tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12669850402902426632024-03-19T04:00:32.699-04:00ExChristian.NetEncouraging doubting, de-converting, deconstructing and former ChristiansDave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-4309976705627250592024-01-21T15:14:00.006-05:002024-01-21T15:30:52.684-05:00Goodbye Jesus<span class="dropcap">T</span>im Sledge was a Southern Baptist preacher and writer for 35 years. His pioneering work in faith-based recovery ministries in the 80s and 90s ultimately guided participants in 20,000 Christian support groups across the U.S.
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The driving force behind Sledge’s ultimate rejection of Christianity was his long-term, up-close observations of church life. “After living and leading in the church for decades, I saw no consistent evidence of an ongoing supernatural presence—and I wanted to see that evidence with all that was in me.”
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/viCGMV7So-s?si=9IoKtg87v979uBn6" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Jesus-Evangelical-Preachers-Journey/dp/0999843532/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=&_encoding=UTF8&tag=exchrisnetenc-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=071b906750382dfcfd1f60b775b06617&camp=1789&creative=9325">Goodbye Jesus</a>
Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-34108215845283476552020-10-13T15:22:00.002-04:002020-10-13T15:22:23.324-04:00Interview with (former Christian) Susan, pt. 1 <i>By <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrPKXNg9PAL6bROvsaUFvAA" target="_blank">Harmonic Atheist</a> ~ </i>
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<span class="dropcap">T</span>oday I spoke with Susan, a friend whom I have known for over 30 years. We met in kindergarten, and remained good friends for many years as we attended Christian school together, where part of our indoctrination occurred. We were also heavily involved in Bible quizzing, when we memorized hundreds of verses.
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We discussed Susan's deconversion from Christianity, including the ways that the Christian worldview--especially the fundamentalist Christian one--hurts and emotionally scars people who grow up in it. We talked about the cracks that appear early in life, which are painful to work through, but which ultimately help people to think more rationally, to realize that Christianity is mythology and that the Christian god is not actually real, and to truly begin to live their lives for the first time.
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We have lots more to share! Stay tuned for part 2, coming shortly.
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Thanks to Susan for her vulnerability, realness, wisdom, sensitivity, and love for life.
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PSyPMSyzpGM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-53456702432371978992020-10-09T12:15:00.004-04:002020-10-11T15:39:13.101-04:00How Scary Was It to Leave Christianity?<i>By FlyingOverTr0ut ~ </i>
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<span class="dropcap">I</span> was raised under the backwards teachings of Christianity which, when I took them seriously, left me confused, alone, sick, and disabled. I talk about how painful it was to leave, how necessary that choice was, and how it had many consequences for me.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yfYmEl_0YOU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-80041059450628810932020-10-09T12:02:00.001-04:002020-10-09T12:02:55.620-04:0010 Reasons People Are Leaving Christianity<i>By Friendly Atheist ~ </i>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VlTvR6vokw8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-24179825532634123382020-10-09T11:49:00.005-04:002020-10-11T15:38:30.476-04:00WHY I LEFT CHRISTIANITY and RELIGION for GOOD <i>By Kelita Sahliah ~ </i>
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<span class="dropcap">I</span>n this video I get to the point of why I left religion. I was part of the seventh day adventist church, and I have gladly left. I shar with you my experience of leaving christianity, I am now free from religion, christianity, and the bible, for good! I am so glad I am no longer a christian and I am free from it all!
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AdEQeXsNN5Y" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-89482233218047286162020-10-09T11:42:00.002-04:002020-10-11T15:41:20.442-04:00Leaving Evangelical Christianity - An Intro<i>By Dee the Humanist ~ </i>
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<span class="dropcap">I</span>'m an ex-Christian and this is a brief overview of how I started asking questions that led to my deconversion from Christianity 4 years ago.
