Pelagius: The Church Father that Saved Me from Christianity 

6:18 ah, so we are about to hear the tale of (darth) Pelagius the wise, then?

This is not a story the Jedi would tell you.

Did you ever heard the story of Darth Palegius the wise?

I am a Christian pastor and Bible teacher at Christian private school. I’ve discussed Pelagius briefly, but only in reference to his condemnation by the church. I’m interested in you fleshing this out a bit more. Thanks for sharing.

I had a formal Catholic education and the only thing we were ever taught about Pelagius was that he taught against original sin, which was/is considered an essential part of the argument as to why Christ's sacrifice was even needed in the first place. Ironically just about every other one of his teachings that you went through is pretty compatible with Catholic teaching nowadays, but that was never brought up in my education. It's worth mentioning I don't consider myself a Catholic (or even a christian really) anymore, though.

“Living a life of wisdom”, that sounds very _Havamal_

" so there one problem " its going to be about teaching women " people drag him for teaching women "

These teachings are something I've known in my heart and tried to talk about as a child (in the language and perspective of a child, I wasn't some child genius) in the Catholic church and didn't understand why I was told I was wrong. The older I get, the more I see how Catholics and Christians interpret, and the more I feel that we have gotten the whole thing wrong. So many good ideas in early Christianity that got squashed. I can only blame people who want to create and hoard power. :|

I am a Christian and I agree pretty much with everything you said! About 10 or so years ago I began to realize that for the first 300 years or so the Church Fathers were far more Pelagian than Augustinian (to put it anachronistically). They genuinely believed that God IS Love - and that - at the end of the ages - ALL would be saved by that Love (sometimes referred to as "Historic Christian Universalism") Thanks for sharing these insights!

Of course you like Pelagius, his name comes from πέλαγος, i.e. open sea, or OCEAN.

No wonder Celtic Christianity & Irish paganism always appealed to me. Being around nature, seeing the goodness of creation & mankind, no original sin, seeing God and the gods in everything etc.

Having a camera allows for the physical comedy and body language I've always enjoyed seeing when you've been on streams and such to come through in your scripted content as well and I think it's a really good step to take. I really like water blob boi tho, can he like hang out in the corner of the screen or something?

I'll definitely be researching Pelagius more now. This channel keeps giving me more research topics; keep them coming!

Isn't this the guy who has Sheogorath in his head???

I've been studying Irish Celtic spirituality, and let me tell you what, a lot of that shit you described rings pretty true to what I've read.

This is my first exposure to the teachings of Pelagius and I am shocked at how closely it seems aligns with my own, self-formed, understandings of Christianity.

This reminds me of my philosophy teacher (for some background, I went to a catholic school most of my life, however I found myself in paganism and wicca early on.) He was cool, one thing he taught however, was that their God was in everything. I mentioned ideas of polytheism and he had said that the reason it "doesn't work" is because there was "only enough room (in the universe) for one god", because he's in everything. My friends and I (who all have differing but similar beliefs) ended up agreeing that, because of our limited human perspective, we're unable to know if a sole god could fit in everything, or if it were possible for 1. other deities to be responsible for different things and 2. that multiple deities couldn't overlap, considering their bodies aren't physically. It was a weird conversation lol just some food for thought :)

Speaking of Lao Tzu even though I have an affinity for Norse Paganism I personally feel that Lao Tzu's writings are some of the most spiritually profound I've ever heard.

This sounds very familiar to the kinds of things I was taught growing up in a Presbyterian church. A lot of focus on acting good and emulating Christ and loving and forgiveness and acceptance and all that. I never really encountered anything different until I moved away. I think clumping all Christians into a single category really misses a lot. I've come to appreciate how radically different the beliefs of various Christians are.

Thanks for giving a good overview and background on Pelagius. Oddly enough the first time I'd heard of him was in the movie "King Arthur" with Clive Owen, which mentions his teachings and has the character Arthur tell his knights "You were all free from your first breath."

As a Celtic pagan this warms my heart. I came from a conservative fundamentalist Christian background and have had a number of arguments with my relatives over why I rejected the "truth" in favor of paganism, despite the teachings of Christianity being so diverse and complicated across the numerous denominations that pinning any single one of them down as "the truth" is impossible. I can't help that I find spiritual fulfillment in nature. I can't help that I'm drawn to Celtic traditions. And getting to hear about the teachings of Pelagius - for the first time, mind you, in this video - affirms to me that this really is the path that I'm meant to walk. Thank you for sharing your story. :) May the gods bless every step you take on your journey.

