Saturday, May 7, 2011

Questions for Christians

Christians ask themselves questions that conveniently have answers in Christianity.  Here are some questions that I'd like to see Christians ask themselves.

How many other religions have you studied?

Of all the world's possible religions, why do you think the stories of the Bible are more valid than the stories of the other religions?

If you were a Martian and landed on Earth having never heard of a concept of God, how would you decide which, if any, of the world's religions had merit?

If someday there would be definitive proof of the non-existence of God, would you still be a Christian?

Why do you believe what you believe?  (Favorite question on The Atheist Experience)

If you knew with 100% certainty that you would be going to Hell, would you still be a Christian?

Of all the denominations there are, why do you belong to the one you belong to? 

Have you read any of the scholarly theological literature of your denomination?

Have you read every word of The Bible?

How do you reconcile the inconsistencies of the Bible?  (There are many.  Refer to this list at the Secular Web if you have not realized the Bible is loaded with them)

How do you know which parts of the Old Testament can be disregarded by Christians?  If you don't know, then why not?

50 comments:

Infidel753 said...

Good questions, especially the first five.

In practice a lot of the strength of religion lies in fitting into an established social group. They'd prefer not to confront that reality, of course.

LadyAtheist said...

Yep, pretty much. I wonder how many people in church on Sunday morning really think about what they're nodding about

T_Ray_TV said...

Is the bible, in its entirety, the timeless inerrant word of God?

...followed quickly by:

Is clam chowder better, worse or exactly as bad as homosexuality?

Leviticus 11:9-12 These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat. And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you: They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcasses in abomination. Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.

LadyAtheist said...

*LOL*

How about "If the Bible is the inerrent word of God, then why are there so many mistakes in it?

Sir Balderdash Poppycock III said...

Well ... if the bible is literally true, then what better truth in support of negating much of what it claims .......................

LadyAtheist said...

Sir Balderdash Poppycock, are you related to Prince Poppycock?

http://www.princepoppycock.com/poppycock.cfm

Never Was An Arrow II said...

Finally, someone (Lady Atheist) has found the Asperger's take on the Bible~

I knew it was on the internet, somewhere.

The lists, and there are a few on that laughable site, show that simpletons, those WITH language deficits, those WITHOUT a theological background should not expound on the contents of the Old or New Testament…no matter how great the temptation to do so, is. No matter what Martin Luther advocated.

L.A. there are lots of lists like this on the internet, I guess you haven't yet seen the various answers lists, yet.

LadyAtheist said...

Arrow, I've seen the Catholic catechism. Would that count?

I'm not a Christian, so I have no responsibility to answer questions for them. Then I would be as guilty of making a straw man as the Christians who ask me questions based ontheir false assumptions about atheists.

Go ahead and answer these questions, if you have the answers at hand. I'm interested in reading them.

B.R. said...

It's funny how Christians can never give a methodical refutation to lists of contradictions. Instead, they just make ad hom attacks worthy of preschoolers, and/or blather over how only shamans--er, I mean, "theologians" can understand the Wholly Babble.

With idiots like these, it's not hard to understand why Christians prefer to think of themselves as "sheep"; because their I.Q.s are about the same. Thanks for sharing, Arrow.

LadyAtheist said...

And yet they want us to treat them with respect. How can we respect people who can't answer a question?

Biwl said...

In order as asked:

* Studied to different degrees: Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Mormonism, atheism.

* A combination of reasons (history, philosophy, archeaology, morality, relationships, experience, logic, how ultimate questions are answered)

* A combination of factors similar to the previous question.

* If it was purely a deductive logical argument, then I would have to abandon my faith. That's not the case and therefore the question to me isn't too meaningful. Doesn't faith by definition, regardless of Christian, atheist, Muslim or other involve a gap?

* A multitude of reasons along the lines of two of the earlier questions.

* 100% certainty Hell vs. remaining Christian? I don't understand, assuming we agree on how the terms are defined.

