Freedomain Radio

Hi, I'm new to the forum here. I've listened to some earlier podcasts, and some newer ones. Probably this is something a lot of people post about, and probably it's the kind of thing that Stef has talked about at length before in podcasts. And I'm enjoying them, but I don't know if I'll ever have time to get through all of them, so forgive me if I'm a bit of a clueless n00b here:

I'm heading off to college (Syracuse) at the end of the summer. I've been home-schooled for most of my life, though, so I'm pretty nervous about going. I've never had many friends, even for a home-schooled kid, and I'm pretty sure that making friends, even in college, is going to be hard for me. I just don't know what it's going to be like once I'm away from home. I'm pretty attached to my family, especially my little brothers and sisters, and I think my life's going to be less complete once they drop me off and I'm on my own.

Ok, so obviously I'm a pretty sheltered (read: "nerdy") kid. But I really do love my family. They're my best friends! The stuff I've read on these boards (so far anyway) and definitely what Stefan has said in his podcasts, makes a lot of sense to me. But on the other hand I'm kind of conflicted. I don't want to cut my family out of my life, clearly. That's like the worst thing that I could ever do. I would be almost totally alone. And I know that Stef doesn't think EVERYONE should break their ties with their families, but it kind of seems like he thinks that the ones who shouldn't are a rarity. I read the beginning of "On Truth" earlier today (I'll finish tonight, I promise), and it doesn't really talk about "some" families. It just talks about families in general. And I know he's said that good families can be the greatest thing in the world, but how do your really know if you have a good family? I mean, everybody thinks that, don't they?

I listened to a recent podcast, and Stef makes a really good point about our relationships being like bridges. And like, I REALLY think that my bridge is a strong one. Honestly. My parents are supportive, and they're not judgmental about what I do or think. But what if I'm wrong? I mean, I used to REALLY believe that Jesus loved me and that my family would all live together, for eternity, in the Celestial Kingdom. But now, about a thousand YouTube videos and a couple of books later, I'm pretty sure that's just wishful thinking.

So how do you really know? I don't really like Stef's advice of "testing" it as a theory. I mean, these aren't lab rats, they're my family. It seems pretty unkind to test their love like its a hypothesis. Especially when I love them so much, and genuinely believe that they love me just as much.

I'm sorry about how long this post is. I don't know if I even have a specific question, really. I'm just kind of at a place right now where I'm already worried about what's going to happen in a few months, when I'm away from my fam for most of a semester. I feel sort of challenged by "On Truth" to prove (to myself, mostly) that my family really isn't as bad as what I'm reading, but I guess I don't know what to do about that.

Welcome to the board Tyler. I think your lab rat analogy is a little bit harsh. I think testing your relationships is just another way of saying be honest to an extent that you might not be comfortable with or used to. I think the only objective of putting relationships to the test is to have more positive relationships with people or to realize that you're wasting time with relationships that aren't positive and that you could be going out and making new ones which are more fulfilling. I hope that helps.

Hey Tyler, welcome!

You're right, of course people who have good and happy families should love and embrace them - that is what I do with mine now!

Did your parents teach you about religion? Do they believe in gods and so on?

Hi Stef! Thanks for the response and the welcome!

Sure, my parents taught me about religion; they've taught me *everything*, really. But since you asked, my family are all LDS. I went along with them every week up until about last year. But between my general lack of interest and my insane amounts of work (prep for college and a part-time job), it sort of fell off the radar for me. And now when I look back at it, it seems pretty silly. They still go, though, and it's pretty important to them.

Did I say something wrong?

No, not at all - sorry to be so blunt, it's just that, as an atheist, I do have a few problems with Christians, since their book - OT and NT - tells them that it is moral to murder me...

So to me, Christians look sort of like the KKK does to a black person, if that makes any sense.

I'm not saying that your parents want to kill me of course, but that's the club they support...

Stefan Molyneux:

No, not at all - sorry to be so blunt, it's just that, as an atheist, I do have a few problems with Christians, since their book - OT and NT - tells them that it is moral to murder me...

So to me, Christians look sort of like the KKK does to a black person, if that makes any sense.

I'm not saying that your parents want to kill me of course, but that's the club they support...

I understand how you feel about religion. But that doesn't affect how you might feel about me, does it? What I mean is, while my parents are still very much religious, I'm not. Anyway, I hope I wasn't being terribly impatient; it looked like you were starting a conversation with me by asking that earlier question, and then I answered it and felt like I had maybe said something that deflated my welcome.
 

Well, you say love your parents, and they are your best friends, but they subscribe to a belief system that wants me, my wife, my friends and most people here dead - how would you feel if we openly discussed and advocated killing the children of Christian parents here?

Again, I apologize for the bluntness bro, I really do, but we're just talking about the facts...

Tyler, I know what you mean by feeling alone. You have this bit of truth and no one to talk to who understands what your saying and you don't want to share with your family what you know because they may disagree and disown you for it. Sometimes I feel like I have no side to which I can take, even some fellow Christians wrongfully believe that the bible says 'government is of God' and we should just obey mindlessly. Nothing could be further than the truth, and speaking my mind on this with other Christians I must do with caution.

 

Oh and to Stef. You think all Christians would want to kill you? It's not true, I certianly don't. I saw your podcasts and came to this site because of you, seeking those I could have meaningful discussion. Indeed, if someone killed you because of your ideas I would argue they are not a true Christian. Furthermore if I ever saw people who claim to be 'Christians' doing such things, or trying to kill you or others I would feel morally compelled to stop them, even if it means killing them. I am no pacifist, but I morally believe that whomever initiates violence first is responsible for whatever happens afterward... After all Stef, you cannot deny that in anarchy people would be free to believe what they will, so long as they do not bother others.

As I mentioned above, I am talking about the Bible, and Christianity, Judaism and Islam as doctrines, not each individual Christian of course.

It amazes me - I mean, it thoroughly amazes me - that Christians can worship a god that tells them to kill me, and when I point this out, the only person who is considered offensive is me.

Seriously - wow.

Well ok, that's fair. I hope then we will have meaningful discussions then! I can't wait till next week for my DSL to arrive so I won't have to wait an hour to download each podcast!

Stefan Molyneux:

As I mentioned above, I am talking about the Bible, and Christianity, Judaism and Islam as doctrines, not each individual Christian of course.

It amazes me - I mean, it thoroughly amazes me - that Christians can worship a god that tells them to kill me, and when I point this out, the only person who is considered offensive is me.

Seriously - wow.

 Stef how did you come to that conclusion? Did ya see something in the bible that suggests this?
 

Well of course. You need to read that foul document, if you are religious.

I have read quite a bit. I can think of a few passages that could be misread to mean that. There are allot of parables and stories that say one thing but if taken out of context mean something else. So you can trust me when I say if a Christian wants to kill you for your beliefs that they are not a true Christian at all... well I dunno if I could ever convince you of that or not. If the discussion bothers you I will let it be, but you mentioned you knew some Christian Libertarians in one of your podcasts so perhaps your still mulling over this issue.

Oh, but the bible is good... but it isn't.... but it is.... but it isnt... but it is...

but it isnt...

 

but it is...