punishing doubt | religious condemnation of thought [cc] TheraminTrees 2016-09-06 | An examination of the religious condemnation of doubt.You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--I will not attack your doctrines nor your creeds if they accord liberty to me. If they hold thought to be dangerous — if they aver that doubt is a crime, then I attack them one and all, because they enslave the minds of men.―Robert G. Ingersoll--subtitlesArabic: TranquilOblivionBulgarian: DjeitkoRussian: Sergey SavelyevSlovak: Peter ŠčigulinskýSpanish [Latin America]: El Ateo Hispano --Alex Gibney'Mea Maxima Culpa - Silence in the House of God'HBO--Alexander Bede Walsh abuse casehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-17310911--Os Guinness'God in the Dark: The Assurance of Faith Beyond a Shadow of Doubt'Crossway Books.--Abul Ala Maududi [Sayyid Abul A'la Mawdudi]'Towards Understanding the Qur'an'Abridged version of Tafhim al-Qur'anTranslated and edited by Zafar Ishaq AnsariThe Islamic Foundation--music © TheraminTrees
my cluster B parent died and I felt.... nothing much (1/2) [cc] TheraminTrees 2023-12-30 | A two-part reflection on how I became indifferent to a destructive cluster B parent, examining the transformative processes children of malignant households go through between our birth into psychological chaos and our eventual departures. Names altered for anonymity.You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--0:00 an uninteresting death1:17 intense vs non reactions to death2:33 to feel or not to feel3:16 the road to indifference4:27 defining cluster B5:57 unfiltered individuals6:16 masked individuals7:21 ‘the imposter’8:30 damage9:43 parents vs anti-parents10:52 growing up on a minefield12:03 the infant brain12:24 symptoms of damage14:59 the misguided enabling parent16:24 the accusations that didn’t take17:11 discovery17:19 burst of insight vs slow realisation18:01 blocking our own discovery18:27 a false benevolent image20:09 two-faced22:06 judgemental23:02 envious23:30 vain24:20 delusional26:26 cruel28:39 eureka experience one29:21 eureka experience two30:33 the enabling parent seesaw32:18 a patchwork parent32:55 into defence....--subtitlesRussian: Sergey Savelyev--references and readingDentale, F., Verrastro, V., Petruccelli, I., Diotaiuti, P., Petruccelli, F., Cappelli, L. and Martini, P.S. (2015) Relationship between parental narcissism and children’s mental vulnerability: mediation role of rearing style. International journal of psychology & psychological therapy, 15 (3) pp.337–347Fox, N.A. and Shonkoff, J.P. (2012) How persistent fear and anxiety can affect young children’s learning, behaviour and health. In Social and economic costs of violence: workshop summary. National Academies Press.Perry, B.D. and Szalavitz, M. (2017) The boy who was raised as a dog — and other stories from a child psychiatrist’s notebook. Basic Books, New York. Watts, A. (1999) Buddhism, the religion of no religion: the edited transcripts. Tuttle Publishing, Vermont--music © TheraminTreesFull original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
when saviours go bad | drama disguised as help [cc] TheraminTrees 2022-11-08 | An exploration of how drama corrupts our impulses to help others. Where real-life cases are cited, details may be altered to preserve anonymity.You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--0:00 opening quote0:44 defining terms1:08 false alarm2:07 saviour complexes3:14 no single path4:08 infantilising targets5:35 entering and exiting drama7:23 the drama triangle7:42 the victim8:20 the persecutor9:04 the rescuer10:57 switching roles11:30 Gordon’s story14:27 from saviour to supporter17:33 Tyrone’s story18:40 fallacious extrapolation19:34 negative expectations21:35 pseudo-psychoanalysis23:36 a glimpse of authenticity25:15 Tyrone’s transformation28:24 two ‘big-hearted fools’30:27 defend, regret, understand, make peace31:41 Marion’s story35:15 Dimmy’s story38:28 summary--opening quote:Drama brings out the worst in us, opening the doors to our most controlling, coercive, dehumanising behaviour. When we develop powerful saviour tendencies, we seem drawn to the artificial glow of drama like moths to a porch light. Steadfast in the belief that we’re fighting the good fight, we can drift into the most destructive extremes without a moral twinge.--subtitlesRussian: Sergey Savelyev--referencesKarpman, S.B. (1968) Fairy tales and script drama analysis. Transactional Analysis Bulletin, 7 (26), pp.39-43.--music © TheraminTreesFull original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
overcoming malignant shame [cc] TheraminTrees 2022-05-02 | A reflection on one of the most damaging kinds of manipulation used by abusers: shaming. Where real-life cases are cited, details may be altered to preserve anonymity.You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--0:00 a common emotion1:28 defining shame1:51 shame vs guilt3:00 psychological consequences5:50 private shame8:40 common sources of shame14:15 retraining the brain20:15 judging what's acceptable21:34 public shame22:27 tyranny of the majority23:04 coming out25:05 some shame-inducing groups30:23 a faceless mob?32:30 shaming by stealth--opening quote:The shame-bound individual is like a foxthat’s been trained to hunt itself to exhaustionwhile the hounds sit back and enjoy the show.--subtitlesRussian: Sergey Savelyev--references and reading:Feiring, C., Taska, L. and Lewis, M. (2002) Adjustment following sexual abuse discovery: The role of shame and attributional style. Developmental Psychology 38 (1), pp.79-92.Harper, F. W. K. and Arias, I. (2004) The role of shame in predicting adult anger and depressive symptoms among victims of child psychological maltreatment. Journal of Family Violence 19 (6), pp.367–375Joireman, J. (2004) Empathy and the self-absorption paradox II: self-rumination and self-reflection as mediators between shame, guilt, and empathy. Self and Identity, 3 (1), pp.225-238Lewis, H.B. (1971) Shame and guilt in neurosis. New York: International Universities PressMarschall, D., Sanftner, J. and Tangney, J. P. (1994) The State Shame and Guilt Scale. Fairfax: George Mason University.Mill, J.S. (1859) On liberty.Sznycer, D. et al (2018) Cross-cultural invariances in the architecture of shame. PNAS 115 (39) pp.9702-9707Tangney, J.P. and Tracy, J.L. (2012) Self-conscious emotions. In Leary M. and Tangney, J.P. (eds.), Handbook of self and identity (2nd ed., pp.446-478). New York: Guilford PressTangney, J.P., Tracy, J.L. and Robins, R.W. (eds.) (2007) The self-conscious emotions: theory and research. New York: Guildford Press--painting:Titian (c.1559–1575) The death of Actaeon--music © TheraminTreesFull original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
‘unconsciously’ seeking abusers? | bogus therapy [cc] TheraminTrees 2022-02-28 | Asserting spurious unconscious/subconscious motives is a practice that’s contaminated the world of therapy, the social sciences and general public discourse. I explore this burden-shifting red herring with special reference to targets of abuse who’ve been told they were ‘unconsciously’ seeking abusers.You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--0:00 a double consciousness?3:33 motives, demonic and unconscious4:44 detective work5:27 wolves behind mirrors6:34 con artists and abusers7:24 some straw men10:04 Adam — ‘the clown’15:31 Cally — ‘water on rock’19:00 Finn — ‘the mender’24:07 Muna — ‘the passenger’28:18 closing thoughts--opening quote:We wouldn’t assume an individual who had been repeatedly scammed by con artists was‘unconsciously’ seeking these abusers out. And yet when it comes to abusive relationshipsfor some therapists it’s the standard supposition.--subtitlesRussian: Sergey Savelyev--music © TheraminTreesFull original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
rumination | combatting repetitive thoughts [cc] TheraminTrees 2021-05-01 | A solution-based reflection on a widely reported symptom resulting from abuse and trauma: rumination — feeling immersed in persistent inescapable thoughts.You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--0:00 defining rumination2:13 real-life examples4:58 rumination as a false coping strategy7:00 the gateway to mood disorders7:44 concrete vs abstract rumination10:46 giving thoughts too much power13:52 resisting vs dismissing thoughts16:31 strategy 1: debunking18:38 strategy 2: reframing20:33 strategy 3: expressing22:47 strategy 4: activity24:18 strategy 5: mindfulness--opening quote:Thoughts are like guests in the houses of our minds. We can choose which ones we open our doors to — and which ones we decline to entertain.--subtitles:Bulgarian: DjeitkoDutch: kedrednaelRussian: Sergey SavelyevSpanish: Martin Gonzalez--references and reading:Just, N. and Alloy, L. (1997) The response styles theory of depression: tests and an extension of the theory. Journal of abnormal psychology 106 (2) pp.221–229Michael, T., Halligan, S.L., Clark, D.M. and Ehlers, A. (2007) Rumination in posttraumatic stress disorder. Depression and anxiety 24 pp.307-317Michi, L.C., McLaughlin, K.A., Shepherd, K. and Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2013) Rumination as a mechanism linking stressful life events to symptoms of depression and anxiety: longitudinal evidence in early adolescents and adults. Journal of abnormal psychology 122 (2) pp.339-352Powers, J.P. and LaBar, K.S. (2019) Regulating emotion through distancing: a taxonomy, neurocognitive model, and supporting meta-analysis. Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews 96 pp.155-173Watkins, E.R. and Moulds, M.L. (2005) Distinct modes of ruminative self-focus: impact of abstract versus concrete rumination on problem solving in depression. Emotion 5 (3) pp.319-328Watkins, E.R. and Roberts, H. (2020) Reflecting on rumination: consequences, causes, mechanisms and treatment of rumination. Behaviour research and therapy 127 Wells, A and Carter, K.E.P. (2001) Further tests of a cognitive model of generalized anxiety disorder: metacognitions and worry in GAD, panic disorder, social phobia, depression, and nonpatients. Behaviour therapy 32 (1) pp.85-105--music © TheraminTreesFull original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
weaponising self-affirmation [cc] TheraminTrees 2021-03-01 | An exploration of the increasing trend of individuals misusing therapeutic self-affirmation language for abusive ends.You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--0:00 pseudo-self-affirmation4:20 Gimme unconditional love!9:51 I’m not responsible for your feelings!13:38 I’m exercising self-care!16:10 I don’t have to explain myself!20:56 You’re just projecting your issues!25:54 Unless we resolve things we won’t heal!--opening quote:The abuser lives in a Bizarro world. Everything becomes its opposite.Corruption becomes honesty. Sickness becomes health. Villain becomes victim.Reflected in this malignant mirror, the tools of healing and recovery are often forged into weapons of debilitation and relapse.--subtitlesBulgarian: DjeitkoRussian: Sergey Savelyev--references:Edyvane, D. (2003) Against unconditional love. Journal of applied philosophy 20 (1) pp.59-75Luft, J. and Ingham, H. (1955) The Johari window, a graphic model of interpersonal awareness. Proceedings of the western training laboratory in group development. Los Angeles: UCLA--Biblical passagesExodus 31:15 Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day is to be put to death. Numbers 1:51 But any unauthorized person who goes too near the Tabernacle must be put to death.Deuteronomy 21:10–14 When you go to war against your enemies .... and you take captives, if you notice among the captives a beautiful woman and are attracted to her, you may take her as your wife .... If you are not pleased with her, let her go ....Psalms 137:9 Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.Mark 12:30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.John 15:10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love .... John 15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command--Crown Prosecution Service: cps.gov.uk/crime-info/domestic-abuse--music © TheraminTreesFull original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
