Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Atheist Or Agnostic
Neil De Grasse Tyson Lyrics

No lyrics text found for this track.

The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos

Most interesting comment from YouTube:

The Huxley Agnostic

8y↑7

Don't listen to Ryan and dam...

Huxley was a scientist, above all else. He saw the scientific method in picking apples at the market. The agnosticism he defined was a belief in that scientific method, and it amounted to a form of demarcation. No objective testable evidence = a subjective unfalsifiable claim. Results: unscientific and inconclusive. No belief as to the truth, or falsehood, of the claim. It is not compatible with athe-ism, the belief gods do not exist, or the-ism, the belief gods do exist.

“I say, strive earnestly to learn something, not only of the results, but of the methods of science, and then apply those methods to all statements which offer themselves for your belief. If they will not stand that test, they are nought, let them come with what authority they may.”

"Agnosticism is of the essence of science, whether ancient or modern. It simply means that a man shall not say he knows or believes that which he has no scientific grounds for professing to know or believe."

He outright considered it "immoral" to form beliefs about objective truth claims without any objective evidence. So, no, not compatible with believing gods exist, or don't exist.

"That which Agnostics deny and repudiate, as immoral, is the contrary doctrine, that there are propositions which men ought to believe, without logically satisfactory evidence; and that reprobation ought to attach to the profession of disbelief in such inadequately supported propositions."

And, no, he didn't define it as some oxymoronic gnostic agnosticism that claims to know something is eternally unknowable or claims to know that nobody else knows either.

"The extent of the region of the uncertain, the number of the problems the investigation of which ends in a verdict of not proven, will vary according to the knowledge and the intellectual habits of the individual Agnostic. I do not very much care to speak of anything as “unknowable.” What I am sure about is that there are many topics about which I know nothing; and which, so far as I can see, are out of reach of my faculties. But whether these things are knowable by any one else is exactly one of those matters which is beyond my knowledge, though I may have a tolerably strong opinion as to the probabilities of the case. Relatively to myself, I am quite sure that the region of uncertainty–the nebulous country in which words play the part of realities –is far more extensive than I could wish."

All comments from YouTube:

Big Think

4y↑136

Want to get Smarter, Faster™?
Subscribe for DAILY videos: https://bigth.ink/SmarterFaster

Akash Sunil

4y↑2

this man reminds me a lot about Einstein he says i am not a communist an internationalist ,he says i am a scientist fore the world not for a country (duringWW2)IMAGINE THAT NEIL IS LIKE EINSTEIN I feel like that idk why

Akash Sunil

3y↑1

Astute Cingulus OK

Lazy Boi237

General Rico well the problem being that, while they are gods, the norse religion wouldnt coincide with the marvel version - maybe a branch of norse gods would exist in that universe. Granted, if you were teleported to the marvel universe id think a norse god would be the least of your worries

dr_rowlandmk on Instagram

3y↑4

I don't know who, but someone actually needs to hear this, you've got to stop saving all your money. Venture into investing some, if you really want financial stability

30 More Replies...

Dissociated Women Incorporated

6y↑3.8K

Are there one or more gods?
Theists: Yes!
Atheists: No!
Neil: Who cares? I have an amazing universe to study!

Dissociated Women Incorporated

6y↑111

Psychosis Promo, yes, a religion founded on a love of science and knowledge! But we'd need a catchy name... hmm... how about "Scientology"?

Jeff Smith

5y↑64

Atheists: "Where is your evidence?" not "No!".

Dissociated Women Incorporated

5y↑40

Jeff Smith, if that's the atheist position, then why do so many atheists whine at me for being stubbornly agnostic, and (correctly) noting that the answer to any question with no evidence is "I don't know, maybe"? Also, I don't care if a century ago you could technically call an agnostic an "agnostic atheist", the words are mutually exclusive in modern colloquial usage, and more importantly, in attitude.

Jeff Smith

5y↑28

@Dissociated Women Incorporated I don't know what atheists you're speaking to. Our position is that we reject the idea of Supernatural god unless he can be shown, unequivocally that such a God exists.
What if I told you I had a cat named Smokey? Do you believe that I do?

Dissociated Women Incorporated

5y↑42

Jeff Smith, from a purely scientific perspective I have no reason to believe or disbelieve that you have a cat named Smokey. I have no real data about whether you live with cats and what their names may be, and it's also not something that in any way affects my life. Similarly, I don't reject or accept what'd commonly be called "the supernatural" (a term I find silly, because if something is real and exists then it's part of nature), I have no data either way. My philosophy rests upon knowing that we are dumb, hairless, barely glorified monkeys. We're comparatively ignorant and stupid in understanding the infinite glory of reality.

