Is youtube (and/or the internet) basically atheist land?

[FalloutJack]

If I may bring the rant about people online and religion to a halt with two sentences...

{1} I am Catholic.

{2} Please don't confuse idiots with atheism.

Thank you.

 

[Azaraxzealot]

i am an agnostic who will probably end up an atheist after i finish reading some of richard dawkins books, i think that people should troll that video you posted but only because it is posted on YOUTUBE where lots of PEOPLE OF OTHER FAITHS look at videos(i dont beleive in public preaching)

youtube doesnt belong to the public. it belongs to google. which is a private organization (i believe), which doesnt have to follow the regulations of "public preaching" and people should understand that. youtube is not theirs, its google's.

If I may bring the rant about people online and religion to a halt with two sentences...

{1} I am Catholic.

{2} Please don't confuse idiots with atheism.

Thank you.

1) Ok. Cool.

2) Believe me, that's the LAST thing i want to do.

and on another note. im more pointing out that i always encounter the idiots of the demographic on youtube and other sites. not saying atheists are idiots, just saying that the idiots of the atheists (and we all know every part of every belief has them) are very vocal.

 

[gostlyfantom]

i am an agnostic who will probably end up an atheist after i finish reading some of richard dawkins books, i think that people should troll that video you posted but only because it is posted on YOUTUBE where lots of PEOPLE OF OTHER FAITHS look at videos(i dont beleive in public preaching)

youtube doesnt belong to the public. it belongs to google. which is a private organization (i believe), which doesnt have to follow the regulations of "public preaching" and people should understand that. youtube is not theirs, its google's.

But YOUtube is pretty damn public even if it is privately owned(wich it is) and actually i dont think there are regulations for preaching its more of a moral thing of telling people what they should beleive or they will burn in hell and that there life will be so much better under the inluence of their god.

 

[Ambi]

"The efficiency of indoctrination is significantly reduced when all the members are not localized in one place." - Thunderf00t

It's easy to believe something when you're part of an encouraging group, but the internet fosters open discussion and debate and has the potential to open people's eyes to a variety of different beliefs and arguments for non-theism they'd never thought of before. It really is confusing and faith-threatening when you realise, for example, how contentious some of the doctrine you assumed all Christians had in common is, or when a particularly articulate atheist obliterates their religious opponent and you're supposed to be supporting the losing side.

I joined a Christian forum when I was fourteen and witnessed the gradual deconversion of quite a substantial number of the members there. It was a mostly Christian forum but members with other beliefs were welcome. They even ended up trying to predict who would be the next to lose their faith.

I'm not sure whether or not the internet is dominated by atheists. It's a propagation tool used by almost all religions and atheists aren't a statistical majority yet, but I think the internet is still an environment that encourages questioning religious assumptions.

That video reminds me of my own childhood. It's just a cute little demonstration, it makes me kind of sad because he seems like an innocent friendly old man. *sigh* The message can be both good and bad, envisaging a noble power within you encouraging you to be a good person, or it could encouraging prejudice towards children who aren't Christian, by equating them to the "ugly regular pickles" and setting them up for depression if they end up deconverting for whatever reason (what if they're gay or perceive flaws in the doctrine?) because they were told "they have an empty space inside their hearts without Jesus to fill that hole". It just makes me sad how it partially seems innocuous because I remember how I liked those kind of metaphors as a kid and how kind my parents and teachers were but how it can also be more sinister than it comes across as.

 

[DustyDrB]

I don't think the problem is too many atheists or too few christians, it seem to be a huge amount of religion hating trolls and christians being well christians will tend not to spew hate online and most atheists won't either but the small amount that do, do it alot.

I agree with this. I am a christian, but am constantly shaking my head at the things people do under the banner of the faith. I really don't blame people if they hate us. I even have a very hard time liking us.

A lot of people have the faith just all wrong. They make it about converting people to our morals and not just having conversations about Jesus. They follow rules and they don't know why. Here's a newsflash: The Bible doesn't say "Don't say fuck". I find it hard to be myself around other christians because they tend to look at me like I'm in a small way kind of an authority (Theology degree and have held some leadership positions). I hate it.