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WsF985_lCPk" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-48121903239698611872020-10-09T11:20:00.005-04:002020-10-09T11:50:35.655-04:00Are the Gospels Historically Reliable? <i>By <a href="https://www.bartdehrman.com/" target="_blank">Bart D. Ehrman</a> ~ </i>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AymnA526j9U" width="560"></iframe>Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-5331612345508352722019-05-28T10:52:00.001-04:002019-05-28T10:52:13.884-04:00How To Remain Christian<i>By <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/MinorityAtheist">AtheistMinority ~ </a> </i><br />
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<a href="https://youtu.be/khSo-bgjDT8" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="670" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_qzg6RlMafFM7EOo5OsxmNEmnL8c2b4NMF6gB4w68EP30vADQ0iIbH5EvrJz-hu0S5xky2-wMsjWiby5lO_wktNXlSCTt-KM_fu1DwEMpxv1keTWpUCcjZwSninGz9h4FK2jH_BTxAo/s640/ResearchChristianity.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span class="dropcap">T</span>ips for staying strong in the Christian religion.<span class="pullquote"></span><br />
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<br />Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-50167084884839417832019-05-28T10:36:00.003-04:002019-05-28T10:36:56.326-04:00My De-conversion from Christian to Atheist after 30 Years<i>By 1Life2Live ~ </i><br />
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<span class="dropcap">I</span>n this my <a href="https://youtu.be/A6veYZsz8-U">first YouTube video on atheism</a>, I've tried to give a snapshot of how after 30 years as a professing Christian I came to a final realisation that my Christian reality existed only in my mind.<br />
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I only recommend this video to those who case more about the truth than about feeling good!<br />
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My second video is now available here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5MIszF522s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5MIszF522s </a><br />
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<br />Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-65332145427247339352019-04-21T06:33:00.001-04:002019-05-13T13:28:37.637-04:00What is Religious Trauma? Andrew Jasko VIDEO @ 2019 ATP Transpersonal Psychology Conference<i>Submitted by Andrew Jasko ~ </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XIa-J0mA9WkD-q4Kzo3HJH7IURMx14eAMlu9pOMSmyPUuuqUsAK-sP2Ns7cheF4xkoFl-Y_68JpMogZwJt-a_Z8gs1nCcPznhKz0xgPfdqcAgpwaedoXalsbXB0FTrmjrWUXD25ySSg/s1600/religious-abuse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="726" height="415" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XIa-J0mA9WkD-q4Kzo3HJH7IURMx14eAMlu9pOMSmyPUuuqUsAK-sP2Ns7cheF4xkoFl-Y_68JpMogZwJt-a_Z8gs1nCcPznhKz0xgPfdqcAgpwaedoXalsbXB0FTrmjrWUXD25ySSg/s640/religious-abuse.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span class="dropcap">M</span>any religions teach ideologies that psychologically traumatize millions of people. Yet few helping professionals are trained to help people heal from religious trauma. Religious abuse can result in anxiety disorders, PTSD, spiritual suppression, sexual dysfunction, and communal shunning. Indoctrination also results in societal harms such as oppression of women and LGBT communities and climate change denial. When people leave religious total identity systems, they face a major life crisis. The process of transitioning and healing has a general shape and stage-specific challenges. Challenges like grieving the death of god, overcoming fear of hellfire torture, and rebuilding the self-relationship damaged by teachings about sin and surrender of agency are commonplace. How can we help people suffering within oppressive religions? How can we facilitate spiritual and life transition for those questioning their religion? How can we help those in recovery heal from religious trauma? This lecture will define the basic issues and advocate activism, training, and research.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdHXK6an5iXpJNhIyNSxkMrQec1h2doeb9H_aYbcv9yG-Alflw5jFIxfxkM3SaSJRABlvOyfHun-0V-v36vmLbnhYlgbHhzRna8Sk4sWwz4U0qgbAHiu43APruD3dCZC7PbKDvAZKwiE/s1600/headshot-Jasko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1277" data-original-width="1270" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdHXK6an5iXpJNhIyNSxkMrQec1h2doeb9H_aYbcv9yG-Alflw5jFIxfxkM3SaSJRABlvOyfHun-0V-v36vmLbnhYlgbHhzRna8Sk4sWwz4U0qgbAHiu43APruD3dCZC7PbKDvAZKwiE/s320/headshot-Jasko.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>Andrew Jasko, M.Div. Princeton Seminary, Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) in progress, is a religious trauma activist and spiritual transition coach. He raises awareness about the psycho-spiritual harms of fundamentalist religion and provides resources to facilitate transition into secular life and spirituality at <a href="https://lifeafterdogma.org/">www.lifeafterdogma.org</a>. Andrew was formerly a Pentecostal Christian minister and missionary to India. Although religious faith was his life’s passion, Andrew suffered from anxiety, depression, and guilt about sexuality. He left his religion after realizing that biblical teachings were the cause of his distress. Andrew studies religion from the perspective of trauma and is working to create a training program for therapists and helping professionals to heal religious trauma and work with people in spiritual transition. Andrew has extensive knowledge of many forms of Christianity from personal experience and study and has walked many individuals through the process of healing. His writings and talks can be found at <a href="https://lifeafterdogma.org/">www.lifeafterdogma.org</a>. Andrew offers private coaching, speaks at events, and facilitates workshops. Contact Andrew for coaching and booking: lifeafterdogma AT @gmail.com.<br />