no ones disciple [cc] TheraminTrees 2021-01-06 | A reflection on something of special importance at this time: the dangers of magical heroes, human and divine. You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--0:00 the importance of individuality4:08 heroes, harmful and helpful6:29 religious disciples7:22 a little learning9:20 hero 1: ‘the racketeer’11:01 hero 2: ‘the redeemer’13:58 copying chaos17:50 authorship vs authority19:51 secular disciples21:23 hero 3: ‘the radicaliser’23:06 hero 4: ‘the relative hero’25:59 hero 5: ‘the reluctant hero’27:35 hero 6: ‘the revolving door’29:52 hero 7: ‘the reflection’33:07 virtual disciples35:46 virtual hero: ‘the recommender’38:29 a self-perpetuating cycle--subtitlesBulgarian: DjeitkoRussian: Sergey Savelyev--closing quote:It is tragic how few people ever ‘possess their souls’ before they die .... Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.—Oscar Wilde--references:Ahmad, Z. (2001) Love for Allah. Faqir Publications, ChicagoAllen, M. (2017) Sean Parker unloads on Facebook: “God only knows what it's doing to our children's brains”. available at: axios.com/sean-parker-unloads-on-facebook-god-only-knows-what-its-doing-to-our-childrens-brains-1513306792-f855e7b4-4e99-4d60-8d51-2775559c2671.htmlDeBono, A., Shariff, A. F., Poole, S. and Muraven, M. (2017) Forgive us our trespasses: Priming a forgiving (but not a punishing) god increases unethical behavior. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 9 (supplement 1) pp.S1–S10Genetically Modified Food—Is It Safe for You? Awake (22 April 2000) pp.25-27Lanier, J. (2018) Ten arguments for deleting your social media accounts right now. Vintage, LondonMill, J.S. (1859) On liberty.Pope, A. (1711) An essay on criticism.Rothbaum, F., Weisz, J.R. and Snyder, S.S. (1982) Changing the world and changing the self: a two-process model of perceived control. Journal of personality and social psychology 42 (1) pp.5-37Sullivan, M.P. and Venter, A. (2005) The hero within: inclusion of heroes into the self. Self and Identity 4 (2) pp.101-111Wiener, N. (1950) The human use of human beings. Houghton MifflinZimbardo, P. (2007) The Lucifer effect: understanding how good people turn evil. Random House--music: an arrangement of Chopin's ‘Prelude in E Minor’ © TheraminTreesFull original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
resisting emotional blackmail | when compassion corrupts [cc] TheraminTrees 2020-09-01 | An exploration of some mechanics behind emotional blackmail — and in invitation to all parties to step out of it. You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--opening quote:We’re each entitled to stay inside our comfort zones.We’re not entitled to expect the rest of the world to join us.--0:00 uncomfortable effects of comfort3:21 emotion — a double-edged sword7:54 comfort zones10:12 oiling the squeaky wheel13:48 compassion vs enabling17:32 coping with other people's coping mechanisms23:28 rationalisation29:00 rational mindful solutions29:57 summary--subtitlesBulgarian: Djeitko--referencesAbbott, K.R. and Sherratt, T.N. (2011) The evolution of superstition through optimal use of incomplete information. Animal behaviour 82 pp.85-92Damasio, A. (1994) Descartes' error: emotion, reason, and the human brain. Putnam, New YorkKay, A.C., Gaucher, D., Napier, J.L., Callan, M.J. and Kaurin, K. (2008) God and the government: testing a compensatory control mechanism for the support of external systems. Journal of personality and social psychology 95 (1) pp.18-35Kool, W., McGuire, J.T., Rosen, Z.B. and Botvinick, M.M. (2010) Decision making and the avoidance of cognitive demand. Journal of experimental psychology: general 139 (4), pp.665-682Lindeman, M. and Aarnio, K. (2007) Superstitious, magical, and paranormal beliefs: an integrative model. Journal of research in personality 41 pp.731-744Malinowski, B. (1948) Magic, science, and religion and other essays. Beacon Press, BostonZajonc, R.B. (1980) Feeling and thinking: preferences need no inferences. American psychologist 35 pp.151-175--music © TheraminTreesFull original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
fake Twitter account TheraminTrees 2020-07-05 | An unwelcome distraction to have to attend to when I’m working on the next video — but sadly necessary. Please be on guard against deception and manipulation from online impersonation. Any genuine links to other platforms will be authenticated by me through this YouTube channel.
living with abusers [cc] TheraminTrees 2020-06-01 | A look at the navigating life with abusers. You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--opening quote:I walk down the same street.There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.I see it there.I still fall … it’s a habit … —Portia Nelson, Autobiography in five short chapters--0:00 control and coercion2:55 assessing risk — looking at the abuser with a cold eye12:39 distancing manoeuvres — looking at how we can remove the hooks22:26 counteracting poison — finding clean water--subtitlesBulgarian: Djeitko--references/readingAndreassen, C.S., Pallesen, S. and Griffiths, M.D. (2017) The relationship between addictive use of social media, narcissism, and self-esteem: findings from a large national survey. Addictive Behaviors 64, pp.287–293Danesh, H.B. (1978) The authoritarian family and its adolescents. Canadian Psychiatric Association Journal 23 (7) pp.479-485Fan, C.Y., Chu, X.W., Zhang, M. and Zhou, Z.K. (2019) Are narcissists more likely to be involved in cyberbullying? Examining the mediating role of self-esteem. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 34 (15) pp.3127-3150.Nelson, P. (1993) There’s a hole in my sidewalk. Beyond Words publishing, Oregon.Oesterreich, D. (2005) Flight into security: a new approach and measure of the authoritarian personality. Political psychology 26 (2) pp.275-297--music © TheraminTreesFull original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
infantilisation | a regressive abuse [cc] TheraminTrees 2020-03-14 | A look at the various manifestations of infantilisation. You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--opening quote:If we are to achieve maturity as individuals and as a species we need to recognise and address the systems that infantilise us--0:00 introduction to infantilisation4:20 five illustrations in the family24:40 three illustrations in religion35:35 summary--subtitlesBulgarian: Djeitko--references:Garber, B.D. (2011) Parental alienation and the dynamics of the enmeshed parent-child dyad: adultification, parentification and infantilization. Family Court Review 49 (2) pp.322-335Moons, W.G and Mackie, D.M. (2007) Thinking straight while seeing red: the influence of anger on information processing. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 33 (5) pp.706-720--music: choral version of Camille Saint-Saëns’s piano piece ‘Le coucou au fond des bois’/‘The cuckoo in the depths of the woods’ © TheraminTreesFull original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
letting go of fixing people [cc] TheraminTrees 2020-01-02 | An exploration of some of the reasons our attempts to fix people in abusive situations fail — and how we might approach things differently. You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--opening quote:Yesterday, upon the stair,I met a man who wasn’t there.He wasn’t there again today.I wish, I wish he’d go away ....—Antigonish, William Hughes Mearns--0:00 the desire to fix1:08 how change happens — or is avoided 5:35 how empath and narcissists enter gridlock14:43 sympathy, empathy and over-identification24:50 some more productive areas to focus on--subtitlesBulgarian: Djeitko--references:Beutler, L.E., Moleiro, C. and Talebi, H. (2002) Resistance in psychotherapy: What conclusions are supported by research. Journal of clinical psychology 58 (2) pp.207-217Bradbury, R. (1950) The Martian Chronicles. Doubleday, Garden City--music © TheraminTreesFull original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
commanded to love | performing false emotions for tyrants [cc] TheraminTrees 2019-12-01 | Some reflections on the the crucial role emotion can play in keeping us stuck in abuse — and in recovery and immunisation. You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--opening quote:‘feel crime’ — the crime of feeling an emotion that displeases the dictatoror not feeling an emotion that pleases the dictator--0:00 act 1: the disastrous artist6:58 act 2: the emotional landscape12:26 act 3: commanded to love a tyrant28:08 act 4: quitting the show--subtitlesBulgarian: Djeitko--references:Horney, K. (1937) The neurotic personality of our time. Routledge, Oxfordshire.Teresa, Mother (1997) In the heart of the world: thoughts, stories and prayers. New World Library, California.Hitchens, Christopher (1995) The missionary position: Mother Teresa in theory and practice. Verso, LondonBiblical references—Numbers 31: Divinely commanded male infanticide and sexual enslavement of the Midianites—Psalm 137: Divinely commanded infanticide of the Babylonians—Judges 19-21: Divinely commanded tribal war; pacifism of the people of Jabesh Gilead punished by murder, infanticide and sexual enslavement--music © TheraminTreesFull original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
