TTA Podcast 206: I Was Outed!
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- Опубликовано: 6 фев 2025
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It's one thing to "come out" as an atheist (or even someone with doubts) to associates, friends and family. It's another thing to be "outed" by someone else, often against your knowledge or wishes.
This podcast talks about the challenges, both personal and professional, of those who've had their non-belief exposed on someone else's terms.
Seth's "letter" of encouragement: www.thethinking...
i came out to my mom (a JW) when she kept asking me when i was going to go back to church, and i told her im a atheist and bi/pan sexual, and that is when she told me to not to try to convert my little brother and i said, i dont go and knock on peoples doors like you do.
When I told my parents that I wasn't Christian anymore, my mom's main concern was that she had failed me as a mother. I told her, "Quite the opposite. You should be proud. You raised a son who can look at the information and make his own decisions, who can think for himself." They seem to have accepted that thus far.
Funny thing. A lot of Christians haven't read the Bible all the way through. I've read it and am convinced the Old Testament isn't monotheistic at all. It's henotheism with a few monotheistic verses squeezed in.
Almost as if the rabbinic writers who put the Old Testament together on scrolls noticed that their myths or earlier writings weren't monotheistic enough and decided to edit the text by writing in some monotheistic verse. You can tell the Bible has been edited and revised multiple times just by reading it.
I guard my atheism very closely. Being in the marvellous Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I will not just upset my parents or relatives. I will die in prison of old age, with everyone hating my guts and turning away.
Likely, internet has so many like minded people. Feels me less alone.
Great podcast ! Keep them coming
Rahman, come visit me in Japan for some real pizza and some real world conversation. Make an excuse and you're welcome in my atheist home here in the land of the rising sun. :)
Im sorry man. That's messed up.
If there ever was a reason to have a "thumbs down - hate that this is even possible nowadays" on youtube, then this is it.
Thanks for the quick lesson in perspective.
I hope you get to leave one day..I fear for people who actually do want freedom and live there, one wrong thing said or if the Saudi government sees something online and tracks it to you, you could get lashings or death..or lashings and a long jail sentence :/
I was outed against my will. It isn't the fact that I was outed that bothers me, but the fact that I was outed to the court during my fight for custody of my daughter which has negatively impacted my ability to spend time with my daughter. Circumstances haven't allowed me to effectively fight back for my parental rights. So to those who have been outed, I feel your pain.
A similar case happened to a friend of mine in Georgia. His ex-manifesto got custody because he is an atheist, even though she is abusive and an alcoholic. Once he tried to renegotiate the terms of his alimony/child-support because she had been wasting the money on alcohol, but he was forced to pay several thousand for emotional damage. The kids hate their mother and are miserable. These types of situations happen a lot, you aren't alone.
I meant to say ex-wife, I have no idea how that got changed.
haha ex-manifesto worked as well. i got painted as an evil monster. you should hear some of the things i have been alleged to have done or said. the ACLU is in the process of trying to help me out, but given how things are going right now in general, time is a valuable thing of which i have little. your friend should definitely talk to the ACLU. it is illegal to use one's religion or lack thereof as grounds for keeping a child away from a parent, unless you can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that said religion or belief system is and can and will harm a child in ways that the mainstream religions haven't done yet.
I feel very free and comfortable discussing my atheism. I am 65 and my beliefs became fused by the age 14. My parents were liberal christians and very well educated, instilling in me the power to make my own decisions regarding religion, even if it meant turning away from their cherished beliefs, for which I am eternally grateful. I am a scientist which is where my faith lies.
I've been lucky. I have never, nor have I ever had to hide my atheism. I live in a very conservative state, my entire family is religious, but none are bible beaters. My family has religious beliefs that are very different from each other. My Grandmother's reaction to finding out I'm an atheist was "OK".
Now, I have dealt with some condescension from family members, some subtle passive aggressive comments. When I was unemployed my step mother would tell me that her church group was praying for me to get a job that I had interviewed for. My response was to say thank you for the support, but to paraphrase Daniel Dennet and ask if they sacrificed a goat too. My father would always laugh his ass off when I asked that.
hey! at least they have a sense of humor!
A few years ago, I was over at my folks house, and there was some discussion about religion, I don't remember what exactly was said, but I ended up stating that I was Agnostic. I think my father had known for a long time that had a lot of doubts about there being a god, but my mother a devout Christian was shocked, and said "we didn't raise you that way." I didn't have it in my heart to tell her that it was how she raised me.
