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It is possible to know the textual content without having any understanding of it's meaning. If you can't even explain why the stories have endured and been believed for so long, then you have no real understanding. The understanding is only superficial, and most of the atheist views on the Bible that I've seen would be laughed out of a high school religious studies class.
Since you claim to have a deep understanding of the Bible how about answering a direct question. Is God fully omnipotent and omniscient... or does God make mistakes?
Hi monumentus,
'An atheist on a discussion and debate forum knowing the content of the bible should be no more
surprising than a man in a pub knowing the names of the whiskys. '
Good one.
But, I would say, I would be surprised if a non drinker knew all the names of the whiskeys.
As an ex-drinker, and now prohibitionist, perhaps they would.
George Carlin said that at the Catholic school he attended, the Priests went out of their way to encourage critical thinking. The result was that Carlin and many of the other students became atheists.
My schools were the opposite, punishing independent thinking and discouraging any questioning because questioning was a sign of weak faith.
Most amusing sir. But what ought to be the reason for being Theist or not is where the evidence points, not to which side can play the best lawyer -tricks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LuminousTruth
As an ex-drinker, and now prohibitionist, perhaps they would.
A good metaphor. And the point is one that has been made in a jibe by one "Nephilim" that anyone can look up stuff online. This is true, just as someone writing about drink (for or against) can, at need, look up names of whiskies, where they are made and what their merits are online. We no longer have to know it all to argue competently.
A classroom of preschool children might laugh at an adult sometimes. That doesn't mean they know more than the adult. When it comes to the Bible, I see atheists discussing it as a group of children at play.
I'm reminded forcibly of Venomfang's 'Materialist scientists are like kids playing in a sandbox - not very intelligent' argument being destroyed by Thunderfoot . I'll try to find the "Mustwatch" video as it is a very common 'appeal to unknowns' apologetic. Sneering at those who actually come up with the better answers 95% is infantile, not the ones coming up with the best arguments.
What is even more ironic (But indeed, nothing to chuckle about) are the Believers who try to claim the benefits of science for religion because people who did scientific work (not religious work, which is refuted by research, not validated) often happened to have religious beliefs.
Last edited by TRANSPONDER; 11-28-2018 at 11:45 AM..
Somewhere in the last day or so, and I'm not about to invest time searching for it, Ozzy gave us a short summary of why he believes. I can sum it up with a sentence...."There must be a creator, look at all this stuff."
That apparently represents the depths to which he is willing to explore. The obvious questions and counter arguments have been presented to Ozzy numerous times, but rather than even consider any conflicting position, Ozzy changes the subject or fails to respond at all.
This has been the unchanging dynamic with him for a considerable length of time so it becomes increasingly harder to justify bothering with him.
Somewhere in the last day or so, and I'm not about to invest time searching for it, Ozzy gave us a short summary of why he believes. I can sum it up with a sentence...."There must be a creator, look at all this stuff."
That apparently represents the depths to which he is willing to explore. The obvious questions and counter arguments have been presented to Ozzy numerous times, but rather than even consider any conflicting position, Ozzy changes the subject or fails to respond at all.
This has been the unchanging dynamic with him for a considerable length of time so it becomes increasingly harder to justify bothering with him.
There's another dynamic to what would otherwise make Ozzy an 'irreligious Theist' (Aka Agnostic) and thus someone who COULD put himself down as a "None" and be in fact, on the atheist side rather that swiping at us all the time.
That dynamic is a very familiar one and comes in three sizes.
Ozzy size - an attachment to the Bible and religion they no longer believe and try to validate it through the "Bible has Good Things in" - it is important for a way to live or just a foundation of western culture.
The Bulmabrief size - belief in First -cause -god and feeling the need to reinforce this belief (often fielding I/D arguments) by selling it to atheists and taking it as a personal affront when we don't buy it.
The Arach size - those who detest "New" atheism for non -religious reasons. Dislike of left wing liberalism, usually. I remember clicking on a vid 'reasons to reject atheism'. First one 'Atheism is in favor of Big Government'. Unclick. What a crummy argument! But some do begin with that dynamic. They see us as a threat to the way of life they like.
Last edited by TRANSPONDER; 11-28-2018 at 12:46 PM..
Somewhere in the last day or so, and I'm not about to invest time searching for it, Ozzy gave us a short summary of why he believes. I can sum it up with a sentence...."There must be a creator, look at all this stuff."
That apparently represents the depths to which he is willing to explore. The obvious questions and counter arguments have been presented to Ozzy numerous times, but rather than even consider any conflicting position, Ozzy changes the subject or fails to respond at all.
This has been the unchanging dynamic with him for a considerable length of time so it becomes increasingly harder to justify bothering with him.
There is no justification unless we look at ourselves and ask why we keep getting sucked in
Sort of like slowing down to look at a bad traffic accident. There's some morbid curiosity factor or we're just masochists
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