double binds | narcissistic ‘no-win’ mind games [cc] TheraminTrees 2019-09-30 | Some thoughts on narcissists’ ‘no-win’ double bind abuse — including examples, reflections on the pathological thinking behind them and approaches to dealing with them. You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--opening quote:Before the law sits a gatekeeper. To this gatekeeper comes a man who asks to gain entry to the law. But the gatekeeper says he cannot grant him entry at the moment. The man asks if he will be allowed to come in later. ‘It is possible,’ says the gatekeeper, ‘but not now.’The gatekeeper gives him a stool and allows him to sit down at the side of the gate. There he sits for days and years.—Before the Law, Franz Kafka--0:00 the narcissist's chaotic world2:42 double bind vs simple 'no win'4:58 straw poll about double bind experiences6:24 examples in literature, history and my life17:13 different ways of tackling the trap--subtitlesBulgarian: DjeitkoMy thanks to the kind person who contributed the English subtitles--references:Hollywood on Trial (1976) Dir. David HelpernBateson, G., Jackson, D.D., Haley, J. and Weakland, J. (1956) Toward a Theory of Schizophrenia. Behavioural Science 1(4), pp.251-254.Brimner, L.D. (2018) Blacklisted! Hollywood, the Cold War, and the First Amendment. Calkins Creek BooksGraves, R. (1934) I Claudius. Arthur Baker, LondonKafka, F. (1915) Before the Law. In Selbstwehr [Independent Jewish Weekly]. The parable is also contained in Kafka’s novel The Trial, published posthumously in 1925--FAQThere've been some repeatedly expressed criticism on the McCarthy section:1) McCarthy wasn't involved with the Hollywood Ten — he came afterwards.Answer: Yes — and the video didn't say he was involved in that hearing. It was carefully worded. Anyone familiar with McCarthyism knows that McCarthyism was a term applied retrospectively to the particular style of persecution seen in the red scares, even before McCarthy's involvement. The video noted that it was J Parnell Thomas who presided over the Hollywood Ten hearing.2) But the Hollywood Ten were communists.Answer: First, that's wrong — for example Edward Dmytryk had briefly been a member of the Communist Party years before the hearing but had long since distanced himself. He refused to answer during the hearing purely on the principles of preserving constitutional freedoms — not any loyalty to communism. Second, this is all a red herring anyway. They could all have been card-carrying communists and the point would still stand: they were not charged with any crime in their summons. If they had been, it would've been a completely different matter. They were convicted for exercising their rights in an environment deliberately designed to force them to out themselves on their beliefs in order to stigmatise them. It was a contemptible abuse of the law. And if McCarthyist supporters ever find themselves in a similar situation, illegally coerced to stigmatise themselves, they might appreciate the point — and why I and others condemn this form of persecution, whoever it's aimed at.'Disorientated' isn't a word.Answer. Yes it is a word. In fact it's the long-established British usage form of the term. --music © TheraminTreesFull original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
false equivalents | qualiasoup & theramintrees [cc] TheraminTrees 2019-08-01 | A reflection on the use of false equivalence and ‘levelling’ tactics, with special reference to the recent appalling developments in Brunei. You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--opening quote:It’s always the same with these bogus equivalences: They start by pretending loftily to find no difference between aggressor and victim, and they end up by saying that it’s the victim of violence who is ‘really’ inciting it.—Christopher Hitchens, ‘Arguably’ [in reference to criticism of life-endangered ex-Muslim Ayaan Hirsi Ali]--subtitlesBulgarian: DjeitkoDutch: kedrednael--references:Geertz, C. [1966] Religion as a cultural system. In Anthropological Approaches to the Study of Religion. Ed. Michael Banton. Tavistock Publications, London. pp.1–46.Hitchens, C. [2011] Arguably. Atlantic Books, London.--Brunei’s death penalty for apostasy:loc.gov/law/help/apostasy/index.phphttp://www.agc.gov.bn/AGC%20Images/LAWS/Gazette_PDF/2013/EN/s069.pdf--miscellaneous news references:nytimes.com/2019/04/12/world/asia/brunei-stoning-law-defense.htmltheguardian.com/world/2019/mar/28/brunei-brings-in-death-by-stoning-as-punishment-for-gay-sextheguardian.com/world/2019/apr/22/brunei-defends-stoning-death-gay-sex-letter-eutheguardian.com/world/2019/may/05/brunei-says-it-will-not-enforce-lgbt-gay-sex-death-penalty-after-backlashtelegraph.co.uk/news/2019/05/05/sultan-brunei-drops-death-penalty-gay-sex-backlash-led-george--music © TheraminTreesFull original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
ex-Muslim voices | reflections and shoutouts [cc] TheraminTrees 2019-07-04 | Before my next video with QualiaSoup, I’d like to mark this day of independence by sharing some great independent thinkers with you. Channel and video links below.—TheMaskedArabyoutube.com/channel/UC9JU55HpvRvCSb1TO2w_eDAsome recommended videos:Leaving Islam and coming out as an atheist (sort of).youtube.com/watch?v=yewG5RoKLNcThe Quranic chapter that gave it all away...youtube.com/watch?v=RRICs4iJd1wJizya in Islam - explainedyoutube.com/watch?v=H5MZPYC-yMg—Abdullah Sameeryoutube.com/user/abdullahadamsome recommended videos:30 Years of Progress For Exmuslims[interview with Ali Rivzi]youtube.com/watch?v=V3s3yHRsJjw10 Strange Rulings In Islamyoutube.com/watch?v=cn5sDYOQDXsProphet Muhammad explains stuffyoutube.com/watch?v=E2IFxopDnMwOn Criticizing Religionyoutube.com/watch?v=cP5imae7tg0—Hassan Radwanyoutube.com/user/Shahryar681some recommended videos:From Islam to No-Religionyoutube.com/watch?v=tBXXeiz3PGAAre Ex-Muslims Evil?youtube.com/watch?v=8jSmcczE9XIKhidr & Killing of the boyyoutube.com/watch?v=Hlp2rajAgzwWhy Punishing Disbelief Undermines Islamyoutube.com/watch?v=xzVVD1Q8O5s—Ex-Muslims of North America youtube.com/channel/UCXEPxzERO6Ph7OBypo9UtlQsome recommended videos:Hiba: Hijab and the Illusion of Choiceyoutube.com/watch?v=zLC8ipOjrMcThe experience of conversion to Islam - Stephanie Tessieryoutube.com/watch?v=3mt2tGHCNCwEx-Muslims talk to Muslimsyoutube.com/watch?v=uK35quLK864She changed a country - and you probably haven’t heard of her [Nasrin Sotoudeh faces 38 years in jail for supporting protestors]youtube.com/watch?v=a2THdtbGxVU—Veedu Vidzyoutube.com/channel/UCJ11LYqiqsaqfhJxprOa_ZAsome recommended videos:Can I Insult Islam? Veedu Vidz Debateyoutube.com/watch?v=R0l4f8x-FQwChristian Woman on death row for blasphemy in Pakistan (Asia Bibi)youtube.com/watch?v=rz-rBZQoAvoMuslim goes nuts over Satanic Verses! (reaction)youtube.com/watch?v=3FTEMHP4t9cDON’T MOCK MUHAMMAD! (RANT)youtube.com/watch?v=j8u-yvL4DQM—Reason On Faithyoutube.com/channel/UCGUTkvBuSs5Yjg4xwI8jVMQwebsite: reasononfaith.orgReason on Faith’s book ‘The things we think but are too afraid to say’ — link to free 2MB PDF on reasononfaith.org/the-things-we-thinkrecommended video:Why I am Leaving Islam and Ahmadiyyatyoutube.com/watch?v=4-jPHr0LrYY--music © TheraminTrees
tribalism [cc] TheraminTrees 2019-05-22 | An exploration of the mechanisms that drive tribalism — and that offer a way out of it. You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--opening quote:The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you’ll be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.—Rudyard Kipling--0:00 tribalism defined1:12 group biases1:26 Tajfel on group membership2:28 Greene's 'Moral tribes'6:34 Cohen on party politics8:38 common enemies10:25 common humanity12:32 tribalistic wiring17:26 clashing moral systems19:19 defending freedoms21:23 summary--subtitlesBulgarian: DjeitkoDutch: kedrednaelThank you to the anonymous English subtitle writer who got in there before me and keyed in the captions!--References:Cohen, G.L. (2003) Party over policy: the dominating impact of group influence on political beliefs. Journal of personality and social psychology 85 (5) pp.808-822Greene, J.D. (2014) Moral tribes: emotion, reason and the gap between us and them. Atlantic Books, London.Hardin, G. (1968) The tragedy of the commons. Science 162 (3859) pp.1243-1248Kahneman, D. (2011) Thinking fast and slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New YorkMoore, A. and Gibbons, D (1986/7) Watchmen. DC Comics.Redish, A.D. (2013) The mind within the brain. Oxford University Press, New York.Tajfel, H. (1970) Experiments in intergroup discrimination. Scientific American 223 (5) pp.96-102.--Note regarding Holocaust deniers:To those who've objected to the idea of a Jew — or anyone — defending the freedom to deny the Holocaust, I invite you to consider an important bigger picture going on in this scenario. Whenever we consider restricting someone else's freedom, we should have a hard think about how it might backfire on us in the future. What if a fake history is established by a ruling power? What if they outlaw people who dispute that fake history? What if there are legal penalties for disputing it? The freedom to dispute a history is extremely important — if the history is fake, people should know. If the history is correct then we can publicise the evidence and expose the ignorance of deniers. When we do that, we educate people, we make deniers look foolish and we preserve a freedom we may need in the future. When we ban denials, people aren't educated, we make deniers look like martyrs and we lose a freedom we may need in the future. Once we've given up a freedom, it can be extremely hard to get it back.--Note regarding my departure from theism to atheism:An assessment that ideas are unfounded is not an automatic indicator of tribalism. That should be apparent from the fact I was a theist, trying to find good reasons to justify my faith. To suggest I was being tribally atheist is clearly nonsense. So something else is happening. I realised I hadn't been presented with any good reasons, and that faith — which can justify any belief — was not a valid foundation for discerning truth. In the intervening decades, I still haven't been presented with a single good reason. If I was presented with good reasons, my views would change — and I will note, the old bad reasons for believing would still be bad and rejected. The new persuasive reasons would be the only significant factor. If groups make claims they can't substantiate, we have no reason to acknowledge those particular claims — whether those claims are religious, pseudoscientific, medical, etc. Rejecting a group's ideas is not automatically a matter of distorted tribalism — if the ideas are fallacious, the rejection is valid.--music © TheraminTreesFull original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
imaginary defects | when dogmas label us flawed [cc] TheraminTrees 2019-03-22 | From ulterior motives to hidden biases, bad therapy, abusive religion and flawed science invite shame and anxiety with unsubstantiated allegations of personal defects. Always ask for evidence. You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTreesA big thanks to ReasonOnFaith.com. I consulted him to confirm that Islam rejects the original sin story and he gave an extremely helpful and comprehensive response, including a reference to the night of power. He's a brilliant ex-Muslim voice whose work I highly recommend.--opening quote:The shrewdest fraudsters don’t sell us fake medicine for real aches and pains.When our ailments persist, the game’s up. The shrewdest fraudsters sell us fake illnesses and imaginary defects. Then the game can endure for a lifetime.--0:00 assuming ulterior motives3:55 inventing harmless transgressions11:03 problems with 'unconscious bias'16:50 summary--subtitlesArabic: TranquilOblivionBulgarian: Djeitko--references:IslamHadiths:Sahih al-Bukhari 1901sunnah.com/bukhari/30/11Sahih al-Bukhari 2017sunnah.com/bukhari/32/4Sunan Abi Dawud 2162sunnah.com/abudawud/12/117books:Ibn Qudamah (12th-13th century) ‘Al-Mughni’Imam Dhahabi (13th-14th century) ‘Major Sins’--MormonismArticles of Faith 1:2, Pearl of Great Pricelds.org/scriptures/pgp/a-of-f/1.2?lang=engSexual transgression quote from lds.orglds.org/study/new-era/2013/07/to-the-point/what-exactly-is-a-sexual-transgression?lang=engGesselman, A.N., Webster, G.D. and Garcia, J.R. (2016) Has Virginity Lost Its Virtue? Relationship Stigma Associated With Being a Sexually Inexperienced Adult, The Journal of Sex Research 54 (2) pp.202-213--Jehovah’s WitnessesQuestions from readers, The Watchtower [15 Feb 1978]wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1978130Honor Godly Marriage!, The Watchtower [15 March 1983] wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1983209--IATBanaji, M.R. and Greenwald, A.G. (2013) Blind spot — hidden biases of good people. Bantam Books, New York.Dehon, E., Weiss, N., Jones, J., Faulconer, W., Hinton, E. and Sterling, S. (2017) A systematic review of the impact of physician implicit racial bias on clinical decision making. Academic Emergency Medicine 24 (8) pp.895-904Green, A.R., Carney, D.R., Pallin, D.J., Ngo, L.H., Raymond, K.L., Iezzoni, L.I. and Banaji, M.R. (2007) Implicit bias among physicians and its prediction of thrombolysis decisions for black and white patients. Journal of General Internal Medicine 22 (9) pp.1231-1238Greenwald, A.G., Banaji, M.R. and Nosek, B.A. (2015) Statistically small effects of the implicit association test can have societally large effects. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 108 (4) pp.553-561Sabin, J.A., Rivara, F.P. and Greenwald, A.G. (2008) Physician implicit attitudes and stereotypes about race and quality of medical care. Medical Care 46 (7) pp.678-685Sabin, J.A. and Greenwald, A.G. (2012) The influence of implicit bias on treatment recommendations for 4 common pediatric conditions: pain, urinary tract infection, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and asthma. American Journal of Public Health 102 (5) pp.988-95Vorauer, J.D. (2012) Completing the implicit association test reduces positive intergroup interaction behavior. Psychological Science 23 (10) pp.1168-1175--music © TheraminTreesFull original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