* Currently non-denominational but have worshipped/been involved over the years with multiple denominations for different reasons. Try to view denominations similar to Augustine's unity, diversity, charity idea.

* Yes.

* Yes.

* I've looked at various ones over the years, have been a subscriber to The Skeptic Review and took a look this morning at a few on one of your links and don't have troubles. Is everything crystal clear? No, but it's not nearly as foggy as one would think.

* I see persuasive writing from the different viewpoints worthy of ongoing study. I do eat clam chowder and believe homosexuality to be sinful.

Never Was An Arrow II said...

SINCE YOU ARE NOW in censorship mode, as you deleted my comments in my response to Dusty on another post, I shall only leave you with an ANSWER LIST, which is only ONE such list. I did not vet every answer, but a few, and was satisfied with the responses and the general direction.

CATHOLIC ANSWERS is also a great source.

It's interesting to note, I've discovered atheists are not big on free speech. In fact I have been 'edited' and banned by lots of atheists—which is quite laughable, really!

The ONLY atheist who hasn't banned me from FREELY commenting happens to be a good friend of Richard Dawkins and Hitchy boy. He isn't afraid of free dialogue, or acknowledging valid points. 'Course he's a sharp atheist, as he developed one of the first internet based services, and then later sold it to Microsoft for a ridiculous price.

Ah, well…sharp atheists are a rare lot—but we certainly need more of them. Of that, I'm sure.

(waiting to be deleted…again…)

B.R. said...

@Biwl;

*1; atheism is not a religion, so why did you put it there?

*4; atheists don't have any faith; or at lest not in the religious sense.

On what basis do you eat clam chowder and yet hold homosexuality as sinful? Are you not admitting to being a hypocrite since the OT makes it clear that these "abominations" are equally offensive to god?

LadyAtheist said...

Jesus said "it's not what goes into your mouth that defiles you but what comes out," so I give Christians a pass on shellfish.

...as long as they follow all the rules about menstruation and the rest.

B.R. said...

Then Jesus is contradicting himself, what with the "every jot and tittle" passage that Christians pretend doesn't exist. How amusing.

LadyAtheist said...

True, but as a rabbi he was certainly aware that contradiction was a time-honored tradition of the holy book!

Sir Balderdash Poppycock III said...

LadyAtheist said...
"Sir Balderdash Poppycock, are you related to Prince Poppycock?"

Not to my knowledge.

Anyway ...

Once upon a time ...
there lived a group of people
who called themselves
Christians
who believed
that the highest goal
in life
was to get to heaven
and when they were asked:
'and then what',
they would say:
'to live happily ever after'

The End

GearHedEd said...

Bearing in mind that the Bible is supposed to be the "Holy Word of GOD", if we're free to discard any portion of the Bible, then we're free to discard the rest.

So Cherry-picking is institutional and dogmatic now?

Please.

LadyAtheist said...

Arrow, some of your posts are winding up in my Spam folder. Not my doing!

As for deleting your post, it was non-responsive and not conducive to discussion.

I'm all for free speech in the U.S. You can't be thrown in jail for what you say (with a few exceptions). That doesn't mean you can say whatever you want on someone's blog. If you were in my house and said the same thing I'd tell you to leave.

LadyAtheist said...

Cherry-picking has always been part of Christianity. They all do it and they all accuse everyone else of doing it.

It's almost a shame that the U.S. doesn't have Christianity as an official religion, because of course there would have to be an official branch, and then all the others would be a lot more vocal about each others' faults. It would be good for the LOLs

scum said...

Lady Atheist, here are my answers in the order you've asked them:

1. A lot. I can't specifically count.

2. I don't think the stories of the Bible are more valid. I don't know where you get that belief that we believe the Bible is more valid.

3. If I were Martian, I will examine them. Ask them for a debate.

4. Of course, I won't be a Christian if that can be proven. But it's already proven otherwise :-)

5. I believe what I believe because of the Bible

6. Of course not. What's the point of being a Christian, if you're going to hell anyway. Duh!

7. Because my denomination uses the Bible correctly and no other denomination has beaten us in debate. We have videos and transcripts to prove that.

