About | Contact - Al Sweigart
CoffeeGhost is Albert Sweigart (but you can call him Al), a software developer in San Francisco, California who enjoys bicycling, reading, volunteering, network security, haunting coffee shops, and making useful software.
He is originally from Houston, Texas and went to school in Austin. He finally put his University of Texas at Austin computer science degree in a frame. He is a friendly introvert, a cat person, and fears that he is losing brain cells over time. He laughs out loud when watching park squirrels, and people think he’s a simpleton. Listening to NPR news reports has always been his cure for loneliness in an empty apartment. For some reason, people give him Barnes and Nobles gift cards for his birthday with uncanny consistency.
Al dislikes verbosity, so he tries to keep this site terse.
Favorite quotations:
“A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself.” -Abraham Maslow
“Love is a snowmobile racing across the tundra and then suddenly it flips over, pinning you underneath. At night, the ice weasels come.” -Matt Groening
“No nation was ever so virtuous as each believes itself, and none was ever so wicked as each believes the other.” -Bertrand Russell
“This film was made for middle-aged men who in their youth dreamed of a pure life, faithful to their principles, but who, little by little, are transformed into ‘pigs’ through the pressures of working like madmen. Despite their intention to reject merely mercenary goals, they are drawn into the world of hyper-consumerism, and when they look for the purpose of their lives, they feel themselves alienated…these men live in solitude and regret.”
-Hayao Miyazaki, on his anime “Porco Rosso”
“Back off, man. I’m a scientist.”
-Bill Murray as Dr. Peter Venkmen, “Ghostbusters”
Hey I enjoyed your videos, very insightful, and I like the rapid quick fire presentation “I know its edited, lol”. Im a speed reader so I was able to stay on track, some atheist videos are slow and boring. I hope you get the exposure as Gisburne,Captain-O-Awesome and others, keep up the good work with the educational videos-Tony
Comment on March 22, 2007 @ 9:44 pm
I love this site!!! I find that we have a lot in common. Having said that have you ever had the privilege of reading any of Tom Robbins books? If not may I recommend that you do and start with Jitterbug Perfume.
Comment on March 31, 2007 @ 9:30 am
I love your videos! It’s nice to see someone whose views on religion and science are so similar to mine. Keep up the good work and don’t let religious freaks discourage you from what you are doing.
Comment on April 7, 2007 @ 9:39 pm
Saw you over on LJ’s Atheism community where you posted your video.
Do you have an AIM SN? You seem like someone who’d make for awesome conversation. Mine is ‘AdmYrrek’
Comment on April 9, 2007 @ 10:58 am
I think you pull off the Ze Frank style very well. Enjoyed your videos :o)
Comment on April 10, 2007 @ 11:08 am
I just would like one thing.
Please, when addressing religious “gods”….
It would make more sense for you to say, “a god” as opposed to “god”
Saying “god” implies that a god exists.
Try it, and you will understand.
People of all religions tell me about “god” as if it is real.
“A god” does not imply such.
I think your videos are exceptional. Try the “a” word and please think about it.
Comment on April 11, 2007 @ 9:12 pm
Ok…let me put it to you this way.
If I approached you and said, “Do you believe in god?”
You would assume I believed in such an existence of what you do not believe in.
Now, if I were to say….
“Do you believe in a god?”
You would not presume I believed in anything….I might, but it is not definite.
Saying “a god” to me, is the only way to say it.
Comment on April 11, 2007 @ 9:17 pm
If I could speak as well as you do, I could talk for 15 minutes.
I cannot, but I hope you GET what I am trying to say!
Comment on April 11, 2007 @ 9:18 pm
OK OK one more try. Think of a good friend, and replace their name with the word god.
Now, nobody else in the world has their name, so it is unique.
Ok, now, pretend they do not exist.
Someone now walks up to you and asks….”Have you seen X?”
OR….someone walks up to you and says, “Have you seen an X?”
Only you know it exists, but, it doesn’t, nor do they. So, how can they take your imaginary friend for real?
