The Psychology Behind Religion (Michael Shermer)

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[telmogama]

The more scientifically literate, intellectually honest and objectively skeptical a person is, the more likely he does not believe in anything supernatural, including God.

[NoWay]

I think Shermer is probably the best at refuting theism.   He explains the psychology of belief better than anyone I have heard.  I would rather hear Hitch making fun of religion, but as far as explaining it, no one is better than Shermer.

[millenialmusings]

I'm only here for the agatan intro music

[rhondah]

Excellent compilation. Thanks for working hard putting this together.  I really like Peter Millican's talk at that same Oxford event.

[stunningfilipinabeauties]

Regarding Shermer's "I just believe in one less god than you do" argument:

1) Deities such as Baal, Aphrodite, etc. were conceived of as local spirits, not the creator if the universe, omnipotent, omniscient, etc. They are not alternatives to God, because there is no conceptual reason why God and Baal couldn't exist at the same time. They are not comparable and not alternatives.

2) Comparing Jehovah vs. Allah -- both Christians and Muslims are talking about the same God, they just disagree on his secondary characteristics.

[marilynblum]

Is the core of psychology based in religious principle biases?

[paronzoda]

Good video, too bad the sound is SHIT quality :(

[Jockustoe]

Look how uncomfortable they all look during the end of the "lecture" lol

[allpsychicsarefraudsfact]

Always uplifting to hear intellectuals such as Shermer speak; a belief in imaginary friends ('Gods') in this day and age is utterly pathetic!

[jesuskinggod.]

HEBREWS 9; 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment

[PrincipledUncertainty]

So, because we haven't "measured" God it doesn't exist? Really? I mean, really?

[gergister]

How would one not desire to have such a bad ass at dinner every single time till end comes.

[robertrichardson]

Would it be disrespectful to make little atheists pamphlets and drop them off all around church parking lots real early on Sunday. Supporting atheism not attacking Christianity.

[MrLogitech]

that computer you used to make that comment Geoff Heisenberg, was measured and tested, that breath you just took is INVISIBLE, but MEASURABLE. do you not see? continue to link shit that isn't there.

[thexalon]

The problem with the "1 god further" argument is that it utterly fails to refute polytheistic beliefs, only monotheistic ones.

[garyridenour]

You can center point trump, by knowing the Freudian theory of self perception and perception!!!!.

[ErnestAdewoyin]

It could either be the wind or  a predator.
It could either be no-god or God.

The question is not answered yet?
Is it the wind or predator???
Is it no-god or God???


I think it is MORE WISE to assume that it is a predator than believing that it is the wind. The wind can come later (if true) but the predator poses a greater consequence (if true).

I think it is MORE WISE to assume that it is God than believing no-god. No-god can come later (if true) but God poses a greater consequence (if true).

[lowdown]

Good show mike please keep the truth alive instead. Of the phoney jive brainwashing

[AVTRU]

I cant Believe in any GOD/S its just NOT in me

[TheWorldsStage]

Perfect example of the genetic fallacy as presented by Dr. Shermer. By the way, when it comes to agent perception, skeptics were found to be LESS accurate in associating blurred faces with agency. Skeptics were more likely to confuse a face with a house, then believers confused a house with a face. Not that scientific studies matter to the illogical atheists.