What ever you talk about on the Podcast (youtube) I will listen. You are a Master Storyteller.
Now wait a minute, let's not get carried away here. If Seth starts doing makeover podcasts or sports commentary, I will NOT listen to that!
DeeShannon Garrison Inside this 13.7 billion year old universe there has never ever been a pass exactly like that and there never ever will be again!
Agreed. I would happily listen to off topic episodes. As a slight aside, I have no idea how some persuasive agent hasn't snagged Seth be an audio book narrator.
DeeShannon Garrison I bet he can make golf seems interesting.He's a great storyteller.
***** Beautifully written, Seth. Your letter at the end damn near brought a tear to my eye, and your video "Afterlife" is one of my favorite videos on RUclips. You certainly have a way with words and a way of bringing us together. Thank you so much for your brilliant insights and encouragements. :)
I agree with using your The Thinking Atheist channel as the hub for the off topic podcasts. Some of my favorite TTA podcast are the off topic/unspecified podcasts.
I quite enjoy the idea of having an extra podcast on TheThinkingAtheist from time to time. An additional broadcast would be appreciated every once and a while. TheThinkingAtheist is fantastic but I do enjoy when you change gears and go on tangents. Your show is fantastic; keep up the good work Seth!
During my teenage years, around 15 or 16, I started going to my library to explore points of view that were different than mine and how I was brought up in the church. At the time, I was on a path to a career in ministry, but I had that nagging feeling that I didn't know the whole story. So I started reading. Everything from Plato, Spinoza, Hegel, Hume, Kierkegaard, etc. I read a lot (wish I still had the time).
I don't even remember who I may have discussed this exploration with, but somehow it got to my church youth group. Members of my youth group, including the youth pastor pretty much shamed me out of the church, of which I had been quite active (twice on Sunday, once on Wednesday, puppeteer for the small children, sound man volunteer).
At about this time, the pastor of my church was being forced out. I had gone to this particular church from the time I was about 8 years old. I don't know why we switched churches - I'd been raised in the church and my preschool Sunday School teacher had been my grandmother . There was a strong congregation when we started to go there, but it hit a nadir shortly after pastor Angel (his real last name) ended up getting divorced due to his marital infidelities. The church shrunk to about 60 attendees. His replacement, who had a great message and really cared about people grew the congregation back to about 200 people/Sunday. For the size of the fellowship hall, this was a packed house
He was getting forced out because he wasn't preaching enough hellfire and brimstone. His message of love and the golden rule was not strong enough for the church elders. The reaction that I got for being curious about outside thoughts, and the forcing out of a good man who really walked the walk of Christianity removed the scales from my eyes and I could no longer believe. My church basically made me an atheist - they at least pushed me over the edge.
I'll always chill with you, Seth.
Yes...using this program to discuss other topics would be just fine. I don't see why it would be necessary to create another. I fancy myself a "thinking atheist" and I think about other things. Keep up the good work.
Seconded that it would be neat to have off-topic podcasts
I'm fine with other topics as well. As long as Seth doesn't start doing "let's play's".
and now for something completely different
I'm good with other topics.
I finally listened to a podcast all the way through! And this rocked. Go Seth! I'm usually too distracted, but today, I listened to the whole thing. I'm so glad I did!
I just tuned in and your dog retching sound on the bed just gave me the best laugh for today. Great stuff, my friend.
If it bounces when it barks, it ain't a DOG!
I have to say that, as somebody who grew up in virtually completely atheistic country, I find those often rather dramatic "outing out" scenes in equal way fascinating, sad and funny. When I was a kid, religion was something only old, possibly senile people practice, because it didn't make any sense that anyone normal could take it seriously. My suspicion deepened after I read the Bible for a first time when I was about ten years old. It rather boring, yet interesting stories in it, but I didn't understand back then how could anyone believe those were real. Come on, the Flood? Creation of the World? Even to my children eyes those were clearly just legends, and I haven't paid religion any attention for many years after that.
But few years ago I accidentally stumbled over Aron Ra's video on the ten commandments, found it really funny and started looking for more... and I was astonished. I knew about places like the "Bible Belt", televangelists and faith healers, but I never before realised that in modern day USA religion play such a big role. I would've never guessed that anyone in the right state of mind would want to replace evolution in school curriculums with creationist nonsense. I had those things connected with fundamentalist middle eastern islamic states, but somehow never knew it was such a big problem in your country and I find it utterly fascinating.