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QVk5RnGwuwI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-54142511174592077952015-06-29T04:21:00.002-04:002015-07-08T19:18:25.918-04:00My Path To Atheism : Annie Besant<div style="text-align: right;"></div><i>Sent in by dealdoctor ~ </i><br />
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<span class="dropcap">F</span>or those who wish a convenient online way to hear excellent detailed arguments against Christianity, its doctrines and its "Bible God" here is a link to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annie_Besant" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Annie Besant">Annie Besant</a>'s magnificent book <u>My Path To Atheism</u> <br />
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Annie BESANT (1847 - 1933)<br />
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<blockquote><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:A._Besant_1885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="Annie Besant in 1885. Photograph by H.S. Mende..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" height="200" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b3/A._Besant_1885.jpg/350px-A._Besant_1885.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="141" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 350px;">Annie Besant in 1885. </td></tr>
</tbody></table></blockquote> Annie Besant was a British social reformer, and radical <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freethought" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Freethought">free thinker</a> of the late 19th century. She married a clergyman but her increasingly anti-religious views led to a legal separation in 1873. Besant became a member of the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Secular_Society" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="National Secular Society">National Secular Society</a> which preached 'free thought' and also of the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fabian_Society" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Fabian Society">Fabian Society</a>, the noted socialist organisation. In the 1870's Besant and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Bradlaugh" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Charles Bradlaugh">Charles Bradlaugh</a> edited the weekly <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Reformer" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="National Reformer">National Reformer</a>, which advocated advanced ideas for the time on topics such as trade unions, national education, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_suffrage" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Women's suffrage">women's right to vote</a> and birth control. In 1877 Besant published 'My Path to Atheism' which surgically dissects the basic tenets of christianity which was unusual for a women living in those times. Its arguments and rationale are still relevant today. - Summary by BBC History website.<br />
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Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-90838655357705299272015-01-31T20:03:00.001-05:002015-02-10T04:43:37.529-05:00Suppose that God really does exist...<div class="zemanta-img" style="text-align: right;">
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<span class="dropcap">I</span>t’s a question that nearly every nonbeliever faces at some point in his or her life: “But what if God exists, what would you say to Him?”<br />
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<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Fry" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Stephen Fry">Stephen Fry</a>, a well-known British comedian, actor, and writer – who just so happens to be an outspoken skeptic – faced the question with an interview on <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ireland" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Ireland">Ireland</a>’s <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RT%C3%89_Television" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="RTÉ Television">RTE television</a> station.<br />
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The interviewer, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gay_Byrne" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Gay Byrne">Gay Byrne</a>, begins, as they inevitably do, by asking Fry to humor him and suppose that God really does exist.<br />
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<i>“Suppose it’s all true, and you walk up to the Pearly Gates and you are confronted by God. What will Stephen Fry say to him or it?”</i><br />
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At first Fry laughs and remarks that the question is the “oddest thing.” After collecting his thoughts, he gives an answer that leaves the interviewer speechless.<br />
