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The Bible isn’t considered historically accurate, as a whole; it was written decades or centuries after the fact. Its influences into every aspect of human culture is relative to guidance about how people should live their lives in the way ‘God’ would want them to. Some types of biblical hermeneutics, such as literal translation, are widely accepted; in other words, I find it fascinating its (harmful) influence is so great it has an atheist regularly quoting it to ‘support claims’ (per another thread).
Naturally, many christians say it is a history book and/or the word of god.
What history book is not expected to support its claims?
The Bible isn’t considered historically accurate, as a whole; it was written decades or centuries after the fact. Its influences into every aspect of human culture is relative to guidance about how people should live their lives in the way ‘God’ would want them to. Some types of biblical hermeneutics, such as literal translation, are widely accepted; in other words, I find it fascinating its (harmful) influence is so great it has an atheist regularly quoting it to ‘support claims’ (per another thread).
Ignoring the '(harmful) influence' straw man (people refute false claims whether they are harmful or not), when Christians make claims about what the Bible teaches, what do you want us to use to refute those claims?
Naturally, many christians say it is a history book and/or the word of god.
What history book is not expected to support its claims?
The Bible isn’t a ‘history book’; historians look for archeological evidence as better sources of historical events. Hence, while many Christians may not accept this, I find it fascinating an atheist would regularly quote or reference it to (ironically) fight what they don’t believe in anyway. You’re essentially/illogically using (what is considered to be) ‘God’s word’ to support a claim.
The Bible isn’t a ‘history book’; historians look for archeological evidence as better sources of historical events. Hence, while many Christians may not accept this, I find it fascinating an atheist would regularly quote or reference it to (ironically) fight what they don’t believe in anyway. You’re essentially/illogically using (what is considered to be) ‘God’s word’ to support a claim.
PAY ATTENTION. I didn't say it was. I said many christians consider it to be a history book.
The Bible isn’t a ‘history book’; historians look for archeological evidence as better sources of historical events. Hence, while many Christians may not accept this, I find it fascinating an atheist would regularly quote or reference it to (ironically) fight what they don’t believe in anyway. You’re essentially/illogically using (what is considered to be) ‘God’s word’ to support a claim.
You find what specifically fascinating? Got an example?
It all depends on what I'm debating. If I'm debating about what the bible says (or doesn't), then I need to open it up and read it just like the other person does. As that is what we are debating.
Likewise, if we're debating about the existence (evidence of, or whether the existence of is even possible), of the God of the bible, then we must use the bible as our reference which describes the character.
You find what specifically fascinating? Got an example?
It all depends on what I'm debating. If I'm debating about what the bible says (or doesn't), then I need to open it up and read it just like the other person does. As that is what we are debating.
Likewise, if we're debating about the existence (evidence of, or whether the existence of is even possible), of the God of the bible, then we must use the bible as our reference which describes the character.
That an atheist would use the Bible as a point of reference to make a claim and/or regularly quote it, as they (should) know it’s neither historically accurate nor the ‘word of God’. From my perspective, it’s hilariously hypocritical to believe the Bible has no relevance/applicability while regularly using it as a source.
What I think a lot of theists don't understand is that those of us who are atheists are, hopefully, as you express, open-minded. If and when evidence convinces me that there is a god, then I'll become a theist or a deist. But babbling on about the same old same old that I've heard since I was 8 is not going to do it.
That an atheist would use the Bible as a point of reference to make a claim and/or regularly quote it, as they (should) know it’s neither historically accurate nor the ‘word of God’. From my perspective, it’s hilariously hypocritical to believe the Bible has no relevance/applicability while regularly using it as a source.
I haven’t seen any atheist here quote the Bible as either of those things. Many religious people do not view the Bible as the literal word of God or believe that its scripture should be followed word-for-word.
The Bible, like all religious texts, is a work of literature. Like other religious literature, it was probably written in phases by many different people. Bits and pieces may have been true in the broadest and most apocryphal sense. Most characters and events are probably amalgamations of multiple people and events, some real and many imagined. Much of it is completely made up.
That doesn’t mean non-believers, atheists and otherwise, can’t find it interesting or worthy of study. There was a Bible as Literature course at my university that people of all religious (and non-religious) stripes found interesting. I didn’t take it because I’m not especially interested in Biblical stories, but that’s no reason for me to look down upon or question the bona fides of other atheists who may feel differently.
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