little about science which was not presented that opposed religion, but in my head I was always trying to mingle the two which is impossible even though I was just 10 or 11 years old. By the time I was 20, I had run through many possibilities that let religion and reality (science) cohabitate in and around what is true and in each iteration I was thrown against a dead end... an impasse. The only conclusion I could come to is that I had been deceived into believing that the supernatural was real at a young age where it is easier to indoctrinate. The last time I was a believer was when the crew of Apollo 8 read from genesis on there return trip from the moon. Now when I see and hear that historic time in space travel, I feel embarrassed for all mankind.
Annie I am so proud of you, you a a real wonderful woman and Dan is so privileged to have you as his wife and partner ! - You both are a very good, combination and are my Heros !! - WELL DONE AND CONTINUE THE GOOD WORK !! FREE OUR PEOPLE FROM THIS RELIGIOUS B/S !!!
I exposed my child to it when she was old enough to cope with it, so she would know what she was dealing with. I agree though it is not for the really young forming minds. I got it it given to me as a child in small woolly lamb doses. Gosh what a shock when I was old enough to understand it. I was such a dumb cluck I played witth the animal two by two ark without even thinking about the drowning bit. I really needed my daughter to wise up a bit quicker.
The best part was looking for good things in the bible was like wading through the sewer looking for a gem! And Michael, the greatest dishonesty in the world is religion. Read the bible with an open mind.
I agree with Annie Laurie Gaylor. I'm a man, and yet I don't think anyone should be sacrificed just to please an imaginary deity. I've read the Bible when I was a boy, and as an adult. And neither time, the stories and passages made sense to me. It appalled me how men were allowed to treat women and girls so brutally.
Jason Carpp Or even sacrifice anyone to a _real_ deity, if there were such a thing. No deity worthy of worship would even condone such a thing, much less demand it.
Bingo. Where has this video been? You know parts of this video could be used as ads during the Super Bowl. FFRF. You consistently keep getting all of this right. You are the King of Free Thought.
The most important element coming this film, is a absolute wall of separation between church and state. The reality is that religion does poison everything.
Dave Schoenfeld the problem is that if religion is free from government then putting religion over democracy is a revolutionary act and the most regressive religious people will see themselves as freedom fighters. I live in Denmark where most, almost everyone, are baptized and a member of the state church, but yet I don't know a single person who consider themselves to be Christian. Not one. I'm not even exaggerating.
I think I just found a new heroine, Ruth Green! In 1980 she is intelligent and offers a cohesive argument against religion that is now become more mainstream! Nice job ladies!
@Paul Morgan round where I live in the UK there was a church or chapel on each street end. Almost all denominations were represented All but a few are now flats and wine bars The community church has to share a space with Methodists that have too few people to keep it.
I am so in ahhh and thankful for these and every women who finds the courage to fight these frightful echos of our barbaric past ! All of the love peace and hope that I possess is because of you ! ❤️🏡
Indeed. I was born and I grew up in strong moslem environment; I practiced that religion not knowing exactly what it all means… just following what others around me did. To say that I am glad I do not have to be that way anymore I think is selfish because I suspect many, if not thousands want to be free thinking, reasoning too but finding it very challenging.
@@Missusri I was just thinking how people, particularly women, in Islamic-dominant nations, don't have a choice. At the international level (U.N.), this should be considered a human rights violation.
Oh my goodness, I love Ruth! If she was my neighbor, we'd be good friends and we'd talk about all these kinds of things all the time and discuss philosophical goodness over the news and stuff, man I wish more people were like Ruth, and I wish i were around to praise her intellect in that time!
You at ffrf are true heroes. The society that the religious fundamentalist's want to create would not even be good for them. Just look at Iran and Saudi Arabia. Two examples of how it ends when religion rules.
I discovered this not too long after I realized I was an atheist. In rewatching today, I think it would be interesting for FFRF to do an updated version. I think the religious landscape in this country has changed a lot since 1980, so there would be quite a lot changed.
I’m always proud to be a member of FFRF and when I see something like this, I feel even more proud. Thank you Ann, for what you started and thank you Annie Lori for your commitment to what she started!!❤️❤️
It makes me extremely extremely angry that people won't just practice Christianity by themself. They have to impose it onto the government, their friends and families, even going so far as to oppress multiple people groups, on racial, sexual, and religious grounds.