189 More Replies...

Gabriel Rangel

3y↑638

"I don't associate with movements... I think for myself."
Beautiful... just beautifully spoken!

N N

3y↑13

You can still support a movement based on your own conclusions. He’s so pretentious

N N

3y↑9

@Nikk Nope, neither. But I also acknowledge that people can come to the same conclusions without being sheep

Felipe Cardoso

3y↑12

@N N Why should I, forcefully, associate myself with a movement? Can I be free of labels or not? It is not being pretentious, it is just thinking by ourselves. Period.

N N

3y↑1

@Felipe Cardoso
I don’t recall saying anyone is pretentious for not being part of a movement

15 More Replies...

Amadu Bah

3y↑955

“I don’t play golf, is there a word for non golf players” 😂 best line I’ve heard all year no cap

Rudyard Walker

3y↑5

Lmfao

ruminatingEnigma4649

3y↑37

Agolfer

Bhavesh Dhirwani

3y↑152

I find this analogy flawed. Imagine a world where almost everyone played golf.. Some played golf on a sunday, some played golf 5 times every day. Since you were born, your parents kept insisting that you play golf. If you don't, you are going to hell. You don't like playing golf. You don't even know if playing golf is going to positively impact you.. There is no evidence that playing golf helps you yet everyone around you wants you to play it. Why? Because when they were young, everyone around them insisted them to play it and so on. This is when you'll start finding groups talking about why they don't want to play golf and create anti-golf associations

Metal Rules

3y↑19

@Bhavesh Dhirwani Yeah you are right

Zupalan

3y↑26

@Bhavesh Dhirwani i was about to type this, but you beat me and worded it perfectly.

22 More Replies...

BeachsideHank

3y↑912

" When one asks "Do you believe in God?", If I say yes or if I say no, you have learned absolutely nothing."
-Carl Sagan

Yankees Double header2

3y↑29

They learned your religious or non religious beliefs. For what its worth they learned something that happened to concern you.

محب محمد اللحيدان

3y↑6

They learned something quite valuable actually. If you are atheist, they can show you the truth.

Unkown Of life

3y↑49

@محب محمد اللحيدان Id say the other way around.

1999

3y↑6

You’ve learned whether or not they believe in god.

36 More Replies...

Dakota Beh

3y↑11

As a Christian, this is the type of response I absolutely respect. You don’t know either way but are open to the possibility.

agnostic_man

I agree with this but it would be better it he was Christian

1 More Replies...

Skipping Step 1

3y↑130

As a Protestant, I have gained a massive amount of respect towards Agnostics over the years. This upped the ante.

Mary Salisbury

40w↑4

I was baptized Catholic and raised Presbyterian. A whole lot of confusion ensued.

Mongoose

35w

So why then?

1 More Replies...

Omar

5y↑2.7K

He literally just described how I feel.

حاتـم F-16

5y↑14

اذكر الله

JVG بصلح

5y↑11

نعم ، كانت لدي شكوك أيضًا ، لكن بمجرد أن تدرك مدى تعقيد العالم الذي نعيش فيه بالفعل ، أشعر أن الله يجب أن يوجد. هذا هو رأيي من فضلك لا تضايقني.

Bella Signora

5y↑6

Me to

John C

5y↑10

Known4475543

Are you part of this religion? How do you personally define good and evil philosophically?

John C

5y↑3

Known4475543

I agree with you as far as "younger people" growing up and how their situation and environment can effect them, but this is relative up to the point that most people become mature enough to see past this and can use their freewill to choose to be good or evil. I think similar to your statement good and evil is synonymous to intelligence and non-intelligence. Are you yourself religious at all? I myself am a young Earth creation Christian Bible literalist.

49 More Replies...

Slinky

3y↑132

Neil Degrasse Tyson is a perfect example of figuring out things as they go with life, your beliefs should change as you learn

Adolph Sanchez

1y↑5

Yes, but he's not being 100% truthful or accurate here. First if all, I am an atheist, but I do not believe in shoving that down other people's throats UNLESS they are pushing destructive policy or pushing their own rigid set of "values" or extremist beliefs on others including hatred of certain sections of the population. Second, Tyson, when he gets very upset in interviews or debates with fundamentalists, becomes a very vocal atheist, so I can see why there are those who view him as such as he is highly critical of evangelicalism. An agnostic is someone who does not believe in a god but also does not deny the existence of a "God" should evidence ever present itself that a god exists (which has never occurred). Good scientists value facts, and facts are the foundations of theories. Theories might change over time when new facts are discovered, but the old facts do not change (the theories simply shift with the new facts). A scientist must be open to new facts, but never willing to ignore them as a fact remains a fact -- always.

