/ therebelsadvocate My journey from fundamentalist Christianity to atheism. TheRebelsAdvocate.com joe.therebelsadvocate@gmail.com
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@TheRebelsAdvocate7 жыл бұрын
Thanks to everyone for watching. I'm overwhelmed and surprised. Thanks for the comments and the emails. I wasn't expecting the response I've gotten. I apologize that I've been so long without another video and for the emails I haven't answered yet. My life got pretty hectic not long after uploading this video. The biggest thing is I'm now a father! Yay! It was quite unexpected, but my wife and I were presented with an opportunity to adopt a beautiful little girl who was born January 12th. Although we weren't planning for kids at the time we jumped at the opportunity and couldn't be happier. However, our baby girl had some issues and is still in the hospital as of right now about 3 hours from home. It's been a bit hectic between working 3rd shift, trying to get our house ready for a new addition to the family, work through the adoption process, and do all this while trying to spend every possible second with our baby who is 3 hours away. She's doing a lot better, and we're hopeful that maybe in a week or two she'll be ready to come home. Maybe sometime in the future I'll finally squeeze in a little time to make some more videos. I have a few things in mind, including one issue that I'm especially wanting to talk about. Until then I'll try to answer the emails that I haven't gotten around to yet. I'll be honest I try to read the comments, but it's hard to keep up with. If you have anything you'd especially want me to see you can email Joe.therebelsadvocate@gmail.com Thanks again guys, take care.
@ShlongDongSilver7 жыл бұрын
TheRebel'sAdvocate Joe Stilwell I know I'm a bit late, but I hope your new child is finally home and doing well. Excited to see new videos from you one day!
@minecraftdudes54237 жыл бұрын
TheRebel'sAdvocate Joe Stilwell Congratulations! I hope she is fine and dandy. By the way, is your wife any religious? Are you going to raise your daughter with religion, with atheism, or just dont Bring up religion? Hope there will be more videos soon. Also the bible says that you shall not have any god above God m, therefore you wont get punoshed for that unless you believe in The Holy Spagghetti Monster. ;-)
@scotted31407 жыл бұрын
TheRebel'sAdvocate Joe Stilwell I think your video was so popular is because it's about Atheism, there is so many of us that remain quite we go alone with the B. S. just to get alone but we still have the need to socialize with like minded people
@rbdenver7 жыл бұрын
TheRebel'sAdvocate Joe Stilwell Thank you for sharing your story and adding your perspective to the atheist community.
@TheRebelsAdvocate7 жыл бұрын
MinecraftDudes my wife is what I call a non practicing Christian. She does in fact believe in God, but doesn't go to church or really let her beliefs affect her life in any way that I can see. She is very supportive of me. As far as our baby, I hope to teach her HOW to think, and not WHAT to think. I'll let her make her own decisions. I can't shelter her from hearing about religion so I'll just teach her about ALL religions.
@theobservantatheist13047 жыл бұрын
They say, "the best way to de-convert, is to read the Bible."
@darwynjenkins12204 жыл бұрын
The Observant Atheist I de-converted but studying the bible, and observing the activities of Christians.
@jmdsservantofgod84054 жыл бұрын
The Observant Atheist ..... just the opposite for me the bible made my faith stronger
@jmdsservantofgod84054 жыл бұрын
The Observant Atheist .... I had the opposite reaction.... the bible only made my faith even stronger!
@dancederborg99084 жыл бұрын
You also have to read the bible from a skeptical point of view, but basically yeah.
@melvinbowen2nd3 жыл бұрын
Joseph Stine Sometimes these people begin to doubt when they read cover to cover without devotionals and and the theological doctrine of others
@josed.vargas39617 жыл бұрын
Hearing a southern accent talk about atheism in a positive light is something I thought I'd never see, haha, your story is very inspiring, mine is like yours but a bit less glorious and not really a happy ending for me yet seeing as I'm underage and can't really "get away" from religion so to speak. I'm from Southern Arizona, so you know, everyone is catholic here, but thank you for sharing!
@SpaceCaseZ067 жыл бұрын
Us older guys think you're lucky to have recognized your skepticism at this stage in your life and your having access to other skeptics. You won't be as indoctrinated and you'll be more able to question and evaluate freely.
@PatrickGreeneFearwriter7 жыл бұрын
Once you give up the belief, the accent will gradually disappear.
@richardlorych98687 жыл бұрын
hahaaa good one mystic!
@TheRebelsAdvocate7 жыл бұрын
That's tough when you're still dependent on your parents. Hang in there a little longer.
@josephcrespo78227 жыл бұрын
what about dusty?
@FelicMer11 күн бұрын
"Nobody's gonna watch this anyway." 7 years later, we're up to 25k views! Way to go my man.
@marylandsteve54417 күн бұрын
at least 2 new comments in the last 3 days
@jasminem.81957 жыл бұрын
'nobody's going to watch this video anyways' *gets 1.3k views* Great video, man.
@TheRebelsAdvocate7 жыл бұрын
Thanks. I was pleasantly surprised lol.
