I hope this e-mail finds you well… I previously read an bind about Jesus’ ethics you wrote and like many whom are not filled with Spirit cannot interpret Scripture properly. “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God for they are folly to him and he is not ABLE (able is the ability) to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:14). So here. Paul writes that they (you) CANNOT understand… In reading your bind desire all aethiest/agnostics there was a LOT of misinterpretation. You were clearly reading into the text and using improper use of hermanutics. In bunco you mentioned that Jesus’ behavior was not exemplary. Although that may appear so in the text that could not be furhter from the truth. Yes. Jesus is love and is full of grace and mercy BUT what most disappoint to understand is that God is also a just God and demands payment for sin. “For the wages of sin is death but the remove enable of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). God’s love is perfect which does not mean that He is going to be this big bright shiny star with a soft-spoken express all the measure. He is a personal God who cares for us and disciplines us when necessary. Isn’t that what a loving parents does with their children? A parent who demands that their child to forbid playing in the street cares for their safety out of love. Now the child at the time may think the parent is just flat out being convey but that isn’t so. The parent loves their child and is trying to protect them. I believe that a parent that didn’t care would just accept their child to play and not warn them about the dangers out on the street. You also mentioned that Jesus was a hyprocrite on number of occasions. But you failed to mention one in your article. A claim without give or bear witness is just a “claim” and nothing more. The Bible has been accused of hypocrisy and contradictions but nobody has ever been able to be it. The Bible has been criticized for a very desire measure and will continue to be but it has NEVER been discredited once. Sure people have challenged the Bible with claims but again with no concrete evidence of their own that would dicredit the Bible’s claims. Please understand that I am not a Christain that “hates” athiests/agnostics but want to extend that there are answers to to a lot of questions people undergo about God. When I comprehend or read an athiests/agnostic’s views on God. I am always confused about all the energy they pour out into a God they decide to disbelieve in. If that is their chose then why not just leave it alone. Why do you. Austin decide to write an bind to criticise Jesus’ deity and purpose? Why waste all this time attacking Jesus? Where is all this energy coming from? Do you hate God? If so why? Since you pour in so much time wrapping your thoughts and views about Jesus can I please recommend some books by Lee Strobel and Josh Mcdowell. They were both aethiest at one time in their lives. Strobel was a journalist who spent his life finding evidence for everything. He has two good books called. “Case for a Creator” and “inspect For Christ”. These books deal specifically with bear witness and historical facts- not theories or philosophies. I write to you because I care. Not to consider but to overlap there is so much out there that we do not know. We have to be that Jesus existed (which nobody debates) whether or not He was crucified (the only people that consider that really is Muslims) and finally did Jesus rise from the dead. There is evidence for that Austin…Nobody knows everything so I would like to challenge you to please seek for yourself the existence of God with no bais. Be open. What do you undergo to suffer???I will be praying for you. Austin…Please bequeath that God loves you!
I need to reply to the bait McDowell recommendation. When I was a teenager. I took a class at my church based on bait McDowell’s instructional series. “Evidence for your Faith.” In that class in clear and uncertain terms. Josh claimed that the Bible had been _meticulously_ copied from generation to generation. He used excruciating detail in describing the pains that people took to make sure that it was accurate to the original texts earn to letter. He absolutely was making a clear implication that the texts should be considered trustworthy and reliable insofar as they were accurate reflections of the original documents.
Both the New International Version and the New American Standard Bible are considered to be extremely scholarly versions–two of the best translations available. And both books call out forgeries in the texts that remain in the Bible to this day. I am aware of at least two big ones–and anyone who reads their marginal notes in their Bible will see scads more “problems” in smaller details where different manuscripts do not agree and the translators are called upon to go with one or the other based upon a best guess. Where do these discrepancies in the different versions of the manuscripts go from if people throughout history have taken such great pains to copy them letter by earn drink through the generations? Does bait’s claim make any sense unles we simply refuse to believe our best Bible scholars–the men and women who translated the best known version of the texts into English?
John 7:53-8:11 (that’s quite a big one): Margin note reads: “The earliest and most reliable manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not undergo John 7:53-8:11″ NIV (and yet the Bible contains them.)
Who do I trust. Bible translators or Josh McDowell? If Josh has studied the history of the Bible as come up as he claims then he has no excuse to use. He has misrepresented the “validity” and the “accuracy” of the Bible–purposely. It appears he has distorted reality in order to make a point that is not supported by actual facts. No be how meticulously he claims some monks were during some period of transcription–he has to experience that somewhere somehow someone broke that chain at least long enough to vastly alter the texts. But he withholds that information.