I may or may not be watching Vincenzo

44w↑3

@Adolph SanchezI understand what you're saying, and as someone who goes to a maths and science specialty school. Though, I think what Neil is saying is that human knowledge is so limited and we don't know what there is in store for this universe. Confining in something as close to facts in my opinion is still very close minded, you may not open yourself to the doors of possibility. I think he's saying that labels are useless to something you don't know about

Cynthia Estrada

36w

I joined a chat group :atheism . I joined because I thought Neil was moderating it. He is not.
Tough group to join. I had to back out. I'm looking for help. I'm from the Philippines and we have a religious war in the south. We now also have another war with China. Difficult time for us.
Indeed you to know this war is not just about Philippines vs China. The Americans are bringing in the big guns as they watch the Bashi Channel. The European Envoy was here. There will be a war. Bigger than the Ukrainian war. I think we Philippines little small nation has a role to play. I guess I'm just telling you to be ready.

Rujjivit Tapashcharya

4y↑471

I'm agnostic too and I'm really happy to see that this person thinks just like me.😊

N I A

3y↑14

Me toooo

Paul Ellison

3y↑6

Respect

Dave DuRosier

3y↑9

No. You think like him.

O.Ameen

3y↑8

@Dave DuRosier it's the same

OP_10112

3y↑9

@Dave DuRosier Imagine being entitled to another man's words who CLEARLY said that he is an educator and likes getting people to think for themselves. People who like to have evidence before standing firm on a belief is not a rare trait to only one person.

38 More Replies...

Yovu trois

1y↑8

Tyson never really fails to amuse me by his authenticity as well as his articulation. I love how precise and articulate his message is. As for this matter, as a then "Christian" I can now say that I am an AGNOSTIC.

Judy Thompson

2y↑31

he has grace, charm, humor, and intelligence. One of the few people that never disappoints.

Prince Solomon

42w↑1

He, as most people, adheres to dogmas and paradigms, whether he admits it or not. He has a very materialistic & reductionist world view. There are two -isms already.
How can you even begin to understand the universe, if you close your eyes from all the possibilities that are out there... what if you can't measure them all, don't they exist then?

Pain5203

33w

@Prince Solomon The only reliable way to test our hypothesis is science. We only talk about things that can be independently verified because if they're not, then there exists no difference between an experience a single person had and a delusion.

sora elkia's king

3y↑2K

"Only "ist" i am is scientist" best answer ever

elise gehosky

3y↑4

aaaaa I love it so much!

ᚐᚐᚏᚑᚅ

3y↑28

The best answer is when he said ''I think for myself''

OneShot Mil

3y↑2

@ᚐᚐᚏᚑᚅ bruh I loved that too!

Hubert Korzeniak

3y↑7

Not only because of his agnosticism - ism

Philip Vels

3y↑2

It's an answer but doesn't answer the question, fortunately he does answer it shortly after.

33 More Replies...

Artistdini

5y↑3.7K

Girl: so what are we?

Guy: i'd rather we explore each other's ideas in real time rather than assign a label to it.

Bread

5y↑133

Hey, that actually works out

What compels you to need to label what you two have? You hang around each other a lot and get closer day by day til you just realize you're partners without having to point it out

I'd say that guy's response is perfectly fine

Bernital Down

4y↑34

Yup. That's honestly what I told a couple of girls in the past. It was true in what I felt.

Wilson S

4y↑9

thats how my relationship ended you dont have to label anything at all. let it flow. names ruined it. she named it so did i so did others- expectations and the whole shebang. it didn't had to be that way unless i too wanted it to end that way.

Sarcasman

4y↑1

Artistdini ooooooohhhhh hahahahaha! Good one!

23 More Replies...

Kevin Smith

3y↑9

I highly admire NDT. I just wanted to point out that when non-religious groups gather to discuss policy(political, legislative), it is very important because if laws are written by religious folks, it can sometimes go against everything that free humans deserve and have rights to. Combining religious dogma with secular human rights isn't always a great thing and needs oversight.

Antonio Videos

1y↑6

"I don't associate with movements... I think for myself."
This should be a movement, so inspiring.