@jeremymcadams77436 жыл бұрын
Rick c-137 actually now 8.1
@nicolab207519 күн бұрын
@@jeremymcadams7743And now 24k 😊
@gerritvalkering10683 күн бұрын
keeps ticking up slowly. At this point it's 1.7k likes, not views. 28k views. I think it's because it's not such a slick and prepared story, makes it feel more genuine.
@timmyr3454 жыл бұрын
Buddy, listening to your story was like listening to my own. I remember exactly where I was standing when I realized “Holy shit! I am an atheist.” It was as much a shock to me as anything. I’ll follow and keep track of your story.
@davidbuckley51637 жыл бұрын
Honesty plus integrity, welcome to freedom from religion
@sunnibun85283 жыл бұрын
I also grew up in a fundamental church! Same thing! No TV, women could not work or wear pants, no makeup... We had church 7 times a week and would go out witnessing or "soul winning" every Saturday. I left when I was 19 and went through a lot with coming to terms about myself. I am glad seeing somebody else like me.
@KeetWeet5 жыл бұрын
Good vid! I broke free from a religious cult a few years ago, so I get the power of religious brainwashing. As a young child I questioned this mess and was told to hush & never question "god". Well, I'm glad to be free from it all, so you're not alone.
@beaulieuc89103 жыл бұрын
that was gaslighting yes you should never question anything, appalling isn't it?
@KeetWeet3 жыл бұрын
@@beaulieuc8910 very appalling, but brainwashed people can only brainwash others
@StennMathis11 ай бұрын
Were you an adventist?
@KeetWeet11 ай бұрын
@@StennMathis no, I grew up Christian from Baptist to A.M.E. Zion to Non denominational. Then when I turned 25 I joined a group that's called Hebrew Israelite, which became a cult.
@roxee577 жыл бұрын
Hi from an Aussie atheist. Thanks for sharing your story
@harveybirth35726 жыл бұрын
Greetings from another southern atheist (currently living in Minnesota)! I also left the faith relatively late in life, at the age of 42. What did it for me was studying Christian theology. I've had Christian friends hear that I'm now an atheist, and immediately assume some horrific, disillusioning experience on my part, and I'm like, "No, I just think too much!" Great to hear your story man! I'm subbed up, and enjoy catching up on your stuff.
@TheRebelsAdvocate6 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much. I enjoy hearing other's stories of how they left religion. Seems like a lot of these stories involve people reading and studying the bible. Religious people say you are running from God, yet it was while doing something that should draw you closer to him that ultimately led you away.
@ayethein7681 Жыл бұрын
@@TheRebelsAdvocate Thank you from alifetimer atheist and online apologist. Your talk was one of the best. Stunning and brave,as they say and some of it humorous. 'Heck, I ain't no atheist,I just don't believe in God, that's all" £
@strumhead7 жыл бұрын
Your story was heartwarming and your way of telling it, charming. I'm glad you mentioned how no longer "believing" eventually brought peace and calm.
@richiecunningham65525 ай бұрын
Great story👍 I'm a new atheist in the UK.
@ksk8812 күн бұрын
I don't know exactly how many times I have watched this, but each time I watch, it's fresh and new. I was also the annoying kid in Sunday school, constantly asking questions because the Bible just didn't make sense. I tried to justify the faith in which I was raised, so I was an on again off again believer. I tried so hard to believe but, at 70 years old, I'm tired of making myself crazy while trying to believe in something that just doesn't make sense. Thank you so much for posting! BTW, I have two cats. The older one is my spirit animal who got me thru a difficult illness with her love, purring and snuggling.
@FreeportAaron7 жыл бұрын
Hey, Joe! Glad to hear that even fundies can come to their senses. Quite inspiring. Thank you.
@kenmathis938011 ай бұрын
As an honest-to-goodness cat-owning ex-christian atheist, i really enjoyed listening to your story. I remember when my Christian friends started to worry about me and would give me books like "The Case for Christ", the weak, lopsided arguments i found there just served to push me farther away. And Sam Harris made a huge impact on me as well. Keep up the nice work! You have a new subscriber!
@gregsimmons69414 күн бұрын
Hello Ken! Time to get a new gig buddy. The holy bible and dean odles biblical flat earth presentation destroys atheist beliefs and globe beliefs! Jesus saves sinners! Now use that brain God gave you!!
@dyinteriors7 жыл бұрын
You appear to be a very sweet and gentle guy. Keep up the good work. I like your innocent, yet measured quality, to your quest for truth. This was a good first video.
@OakienLookie2 күн бұрын
I really enjoyed hearing your story. It hurt a bit to hear your self doubt in the beginning, how you're not sure why someone would care to know your story or who you are. But throughout the video you were very coherent and relaxing to listen to. Your story feels directly related to my current situation. Thank you for letting us know your journey!
@rikk3197 жыл бұрын
Glad to hear your history and deconversion, it helps all of us atheists to hear from others who have been through it, too.
@lasjan20017 жыл бұрын
I grew up oneness pentecostal too, so I feel your pain. I found your video interesting, and I hope that you'll post more.