Comment on April 11, 2007 @ 9:24 pm
I screwed that last comment up but I still hope you get what I want to say, and how damaging our thoughts are, and how difficult it might be to change.
Change means equality, less poor, less rich….EQUAL. And that in itself is a whole new topic
Comment on April 11, 2007 @ 9:27 pm
BUT I can tell you one thing….the poor fight better than the rich!
Comment on April 11, 2007 @ 9:28 pm
off topic, a little drunk on Canadian hockey. I swear this is my last message.
I’ve honestly never heard a better argument of my beliefs than what you have said.
Also, we might not have came from apes, we may have just evolved in a different direction.
We probably evolved one way, and the rest turned into what we now know as apes.
Comment on April 11, 2007 @ 9:33 pm
Al,
I thoroughly enjoyed your videos and I’m glad I found them!
With one exception, I almost always find at least one thing to disagree about with everyone and this is my one and only disagreement with you. I like to party on the weekend with my friends and not worry if all my time is being productive or not.
Keep up the good work, PLEASE. Your friend,
Chris
Comment on April 12, 2007 @ 8:02 am
Hey Al,
Stumbled across your videos on Digg.com and really enjoyed watching them. Basically you rock! Your arguments are brilliant, interesting and completely sound. we need more people like you! Looking forward to anymore videos coming to the web!
I’m behind you!
Adam (UK)
Comment on April 14, 2007 @ 3:07 pm
ROCK ON! Great vids Al! I couldn’t agree more!
K
Comment on April 14, 2007 @ 10:54 pm
Thank you, Al. Hopefully more people will stop being afraid of thinking. You are a leader. Keep on.
Tom (Ohio)
Comment on April 15, 2007 @ 11:44 am
Have you considered teaching? ..or perhaps even just speaking to university students at special engagements or conferences? Panel discussions?
If you’re not too attached to your current career, you ought to consider it.
Comment on April 15, 2007 @ 8:44 pm
I just tripped over your athiest video’s,not too bad, rather intersting but there is one thing that really annoys as related to the athiesim and evolution dialog, that is “believe”, you don’t “believe” in evolution,you don’t “believe” in athieism.Evolution just is,the facts all support it ,unlike a God, evolution doesn’t go away if you stop “believing”,same with being an athiest.
The “Faithfull” Atheist.
Comment on April 16, 2007 @ 11:48 am
Totally awesome. Have you heard of that very outspoken British atheist? I forgot his name but i much enjoyed your video. Very entertaining an informative. I actually can’t believe those people behaved the way they did on CNN. Something about religion, the topic is always bound to get someone fired up right off the bat. Anywho, great vid, hope to see more!
Comment on April 16, 2007 @ 5:31 pm
Well put together videos. I have enjoyed them all. Thanks for the food for thought.
Comment on April 16, 2007 @ 8:29 pm
Hi Dude,
(a) Thank you for your clear and tight presentation of a position.
(b) I was raised as a Mormon dude, but these days, I am largely resigning from all religions, because they are irritating. Despite that, I like Jesus Christ and Buddha, so I try to copy what I think is of value from their ‘gospels’.
(c) Despite my a-religiousness, I do believe in a god/gods/thingy of some sort; mostly because of some sense within. But also because humans are so bloody improbable (especially within the context of the evolutionary time frame usually suggested) that I think some earlier versions must have give us a boost - and since any sufficiently advanced science could be construed as magic…or perhaps, a miracle…maybe God/gods were a kind of earlier incarnation of Us.
(d) By the way, I am no braniac like you or many of the other cats I’ve read the comments of on this page. I just a dude… so at worst, I made you hungry/sleepy. A slightly better response would be a belly laugh. And the best case might be a ‘Hmmm… wierd,…need coffee.”
Peace,
TOmmy
Comment on April 17, 2007 @ 7:51 am
Al,
As a predicate matter, let me say that I am a theist, specifically a Catholic. I was greatly impressed by the reasoned tone and thoughtful analysis that your videos embody.