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Read more: <a href="http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/01/30/atheist-stephen-frys-response-to-what-he-would-say-if-he-met-god-levels-this-interviewer-video/#ixzz3QS08LjID">http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/01/30/atheist-stephen-frys-response-to-what-he-would-say-if-he-met-god-levels-this-interviewer-video/#ixzz3QS08LjID</a>Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-41437653592920651192015-01-31T14:11:00.001-05:002015-02-08T08:40:44.152-05:00The Deconversion of Atticus BlakeBy Finite Atticus ~ <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://yt3.ggpht.com/-xiwffpVBqYo/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAAAAA/ZhGCjCtG6BM/s100-c-k-no/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://yt3.ggpht.com/-xiwffpVBqYo/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAAAAA/ZhGCjCtG6BM/s100-c-k-no/photo.jpg" /></a></div><span class="dropcap">I</span> feel bad that I have never shared here. Prplfox told me about this site a long time ago. I have told my deconversion story in the form of a youtube series. In it I give a detailed account of my christian life, my knowledge that I am gay, and that I actively hide this from everyone while trying to maintain a marriage, children and christian attitude. Hope you all enjoy it. <br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/finiteattic">http://www.youtube.com/finiteattic</a>Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-24293593268894051652014-08-12T07:10:00.001-04:002014-08-17T08:44:26.655-04:00Tim Minchin - The Good Book (Live)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_End_Book.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="The End Book" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" height="167" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3d/The_End_Book.png/350px-The_End_Book.png" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 350px;">The End Book (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_End_Book.png" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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Tim Minchin -- The Good Book <br />
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Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-48908129164062288892014-03-02T14:09:00.002-05:002014-03-12T12:02:33.652-04:00Fallacy of Motivated ReasoningBy <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/MattMcCormick1781?feature=watch">Matt McCormick</a><br />
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Prof. Matt McCormick discusses the cognitive fallacy of motivated reasoning (MR). It is contrasted to actively open minded thinking. We consider common examples of MR, the evolutionary function of MR, the research on correcting it, and how to emulate actively open minded thinking, particularly in religious, political, and moral cases.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/47T-y9HzGLQ?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-84876530447633771572014-02-22T06:04:00.000-05:002014-03-01T18:38:00.466-05:00CRAZY CREATIONISTS<i>Sent in by DealDoctor ~ </i> <br />
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<span class="dropcap">D</span>id you see the debate between Bill Ney "the science guy" and the Crazy Creationist guru,Ken Ham which happened right at the come let us dupe you Creationist Museum in Kentucky? If there was anything that should change a fundamentalist I believe the bible from Genesis to Maps believer person it is the plain, simple statement of the facts by Bill Ney "the science guy". Then again you can't fix stupid and facts have a hard time changing the Faithful. Check out the debate in the video below and see what you think. Imagine if you were still a crazy headed dogma filled believer and that you were in the audience would what you hear change you? What happens when facts meet faith?<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/z6kgvhG3AkI?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-2097031206330870322013-09-18T04:21:00.002-04:002013-09-22T08:52:20.399-04:00Dust That Sings<i>By <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nnwvoH-4XI&feature=share&list=PL71427B253EA9F8E7">philhellenes ~</a> </i><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/9nnwvoH-4XI?list=PL71427B253EA9F8E7" width="560"></iframe>Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-66015829579561313612013-07-30T03:36:00.001-04:002013-08-11T00:46:42.470-04:00Youth Pastor Kevin<i>By <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/youthpastork">youthpastorkevin</a> ~ </i><br />
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<span class="dropcap">T</span>hought y'all might enjoy this little series of sketches my wife and I (who met as evangelicals and quit together) made about the idiosyncrasies of youth group life.<br />
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<a href="http://www.youthpastorkevin.com/">http://www.youthpastorkevin.com/</a>Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-46973691352226629252013-07-05T12:21:00.003-04:002013-07-18T07:08:41.084-04:00Farewell to Faith<i>From <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0fN-EK4qmY">TheThinkingAtheist</a></i><br />
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<span class="dropcap">J</span>ackie, William and Rachel each came from religious homes. So what made them question, and ultimately reject, the belief systems of their childhood? We let them explain...in their own words.<br />