8. Have I read? No. We don't have any scholarly theological literature. We only have the bible.

9. I think so because I remember I made a bible program where I had to literally type the words. When I was a kid I used to read the bible back to back. Maybe I would say most of it.

10. I know :-) You just have to read the new Testament and it will tell you which still applies and which aren't. Feel free to ask :-)

scrum said...

Have you gotten my answer or has it been deleted?

LadyAtheist said...

Sorry, scrum, your answer wound up in my spam folder somehow. I've published it :-)

LadyAtheist said...

Scrum, which denomination are you referring to?

scum said...

@LadyAtheist, I'm not sure if you've heard about us already. You can check our website at http://www.angdatingdaan.org/en/

scum said...

GearHedEd said "Bearing in mind that the Bible is supposed to be the "Holy Word of GOD","

Where in the world did you get that delusional idea? I'm a Christian but the Bible is not the Holy Word of God. No, it's not.

That's comical. Just read the bible and you will find Satan speaking.

The bible contains the words of God but it's not the Holy Word of God. The bible contains words from different beings.

If you're a real Christian, you will know this :-) I supposed our denomination is really different among other supposedly-Christian denominations.

Again, the bible is not the word of God!

LadyAtheist said...

Other Christians disagree:

http://www.believers.org/believe/bel191.htm

scum said...

Lady Atheist, ah so you're now basing your argument on other Christian's belief?

Then I would ask you then, if the bible is the word of God, how come I can read Satan's word in the bible? I can even read demons speaking to Jesus. Then it just means you're wrong. You misread it.

Now if you say you're just telling me what other Christians believe, then why are you basing your argument in other's belief. I thought you believe they're false and delusional?

So which side are you really in?

scum said...

Here's my question for you Lady Atheist:

Do you believe that the bible is the word of God?

To be fair, here's my answer: No. The bible is not the word of God.

That's a very simple question. You don't need to refer to other supposedly wannabe Christians. In fact you have your own eyes, we can read, search Google. I supposed you have read the famous SAB? I've read that.

LadyAtheist said...

I don't believe any of it is the word of any supernatural entity.

The fact that God is only one fictitious character that is quoted in this book of fairy tales goes without saying.

I am referring to the Christians who believe the Bible is the "Book" and the "Word" of God, as he has dictated that Satan's quotes be referenced.

I am not going to go to the trouble of picking apart your sect's views on the bible. I'm not really that interested. I live in the U.S. and we don't have a problem with people crucifying themselves. Our problem is with people who believe the Bible is 100% literally true. They are trying to dismantle our democracy and stall scientific progress.

FWIW they probably don't believe that you're a true Christian either.

Anonymous said...

Oh, goody! I love playing 20... er, 11 Questions!

Answers to:

#1. You know, I've lost count!

#2. Because, those other works are all similar in the respect that they are a works-based system, whereas the Christian faith teaches that man cannot absolve himself of sin... only God can do it for him.

#3. I would have blown the Earth to smithereens without ever having landed upon it. This world is an embarrassment to the universe, run by infidels and pagans like it is. Of course, the Christian God would probably stop me, thereby proving (over all of those other fakes) that He is Lord.

#4. No. I wouldn't be. If God had never existed, this world nor I would exist. Simple.

#5. I believe what I do in view of what the alternative is... that we are the products of chance (which is impossible) and are irrelevant. However, I refer you to Question #4 for the ultimate answer.

#6. I'm in hell, now... one of the infidel's making. That's why I want out. (Actually, the biblical definition of hell is "grave" and we all go there)

#7. I have no denominational inclination. I follow the Bible... period. That's all anyone needs to do.

#8. I've read all kinds of bullshit, including Darwin.

#9. Yep. Many times over. Can't you tell?

#10. There are no biblical inconsistencies. Neither are there many inconsistencies or deviations toward or from the infidel penchant for getting things fucked up and askew.