All I wanted to say is good luck in your fight. I hope one day the reason will prevail and you'll be also able to look at this religious nonsense as a thing of the past.
Do whatever you what. Keeping it on this channel would make it easier for me. Anything you want to talk about it always OK with me, for what it is worth.
Thanks for all your shows.
Paul
Hey Seth my name is Will. For my 11th grade English project I have to interview someone semi famous. Most of my friends are doing news anchors and senators but I thought it would be cool to interview an atheist podcaster. I got to a conservative Christian school and it would be funny to see my friends and teachers reactions. So could you do a 30 minute interview and answer some questions?
Drop me a line and we'll chat. podcast@thethinkingatheist.com
That sounds so neat! I'd be interested in listening to this if it happens, be sure to post it!
That's a great idea, I could imagine it making for a great interview. Henry you've got to put a really good list of question together ... it be interesting to listen and hear how you put your thoughts into questions, and Seth, I'm sure you'll be more than up to the situation. A REALLY GREAT IDEA. Just remember Henry, you'll need to take the heat, you'll be stepping into a den of wolves ...
***** Henry Snider I would love to see what comes of this! Good on you Seth to consider offering your time.
*****
This would be so wizard. Seth you should do a whole video of Will's interview of you. Would love to see it.
I vote that it's a good idea to post them on the thinning atheist channel, I think the majority of us enjoy your off shoot podcasts, and since you're numbering your podcasts, this would get us to the next milestone podcast sooner ;)
my husband outed me when he excitedly ran to tell his fundamentalist family about his new freedom forgetting that they would not be as excited. i had to then back him when the heat came down so we are both out but not on my time or terms which was hard.
A Christian relative of mine commented on my post supporting gay marriage and when I brought up Biblical inconstancies she called me an enemy of God and unfriended me. She eventually "forgave me," but still her many, many posts about my inherent evilness really hurt.
What is Biblical inconstancies?
So you are inherentlly evil D:
Serino Modica According to my distant Aunt...yes. :)
Biblical inconsistencies are things that do not make sense. Such as the endorsement of slavery in both the New and Old Testament even though we all agree that slavery is wrong. It also applies to when the Bible contradicts itself such as the death of Judas and the creation of man and woman.
Tangerine Farmer I would have wrote it diffrently, i would have written "many post's about her believing that i am inherentlly evil really hurt's".
Serino Modica Ok, thanks that does make more sense.
Tangerine Farmer Well not only religion creates death it allso courses you to lose friend's, its a pity that she unfriended you & your lucky that she forgave you.
Did you & her have a close friendship?
Yes on "off the subject"!
Your atheist centered podcasts were key to my final straw, but having gone through so many arguments for a couple of years now, it'd be nice to listen to and learn about other items from like-minded people.
"God Bless You"...
My response: "May the Force be with you."
And my former religion shows when I reflexively answer "and also with you". *facepalm *
@@Luubelaar that kinda sounds like ‘The Handmaids Tale’.
I love your opening dialogue…..hahahahaha! Especially on this podcast!
I have cats and they have done the same thing from time to time! 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
I've had my life threatened because I wasn't a christian. So yeah, some people you can't out yourself too.
ZawNecrom Sad but true. I was getting out of the car at the grocery store an the woman didn't like the bumper sticker on my car (I was a pagan at the time). She told me 'I'd kill you _if I could get away with it_'. I just stared at her and said she needed professional help. She ran away after that. I called the cops but they wouldn't do shit..
And that wasn't the only time.
PhantomQueenOne That's really fucked up :/ I'm so sorry, and you are in the US? I didn't know that you could make death threats and get away with it, even if it pretants to religion. I'm in Canada, we have a lot of religious people too but they aren't as bad..I left Islam (converted and brainwashed into believing it's what I wanted by my ex) and told my parents I didn't believe at all in Christianity afterwards and my mom agreed and my dad didn't like that I didn't want Jesus in my life after but didn't threaten me..I've had friends that were Christians and got rid of me when I didn't wanna be Christian but nothing as serious :/ I'm sorry you had to go through that
Victoria P Sadly, yes. Here you have to *prove* you were threatened. I turned in one church in the small town I live in because they were violating the the separation of church and state clause of the constitution by permanently bolting a cross on inside wall of the city building they used to feed the poor every Tuesday night (while giving a hell-fire-and-damnation sermon the entire time). I turned them in anonymously to American's United for Separation of Church and State AU au.org/. And I'm glad I asked for my name not to be given. There were 'Save the cross' marches and hate-filled rages plastered all over the local newspapers, death threats in the Phoenix newspapers, and it was even on TV news. I stirred up a hornets nest alright. Even though the town manager did the right thing and took it down, the dumbfuck Teabillies don't understand it to this day. I'm quite sure I would have been found dead in a ditch or the house my daughter and I lived in would have been burned to the ground with us in it one night. The people here are as bonkers as any of the loons you see on Right Wing Watch www.rightwingwatch.org/.