exposing abuse | Jehovahs Witnesses on trial | part 2 [cc] TheraminTrees 2019-02-01 | Second of a two-part series looking at the Australian Royal Commission’s investigation in the handling of child sexual abuse in the Jehovah’s Witness organisation.You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees—subtitlesBulgarian: Djeitko—references:The Australian Royal Commission website:https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/—JW organisation literature cited:‘A time to heal’ Awake! 8 October 1991wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101991723confrontation‘If God Is for Us, Who Will Be Against Us?’The Watchtower [1 June 2001]wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2001403corporal punishment‘Disciplining Children for Life’The Watchtower [15 Jan 1954]wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1954048‘Reliable Advice for Raising Children’The Watchtower [1 Nov 2006]wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2006801disassociationjw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/resign‘Keep Yourself in God’s Love’jw.org/en/publications/books/gods-love/separate-from-the-world—music: improvisation on Kreisler's 'Preludium and Allegro' © TheraminTreesFull original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
exposing abuse | Jehovah’s Witnesses on trial | part 1 [cc] TheraminTrees 2019-01-01 | Part one of a series looking at the Australian Royal Commission’s investigation in the handling of child sexual abuse in the Jehovah’s Witness organisation.You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--opening quote:Abuse thrives in silence.It thrives in the silence of communitieswho tell themselves ‘It’s none of our business’.It thrives in the silence of organisationswho elevate public image over private reality.It thrives in the silence of the abusedwho come to realise no one wants to listen.As your ears adjust to the silence, you can hear the quiet rustle of abusers rubbing their hands.--subtitlesBulgarian: Djeitko--music: excerpt from Kreisler's 'Preludium and Allegro' © TheraminTrees--References:The Australian Royal Commission website:https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/The JW organisation’s rejection of ‘worldly’ non-Members:--.... we should not become close friends with those who do not obey God .... Bad associations result in disaster’ — Watch Your Associations in These Last Days, The Watchtower study edition August 2015jw.org/en/publications/magazines/ws20150815/watch-associations-last-days--‘.... a Christian would not spend time with unspiritually inclined people after work or school hours for pleasure and amusement.’—Guard Against Bad Associations, The Watchtower 15 January 1966wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1966044--Let the world go along in its way, reaping its bad fruitage in the form of broken homes, illegitimate births, sexually transmitted diseases, such as AIDS, and countless other emotional and physical woes.—Breathing This World’s “Air” Is Death-Dealing!, The Watchtower [15 Sept 1987]wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1987683The JW organisation’s ‘theocratic warfare’ policy:--.... hiding the truth, which he is not entitled to know, from an enemy does not harm him.... let it be noted that whenever one takes an oath to tell the truth he is obligated to do so .... To this oath he certainly must be true. Likewise, when a Christian is placed on a witness stand he is obligated to speak the truth if he speaks at all. —Use Theocratic War Strategy, The Watchtower [1 May 1957]wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1957327The JW organisation criticises the Catholic Church for being a false religion, an enemy of true worship, meddling in politics and mishandling child abuse cases:--Constantine fused such false religion into Christian teachings when he laid the foundations for the Roman Catholic religion.— Kingdom Come 1981wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101981010--One such enemy is especially the Roman Catholic Hierarchy .... saturated with pagan Babylonish doctrine and ceremony. —Watchtower 1 March 1968wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1968164--More Politicians Than Preachers?—Watchtower 15 June 1993wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1993445--Usually these cases are hushed up, and no significant disciplinary action is taken.—Awake! 8 Nov 1990wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101990812--music: excerpt from Kreisler's 'Preludium and Allegro' © TheraminTreesFull original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
copying enemies | the after-effects of abuse [cc] TheraminTrees 2018-11-03 | An exploration of how, after being abused, we can sometimes find ourselves copying our enemies in various ways — sometimes for counter-intuitive reasons. You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--opening quote:I have seen people behave badly with great morality and I note every day that integrity has no need of rules.—Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays--subtitlesBulgarian: Djeitko--‘The Cult in Your Backyard’ conference:youtube.com/watch?v=CFe-teZRHGU--music © TheraminTreesFull original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
concealing abuse [cc] TheraminTrees 2018-09-01 | Some thoughts on two different high-control groups and their concealment of abuse. You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--subtitlesBulgarian: Djeitko--Resources--Amy Bril and Anneke & Ron SchieberlA&E Cults and Extreme Beliefs Season 1 Episode 3--Verity Carterbbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-44613932--Natacha TormeyTormey, N. (2014) Born into the Children of God — my life in a religious sex cult and my struggle for survival on the outside. HarperCollinsTormey, N. (2014) Cults: A Bloodstained History. Fonthill Media--Sylvia PadillaChildren of God (1994) UK Channel 4 documentary. Dir. John SmithsonMirror interview (Dec 1998) ‘How we escaped the clutches of a cult’--Peter FroumanNew York Times article (2005) ‘Murder and Suicide Reviving Claims of Child Abuse in Cult’nytimes.com/2005/01/15/us/murder-and-suicide-reviving-claims-of-child-abuse-in-cult.html--Erica Garzayoutube.com/watch?v=CtZXl-44VXMyoutube.com/watch?v=MzbnJWR7qFg--Barbara Andersonyoutube.com/watch?&v=lkQ4ESm3y7c--Suffer the Little Children [BBC Panorama 2002]youtube.com/watch?v=Ep4h2lKWRlg--David Gnam quote:youtube.com/watch?v=Wgl3FoRFCjQ--James R. Johnson quote:youtube.com/watch?v=EWTDB7mg6js--‘It was systematic abuse — and it was doctrinal.’Jim La Matteryyoutube.com/watch?v=yzev2Zk4kx8--JW resources—‘Do Not Tire Out’ — The Watchtower 15 April 2013wol.jw.org/ase/wol/d/r266/lp-asl/2013286—'You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth' Watchtower Bible and Tract Society 1989. p.255wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2013286—'How Are You Using Your Life?' — Our Kingdom Ministry May 1974wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/201974163—'Expansion at the ‘House of God’ ’ — The Watchtower 1 May 1982wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1982082—‘A Solid Basis for Confidence’ The Watchtower 15 July 1976wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1976525—'The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life' 1981wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101968001—‘A Sexual Crisis’ Among the Clergy — Awake! 8 Dec 1990wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101990891—'Watching the World' — Awake! 11 April 2011wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102011130—'Victims of Pedophile Priests Speak Out' — Awake! 8 April 1993wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101993252—'Our Shame is Clear to the Whole World' — Awake! 8 Nov 1990wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101990812—'Safeguard Your Name' — The Watchtower 15 September 2000wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2000686—'Watch Yourself, for You Are Being Watched!' — The Watchtower 15 August 1960wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1960606—'Disfellowshiping—How to View It' — The Watchtower 15 Sept 1981wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1981688—‘An Elusive Creature —Hated and Loved’ — Awake! 8 September 1994wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101994650—'Not Peace, But a Sword' — The Watchtower, study edition, October 2017wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2017603—'Let Nothing Distance You From Jehovah' — The Watchtower study edition January 2013jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20130115/let-nothing-distance-you-from-jehovah—'When your child lies' — Awake! November 2014wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102014405—'Use Theocratic War Strategy' — The Watchtower 1 May 1957wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1957327—'How to End “the Silent Treatment”' Awake! June 2013jw.org/en/publications/magazines/g201306/the-silent-treatment—'Religion—Has It the Key to Unity?' — Watchtower [1 Sept 1957]wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1957640—Shunning FAQjw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning--Jehovah’s Witness Broadcasting tv.jw.org/#en/home--Family resourcesLaw of Lovemedia.xfamily.org/docs/fam/tk/love-of-god/0293-0296-log-tk-592-gods-only-law-is-love.pdfThe Devil Hates Sexxfamily.org/index.php/The_Devil_Hates_SexGlorify God in the Dancehttp://www.xfamily.org/index.php/Glorify_God_in_the_Dancepurgexfamily.org/index.php/Pubs_Purge_Advisory,_June_1991Court case 1995xfamily.org/index.php/Complete_Judgment_of_Lord_Justice_Ward"Mama Jewels'http://www.xfamily.org/images/3/36/Summit_93_mama_jewels.pdf"Deceivers yet true”xfamily.org/index.php/True_Komix_-_Deceivers_Yet_True--Further materialVivian Schillander20/20report (1988) ‘To Bring Her Children Home’youtube.com/watch?v=-sjlqhN2fPYExcerpt: Vivian's children defend the group’s sexually explicit publicationsyoutube.com/watch?v=69S2fI_GAzo--music © TheraminTreesFull original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