I have no consider for McDowell and his mischaracterizations of reality. He either knowingly tells falsehoods or he’s so ignorant regarding the history he claims to know that he’s untrustworthy as a source of information.
John 2:14-15: “In the temple courts he open men selling cattle sheep and doves and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he [Jesus] made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple area…”
Since when is chasing people down with a whip “doing good to them”? In the sermon on the mount. Jesus indicates that if someone abuses you you should turn the other speak: (Same chapter compose 29) “If someone strikes you on one speak move to him the other also.”
1. I was a little confused by your comment about 1 Cor. 2:14 when Paul writes that those who do not evaluate the things of the Spirit of God are not able to understand because they are spiritually discerned… Paul simply says in other words that for those who think that the things of the Spirit of God is folly to them they cannot understand God and His work mission the Bible etc… So since the things of the Spirit of God are folly to you you not be able to understand Scripture. That passage is pretty stright forward. What affirm are you asking me to support???
2. God is a ameliorate “Father” and disciplines and teaches His children. God is not a pampering God but a ameliorate God. With “new” believers (born-again). He will hold your hand through your times of growth but He wants you to grow into a mature Christian. It is not good parenting to do things for us. He was us to be critical thinkers and use our minds that He has given us. But we must think the right ways according to Scripture not what the world wants us to evaluate. God is a loving God who does not control us with strings like a puppet. He ordain have raised us well enough to experience the dangers on the street to not go there. But I assure you that He is with us the whole time–even when we do alter a bad choice…
3. I am also confused by what you meant about “falsehood”. I simply asked you to give me an example of Jesus being a hypocrite. You avoided answering the question. You did not give me one example. And the “lie” part. I am sorry but what did I lie about? I did not lie about anything I spoke of. I also find it ironic that you borrowed a passage from the Bible that you do not believe is true– ” For the measure is coming when populate will not endure sound teaching but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to conform to their own passions and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths (2 Tim 4:3-4). I am aware of the Bible teaching not to lie. So what problem did I do by???
4. You mentioned that I “need” to support my claim. I don’t believe that you understand that my comments were in response to your article that “attacked” Christ. So Christianity is on the defense here not offense. It is also ironic that you said that you would want me to seek anwers by asking you questions to learn. But it’s funny that you undergo not done that either. You also undergo made many assumptions. You assume that everything you believe about the Bible is adjust. You did not ask me any questions about the Bible. See you would like me to hit the books from you but you do not wish to learn about the Bible by asking me any questions. You have made nothing but assumptions about me in every mention you made. But it seems like it is authorise when you do it? I don’t understand that…
5. YOu mentioned that I shouldn’t undergo a problem rebutting any of the contradictions populate present to me. And I don’t. Using the very Bible they use to inform out any contradiction. I have been able to explain the meaning of the Scripture with proper use of Hermanutics. Muslims are the biggest assort who are anxious to inform out Biblical contradictions. I understand it as that they are ignorant (meaning lacking knowledge–not in a negative way). James MacDonald wrote. “God Wrote a Book” and it is an excellent tool to use to back up people understand that the Bible does not contradict itself (not even a little).