Core Deadman

43w

Pretty much atheism. I think the term atheism has just gotten such a bad reputation. It just means that one doesn't belief in god.

Charlie Dear

3y↑3

I love how subtly and meaningfully he mentioned how people should communicate.

Marshall

3y↑14

Neil is an awesome human. I could just sit and listen to him for hours upon hours.

charlottesmom:

51w↑1

I adore this man!! He speaks my language and I agree with everything he said 100%. 👍🏻😊❤️

kallistiX1

10y↑31

I think the people who say that this disappoints them aren't seeing the bigger picture here. Namely that Neil advocates science and science literacy first and frankly, that's all we really need here. I am atheist but as long as people are taught ACTUAL science and how it applies to them, especially the young, then whatever else you believe is irrelevant.

Atreyu The Ascended

10y

Well said.

Prachi Siddharth Patil

3y↑15

Each and every sentence is a statement which resonates with Me Fully.
Thanks a tonne for being this way❤️
I have true respect for all the religions being an Indian but I simply don't understand why its the main cause of all the misery on Mother Earth in most of the conflicts.

Steven Scott

2y↑2

It's not religion's fault that humans are tribally-competitive -- we just had to be that way because the carrying capacity of the land was limited, so the genome that leads to "eliminate rivals" behavior tended to outcompete the genome for "share with everybody" behavior.
With humans established as tribal rivals, religion developed with that as an influence -- read the Old Testament if you haven't already, it's filled with "kill those people and take their stuff".
The day religion quits working as a way of manipulating peasants to kill each other for the benefit of a leader, the leaders will use something else.

1 More Replies...

Renegade Wolfhound

2y↑2

This man is a national treasure!

Anne

3y↑1

Very well said. I don't care what your beliefs are. I am thankful for your gift/ Knowledge that you share with the world.

Haven Sinclair

3y↑33

Neil is why I became an agnostic instead of an atheist. Thanks Neil.

Isaiah Heyward

2y↑3

They are not mutually exclusive fyi but who cares. Stay curious

Mark

You can be both. They ask different questions.

Xavi

@Mark depends how you define the word huxley the one who created the term did not split belief and knowledge. he literaly says in matters of intellect one shouldnt make claims or hold beliefs they have no evidence for. it was george smith who later on split the two into knowledge and belief. personally i myself i take huxlyes definition so to me saying agnostic atheist is cognitively dissonant as one shouldnt hold any beleif or claim without evidence.

1 More Replies...

Bastian Barx

3y↑320

What he calls "atheism", I would rather call "anti-theism".

Metal Rules

3y↑38

His whole talk is nosense he doesnt know the terms. Sry for bad manchester united

osmq

3y↑1

What would be the difference?

Vral

3y↑69

@osmq one simply doesn't believe (Atheist) and the other actively attacks others for believing in a god. Most Atheist I know are usually just that untill some theist attacks them first but are otherwise non caring of what you believe as long as you leave them alone.

osmq

3y↑8

@Vral
So.. When i think about it, i am an atheist. As soon as i tell you, about it, i become an anti-theist?
To me your answer makes as much sense as the believe in gods - Non at all.
.. How would you call a theist who actively attacks others for not believing in the same god, he was indoctrinated to believe in?

Vral

3y↑36

@osmq no your not an anti theist for telling someone your atheist, your an anti theist when you actively seek out fights with theist about their beliefs with the goal of harming theism its self. For the second question I don't know if their is an official modern title but I'd refer to those kind of people as Crusaders.

33 More Replies...

cabalofdemons

10y↑33

One of the greatest minds of all time. Tyson is an ample voice of reason in an age of extreme ignorance.

NaN

10y↑11

It's not the fact that he is smart that stands him out. It's the fact that he's able to communicate it understandable. There are possibly lots of smarter people around, but they may not be able to communicate it as accurately.

zachary bice

10y

sorry dude, but since you're going for an intelligent declarative statement Imma have to point out your misuse of ample. You could use it to modify reason, but as it modifies "voice" it sounds like you're saying he's a good enough voice of reason that we don't need any other voices. you could also be referring to his girth, saying he is both ample in size and reasonable in voice.

zachary bice

10y

tabularasa0606 damn, your grammar is trippin as well. Facts don't stand anything out, something stands out (or doesn't) due to facts. Also, since understandable modifies a verb, it has to be an adverb, understandably. I agree with you tho, Tyson's relateability is one of his best qualities.

Stephen Cindrich

40w

One of the greatest minds of all
time?? Hardly. He is a decent physics populizer.