#11. NO part of the Bible can be "disregarded" by anyone calling themselves "Christian". That would be like an infidel questioning certain parts of "Origin of The Species"... uh... okay, that's a bad example. (We all know most infidels can't agree on three consecutive scientific points!) How about; we all know infidels couldn't be in disagreement that homosexuality and other perversions should be regarded as a legitimate, alternative lifestyle? Anti-theism and faggotry go together like a dick in an asshole!

That was fun! Please do more of these, LA!

LadyAtheist said...

Wow, you really are an idiot.

No inconsistencies? Why are there two versions of the Creation Story? Why are there two versions of the Flood story? Why are there two versions of the 10-ish commandments? Why are there two versions of the geneaology of Christ, and for that matter, if Christ is the literal son of god, why is his lineage traced through Joseph? How many people saw Christ's empty tomb? Why does Paul say it's okay for women to speak in church in one book then say it's not in another book?

You're not a very good Christian if you aren't familiar with these inconsistencies, or at least not very good at reading comprehension.

Or, you're an amateurish troll. Either way, I'm not impressed.

Anonymous said...

"Or, you're an amateurish troll. Either way, I'm not impressed."

Hey... you know how long it took me shining up my armor for this? Sheesh! Buy 'em dinner and a movie... then it's so-long, Charlie!

I repeat... there's no contradictions anywhere, only perceived ones by embittered, dysfunctional types that refuse to accept what's right in front of them.

There aren't two narratives of Genesis, it's simply the same text arranged as an overview followed with a more concise, in-depth account. The same with those others. (Other better-educated infidels never quoted all of those... you must be dragging bottom, here, girl!)

Christ, literally, is God. He's the God of the Old Testament. His incarnation is forever beyond your comprehension... even mine. Don't fret yourself worrying about it. Need a hug? C'mere... ;-)

And, only feminists take issue with ancient Jewish customs regarding women and their dress. They (feminists) have been proven unbalanced, long ago.

Seriously... you're going to read what you want into this, LA. You haven't the stones... uh... courage to accept the truth, especially with your fan club watching everything you say and do.

So... what do you want from me?

Unknown said...

Gideon, what planet are you living on mate, your arguments are no arguments at all. I propose that you do not really know your bible. I find it amazing that when presented with facts out of your own book you fail to see what is plainly there to see. Your ignorance amazes me! If I was religious I would pray for your soul, fortunately I am not! What a waste of space. I think Richard Dawkins was right, we have to treat your lot with contempt. The world would be a better place without you lot.

LadyAtheist said...

Note: I am giving Gideon the benefit of the doubt and treating him as a troll. His posts now go into my spam folder as soon as I see them, but I have left his first few posts for the LOLz

Billy Bilang said...

great questions, thanks for these! i'll have to memorize them to be ready for a "christian" discussion :)

billy

Anonymous said...

I know those comments are old. I am Christian and the last few comments lady atheist you were right to about what you said to Gideon.you seem like you read the bible but reading isn't enough you have to study it and live by and what comes out of your mouth or through a comment is what's in your heart. You sure weren't talking like a Christian or approaching the situation like you should.

And lady atheist may i ask I know many say atheism is not a religion and you say that but, I can see you believe strongly in what you do and isn't the deffinition of religion is a Belief as taught or discussed? So wouldn't that make it a religion?

LadyAtheist said...

Anonymous, why would somoene "have to" read the bible in a different way than one would read any other holy book. You imply that one has to have coming to a belief as the goal. Why would I want to believe the Bible? And why, if this is a requirement, are there so many serious Biblical scholars who became atheist through serious study? I suggest you read the comments of former pastors and seminarians to see why your suggestion is no guarantee of coming to a correct reading or belief. Check out John Loftus' blog ("Debunking Christianity" on my blogroll) or his books, Matt Dilahunty on The Atheist Experience cable call-in show videos, or Chatpilot of God is A Myth blog (also on my blogroll) or this 1959 book online: http://www.infidels.org/library/historical/vincent_runyon/left_ministry.html

As for whether atheism is a religion, the answer is no. By definition it is not believing in a deity (a- meaning 'not' and -theist meaning 'believer'). Religion is a set of beliefs that adherents must agree to. Atheists disagree about all kinds of things and there is no atheism catechism.

