There is a video floating around Youtube called "Pissed Catholic mother"....basically it is a recording of a son who appears to be in his early teens, who professes to his mother that there is no God. The Mother in turn flies into a frenzied panic about his proclomation, complete with profanity, disgust and threats of no christmas presents.

What causes alarm to me is how many people live in this type of environment where displaying freedom of thought contrary to the norm is met with disapproval, force and pointed fingers of abomination?

Alot of people are born into homes and communities where there is no alternate point of view as far as contemplation of God is concerned, I'm sure many are osctresized for simply engaing the very function that the human mind is best suited for....contemplation and question.

Has anyone experienced this type of reaction when openly pondering or relating to a contradictory view on the dominate religion of your home or community, and if so what was the outcome?

It's.. that creepy woman from that swapping wives show... all over again...

Actually.. the more I think on it.. the more it really looks staged.

Yeah, that sucks. A lot of atheists stay "in the closet", so to speak, because they fear the reaction of their family and community.

Personally I have difficulties discussing these issues with my christian family. Just the other day when discussing the sending of missionaries to Japan (of all places u.u) with my father and grandmother I got some rather angry, emotional response.

The video was just on this site untill the thread was locked because of the profanity of the woman lol.



The woman was a Idiot in my opinion but I am not going to rule out that the kid might have been just trying to be the rebel.


But thinking about it if that woman believes in hell then she might have been a little concerned about what is going to happen to her son when he passes on.


I still think she is daft though.

I tend to agree with SC on this one... it's from that stupid wife swapping show where they encorage participants to be outrageous. Ah the joys of unreality TV.

Thats right santa doesn't give presents to naughty non believers.
What a fruit cake.... lol

I agree that the woman lacked some serious tact.

But in my opinion everyone goes through routes of contemplation as far as the reality of things are concerned , especially at her son's age. if anything his thought pattern should have been celebrated in a sense that his brain isn't a bag of cookie dough, but a well funtioning organ.

What I wonder though is how that confrontation(and I'm sure there was more to follow) is going to alter his autonomy as an individual. There are certain philosophies that dictate the idea that to allow someone to stray from home that they will eventually find a path back, and apon doing so they will be that much more stronger then when they left.

What i saw in that woman was complete FEAR....not at her son committing himself to eternal damnation, but that her secure cubicle of life that she has built around her was penetrated by reason!

Actually if you notice the confrontation is already happening and someone places the camera in secret, and the mother is not aware she is on camera.

I believe this to be a very real happening in the normal course of a normal day.

Well I am guessing he is going to grow up hating his mom and God if she carries on like that then I am guessing poor old Satan will be to blame.




Don't forget some seem to think of non believers as evil or led astray by Satan so if she was afraid maybe she thought that evil had taken a hold of her son and had entered her house.

The way she says "give me an effing break" sounds pretty real. I thought the part where she stated that Michael had just told the bishop in confirmation that he believed in God and the boy is like "things change" oh boy she wasn't having that.

But I really have to wonder about this. I think that there's probably more to the story than just his atheism though.

if there was any respect in the family you wouldn't broadcast it on youtube.

Michael even states something to the effect that "I can think you know", which is exactly what he was doing.

I'm sure there is more to the story as there is always more to every family than what we see at a glance. this woman definetly wears the pants in that family though , the father sitting at the table didn't weigh in, one iota.



Well the internet may very well be the only outlette that the kids have to discuss anything contrary to their mothers ideology. Is it disrespectful, or is it an act of desperation.?

Maybe it was a sibling ,friend or cousin that filmed it.

Possibly he seemed to think it was going too far and turned off the camera, to help or decided to stop filming.

The mother looked ready to attack physically, I thought.She was right in his face

i wonder if any Atheist mothers would react this way if their kid turned into a Jesus freak or joined a cult.