There's areas of the country that are trying to get religion class in public schools. Religion is declining at a rapid pace. They see religion dying and they're doing everything they can to resurrect it. pun intended
Proselytizing is central to practicing Christianity & Islam. if you keep it to yourself your not practicing; that’s a key problem of the dominant religions of the world
I just watched FFRF and Dan Barker's interview on Oprah in 1984. I find it inspiring. I became an atheist last year after being a devoted Christian for more than 20 years.
I was in a debate with a christian that I went to church with for several years. We are now on opposite sides of the spectrum. I told him that "we" don't get our morals from the bible or god, he mocked me. Thing finally got to a point that I had to block any further communication. There is no reasoning with some people.
Sad really. I have had the same debate with others. I ask them, "Who is the better man, the person who does good because he believes he should do good things out of consideration for his fellow man, or the person who does good because he believes if he doesn't he will be punished in hellfire forever by his all loving god?" I never get a satisfactory answer... :)
Thanks FFR for showing this video. I had no idea how many people, young and old were so open and against religion that decade. FRFF for showing this video.
"I read every page of this book and didn't find enough love to fill a salt shaker " oh Ruth 💜💐 Anni Laurie - your mom was such a beautifully spoken lady . You are so much like her 😌
This is pretty amazing! Especially the fabulous feminism of Annie Laurie Gaylor. And I find it interesting that most of the discussion was between women because my experience growing up in the South is that women are often the ones who push religious worldviews the hardest in their families.
Being a “Huge” Hitchens, Harris, Dawkins, Dennett and definitely Matt Dillahaunty fan I now must expand my personal “go to” list for arguing my case against religious beliefs to include this video. Perhaps it will take the top position!
I am pleased and proud to affirm the work of Freedom From Religion, Anne Nicole Gaylor, and Annie Laurie Gaylor. I, too, found the bible to be a book of hate, prejudice, and destruction of family and social systems as well as modern practices and policies of religion that tries to tie our government to their beliefs. The Founding Father and Mothers clearly worked for separation of government from religion.
It is just a painful read. And it bangs on and on about just gibberish. I find it mentally hard to engage with because it is just plain old fashioned drivel.
Loved this video, thank you! The main reason I rejected religion, aside from all the blatant insanity, was the misogyny. Men write a book about a male god, that creates men (in his image, of course) to lord over, and control everything on Earth, including women. How convenient! lol
It couldn't be more obvious that the Bible was written by Bronze-Age men of Middle Eastern patriarchal culture and values. No, thank you! How absurd that anyone would think that we should live by their teachings!
People wonder why religion is “under attack”, but those people don’t realize religion leads to warped priorities. This is why church and state must stay separate and we can’t allow religious beliefs to inform the real world. The extremely religious Texas lieutenant governor Dan Patrick said about the virus and getting the economy going, “there’s more important things than living”. Now tell me that wasn’t a religiously motivated statement. Nobody would say that crud unless they believed in an afterlife or some kind of higher power to which they are beholden. Living is the bare minimum of existence, everything else is just gravy.
It's amazing that even 40 years after the production of this video, that the situation is probably worse rather than better. The "Religionists" (of all the different flavors) are determined to stay in positions of power and/or authority. Someone (I unfortunately don't recall who it was) once said: "There are really only two types of people in the world, the religious and the sane " That pretty well sums it up for me. Like Ron Reagan, I'm a proud Atheist, & not afraid of burning in Hell!!
I think a somewhat unconscious key issue that keep people from coming to your way of seeing is the fear of dying. It took the death of my very religious father for me to fully escape the subconscious fear of death. I saw that he lived 30+ years going to a fundamentalist church, wore out 13 King James version bibles, and paid his tithes every Sunday but yet in the end he had this incredible fear that his last thought would be "bad" and he would die and go to hell for eternity. I cried many times because for the suffering he endured solely due to ignorance! Having this invisible deity in the sky that can smite you at anytime is such a good con for controlling the ignorant. Many of those that can't be controlled by fear can be seduced by the great eternal promise of everlasting life! Perhaps the greatest con ever unleashed upon mere mortals!
This is amazing! See how good a film can communicate a message when you leave it to women? You all are wonderful, thank you for your labor and service in making this film all these years ago :)
This was so good. Watching it I realized the scenery looked familiar. I never knew FFRF was started in Madison Wi. Our once progressive state is struggling. I voted in person, during a pandemic. I never thought that would happen.