worshipping narcissists | qualiasoup & theramintrees [cc] TheraminTrees 2018-06-01 | An exploration of the characteristics and mechanics of narcissism — human and divine.You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--opening quote:It is an absurdity to believe that the Deity has human passions, and one of the lowest of human passions, a restless appetite for applause. It is an inconsistency to believe, that, since the Deity has this human passion, he has not others also: and, in particular, a disregard to the opinions of creatures so much inferior.—David Hume, Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion--0:00 narcissists, human and divine2:54 Echo and Narcissus3:31 narcissistic traits5:17 are gods inevitably narcissistic?9:59 how do targets get manipulated?10:48 golden children and scapegoats12:12 heaven and hell13:20 persecutor and victim15:38 no apologies15:52 problems with boundaries18:19 magical thinking in the family19:47 worship20:48 gaslighting23:08 flying monkeys and enablers26:05 how do we extract ourselves?--subtitlesBulgarian: DjeitkoRussian: Sergey Savelyev--useful channels on narcissism:Narcissist Survivoryoutube.com/channel/UC7rhVBCwQG4Q6EU64GBBhWQEscape from Narcissism:youtube.com/channel/UC2V6oWchisqnPOzddUTm4AgFrom Surviving to Thrivingyoutube.com/channel/UC6Wl7WhoeTw_dTDbAM3J7Fw--referencesFeuerbach, L. (1848) Lectures on the essence of religion.Hume, D. (1779) Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion.Lachkar, J. (1992) The narcissistic/borderline couple: A psychoanalytic perspective on marital treatment. New York: Brunner/Mazel.Lasine, S. (2002) Divine narcissism and Yahweh’s parenting style. Biblical Interpretation 10 (1): pp.36–56--VignettesThe needs of the one — ‘Nighty Night’ 2004 BBC TV seriesHow to create a narcissist god — the myth of Narcissus, Ovid’s MetamorphosesSetting the stage for drama — ‘Dead Poets Society’ 1989 filmGaslight — ‘Gaslight’ 1940 filmA spreading poison — ‘Ordinary People’ 1980 filmDealing with narcissists, human and divine — ‘Oranges are not the only fruit’ 1990 BBC TV series--music © TheraminTrees
appropriating morality | how the Judeo-Christian tradition takes false credit [cc] TheraminTrees 2018-04-30 | Some thoughts about the tendency of religious groups to claim intellectual ownership of morality.You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--opening quote:Believers in religion teach us that God will reward men for good actions, but men who are intellectually free, know that the reward of a good action cannot be given by any power, but that it is the natural result of the good action.The free man, guided by intelligence, knows that his reward is in the nature of things, and not in the caprice even of the Infinite. He is not a good and faithful servant, he is an intelligent free man.—Robert G. Ingersoll--subtitlesArabic: TranquilOblivionBulgarian: DjeitkoPortuguese [Brazilian]: Débora T. F. SilveiraSpanish: Martin Gonzalez--Correction: at 6:54, Matthew passage should read 5:38 instead of 5:43. Thanks to TranquilOblivion for picking up on that.--Animal studiesFrans De Waal talk/articles:youtube.com/watch?v=GcJxRqTs5nkProctor, D., Williamson, R.A., de Waal, F.B.M. and Brosnan, S.F. (2013) Chimpanzees play the ultimatum game. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 110 (6)ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3568338Proctor, D., Brosnan, S.F. and de Waal, F.B.M. (2013) How fairly do chimpanzees play the ultimatum game? Communicative & Integrative Biology 6 (3)ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3656016see also: Vulcan and Virgil, the sharing capuchins:youtube.com/watch?v=2BYJf2xSONcchimpanzees conflict and resolutionyoutube.com/watch?v=bdKUm6fLOgY--Berkovits, E. (1975) Judaism in the Post-Christian Era. in Talmage, F.E. (Ed.), Disputation and Dialogue: Readings in the Jewish Christian Encounter. Ktav, New York.--Gill, J. (1746-63) Exposition of the Entire Bible.Psalm 137:9: ‘Happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones. That takes the infants from their mothers' breasts, or out of their arms, and dashes out their brains against a "rock", as the word (k) signifies; which, though it may seem a piece of cruelty, was but a just retaliation; the Babylonians having done the same to the Jewish children, and is foretold elsewhere should be done to theirs, Isaiah 13:16. Nor is this desired from a spirit of revenge, but for the glory of divine justice, and that such a generation of cruel creatures might be rooted out of the earth; see Revelation 2:2. Some allegorically understand this of crushing and mortifying the first motions of sin in the heart; but such a sense seems to have no place here.(k) "ad petram", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, &c. "ad repem", Cocceius.’--Hobson, T. (2017) God Created Humanism: The Christian basis of secular values. Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, London.--Paine, T. (1794-1807) The Age of Reason--Jewish biblical passages:Vayikra 21chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/9922Vayikra 24chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/9925Vayikra 25chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/9926Bamidbar 31chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/9959--music © theramintrees:Excerpt from Beethoven's seventh symphony, second movement.Full original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
how dogma pollutes discourse | qualiasoup & theramintrees [cc] TheraminTrees 2018-03-31 | Some thoughts on how dogmatic ideologies can work to thwart discourse.You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--subtitlesBulgarian: DjeitkoDutch: kedrednael--referencesAristotle (4th century BCE) Rhetoric--Nathan, G.J. and Mencken, H.L. (1920) The American Credo. Alfred A. Knopf, New York.--Maajid Nawaz articlethedailybeast.com/dont-call-me-porch-monkey--Catholic catechism http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P1C.HTM--music composed by QualiaSoup, recorded by TheraminTrees.Full original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
the value of offence | qualiasoup & theramintrees [cc] TheraminTrees 2018-03-01 | A reflection on the usefulness and the exploitation of offence.You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--subtitlesBulgarian: Djeitko--referencesMargaret Sanger indictment:archivesfoundation.org/amendingamerica/indictment-margaret-sanger-1914--pluralistic ignorance:youtube.com/watch?v=jFHMgQ9OMew--ANC sues Brett Murray:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18115724--ANC statement regarding Zuma’s right to dignity:http://www.anc.org.za/docs/anctoday/2012/at19.htm--Justice Malala commentary:theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/may/23/jacob-zuma-offensive-painting--Dai JianYong story:pri.org/stories/2015-06-12/china-you-can-go-jail-photoshopping-presidenthttp://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/chinese-artist-who-posted-funny-image-of-president-xi-jinping-facing-five-years-in-prison-as-10282630.html--Piet Hein Donner proposes enforcement of blasphemy legislation: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/netherlands/1476929/Blasphemy-law-revival-upsets-the-Dutch-elite.html--Daisy Khan quote:youtube.com/watch?v=7oCmhZ-1gGc--Maajid Nawaz story:theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/25/liberal-democrats-t-shirt-jesus-muhammad-religionyoutube.com/watch?v=PlCazztehbI [time index 11:20]Mohammed Shafiq tweet: twitter.com/mshafiquk/status/424575029599543296--Mill, J.S. (1859) On Liberty.--Scanlon, T.M. (1972) A Theory of Freedom of Expression. Philosophy and Public Affairs, Vol. 1, No. 2. (Winter, 1972), pp.212.--Christopher Hitchens talk on free speech:youtube.com/watch?v=jyoOfRog1EM--Cassie Jaye ‘Meeting the Enemy’ video: youtube.com/watch?v=3WMuzhQXJoYCassie Jaye denies false accusations regarding the making of her film project 'The Red Pill':youtube.com/watch?v=YDxKBuSkoxY--Haldane, J.B.S. (1923) Daedalus; or Science and the Future. Lecture to the Heretics Society, Cambridge.--‘Scientology — a war without guns’. ABC 20/20 report. Dan Harris interviews lawyer Monique Yingling and ex-Scientologist Mike Rinder:youtube.com/watch?v=aacRB0Uzh8MPertinent portion of interview:Yingling: When someone in the church decides they no longer want to communicate with someone who’s left the church, it only happens when that person starts to attack the church and attack their beliefs.Harris: Is that voluntary though?Yingling: Of course. It’s always voluntary.[Rinder comments in separate interview: It’s patently absurd. It’s just ridiculous. You have the choice of whether you want to disconnect or not. The rest of that sentence is: ‘.... and if you don’t disconnect then we will then deem you what is called a suppressive person and everybody that you know that is a scientologist will disconnect from you.’]Harris: If you don’t disconnect from a suppressive person, will you be kicked out of the church?Yingling: No you won’t be kicked out of the church. There may be .... uh .... specific services that you will not be able to participate in, so long as you’re connected to a suppressive person.Harris: Right. So it’s voluntary but there are consequences if you don’t disconnect.Yingling: .... Well, there are consequences in every choice we make in, in, in life.--Miscellaneous:‘Libel tourism’theguardian.com/commentisfree/2008/feb/28/pressandpublishing.lawen.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_defamation_law--music © TheraminTreesFull original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
debunking prophets — part two [cc] TheraminTrees 2018-02-01 | A reflection on the individuals who design religions — and the holes in their stories.You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--opening quote:The truth may be puzzling. It may take some work to grapple with. It may be counterintuitive. It may contradict deeply held prejudices. It may not be consonant with what we desperately want to be true. But our preferences do not determine what’s true.―Carl Sagan--subtitlesArabic: TranquilOblivionBulgarian: Djeitko--Carl Sagan quote:Carl SaganSagan, C. (1995) Wonder and Skepticism. Skeptical Inquirer 19 (1)--Paine, T. (1794-1807) The Age of Reason--Walker, A. (1982) The Color Purple. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.--'women in Islam' quote:[http://womeninislam.ws/en/women-right-islam_equality-men-women.aspx]--al-Bukhari Hadith:muflihun.com/bukhari/54/460--The Masked Arab channel:youtube.com/channel/UC9JU55HpvRvCSb1TO2w_eDAThe Masked Arab Ibn Kathir reference from this video:youtube.com/watch?v=Rr8Ehtx75s8The tafsir in question:http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1618&Itemid=114--David Icke material from 'Secrets of the Matrix' seminar - available on DVD--music © TheraminTreesFull original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