Jean Campbell

3y↑5

I just stopped worrying about things I can’t control. We don’t know what happens after death and I, for one, don’t want to investigate any time soon.
I just adore NDT. He is the people’s scientist and I hold him with the same esteem as I hold Dr. Fauci, America’s doctor. Thank you for everything, Doc’s, we owe you both a debt of gratitude.

JoeyKneecap

3y↑20

The energy to push back against religions that aim to control others should always be found.

Ausar0

43w

laws also seek to control others. controlling other is not inherently evil.

1 More Replies...

DevilDocFMF Marines

3y↑1

We’d all be better off in this world if everyone had this kind of belief! It certainly works for me

Paul Avery

He just described exactly how I feel about it. I love him.

Greg Scott

2y↑1

Well said, Neil. This describes my position very well. Thank you.

Dalton Smith

8y↑805

Finally a video that explains what an agnostic really is. I love this.

Murchad99

8y↑24

Finally? Other than the several dozens of other videos discussing Agnosticism? Other than the numerous articles and (gasp) source material on the subject?

Ryan Marshall

8y↑38

Sort of....
What Neil clearly doesn't understand however is that the question of agnosticism is an entirely different question, it's a belief about knowledge at that's it. There are both agnostic theists and agnostics atheists so saying you're "just agnostic" doesn't cut it and doesn't answer the question. You either believe or don't believe. Most people regardless of what they believe are agnostic.

damillionmalania

8y↑13

To be honest I think he got it slightly wrong. It's hard to think of a word that is more misused in the english language today than the word "agnostic". Huxley, who coined the term, described the agnostic position as not only not knowing if there is a God or not, but denying that knowledge of God and his existence is even possible. In other words, everyone who claims to know that there is a God or that there isn't a God is claiming to know more than they can know, from the agnostic viewpoint. Since we can't know anything about God, all we have is speculation that can't lead anywhere. So for the agnostic the question if there is a God or not is irrelevant.The agnostic is not open to new evidence, but holds as a principle that knowledge of God is IMPOSSIBLE.

The agnostic doesn't believe in God and is in that sense passively an atheist, but doesn't actively deny the existence of God either. I hope this helped you a bit if you felt confused about agnosticism. Don't worry, you're not the first.

The Huxley Agnostic

8y↑7

Murchad99

8y↑8

The Huxley Agnostic Your definition of Agnosticism is correct, and correctly sourced. Your definition of atheism (or athe-ism, to highlight your subjective choice of where to place the prefix and suffix) is presuppositional. The definition involving "doctrine" or "denial" has no clear objective origin; the term is historically and etymologically ambiguous, it was not notably coined (unlike Agnosticism), and seems to have begun as little more than an insult towards theists who rejected the "correct" god.

We could argue as to which way the word "should" be defined, but that argument would be as pointless as the argument over "does god exist". The two more relevant points are:

1) Unlike the staunch materialists in the X Club and Royal Society that Huxley sought to differentiate from, the majority of atheists in the modern free world define their atheism in terms of disbelief and not denial. And there's evidence this isn't a "recent" phenomenon. Though in terms of history, it's only been relatively recently that it was at least somewhat socially acceptable to identify as an atheist... prior to that point the only people who use such a term publicly were the sort willing to attract controversy and argument given the irrational hatred and ignorance and cultural oppression that came standard with the majority worldview.

2) "The doctrine that knowledge of god is impossible" and "belief that we can't know anything beyond the material" are both considered alternate definitions of agnosticism. Often quoted as well, and not just by the ignorant. Can you acknowledge the apparent hypocrisy in your dismissing an alternate definition of agnosticism while simultaneously insisting (by implication of argument) that atheists conform to the one definition of atheism you feel most useful in demonstrating your distinction from it?

28 More Replies...

Bizzle2182

3y↑3

As a Christian, I’ve learned more from this guy about science then I have the ones that love forcing their beliefs down people’s throats. He’s known for having an ego but at least he’s insightful and he’s extremely gifted at explaining things in a way where anyone can understand. I respect this man.

Amira Lozse

2y↑1

"I think for myself"
Tyson is pur gold
and a true thinker

Denz

3y↑12

If people stopped inventing Gods I wouldn’t have to deny them. -Ricky Gervais

Blaubeerschorle

Love this

16 14

34w

God is real

Zgob ermn

3y↑1

I fully respect this statement. Kudos to Dr. Tyson!