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These interviews were filmed at the 2012 Ascent of Atheism Conference in Denver, Colorado. Special thanks to the Atheist Alliance of America for providing the venue. <a href="http://atheistallianceamerica.org/">http://atheistallianceamerica.org/</a><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/F0fN-EK4qmY?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-46690586003935866642013-03-10T06:00:00.004-04:002013-04-23T20:21:34.610-04:00Children who have suffered because their parents chose prayer over medicine <i>By Daniel C ~ </i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzfEy0svvcPxm-NSGZzpmSkLicdLov2df57VILDKL49a0dkjCaq2inFBls7Y2fWoaJMX3G-ugvWiB7ngCjU6xV-HtmgasobiIRBoKp6NanirtO62U8F6kz8zAIsX13vayMIgYmMAIygc/s1600/refusing_to_take_kid_to_doctor_crime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzfEy0svvcPxm-NSGZzpmSkLicdLov2df57VILDKL49a0dkjCaq2inFBls7Y2fWoaJMX3G-ugvWiB7ngCjU6xV-HtmgasobiIRBoKp6NanirtO62U8F6kz8zAIsX13vayMIgYmMAIygc/s200/refusing_to_take_kid_to_doctor_crime.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="dropcap">T</span>his video highlights the unfortunate children who had to suffer and die because of religion. Their parents believe that going to the doctor and using medicine is showing weakness. They believe that prayer and faith heals. These children had to endure pain and misery because their parents decided it was best to pray for them rather than seek professional medical treatment.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TO9AvzXvw4o?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-58886952647177986122012-12-08T22:22:00.001-05:002012-12-13T06:32:36.822-05:00White Wine in the Sun<i>By <a href="http://www.timminchin.com/" target="_blank">Tim Minchin ~ </a></i><br />
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<i>I really like Christmas</i><br />
<i>It's sentimental, I know, but I just really like it</i><br />
<i>I am hardly religious</i><br />
<i>I'd rather break bread with Dawkins than Desmond Tutu, to be honest</i><br />
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</i><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="zemanta-img"><div class="zemanta-img"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tim_Minchin_piano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="English: Tim Minchin" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="126" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/87/Tim_Minchin_piano.jpg/300px-Tim_Minchin_piano.jpg" style="border: medium none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="200" /></a></div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: Tim Minchin (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tim_Minchin_piano.jpg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><i>And yes, I have all of the usual objections</i><br />
<i>To consumerism, the commercialisation of an ancient religion</i><br />
<i>To the westernisation of a dead Palestinian</i><br />
<i>Press-ganged into selling Playstations and beer</i><br />
<i>But I still really like it</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>I'm looking forward to Christmas</i><br />
<i>Though I'm not expecting a visit from Jesus</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>I'll be seeing my dad</i><br />
<i>My brother and sisters, my gran and my mum</i><br />
<i>They'll be drinking white wine in the sun</i><br />
<i>I'll be seeing my dad</i><br />
<i>My brother and sisters, my gran and my mum</i><br />
<i>They'll be drinking white wine in the sun</i><br />
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<div><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fCNvZqpa-7Q" width="560"></iframe><div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"><img alt="" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=1bb484d5-cb48-46d9-ad69-142feaf792ce" style="border: none; float: right;" /></div><i><br />
</i> <i>I don't go in for ancient wisdom</i><br />
<i>I don't believe just 'cos ideas are tenacious it means they are worthy</i><br />
<i>I get freaked out by churches</i><br />
<i>Some of the hymns that they sing have nice chords but the lyrics are dodgy</i><br />
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</i> <i>And yes I have all of the usual objections</i><br />
<i>To the miseducation of children who, in tax-exempt institutions,</i><br />
<i>Are taught to externalise blame</i><br />
<i>And to feel ashamed and to judge things as plain right and wrong</i><br />
<i>But I quite like the songs</i><br />
<i>[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/t/tim_minchin/white_wine_in_the_sun.html ]</i><br />
<i>I'm not expecting big presents</i><br />
<i>The old combination of socks, jocks and chocolate is just fine by me</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>Cos I'll be seeing my dad</i><br />
<i>My brother and sisters, my gran and my mum</i><br />
<i>They'll be drinking white wine in the sun</i><br />
<i>I'll be seeing my dad</i><br />
<i>My brother and sisters, my gran and my mum</i><br />
<i>They'll be drinking white wine in the sun</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>And you, my baby girl</i><br />
<i>My jetlagged infant daughter</i><br />
<i>You'll be handed round the room</i><br />
<i>Like a puppy at a primary school</i><br />
<i>And you won't understand</i><br />
<i>But you will learn someday</i><br />
<i>That wherever you are and whatever you face</i><br />