Man, I see why he was so influential for you- I think he’s my favorite church father now!

I definitely remember grappling with some of these concepts taken for granted and see as law by most modern Christians. I think the apostle Paul said that there are good people outside of the Christian faith, that would be safe from hell because God's not so unjust that he would hold it against them that they didn't know, but that after being told about the jesus and denying him then they would be judged. And I thought to myself then proselytizing is the worst sin one can commit. You have plucked a soul safely from the gates of heaven and condemned them to hell just by aggressively sharing your beliefs and not just living a good life silently. Sorta lead me down a de-christianization rabbit hole to a more holistic pagany type view.

My son has shown me this and I'd just like to say ...What a super wee talk. You make a lot of good points there. I was a christian for 20 years and had many questions that were never answered. "You're on a need to know basis and you don't need to know" :-) I like what you have to say here. It makes a lot of sense and voices many of my thoughts from back then. I walked away from christianity 8 years ago. Looking forward to watching more of what you have produced.

I love this! I missed your video in the barcrawl yesterday because my connection was bad, but this guy kinda teaches EXACTLY what I actually believe

5:07 seconds and you've already made me pause the video to take a step back and google a concept I'd been grappling with for years and never had a name for. Thank you

Christian here! This is really fascinating to me! I've been studying a lot of other religions recently and trying to find Yahweh in them, and I do! I really do agree with this concept in a lot of ways! Background: I do believe in soli-scriptura. The way I have come to personally understand salvation is rooted in a couple different verses I've found over the years (I can't remember the exact references right now) It talks about there being two judgements on judgement day, and in Roman's 7 Paul also talks a LOT about how we (Christians), as those under the revealed law, are actually held to a stricter standard, even going so far as to say that those NOT under the law Don't Even Sin. This has lead me to apply a Thief on the Cross mentality to salvation. I'll epxlain. The thief on the cross, in his last moments, knew Jesus to be the Son of God/God incarnate. In that moment Jesus says that he will be with him in paradise. The way I see it, I think there are MANY MANY MANY people who are serving God, but under different names (I have Muslim friends who pray to Allah using the specific names of Mercy, Forgiveness and pray "Allah, if there is a better way to serve you, show me and lead me to it." I believe God always hears those genuine prayers.) So I believe that on the day he is revealed, many people who were serving him with different names will go "Aha, of COURSE this is you. This is who I have been seeking to know and worship." just like the thief on the cross. That's the only way that it makes sense to me especially in regards to how far modern Christianity has fallen from the original intent, so of COURSE people are going to reject it, I reject it more than most of my non-religious friends honestly. Our version is pretty bullshit. And I think I'll have the same "Aha!" reaction too when he's revealed to me, like all the pieces finally fit together, I just think he might possibly use the same name that I believe he revealed, Yahweh, I AM. The point for me comes down to the character of God. I believe he is the revelation of perfect goodness in the world, from where all good, beauty, and love comes from. I think if one is truly pursuing that Person, they will find him and I don't think anyone will just "happen to miss" the info. I don't think an infinite deity of Love would allow that to happen. Also, many of the most selfish people I know are Christians, they have oriented their entire lives around themselves and when they get to heaven, unless they realize it, I believe that shutting themselves off completely from his attributes, kindness, love, justice, etc. means that they physically cannot exist within his presence as they have starved those attributes until they died and all that was left was the dregs of wickedness.

I loved this new style of video, Ocean! Good to see the epic beard! Also, loved hearing part one of your journey to your current path, excited to hear the rest! :)

I consider myself agnostic/atheist. I’m just poking around looking to learn more about pagan belief systems. Thanks for the introduction to Pelagius. Great content!

