Bollywood: Atheists and agnostics - your motivation for speaking out? Videos

not4resale Says:

Jul 25, 2008 - I find myself fascinated by the power that religion holds over people. I think I'm attracted to power, it interests me how a person can be completely rational in every facet of their life but that where religion is concerned. I am also dedicated to getting atheists tolerated, I genuinely want to break down the barriers between contradicting philisophical standpoints.

RavenBlaze Says:

Jul 25, 2008 - Escape and connection, since I am away from University for the summer and am surrounded by many religious individuals I find comfort in the online world (much as I did at an early stage of life). I also come here looking for new information and logic/science based views of the biblical argument, as well as the history religion does not tell u.

gph61 Says:

Jul 25, 2008 - A world of every increasing weapons technology and ease of construction can't survive when the majority of it's inhabitants ultimately believe death is better than life.I want to do my little part in helping eradicate, or atleast marginalize, religion before religion eradicates humanity.As it stands now I don't see humans lasting more than 200 years.

2blackcatsandpoe Says:

Jul 26, 2008 - Jesus Camp is scary shit! lol Love your video as usual. Your intelligence and speaking strength gives one hope for our next generation of leaders!!!

Katalyzt Says:

Jul 26, 2008 - Celebritards?! Hahahahahahahahaha!!! :O)But to answer your question: For me; it varies from video to video. Case in point. I have not made a video about religion in about a year. But as far as comments, I have YT channel looking for the two keywords "atheist", and "atheism", and many times a theist has put one of these words in their tags. So I respond to them. But other than that I generally do not bother theists about their beliefs, until they bother me about their beliefs. ;O)Katalyzt

Katalyzt Says:

Jul 26, 2008 - But what started me making atheists type video was [greydonsquare] taking "The Blasphemy Challenge"... I thought, "Hey, I do not believe in these absurdities, so why not take the challenge as well"... So I did... And 68 videos later here I am. ;O)Katalyzt

Ansonidak Says:

Jul 28, 2008 - Superstitions and religious dogma are detrimental to clear, critical thinking. Our civilization needs progress in order to survive. We face some hefty challenges in the years and decades to come. We need all the clear and critical thinkers we can get!You have a new subscriber :)"Belief gets in the way of learning" - Robert A. Heinlein.P.S. I liked the "celebretards" comment too.

InfinityAlarm Says:

Jul 29, 2008 - My motives are twofold:1. As you said, to put another voice out there for someone who is questioning the religion they were brought up with. Seriously doubting my familiy's religion was very scary for me. Hearing the cool voice of rational people who concluded what I did was reassuring.2. To help theists understand atheism better, so that we can all get along. Growing up in a religious enviornment I had gross misconceptions of atheists most of my life.

mwest1234 Says:

Jul 30, 2008 - Why do I speak out about atheism? Mostly because this is the only place that seems interested. Also it open doors to communication with others of like minds. I guess, it comes down to the age-old human desires to not be alone and to have meaningful conversations about things that matter to me. Truthfully, there's so much more to it than the few things, I can list here. By the way, thanks for subbing! Especially in light of the fact that you only sub to 4 users, it means a lot.

Alraera Says:

Jul 30, 2008 - Thanks for the comment, farvision. I agree, education is key - my hope is that if open-minded folks can hear many sides of the issue, they'll be able to decide which arguments hold and which fall unsupported, and thus make their own judgments.

Alraera Says:

Jul 30, 2008 - lol, thanks for the comment rozeboosje =D.

Alraera Says:

Jul 30, 2008 - lol, that was an amusing mental image =D. Thanks for the comment rudybork!

Alraera Says:

Jul 30, 2008 - Thanks Athaeus =D! Yeah, the background this time was due to my refusal to put up another slideshow of somewhat-relevant images - I figure with this type of vid, most people will realize about 10 seconds in that the video images aren't particularly interesting and will keep the tab open to listen to the narration while surfing to other sites. Also I wanted to try out a giveaway-of-the-day software that I d/led a while ago.

Alraera Says:

Jul 30, 2008 - Thanks for the comment not4resale - those are some very interesting points. Personally I don't seek to be a figurehead or spokesperson for atheism/non-belief, but I do seek to differentiate myself from intolerant, close-minded people who go for the jugular every chance they get...and I'm not just talking about religious folk on Youtube. I feel like being tolerant and respectful is the best way to be garner respect and tolerance from others.

Alraera Says:

Jul 30, 2008 - Thanks for the comment, RavenBlaze =D. I am much more open about my atheism online than offline, partly because of the same reasons you cite. lol, I've been addicted to the internet from a young age as well =D.

Alraera Says:

Jul 30, 2008 - Thanks for the comment gph61. Your concerns about the state of the world resonate w/ me as well sometimes. Even if religion can't be eradicated, it would be a success, imo, to influence religious folks to place more value and care into the only lives they have.

Alraera Says:

Jul 30, 2008 - Thanks for the comment and the compliment, 2blackcatsandpoe =D.

Alraera Says:

Jul 30, 2008 - Thanks for the comments, Katalyzt =D. I have to admit that "celebritards" was not my invention, but I do love using it!

Alraera Says:

Jul 30, 2008 - Thanks for the comment and for subscribing, Ansonidak =D. I think your perspective on this issue is very well-put. Society has made enormous progress in the last few centuries in technology and science, yet it's frustrating that social issues are so slow to progress, often thanks to religious notions that are a throw-back to pre-modern eras.

2blackcatsandpoe Says:

Jul 30, 2008 - Absolutely! Thank YOU for posting!

Alraera Says:

Jul 31, 2008 - Thanks for the comment, InfinityAlarm =D. I guess we're here for similar reasons. One of the things I like best about Youtube atheists/non-religious video posters is that in general, they aren't pushy, self-righteous, and they view people as people and not as lambs/pawns or whatever religious metaphor is most convenient. I wish this place had been around when I was in my early teens!

Alraera Says:

Jul 31, 2008 - Thanks mwest =D. That's an interesting point - at least here we can have dialogs, fairly anonymously if we choose, without the risk of physical retribution if one or both sides are populated with hot-heads (at least hopefully not!). I always find your vids interesting. I've been meaning to subscribe to your channel for a while now.

not4resale Says:

Jul 31, 2008 - It's unfortunate that there are many who attack the position of another before fully understanding it. I do however think that people are entitled to be critical of a position in conversation without sparking an argument or causing a breakdown of dialogue.

ImaginaryGodBlessYou Says:

Jul 31, 2008 - I post videos for other atheists or for people who are on the fence and too afraid to think without damnation. It is to talk to all the others who think and feel the same way that I do. Also, to share to theists about atheism. Not to convert them but to enlighten them that people who don't believe in fairytales are people just like them. People need to know that "religion" is not the ONLY way to live.

Alraera Says:

Aug 1, 2008 - Thanks for the comment, ImaginaryGodBlessYou =D. It seems like lots of religious people can't even fathom the prospect of atheism, much less how anyone can intently believe in any religion/belief system different from theirs.