Sadly the people here think America is a 'christian nation' and anyone that doesn't agree with them, and not to mention gays and any other religion deserve to be sentenced to death. They are just fucking nuts.
PhantomQueenOne wow :/ I knew it was crazy but not to that point, I'm glad you got out of it and that you didn't get scared and go back to it out of fear.
Those types of people should be in jail for threatening you!
The worst that happened to me when I told everyone I'm an atheist a couple years ago is my mormon sister didn't talk to me for about half a year. Shes ok with it now I hope, she at least hangs out with me again. My grandma always asks me to say the prayer when we have dinner with her, and my sister usually quicky says she'll do it. I know my family still cares about me but there is an obvious crack that forms when religious family finds out.
I "outed" myself. I hadn't really hidden the fact that I'm an atheist, but I'd never really openly said it to anyone but my wife. Well, one day I checked out audiobooks of The God Dilusion and A Universe From Nothing. I posted a picture of them on FB and said I was excited to listen to them and that I'd been waiting for them to be available for a while. After I posted it, I realized that was the first time I really had directly indicated that I didn't believe anymore. I shrugged it off and became completely open about my lack of belief from that day forward. Very freeing.
If you were to create another channel for non-atheist topics then I would absolutely subscribe an listen. I love the off-topic/random podcasts and i love you as a story teller!! But i'm also cool with the idea "off-topic-podcasts" on this channel. Whatever works best for you Seth, go for it! Thanks for everything you do
Re: 2:30 - We cat owners know the same situation, too. When I hear that sound (for cats it's less hacking than it is a wet gurgle), I am instantly awake, and somehow gain the ability to fly. It's annoying as hell, but in the grand scheme of things, they add so much more to our lives than that particular flaw subtracts.
"I'll be praying for you."... And while you're at it, please write a letter to Santa.
That is a good one.
@@benadams3569 I believe that's from an Aron Ra quote.
So, It is 1030pm. My Girlfriend and I have been in bed for about 2 1/2 hours or so when we suddenly hear the most awful retching noise coming from our dog. You are not kidding at all when you say you go from stage 4 REM sleep to hyper-alertness. I am now wide awake. My girlfriend and I used the opportunity to go out for a smoke before going back to bed, but me, of course, am wide awake. I remembered listening to your Podcast yesterday and decided to queue up the Henry story for my girlfriend before she retreated back to bed. It put a smile on her face before she went back to sleep. Thank you Seth. We love our baby Dawkins, and hearing that noise emanating from him was blood curdling to me. I think I handled it better because of your story otherwise I would think Dawkins had some some weird dog-asthma or something. I look forward to your "Off Topic" videos in the future.
Something else my girlfriend found yesterday that seemed to be closer to what our dog is actually doing is called Reverse-Sneezing, Yes, that is actually a thing. Reverse sneezing (also called backwards sneezing or inspiratory paroxysmal respiration) is a phenomenon observed in dogs, particularly in those with brachycephalic skulls. It is a fairly common respiratory event in dogs, but is rarely seen in cats. Its exact cause is unknown but may be due to nasal, pharyngeal, or sinus irritation (such as an allergy), the dog's attempt to remove mucus, or from over-excitement due to present activity. It is characterized by rapid and repeated forced inhalation through the nose, accompanied by snorting or gagging sounds. Though it may be distressing to the animal, it is not known to be harmful. Most dogs are completely normal before and after episodes. In addition, most dogs will have repeat episodes of reverse sneezing throughout their lives.
During a reverse sneeze, the dog will make rapid and long inspirations, stand still, and extend its head and neck. A loud snorting sound is produced.
Reverse sneezing also commonly occurs while the dog is asleep or immediately following a long nap. Other dogs may experience it following play, exercise, or meals. However, episodes are typically random. Though smaller dogs seem slightly more susceptible to reverse sneezing, any dog can develop it, regardless of size. It can also happen by breathing in dust.