Anonymous said...

i do not mean to argue,but I dont believe you have to read it a certain way. what i ment was just like with any book your reading, like a history book you cant just read it you have to study. may i ask if you have ever been to church and if so what kind.

thank you for replying.Also i'm not as old as you might think i am, old enough to understand and make my own desissionsbut ,i ask if you could explain the last part about what you believe not being a religion alittle more? if you may.

LadyAtheist said...

I grew up in the Episcopal church and attended it weekly until about age 16. I tried a universalist church (not U-U) and an Episcopalian one in my 20s. Then I realized I just don't believe the supernatural exists. Without the supernatural religion is just a bunch of fairy tales.

The more I learn about the Bible the less I believe any of it. Check out some of my other posts for more details.

Cole Webb Harter said...

1) Several. I've studied Protestantism, Orthodoxy, my own Catholicism, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism (briefly), Hinduism (very briefly). I have a rudimentary knowledge of the LDS and Jehovah's Witnesses.

2) The stories of the Bible are written by, to, and for the Church. They have no validity outside the context of the Church. One does not start with the Bible. One accepts the Bible as they accept Christianity. "I would not believe the holy Gospels if it were not for the authority of the Holy Catholic Church" - St. Augustine of Hippo, Father and Doctor of the Church

3) I would do my homework, look at evidence, and see if the claims of any religions correspond to reality. I would also see if their beliefs are logically and internally consistent, and I would consider its effect on the history of the world.

4) I'm pretty sure it's impossible to prove a negative. I don't believe in absolute proof of anything (just reasonable conclusions), so the question is a little far-fetched.

5) I believe what I believe because I have studied, discovered what seems to be the truth, and conformed my beliefs accordingly.

6) Well, if Christianity is not useful for getting out of Hell, what the hell good is it?

7) I belong to the Catholic Church which is pre-denominational (the Orthodox Church is also pre-denominational). Denominations are a Protestant invention. That said, I believe Catholicism because it seems (from what I've studied) to accurately portray reality.

8) Yes, indeed.

9) I am loath to say I have not. I've read the entire New Testament and most of the Old Testament with the exception of a few of the minor Prophets. I am not a Sola Scripturist, however, and exhaustive knowledge of every line of Scripture is not really useful to my worldview.

10) Most of the time I find these inconsistencies turn out not to be anything of the kind. Other inconsistencies I do not feel the need to reconcile (for instance the lack of anyone for Cain to marry, the conflicting creation stories, the discontinuities between the Old Testament and New Testament God). Remember, the Scriptures can only be properly understood in the context of the Church, and you will find that Christianity is far more comfortable with paradox than any other religion in the world.

11) For as easy as this question is to answer, I find that many Christians have no idea what they are talking about when it comes to this issue. The Old Testament Law of Moses is obsolete for Christians. However, God's Law never changes. If a command is a legal requirement of the law (circumcision, abstention from pork, prohibition of international marriage, etc.) it is not binding on Christians. If its is a moral commandment (thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, so on and so forth) it is an unchanging component of the eternal order and is binding on EVERYONE, not just Christians and Jews.

Anonymous said...

I don't know if I still have the right to reply as I see its been a while from the last post but why not try. My name is Sally and I'm a muslim but I was like why not try to reply anyway.

I studied the bible, the Quran as I know some atheist' statements.

I'll reply like if you asked about the Quran instead of the Bible; there are no contradiction in my holy book as it talk about many scientific fact that were only proven recently. Try to listen to a Quran in arabic then try to read and understand it or you know what, just visit a mosque and see what they do there. If anyone ask what you're doing tell them you're just watching. And by yourself you'll reply to this question.