I'm sure there are. there are wackos in every (whatever)

Well like I said before, religion is a VERY touchy subject for families. My opinion that if the roles were reversed and she was an atheist and the kid said be believe in god well...I think the reactions would be very similar. Not quite as much yelling though. From seeing this video, if I had a son and he told me god didn't exist, it would be like telling me that everything I believed in my whole life is utterly wrong. Which I can see why the mother over reacted a little lol. If he is in fact a young teen, it kind of seemed like he was saying that to get out of something like say...going to church. Who knows though, but there are certain ways that you can talk to your parents... and from the way it looked it was the wrong time to say something

I think it goes on quite a bit. You should hear some of the stories Pagans tell about coming out of the broom closet to their parents and family. I got a bad time from some of my friends and family. I had to go to a hospice minister to get my brother and sister in-law off my back when my Mom was dieing. Some people can get really nutty about religion. When my son told me he was becoming a Christian I accepted it as his choice, inside I was rather sad about it, but I never let him know I felt like that. I am glad my folk were Atheist and agnostic I was free to make my own choices about religion.

at any rate reactions like this do happen in most religions. Be it leaving or not believing what a parent believes or marrying into a different faith. people tend to react not so nicely.

if it's that easy to get angry with people you 'love'

how much easier to hate those who weren't raised the same.


most in religions sadly are raised to believe thier way is the 'right' way , the only way to God. Telling them it isn't tends to make them angry. maybe a bit of doubt ? when your idea of God includes that God feeling fear based human emotions like anger and jealousy which are far from perfect ......... how can one not honestly ? that goes for the big three , christianity , judism and islam.

Darkwind


I guess that there is a distinct difference between having a religion in of your life or having your religion as "a way of life".

For those that have religion as "a way of life" ,as this woman may have, to hear an apposing point of view causes inner turmoil and a complete defensive stance, because they believe they are defending their way of life.

Not to get too critical of people's choices but this scenario seems almost indicitive of the history of the christian religion. Where as it doesn't matter if people are forced into the religion under duress or by choice......its all the same to them at the end of the day.

Good Christian Woman Going off

GARGOYLES AND PYSCHICS! IT'S DARK SIDED!

I had to make an exception for reality shows and watched that episode. I am amused and skerred.



If you watch it, it looks like the friend or sibling is taping the fight. Probably heard the screaming and had to get it on film.

When I came out about being an Atheist to my mother, who is moderately Catholic, she was saddened. She asked me to not bring it up so much, because it "Hurts and pulls at" her, as she roughly described.
She also demanded that I NEVER tell my maternal grandmother or grandfather, who are both very strong and old-fashioned Catholics.

So I'm still a closet atheist in regards to my grandparents. Same story with my bisexuality.

I know my family will definitely be shocked if I went from Christian to Pagan.

It would have been wiser for her to sit and talk to her son about his beliefs before ranting off on him....My kids were raised Catholic, and when they hit a certain age their beliefs changed...We sat, talked about it, and they were old enough to decide what they wanted to do about religion.....What they chose was fine with me...When I saw the video, I got the impression that the mother was a complete control freak, and the father was a wooze.....

I just watched the video.

Made me wanna punch the woman's lights out and then start stomping on her womb so she can't produce any more children and ruin their minds.

We don't have this problem so much in Europe where atheists make up either a significant minority or in some cases even the majority. In England for example Tony Blair, former Prime Minister, said the following -

"It's difficult if you talk about religious faith in our political system. If you are in the American political system or others then you can talk about religious faith and people say 'yes, that's fair enough' and it is something they respond to quite naturally."

"You talk about it in our system and, frankly, people do think you're a nutter."


Where I come from religious people tend to be viewed as quirky, a little sad, or as Mr Blair said, nutters.

Their freedom to practice is not curtailed or laughed at but many of us look upon the religious with a little disdain. We feel they are closed minded - not true free thinkers.

I understand things are very different in the US.

There are two major sections in this world.

The United States and the Middle east, where all the crazy, evil people reside.