I would totally love "Off the Subject" shows. Or a whole new channel, that rocks too. Even your non-atheism-related content is great, so I'd subscribe to either. When I listen to you talk about everyday stuff, even though I'm not saying anything, it still kinda feels like a conversation. Is that weird? To tell you the truth, sometimes it's kinda nice to listen to someone and know you're not going to hear something crazy come out of left field. It happens to me more often than you'd think, maybe I just attract crazy people.
I was outed by my sister-in-law to my religious mother-in-law and father-in-law. My sister-in-law is a wonderful person and had no ill intent. She just thought they already knew. Luckily my in-laws are good people and they haven't overreacted, though I'm sure they would rather their daughter and I were believers.
To be honest, I would love to talk with them about it. Her father is a mathematician and her mother is a really kind and thoughtful person. I feel like if I explained the reasons for my position, they might understand, even if they didn't agree, and that would be nice.
Seth, you had me rolling in the aisles with the puking Henry story. We have a Morkie that does the same thing. If any NFL scout saw how fast I can move from a dead state of REM, like you said, would probably sign me. Oh ya, our dog's name is Henry too. For some reason, my wife just lays there still asleep. What's that all about?
As a 70 year old lifelong (Anglican ) ATHEIST. Brits, as am I one (( born here and white )) are very disinclined and always have been non-religious here in the UK. Christianity was a mandatory obligation scholastically in my childhood and thankfully the practice died out in the 1960's but is still practiced even today as a serious negative cultural obligation. I wonder why an awful lot of my religious friends have died or are dying and I am very healthy and expect a long life without this Gord guy ( a deliberate typo non-error ). Seth, I do notice that you still refer to a fictional Deity as "god" as an entity not as a fictional wishful Savior for all our human lackings by the less savvy in our society.
GOD is not a noun, just dog spelt backwards. No disrespect meant, just honesty. Die I will, but in mine and natures OWN time. Love your Channel.. All the Best.
I accidentally outed my boyfriend and myself to my mother on Christmas day. (Merry Christmas mom!) For the longest time during the 4 years of our relationship I had told my mother he was an agnostic that grew up Episcopalian. I'm guessing it was easier for her to cope with since when someone is an agnostic christians almost take it as a challenge to "win" them back. I was talking to her on the phone on Christmas because she lives far away in the bible belt and I reside in a small town outside of Pittsburgh. During our conversation she mentioned something about being at this convention and how her and her friend weren't going to listen to this speaker because he was a old musician that use to play in bars and then he found christ and he plays in churches. She told me they ended up staying the entire time he spoke and she said that my boyfriend (who is a musician) was "on her heart" the entire time. She then asked me if he would be offended if she sent him the cd of the sermon and she blanketed it with that "he had a lot of useful tips about the music industry". I kindly told her that if she wanted to send it she could thar he wouldn't be offended. Delighted to know that he wouldn't be offended she continued to say how the "lord" placed it on her heart to share it with him 3 times and that's why she felt the need to ask. I don't know what made me say it but I said "he'll listen to it, but please don't get your hopes up. He's pretty heavily rooted into his atheism" the phone call went silent. I wish I could have taken back everything I had just said but it was too late. So I made the cop out move and said "I am too mom, I thought you knew that" I could feel the lump of sadness that was in her throat and she managed to suppress all emotion and said "well I didn't know that, you told me he was agnostic" I explained it was the basically the same thing to lack of better wording at the time. She then said she needed to call my older sister(who married an atheist), told me she missed me and she loved me and we hung up. And then I cried. I have not only let my mom down and made her feel like a complete failure raising me, I just knew the pain that she was feeling knowing that I too have abandoned everything she had spent the majority of her life working towards. I completely understand where she is coming from. However I feel she will never be able to look past this and have a normal mother daughter relationship with me ever again. For that reason right there I regret outing myself and my boyfriend.
Yaaay more Seth :)
Hail Seth! He shall give us Strength and his mighty sand storms shall destroy all our enemies!
Oh wait, i thought we were talking about The egyptian god, Seth... HAIL SETH ANDREWS ANYWAY!
The extra podcast sounds great
Henry may have a partially collapsed trachea, due to the incomplete formation of the rings that support the structure. Common in dogs bred too tiny for their own good or their owners'.