As a Marian I'll totally believe, first, in the existence of God and you know why because not only the Martain is creation too but also in the journey of the universe I'd see a perfection no other than a great being can create and then, with this knowledge, I'll look for that religion that can only, with valid facts, be the God's word.-- at first, I thought this is a stupid question and I wanted to write that there're no Martians but in movies but I needed to put myself in your shoes and see things from your eyes.

There would never be a proof like that, if you studied Islam, you'll know what I'm talking about :-)
Because there is nothing better than what I believe.
I would be doing my hardest to change my fate.
I'm not ignorant. I study and search for the truth.

Yes, I did.

I read more words from the Bible than Christians and I read the Quran but not completely. I prefer to put on a channel where they read it and listen to them reading it from A to Z. Sometimes, I listen to it daily.

As one who already studied the bible, I totally agree on it corruption and I can make any Christian speechless with what I have.

I'll ignore this question as it only concern Christians. There is only one Quran and it was never changed. Wrote in Arabic more than 1400 ago and still the same.

sayure said...

It's still me, Sally, and I say it's my turn to prove there is God.

how to prove these manifest attributes? In fact, a negative answer to each of the following queries would give the proof!

You can follow these arguments:

Initiation: Could one argue with the ability of God alone to initiate every bit of matter? Or could matter create itself from nothing, or come to existence by an infinitesimally probable chance? Determination: Could chance alone produce such overwhelming diversity of chemical structures, biological species, and humankind? Could the diversity of the chemical elements in the periodic table, composed of the same subatomic particles, be the result of electrons, protons, and neutrons deciding for themselves to arrange these ways? From these elements, could the vast chemical and biochemical ones emerge by chaotic hits of chance?
Design: Could one believe that each and every of the multitude of life systems would decide to function the unique and complex fashions they do, fashions that are much more complex and more precise than huge modern chemical plants? Could the unique genetic "software" implanted in each living cell be self-invented by the components of their DNAs?
Harmony: Could the overall ecological balance between the biota, atmosphere, earth, and sea — which maintains biological diversity and environmental sustainability — be the product of nature's global "self-accord"?
Sustenance: Could physical matter, at any level of complexity, deviate from the laws governing and maintaining its existence, properties, and behavior?

As the rational answer to each of these five questions is a definite NO, then the inevitable clear truth emerges: This universe could only be the creation of One Initiator God, by His determination, according to His super design, such as to follow His laws, and to collectively function in harmony according to a single sustained pattern, with no single deviation or disparity.

This same rationale that tells about the One Ever-Living Creator, Who is Ever-Sustainer and Hegemonic over all creation, similarly refutes those baseless illusions regarding polytheistic gods, whether they were imagined by primitive man or invented by philosophers, all alike.

Throughout history, polytheism took several forms: from the primitive idol gods of ancient Egypt and Greece, to the present Christian and Hindu trinities, which are regarded as polytheism by Islam. They all fell into the same problem. In other words, the transcendental nature of the Divine in Islam does not accept any other nature of this Divine. Monotheism in Islam means the One and Only God. He is not only one in number, but also in nature. And it is against His monotheistic entity to have Him reflected through different or variable natures, as takes place with other religions.

In his renowned 2001 book, The Hidden Face of God – How Science Reveals the Ultimate Truth, Gerald Schroeder admits that "a single consciousness, a universal wisdom, pervades the universe. … All existence is the experience of this wisdom." He adds that "every particle, every being, from atom to human, appears to represent a level of information, of wisdom." To find an answer to the puzzle from where this information arises, Schroeder concludes that "wisdom, information, and an idea, is the link between the metaphysical creating force and the physical creation. It is the 'hidden' face of God."

It took the atheists 14 centuries to rediscover (not discover) these basic facts — facts that the Qur'an, the eternal word of God, has so repeatedly declared and manifestly expounded. Please go back to the Noble Qur'an and read it. You will find endless verses explaining and emphasizing what was mentioned above.

Sayure@live.fr => in case you want to comment on my reply or want to challenge my knowledge.