@TheRebelsAdvocate7 жыл бұрын
Hey, I was Pentecostal as well, but not oneness. Isn't it funny how even though we were same denomination, our churches were still very different with vastly different beliefs? Thanks so much for watching. I do plan on making more. I'll try my best not to ramble so much next time, and make them a bit shorter lol.
@jmdsservantofgod84054 жыл бұрын
lasjan2001 .... seems pentecostals have the most trouble keeping their faith
@klmcg0104 жыл бұрын
Joseph Stine Pentecostals make the fundamental mistake of ruling out the possibility of other religions being saved. When it comes to their rhetoric about the Catholic Church they go even further and demonize that religion, so when Pentecostal church members do any research and learn that the very bible they look to for Gods word was assembled by a group of Catholic priests they leave. Once you see one hypocrisy you start to see the rest of them and then the house of cards falls. That’s my sad truth.
@Bekind943 жыл бұрын
Me too. UPC pastors kid. I’m finally free.
@123keepitsimple977 жыл бұрын
A shout-out from a Southern atheist 👍... Good job on your story I can relate. I'm 41 myself, grew up in Atlanta Georgia and been atheist for about 10 years. Hope to see more videos from you
@123keepitsimple974 жыл бұрын
@bearraaaaTV 🤘🤓 Stone Mountain for me 😎
@tangerinetangerine44002 күн бұрын
Watching this 7 years later! Well done! Would love to hear an update. 😊
@thelyrebird131012 күн бұрын
Love the no one's going to watch this... 25,000 later
@theodorev6667 жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing your story. I can definitely relate even though we grew-up half a planet away from each other. I grew up in a small town in Greece and I was practically a Greek Orthodox altar-boy until I was around 13 years old. Our journeys were similar and at a certain point it became harder and harder for me to believe in an all-loving, ethnic-cleansing, blood-sacrifice obsessed god. I'm so happy that I no longer carry all that baggage around with me and I can confirm what a relief it is to only be driven by seeking the truth. Peace!
@JamesRichardWiley5 ай бұрын
A story of a man made from dirt and a woman made from a bone meeting up with a talking snake is hard to believe even if you will suffer eternal damnation for not believing it's true.
@timorean32023 күн бұрын
Lets look at those passages mentioned from a different perspective. Man made from "dirt". The translation is "rudiments" so, elements basically. We are O2, Fe, C etc. Woman made from rib. Translation is "side" (as to be an equal partner) but can also translate "curve". DNA is curved, so if the X chromosome was "extracted" its possible. A talking snake. Its an idiom we still use today, not literal. So, everything you mentioned has a scientific, Biblical, and common sense explanation, you just had wrong perspective.
@Nyla_Corvina16 күн бұрын
@@timorean320 Using the word curve and jumping to DNA is not logical. The people back then wouldn't have even known what DNA is. So to make a claim that the bible is scientific in an era where science either didn't exist or was just barely getting off the ground. Is just not a possibility at all. More over rudiments as elements would have meant fire, Water, Air, And earth. Not Biological because again. They wouldn't have known what that even was.
@timorean32016 күн бұрын
@@Nyla_Corvina Im not saying its fact, just a plausible explantion. Here is why. Lets take the Caduceus symbol for example, medical symbol, 5K years old at least, carried by god Hermes, but have you ever noticed how similiar it is to the Double Helix of DNA? Maybe, when a culture encounters a way more advanced Civilization, they copy what they see, but dont understand. Heck, there is a tribes in Africa that make similation of planes with twigs to mimic what they saw flying, so, there is that.
@timorean32016 күн бұрын
@@Nyla_Corvina Really? What does the god Hermes carry? A Caduceus. Medical symbol (odd, why is it?), 5K years old at least. Ever noticed how similiar it is to the Double Helix of DNA? Knowledge gets lost, but symbols remain.
@timorean32016 күн бұрын
@@Nyla_Corvina I have left 2 replies, but deleted (why?) Do you know what a Caducues is? 5K year old medical symbol (why is that?) What does it look like? DNA. Knowledge gets lost, but the logos remain.
@metaljet66657 жыл бұрын
Great video, Joe. I was "that" kid as well. So many questions and they never got answered. I was in an Independent Baptist church and school. Proud to be an atheist!
@Phenrex7 жыл бұрын
MetalJet666 Same! I asked things like how do eyes work and why is the sky blue when I was younger. As I got older they shifted into fundamental questions that were about my religion such as, "Why does God love the Jewish more than us? Why did he pick them?" Or, "Why does God hate gay People when he claims to love everyone...? If he loved everyone and he's omnipotent, shouldn't he understand why we feel the way we feel and respect that?" Those questions eventually shifted me towards atheism, because all I heard from Christians was complete BS.
@123keepitsimple977 жыл бұрын
I just got done watching... our stories are very similar. I started watching Christopher Hitchens on youtube when I was a believer and I thought that man is lost LOL. ... then months later I became an atheist too.
@user-dd3lx9tt5v11 ай бұрын
Sitting here in the third world watching ppl give their small savings and underaged daughters to holy men, and thinking, 'you thought Hitchens was lost.' But it's the congregation that's lost.