<i>These are the people who'll make you feel safe in this world</i><br />
<i>My sweet blue-eyed girl</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>And if, my baby girl</i><br />
<i>When you're twenty-one or thirty-one</i><br />
<i>And Christmas comes around</i><br />
<i>And you find yourself nine thousand miles from home</i><br />
<i>You'll know what ever comes</i><br />
<i>Your brother and sisters and me and your Mum</i><br />
<i>Will be waiting for you in the sun</i><br />
<i>Whenever you come</i><br />
<i>Your brothers and sisters, your aunts and your uncles</i><br />
<i>Your grandparents, cousins and me and your mum</i><br />
<i>We'll be waiting for you in the sun</i><br />
<i>Drinking white wine in the sun</i><br />
<i>Darling, when Christmas comes</i><br />
<i>We'll be waiting for you in the sun</i><br />
<i>Drinking white wine in the sun</i><br />
<i>Waiting for you in the sun</i><br />
<i>Waiting for you...</i><br />
<i>Waiting...</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>I really like Christmas</i><br />
<i>It's sentimental, I know...</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i><br />
</i> <i><b>Timothy David "Tim" Minchin</b><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-midname_2-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Minchin#cite_note-midname-2"></a></sup> (born 7 October 1975) <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-born_1-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Minchin#cite_note-born-1"></a></sup> is an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia" title="Australia">Australian</a>-<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom" title="United Kingdom">British</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comedian" title="Comedian">comedian</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actor" title="Actor">actor</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musician" title="Musician">musician</a>.</i><br />
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</i> <br />
<i>Tim Minchin is best known for his <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_comedy" title="Musical comedy">musical comedy</a>, which has featured in six CDs, three DVDs and a number of live comedy shows which he has performed internationally. He has also appeared on television in Australia, Britain and the United States. After growing up in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perth%2C_Western_Australia" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Perth, Western Australia">Perth, Western Australia</a>, he attended the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Western_Australia" title="University of Western Australia">University of Western Australia</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Australian_Academy_of_Performing_Arts" title="Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts">WAAPA</a> before moving to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne" title="Melbourne">Melbourne</a> in 2002. His breakout show, "Dark Side", launched him into the public eye, achieving critical success at the 2005 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne_International_Comedy_Festival" title="Melbourne International Comedy Festival">Melbourne International Comedy Festival</a> and the <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_Edinburgh_Festival_Fringe" title="2005 Edinburgh Festival Fringe">2005 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.</a></i><br />
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</i> <i>Wikipedia: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Minchin">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Minchin</a></i></div>Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-8984384466138388242012-12-01T05:51:00.000-05:002012-12-08T22:24:02.109-05:00Deconversion part 6: What is Supposed to Be <br />
<i>This is part 6 in an engaging de-conversion testimonial video series by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/prplfox">Prplfox ~</a>. </i><br />
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Losing my faith ripped my guts out. I don't want young people, and the adults they become, to have to keep going through this. In whatever ways I can, I want to use my voice to undo and heal what has been done to us by the power of an idea through Christianity. This series started as an art project two years ago in a friend's living room during a summer of consequences of coming out as an ex-Christian, and became one of the most challenging things I've ever tried to create, using art as a voice. Many of the visuals and all of the music is original. <br />
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Everyone has a story. One of the most valuable things you can do with yours is to share it. Find your voice. You are important. <br />
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— Prplfox</blockquote>
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All six parts in this video series are available here: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/prplfox">http://www.youtube.com/prplfox</a>Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-87662661211845550552012-10-26T17:53:00.002-04:002012-11-03T09:03:01.836-04:00Sex, Death and the Meaning of Life<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Dawkins" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Richard Dawkins">Richard Dawkins</a> explores what science can tell us about death. It's a journey that takes him from <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antyesti" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Antyesti">Hindu funeral</a> pyres in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="India">India</a> to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetics" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Genetics">genetics</a> labs in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="New York">New York</a>.<br />