I also live in Wisconsin and was utterly disgusted that we were forced to go out and vote like we were. I did however take some time to laugh that the Republicans attempt 2 eliminate certain votes backfired on them when they lost their guy running for the court. I don't entirely agree that this state was ever Progressive however. Possibly in the the more populated metropolitan areas but Wisconsin is heavily rural and as such, I believe the state to be purple rather than blue or red. I can't seem to throw a stone down the street without hitting three or four Trump supporters and I'm constantly harassed for being openly atheist. I don't pressure anyone and don't proselytize my atheism. I simply choose to tell people when asked that I have no belief in any gods and don't understand why anybody would.
5:38 Good example of how a polite suggestion to a religious person can be helpful vs. being assertive or condescending. Ruth Green said, "...the suggestion from a relative that the Bible might not be all that I thought it was."
The state/church separation is a concept I learned in fifth grade. It baffles me that many politicians don’t agree with this concept. I’m sure deep down they do, but they’re being dishonest with us and with themselves.
That first woman (and all the interviewees) exposed Christianity (and religion in general) for what it is. I wish more people would have listened back then but what they said was pretty darn bold and straightforward.
The Constitution, which the Bill of Rights amends, is not really indifferent, it’s simply godless. The Constitution’s three mentions of religion are exclusionary: banning religious tests for public office, prohibiting the government from aligning with one religion over another and religion over nonreligion, and guaranteeing the freedom of thought and belief. In other words, the Constitution keeps God out of the business of government and government out of the business of worshipping God. Jefferson did not cite a god as the source of our rights and even the “endowed by their Creator” phrase did not appear in his draft of the declaration. It was added later by Ben Franklin or John Adams. Elsewhere in the declaration - relying on “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God”- and in writings penned both before and after the declaration, Jefferson rejected the idea of God-given rights. Rights are not given by politicians or gods, or men who think they talk to god. Rights are asserted. Once they are asserted, they must be defended. They are derived from natural-laws, not derived from some invisible, transcendent, supernatural, fictional psychopath of the Judean desert. “The civil rights of none shall be abridged on account of religious belief or worship, nor shall any national religion be established.” ~James Madison Page 451 of the Annals of Congress House of Representatives, 1st Congress, 1st session Monday, June 8, 1789 Article 11, Treaty of Tripoli: "The Government of the United States is in no sense founded on the Christian Religion." Actual verifiable quotes from U.S. Presidents, starting off with James Madison: President James Madison said “A just government has no need for the clergy or the church.” Thomas Jefferson: “I do not find in Christianity one redeeming feature.” Years later Abraham Lincoln said “The Bible is not my book, nor Christianity my religion.” The USA is in no way a “Christian Nation”, anyone that says it is, is a liar or ill-informed. Or both.
This is The BEST piece of information for atheists I have ever heard on one place in my life. I can see me memorizing it for future use. Especially the parts about women and gods attitude towards women.
The Born Again Skeptic's Guide to the Bible by Ruth Hurmence Green has been one if my favorite books. It's great to see her talking here. Thankful for the FFRF.
Great! So true that few people know what’s in the Bible. The God of the Old Testament is a monster and most of it is horrific. Yet Jesus never condemns any of it, only saying he came to fulfill it, that none of it would pass away until fulfilled. A major focus is on what people believe, not on their behavior. What you say, not what you do.
At first glance one would think that Ruth is a typical church going lady, with the hair and glasses and all, it's not long before you realize she is very articulate, smart lady with nice touch of sarcastic barb wit, gotta love the vintage interviewing style, glad I stumbled upon this video
That Ruth Green is or was a woman way ahead of her time. She is, or was a brilliant orator for the atheist viewpoint!. Being that this is a 40-year-old programme, Mrs Green will have passed on by now, but her words live on through this video programme. Well done, FFRF for rescreening this.
Please share this excellent documentary with everyone. It is filled with many examples of why the bible and other so-called religious documents are so terribly harmful. This superb work has aged surprisingly well. Keep up the good, honest work. FFRF is one of several deserving, nonprofit beneficiaries of my estate.
This is how I raised my children as well. Accept nothing simply because someone says so. Any religion worth its salt should be able to provide solid evidence to back it up. Empirical evidence, not circular reasoning
absolutely adore Ruth. I could agree that she has become courageous, wise, and noble in realizing the brainwashing of church teachings. She absolutely speaks of the many flaws old texts command in today's America. I could see her being a strong, protective grandmother of her family, never allowing religious teachings as mandatory.