The Thinking Atheist--as well as its host--needs to grow, especially with its most loyal audience. If you continue to be only a gate for the near and recent enlightened, eventually you and it will grow stall and lose your core audience. The off-the-script shows, assuming to be interesting, will enlarge both the outlook and increase the knowledge of yourself and those tuning in. In a word, yes, do it, for your own intellectual growth as well as that of your listeners.
Seth, i really love you. You do ramble.
I'm not hiding the fact that I'm an atheist I'm quite proud of my atheism.I'm not a phony who's going to pretend to be something that s not.
As I've aged , sort of like Seth and others who have been featured on TTA's content, I have become less spiritual and more atheist/non-believer. My mother grew up in a very religious home, but my sister and I didn't. For most of my life (44 years), I've heard my father refer to religious people as "churchy motherfuckers" so, if he were to know how I felt about an existence of God and afterlife, he wouldn't care and might even agree with me. My mother sort of knows, but said she will believe what she wants and I can believe what I want to believe (or not believe lol). I have told a few online friends point-blank that I am an atheist and one of them said she tends to lean the same way most of the time.
I went to a Christian school for my high school years and in my 12th grade worldview's class, we watched the Bill Nye/ Ken Ham debate, but it was paused and casually commented on by our instructor who made damn sure that we had the same impression of it as he did.
I don't get this idea that relatives are "shocked" about people being atheist - it's pretty sad. I count myself lucky that my parents (my dad's pretty religious) brought us up to ask questions, and gave us the opportunity to work things out for ourselves.
I suppose what I'm getting to is, what kind of people do this to loved ones? I don't know anybody who has had experiences like those described here. I really have to ask, why does this happen so much in the US, whereas the opposite is the case in the UK (who's head of state is the head of the CofE), or Ireland (which is secular on paper, but Catholic in reality).
I lol too much when Seth switch to the "cowboy" voice
You can make a link to the actual minute/second that the real discussion starts, so that people know where it starts in case they don't want to listen to the intro.
Christian Krüper around the 13:00 mark or so.
Off the subject shows sound really great to me!
Re: "Off the Subject". Please. This is a perfectly reasonable solution, and preferable to a new podcast entirely. This way, you have more options to scheduling (one podcast a week, or one "regular" podcast a week and an off-topic intermittently scheduled, whatever), and I don't have to do anything extra beyond keeping subscribed to RUclips. If a listener doesn't like the idea or a particular podcast topic, skipping one is easy enough.
***** it's amazing to see the difference between amarica and England...
Question, do you think England should put amarica on the list of countries for emigration due to undue burden due to religious persecution? Ie have people ce over here to avoid the mental qnd physical abuse such as conversion camps ( that are considered a crime here)?
Just a thought from a worried cousin
+Richard Scanlon - That would only really be an issue for children, due to their own parents. It isn't a government or nation wide issue.
Nha. Parents who decide to torture there children and hide behind religious belief are braking the law. At least from England's point of view. And therefore have the right (from our legal stand point) of claiming refuge status for human rights violations.
Parents do not have the right to damage there kids. They don't have the right to decide that sexuality is an illness that can be cured by prayer and mental torture or that crystal healing will cure cancer or rubella and then walk away saying well it's my belief.
Richard Scanlon
I'm not suggesting they should be allowed to do such things, just that remedy can be sought in their own home town.
+Syock Whoami have to disagree with ya buddy
Richard Scanlon You disagree over something you had to ask to find out about. Each state has a different name for it. It is usually something along the lines of child protective services.
Thank you so much for this video. It helped me so much
The GSA at my old college had a Facebook page that was set up so that if you joined it, it wouldn't show up in your activity feed. Would it be possible to set up your Facebook page that way?
In reference to what Seth said about what people ask about "why don't you just get into it?"
Some people just like to complain. The same people who wanna know "why don't you just get to the topic??" are the same people who, if you just jumped right into the topic, "why don't you ease into it?"
You can't please everyone ....literally.
At least ONE person will not be satisfied.
Your dog was probably looking at you while you were telling of his getting sick in the night because he was thinking, "Fool! Why you gotta tell all my bidness to the world?" lol
I get that look all the time.
i found your show recently after seeing you on a skepticon episode. I have come away from christianity in the last year and your show has been my tether to reality while i struggle to grasp my world with no heaven or creator. i don't know how to connect to your live shows or how to participate in the community. can anyone help me to keep up on more recent events and shows.
I'm totally down with you talking about others on this podcast. That said, I do suspect some people will be confused, but there's also probably not a lot you can do about that bit.