 

[Azaraxzealot]

i am an agnostic who will probably end up an atheist after i finish reading some of richard dawkins books, i think that people should troll that video you posted but only because it is posted on YOUTUBE where lots of PEOPLE OF OTHER FAITHS look at videos(i dont beleive in public preaching)

youtube doesnt belong to the public. it belongs to google. which is a private organization (i believe), which doesnt have to follow the regulations of "public preaching" and people should understand that. youtube is not theirs, its google's.

But YOUtube is pretty damn public even if it is privately owned

well until people are paying a youtube tax or there is a federal branch dedicated to managing it (which we would pay for WITH our taxes), Google is in no way obligated to follow the same rules as the government has to when it comes to what they can do with "public" property. since YouTube is THEIR property (and they just allow other people to do things with it) they ultimately don't have to do anything if one sect of people or another gets offended by something.

it's like putting a cross on your house. you can do that because that's your property and you paid for it. no one should be allowed to make you take down that cross even if hundreds of people of other faiths picket your house.

Well YouTube is basically google's house (one of many) and they gave permission for people to do whatever they wanted to to that house as long as they follow Google's rules. It's their property, not yours.

 

[crudus]

seems like every group (even atheists) are just a bunch of bitches that don't know when to shut up and just live and let live.

anyways, comments?

I don't know about you, but I personally have been burned (not literally of course, though that can happen) because of my atheism. I am sure Christians have been persecuted by atheists for their practices. I don't see why I should adopt a "live and let live" mentality if it isn't being shown to me. Now I am not going to scream hate filled comments or anything at anyone. I am however going to make people question their beliefs which is either the best or the worst thing I can do to people.

 

[Azaraxzealot]

seems like every group (even atheists) are just a bunch of bitches that don't know when to shut up and just live and let live.

anyways, comments?

I don't know about you, but I personally have been burned (not literally of course, though that can happen) because of my atheism. I am sure Christians have been persecuted by atheists for their practices. I don't see why I should adopt a "live and let live" mentality if it isn't being shown to me. Now I am not going to scream hate filled comments or anything at anyone. I am however going to make people question their beliefs which is either the best or the worst thing I can do to people.

well i'm not an atheist, but what if i agree to just live and let you live without criticizing? how's that for a start?

 

[Ocoton]

There are facts and there is BS. Apparently, this video makes BS look like a fact. What's not to hate. Sure, "not for us" you might say. But this is one of the problems with the video too: it expects the BS or whatever "not for us" magic to work, when it plainly doesn't exist. Children should be taught why is it happening, instead of plugging forks into sockets and getting fried. Actually, "getting fried" sums this video up nicely.

itt: Bawww, people are learning more about stuff since they've got access to a giant encyclopedia called the internet and are poking holes in our shotty science and illogical arguments, woe is me, woe is me, we're being picked on by a minority.

Why teenagers need to GTFO the internet

You're 24. You're hardly 80. Not my problem you think age is an adequate measure of intellect. Arrogant git "oh they don't agree with me, hahahahaha, idiot children"

 

[gostlyfantom]

i am an agnostic who will probably end up an atheist after i finish reading some of richard dawkins books, i think that people should troll that video you posted but only because it is posted on YOUTUBE where lots of PEOPLE OF OTHER FAITHS look at videos(i dont beleive in public preaching)

youtube doesnt belong to the public. it belongs to google. which is a private organization (i believe), which doesnt have to follow the regulations of "public preaching" and people should understand that. youtube is not theirs, its google's.

But YOUtube is pretty damn public even if it is privately owned

well until people are paying a youtube tax or there is a federal branch dedicated to managing it (which we would pay for WITH our taxes), Google is in no way obligated to follow the same rules as the government has to when it comes to what they can do with "public" property. since YouTube is THEIR property (and they just allow other people to do things with it) they ultimately don't have to do anything if one sect of people or another gets offended by something.

it's like putting a cross on your house. you can do that because that's your property and you paid for it. no one should be allowed to make you take down that cross even if hundreds of people of other faiths picket your house.