Donnie Robinson

Dude you are on Another Level! I love it. Agnostic! We can't " know" what we can't scientifically prove.

stephen geraci

4y↑47

Neil is incredible!!! We need more open-minded smart people like him!!

Arabi The Great

3y↑2

I am religious but I really admire this guy.

Steven Ortiz

2y↑1

Sums up my entire ideology on these matters.
I love the way you think, well said.

superbuddy

3y↑3

The facts about sports analogy is that it is chosable and not forced into one another and no one is going to kill you for not loving any particular sport..I love his way of thinking though❤️🔥

Suriya Prakash

3y↑1

I just saw this video in 2020. Not realising that this video was posted 8 years ago, I rushed to Dr. Tyson wiki page to change his religious views from atheist to agnostic. I was surprised to see that his exact words in this video was updated there. It was cool in 2 ways: 1.people love Dr. Tyson and 2.people care to update Wikipedia often.

IRVPIANODRIVER

You have my complete admiration…I am not a learned person but your sentiments echo my own

Paulo Cunha

4y↑27

I agree with Neil. In 80s when I was still in high school I came in contact with Marxism and considered my self a warrior for science. Along with my peer groups I used to debate with many Christian, Islamic, and Hindu clergies. I was hardcore atheist. It continued till my bachelor degree then one my classmate who was very good in physics but still he was hardcore Hindu gave me some books to read. After reading those books I came to know it was not the case that religious people are completely dumbass as we used to think. I wanted to know more about religions objectively. After my Master's in science and I diverted towards anthropology. Anthropology gave me different viewpoint. Today, myself call Buddhist agnostic.

Akshat Shukla

3y↑1

So..a stoic?

Mittir's Cinematography

Bah

geßTunedVëll

2y↑2

Coming on this server just to be suffered and dying uwu

putyograsseson

2y↑1

@geßTunedVëll it do be like that

2 More Replies...

Chris Lyne

3y↑3

This is why defining terms is important. I am in the same position as Neil and have the same feelings but would describe myself as atheist, as in a-theist. More accurately I'd describe myself as an agnostic atheist. Those atheists that engage in polemicals and debates against religion I'd tend to describe as anti-theist, as Christopher Hitchens described himself.
But in the end it's all semantics and so long as we understand what we all mean by different labels, we can agree on what positions actually are even if we use different words to define them.
I'd also agree with Neil that atheism doesn't really exist; or more truthfully, it can ONLY exist in contrast to theism

Xavi

keep in mind thought that base on huxleys defintion which is the one neil uses here you cant be an agnostic atheist. huxley didnt separate knowledge and beleif. he said one shouldnt make claims or beleifs they had no evidence for. which is why you have a set of agnostics like say him or i that are strictly agnostic. is also why you see him give the explanation of why he bases what something is base on the actions of its community not just its defnition as people can define it in different ways.

Eliz Donovan

As usual. Neil deGrasse Tyson answers the question in a complete and interesting way.
☘️🌝🌲

DeltaSleepy

If the world thought like Neil it would be a better place.

Roja Janeman

4y↑5

The world is a better place because of him in it.
Such a beauty!

Trapper4265

2y↑1

I held on to the Agnostic title for twenty years, because I felt it would be easier for others to swallow the concept. Although I'm 100% sure I'm an Atheist. I would still feel the need to hide it to keep my job or to not hurt someone one I cared for. As long as I know, I don't mind telling people what they want to hear.

boldsign

10y↑49

Such a wise answer. I'm a Christian and I don't care about his religion or anybody else's. I just care about how we can contribute to make the world better.

W.

Don't you think he's going to hell?

Y Gate

@W. i think of hell as a place where you regret not being with God

LC 17

3y↑5

There is hardly any possibility of going to heaven.there are thousands of confident religions on the planet. Each having their own versions of heaven and hell, god etc. So it will be a huge amount of luck for you to have been born into the right religion and go to heaven 😂

Lalo Salamanca

3y↑2

@LC 17 with all the hundreds of religions out there that are all made up by humans, I feel like none of them would possibly be true and if there was only one true religion, let’s say Christianity, then all the other 6 billion people in the planet would be in hell for believing in something else or being an atheist/agnostic while the 1 billion so called Christians which not all of them are actually deeply religious and they just claim to be a Christian, go to heaven. That would mean about 14% would actually get in heaven while the other 86% stay in hell for an eternity and Satan would have a lot work to do dealing with 6 billion people in hell. And the whole concept of an afterlife just sounds like fiction to me meant to scare people so they can believe in god and even I was questioning this concept myself when I was a kid when I was more religious.