@thehereticinme54767 жыл бұрын
For starters, I have 4 cats, so I must be a hard line atheist. lol. I come from a fundamental family too. My grandfather and grandmother were pastors. My dad does seminars on the End Times. He's been doing them since the 1980's I became a pastor and my brother became a pastor. In College I was nicknamed the RBS (Resident biblical scholar) After pastoring about 4 years things started to change. My wife first started asking questions and I searched for the answers. Couldn't find them. At first I was thinking that our theology was wrong, but one by one my beliefs crumbled as I researched the Bible. I don't speak out much since I live and work in a very conservative area. I have moved to another state, so my family doesn't know where I stand, although I think they know I'm not a Christian anymore. It's hard to come out and say what you have said. I'm not there yet. Thanks for your thoughts.
@eapst287 жыл бұрын
Thanks for this Joe. There are tons of us in the world who can relate.
@TheRebelsAdvocate7 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching.
@nikowleestark61567 жыл бұрын
BUT YOU DONT COUNT -JOE STILWELL
@richardlorych98687 жыл бұрын
please....would've not 'would of'.
@richardlorych98687 жыл бұрын
oh but he does nik.
@brandonswitzer39077 жыл бұрын
thanks for sharing joe. my faith was lost by reading the bible studying ever chapter as well. so many flaws. That was the straw that broke the bible's back. we are the ones who will lead the world to a better place. a place thats not perfect but a place we can learn,grow and make man kind prosper.
@brandonswitzer39077 жыл бұрын
and I'm still here
@jayzenitram96217 жыл бұрын
It's true what they say: if you want to become an atheist, read the bible.
@skidelrymar7 жыл бұрын
22:53 "if you ever become an atheist you'll own cats" that was brilliant! i'll try to live by that rule. i have a cat and he's like a god.
@DemetriusDrekin012 жыл бұрын
*looks at cat in the corner*
@dancederborg99084 жыл бұрын
Ever since my deconversion back in 2013. I look from time to time, just out of curiosity, for videos like this one. This is by far, one of the best theist to atheist stories I've seen. Thank you so much for sharing this. I had the same exact feeling you described, when you were describing the feeling that comes over you when it hits you like a ton if bricks, "Wait a minute, this book is nonsense, I'm an atheist!!" Then you feel, to me anyway the way you feel when you think you've been "born again". Only 1000 times better. Instead of being so sad about not being immortal and getting the chance to go to heaven. You instead have such a wonderful relief that you no longer need to worry about ridiculous-horrific concepts like "Hell" or as you said, "feeling guilt just for being alive". No more feeling bad just for thinking thoughts that you have just as much control over as the earth's rotation around the sun. As for me. I actually hated going to church. I went there because I felt that if I didn't, that I would go to hell. What finally got me out of my delusion was when a friend of mine pointed out about this committee that decides what is going to be in the bible. He was telling me about these stories that didn't make the cut so to speak. I did some research on it, not that I didn't believe him actually. He's not the lying type, but like many atheists. Out skeptical brains are what eventually leads us out of all the dogma. So after I realized that. Instantly I was a deist. I was a deist for about 5 years. The only thing standing in my way at that point was this silly notion that there has to be some creator. What finally lead me into atheism was my love for science. I would have probably been an atheist in high-school if it wasn't for my family and friends telling me not to listen to scientists telling me about what is now one of my favorite subjects: Evolution by natural selection. However part of me knew this to be a fact. So maybe deep down I was already an atheist, but deeply in denial or was buried deep in my subconscious. So anyway I finally watched some youtube videos and looked up data, and was blown away by just how wrong the bible or any religious texts described how humanity got started. Furthermore. Evolution explains things so detailed and just makes perfect sense. The puzzle pieces all fit now. If I were to narrow down one moment that lead me instantly from deist to atheist. It would be just how imperfect we are as humans. This notion of "bad design" instantly made utter, "I'm an atheist". I finally realized that if there really was a god behind everything. He, she, it would be creating things ass backwards. Anyway. I love talking about this stuff. I'm so glad to be an atheist now. I just hope that we can change the world faster than we are at the moment. Sorry for how long this was. I'm no writer and it's not easy for me to condense my thoughts sometimes when I have so much to say and passion in what I'm talking about, but again thanks for sharing this wonderful story.
@TheRebelsAdvocate4 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the kind words about my video. But also thank you for sharing your story as well. I love hearing how others broke free from the indoctrination. It's amazing how similar many of our stories are. I hope you're doing well. Thanks again.
@keishaclark2774Күн бұрын
Don't stop. Ive been too afraid to start a channel cause I have so many insecurities from my religion as a ex Jehovah witness. I truly enjoyed your video and how candid u were. Thank you for sharing your story. I alwso was afraid to be an atheist but now its something im proud of. Im so happy for us!!!! We found our voice and have a new outlook on life and so much freedom now. Please keep sharing! 😊 ❤
@IkeCarterShow4 жыл бұрын
Watched all of it, kept my attention the whole time. I was in for 24 years, glad you’re out bud. Welcome to reality.