Well YouTube is basically google's house (one of many) and they gave permission for people to do whatever they wanted to to that house as long as they follow Google's rules. It's their property, not yours.

well yes You are right but in your house that crucifix isnt being seen thousands or shit even millions of times also if youtube is just a site on the net, can it be legally owned by someone?(legitimate question, i am unaware of internet laws if they exist)

 

[ajh93]

*for the record:i am an agnostic apatheist*
it's not an issue of numbers,every group has its assholes...atheists are no different.some people just misdirect their anger.like if they see some story about people (no particular case here,just hypothetical) burning a "witch" in some obscure corner of the globe,and the people doing the burning happen to be christian or whatever,then that paints their perspective of the entire group in a negative way.this is one dimensional thinking that the world would be better off without.

 

[hem dazon 90]

There are facts and there is BS. Apparently, this video makes BS look like a fact. What's not to hate. Sure, "not for us" you might say. But this is one of the problems with the video too: it expects the BS or whatever "not for us" magic to work, when it plainly doesn't exist. Children should be taught why is it happening, instead of plugging forks into sockets and getting fried. Actually, "getting fried" sums this video up nicely.

itt: Bawww, people are learning more about stuff since they've got access to a giant encyclopedia called the internet and are poking holes in our shotty science and illogical arguments, woe is me, woe is me, we're being picked on by a minority.

Why teenagers need to GTFO the internet

You're 24. You're hardly 80. Not my problem you think age is an adequate measure of intellect. Arrogant git "oh they don't agree with me, hahahahaha, idiot children"

Acting like a shithead to people is immature behaviour. Thus we can conclude that you are an immature person and of a lower age.

 

[hem dazon 90]

i am an agnostic who will probably end up an atheist after i finish reading some of richard dawkins books, i think that people should troll that video you posted but only because it is posted on YOUTUBE where lots of PEOPLE OF OTHER FAITHS look at videos(i dont beleive in public preaching)

youtube doesnt belong to the public. it belongs to google. which is a private organization (i believe), which doesnt have to follow the regulations of "public preaching" and people should understand that. youtube is not theirs, its google's.

But YOUtube is pretty damn public even if it is privately owned

well until people are paying a youtube tax or there is a federal branch dedicated to managing it (which we would pay for WITH our taxes), Google is in no way obligated to follow the same rules as the government has to when it comes to what they can do with "public" property. since YouTube is THEIR property (and they just allow other people to do things with it) they ultimately don't have to do anything if one sect of people or another gets offended by something.

it's like putting a cross on your house. you can do that because that's your property and you paid for it. no one should be allowed to make you take down that cross even if hundreds of people of other faiths picket your house.

Well YouTube is basically google's house (one of many) and they gave permission for people to do whatever they wanted to to that house as long as they follow Google's rules. It's their property, not yours.

well yes You are right but in your house that crucifix isnt being seen thousands or shit even millions of times also if youtube is just a site on the net, can it be legally owned by someone?(legitimate question, i am unaware of internet laws if they exist)

I'm kinda sketchy with internet law but I'm pretty sure whoever pays for the server and domain name owns the website

 

[mjc0961]

i started noticing this when i saw this video (not going to embed it because you don't need to watch it, just read the comments to know what i'm talking about)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JYIJPjpCFc

harmless video directed at christian families. yet look at all the hate spewed in the comments and just in the "Likes vs Dislikes" with over 1300 people disliking the video and little more than 200 liking it.

I think you do need to watch it first. I did, and to me the guy sounded like he was saying "people who don't believe in Jesus are normal and boring but people who do believe are super special awesome and better than non-believers", at which point I also gave it a dislike. And you may say that it's not made for me, but in that case I ask why was it put on the internet where I can see it? If they just want to show it to other Christians, they should save it for for the little school things churches do on Sundays and for religious schools and what not. You wouldn't see me busting into their private building and shouting "I DISLIKE THIS VIDEO, YOU ARE NOT BETTER THAN ME JUST BECAUSE YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS LIKE IT SUGGESTS!" at them. But if they put it on the internet for all to see, hell yeah I am going to click that thumbs down button.
I could also talk about they're smearing the science behind why that pickle glows when you pass an electric current through it, but I don't think they were seriously trying to say "God makes pickles glow" so I'll just leave that alone.