Too often, this debate gets set into a strident tone that makes any real discussion impossible. Both sides have been guilty of attempting to manipulate the political arena. Whether we’re talking about the Christian right and ID or the ACLU and the attempt to preclude religious student groups from using public schools, the tactics are similar…win at all costs.
Atheists suggest that faith is to be equated with stupidity and theists suggest that godlessness is to be equated with amorality (or even immorality).
One point that I would not have credited before hearing your exposition is about prejudice against atheists. After watching the coverage on the VaTech killings, I was struck by all the talking heads…not just politicians, but even network pundits, invoking God and prayer. I am still not sure that we demand that people believe, but it is true that we demand that they pretend to believe.
I am not sure why we are all, theists and atheists alike, so threatened by the public displays of beliefs that contradict our own.
Maybe, if we were willing to live in the way that embodied our beliefs, we would find more converts than we do by trying to supress the beliefs of others.
Saint Francis of Assisi is credited with saying that one should “preach the gospel at all times and, when necessary, use words.”
Thank you for your contribution to the discussion, one that a religious person can read without offense and which reminds us of how we (by our own stated beliefs)should be living.
By the way, I find that both science and faith reach the point of being unable to explain the origins of the universe. While faith may, as you point out, cycle repetatively “because God ants it that way,” science can never reach a point where it has answered the final “and before that?” My belief may be an accident of birth, but it is no less sincere for that accident. I do not bear the burden of proof, because I do not insist that you believe. I bear only the burden of decision.
Comment on April 17, 2007 @ 3:34 pm
I enjoyed your video. You are a skilled rational debator, and that’s so rare in the days of ‘pundits’ and other narrow-minded individuals who embark in quasi-tribalism, whether it’s that their professional sports team is better than another, or that their belief system is somehow more correct.
Good job, man!
Comment on April 17, 2007 @ 10:56 pm
I appreciated your video reponse to CNN’s ridiculous “panel” ranting against the evils of atheism. It certainly is good to know that someone sees through their childish behavior and can offer a sincere reply without stooping to their level and telling them to shut up. Thanks for the great video!
–Jacob Good
Comment on April 19, 2007 @ 11:25 pm
I greatly admire the method and humor you use in your videos and I can’t wait to see another installment. On an unrelated note you seem interested in Miyazaki’s films, have you seen Howl’s Moving Castle? Of all his work it is my favorite.
Comment on April 20, 2007 @ 7:56 pm
I’m so happy to see your work. The topic may be religion, but real subject is Civil Liberties, and respect for other peoples’ Civil Liberties. And yes, I capitalized them because that’s only real sacred doctrine that creates the United States, the right to think what you want and be left alone about it. And say what you want- but the Founders intended a polite and reasoned discourse, not high school cat sessions like CNN pulls. I’m sick to death of these really warped protestant christians bothering me.
Defender of the Faith may be a strange title to you, Al, but I think you deserve it. Any voice that stands strong in defense of our legal right to dwell as a free people is an important one. And of course freedom includes religion.
It’s a shame that every single citizen doesn’t live as defender of that faith, but I guess people won’t grow up, will they?
Comment on April 21, 2007 @ 2:50 pm
Thank-you for your efforts to educate the un-enlighted.
My only criticism is that the use of the term “man descended from apes” is misleading. It also has a detrimental effect on some people’s willingness to accept evolution.
I prefer the expression - “Apes” and “humans” shared a common ancestor.
Sorry for being a pedant.
Keep up your good work.
Yours,
Richard Jones
Comment on April 23, 2007 @ 9:25 pm
Al,
While I don’t agree with any of your views as a quasi-practicing Catholic, I had never considered the positive points about atheism and randomly found myself enjoying your videos while putting off a term paper. I also found the discrimination against atheists enlightening and surprising. Thanks for the “study break.”