And then there is the rest of the world.

The only difference between most Americans and fundamentalist Middle easterners is a book.

At least that's the perception we have of them here in Australia and of course in Europe.

After a life time in the States I have to agree with that. I blame it on the school system. We are not all nutters some of us are quite reasonable it is just we are out numbered by the nutters.

I don't know if school in the US really is like it is portrayed in the teen movies I've seen over the years but if they are anything like the stereotype it seems like hell to me.

I think there appears to be too much value placed on ruthless competition and a culture where image is more important than personality - if your face doesn't fit you are already losing.

It goes a little deeper than that, the US is a secular country, as written in their constitution.

I think I would change that to "The US is supposed to be a secular country as was the intent of its founders."

Something has gone wrong since the countries initial creation.

Things like "In God We Trust" getting on to the currency shows that the founders of the US's wishes have been ridden over rough shod.

Extremely religious people are always "dumb". Really dumb, uneducated people. The people who don't know where they live on a world map. As the IQ raises from that point of dumbness, you see that people are less and less religious. Then you reach the point of intelligence where it is simple logic and reason to determine that there is no God and that all organized religion is false without a shred of doubt.



If Europe is really as you say here then I am ashamed of America and we should learn from you.

Put it this way, to admit to being an atheist does not affect your life in a negative way at all. Most people on my island would call themselves either agnostic and cop out of the whole idea altogether or just say they have no belief in any gods.

It would not affect your chances of being elected as a States member (our equivalent of somebody in your Senate I think) or getting a job.

Of course some European nations have religious populations in general, namely Catholic states like Portugal or Italy for example but even then atheists are not persecuted there. People undertand the concepts of freedom of religion and freedom from religion. There will always be exceptions of course, there is always an extremist fringe in any society, but as a general rule this holds true.

I really do see the US as a fundamentalist Christian nation in the same way I see, for example, Pakistan as a fundamentalist Muslim nation. There are some differences that I can admire about the US though - it's not all bad. For example women are not second class citizens in the US and the right to bear arms is another fundamental right I believe in, one that has been severely restricted in my part of the world.

This lady (from Trading Spouses) lost her daughter in a car crash this last September. I think she was the eldest of the three daughters in the clip. Very sad, poor Ashley, wouldn't wish that on anyone.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marguerite_Perrin

There is also another Youtube video of a different mom and dad sitting in a kitchen when their son tells them that he's no longer a christian and she goes off the wall. "You're an Athiest??? Give me a f****** break Michael".

In response to the above posts >>
Some may not like this but I feel I must be honest in how I see it.
Well, I have lived in Europe now for 20 years (all together now). And now that I have experienced a different life I am really disappointed with the US( my other country>place of birth).You don't notice how screwed up your country is until you live somewhere else (it can work the other way too-depending).
I am disappointed & fed up >in the politics, the superstition, the blind faith & patriotism, the unbelievably rich & unbelievably poor,the gluttany , the MTV mentality, the ignorance & lack of knowledge concerning other countries & cultures, the arrogance,the unbelievably high crime rates despite much harsher punishment, the hypocrisy, the homelessness, the lack of health care for many,the glorification of violence in the media, the poor quality of housing. For america being such a "christian nation" it sure is f-ed up. The U.S. is a country of extremes> there is very little balance or middle ground in any way.
But I have hope. You know why ? Because people are FED UP and I think things will change. The US is a young nation & is learning. I do like the relaxed attitude, the countryside, the friendliness & great shopping. And it's easier to get ahead career -wise if you are willing to work hard for it.

It's funny how I live in a country of non-believers, and feel so safe to the point that it's almost boring & I don't get constantly harassed by men trying to pick me up (except in Italy,Spain & somewhat in France LOL!)That's getting less anyways since I'm getting older. (sad & glad ?)