LC 17

@Lalo Salamanca agreed

Diamond Dust

3y↑3

I absolutely adore this man.

"Do none gold players gather..."

SweetBlackSistah

I wish I could meet a man just like this.

goji

3y↑3

I agree with mr. Tyson. The most logical standpoint is to be agnostic. I don't "believe" anything in the emotional sense regarding divinity, so if I have to identify as anything at all I'll be taking the most logical option. There has never been concrete evidence either for or against the existence of the divine.

Jim Perry

3y↑8

beautifully said. Agnostic = "I don't know" could not be more perfect.

mike phillips

3y↑1

Good one, Neil. Best cop out I've heard so far.

Mini Mochi💜

7y↑726

This is always how I've explained what agnostic is. I've been agnostic for as long as I can remember. I think I want to believe there's something else after we die only because of losing my mother and sister. I don't like thinking that they're just "nothing" now You know? But there is no proof of a "God" or "Higher Being" or whatever. So maybe there just isn't anything, maybe we just die and that's it. I'm willing to accept both of these possibilities but hell for all we know when we die we turn into insects or aliens. No one really knows until they're gone. But just know that I will respect your beliefs if you respect mine. Just because you believe in something and I may not believe in the same thing doesn't make me a bad person, just like it's doesn't make you a bad person. Be open minded people, be kind and be respectful.

EL34Glo

7y↑44

Buggie Marie Just remembered that we can't comprehend everything as humans. And that everything is how we perceive it. And that it's possible that we are conscious beings experiencing what it's like to be human. Not humans experiencing a consciousness. I'm not pushing anything on you and I'm not religious. But just think, if there is consciousness and a higher consciousness, you think us as young as humans are would be able to explain it all through science? Not happening. We can only sense with our eyes, nose, etc. You ever realize that we could be missing things in space or maybe directly in front of us because we can't experience it? It's not only possible but likely. We don't even understand why gravity exists. Or how life started. Or how we have a consciousness. There are things that very very Intelligent people have seen and experienced that they can't explain and that have changed their minds about the meaning or start of things. Again no pushing you, as I'm not even sure what I believe, but I know we don't have close to all the answers. Not close.

Susana Miralles

Buggie Marie II

Corvus

6y↑6

Electronic Adventures - That's depressing.

Corvus

6y↑1

Buggie Marie - Agreed. But, a lot of people are just too....

Alan Q.

6y↑1

Corvus that's maybe depressing, but thats how it is.

77 More Replies...

Ms M.

The world would be so much better with more intelligence like this!

Mostafa T. Qasim

Wow man you describe things in a really smart and astonishing way

725renee

Love Neil deGraded Tyson he states the truth no holds barred

Red Dead Rene

He might be annoying sometimes but I like what he says most of the time. Well said Neil

Clint McCaleb

3y↑2

Damn, I love NDT. So much logic and brilliance.

sam

10y↑10

I don't think it matters what group you fit in spiritually, religiously, scientifically or whatever. What matter is that you continue to think and you're open to the possibilities to the universe.

Claressa Lucas

As a scientist in 2020, all I can say to this is a resounding AMEN!

soupbonep

40w

He is so brilliant.

Stephanie Nirenberg

3y↑5

" the only ist I am is a scientist." That is great.

Naturalist Philosopher

He amazingly answered this question.

Alex Easlick

Agreed, life is so weird. Why would I spend time questioning a potential "higher" being?

Harrison Howard

10y↑4

Oh jeez, thank you Neil! I have just been calling it "anti-community" this whole time! I just hate being parts of groups of people because they impose their ideas on me, in a bad way. Thanks for this

Hazy J

3y↑7

This NEEDS to be heard in 2020 😂

Wendelyn Anderson

He pretty much describes how my parents raised us.

Amardeep Singh

Beautiful explanation... Great teacher..

CptObvious5

You are fuel for my curiosity Neil 🤘

Moonchild OnACrisis

Wow, he put it into words.

Nema Haidarian

7y↑5

Such a great, great mind. This man understands and can describe the details of reality so good and strikingly, in a very catchy way. So he's not only very smart, but he has also the eloquency to transfer information/what he is thinking to people in a very understandable way. That requires so much skill and very, very few extremely smart people are able to do that. This kind of people are diamonds for this world!