Hey Ocean, hope you're doing well. I really like this new video. I am glad to see your face on camera, that helps me especially being autistic. I like to see the facial structure and movement so that I can fully understand what you're conveying, so I do really really enjoy this. Thank you! I support you and your channel. I was a pagan and heathen priest for a group in prison and these teachings that you're giving are exactly what I was giving to my students who were just starting on their path of pagan and heathenism. So keep up the good work, Ocean, and I'm really liking this. Hail and welcome! Stay Trú and go with the Gods! Cordially, J. Lee Thunarkin

Really good video! I’ve heard of Pelagius, but didn’t know anything about him beyond he wasn’t liked in Rome.

I love your delivery and honesty. I find it so fulfilling and joyful as a Baltic/Slavic pagan

I really enjoy this kind of mental and spiritual stimulation, your videos are awesome! Interestingly enough, in the Morning church they believe that if you didn't have a chance to learn the word of God in life, you will have an opportunity to learn in the afterlife! I always thought that was an interesting reconciliation with what you spoke about near the end.

I really like this pelagius his ideas same very Arian as for Celtic christianity that was totally pagan friendly and didn't condemn the Gods it simply added jesus to the pantheon which as a pagan and gnostic I'm totally fine with.

if i ever went back to Christianity, (i won't) i would believe Pelagius

I had never heard of Pelagius. Thank you for doing this amazing video. I have tried to enlighten a neighbor about this to no avail. He seems stuck in believing Christian=good and pagan=bad despite the fact that I basically saved his life. I am able to sense certain things and I sensed that he had cancer and it was spreading. I took a chance and told him. He did go to the doctor and I was correct. He is now on chemo. Despite all this and his thanking me for saving his life, he still is adamant that I basically am going to his Christian Hell.,.I give up, lol

This was very informative. I've been personal struggling with my belief in christianity for a bit now, since the passing of my father. only yesterday your channel started to get recommend to me and it's taught me so much more than I could have hoped. I know there's a good chance you won't see this post but thank you. You have helped me start to understand what I believe in.

Ironically, a lot of catholics (seemingly including the pope ) now believe the "salvation for non believers" thing. It makes me suspect that the church wasn't just about finding truth after all...

1) the camera work is good, but maybe think about adding a soft light behind you and to your left? I think that might make you and your setup pop a little more. 2) I've been poking at the issue of "if you have to believe in Jesus to be saved, does that mean that all the thousands of generations Aboriginal peoples are unanimously going to hell?" For a while. This was actually the first big question about theology I started asking people. And I was about 8 when I first asked it. Nobody ever gave me a good answer. A few months ago, I was talking to my mom about it, and she finally gave an answer: the same answer Pelagius had. That if you're a good and Christ-like person, God will accept you, even if you never heard of him. I didn't know that St. Augustine had managed to get that teaching to be deemed a heresy though. That is good info to have. And as always, your videos are great. I'm glad you are getting more subs.

I came in at the end of this stream. I can't wait for the full vid.

So I’m by no means a Christian, probably not even a theist. But I just remembered that in r.e. Or what is called we were talking about different perceptions of god. As an introduction we were asked to dress god and inevitably most drew an old bearded dude on a cloud. Mostly to be creative and do sth different I tried to visualize a more naturalistic view and of course I didn’t explain it well. But the teacher said he liked the drawing better then the explanation. I’ve never heard of Pelagius once on my education. I feel more and more cheated and lied to by my teachers. My drawing would have been a great opportunity to at least mention him in passing and instead I was dismissed. Thanks for adding just another puzzle piece in understanding how bad my religious education actually was.

Watching this today I have to say you have come a long way with your presentation on camera! Keep up with informing the people 🤘🏻

I personally enjoy the ideas of Pelagius (not a story the Jedi would tell you). I am a Christian, but my theology veers more towards mysticism/liberation theology. So I'm not sure the video is really directed at me, I personally subscribe more to the idea of salvation through works and grace (also I don't believe in Hell). All in all good video, always good to see your face!

Interesting!! I love this take. I also had huge issue with Original Sin and Christian-Only salvation when I was a Christian. I'll have to look this up.

Four of Pelagius works have recently been rediscovered. Ali Bonner did her doctoral dissertation on his works comparing them to the charges brought against him in Augustine’s and other church writings. Her conclusion is that Pelagius was a scapegoat for a smear campaign for Augustine to introduce his take on the doctrine of original sin and doctrine of predestination to be introduced into the church as orthodoxy. The book is called The Myth of Pelagianism by Dr Ali Bonner.