- Will
Comment on April 29, 2007 @ 4:49 pm
sir, you have quickly become one of my favorite finds on the web in 2007.
keep up the good work.
and by all means, as you start to thin on material, please come down on the blatant hypocracy in christianity’s “one size doesn’t fit all” system in America. with all the different faiths and churches available, you can find one for almost any set of moral and immoral beliefs…and STILL get to call yourself christian.
and the fact that christian chastity and morality was constructed as a opposition statement to late roman orgastic pagan practices and was penned by a man who himself was a male prostitute that slept with men and women alike as a young man and then converted to christianity (a very smart political move during the rise of Constantine) and denounced his former promiscuities - writing the first book of christian morality ever published. he was the first man to put out the notion that a priest of god should not know human flesh and that unclean women should not enter the house of god, a concept still practiced by the majority of traditional sects within Europe. of course, christianity doesn’t have a lock on disliking the female gentalia. it seems the vagina is a threat to almost every religious order currently in practice…the vagina, or at least the person who has one.
Comment on May 2, 2007 @ 8:36 pm
Hello,
I came across a video of yours thru stumble. Really liked it. It was the first atheism related stumble that was not an angry polemic against the church. Good to see that!
Comment on May 6, 2007 @ 6:48 pm
Al,
Ran across your videos tonight, fantastic job. Keep it up.
Gary
Comment on May 6, 2007 @ 9:30 pm
Wow… What to say… Al, you are freaking brilliant. Your knowledge and the scientific evidence you use are nothing short of intellectual.
Email me sometime. I would also love it if you continue doing these videos and more.
Your Awesome Al!
Comment on May 7, 2007 @ 1:59 pm
Great work! Your videos make me proud to be an atheist. I was raised religous, so it took some time for my deconversion. I can’t believe I used to believe all that wacky stuff.
Comment on May 7, 2007 @ 5:19 pm
NICE…
You’re the first “San Franciscan atheist” I’ve seen who argues more on “science is right” than “belief is stupid”, and I’m glad you’re helping to point out the atheist discrimination. Most atheists don’t even realize they are being discriminated against because they, like you, never really told others they were atheists. It’s just easier that way.
I grew up in the small towns outside Colorado Springs, I was born a born-again Christian, and my family subscribed to focus on the family publications. I always figured I was just evil because no matter how many time I read the bible I just couldn’t really figure it out. Then during an anti atheist sermon at my best friend’s church I figured out what an atheist was. It was kind of like being a black kid who figured out what racism was by attending a KKK meeting. Good thing atheist’s eyes don’t actually boil out of there heads when they walk into a church, that certainly would have given me away.
I think our real problem is that discriminating against us is hard. Cus we look just like everybody else. But that’s probably one of the reasons we are hated even more.
Things I like about you… you point out semantics but you don’t use them (except in jokes)… you research things instead of making them up or generalizing on something you heard… you edit your material and speak to your viewers as equals instead of inferiors… you make me think and laugh simultaneously… you’re a computer guy (Geek Power)
Things I don’t like about you… you’re a cat person. I’m allergic
Comment on May 8, 2007 @ 2:18 pm
Check out the film “Pi” if you haven’t allready… you’d dig it!
Well done on your vid!
Comment on May 9, 2007 @ 7:56 pm
Hey man, really enjoyed your vids. You should check out Richard Carrier’s book Sense and Goodness w/o God: a case for metaphysical naturalism, which I’m assuming is in tune with where you are coming from.
Comment on May 13, 2007 @ 4:47 pm
Al,
Your site and videos are awesome. Your ideas are well thought out and well written. I really hope a new age of reason is upon us with the sucess of Richard Dawkins’ books, along with books by Sam Harris, and now Christopher Hitchens. I really hope rational thought and the scientific method will truly be a candle in the dark, as Carl Sagan wrote.
Comment on May 14, 2007 @ 11:03 pm
helou!! I was a catholic most of my life, and just like everyone discovers that there ir no santa clous
I found out there is no good. i have been a atheist for couple of years, but recently found out the
descrimination, your videos are amazing!!! I want to fight now instead of just arguing and convince
I want to attack, I have 5 more years to be a lawyers so until then, I have a offer. sounds funny, how much
do you charge to had subtitles in spanish to your videos ( I live in mexico)(98% catholics, top 10 country
for corruption lol), I want to show to all my family because I just cant keep up my temper while arguing and you have allthe stats and all the explanations. well anyway I just feel desperate because people dont understand, but your
videos really can convince a religious person. thanks a lot ok hope to hear from you soon.