@davidcross694010 ай бұрын
Nicely done. Welcome to the club...
@borfishing76907 жыл бұрын
Hey, there are very conservative atheist out here that have dogs and hunt. Just don't hold your breath till you find one of us. I was a Christian for more than 35 years. Reading the bible opened my eyes to the absurdity of the abrahamic religions. Good luck.
@___bp___7 жыл бұрын
You have no idea how much I needed this video. Thank you so much for sharing you story.
@martymcdonald33164 жыл бұрын
Great video! Thanks for sharing your story. Keep being who you are - those who know you will question their own beliefs too, even if they don’t admit it. I love your words at 40:33. You want to share this for those who are questioning as you were.
@pussycat2248 Жыл бұрын
I first watched this video a while ago and lovex it. Now I'm watching for the second time and love your candid down to earth way of telling your story. I watched it to the end both times. Thanks.
@geoffstockton7 жыл бұрын
I watched from start to finish. I really enjoyed your story and really appreciate you sharing it. I saw a lot of personal parallels. I'm subscribing and hitting the thumbs up. If you keep putting out videos, I'm sure you'll build a solid fan-base. You're a likable guy with good insight and you did just fine on camera. You'll only get better at it and more comfortable, the more you do it. I really hope to see lots of content from you.
@rolandwatts32182 жыл бұрын
Great video. I hope that bit by bit, things are working out for you. I love your attitude.
@emdivine7 жыл бұрын
It's cool to see you went almost exactly the opposite way the story usually goes. Usually it's: "I was in an accident that would surely kill me, I prayed to God, and God saved me and I rededicated myself to my faith." But you, you went through that accident and it shook your faith so deeply you actually came out believing _less_ than before! :D
@t-lilyshock95313 жыл бұрын
So proud of you and grateful for you! Thanks for sharing your story with us!
@thatgirl31487 жыл бұрын
This is awesome! lol I am that person your talking about in the end...the one with questions...lol thanks for putting your story out there....your story is just like mine....church....questions....and more questions and more after that... yay for the renegade life.... :)
@haan3549 Жыл бұрын
Damn, this was an amazing post. I’m very much on the same page with you. Loved what you had to share. Makes total sense. You did a fantastic job. Thanks
@ryanj7487 жыл бұрын
Awesome video. My story is similar, and it's encouraging to hear another erstwhile believer who's not afraid to own his unbelief. Thanks for sharing your story with the world!!
@kiml11594 жыл бұрын
Rewatching this video 3.5 years later during the Covid Crisis. It's grounding for me! I was raised a Lutheran and finally awoke after the death of my mom in 2001. Love your channel, Joe!
@migueljuarez6788 Жыл бұрын
What about your moms death made you wake up?
@msisaac5127 жыл бұрын
I really enjoyed this video. In many ways it parallels my thought process as i was going through the same. Thanks for sharing your story.
@2ezee20115 күн бұрын
That was so entertaining. I know your journey well. I was a minister and when I got to Seminary it all come undone like a cheap watch. I did laugh out load about the cat requirements. FUNNY
@justmeonly9862 ай бұрын
I just got this video 7 years after you posted it. Your story is and will always be relevant to those who deconstructed from religion, any religion. Great video!
@talksisters7 жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing your story. The more we are courageous enough to share our deconvesion story, more we all don't feel like we are the only one.
@myrawells569111 ай бұрын
Wow!! I understand understand understand!! Oh man. I know you made this 6 years ago; I hope you have remained happy in your pursuit of meaning in this world. These questions and answers inspire learning, creativity and compassion toward others. Obtaining self knowledge is where it’s at! Am subscribing and thanks.
@benjiwis52285 жыл бұрын
Wow, what an honest vid, rare to see that on youtube now a day. Thank you for your story :)
@booksie12 ай бұрын
Brilliant first video thank you. I have just found you so I have loads to catch up on.
@Touchpadse5 ай бұрын
I was recommended this video today (7 years late but hey!). Just wanted to say, not bad for your first video. As a person born and bread in Sweden (religion wise, pretty much the polar opposite to the USA) it's really interesting to hear your point of view. From this video it sounds as if you're doing well, hope that's still true. Great video and I look forward to watching more of your videos
@joemercaldo82887 жыл бұрын
Hey Joe ..Thanks for doing this... everytime someone does their story like this, it helps a lot more people than you realize. A lot of people are still in the closet as Non-Believers. It always makes others glad to know they aren't alone. I am here if you ever need to talk etc brother.
@FrettingProductions3 күн бұрын
Read it knowing its a collection of bronze age and iron age text and think "is this plausible, is plausible that knew so much more than we do?" Exactly it makes sense it was written by men back then, the animal sacrifice was eaten so you can see the tribal nature of it.
@DAirey7 жыл бұрын
Thoroughly enjoyed this! I hadn't really thought hard about religion but like you always questioned. Once I began to really be curious, that was the end of belief for me.
@grayintheuk8021 Жыл бұрын
Rewatched this - great video - Thanks these stories are important.