I had never heard of Pelagius, but his teachings resemble the realizations I had about Christianity on a mushroom trip.

The story of Darth pelagius the wise, it isn't a story the fundamentalists would tell you.

Never heard of you before this video. I really enjoyed the philosophical outlook you have on things, it's the same reasoning that has me in a perpetual state of spiritual struggle. As a loyal man and as one who has felt "god" as a Christian i find myself always flirting with the idea of Christianity but as a Pagan and again one who has felt this same source of spirituality with the faith i have practiced for years it always boils down to the catastrophic levels of philosophical error made within Christianity. Every time I try to reason my way back into faith I can not, I'm only left with the confusion of wondering why part of me wants to go back... I've yet to find a pure and authentic reason but yet the idea remains. Honestly I feel that I've spent more time in this spiritual limbo than living an authentic faith as I truly wish to do.

I've had these thoughts but never looked into them or had the words to speak them. Now I how somewhere to start. Thank you

My dad has always been Christian and growing up he talked a bit about it to me. Im 23 today and my dad is 56. Dad always has this view like Pelagius. It's sounds like common sense :D To see God / Gods in everything everywhere and to love the world / the creation.

I can safely say I was a Protestant Christian for 10 plus years but entirely unaware of Pelagius or much of the actual history of the religion/church. Still happier out of it but welcome learning about pieces of history I had never encountered before. Thank you Ocean.

Very interesting. This resonates with a lot of my own thoughts lately.

You hear the tragedy of Darth Pelagius the Wise? I thought not. It's not a story the Jedi would tell you.

ALL of life is a mystery, embrace the mystery, while endeavoring to live in the flow of love. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

His teachings always remind me so much of the Gnostics. Makes one wonder how the Christian church would have turned out had the Gnostic's and Palegius' teachings had taken hold. Love the facetime 💜

Oh I've heard of this guy didn't he use the force to influence the mitochondria in your blood to create life

I’m so glad you decided to share your story and show your face

I always forget to punch the thumbs up but this one had me rewinding enough to remember

Brilliant video. Your sound is so solid you could easily detach the audio from this video and release your own PodCast for an additional outlet.

As a catholic I find this very interesting. I've studied a lot. But always wanting to know more of different religions

I was first introduced to "The pelagian error" years ago after a study on the Calvinism vs Arminianism debate. Upon studying this topic I realized that the debate was much bigger and older than I thought. Shortly thereafter I found myself studying "Augustanism vs Pelagianism". I came across this video today while looking for information to share with a brother in Christ who's new to this topic and I really enjoyed your video. I thought you articulated your view very well but we are definitely on opposing views of this topic. I'm thankful that God used men such as Augustine and others in the church to squash this heresy before more damage was done in the hearts of new believers. I am a Christian and believe fully in the sovereignty of God and that He foreknew and preordained all events from beginning to end. I also fully believe that all mankind is in dire need of the saving grace that was finished in the work of Jesus Christ on Calvary's cross. Much of what I believe pertaining to the sinful condition of mankind, the need of reconcilation with God and current condition of the world today can easily be summed up in the first 3 chapters of Romans. As I was listening to your video Romans 1:18 kept coming to mind "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,". Suppression of the truth of God is just as relevant today as it was in the time of Pelagius, in the time of Paul and in the time of Noah. Best wishes my friend Again, I enjoyed the video and pray you find your way back to the Father and begin to use your gifts for His glory.

Hey man, although I disagree with your view of Christianity I'd like to say that this was an interesting listen for me. For starters, I'm an Orthodox Christian. You really had my attention when you mentioned Lao Tzu and other philosophers and their possibilities of salvation despite knowing almost nothing about Christ. I'd recommend that you look into a book called "Christ the Eternal Tao" by Hieromonk Damascene. I got the honor of meeting and speaking to Fr. Damascene about two years ago during an annual church retreat and he was very insistent in saying that philosophers before Christ's time definitely had the possibility of attaining salvation depending on how they lived their lives. He was also a pupil of Fr. Seraphim Rose, who despite some controversy in America, is like a celebrity in the Orthodox Church, especially in Eastern Europe, so you'd probably be interested in reading up on him too. I don't know if any of the things I recommended will enlighten you or get you to think of things in a new light in regards to specifically Eastern Christianity, but nevertheless thank you for sharing this video. I'll be praying for you, God bless!