debunking prophets — part one [cc] TheraminTrees 2017-09-06 | A reflection on the individuals who design religions — and the holes in their stories.You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--opening quote:Fear prophets, Adso, and those prepared to die for the truth, for as a rule they make many others die with them, often before them, at times instead of them.—from ‘Name of the Rose’, Umberto Eco--subtitlesArabic: TranquilOblivionBulgarian: DjeitkoSlovak: Peter Ščigulinský--Dorothy Martin resources:Festinger, L., Riecken, H. and Schachter, S. (1956) When prophecy fail — a social and psychological study of a modern group that predicted the destruction of the world. Harper-Torchbooks. [Re-editions by other publishers]--Lafayette Ronald Hubbard resources:Hubbard, L.R. (1950) Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. Hermitage House.Forry Ackerman and Gerry Armstrong quotes:‘Secret lives’ (1997) broadcast by Channel 4 UKyoutube.com/watch?v=FwX7Fjqt7c4Jon Atack quote:youtube.com/watch?v=00AtFK5hT7YMiller, R. (1987) Bare-face Messiah: The True Story of L. Ron Hubbard. Michael Joseph.Not cited in video, but worth reading:Atack, J. (1990) A Piece of Blue Sky. Lyle Stuart Books.--Joseph Smith resources:Smith, J. (1830) Book of Mormon.Smith, J. (1835) Book of Abraham.Smith, J. (1835) Doctrine and Covenants.Smith, J. et al (1856) History of the Church, volume 1.'Seraphims' apologetic — the typesetter argument:fairmormon.org/archive/publications/the-book-of-mormon-vs-the-critics-nit-picking-for-fun-and-profitOriginal handwritten manuscript containing 'seraphims' mistake:http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/printers-manuscript-of-the-book-of-mormon-1923-photostatic-copies/74‘Book of Abraham’ apologetic:lds.org/topics/translation-and-historicity-of-the-book-of-abraham?lang=eng--music © TheraminTreesFull original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
creating sickness | recovering from religion [cc] TheraminTrees 2017-07-01 | This video is dedicated to those recovering from religion.You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--For those affected, try this site: recoveringfromreligion.org--opening quote:Oh wearisome Condition of Humanity! Born under one law, to another bound:Vainly begot and yet forbidden vanity, Created sick, commanded to be sound:What meaneth Nature by these diverse laws? Passion and reason, self-division cause.Is it the mark, or Majesty of Power To make offences that it may forgive?—Fulke Greville, from ‘Mustapha’end quote:When my eternal happiness is involved, have I not the right to examine God’s own conduct?A despot to whom men are subjected but through fear, a master whom they can not interrogate, a totally inaccessible sovereign, can not merit the homage of intelligent beings.—‘Superstition in All Ages’ (1732)attributed to Jean Meslier and Baron d’Holbach--subtitlesBulgarian: DjeitkoSlovak: Peter Ščigulinský--referencesAsimov, I. (1942) Runaround. Street & Smith.McDowell, J and McDowell, S (2013) The Bible Handbook of Difficult Verses. Harvest House Publishers.Winterson, J. (1985) Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit. Pandora Press.--Todorov studies:Engell, A.D., Haxby, J.V. and Todorov, A. (2007) Implicit trustworthiness decisions: Automatic coding of face properties in human amygdala. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience 19, pp.1508-1519.Todorov, A., Mandisodza, A.N., Goren, A. and Hall, C.C. (2005). Inferences of competence from faces predict election outcomes. Science 308, pp.1623-1626.Willis, J. and Todorov, A. (2006) First impressions: making up your mind after a 100-ms exposure to a face. Psychological Science 17 (7), pp.592-598--music © TheraminTrees — excerpt from Schubert's piano trio in E flat, op. 100.Full original music tracks used in videos are available to patreon supporters who pledge at the $1 per video level.
attacking ideas | my changing view of Islam [cc] TheraminTrees 2017-04-03 | A reflection on my changing views on Islam — and the ex-Muslims and Muslims who changed them.You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTreesRegarding Islam I'd also like to recommend Reason on Faith's 2019 video 'Why I am Leaving Islam and Ahmadiyyat'youtube.com/watch?v=4-jPHr0LrYY--opening quote:I read Alexis de Tocqueville and I read about democracy and I lived in countries that had no democracy, that had no founding fathers .... so I don’t find myself in the same luxury as you.You grew up in freedom and you can spit on freedom because you don’t know what it is not to have freedom.—Ayaan Hirsi Ali--Arabic subtitles: TranquilOblivionBulgarian: DjeitkoSlovak subtitles: Peter Ščigulinský--Council of Islamic Ideology quote:https://tribune.com.pk/story/1110571/name-protection-cii-bill-proposes-curbs-women/--Hadith quoted regarding homosexuality:sunnah.com/abudawud/40/112--Shia cleric Farrokh Sekaleshfar interview:youtube.com/watch?v=1rZhopaBPGo--Hadith quoted regarding killing apostates:sunnah.com/bukhari/88/5--Former Grand Mufti of Egypt Ali Goma’a quotes:http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=21562http://gulfnews.com/news/mena/egypt/top-cleric-denies-freedom-to-choose-religion-comment-1.191048--Tarek Fatah quote, from interview:youtube.com/watch?v=VkefdZkP5mk--Raheel RazaStory:http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/first-woman-to-lead-friday-prayers-in-uk-1996228.htmlQuote:youtube.com/watch?v=alkCxTHWa_I--Asra NomaniStory:http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/22/us/muslim-women-seeking-a-place-in-the-mosque.html?_r=0http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/04/AR2005060401646.html Quote:youtube.com/watch?v=lYykIgZj70M --Usama HasanStory:theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/06/usama-hasan-london-imam-death-threats-evolutionQuote:http://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/charlie-hebdo-attacks-time-for-reform-within-islam-shootings-paris--Majjid NawazSome attempts to invite agreement on reform:youtube.com/watch?v=rpSHDaMLsnYyoutube.com/watch?v=krXVn6APgoA Quote:http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=377442344--Quotes by other ex-Muslim and Muslim activists:Nonie Darwishyoutube.com/watch?v=8P-bgEkTel4Sarah Haider youtube.com/watch?v=0plC24YuoJkTawfik Hamidyoutube.com/watch?v=ALoyvS8VZFASalim Mansuryoutube.com/watch?v=8fpfxKvMycMWafa Sultanyoutube.com/watch?v=nOK-F79aRBoIbn Warraqyoutube.com/watch?v=i4aY6kEO3cw--Pew researchhttp://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/muslims/pf_15-04-02_projectionstables74http://www.pewforum.org/2013/04/30/the-worlds-muslims-religion-politics-society-beliefs-about-sharia --British Muslim apostasy question from Populus, ‘Living apart together’ poll:http://www.populus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/download_pdf-131206-Policy-Exchange-Poll-of-Muslims-Living-Apart-Together.pdfBBC article:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/6309983.stm--Hadith quote regarding 73 sectssunnah.com/abudawud/42/1--Ahmadi Passport declaration article:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/8744092.stmPersecution:channel4.com/news/hate-crime-investigation-into-threats-against-ahmadi-muslimstheguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2009/dec/08/ahmadi-mosque-walsall-protestsOur’an commentary reference on friendship between believers and disbelievers:alislam.org/quran/tafseer/?page=2598®ion=E1archive.org/details/AhmadiyyaCommentaryOfQuranReasonOnFaith critique of Ahmadi social attitudes:http://reasononfaith.org/ahmadiyya-beliefs-and-practice/#Homosexuality—Quranists persecution articles:bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-03/sudan-tries-27-on-apostasy-charge-that-may-bring-death-sentenceshttp://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article51185--Sufi persecution articles:theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2010/may/10/islam-sufi-salafi-egypt-religionhttp://world.time.com/2012/07/02/timbuktus-destruction-why-islamists-are-wrecking-malis-cultural-heritage/#ixzz2Mn8L8Wh5http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/03/world/asia/03pstan.html--Apostasy trialsAdbul Rahman article:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4841334.stmMeriam Ibrahimtheguardian.com/world/2015/feb/02/meriam-ibrahim-pregnant-death-row-sudan-your-questions--MiscellaneousMuslims debate punishment for apostatesyoutube.com/watch?v=dbZy9hieNFQEx-Muslims discuss doublethinkyoutube.com/watch?v=qVvlzJaDll0 Some discussions on Qur’an 4:34 regarding beating women:youtube.com/watch?v=HWCkEZlu3mM youtube.com/watch?v=qJ_HHZvt31U youtube.com/watch?v=0bFVAlij_Xw youtube.com/watch?v=JCuBEqytt4U--music © TheraminTrees
degrading love — part two | how religions distort love [cc] TheraminTrees 2017-01-01 | A two-part exploration of the false 'gift' of 'divine love'.You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--Special thanks to: Charles Cannon, George Steele, Randy Bares, Nidge101, grateful learner, Justin Warkentin, Kevin Mills, ReasonOnFaith.org, JODER, Timothy Flanagan, FSM, Daniël Michael Kracht, Isaac [youtube.com/user/isxrecord], William Kage [youtube.com/user/williamkage], Robert Majestic, Jared Brandon, Guerino Cento, Jonathan Bowman, Russell McKernan--subtitlesBulgarian: DjeitkoSlovak: Peter Ščigulinský--Vocal credits — several patrons, named and anonymous, rejected the degrading love of unworthy gods, including the following:Andrew Bernier, CravenTHC, drcooljoe, Guerino Cento, J Lang, Lee rV, Patrick Neary, Peter Ščigulinský, Tim Pieper.--Chapters:Part 1:1 ‘Gigantic, gigantic, gigantic — a big, big love.’—looking at how false love is invented through arbitrary life events and arbitrary physical sensations — and some of the problems that invention brings. 2 ‘So slow down, slow down. You’re taking me over.’—exposing the parasitic nature of fake parent gods.Part 2:3 ‘And I’d rather give it all up than fall for your love.’—exploring the slave mentality inherent in 'divine love'.4 ‘Taste the whip, in love not given lightly. Taste the whip, now bleed for me.’—reflecting on the glorification of 'sacrifice' as an indication of love.5 ‘Things get damaged, things get broken.’—unpacking the practice of shunning.6 ‘I feel well enough to tell you what you can do with what you’ve got to offer.’—discussing the process of healing from the degraded parody of 'love' taught by the major world religions.--Bhat, A.R. (2006) Free Will and Determinism: An Overview of Muslim Scholars’ Perspective. Journal of Islamic Philosophy 2 (1) pp.7-24--Ayatollah Ali Sistani quote:http://www.sistani.org/english/book/47/2108--Yusuf Ali quote:Yusuf Ali, A. (1975) The Glorious Qur’an: Translation and Commentary. eduright4all. p.224--Gadhimai festival quotes:theguardian.com/world/2009/nov/24/hindu-sacrifice-gadhimai-festival-nepal--Jehovah's Witnesses shunning references:jw.org/en/publications/books/gods-love/disfellowshipped-person‘Will You Heed Jehovah’s Clear Warnings?’ Watchtower, study edition, 15 July 2011: http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2011524--music © TheraminTrees