Ricardo Callado
Comment on May 15, 2007 @ 12:01 am
Hey Al
Just wanted to congratulate you on an awesome Video, great editing. It was even greater to hear someone echo my own ideas for a change. It gets so depressing listening to the same tired old misconceptions and biases being shoved down your throat every day by the mass media.
Finally the internet is delivering on its promise of being a force for good. you may have even inspired me to do something like this myself.
You have an awesome collection of Favourite authours May I make a humble suggestion? Have you read any of China Mieville or Phillip Pullman. Pullmans take on religion I think you will find particularly interesting.
Take care and here’s to free and open forms of expression.
Cheers Matt
Comment on May 15, 2007 @ 2:59 am
I’ve really enjoyed browsing your blog. I’m actually a theist (sort of an agnostic-Christian-deist type), but I hold great respect for your atheism and just think you’re a pretty cool person. Oh, and I too laugh out loud at park squirrels. :-)
Comment on May 15, 2007 @ 6:14 pm
Great work Al. All of your videos are excellent. I’m a 53 yo atheist from Beaumont TX, who has lost many brain cells.
Looking forward to more videos.
Thank you
Barry
Comment on May 15, 2007 @ 7:36 pm
I’m probably the only guy here who can put a good few years on old Barry (above). Maybe that’s perhaps why I especially appreciate your mature approach to the subject. As others have mentioned here, some folks who consider themselves spokesmen for our shared *unbelief* can be every bit as childish/condescending/aggressive/unprepared as the very worst of theist evangelists. You’ve already made no mean impression, and I think you’ll continue to make a great contribution to the ideals of reason, common sense and *natural* human decency. My thanks and congratulations. Neil Marr. France.
Comment on May 17, 2007 @ 5:56 am
I really enjoy your videos, every argument is supported with evidence that is rational and well thought out. Recently, I have been getting into Rhetoric and Logic. I was wondering if you could recommend some books on the topic that you found insightful.
Aim: XjustXblazenX
Mail:Cdegroot@mail.com
Comment on May 18, 2007 @ 5:03 pm
Thank you for putting into words what I cannot. I, like you, generally hide my religious view and change subjects when it is brought up. I find that having no religion tends to offend those who have a religion. It is such a shock to some that I do not believe in the flying spaghetti monster, I mean… god. Keep up the good work, and again… Thank you.
Comment on May 19, 2007 @ 12:44 am
Nice. Preaching to the choir though. Theists trained in narrow way concepts are able to block out reason & reality. The unblockable/unsilenceable are labeled as Satan. Burn the Witch, they cried out!
Comment on May 19, 2007 @ 5:27 am
New software project for you.
Make an internet cat Feeder.
I don’t understand what a 3d barcode reader is, and I have been making barcode application since you were 3 years old.
http:\\www.boberhart.com
http:\\dogtreat.boberhart.com
Comment on May 20, 2007 @ 5:26 pm
Hey, I found your videos on youtube and was very impressed. It is great to be reminded that I am not alone
in my beliefs. I was raised and still live in the Bible belt of Alabama and after a quite long and painful
journey came to be an atheist. I tried to believe, because it was what I was raised with, but after losing
“faith” I could not logically come up with a reason to believe. I have now finally accepted that no religion
knows the answer of why or how we got here. I appreciate your website, but I’m still in the closet about my bel
beliefs to everyone but my husband and a couple of others. There are not alot of atheist/agnostics here.