What a wonderfully measured delivery. You can't really argue with it, without being intellectually dishonest. Really inspiring woman.
I love this woman, Ruth. Her common sense put into words is so empowering for me, being that I was raised Christian.
Looking at her, I never would have guesses she were Atheist, and a bold one, at that.
What a great documentary! So many intelligent women speaking up against the damages and horrors of religion. True and important to this day.
and it will always be. Glad she has paved way for atheism
It just surprised me to a) hear that there were women of reason in that time, and b) understand my parents never exposed me to much outside of church.
Properly read, the Bible is the most potent force for atheism ever conceived -- Isaac Asimov
That's what sealed the deal for me. September 11, 2001 is what made me anti theist
Only if you actually read it which most Christians do not.
My family made sure I was immersed deeply into this religion and it’s teachings. I school, I was learning a little about science which was not presented that opposed religion, but in my head I was always trying to mingle the two which is impossible even though I was just 10 or 11 years old. By the time I was 20, I had run through many possibilities that let religion and reality (science) cohabitate in and around what is true and in each iteration I was thrown against a dead end... an impasse. The only conclusion I could come to is that I had been deceived into believing that the supernatural was real at a young age where it is easier to indoctrinate. The last time I was a believer was when the crew of Apollo 8 read from genesis on there return trip from the moon. Now when I see and hear that historic time in space travel, I feel embarrassed for all mankind.
Freedom of religion must include freedom from religion.
Correct. You can never be free to have your own religion until you are first free from being forced to practice any other.
Well said.
Excellent @Carolyn
You should put that into quotes and give credit to the original author.
@@misssarahashplant31 Yes, however, carolynwebb5043 did not come up with that phrase. It's commonly shared among Atheists.
Annie I am so proud of you, you a a real wonderful woman and Dan is so privileged to have you as his wife and partner ! - You both are a very good, combination and are my Heros !! - WELL DONE AND CONTINUE THE GOOD WORK !! FREE OUR PEOPLE FROM THIS RELIGIOUS B/S !!!
So many intelligent and articulate individuals in this video. A pleasure to watch.
Imagine the courage she must have had. A grandmother in Missouri in the early 80s speaking out the way she did
Yes! I love her for telling it like it is! I agree with everything she says
9:10 "children shouldn't be exposed to the TERRORS of the Christian religion."
Or any religion for that matter.
I exposed my child to it when she was old enough to cope with it, so she would know what she was dealing with. I agree though it is not for the really young forming minds. I got it it given to me as a child in small woolly lamb doses. Gosh what a shock when I was old enough to understand it. I was such a dumb cluck I played witth the animal two by two ark without even thinking about the drowning bit. I really needed my daughter to wise up a bit quicker.
What a superb summing up of what Religion really is, and why it's so dangerous.
And dishonest
The best part was looking for good things in the bible was like wading through the sewer looking for a gem! And Michael, the greatest dishonesty in the world is religion. Read the bible with an open mind.
I agree with Annie Laurie Gaylor. I'm a man, and yet I don't think anyone should be sacrificed just to please an imaginary deity. I've read the Bible when I was a boy, and as an adult. And neither time, the stories and passages made sense to me. It appalled me how men were allowed to treat women and girls so brutally.
Jason Carpp Or even sacrifice anyone to a _real_ deity, if there were such a thing. No deity worthy of worship would even condone such a thing, much less demand it.
God made man?? Rather men, bronze aged men, made god
And the way they Still treat woman! Why do men consider women to be lesser humans? Men seem primarily seem to only use women for their physical form .
Bingo. Where has this video been? You know parts of this video could be used as ads during the Super Bowl.
FFRF. You consistently keep getting all of this right. You are the King of Free Thought.
The most important element coming this film, is a absolute wall of separation between church and state. The reality is that religion does poison everything.
Dave Schoenfeld the problem is that if religion is free from government then putting religion over democracy is a revolutionary act and the most regressive religious people will see themselves as freedom fighters.
I live in Denmark where most, almost everyone, are baptized and a member of the state church, but yet I don't know a single person who consider themselves to be Christian. Not one. I'm not even exaggerating.
That's why the founding fathers created the Constitution. No religion of any kind can change one word of it.
Thank you so much for sharing this film!