This is not related to this podcast. I don't know if it is still true but in 1962 when I was 16 I went this my mother to Milwaukee as a companion to my mother during the 12 hour drive. Anyway at the time my brother’s wife was having a child and my mother went to help out and I went with her. This post owes about Milwaukee my brother who is 13 years older than me took me out for a drive around Milwaukee and one of the things he pointed out to me was that in most neighborhoods there was a bar on every corner all four corners and one in the middle of the block and that went on for miles and miles. In my hometown of Port Huron again my same brother had one time with his friends drove around town and counted the number of bars and the number of churches and there turned out to be twice as many bars as there were churches. I haven’t done the same thing even though I live in the same town Port Huron, Michigan. Port Huron is at the bottom of Lake Huron where Lake Huron enters the St. Clair River.
I think you should do what you proposed, Seth. It is your show after all. But it's good of you to have run it past us (your fans).
Thank the engineers that built that vehicle to protect you in te event of an accident. The first responders that saved your ass, the docs, nurses and extended hospital staff that dedicated their lives to helping others.
I like the idea of an off the subject podcast ever once in a while.
I thought it was against the law to fire someone on religious grounds. I'd take my father to court if he did that to me.
will you please do a show on the boyscouts? I'd love to write in about my experiences as I am an Eagle Scout....
I find people don't mind asking what religion I am and what church do I go. I kind of keep my beliefs to myself but I do say when they ask I was raised Catholic but I don't have a church I go to. The look on their face is confusion as if everyone has to go to church. I don't live in and area that is super religious but it is still is a common thread in people's lives.
I don't have an issue with having different subjects on the same channel. I listen because its the Thinking Atheist but also because I like listening to the host. Atheists and Agnostics do talk about subjects other than religion and God...occasionally. Just don't have a split personality and take up religion on the off days. ha
No love like that ultra passive aggressive Christian "love"
If there is a Supreme Being we're like ants on a little rock. Such a force would have better things to do than listen to the prayers of puny humans.
If you go forward with the idea you described early in the show, consider "Off Topic" instead of "Off the Subject" in the titles of the podcasts. It's more concise and more familiar (IMO).
I think it would be a great idea to do random subjects, refreshing!!, not that I don't love the show how it is now, thanks!
I was once outed to a bunch of classmates in a mostly Catholic group chat because one of my athiest friends in the group leaked my beliefs to another.
I asked someone a simple neutral question about the Bible, and the Catholic who knew about me exploded then started to attack me
Fortunately, Most of the Catholics in the chat defended me, but the rest attacked me visously like 12 year olds (we were all 20 or older)
That'd be awesome seth! everyone loves your stories. just look at how loved your halloween episodes are and they don't have much at all to do with atheism or theism at all.
:Had someone post a picture on my facebook wall about needing God back in our schools. I just simply replied with, "Not with my tax dollars you won't." So. Yeah. I think people pretty much know where I stand with religion. Every single time the topic comes up with my mother, she keeps on telling me, "Deep down, you know you still believe." No, no, I'm pretty sure I don't. She IMMEDIATELY changes the subject once I tell her that.
I think Off the subject would be awesome for variety!
I'm working at the office and listening to this podcast... And I just had a very hard time trying not to laugh with the dog story at the beginning xDDDDDDd
Julia Sweeney's Letting Go if God, I think is one of the best gateway stories.
Talk about anything and everything, it's completely fine with me.
Rol paper plates.. Most best ideas are off the cuff and improvised on the spot. To bad my 60 lbs pitt; that idea won't due. If I get a cat though... I'll keep that in mind. :)
How about talk about people who have always been Atheist?
People who were smart enough to see through from the start.
I love the idea of random bonus episodes. It can even have rehashes of episodes that just have infinite fodder.
Sometimes I'll think: I wish I'd thought to suggest something pertinent for such and such podcast. Like "read this on air": is hell endothermic or exothermic? www.snopes.com/college/exam/hell.asp
I've been guilty over the years of saying things like *"Goddamn!"* sometimes *"God damn!"* and things like *"Christ!"* or *"Jesus Christ!"* Those who are devoutly Christian will generally say things like "stop saying things like that! That's blasphemy!" Although I don't respond in any way, I'm like "what's the big deal? Jesus Christ is dead! He can't do anything to you for talking like that."
we can call the new podcast " the Social atheist" it could 100% work. give it a try there seth.
***** NOT a bad thought! Or if he integrates the non-explicitly-atheist content into the current podcast, it could be: The Thinking Atheist Social Podcast ... or something like that.