Anonymous said...

why do we wear clothes? why do we go to school? why do we work? why do we need entertainment? why do we have desires? why is there love and hate? why am i typing on my iPhone? why do some people make more money than others? why are we different colors? why do we kill? why do we get grey hair? why do we not want to die? why did we go to space? why do we laugh? why do we cry? why do we speak different languages? why do we get aroused? why do we get angry? why do we exist? why are mosquitoes here? why do birds fly? why do we sleep? why do we die? why is there disease? why is one homeless and another sheltered? why does water freeze? why does it snow? why is fire hot? .......so so many questions, so little gods to answer

Anonymous said...

I'm a Christian
I have a question for you. if you believe there is not an afterlife why does it matter what Christians think its not like we will go some evolution hell for not believing in atheism the worst that will happen is that we will be right

Anonymous said...

It is true that some people label themselves Christian because of cultural pressure, but I believe what I believe because I've seen and experienced things I can't believe. The most powerful evidence but probably the least provable. All I know is that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore, so the same way he revealed himself to me, he can to youjust gotta be willing to humble ourselves.

LadyAtheist said...

Anonymous, how do you know it's not just a feeling in your brain that *seems* to be coming from outside of yourself but really isn't? Neurologists have shown that the right parietal lobe plays a role in religious experience.

Anonymous said...

Ok. Can someone tell me what "mistakes" in the Bible you are referring too?

LadyAtheist said...

There are two versions of the creation story - one of them has to be wrong, right? There are two different genealogies for Christ. One has to be wrong, or perhaps both are, since he was supposedly the spawn of the Holy Ghost and not of Joseph, whose genealogy it is. There are three different versions of the empty tomb story. How can they all be "correct?"

There are thousands of mistakes, that people who know the bible well will readily acknowledge. Only a literalist who hasn't really read it will claim it is perfect.

For more, check out the Skeptic's Annotated Bible: http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/

Dae said...

Hi, I would like to take a stab at these questions and because I don't want to further add to the non-sense I will come back to some. You ask some good questions and some make me want to do more research, and hey anything that gets me to dig deeper and engulf myself in the word, is alright with me. Now;

1&2. all talk about a life on this earth and life after death. Some mention there is nothing, some mention a heaven like place but non really mention a savior like Jesus Christ. But I'm going to stop there because I am not 100% sure about all the other religions, I guess when you hear the truth you stop there.
3. If I was a Martian I would decide through pain and suffering. No matter if you believe in God or not, in pain in suffering we all mention Jesus Christ. Martian would see that either these people call on Jesus Christ for help or they are mad because he hasn't helped-Who is this Jesus Christ? And the answer will come he's an awesome GOD
4. First we both have to agree on what would be considered definitive proof. Furthermore, If GOD didn't exist would the option for Christianity exist in this question? Also, I need to know what kind of proof we are talking about because EVERYTHING even an Ideal has a creator-someone who made it. So if the proof itself comes from a source that no-one could explain than I would still be a Christian. If the proof came by the way of a person, I would want to know who made that person, and if that can't be explain I would still turn back to GOD
5. I have an answer of why I believe what I believe, but it is more about my perceptions of my experience in life and things I have learned. However because it's my opinion it remains debatable. So I will get back to you with bible relate-able tie-ins.
6. If I thought I was going to hell I would ask Jesus Christ to forgive me for my sins and accept him as my Lord and Savior. In other words I would become a Christian. Because the reality of the situation is If I'm 100% going to hell I probably have heard about Jesus Christ and rejected him.
The next few questions are a re-state of questions 1, 2 and 5. Yet I have not read every word of the Bible, but the good thing is GOD already knows. See we all think we have something to hide, so most people only show a certain side of themselves to certain people, but with GOD the pressure's off. Yes he has rules and desires for you but with free will he has no need to judge. Don't you have rules for your house and family or didn't you have...

Well this was fun. I can't wait to hear your response and thanks for the friendly debate.

Dae