Comment on May 22, 2007 @ 11:21 am
I’m a bit of a dodgey athiest as i cant argue in such a well structured fashion. If you have time I would like to know your views on Jesus. I heard that there is more proof he existed than Julius Cesar, but that I can not verify, the source was a bit rickerty. Not to worry if you dont have enough time, I apreciate what you’re doing
Thank you
James O, London UK
Comment on May 22, 2007 @ 1:59 pm
I also cant spell Ceasar
Comment on May 22, 2007 @ 2:01 pm
Bravo Al! I’ve really enjoyed your videos and I’m happy to see that so many others have as well. Keep up the great work, brother! Thank you.
Comment on May 23, 2007 @ 12:47 pm
Al,
I think that what you are doing is marvellous. You are an intelligent, articulate, thoughtful, undefensive, good-humored and appealling spokesperson for reason and goodness. Maybe your vids will help others to feel better about their view of the world, maybe encourage some to reconsider their beliefs, at the very least show that Atheism is not a synonym for Christian-bashing. Just wanted to say keep it up and may your future be as bright as it certainly appears it will be :)
Benjamin, Sydney, Australia
Comment on May 25, 2007 @ 7:39 pm
I’m a very devout Christian, and I love your video — it was creative, articulate, and thoughtful. Your points are valid and well made.
In the end, you have said, “Christianity/religion has not proven to me that God exists.” However, before your belief-set hardens up too much, please leave room for the possibility that things are this way because God specifically wanted them this way — that He has a very distinct purpose here.
“It is one of the ironies of religious history that many mortals err in their understanding of the nature of God and end up rejecting not the real God but their own erroneous and stereotypical image of God.” (Neal A. Maxwell, Sermons Not Spoken, p. 17.)
God rewards the honest seeker of truth, and as long as you keep seeking (as you have), you’ll find.
Comment on June 3, 2007 @ 9:47 pm
Hello! Love your videos! Not only are they highly informative but they crack me up! Not to mention you’re amazingly handsome. (:
I happen to be a theist but am currently researching many different spiritual paths and traditions. To be fair, I am also giving Atheism a fair shake and can’t wait to read Richard Dawkins’ book “The God Delusion” Basically I’m just leaving the door open to new information. Good idea right? (: So thank you and keep up the good work. You’ll be bookmarked on my computer and I have your first video on my MySpace. Take care!
Danielle
Comment on June 10, 2007 @ 5:21 pm
Howdy.
Having been raised by an irreligious family, I never really saw the need to embrace a religion, despite some of my friends being devout Christians and Jews. I never felt strongly on the entire topic at all until I was told by them that I wrong for being an atheist.
My entire life I have attempted being a helpful, kind person. I did my best to live up to expectations of being moral and fair. I did not understand why exactly what I was doing was so “wrong.” So, after years of avoiding it due to it not being a concern of mine, a friend and I read The Bible.
While reading through it and finding things that seemed wrong, I questioned my friends about it. I was told not to take the Bible as absolute truth, or that the stories in the Bible were just stories, not actual events. That simply raised my brow even further about what exactly they were basing their faith on.
I decided from that point that the only faith I needed was the faith that I held in myself and the kindness I know people have. Watching your videos has solidified in my mind that the choice I have made is the right one.
In your response to Firefly515 your words at the end actually hit me pretty close to home. You said being an atheist gives you the knowledge that this is your one time to live. I lost my father when I was seventeen and from that point I realized how fragile life is. I cannot say how uplifting you are as a speaker and how much I enjoy your outlook on life.
I apologize for the long post, but I really must say how grateful I am that someone like you may be able to help us atheists change our own view on atheism to a more positive one. You are indeed an inspiration and I look forward to hearing more from you.
Comment on June 15, 2007 @ 11:09 pm
Just a quick note to say that I think that your videos and writings are very good; in that they are presented in a informative, not overly complex i.e. concise manner and especially that unlike so many others they are presented in a non-condescending way(I’m not sure that Non-Condescending is a word, if not, sorry).
Also, like many others, I am pleased that there is someone who is able to express these views in this format, as I am not.
Peace
Comment on July 6, 2007 @ 4:25 am
Being newly “out” as an atheist, listening to you and to Sam Harris just provide me the assurance that I can trust my own logic in this. I wish you the best in whatever you do, but I sure wish that I could vote for you to run some part of our government!