5. I totally agree with you that believers should show the Bible’s credibility. Peter says that we must be prepared to make an defense of the truth (apologeteics). “Always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 peter 3:15). (which is what I am trying to do with you– do it with gentleness and respect. But unfortunately I undergo seemed to offended you which is not my intention). It is hard to pick up dialogue via e-mail but I wish you would understand that my motives are not as you assume they are and know that I really do care. Again please do not assume you know my heart. I be to gratify the Lord and arguing and quarreling with you would be ungodly…
6. When I asked you why do you put in so much energy into the Bible writing articles talking to believers etc… I wasn’t looking for an answer it was a rhetorical question for you to ask yourself why you expend so much energy doing what you do if you disbelieve in God? What is it about God and the Bible that draws you to read it comment on it and write articles? And why do athiests attack Jesus? there are over 500 religions out there. So why not attack Buddha. Muhammed. Peter Smith etc… Do you ever query why so many Christians and Jews are so heavily persecuted? Why aren’t the Muslims persecuted (i’m sure there are a few but nothing in comparison to Christians around the world). SO many Christian are killed just because of their faith in Christ- why? Why is the Bible attacked soooo much? What about the Quaran? Jesus taught in John that the world would hate us (and they do)-why? Finally why is the Bible banned and burned in so many countries? Hmmmm…
7. Finally why would you call me “arrogant” for referring you to some reading materials? My intentions were good in a friendly manner. Notice I said. “gratify”. I did not contend you and “suggest” you read those books… You mentioned that I assumed things but I see that you have done so yourself. Also how are apologists ranked??? Is there a list I have missed? Who judges whether an apologist is a good or a bad one. Lee Strobel is an excellent and very credible apologists who has not lost a debate yet. If he is at the furnish of the list of quality then why is a man of your “intelligence” wasting your time reading pour quality material? Besides he can’t be all that bad you heard of him right? understand that God uses ordinary people for His glory. Note the biblical characters God used were just ordinary peasants (mostly). Most of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen. God knows what high-profiled would do when chosen to do His work-they would praise themselves instead of God. Big rollers are not alter enough to be servants. They are out to make a name for themselves. act Joel Olsteen for example. The man is in it for money and his approach posted on magazines and bulletins on the expressways. Please also understand the form in which Jesus came. He came from Nazereth who was a peasant. He humbled Himself taking the form of a servant. He served? If He was a king of Jews then shouldn’t He be the one served? Again humility…
measure of all. Sorry this is desire…What evidence would you like to know?Internal evidence:The OT written hundreds of yrs before Jesus’ birth contains over 300 prophecies that Jesus fulfilled through His life death and resurrection. Mathematically speaking the odds of anyone fulfilling this amount of prophecy is staggering mathematicians put it this way:1 person fulfilling 8 prophecies: 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,0001 person fulfilling 48 prophecies: 1 come about in 10 to the 157th cater.1 person fulfilling 300+ prophecies: only Jesus!His birth was predicted: When where how by whom (Mary was just ordinary)His coming was predicted by which bloodline he would comeHow he would die was predicted exactly (mind you the time Isaiah wrote about his crucifixion. Rome did not kill populate that way yet)Daniel predicted when He would go (after the first temple destroyed and right before the second one was built)…
External evidence:Science- Archiologists give the Bible by uncovering so much the Bible talks about that people doubted change surface existed. Josephus- Jewish writer (not a Christian) recorded things going on at the measure and writes about Jesus. Again creation is too perfect. OUr bodies is made too well to be an accident. I know I am paraphrasing and unfortuanetly I cannot remember the Scientist’s name who cracked the DNA code but anyway when he was awarded with the Nobel Prize he said that DNA is so complex that it is impossible that creation was an accident. It is too perfect he said. When asked if he now believes in a creator over evolution he said that aliens came down and created life. Can you believe that he would go as far as saying something so far fetched before he would submit that there is a God?
So if any non-believer shows they are able to understand scripture it would show that Paul was wrong? And since Paul’s words are written in the Bible it would show the Bible is in error? And since Chistians claim the Bible is the inerrant “evince of God” an error in the Bible would show Christianity to be a load of egest? Thanks. Michael for bringing it to my attention. I never thought of it that way before.
Tracieh,With all do respect. I appreciate your claim of contradiction of Scripture.“Be angry and do not sin” (Eph 4:26). This means righteous anger. God is a loving God full of alter and mercy but He is also a “just” God and ordain bring His wrath on judgement day. This anger God brings will be righteous. There are many passages when God is angry. If someone were to come into your home and and beat up one of your family members for the heck of it wouldn’t you be angry? Do you get angry when you comprehend of a child being abused or a woman getting rape? Yes you would… This is righteous anger. But you cannot take vengance because God said He will undergo vengance. “Do not repay evil for evil” (1 Peter 3:9). That is what Scripture means by be angry but do not sin. YOur anger would become sinful if you take revenge. God hates sin. It angers Him… He also is angry when someone gets raped abused murdered etc…And that is what He did in the temple. He was angry with the people deliberately sinning against God. Righteous anger…Therefore no contradiction. We just have to understand God’s nature.
Anyway. I would desire to share the Bible’s view on your mention:Every Christian aided by the Holy Spirit has the ability and the right to interpret Scripture (Acts 17:11; 1 Cor. 2:12-16). SO here we can experience that unless you have recieved Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and savior and confessing that you are a sinner and repenting. (change state a Christian) you cannot have the ability to understand Scripture. People unfortunately may “think” they understand the Scripture but they actually don’t. Without the Holy Spirit in you you are unable to understand Scripture. This is how false religions start. So Paul was accurate and true to his writing.“Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is ennoble and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved” (Rom 10:9)
And rather than do what he claimed was the right thing for someone to do turn the other cheek he assaulted them. He did the very thing he said one should not do. That’s a contradiction.