Its so funny that the subtitles said "leo bay" when you said liu bei lmao

Your videos of what made you leave Christianity are truly fascinating. I step away from the church (southern baptist as well), six years ago due to just life and overall tiredness of the hypocrisy. I didn’t seek anything new till this January. I have walked into Norse Paganism and felt somewhat at home. Freya being my matron deity to my surprise.

I like this video format better 👍🏻

Love this! I am so glad this channel was recommended ro me.

I like that you're showing your face. Seeing your expressions along with your voice is good imo :)

Sola Scriptura is an idea that only exists in Protestantism. The Orthodox Church uses Apostolic tradition to interpret the bible, otherwise you can get it to say just about anything which is why today there's tens of thousands of Protestant denominations with each one saying something different.

I'm pretty sure that soul friend is not only a Celtic pagan thing as we have something here in Sweden called "själsfrände" basically a compound word of soul and an anachronistic word for friend (and more specifically one of like mind) nowadays we usually say "vänn" to denote friendship. On an interesting tangent, while looking some of this stuff up. The opposite synonyms for "frände" are translated to unfamiliar/of different mind, while "vänn" opposite and translated is enemy/antagonist. makes you think how the now used word is about a "with me or against me" dynamic while the more anachronistic word is more about if "we vibing or nah".

I feel like Caelestius was pronounced "kah-ee-les-tee-oos". I took Latin and his name in documented history would have been romanized.

Why does his name bear a striking resemblance to a certain Sith Lord whose life ended in tragedy...

So I actually never heard of that guy but I don't really think, that those ideas don't go with Christian Beliefs. I'm living my faith quite independent from any church since I don't really believe in the traditions that most churches live so I can't really argue from their point but from the point of view the Bibel has I think this is exactly what is found there. Romans 1,21 says that no one has an excuse for not believing in God since the nature is an true example and deliverer of God and his love. So I totally agree with Pelagius that God is found in nature. Another problem which I believe drives many people away from Christian faith is that churches are tending to live a very strict way of how a Christian should live and especially of how his relationship to Jesus has to be. But as different as every human being is as different is every single relationship..also the one you are living with God. So I actually believe that's those points that you are critizing are very valid and from my point of view noting controversial in being a follower of Christ.

Love seeing your face, cant wait for more like this

the couple chapters on Pelagius in Dan Brown's Augustine of Hippo are a good way to get up to speed with what happened in the western church. To sum up: Pelagius was not nearly the bad guy he's been painted, and Augustine is not a good guy, though he has turned out to be extremely influential on the rest of western christianity.

Amazing video! Cannot wait to hear more!

Born and raised roman catholic. Former youth pastor, church choir leader, and was heavily involved in church until I was 17 and a new administrator from the arch diocese came in. Because I was openly gay I was asked to be less involved in the church in a visible way. I was basically told that because I choose to live a sinful life with no remorse or intention of repenting that i was not a good influence for those trying to live a christian life, the frat boy who bragged about doing drugs, partying every night, and banging as many girls as he could each party was still allowed to speak and lead youth groups. I have all but left the church and have labeled myself as agnostic and have done a bit of comparative religion research. I think that this video is extremely informative and I plan to look more into Palagius because of it.

Bring back the real Ocean #FakeOcean #OceanIsCancelled

Wow. This hits deep. Glad I subscribed!

Are you going to do one more in-depth on this topic? I am having a hard time in the south debating with people and all your videos on these kinds of things help.

Great vids. I 'm questioning my faith in Christ. Pelagius sounds interesting. Would love to chat with you directly.

Hail Odin! New sub ! Interesting video, one that I shall share with a " Cradle Catholic", that I know...I'll keep ya posted...!

at about 11:00 the question of good people who never hear the gospel; the scripture teaches in Roman 10:18 where it is quoting Psalm 19:4 "their sound has gone out to all the earth"; essentially, creation reveals the first truths of the gospel universally, those things demonstrated in Psalm 19, discussed in Romans 1. There is testimony of God sufficient to persuade humans of all time to respond in choosing the fear of the Lord. On making that choice to fear God, He has promised to reveal to those people His covenant, Who is Jesus Christ Himself.