Comment on July 18, 2007 @ 6:27 pm
I love watching your videos. It seems you enjoy a certain amount of infamy already, but I hope your exposure keeps increasing.
I’m a finance major, trying to get into a joint JD/MBA program at a top school, with the long term goal of running for political office. I’m also an open Atheist.
I love your videos, because you make intelligent arguments and don’t attack people for believing in something different. That’s important. You simply attack the flawed arguments they make.
Many Atheists feel attacked by Theists, so they attack back. You have taken the high road, and remained informed, eloquent, and witty. And I remain impressed.
I am going to put a permanent link to your site on my political blog at http://yagipolitico.blogspot.com. If you get the time, it’d be a great pleasure to have you visit.
- Kris
Comment on July 26, 2007 @ 3:34 pm
I’ve listen to your response. You claim that atheists don’t have value as a rock.
Correct me if I’m wrong. If life is a bunch of chemical reactions, came forth from a chemical reactions, then your brain is a set of chemical reactions. Therefore, there are not ultimate values of right and wrong, but, merely your preferences. Correct?
So if someone robbed someone that would be his preferences opposed to your preference? Is that not correct?
Case closed.
JM
Comment on July 30, 2007 @ 2:20 pm
I’ve seen all your youtube videos several times. You are an inspiration.
I am curious, what factors influenced your life? Are there any books, movies, websites, university courses, other youtube authors or anything other kind of media you would recommend?
Also, which issue in the world do you think we should be most concerned with right now?
Comment on August 3, 2007 @ 1:01 pm
I like your videos on You Tube, you not only come up with interesting arguments to counter the god delusion people have, you also have an interest in the environment . excellent since most atheists I see are bent on disproving an existence, can we not just live, enjoy with out the common hold society has on us? I ask my self that question a lot. it would seem that most religious people practice there religion because they have no interest in help other cultures and society’s, as long as they have their ‘god’ and are faithful to their ‘god’ nothing else matters. What do you think?
Take care, Anderson.
Comment on August 26, 2007 @ 10:19 am
Quick response to JM … it is his preference, indeed, however, you are missing one important obligation here, morality.
Comment on August 26, 2007 @ 10:26 am
Hi Al,
I saw one of your videos on YouTube. I disagree with your conclusions, but I respect your asking the questions. I have found it is the questions that drive me to faith more than the answers.
Comment on September 3, 2007 @ 7:28 am
POINTS ABSURD
Religions are a noble thought!
Though they try, they just are not
complete in what they do begin:
asking what is God and sin.
The problems that do seem to be
are in the vast complexity
of trying to convince this man
to do the very best he can.
Tablets, scrolls and manuscripts;
no one really knows which fits
the key hole of our universe.
There are so many what is worse,
they all just preach the Golden Rule.
I don’t think myself a fool
in need of children’s teaching-tales
of burning bushes, gobbling whales
and stories long since stretched far out
beyond the truth and into doubt
with story tellers’ flailing arms
and parables all full of charms
of things that simply could not be.
I find it hard to think that “HE”
wanted all this to transpire,
when all we need is to aquire
an understanding of some right,
so that we may sleep at night.
Comment on September 8, 2007 @ 8:48 pm
Amazing videos you made.
Never in my life have I seen some one talk and explain such things in my life about religion and sience in such detail.
You opened my mind to a new perspectives.
Biggest question I would ask myself is How did nothing become something? Like for matter to form there would have to be matter in the first place right? kinda like if god exists who created god but same reason for matter to exist. so why does anything exist at all? such questions that can not be explained makes you believe in such things as god I think.
So instead of getting a head ake over such questions I pick the easy way and to just beleive in a god. then all my woundering and questions will not exist since they will all be answered by god.
But after whatching your videos i thinking is this the right thing to do?…..
Comment on September 9, 2007 @ 4:07 am
Energy can not be created or destroyed, it was there and always has been there.