degrading love — part one | how religions distort love [cc] TheraminTrees 2016-11-16 | A two-part exploration of the false 'gift' of 'divine love'.You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--opening quote:You have nothing to teach me about ‘love’ if the book from which you take your definitions demands, glorifies or in any way promotes subjugation, suffering, shunning or scapegoat sacrifice.To call this brand of degradation ‘masochism’ seems unjust. The discerning masochist has the wisdom to use safe words.--subtitlesBulgarian: DjeitkoSlovak: Peter Ščigulinský--Chapters:Part 1:1 ‘Gigantic, gigantic, gigantic — a big, big love.’—looking at how false love is invented through arbitrary life events and arbitrary physical sensations — and some of the problems that invention brings. 2 ‘So slow down, slow down. You’re taking me over.’—exposing the parasitic nature of fake parent gods.Part 2:3 ‘And I’d rather give it all up than fall for your love.’—exploring the slave mentality inherent in 'divine love'.4 ‘Taste the whip, in love not given lightly. Taste the whip, now bleed for me.’—reflecting on the glorification of 'sacrifice' as an indication of love.5 ‘Things get damaged, things get broken.’—unpacking the practice of shunning.6 ‘I feel well enough to tell you what you can do with what you’ve got to offer.’—discussing the process of healing from the degraded parody of 'love' taught by the major world religions.--geese in flightyoutube.com/watch?v=BKKaJzosA9U--'Revival of Religious Learnings' volume 4, p.276.Al-Ghazali—PDF of vol. 4 available at:http://www.ghazali.org/books/ihya-v4.pdf—online translation available at:http://ghazali.org/ihya/english/ihya-vol4-C6.htm--Hadith quote:‘It is reported on the authority of Anas b. Malik that the Messenger of Allah said: None of you is a believer till I am dearer to him than his child, his father and the whole of mankind.’muflihun.com/muslim/1/71http://www.sunnah.com/muslim/1/76--music © TheraminTrees
grooming minds | the abuse of child indoctrination [cc] TheraminTrees 2016-08-05 | An exploration of the abusive practice of child religious indoctrination.You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--opening quote:Teach children critical thinking skills and you can persuade them to believe whatever you can substantiate.Seduce and terrorise children with fantasies; punish their dissent and reward their submission; and you can groom them to believe whatever you like.--subtitlesArabic: TranquilOblivionBulgarian: DjeitkoSlovak: Peter ŠčigulinskýSpanish [Latin America]: anonymous--Missouri abduction articles:http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/15/lawyer-missouri-fake-kidnap-plan-six-year-old-boyhttp://edition.cnn.com/2015/02/05/us/missouri-fake-kidnapping--'bending truth'youtu.be/IaUhR-tRkHYThis video focuses on the recruitment of adults into manipulative groups, only briefly touching on child indoctrination.--music © TheraminTrees
becoming fools | a visit from some JWs [cc] TheraminTrees 2015-12-10 | An account of a summer of discussions with some Jehovah's Witnesses in my teenage years. You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--opening quote:The mind should develop a blind spot whenever a dangerous thoughtpresented itself. Crimestop, they called it in Newspeak.It includes the power of not grasping analogies,of failing to perceive logical errors,of misunderstanding the simplest arguments ....and of being bored or repelled by any train of thoughtwhich is capable of leading in a heretical direction.—George Orwell, 1984--subtitlesBulgarian: DjeitkoDutch: anonymous, but received with thanks!Slovak: Peter Ščigulinský--This was an unlisted easter egg video, accessible through hitting the multicoloured egg that appears onscreen in 'bending truth'. Owing to numerous enquiries, I decided to make it publicly accessible.--music © TheraminTrees
bending truth | how adults get indoctrinated [cc] TheraminTrees 2015-10-07 | A reflection on the importance of acknowledging that we can all be manipulated.You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--opening quote:Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.— Douglas Adams--subtitlesArabic: TranquilOblivionBrazilian Portuguese: Aymar Pescador JrBulgarian: DjeitkoCzech: Jan ŠpačekSlovak: Peter Ščigulinský--Studies:Aronson, E. and Mills, J. (1959) The effects of severity of initiation on liking for a group. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology 59 (2), pp.177–181Knox, R.E. and Inkster, J.A. (1968) Postdecision dissonance at post time. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 8 (4), pp.319-323--Worth reading:Festinger, L., Riecken, H. and Schachter, S. (1956) When prophecy fail — a social and psychological study of a modern group that predicted the destruction of the world. Harper-Torchbooks. [Re-editions by other publishers]--music © theramintrees
losing faith | my departure from theism [cc] TheraminTrees 2015-07-05 | A timeline of some key memories around my personal experience of religion, running from my earliest memories to my emergence into atheism.You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--opening quote:We know that the only way to avoid error is to detect it and that the only way to detect it is to be free to inquire.— J. Robert Oppenheimer--subtitlesArabic: [anonymous]Brazilian Portuguese: Aymar Pescador JrBulgarian: DjeitkoFrench: Pierre MorotIndonesian: Azzedine Al-RaziPolish: Karol ChrząstekRussian: Sergey SavelyevSlovak: Peter ŠčigulinskýSpanish: Spanish Subs, Mau Jo--Note regarding the fallacious accusation that I distort Christianity in my videos.There's great irony in the constant accusations I've had over the years that my critiques distort or 'strawman' Christianity. They don't. I convey what was explicitly conveyed to me by other Christians — messages I've queried with them, often in depth. I don't give my own interpretations — just the ones Christians give me. So when a Christian says I'm distorting Christianity, they're in fact accusing other Christians of distorting Christianity. By the way, the critiques in the video are specific to my childhood — I've of course countered other interpretations since then.I won't accuse these Christians of shifting the goalposts — like strawmanning, an accusation of goalpost shifting is only valid if it's being done between the specific parties making the arguments. If one Christian puts forward one interpretation, a second Christian isn't goalpost shifting by presenting another different view — two different views are being presented by separate agents. By the same principle, if a Christian presents a view and I misrepresent that view back to that individual, I'm strawmanning. But if I accurately present that view, then other Christians come along and disagree with it, I haven't strawmanned them because I wasn't responding to them but to the first Christian. If I ever said 'All Christians believe X' and they didn't all believe X, then I could possibly be accused of strawmanning — but I don't use that language because I'm aware of the vast conflicting diversity of Christian beliefs. And that awareness originates from my experience as a Christian myself.--Note regarding the false accusation that I’ve lied about my own thoughts/experiences.1) Some theists have stated Christians don’t act in the hateful ways depicted. This seems to be based on 'no Christian I've ever met' reasoning. First, to suggest the tiny sample you've met represents every Christian is an obvious hasty generalisation fallacy. Second, even regarding the Christians you've met, you don't know what goes on behind closed doors. Third, try pretending to be an atheist sometime — it might be an eye-opener. If you want to be taken seriously, don't deny plainly evident realities. I can freely admit that some atheists abuse theists. It’s plainly evident reality. I’m not obliged to deny or defend them just because I'm an atheist. 2) Some theists claim my questions about Noah and the ark around age six were lies — I was too young. Wrong. My brother and I were lumbered with a bizarre myth when we were born. Doctors told our parents that being identical twins we’d always lag behind other children — twice the brains meant half the intelligence. In fact, we showed the opposite pattern. Our father recalled a hilarious moment when a doctor gave us some puzzles and said it would be years before we could solve them — then turned to see we already had. We scored consistently ahead of our age in reading and vocabulary. A head teacher once chastised our parents for helping with our work — she didn’t believe we knew the words we used. She then had to eat her own. In our 11+ exams, we both got 99% and were accused of copying each other. We were cleared when it was discovered we got different answers wrong — oh, and took the exams in different rooms. I could go on. Have a think what it’s like for naturally bright children to be repeatedly suspected and accused instead of encouraged. No surprise I later learned to coast in school — performing to an average level to blend in.The water cycle wasn’t part of the formal curriculum until around age 8. But my interest in clouds led me to find out about it sooner. I know — unbelievable isn’t it. I was given a poster by a teacher showing all the processes. Noah and the ark was part of a school performance when I was around six, in which I sang a song called ‘40 days and nights’. The play and the poster led to my question about where the water went.It’s ironic that theists who’ve accused me of lying expect atheists to believe their claims of gods’ existence for which they provide no commensurate evidence — but refuse to believe in the existence of bright children. They're headed for a real shock when they discover distribution curves.--music © theramintrees
respecting beliefs | why we should do no such thing [cc] TheraminTrees 2015-05-07 | An explanation of why I don't subscribe to the view that 'we should all respect each other's beliefs.'You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--subtitlesArabic: TranquilOblivionBrazilian Portuguese: Aymar Pescador JrBulgarian: DjeitkoRussian: Sergey SavelyevSlovak: Peter ŠčigulinskýSpanish: Gianpaolo MerelloJOLULIPA's Spanish translation 'No Respeteando Creencias':part 1: youtube.com/watch?v=7Rwb4A_TacIpart 2: youtube.com/watch?v=9IVdTHwcyFQpart 3: youtube.com/watch?v=n1SHfmY-U1Q--music © theramintrees
seeing things | why atheism is not like colourblindness [cc] TheraminTrees 2015-02-23 | An invitation to critically assess religious argument and experience.You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--subtitlesArabic: TranquilOblivionBrazilian Portuguese: Aymar Pescador JrBulgarian: DjeitkoSlovak: Peter Ščigulinský--Gold from bismuth study:K. Aleklett, D. J. Morrissey, W. Loveland, P. L. McGaughey, and G. T. Seaborg. Energy dependence of 209Bi fragmentation in relativistic nuclear collisions. Phys. Rev. C 23 (1981): 1044-1046--music: excerpt from Chopin's Nocturne No.20, performed by TheraminTrees
JE SUIS CHARLIE TheraminTrees 2015-01-08 | Liberté d’expression.--(In response to those who've asked, the music is a very personal piece composed by A2ZDIY and theramintrees, with associations of loss for both of us. It's used here because of the resonance of those associations with the tragic loss of members of Charlie Hebdo on 7 January 2015, but will not be released)