11:46 the Harrowing of Hades is definitely interesting and something you should look into as well as the salvation of Plato and I think an interesting implication of the Harrowing of Hades would be that some variant of universalism is true with regards to salvation

I hadn’t heard of Pelagius however the same questions which lead you out of being a southern baptist are the same things which lead me out. Also landed on paganism for a similar reason. It simply made more sense to me.

Thank you so much for this video I truly didnt know such Celtic versions of christianity existed and this was truly fascinating

Love this! I find the idea that the Bible is the infallible word of God so strange. In the beginning stages of my deconversion, I looked up a list of contradictions found in the Bible then proceeded to flip to each one to see for myself. I couldn't even finish because it made me so angry to realize that this "word of god" was not perfect...so how could God then be perfect..?? And I remember just being so dumbfounded by the truth that I was so blind to for most of my life at that point: MAN WROTE THE BIBLE. The Bible is the word of man about god...or his idea of God...and if it's true, that we are born sinners and flawed, then how can people unquestionably accept the Bible as unflawed if it was written by "sinners"? That baffled me. It's so weird to me. And now that I'm out of the faith I have actually found myself to be more like Christ as a Pagan than I ever was within Christianity. Funny how that works.. 🤔 😅

Thank you Ocean. I'm relatively new to finding you and have greatly enjoyed your content. I was raised Irish Catholic but delved into my American Indian background; no dichotomy there. Upon learning about St. Brigitte I was introduced to the Celtic Druidic Beliefs. I too, struggled with original sin, how idolatry could be 'bad' but Catholics have idols of the patron saints, hoe the New Testament contradicts much of Jesus's teachings. So... I left and have been wandering. I feel most comfortable with simple nature worship but still like some things Christian teaching offers. I've dug into the non-cannonized books and Iwill look into Plagius.

Awesome man. The thing that started me leaving the church was 2 Timothy 3:16. Learning that the NT wasn’t even written when Paul wrote this made me question so much church dogma and sent me down a more Jewish path for about a decade. Loving your channel brah 👊🏼

For me it was Origen and his universalist belief that all things will eventually reunite with God. That and finding out about how much the Bible had been tweaked to fit the views of the early Christian community and the number of outright lies like the additions to the book of Enoch, the editing of Josephus and the 'new' ending to Mark's Gospel. I had been a pagan prior to being evangelised and I finally gave up on what was to me an alien belief structure and returned to the arms of the Goddess. I just wish it hadn't cost me so much of my life.

I've never liked how much salvation we need to get rid of the "original sin" Ok, so our ancestors ate the fruit and we suffer because of that (which itself opens so many questions about God but whatever). Then you get Christ dying to wash away our sins. But that's not enough. We also need baptism, confirmation, confession... You can collect sacraments like pokemons and you'll still be a dirty sinner It's like Jesus' sacrifice meant nothing

Brilliant video and great channel BTW - It's funny because Pelagius is who brought me back to "God" and away from "gods." I have read somewhere that the Druids practiced a form of Monotheism - in the sense they had a pantheon but had an overall "One" or "Great Spirit" that was the immanent and transcendent creator of all - even the gods. Almost a ground of all being. I believe a strange sort of Monotheism, I might say I'm a perennialist with a bent towards Jesus as a prophet and teacher. I also believe in lesser powers - some might call them gods, others angels... I suppose that makes me a Heathen of sorts?

I do very much love Pelagius and his letter to Demetrius! Ocean we are alike in a lot of ways....if only Christianity was still like Celtic christianity

I have found myself not trusting the narrative I’ve found in the church. As such I find myself seeking my ancestral roots in paganism. Because of this my entire world or reality has absolutely collapsed and I no longer understand the world around me. How do I deconstruct the lie that has been fed me since birth? I feel utterly alone.

Thank you for your intellectual honesty and for the thorough background. I’m intrigued by your statement at 12:13. It sounds like your divergence from “Christianity” may not just be a the point of sola Scriptura, but the source and nature of “goodness.” I don’t necessarily hold this position, but one contrasting view I see is from the Council of Orange Canon #12 where they say “God loves us for what we shall be by his gift, and not by our own deserving.” Anyway, thanks for sharing and I pray that you may come to know Jesus personally through the gospel. Best wishes!