@TrakeM1187 жыл бұрын
Great video. I watched the whole thing. I enjoy hearing other people's views, both those that agree with me and those that disagree with me.
@222veronicabean7 жыл бұрын
love the cat reference! got one laying across the laptop watching Joe!
@TheRebelsAdvocate7 жыл бұрын
Gwen Lee You are a true atheist.
@skepticsam37157 жыл бұрын
Thanks for making this video. I've been thinking for a long time about making my own video about atheism but haven't had the courage to do it. Your video has given me the confidence to.go ahead and make one.
@demolitor23597 жыл бұрын
Look at what the lies of religion do to people, constantly paranoid and worried all the time about made up bullshit.... I feel for you bro, glad you broke free.... Good luck to you
@anonymousjohnson9763 жыл бұрын
I agree. Religion is the cause of most people being admitted to asylums.
@Stonehawk6 жыл бұрын
Friend I am so glad I found your channel, good for you! I'm gonna stay subbed, looking forward to seeing what you're up to!
@TheRebelsAdvocate6 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@karenlankford8558 Жыл бұрын
Thank you for a glimpse into how you ended up changing your mind about such a major part of your life. I am always interested in how people come to believe the things they believe.
@OMKaehn7 жыл бұрын
Hey. Thanks for your story. I always love hearing people's stories about their path away from belief partially because I'm fascinated with how the human mind works and how we can value acceptance without evidence or reason and how we can even get violent to defend such a vacuum of knowledge. The path from such things really shows where values lie and where harm can be done if such things gain more power than they should. I'm even contemplating making a video to tell my stories and my thoughts on such matters. That's still just a huge maybe, though.
@Prasannakumar-yk7bf3 жыл бұрын
Great analysis and thought provoking. Happy journey.
@YY4Me1337 жыл бұрын
I subbed in case you decide to make more videos. I enjoyed your ramble. You're easy to listen to, and your story is interesting.
@maxbarber79266 жыл бұрын
Thank you brother. Powerful.
@zachalbin61922 жыл бұрын
Loved your video, man. I was literally talking to my wife today about how I wanted to put my deconversion story on KZfaq so I’d have an outlet for my thoughts on religion aside from just talking shit about it on Facebook all the time.
@butterbeanqueen81482 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this video!!! I was raised Southern Baptist in the Bible Belt. In church every time the doors were open and have just recently realized I don’t believe in the things I was raised with. It’s great to hear someone who sounds familiar that believes the way I do.
@madriiax6 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing man, I know it can be daunting putting this out there with how things are. Welcome to the freedom and wisdom of doubt! I have a cat too.
@caseypetersen4368 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for this. I loved your simple, sincere honesty. I watch a lot of deconstruction and atheist videos, to help me make sense of my past beliefs, and this one was refreshing. I love me some Sam Harris, but to hear from someone who has a shared life experience is healing. Thanks for sharing.
@JamieLongDonger7 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing. Great video!
@HunterJonesAxisandAllies7 жыл бұрын
100th sub! Congrats on coming out especially in the bible belt
@JohnnyDrivebye7 жыл бұрын
I enjoyed your video. I am a 5th generation freethinker/atheist. So I have found it hard to understand fundamental Christianity. I love to hear these stories to help me to understand. I think there is a lot we can learn from each other. Again, thank you for sharing your story. I'm camera shy too BTW. It seems to go away. You gained another sub!
@ericpierce36605 жыл бұрын
*"I have found it hard to understand fundamental Christianity. I love to hear these stories to help me understand."* I live in the US, where religious fundamentalism dominates large swaths of the country, and like many people raised in this stifling environment it took me several years to reason my way out of the childhood indoctrination. It's a difficult process because it involves questioning everything you've believed to be true up to this point. Some people have a sudden epiphany and never look back, but most of us go through stages, first accepting that our beliefs might not be true, then accepting that they probably aren't true, then accepting that they cannot possibly be true, and then finally cutting ties and rejecting them altogether. Every step of the way you worry about going to hell and that you will make your children go to hell and you wake up in the middle of the night with horrible visions of that. The reason the whole process is so traumatizing is that the brainwashing occurs during two critical periods, both your early and your formative years, when generally you have not yet begun to think for yourself. So by the time you are an adult these beliefs have been completely internalized, and to reject those beliefs is to reject a core part of yourself as well as to reject your family, your friends, neighbors and acquaintances. Your spouse might divorce you, you might lose custody of your kids, you lose your support network, you might be shunned by your entire community. It might affect your job or career: if you own a business, if you are a contractor, a salesperson, a lawyer, whatever---the community may decide they no longer want to do business with you. Your children may be bullied in school because their father or mother is an atheist. They may become socially isolated because the only activities in your town are church-related, and they certainly won't be invited to friends' homes any longer because now they are seen as a bad influence. Recently I saw a sign posted at the entrance of a youth baseball practice field that said "As an athlete I pledge......to show good sportsmanship, respect my coaches and the other athletes, attend practice regularly..." etc. The first line of that pledge was "I believe in God." Some people even consider having to move to another state just to get away from the toxicity. The smaller the town you live in, the worse it will be, and the US is full of small towns where virtually everyone believes the exact same way (these are the types of people who elected Trump). Many people who become atheists keep it a secret, they continue attending church but just sort of back off and become less involved and don't really believe anymore. Others brave the consequences for the sake of intellectual integrity and being able to live in an authentic way, but not everyone is able to make that choice, depending on their personal and family circumstances. So yeah, coming out as an atheist in the Bible Belt of the US can turn your life upside down. I was lucky, it wasn't that bad for me, I live in a small city of 37,000 people so it wasn't nearly as bad as a smaller town. But I've heard some sad stories.