We have our problems here too>we have some political corruption, pollution,crowdedness, I feel sex is being shoved down my throat by the media, and some crime mostly comitted by foreigners. Poeple are also getting more obsessed w. "outer appearances" & materialism (worse than the U.S. perhaps ? besides Cali.> L.A>)

I'm still happy to be moving to the US to be with my family, to enjoy what a beautiful country it is ,the great outdoors (scarce in Germany), and the wonderful people of the pacific northwest (there is a different mentality up there). In fact I'm so happy I could explode (in a joyful manner)

Waow momentary , thanx for being so sincere and so honest .

I'm noticing this country is getting full of Bible thumpers. It's getting really scary.

That may be one of the reasons Californians are leaving skid marks & moving to the pacific northwest ?(they really are)

They supposedly have a large Atheist,Agnostic, Buddhist, New Ager's population up there (and they get on well)

people have always left California in a frenzy for Washington state (for the last 40 years or so)... mostly because it's cheaper and this is where jobs are. Doesn't have much to do with religion at all. Most California natives don't stay here though, not for any length of time. The weather is too horrible for them. LOL

If you want to know the truth from a genuine 4th generation Washingtonian, I'd say yes, there's a large buddhist and even bigger hindu population up here, mostly because we are shipping gateway to the east, there are lots of Asians and Indians that live in Seattle (software and aerospace drives them up here). You will also find a lot of Russian Orthodoxy here, due to the large number of russian immigrants. There is no shortage of Christians. The difference you are perceiving is that Washington and Oregon are VERY liberal politically. You're not really seeing the affect of religion or not, you're seeing a different political mindset.

Honestly? I've traveled all over the world, lived a lot of different places, and as much as I LOVE Washington and don't want to live anywhere else, you will find one very bizarre thing here. People who are native or have been in this area for a long time are distant and cold in many ways. Unfriendly, is the word I hear a lot. I don't think we're deliberately mean, or deliberately uncaring... what we have is a mindset of "don't bother me, I won't bother you" I've really never encountered this mindset anywhere else in the world.

Thanks MW ! Actually that was meant more as a joke (that just might be true). It doesn't bother me anyways if Christians live near by, we get along.
I just don't like the fundie & evangelical variety.I had to deal with this "going to hell" mentality & preaching alot in the south. Never again !
I lived in Bellingham once and I never met so many friendly, sincere & easy going people as up there. And it was beautiful.

I will be moving to the Seattle area in the summer but am eyeing Olympia possibly instead.

Well, if you're looking at Olympia just make sure you find a place high up on a hill. Or a house with a canoe. The lower lying areas of Olympia tend to flood a few times a year.

Yeah, I just read about it a couple of weeks ago

Is your family with the military? There's not a whole lot in Olympia really.

Nah, they only seem to be getting bigger because they whine and complain more about our freedoms and our American values.

When in reality their questionable mythology is failing. Atheism, agnostics and free thinkers are a rapidly growing group of people within the US.

Actually I'm considering it because of the public schools (high rating) & I generally like University cities.

I thought Bellvue would be nice but it's too far from husbands work,we don't want a long commute.

To stay on topic >>By the way the crazy woman ,Ms. Darksided is loonier than this catholic mom. Shall we vote who is the nuttier of the butter ?

The christians over here are really cool. They don't preach openly or condemn and they are pretty forward thinking. They seem to feel god & science can co-exist.

They go to church and live morally & follow the ten commandments. They are not as judgemental. I would say relaxed ?

Most of them don't believe in the rapture & they aren't plagued by demons & ghosts

They are not interested in people's bedtime stories either. And they socialise with non-believers in a big way.

Religion is personal & private , it is unpolitical and they seem to be content in this.

They donate to the church through taxes (voluntarily) & church activities (usually to help others-less fortunate)

Our american christian friends we know are not much different. There are christians in the U.S. that are the same.

We just don't have all the loony doom prophesiers & vocalists, making money in a big way ,using fear & salvation

Evolution is also no big issue

It's only my opinion , but I think religion in general is going through a 'growth spurt' . In order to keep up it needs to grow and growth is painful. Change is painful and that's why so many seem up in arms. They don't want to be questioned when they have become comfortable in what they believe.