I think I just found a new heroine, Ruth Green! In 1980 she is intelligent and offers a cohesive argument against religion that is now become more mainstream! Nice job ladies!
Ruth is best! I loved listen to her! Rut har ruter! She tells how it is!
I love this video! The FFRF has a wonderful history, and such a marvelous present.
You read my brain.
Separation of church and state needs to be enforced! Religions corrupt the mind and is misogynistic.
@Paul Morgan Australia too has empty churches.
@Paul Morgan round where I live in the UK there was a church or chapel on each street end. Almost all denominations were represented All but a few are now flats and wine bars The community church has to share a space with Methodists that have too few people to keep it.
@Paul Morgan so true. I find it amuzing that a good number of them have been converted to mosks. Talk about slap in the face.
It’s amazing that these things were being discussed in 1980. These women were ahead of almost everyone.
Yeah, in the USA they were. (Not in my country)
Miles ahead.
In America, yes.
I am so in ahhh and thankful for these and every women who finds the courage to fight these frightful echos of our barbaric past ! All of the love peace and hope that I possess is because of you ! ❤️🏡
Why? It probably would have been more so 20-30 years earlier.
Thank you Annie for your work over the years. How any woman can adhere to any religion, especially Islam, is beyond comprehension.
Indeed. I was born and I grew up in strong moslem environment; I practiced that religion not knowing exactly what it all means… just following what others around me did. To say that I am glad I do not have to be that way anymore I think is selfish because I suspect many, if not thousands want to be free thinking, reasoning too but finding it very challenging.
@@Missusri I was just thinking how people, particularly women, in Islamic-dominant nations, don't have a choice. At the international level (U.N.), this should be considered a human rights violation.
I didn't become atheist until i was 42 years old! It was very liberating. It's amazing to watch this that this was happening back them.
Oh my goodness, I love Ruth! If she was my neighbor, we'd be good friends and we'd talk about all these kinds of things all the time and discuss philosophical goodness over the news and stuff, man I wish more people were like Ruth, and I wish i were around to praise her intellect in that time!
You at ffrf are true heroes. The society that the religious fundamentalist's want to create would not even be good for them. Just look at Iran and Saudi Arabia. Two examples of how it ends when religion rules.
I discovered this not too long after I realized I was an atheist. In rewatching today, I think it would be interesting for FFRF to do an updated version. I think the religious landscape in this country has changed a lot since 1980, so there would be quite a lot changed.
Well said, This needs to happen. I adore and admire both Anne and Dan, they are certainly capable
I’m always proud to be a member of FFRF and when I see something like this, I feel even more proud. Thank you Ann, for what you started and thank you Annie Lori for your commitment to what she started!!❤️❤️
It makes me extremely extremely angry that people won't just practice Christianity by themself. They have to impose it onto the government, their friends and families, even going so far as to oppress multiple people groups, on racial, sexual, and religious grounds.
Why would "practicing Christianity by themselves" be a good thing either? Abusing your own children is still a crime.
There's areas of the country that are trying to get religion class in public schools. Religion is declining at a rapid pace. They see religion dying and they're doing everything they can to resurrect it. pun intended
Proselytizing is central to practicing Christianity & Islam. if you keep it to yourself your not practicing; that’s a key problem of the dominant religions of the world
Because they firmly believe that they are saving peoples lives.
I just watched FFRF and Dan Barker's interview on Oprah in 1984. I find it inspiring. I became an atheist last year after being a devoted Christian for more than 20 years.
This video is brilliant !! This is the kind of knowledge we should show our children, it should be taught at schools all over the world.
Annie Laurie Gaylor was so articulate even back then and such head turner. She came out of the gate roaring.
Brilliant, eloquent, intelligent women in a row. Happy to watch this.
You are not Kidding! Very fine examples of Women Hood. I wish they were in my family tree.
Thanks a lot, everything becomes clearer, now I see the light! 🙂
I was in a debate with a christian that I went to church with for several years. We are now on opposite sides of the spectrum. I told him that "we" don't get our morals from the bible or god, he mocked me. Thing finally got to a point that I had to block any further communication. There is no reasoning with some people.
Sad really. I have had the same debate with others. I ask them, "Who is the better man, the person who does good because he believes he should do good things out of consideration for his fellow man, or the person who does good because he believes if he doesn't he will be punished in hellfire forever by his all loving god?" I never get a satisfactory answer... :)
Well, the Bible has something relevant to say about this...don’t cast pearls before swine
"I think it is the most diabolical unfairness that was ever taught or devised". Yep, sums it up. FFRF, keep up the good work.