For every Christian I have the conversation with, I ask them if they would be sad if they arrived in heaven and one or many of their very close relatives or myself didn't make the cut. (Can you be happy eternally while your mom or brother or myself was being tortured forever). They usually say "yes, they would be sad" to which I ask "How can their be sadness in your heaven?" They usually start making shit up at that point.
Bill Burr: Why I walked Away From Religion, makes this point
I am just kinda on the fence, I guess. I took my religion seriously, and I had to be scared out of it seriously. I remember when I was living with my mom and her boyfriend that I blamed God. She thought it was cowardly and that I was just trying to pin this on some invisible monster sky daddy, instead of just taking responsibility. She was right! I turned my back on Christianity, but people still ask me, "If you're an atheist, why do you talk so much about Christianity/religion?"
I grew up with that, so it's pretty much all I know. I used Christianity to cope with my childhood and my family. We were pretty much four strangers living one roof. My mom said I knew more about the Bible than she did, and she pretty much was a laidback-type of Christian that had a Koran and a Torah. My stepdad was pretty much the guy that went to church all the time. It's funny how you can be religious and not even read a single verse from the Bible. It's funny that you can be pretty much laidback with your beliefs. I just used religion as a surrogate parent.
I still have somewhat of that sheep mentality mixed with being as vicious as a snake. Anyone remember that verse? I still butt heads with people that disagree with me, but I guess that is just my personality. I am still stupid enough to fall for anything, I guess.
I told my grandma and my sister then my sister told everyone else before i had a chance to tell them myself
If my parents and ppl like them would watch Julia Sweeney's Letting go of god they'd understand our position a lot better
Hehe....I beat you to it! ;)
"They would not have let you marry their daughter." As if they could stop the marriage.
I totally get the dog story. My cat hair-balled on my bedspread last night. I was doing my late night reading when I head: HURK HURK HURK. Grabbed her to move her to the floor and she sank her claws into the blanket and would not move until she was done making a mess. Yuck. Note: I am a theist. However, I like to listen to lots of different perspectives, including those of atheists, and I am not going to judge anyone for not believing as I do.
Off the Subject sounds good to me.
I like the idea of "off the subject" shows
***** Seth you have built this channel as a resource for critical thinkers, but it is successful because of the work that you put into it. Your followers love what you do, but people will voice opposition to anything you do. You could start handing out $100 bills to anyone who listens to your podcasts and people would complain about it being to close to religious tithing.
I can only speak for me, and I say I would listen to you reading a thesaurus. You were the parachute that saved me in my "fall from grace". I doubt if there is much you could do that would stop me from listening to you. If tomorrow you decided to become a Mormon preacher I would listen to every sermon. Now I would be taking notes and listing all your fallacies as you went along. I would be using the critical thinking skills that you taught me to use, but I would listen none the less.
You will always have a special place in my heart for what you have done for me. Thank you.
I'm combat-trained by my cat to fly awake and throw him off the bed and onto tile or hard wood when he starts hacking up in the night. Before I can even register i'm awake, up grabbing him and cleaning up...So surreal.
Id watch some off the cuff stuff
My dog has stomach problems, so she wheezes a lot like that at night. She learned to get off the bed when she does that.
My sister cried when she found out that I don't believe. I never even mentioned the word atheist.
and you should cry because she believes
Off the Subject is cool with me. I'd probably enjoy most of your ramblings, and if it's about something I'm not interested it, it's easy enough to not listen to that one.
I don't mind a "off the subject" extra show :)
I suspect that the more fanatical pious/moralists would rather be lied to. They are, after all, easily deceived in general. Oh wait, they get pissy about that too. Seems that most religious people don't really care who is atheist though, unless they're fundamentalist/fanatic sorts.
I know it is not the place to betray the trusts of these people. But I feel like it would be a good thing if some of these emails/letters/calls were brought to the attention of the parties involved.
Huh?
What do you mean? Clarify.
If the letters to Seth about how the family of the outed atheists were read to/showwed to said families then it might help the healing process.
7:00 - good idea.
45:00 into the video: Nobody can see if you join an atheist group on Facebook if it's a closed group, I don't think.
Heya, if you're going to do a show on the Unitarians don't leave out their history as persecuted, non-trinitarian Christian group in Britain. Nowadays, their just a spiritual social club. And even trinitarian Christians can join, which kinda defeats the original purpose.