God can not be created or destroyed, it was there and always has been there.
Do you people understand there is no out there or in here we are all the same. we are all one. we are all energy everything is energy.
“You are certainly living up to your screen name, which leads me to believe that you are intentionally sounding ridiculous to make theists look foolish. Don’t troll on my site.” -Al (9/19/07)
Comment on September 17, 2007 @ 1:56 am
Keep up the great work. Enjoy your videos.
Comment on September 19, 2007 @ 12:38 pm
I am so glad I found you on youtube…. I am also an atheist, like cats, have a degree in engineering (Electrical Engineering…. before they had computer engineering ABET approved), work in the field of computers, I know about navy showers (my dad taught me - he was in the submarines), ride my bicycle often, etc. I live in Madison, WI (Thankfully a very liberal minded city).
Keep up the good work.
Thank you for showing me there are other people in this world that think like I do.
Comment on September 24, 2007 @ 8:47 pm
Keep up the excellent work. Love the videos and how they are edited, not to mention the subject matters and how you elucidate!
I only wish I was able to put into words my own musings and thoughts about my beliefs as well as you have yours.
Please don’t stop!
Comment on September 26, 2007 @ 5:24 pm
hey what are your thoughts about the law of attaction? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b1GKGWJbE8 heres a video that explains alittle it.
I dont no if this is much a beliefe then a theory but do you believe it?
I don’t. The “law of attraction” is just another name for wanting something without having to work for it. It is the type of childish wishful thinking that I do not condone, and I have nothing but contempt for the people who are making money off of this book and its franchise. It is yet another get-rich-quick scam, the same hawked by the snake oil-dispensing, “you too can have a yacht” con artist crowd.
The premise of optimism and ambition in the face of adversary are of course laudable attributes. But holding that these will solely bring success is the same as thinking that because a placebo will bring down a fever it will also regrow an amputated limb.
-Al 11/11/07
Comment on September 26, 2007 @ 6:52 pm
I heard you you’re 1/2 asian too. I certainly did suspect it when I saw your video that you were 1/2 asian or Italian.
Your vids are great, I’m proud of you!
Comment on September 28, 2007 @ 11:51 pm
Al I liked your video on navy showers, thought I’d creat one myself, would like for you to take a look. Ypu can view it on youtube.
youtube.com/rahfed214
Title: “A Better Navy Shower”
Let me know what you think
Fred
Comment on October 6, 2007 @ 10:27 am
I just wanted to make one thing clear after re-reading what I wrote in message #69.
I am an anti-theist atheist. Maybe it was clear in the first message, but I didn’t think so after reading it again.
As I said before, keep up the good work. It is making a difference and in the right direction.
Comment on October 16, 2007 @ 12:55 am
Keep up the good work. Stumbled Upon your Fair and Balanced video. Very well done! Thanks for speaking your mind.
Comment on October 18, 2007 @ 10:15 pm
I wish to complement you on your approach when attempting to explain your(and many other people’s) view. There are so many people still so stuck in ther religion issue who are still using their judgement toward “God” or “a god” as the a culprit in a drama. I know that it gets hard to explain the meaninglessness of the words using words!
You are creating a valuable path for humanity. I applaud you. (what is the sound of one hand clapping anyway?)
Comment on October 21, 2007 @ 5:14 pm
You manage to say with eloquence and humour what I’ve been trying to articulate since my teens.
Well done. I’m looking forward to watching more videos.
Comment on November 21, 2007 @ 4:12 pm
dude im so impressed..i wish i was ur dad! but im glad i didnt have to pay for your education! however it is serving you extremly well and im sure your parents r extremely proud of ur achievement..now get out there and change the world and win awards!! if u run 4 president i shall change my citizenship and happily vote for you!! peace out man
Comment on March 20, 2008 @ 1:24 pm
You should check out A Common Faith by John Dewey if you haven’t already. Probably won’t contain anything you don’t already know concerning the supposed science/religion dichotomy, but it is very short and a good read.
Comment on March 24, 2008 @ 2:35 pm