I could only imagine the comments that result from that name. HaHa!
I love you guys! Thank you for sharing this wonderful historical document. It makes me feel like part of the family to have witnessed this.
Fabulous. Excellent dismantling of religion in general and the bible in particular. I hope the foundation is flourishing.
I had never seen this before. Thanks you.
Likewise, never seen this until now. Has it been suppressed in any way?
I LOVE this video! THANK you for sharing! I hope you have more historic videos in the archive!
Terrific historic film!
Thanks FFR for showing this video. I had no idea how many people, young and old were so open and against religion that decade.
FRFF for showing this video.
"I read every page of this book and didn't find enough love to fill a salt shaker " oh Ruth 💜💐 Anni Laurie - your mom was such a beautifully spoken lady . You are so much like her 😌
Could have used Lots wife in the salt shaker 🧂
I love that first woman that was interviewed. The way she speaks of the bible is hilarious. I would love to see more of her.
READ HER BOOK!
@@bobh5087 I didn't know she wrote one. Thanks for pointing that out, I will most definitely read her book
This is pretty amazing! Especially the fabulous feminism of Annie Laurie Gaylor. And I find it interesting that most of the discussion was between women because my experience growing up in the South is that women are often the ones who push religious worldviews the hardest in their families.
I absolutely loved this video. They are my thoughts since the mid seventies. I can’t believe I never saw this.
Thank you
Great post, thank you so much for this.
Thanks for sharing the video! I'm surrounded by religion and its uplifting to hear others that feel the way I do .
Being a “Huge” Hitchens, Harris, Dawkins, Dennett and definitely Matt Dillahaunty fan I now must expand my personal “go to” list for arguing my case against religious beliefs to include this video. Perhaps it will take the top position!
It wouldn’t be hard not because others are poor this one is just very good. These women are excellent.
I am pleased and proud to affirm the work of Freedom From Religion, Anne Nicole Gaylor, and Annie Laurie Gaylor. I, too, found the bible to be a book of hate, prejudice, and destruction of family and social systems as well as modern practices and policies of religion that tries to tie our government to their beliefs. The Founding Father and Mothers clearly worked for separation of government from religion.
Great post! Many thanks once again.
Very pertinent for our time!
Everyone in the whole world needs to watch this. Thank you for FFRF and the others in this video
*I wish every Christian would read the Bible. I challenge them to get past Ezekiel and not come to the conclusion that it's all bullshit!!!*
Never underestimate the power of stupid and wishful thinking.
The bullshit starts from first verse of genesis. You'll notice that even if you try reading it with open mind.
It is just a painful read. And it bangs on and on about just gibberish. I find it mentally hard to engage with because it is just plain old fashioned drivel.
What a treasure this blast from the past is.
It really is treasure. I wonder why I haven't heard of it before now.
Loved this video, thank you!
The main reason I rejected religion, aside from all the blatant insanity, was the misogyny.
Men write a book about a male god, that creates men (in his image, of course) to lord over, and control everything on Earth, including women. How convenient! lol
It couldn't be more obvious that the Bible was written by Bronze-Age men of Middle Eastern patriarchal culture and values. No, thank you! How absurd that anyone would think that we should live by their teachings!
I really wish more people would take the time to read the Bible for themselves to know first hand it is the most immoral book there is.
Just remember, the devil is also written as male. Both characters symbolic of how man sees himself.
People wonder why religion is “under attack”, but those people don’t realize religion leads to warped priorities. This is why church and state must stay separate and we can’t allow religious beliefs to inform the real world.
The extremely religious Texas lieutenant governor Dan Patrick said about the virus and getting the economy going, “there’s more important things than living”. Now tell me that wasn’t a religiously motivated statement. Nobody would say that crud unless they believed in an afterlife or some kind of higher power to which they are beholden. Living is the bare minimum of existence, everything else is just gravy.
It's amazing that even 40 years after the production of this video, that the situation is probably worse rather than better. The "Religionists" (of all the different flavors) are determined to stay in positions of power and/or authority. Someone (I unfortunately don't recall who it was) once said: "There are really only two types of people in the world, the religious and the sane " That pretty well sums it up for me. Like Ron Reagan, I'm a proud Atheist, & not afraid of burning in Hell!!
