http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L640vc_XBjk
This is what it’s like when you teach that believing an illogical and impossible myth by faith is better than observing the real world and not making shit up.
TheThinkingAtheist has posted two fantastic videos comprised of numerous personal stories and reflections from atheists. Each person opens up in front of the camera, sharing memories and insights on how they became atheists and what it means to them.
I wish I knew every one of these people. Hearing others with stories similar to my own helps me feel more connected with the world. If one of you submitted your clips to these compilations, thank you.
Does anyone in the videos share your story? Have you shared how you admitted, decided, or discovered you were an atheist? If you don’t mind sharing a link to your story, please do so in the comments!
As I grew up I became a very good performer when it came to preaching a message, sharing my testimony, or revealing an insight from the “holy spirit.”
Do you want to see just how early indoctrination, training, and exposure to the mannerisms, cultures, and languages of religion starts? Check this out:
Wow, what do you think? Also check out an ABC News piece on the child preacher phenomenon.
Children are amazing imitators–frighteningly so. Notice how culturally-specific these emotional, “spirit-filled” sermons are? It’s a performance. That’s what preaching and prophesying and praying aloud in public are all about. Who could honestly say that while they are in front of a group they didn’t care at all about if the audience liked it or if they did a good job? I tried not to think about those things as a Christian, but I couldn’t help it–especially as a young person who most wants love, attention, and affirmation.
What most recognizable in the videos are the styles of preaching, but what’s even more important is the content of what they say. Do you think children teach Bible lessons that don’t conform to the beliefs of their own church or group? I doubt it. Do you think these kids can understand the serious doctrines and theologies they’re shouting about? I doubt many adults actually understand what they preach, much less a child who hasn’t developed critical thinking nor been educated.
Sigh.
A young woman prays the benediction at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. She subsequently has a breakdown of tears and shaking. She prays for the forgiveness of her own sins plus the sins of her peers who have accepted humanism and worshipped the intellectual mind. She starts to lose it when she begs for mercy and not judgment from her loving god. She begs for the mercy of this god onto the lives of the unsaved in the audience.And then… she gets pulled back from the podium and collapses in tears.
This, readers, is what it’s like for a charismatic Christian to be “overcome by the spirit.” I’ve had moments like that in my past, and I know how it feels.
I’m almost too embarrassed to watch it for a second time. What can I say except:
- This should not be taking place at a public university.
- I can spot a fake a mile away.
- They called for an ambulance at the end, but trust me, she’s fine… just hysterical.
- I feel bad for the students and the event as they were surely overshadowed by the theatrics of this one religious girl who lost it while praying.
What do you think? Vote on prayer at graduation ceremonies in the sidebar —->
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