WOTMQ: Pete and Frankie

You're right; there's no hope of reaching them through reason. But perhaps, we can get them interested in starting to reason on their own. Even trick them into reasoning on their own. Hey... this is a battle for survival ;)

Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that when one factually undermines another person's core set of beliefs there is not much chance of overcoming their own confirmation bias that distorts everything towards their viewpoint. In fact, whenever a fundamentalist, whether it be religion, politics or nationalism are exposed to even the best arguments they don't have the ghost of a chance to change their mind, or even modify the intensity of their belief. The more successful you are fact in checking, the more obvious facts erode their position, the more fanatically they will double down and become more entrenched.. This is because they have invested a large part of their personal identity in those beliefs. It becomes even more complicated when that investment encourages like minded social contacts where they are comforted by a feeling that they belong. Further reinforced by repeated exposure to the ubiquitous echo chamber of like minds thinkers in lockstep. .When Brian performs his fact checking followed up by his eloquently entertaining arguments he's mostly "preaching to the choir", We can only hope that there are many young people who have not succumbed fully to their programming might have their mind opened enough to alternatives that they start thinking for themselves. Then and only then will they start hearing the clear and harmonious notes of reason that you and me and Brian are, as members of that same choir are so righteously and so loudly singing.

I'm still bothered by the fact that those who need these types of videos the most will never see them or if they do--will reject them out of a knee-jerk fear/tribal instinct. We have to make it fashionable and fun to think again.

My favorite is the prohibition on eating shellfish. Abominations: you can't eat just one! And in Aaron Ra's video about the other 10 commandments (Exodus 34:14) he asks in mock plaintive tone: "What if I *like* leavened bread with my blood sacrifice? Why does that make me a bad person?" Keep up the good work. I had the presence of mind to put my teacup down before I started watching so none came out my nose this time. ;-)

I usually enjoy pointing out the fact that they shave, trim their sideburns, eat pork/shellfish, etc. in violation of God's law, but that doesn't apply to them. Only the "Kill teh Gays" applies... since they're not -- you know -- teh gays.

I can't even… no words can describe the depth of repulsion when I hear pharisees like Franklin Graham. Joshua of Nazareth must be spinning in his grave right now.

always love how self-professed Christians prefer to quote from the tribal war-lord part of the Bible