I think a somewhat unconscious key issue that keep people from coming to your way of seeing is the fear of dying. It took the death of my very religious father for me to fully escape the subconscious fear of death. I saw that he lived 30+ years going to a fundamentalist church, wore out 13 King James version bibles, and paid his tithes every Sunday but yet in the end he had this incredible fear that his last thought would be "bad" and he would die and go to hell for eternity. I cried many times because for the suffering he endured solely due to ignorance! Having this invisible deity in the sky that can smite you at anytime is such a good con for controlling the ignorant. Many of those that can't be controlled by fear can be seduced by the great eternal promise of everlasting life! Perhaps the greatest con ever unleashed upon mere mortals!
This is amazing! See how good a film can communicate a message when you leave it to women? You all are wonderful, thank you for your labor and service in making this film all these years ago :)
Please keep us updated about the convention as we know that it is still on as of today. Thank you for all of the great work!
This was so good. Watching it I realized the scenery looked familiar. I never knew FFRF was started in Madison Wi. Our once progressive state is struggling. I voted in person, during a pandemic. I never thought that would happen.
I also live in Wisconsin and was utterly disgusted that we were forced to go out and vote like we were. I did however take some time to laugh that the Republicans attempt 2 eliminate certain votes backfired on them when they lost their guy running for the court.
I don't entirely agree that this state was ever Progressive however. Possibly in the the more populated metropolitan areas but Wisconsin is heavily rural and as such, I believe the state to be purple rather than blue or red. I can't seem to throw a stone down the street without hitting three or four Trump supporters and I'm constantly harassed for being openly atheist. I don't pressure anyone and don't proselytize my atheism. I simply choose to tell people when asked that I have no belief in any gods and don't understand why anybody would.
A good reading and understanding of the bible is the best an a fast way to atheism. Excellent video, I love it, thanxx.
Just a beautifully produced modest and fair analysis. Ignorance, is always the enemy!
5:38 Good example of how a polite suggestion to a religious person can be helpful vs. being assertive or condescending. Ruth Green said, "...the suggestion from a relative that the Bible might not be all that I thought it was."
Excellent point.
Wow! I love this interview. I am glad to have watched it. Many thanks for your good work.
This Lady's book is fantastic. I'm on my third reading of it right at this moment. It is still available from FFRF.
Please indicate the book (title and author) you are referring to. It sounds interesting and I would like to purchase a copy. Thank you.
@@toddlarson6846 The book is: The Born Again Skeptic's Guide To The Bible by Ruth Hurmence Green, per the video.
The state/church separation is a concept I learned in fifth grade. It baffles me that many politicians don’t agree with this concept. I’m sure deep down they do, but they’re being dishonest with us and with themselves.
Thanks for sharing this. The arguments this film makes are stronger today than ever!!!
That first woman (and all the interviewees) exposed Christianity (and religion in general) for what it is. I wish more people would have listened back then but what they said was pretty darn bold and straightforward.
This had many great points, and I wish I'd seen this years ago. Thanks for doing such a great job and for renewing interest in this release.
I wish Ruth were my grandmother as she is sensitive and observant of what is ignored by so many who call themselves chriistians..
She is a fine example of women hood. Her intelligence is highly underrated.
The Constitution, which the Bill of Rights amends, is not really indifferent, it’s simply godless. The Constitution’s three mentions of religion are exclusionary: banning religious tests for public office, prohibiting the government from aligning with one religion over another and religion over nonreligion, and guaranteeing the freedom of thought and belief. In other words, the Constitution keeps God out of the business of government and government out of the business of worshipping God.
Jefferson did not cite a god as the source of our rights and even the “endowed by their Creator” phrase did not appear in his draft of the declaration. It was added later by Ben Franklin or John Adams. Elsewhere in the declaration - relying on “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God”- and in writings penned both before and after the declaration, Jefferson rejected the idea of God-given rights. Rights are not given by politicians or gods, or men who think they talk to god. Rights are asserted. Once they are asserted, they must be defended. They are derived from natural-laws, not derived from some invisible, transcendent, supernatural, fictional psychopath of the Judean desert.
“The civil rights of none shall be abridged on account of religious belief or worship, nor shall any national religion be established.”