Great vid. I wish Pelagius had won out over Augustine. I actually first learned about the Pelagius and his teachings by reading about the history of Paganism. The Celtic Church (highly influenced by Pelagius, or the other way 'round?) was doomed though, as Rome would never let them be. Shame, I think the world would have been better had Pelagic ideas prevailed within Christianity.

I am a bit struck - idk why RU-vid recommended me your Video but after I read the title and listened for a few minutes, I saw myself many years back, asking the same questions and have the same doubts, the same thoughts and maybe similar struggle with fellow christian people around me. I was somewhat in pain between these doubts and my christian education. I ´ve started early to seperate RELIGION and BELIEVE, and always found myself alone with this view around my community, - mostly christians but als some muslims too. They see their religion as the only right thing to do and to seperate the Chruch and its rules and dogmas from the feeling of Believing is a big Nono for most of them. The Religion contributes the way to believe correctly and you will suffer hard if you do otherwise. That was the main course here and I it always felt wrong to me. Similar to the story in the video, I then was recommended a book called: "A Weekend with GOD" by a friend who is a deep believer in Jesus and also spends a lot of his free time with church-things and bible study and so on. So you can say, that Jesus plays a big role in his life. He told me that this book will help me on my way to god - eventually, it did not worked out well. But it helped me to understand that the common concept of Salvation and most of the dogmas christianity comes with, are just wrong. (If you dont want to know my conclusion, just skip this part) In short, this book told me that Salvation and the love of "God" is for EVERYONE, no matter what you did and where you´re from and what you believe. The Book described God as a mother and a father alike who loves us as his children and he or she wont judge us into eternal pain for our wrongdoings. In the story, the protagonist was mad at god for he lost his daughter and he demanded justice over the man who was responsible for her death. God put him in charge of the sentence but he also had to judge over his own son too and was asked by god if he would also sentence his own child to eternal pain in hell.... Ofc he could not do it and neither would god do it with the murderer of the protagonists daughter, as he is - by all his faults - a child of god too. In this book, God rather trys to help his children to be better persons and told the protagonist that there is no hell or heaven either. And God told him that he is often angry and disappointed by our doings but he wont hardly interfere - because as his children, we need to walk our own ways and make our own decissions and face the consequences on our own too, to raise over our selfes and do great things. He is just there to help and love us, no matter what we do....the rest is for us to achive. So, in the end you need to work on yourself to achieve salvation and greatness - and maybe salvation will struck you already in your lifetime and not when you are dead. This was the conclusion of this book and it felt so right for me. So there was it - the core concept of the religion I was born into was finally broken to peaces. My friend was very dissapointed after I thankfully told him this. In a retroperspective, I would say our friendship ended that day too. But I am still thankfull to him for his approach as it took a heavy weight off my shoulders and changed my view on the hole GOD-Topic itself. I finally stopped to feel guilty for my doubts in christianity. But as for today, I still feel that somewhat is missing in my live. I would still say, I am a believer....but I dont know exactly, what I am believing in and I am feeling alone with all this. Your videos tell me again to go out and search that answer for myself and that I am not the only one. Maybe this is only a wall of text in an endless row of youtube comments but It means something for me. So, Thanks for your video.

Thank you, as an ex-christian I totally relate to this.

"he was not opposed to teaching women" this just reminded me of how I had a history teacher in middle school who, no joke, said, "Christianity was the first religion that taught to women." At the time I was a raised atheist/agnostic who only knew about christianity and baarely about judaism, but even still, hearing him say that instantly made me start resenting him. Probably the first time in my life my bullshit meter turned on.

You know it was a great Description of him , I originally was surprised to hear you talk about him. I seen a movie about King Arthur and it was set at the end of Rome! And Arthur was a Roman soldier. And in the movie Arthur talks about palaguas and I thought that he was fake! So it was very interesting! Thank you! And I myself am getting pulled more and more to my Norse heritage and the Norse religion. So your page was a blessing to come across! Thank you! And I would love to be able to do pagan weddings myself some day!

I like that video "The Last Druid" with Ben McBrady before he died in 1996. He actually mention Pelagius and how that branch of Xtianity was destroyed by Paul's branch in Rome. He also points to a connection to Pelagius and the Druids in Ireland.