@mr.theodore64897 жыл бұрын
I watched the entire video, all the while thinking about the Roberta Flack song "Killing Me Softly." After I was done watching, I had to go listen to the song before commenting, because that's exactly what you did. You told my story. It's like you were reading my letters out loud.Unbelievable how much my story is like your story. The only thing you didn't mention was the sadness that comes with losing faith. For me, I was somewhat sad for a while, felt lonely for the first time in my life, but I got over it. Great video man.
@TheRebelsAdvocate7 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much! I had to go back and listen to the song as well lol. I felt the loneliness as well, mostly because I began to lose a lot of friends after losing my faith. Most of that was of no fault of my own, but looking back I see how I could've acted differently and maybe salvaged some of those relationships. I was a little overzealous early on, and rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. I'm considering making a video about that. I thought maybe talking about mistakes I made might help someone else avoid them before they alienate themselves from people they care about.
@mr.theodore64897 жыл бұрын
+Joe Stilwell, Yes, I think that's a good idea. There are different phases, and shouting from the Mountaintop is certainly one of them. After the new non-believer accept the fact that he/she is an atheist, he feel the need to tell everybody. And some time we can be a little heartless about it, by not considering that we were once where others are now. By the way, that song is a true story about Roberta going to see Don McLean in concert. "Strumming my pain with his fingers" is about him strumming his guitar.
@josephtaylor44056 күн бұрын
Okay, you got me at cats. Lightning & Thunder, Baby, Rodent, Sophie and Hansel & Gretel say hello.
@_S0me__0ne Жыл бұрын
Wow! This, so much. It's like listening to myself and a lot of what I went through and felt.
@montagdp5 ай бұрын
I totally know what you are talking about with the peace of not having to do mental gymnastics to make sense of your beliefs anymore. It all becomes so much simpler when you realize it didn't make sense because it just wasn't real in the first place. Christians talk about the peace that passes all understanding. Well, I thought I had that, but I have much more peace now that I've stopped believing. That was a totally unexpected benefit. When I was a Christian, I thought all atheists were deeply sad and just living for temporary pleasures with no real peace, and that's just not true either.
@am45_0018 күн бұрын
Wow, you made this video the same year I came out as an atheist to my mom and siblings! My path was different, so it's always interesting to hear how others came to their conclusions!
@catyathiest2015 Жыл бұрын
free from fear of hell and self guilt everyday since i became an athiest 7 yrs ago. Finally got peace of mind, happiest day of my life.
@Canthavemybones2 жыл бұрын
Greetings from the Bible belt. Great video and great name.
@godlessheathen1007 жыл бұрын
You had me at "cats..."
@alwayslearningtech4 жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing your story. It really resonated with me
@Ravenbachs7 жыл бұрын
I was raised Apostolic Pentecostal. I really enjoyed your video. Thanks so much for sharing!
@JohnnyUtah4887 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing your story. I grinned when you said you were going to forget everything you were told and read the Bible for yourself. That move is usually fatal to religious beliefs. Glad you made it out!
@hikarustarr4 күн бұрын
congratulations, on your several great things! also, nice christmas decorations.
@jeffbell75309 ай бұрын
You are a fine storyteller. I had a similar background and I can relate. Keep looking for the truth and share what you find. btw, I have two cats.
@buck_maize1112 жыл бұрын
Dude.. thanks for uploading!
@TheFormerFollier7 жыл бұрын
I really enjoyed hearing your story. I was raised in a fundamentalist Christian home (Independent Fundamentalist Baptist), as well, and found my way clear of it about ten years ago.