~James Madison
Page 451 of the Annals of Congress
House of Representatives, 1st Congress, 1st session
Monday, June 8, 1789
Article 11, Treaty of Tripoli: "The Government of the United States is in no sense founded on the Christian Religion."
Actual verifiable quotes from U.S. Presidents, starting off with James Madison:
President James Madison said “A just government has no need for the clergy or the church.”
Thomas Jefferson: “I do not find in Christianity one redeeming feature.”
Years later Abraham Lincoln said “The Bible is not my book, nor Christianity my religion.”
The USA is in no way a “Christian Nation”, anyone that says it is, is a liar or ill-informed. Or both.
This is The BEST piece of information for atheists I have ever heard on one place in my life. I can see me memorizing it for future use. Especially the parts about women and gods attitude towards women.
The Born Again Skeptic's Guide to the Bible by Ruth Hurmence Green has been one if my favorite books. It's great to see her talking here.
Thankful for the FFRF.
Ruth Green! Long Live Ruth Green, I'm just grateful for her intelligence, I will carry her knowledge of the bible everywhere! One Love
Great! So true that few people know what’s in the Bible. The God of the Old Testament is a monster and most of it is horrific. Yet Jesus never condemns any of it, only saying he came to fulfill it, that none of it would pass away until fulfilled. A major focus is on what people believe, not on their behavior. What you say, not what you do.
These r the real women of the world and they speak with intelligence and have exposed religion for what it really is.....
At first glance one would think that Ruth is a typical church going lady, with the hair and glasses and all, it's not long before you realize she is very articulate, smart lady with nice touch of sarcastic barb wit, gotta love the vintage interviewing style, glad I stumbled upon this video
Yes, Ruth and Annie, too would easily be mistaken for "good church ladies." LOL
That Ruth Green is or was a woman way ahead of her time. She is, or was a brilliant orator for the atheist viewpoint!. Being that this is a 40-year-old programme, Mrs Green will have passed on by now, but her words live on through this video programme. Well done, FFRF for rescreening this.
That's some educated women rigth there
I so agree my friend!
Excellent video. Great reference. Might be time to make a new version with Annie Laurie as the moderator and current events.
Excellent video! I usually keep my mouth shut around holy rollers. I guess I should be more open about my skepticism.
Please share this excellent documentary with everyone. It is filled with many examples of why the bible and other so-called religious documents are so terribly harmful. This superb work has aged surprisingly well. Keep up the good, honest work. FFRF is one of several deserving, nonprofit beneficiaries of my estate.
Religion was kept out our house. I tried to generate the idea of free thinking and questioning. They are two weapons the Bible cannot stand up to.
This is how I raised my children as well. Accept nothing simply because someone says so. Any religion worth its salt should be able to provide solid evidence to back it up. Empirical evidence, not circular reasoning
I just watched them on an old Oprah video from 1984, recent atheist at that time Dan Barker is on there too.
What wonderful group of women! It is/was a pity that this video was not more widely available many years ago!
I would have been 9 years old when this was released. I wish I'd seen it THEN!!
I wish I had listen to it hundreds of times! I was 12 years old when this was released.
This is great!
Great job! I love you women for making and posting this terrific critique of the "holy book".
Still very powerful! Thanks.
This is one of the most clear and to the point review of religion that is out there. I congratulate the presenter.
Great informative video!
What a delightful film.
Ruth is downright scathing towards the Bible. I love it! Also, wow, Annie Laurie barely looks like she's aged a day!
Ruth puts the smack down on the bible. Good for her.
I love her unadulterated honesty! If she was a rapper, she'll be Jay-Z.... she spitt'en bars!!!!
absolutely adore Ruth. I could agree that she has become courageous, wise, and noble in realizing the brainwashing of church teachings. She absolutely speaks of the many flaws old texts command in today's America. I could see her being a strong, protective grandmother of her family, never allowing religious teachings as mandatory.
Thank you so much for showing us that..... very refreshing to see such strong statements way back in the 80s
Reading the bible is like looking for diamonds in a mountain of dung.
More like diving for nickles at the bottom of a diarrhea pool :-/
...and pretending you've found them...
To all three comments above: Lol and👍🏼.
That film aged very well. Still great today.
Awesome video
Great video! Thanks for sharing.
GREAT !!!
Ruth is ruthless.
If only she could speak her mind a little more 😤
She is from Missouri. They tend to be blunt but fair.
If this ain't gold, I don't know what is. This video is an absolute keeper.