Meow The cat

I wish I was as smart him imagine all those hours of studying growing up 🤯

Logan Cook

3y↑3

Well said Neil thanks for standing up for all of us agnostics

Eric Melchiore

"Do non skiers get together and talk about how they don't ski?" Omg that killed 🤣🤣

curaloucura

29w↑1

I don't really know many atheists but I do understand his differentiation and I now relate even more to atheism than to agnostic after watching this video. I have been taught a lot of delusional "truths" by many religions I tried and it was so painful to me to get out of those believes that I am against the preaching of religion as truth to children and I guess that's what it makes me an atheist. Even though I would love to have the open mind to say "if someone proves me there's a god, I'm happy to believe it", to me, religion as a system to control people, especially on evangelical communities where the pastor literally "lives off of his sheep" with lies and coercion is something to be opposed to instead of refrain to be commented on. On the other hand, I understand that creates a barrier that "agnostic" people can cross and interact.

There is none Good but God John 3:16, Rev 3:16

27w↑1

The issue at hand is sin and God’s nature of being just. Sin brings suffering (the pleasure is short term, and the suffering is long term-on earth and in hell forever). God brings Righteousness (may have short term suffering followed by long term pleasure- on earth and in Heaven).

If you love yourself repent of your sins (lying, hatred, unforgiveness, sexual sins, taking the Lord’s Name in vain, stealing, dishonouring your parents etc) & believe in Jesus for forgiveness of sins. (Jesus died on the Cross as a sacrifice and defeated death by rising from the dead)

Goetia

1y↑1

I do believe that there does exist some kind of creator out there. I just don’t know if it’s anything we’ve ever worshipped before (like the Christian god for example) since I feel like it’s impossible to determine a true creator until we finally discover it or it comes to us. I don’t know where that puts me in though.

americanliberal09

1y↑1

You might be a "non-religious theist".

Catota

6y↑5.2K

so basically Neil doesn't give a sh*t.

Azhar Sofjan

6y↑72

Catota Precisely.

Mega

6y↑298

Lol no, it's that he hasn't seen evidence, so he won't waste his time with all the convolution, but at the same time is open to it, and mentally prepared, if it exists. People waste so much time on the unknown, they become out of touch with the now and known.

The Ronqui Show

6y↑5

Damn straight.

TheRealJacob98

6y↑30

Yep. Apatheism. Look it up!

Joan C

6y↑26

Hi Catota, I think Neil gives a sh*t, he wants people not to use labels inaccurately.

81 More Replies...

Draknov

3y↑1

Amazing, well said.

Kim Miles

I enjoy his shows that he has on periodically and they are rather enlightening.

Enishan Başak

3y↑18

My thought
When he says "i am an educator"
Well you're my best teacher

Harry Ballzonya

Neil deGrasse Tyson is one of humanities hero.

Saradindu Sarma

3y↑1

He smartly handled it

Phughy

9y↑5

I love him even more. This dude is inspiring!

Ally kat

1y↑1

I'm a pantheist but I think that freethinking is the important thing.

Fred Coyote

This is a voice of wisdom.

Sopan McFadden

I've been registered as no party for 26 years for most of what he's explained here

sxbmissive

I’ve never favorited a video, but if a video ever needed to be put into a “favorites” playlist, this video is it.

Serpent Arch

This man has some solid points.

Lonceibs

7y↑589

I'm an insomniac, dyslexic agnostic. I constantly find myself awake at night wondering if there is a dog.

HenrikTheOnly

7y↑24

Conleibs I have one.... now go get some sleep

Abdullah Khan

6y↑48

This is an underrated comment.

Volha

6y↑9

Underrated because not everyone gets it. I didn't at first. It was like what? ..... hahaha

That Classy Demon

6y↑8

I've never had a yt comment make me laugh, nice

JRHockney

6y↑1

Conleibs Now that's funny xD

24 More Replies...

David L

3y↑2

My military instructor in basic understood that, which I appreciated.
His thing was, no matter what I was before, I'm a soldier now. And, that's the way I like it.
Though we both went to church occaisionally, due of the sharing if peaceful or wanting of peace for our future.

Jo Na

Beautifully explained the difference

Skankhunt42

3y↑1

I went from being raised as a christian to becoming an agnostic and now an atheist

Chungers79

3y↑1

We love you Neil!!

David Low

38w↑1

"I think for myself." Fast forward 11 years and he's saying and doing whatever his corporate masters tell him to say and do.

taergehtsiram

10y↑10

God, I loved this. I found his energy to be very, very clean. While I think there are times where it is good to say.." I am THIS," there are more times where I find it just separates me from my fellow human being. It can get in the way of me hearing another person's point of view, by putting myself in one box and them in another.