@neil651007 жыл бұрын
Hi Joe, I enjoyed your story and have subscribed. I'm an old Aussie grandma, and even here being openly godless is too confronting for a lot of people to deal with. I am looking forward to hearing about your experiences in the bible belt. I can't wait for the rest. Congratulations on the baby. :)
@JohnStopman6 жыл бұрын
Joe: muchos respect from The Netherlands! *^_^*
@TheRebelsAdvocate6 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@ericpierce36605 жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing your story, it was very moving and you tell it well. You come across as very sincere. I posted this in reply to someone else in the comments but here it is for everyone to see: *"I have found it hard to understand fundamental Christianity. I love to hear these stories to help me understand."* I live in the US bible belt, where religious fundamentalism dominates large swaths of the country, and like many people raised in this stifling environment it took me several years to reason my way out of the childhood indoctrination. It's a difficult process because it involves questioning everything you've believed to be true up to this point. Some people have a sudden epiphany and never look back, but most of us go through stages, first accepting that our beliefs might not be true, then accepting that they probably aren't true, then accepting that they cannot possibly be true, and then finally cutting ties and rejecting them altogether. Every step of the way you worry about going to hell and that you will make your children go to hell and you wake up in the middle of the night with horrible visions of that. The reason the whole process is so traumatizing is that the brainwashing occurs during two critical periods, both your early and your formative years, when generally you have not yet begun to think for yourself. So by the time you are an adult these beliefs have been completely internalized, and to reject those beliefs is to reject a core part of yourself as well as to reject your family, your friends, neighbors and acquaintances. Your spouse might divorce you, you might lose custody of your kids, you lose your support network, you might be shunned by your entire community. It might affect your job or career: if you own a business, if you are a contractor, a salesperson, a lawyer, whatever---the community may decide they no longer want to do business with you. Your children may be bullied in school because their father or mother is an atheist. They may become socially isolated because the only activities in your town are church-related, and they certainly won't be invited to friends' homes any longer because now they are seen as a bad influence. Recently I saw a sign posted at the entrance of a youth baseball practice field that said "As an athlete I pledge......to show good sportsmanship, respect my coaches and the other athletes, attend practice regularly..." etc. The first line of that pledge was "I believe in God." Some people even consider having to move to another state just to get away from the toxicity. The smaller the town you live in, the worse it will be, and the US is full of small towns where virtually everyone believes the exact same way (these are the types of people who elected Trump). Many people who become atheists keep it a secret, they continue attending church but just sort of back off and become less involved and don't really believe anymore. Others brave the consequences for the sake of intellectual integrity and being able to live in an authentic way, but not everyone is able to make that choice, depending on their personal and family circumstances. So yeah, coming out as an atheist in the Bible Belt of the US can turn your life upside down. I was lucky, it wasn't that bad for me, I live in a small city of 37,000 people so it wasn't nearly as bad as a smaller town. But I've heard some sad stories.
@myrawells569111 ай бұрын
I’m in a town w/similar population, Bible Belt beliefs, etc. I am also bipolar, ptsd. developing my own belief system has been the most liberating process in my life. I could go on to encapsulate years of self hatred and absolute incompetence, but l’ll spare you that tirade. I finally realized that I was not benefiting from psychological treatments that are standard for someone such as myself. I began to study on my own and found that the pursuit of knowledge straight up leads to freedom. Leads to less subjectivity, observing the reality of this moment lends itself to finding solutions to temporal problems or questions. The act of self education is a balm of it’s own. Dismantles and rebuilds. I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to see that good use of the mind gives me options and is intimately rewarding. All schools of learning are interconnected. Ultimately, l learn about others through the same lens l use to examine my own experiences or thoughts. Because of this, today l see connections between myself and others. The isolation of manic depression is much less persuasive as my (more balanced!) acquaintance w/the world increases. I take care of myself. I avoid toxicity as much as possible. I care about people. All people. Today I am part of the whole. Ironically, group think religion has been proven to strip people of respect for individual mind. To get along, embrace cult-thought. The great preachment of Jesus, to love others as we love ourselves, goes ignored in the rejection of any thinking that’s different from our own. I’m going to stop. Thanks very much.
@ericpierce366011 ай бұрын
@@myrawells5691 Yes, I know how you feel. I'm bipolar as well and found it difficult to deal with that condition while in the grip of a cult. It was so freeing to be able to think on my own and make my own decisions about what I believed and not worry about going to hell because of it. My relationships improved and my general outlook on life became so much more positive. Best of luck with your journey!
@myrawells569111 ай бұрын
@@ericpierce3660 thanks Eric I appreciate your response. It’s great to hear from folks who know what this is about. Best of luck to you as well!
@TimH-pu2dd7 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing yourself, Joe. Humankind needs more people as brave as you, unafraid to reveal who they are, unafraid to expose religion as pure superstition, unsupported by evidence. People convince themselves it's valid only to avoid ostracism, and to find the illusion of comfort in a world filled with trauma. I look forward to more videos.
@trenee84472 жыл бұрын
The best video!!! Thank you so much for this.
@rob45ca7 жыл бұрын
You are part of a larger group then you think. It's good to have you with us and keep up the videos.
@gowdsake7103 Жыл бұрын
Most of Europe
@billworkman14206 жыл бұрын
Good video, keep up the good work.
@Sological5 ай бұрын
I'm in the bible belt as well. I've enjoyed this video. My deconstruction began with one question for which there is only one answer...it's not true.
@r.r.21437 жыл бұрын
great vid, I resonate with you a lot, growing up in Alabama as Church of Christ.
@TheRebelsAdvocate7 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching. I remember a few years ago feeling like I was mostly alone with my skepticism, but I have found that to be far from true. Just wanted to add my voice to help others feel less alone.
@patrickmoore20316 жыл бұрын
R. R. Arkansas church of Christ here but not any more.