telling stories | how humble tales manipulate us [cc] TheraminTrees 2014-12-24 | An encouragement to be aware of the manipulative power of stories.You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--opening quote:Stories are propaganda, virii that slide past your critical immune system and insert themselves directly into your emotions. Kill them and cut them open and they’re as naked as a nightclub in daylight.― Cory Doctorow, Eastern Standard Tribe--subtitlesBulgarian: DjeitkoSlovak: Peter ŠčigulinskýRussian: Sergey Savelyev--Since putting the video up, I've been informed by Al Sunshine of a clip from BBC that illustrates hermit crab cooperation:youtube.com/watch?v=rLUAoTjdmZ8--studies mentioned: Green, M.C. and Brock, T. (2000) The role of transportation in the persuasiveness of public narratives. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol. 79 (5), pp.701-721Appel, M. and Richter, T. (2007) Persuasive effects of fictional narratives increase over time. Media Psychology, Vol. 10 (1), pp.113-134--music © theramintrees
science of the gaps [cc] TheraminTrees 2013-03-31 | This is a response to TheLivingDinosaur, who asked me what made me angry. You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--subtitlesBulgarian: DjeitkoSlovak: Peter Ščigulinský--Clergy Project:http://clergyproject.orgJim Dincalci quote:'Secret lives' series on Channel 4, UKYouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCWRbgIkFJ8Nadean Cool:article: http://faculty.washington.edu/eloftus/Articles/sciam.htm'Parental independent relationship' quote:Gomez, L. (1997) An Introduction to Object Relations. Free Association Books: London. p.41.Rosenhan, D.L. (1973) On Being Sane in Insane Places. Science 179, pp.250-258.Chantal Lavigne (reports abound):http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/detox-therapy-death-spurs-questions-on-self-help-group-1.1256679Bruce Hines:Sweeney, J. (2013) The Church of Fear. Silvertail Books. p.102.Candace Newmaker:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candace_Newmakerhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,509588,00.htmltranscript of fatal session: http://www.ratbags.com/rsoles/comment/candace.htmmusic © TheraminTrees
death — part two TheraminTrees 2012-04-25 | You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--subtitlesBulgarian: DjeitkoEnglish: Peter ŠčigulinskýSlovak: Peter Ščigulinský--0:25 'pro-mortality' 6:41 'no atheists in foxholes' 8:57 unpreparing for death 10:41 world in therapy 13:50 death tag: Largo64 16:28 death tag: Rozeboosjetags:Largo64: http://www.youtube.com/user/Largo64video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCDJyk-b7jQRozeboosje: http://www.youtube.com/user/Rozeboosjevideo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-fEYdoCHhcSaul Griffith's calculations presented in BBC's Horizon series 'Can we make a star on Earth?'music for 'instruction manual to life' © QualiaSoup:http://qualiasoup.bandcamp.com/track/instruction-manual-for-lifeall other music © TheraminTrees
death — part one [cc] TheraminTrees 2012-04-18 | You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--subtitlesBulgarian: DjeitkoSlovak: Peter Ščigulinský*Terror Management studies:Greenberg, J., Pyszczynski, T., Solomon, S., Rosenblatt, A., Veeder, M., Kirkland, S., Lyon, D. (1990).'Evidence for terror management theory II: The effects of mortality salience on reactions to those who threaten or bolster the cultural worldview.'Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol 58 (2), pp308-318.Greenberg, J., Porteus, J., Simon, L., Pyszczynski, T., & Solomon, S. (1995).'Evidence of a terror management function of cultural icons: The effects of mortality salience on the inappropriate use of cherished cultural symbols.'Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 21, pp1221--1228.Cohen, F., Solomon, S., Maxfield, M., Pyszczynski, T., & Greenberg, J. (2004). 'Fatal attraction: The effects of mortality salience on evaluations of charismatic, task-oriented, and relationship-oriented leaders.'Psychological Science, 15 (12) pp846-51. Washington, DC: American Psychological Society.Landau, M.J., Solomon, S., Arndt, J., Greenberg, J., Pyszczynski, T., Miller, C., Cohen, F., & Ogilvie, D.M., & Cook (2004).'A. Deliver Us from Evil: The Effects of Mortality Salience and Reminders of 9/11 on Support for President George W. Bush'Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 30, pp1136-1150.*Terror Management Theory was founded on the work of Ernest Becker — particularly his book, The Denial of Death.music © theramintrees
Thank you Christopher TheraminTrees 2011-12-24 | I became aware of Christopher Hitchens through an unfortunate route — namely his conservative christian brother, Peter. I found — and still find — Peter Hitchens's views obnoxious. One of many repugnant strands has been his consistent championing of special privileges for some christians to act out their prejudices in professional and official forums, on the grounds of religious freedom. He likes to dismiss his opponents in these matters as Thought Police — gingerly sidestepping moral discussions he hasn't a hope of winning, and instead favouring the dirty path of appeals to paranoia. Suffice it to say Peter provided a dubious introduction to Christopher. But, families often contain huge differences — that's certainly the case in my own family. And my approach to Christopher, as with any new individual, was to view him on his own terms. It soon became clear that here was a Hitchens with a much deeper vision of life. An empathic grasp of the experience of the disenfranchised. A disdain for false respectability and social artifice, which allowed him to comment on public figures, sacred cows and indeed himself with a candour the likes of which I've rarely seen. Anyone can be irreverent. Anyone can get up on a stage and shoot their mouth off. What set Hitchens apart is that he'd actually bothered to do the research first. He didn't wing it on guesswork, and he didn't insult his audience with rhetoric, or what he thought he could get away with. He'd got his facts together. And in a lot of cases, not being one to rely on the common press, that was through his own firsthand experience. He also possessed a muscular sense of irony — something notably lacking in the majority of his opponents, who were often left standing there prissy as dusty old schoolmasters, while Christopher graced the stage with an easy, natural humanity. The term humanitarian suffers from an image problem. Some folks seem to expect humanitarians to be all touchy-feely. To console and comfort. For my money, the best humanitarians don't coddle us. They challenge us — sometimes aggressively. To be our best selves. They confront us with our stupidities, our pretences, our self-delusions and deceptions. Not with the agenda of diminishing us, bringing us into line, herding us into some grubby little flock. But in fact the opposite — shaking us out of our complacency, our groupthink, our self-indulgence and pig-ignorance. Though his use of the term 'comrades' invited his audience to join him in a sense of fellowship, there was never any obligation to agree with him, or toe any kind of party line. His concern for the masses came from a position of fierce independence from all things partisan.I became aware of Christopher Hitchens very late in the day. It seems like it was only a matter of months before he announced the cancer that would eventually kill him. I'm grateful that so much of him and his work is preserved in print and on film. Though it could never compensate for the tremendous loss of this beautiful mind, there's a bittersweet solace in knowing that I have so much Hitchens still to experience. And through that sprawling legacy of writing and video clips, Christopher Hitchens will continue to give confidence to individuals to step outside the intellectual prisons they were born into.I've said it before, and I'll say it again: people who don't want you to think are never your friend. Whether you know it or not — and I know vast numbers of us do know it — folks like Christopher Hitchens are our very best friends.Thank you Christopher.—music © TheraminTrees
there are no gods (3/3) TheraminTrees 2011-09-15 | Final part of my response to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeQOzSiOIeg You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--saizai's channel: http://www.youtube.com/saizai --This three-part series looks at: 1. What I believed when I was a theist 2. Concepts for gods I affirmatively believe do not exist 3. Concepts for god I believe to be unknowable --subtitlesSpanish: Martin Gonzalez--defences:4:00 'I Just Know'4:26 visions, voices and feelings5:16 miracles5:55 historical accuracy7:04 Kalam, transcendental and ontological arguments9:38 pushing back knowably false into unknowable12:18 immovable earth13:55 drinking poison15:06 'there are no gods'16:40 personal revelations
the impossible game [cc] TheraminTrees 2011-06-23 | You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--Slovak subtitles: Peter ŠčigulinskýSpanish subtitles: Kenji/Subtítulos por Kenji--The impossible game is the hunt for gods — each path in the game represents a particular proposed god/groups of gods. The paths are not 'life paths' or 'world views'. The goal of the game has nothing to do with being a good person, or finding personal fulfilment, or any number of other relativistic enterprises. The goal is very specific: to find a god/gods that exists. You will hear claim after claim on whatever path you choose. You can play for years — but will you actually find any gods? Up to you whether you wish to play the impossible game.The clip is taken from the second video in the series 'there are no gods' series. music © TheraminTrees
there are no gods (2/3) TheraminTrees 2011-06-21 | Second part of my response to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeQOzSiOIeg You can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--saizai's channel: http://www.youtube.com/saizai --This three-part series looks at: 1. What I believed when I was a theist 2. Concepts for gods I affirmatively believe do not exist 3. Concepts for god I believe to be unknowable --subtitlesSpanish: Martin Gonzalez--references Murray, Michael J. (2001) 'DEUS ABSCONDITUS'. Divine Hiddenness: New Essays. New York: Cambridge University Press.George I. Mavrodes (1963) 'Some Puzzles Concerning Omnipotence'. The Philosophical Review, Vol. 72, No. 2, pp. 221-223Contradictory examples mentioned in the video:1:23 omnibenevolence + Hell1:32 intrinsic omnipotence + intrinsic immortality3:36 divine omniscience + divine free will7:00 perfection + imperfection
there are no gods (1/3) TheraminTrees 2011-05-31 | Response to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeQOzSiOIegYou can support the channel at: patreon.com/TheraminTrees--saizai's channel: http://www.youtube.com/saizai--This three-part series looks at:1. What I believed when I was a theist2. Concepts for gods I affirmatively believe do not exist3. Concepts for god I believe to be unknowable--subtitlesSpanish: Martin Gonzalez--references in this video:'Wire mother experiments' In one of the most notorious experiments in the field of psychology, Harry Harlow subjected rhesus monkeys to social isolation, observing the connections they made with artificial 'mothers', fashioned from wire or terry cloth, and their reactions when confronted with frightening stimuli. 'I Claudius' by Robert GravesA novel in autobiographical form about the life of the Roman Emperor Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. I seriously recommend the DVD of the 1976 TV adaptation.'Binker' by A.A. MilnePart of the 'Now we are six' collection, this poem is about an imaginary friend called 'Binker'
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