As for the comments though, I was expecting a lot more negative, hateful, bashing comments based on your post, TC. Instead it mostly seems to be people debating the messages that the video is trying to send. It's actually quite mature as far as YouTube comment discussions go. And again I support all of the people making those kinds of non-bashing but debating comments about the video. They chose to put this video on the internet and they chose to leave the comments section open. Thus people have the right to discuss the video and disagree with its message if they want to.

Now if you had found something where people were just outright bashing and being assholes, I could agree with some of the things you had said in your OP. But this? No, that looks more like free speech and an open exchange of ideas than it does "a bunch of bitches that don't know when to shut up".

 

[profit0004]

Between 64% and 65% of Japanese are atheists, agnostics, or do not believe in a god.

So, there are quite a few out there.

From a christian perspective, while I love to share my experiences as a christian. I also know and accept every person is made by God. And if God made someone a strong Atheist, who am I to judge that person.

On the flip side, why would an atheist care what anyone else believes. It's not like there is an atheism heaven or atheist trophy for the number of people they convert to atheism.

Maybe this world is all a test to see if we can manage to mind our own business and get along.. Maybe not too... But I do know God wants there to be atheists for some reason... Even if it is just to challenge the other Christans.

 

[Perfice]

"The internet is the first thing that humanity has built that humanity doesn't understand. The largest experiment in anarchy that we have ever had." Eric Schmidt.

I posted this video on my FB and immediately my atheist friend posted on it saying the reason why people were so mad was because religion keeps trying to deny science and say it's the devil and etc. I was, like, where in this video is he saying that science is the devil or even a single thing about God himself struck the electicity into the pickle? The only thing he's doing is delivering a message of hope and people took a thing meant to make people happy into an evil hate message.

 

[Ambi]

Acting like a shithead to people is immature behaviour. Thus we can conclude that you are an immature person and of a lower age.

You could have called them out on their "shithead" behaviour by politely asking them not to word things so offensively rather than insulting young people in general.

If you disagree with what they are saying, the logical and mature thing to do is to challenge their assertions with sound arguments rather than saying they're immature.

Also, there are plenty of older people who act and speak immaturely.

 

[Kashrlyyk]

...

well i'm not an atheist, but what if i agree to just live and let you live without criticizing? how's that for a start?

That is not enough, because:

1) A lot of churches are "tax-exempt"!
2) There is such a thing as a "church tax" in some countries!
3) Several employees of the church are paid by the state, aka the tax payers even those who do not believe in any faith or that particular faith in some countries! Even though there is no state religion.
4) A lot of churches have the right to discriminate against people! For example it is legal that the catholic church refuses to hire female priests. Imagine the outcry and protest if anyone else would not hire someone because of her sex or fire you because you want to remarry.
5) The churches are influencing laws!
6) There is an official senate or congress or white house chaplain paid for by every tax payer in america. Don't forget the military chaplains and the "Spirituality Test" of the US army ......

Sorry, but you shutting up is not enough.

And then there is this: http://img129.imageshack.us/i/1213119238104yy9.jpg/

 

[hem dazon 90]

Acting like a shithead to people is immature behaviour. Thus we can conclude that you are an immature person and of a lower age.

You could have called them out on their "shithead" behaviour by politely asking them not to word things so offensively rather than insulting young people in general.

If you disagree with what they are saying, the logical and mature thing to do is to challenge their assertions with sound arguments rather than saying they're immature.

Also, there are plenty of older people who act and speak immaturely.

You are right about that language part. I apoligize for my harsh language. However my initial point still stands, people who argue with and insult other people on things such as religion usually are rather immature.