'in their last dying throes' a remark made by cheney of the insurgents in Iraq in 2004 (?) . well for religion of all types it's either change or die. this is why so many old religions lay by the wayside. It doesn't happen over night , it's a slow process , but it will happen. it's inevitable.

what is believed now will not be the same 100 years , 500 years or 1000 years from now. One day who knows, maybe all religions will meld. hard to see now , but .................

I'm sorry but this thread is disgusting. A mother acts hatefully toward her son and now America is an awful place. I get so sick of "enlightened" Americans speaking out against their country because some people here have religious views. America has, and always will be the greatest nation in this world. We have formed a nation that is capable of constant evolution and we are currently undergoing great change. If our home is so awful, then why are you here?

Speaking as someone who visits your country quite frequently, your country is an awful place. I'm not saying all the people suck, but a lot of them do. It's fantastic that you're so proud of your country that you would consider it the greatest country in the world. I'm glad you like it there! I think everyone should be happy where they live, or they should get the hell out. I'm glad that you're comfortable with the high crime rates, the low test scores, the millions of people on welfare, and the effing crazy religious zealots (no one had EVER tried to covert me to their religion before I went there, and then they had the balls to be offended when I wasn't interested, what the hell?).

Your country has destroyed the lives of not only those who live there, but millions of people in countries halfway around the world, for no reason than corporate greed. And what evolution are you talking about? In some states you can't even TEACH evolution.

I sincerely hope that America does go through some "great change" because as it stands right now, the rest of the world is laughing at you.

I'm speaking as someone who lives very close to the border, and it's shocking how much of a difference driving 20 minutes south can make.


(And before you ask why I go there if I hate it? Cheap shopping, and now our money is worth the same amount )

I suppose we ruined millions of lives when we stopped Hitler's communist regime? And tell me, exactly what makes Canada so wonderful?

Ugh...you guys weren't the only ones in World War 2. You didn't even get involved until you thought your country could potentially be affected, but I'm not about to get into an argument about something from 70 years ago.

Reasons Canada is wonderful;

We don't start wars over oil, in fact, we haven't started any wars (with the exception of the British/French vs the natives when they first started coming over and colonizing)

Public health care

Lack of evangelical Christians (not saying we don't have them, I'm sure we do, but I've never met one...and my American classmates were absolutely shocked by the fact that they didn't meet any)

Affordable post-secondary education with government funded student loan programs

Significantly more funding for the arts

We encourage people to immigrate here, and help them do it, we don't make it almost impossible then freak out over the people that are here illegally


SIGNIFICANTLTY lower crime rate

Other countries don't hate us, most of my American friends wear canadian flags when they go abroad, because they're less likely to get robbed/yelled at

I'm not going to lie and say we don't have our problems, we aren't a perfect country by any means, but I'm 100% willing to go on record as saying we do a lot more good, and are a lot more tolerant of other cultures than America, which I think are two of the most important things you can say about a country.

That is quite an ignorant statement. We have only been around for a little over 200 years. Were we the greatest nation in the world while we were in the midst of a civil war? Who is to say that we are now? That is your opinion. Many french citizens probably believe that France is the greatest in the world. Many italian citizens probably believe that Italy is the greatest country in the world. And so on. Most if not all countrys are in constant evolution and undergo great changes all the time.

Every country has positive and negetive infuences around the world. While we may have destroyed the lives of millions of people half way around the world (tralalala), we have saved the lives of millions of people halfway around the world. I might be mistaken, but I believe that the US is the source of almost 50% of the food distribution that goes to hungering nations worldwide.

Yes, the civil war is a good thing. There were those who wished to suppress human rights, and we fought for them. That's the point. America is always on the frontline, fighting for freedom. And the world hates us for this. Many hate their own country for this.