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Dawkins brings together the latest neuroscience, evolutionary and genetic theory to examine why we crave life after death, why we evolved to age and how the human genome is something like real immortality - traits inherited from our distant ancestors that we pass on to future generations.<br />
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He meets a Christian dying of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_neurone_disease" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Motor neurone disease">motor neurone disease</a>, reminisces about the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall_Street_Crash_of_1929" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Wall Street Crash of 1929">Wall Street Crash</a> with a 105-year-old stockbroker, and interviews <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_D._Watson" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="James D. Watson">James Watson</a>, the geneticist who co-discovered the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="DNA">structure of DNA</a>.<br />
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Dawkins admits to sentimentality in imagining his own church funeral, but he argues we must embrace the truth, however hard that is.<br />
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In a television first, he has his entire genome sequenced to reveal the genetic indicators of how he himself may die.<br />
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Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-57884797524685427232012-07-29T08:24:00.000-04:002012-08-12T16:36:31.996-04:00Masturbation, Sex and Christianity<i>By dealdoctor ~ </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxuB7D2alu5w-nzfKxuWhD68aZuQcR03tiuSh0HvQULMHKtuNRRy5OV5OCUqDCvYbQ_JKRS4DB6hthx7sDT9V8Bb3py2LhrJSV1RDFuBaR3Bshr8Y2U4SHqGB08ULVE-vmROCeTMtIjA/s1600/christiansex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxuB7D2alu5w-nzfKxuWhD68aZuQcR03tiuSh0HvQULMHKtuNRRy5OV5OCUqDCvYbQ_JKRS4DB6hthx7sDT9V8Bb3py2LhrJSV1RDFuBaR3Bshr8Y2U4SHqGB08ULVE-vmROCeTMtIjA/s1600/christiansex.jpg" /></a></div>
<span class="dropcap">G</span>uys, each of us has been involved in Christianity and many of us in a brand of Christian Evangelical fundamentalism that really caused many of us us feel guilty about our sexual urges and as teenagers, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masturbation" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Masturbation">masturbation</a> in particular. I think you might find interesting this YouTube video lecture by <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Watts" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Alan Watts">Alan Watts</a> a one time Episcopal priest who later became deeply involved in Eastern mysticism and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Zen">Zen Buddhism</a>. Watts is an outstanding intellectual of top rank who does a sharp analysis of the relationship between Christianity, sex, and masturbation. He explores its Jewish and Greek foundations.<br />
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Anyway it is always good to know the source and cause of matters this includes the way things are in Christian churches as they relate to the "let me make you feel guilty abut sex stuff" brand. Watts will entertain you and he is an educator who is very well educated. Here is the YouTube lecture. See what you think. Might this be the reason Churches think about sex the way they do? Now what? Dang there is a reason for things as they are now. Do you know the history that lead to where the church is now on the issue of sex? Find out. Watch this YouTube video and then reflect and decide what you believe about all this. Watch this and THINK!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/y5OhAoDxZ4c?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
<div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;">
<img alt="" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=28af5e0f-3a17-4dff-9d2f-d9317ca3fc11" style="border: none; float: right;" /></div>Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-35850893509844838242012-06-18T07:04:00.000-04:002012-06-25T06:10:34.331-04:00THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER ??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUg6hp9_xfA25nzNV58AAEklicBw9UZ_xcWI-8X2GpXV6LiVh-3JvNFCbo4lfKDmHW1MbZ9jLLwa2lkls_y3e-QWlkFusOs4i16kdpKeFg6BZtTxyW1n4RkOcHZjVdtE14ae74wiqIeS4/s1600/antag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUg6hp9_xfA25nzNV58AAEklicBw9UZ_xcWI-8X2GpXV6LiVh-3JvNFCbo4lfKDmHW1MbZ9jLLwa2lkls_y3e-QWlkFusOs4i16kdpKeFg6BZtTxyW1n4RkOcHZjVdtE14ae74wiqIeS4/s1600/antag.jpg" /></a></div>
<i>By <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ReligiousAntagonist">the Religious Antagonist</a> ~ </i><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TqU6PUnokz0?rel=0" width="640"></iframe>Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0