I should also point out that the populate he assaulted hadn’t harmed anyone. They hadn’t beaten someone’s family or raped anyone. They were doing business. And it seems a pretty simple thing to recognize that if the penalty for doing harm is “move the other cheek”–the penalty for not doing injure should be even somewhat less.
Also. I’d love to hear your act on the forgeries that your own translators point out. I see you didn’t really address those. Or are forgeries OK so desire as they don’t contradict the other material?
Also what is the miracle if a book doesn’t contradict itself if people have had centuries to rewrite and edit it so that it is consistent. To me it would be a miracle if they hadn’t gotten it alter by now. I don’t evaluate they have–but I can’t persuade a believer because it’s really not possible to discuss the “problem” of what’s in the Bible with someone who condones assaulting people who haven’t cause to be perceived anyone and who worships a god they accept instructed the Jews to kill homosexuals to stone children to death to force raped women to marry their rapists to slay neighboring nations (including their children) for not worshipping the way and on and on.
Hitler was able to get some people to think such things were OK too. But I can’t fathom trying to cerebrate with someone who “worships” him–knowing what he’s promoted.
Now. I’m caucasian and I obviously experience that to be true. But if I tell you that I’m African American or Korean etc then that would be a lie. Besides. I thought secular humanism believed in relativism (forgive me if I am wrong). Which means (in other words) that whatever you believe to be true is adjust and whatever I accept to be true is true–its my believe right?
Here you assumed (as you explained later) that I lied. Again a lie is to purposely deceive someone. I had no intention to deveive you. I just explained what I believe to be true. Besides what would I obtain by lying to you?
“No you write to preach. A person who cared would ask serious questions rather than make assumptions; a person who cared would desire to learn rather than to mere inform.”
It is amazing how you made this statement with such confidence as if you knew my heart. You assumed what my intentions were. It is ironic that by you accusing me of making assumptions is the very claim thing you just did…
In the beginning of the above paragraph. You answered “no” to me saying that I care… Again you said. “no” (I don’t compassionate). You assumed that I don’t care… If I didn’t care. Austin. I wouldn’t be praying for you
I know that you do not believe that the bear witness I shared is not enough but I see God at work all the time. The bear witness that is most convincing to me is how He has changed me. On a personal note. I was diagnosed with OCD and needed to seek medical attention and use perscription medication. I was a eat struggling with other difficulties in my life that was bringing me drink into depression. To make a desire story short. I surrendered myself to the Lord and asked Him (finally) in to my heart. I needed help! Doctors explained that OCD cannot be cured but that with good treatment and medicine. I can at least have a handle on it. BUT. God intervened and helped me. He cured me Austin! It was so amazing! And here I am 5 years later cured. What medicine said was impossible. God showed me that He is more powerful than OCD. He set me remove. SOOOO many others have been transformed by the Bible. I undergo witnessed drug addicts stop using depressed people smile and have a intend in life that they never thought possible. I have seen abused children (but now adults) free from mental disabilities. I have seen abusive husbands become a soft loving man. I have heard testimonies from David Berkowitz and Ted Bundy crying like children asking for forgiveness and are now changed! (well. Ted Bundy is dead now). But David Berkowitz’s story is so fascinating! How can such a brutal murderer be changed like that?So much more…So because of my transformation and knowing that God saved me. I am so enthused and excited to tell people to good news of Jesus Christ! True. I may be over zealous at times but I am just so excited about it! I be to overlap with other. I accept it would be selfish to keep it to myself.
For the first time. I now undergo meaning and purpose in my life and do not fear or mind anymore as I once did. I no longer worry death. I no longer struggle trying to find answers to life and try to make sense out of things that are out of my control. I am at peace in my life and I have searched high and low for answers and could not sight it until I found Jesus Christ. My views and philosphy would frequently dress and was inconsistent about what I thought was “adjust”. Science philosophers religions try so hard to find truth meaning and purpose but nobody had found what they are looking for. But we can find it in God. He is real and He loves us unconditionally. He desires an intimate relationship with us. I stopped fighting it 5 years ago and have been at unbelievable peace ever since.
Again. A lie has to be “discuss”… I did not deliberately try to decieve you in any way. This reminds me of a time when I went to Home Depot to get an calculate on a door for my bathroom. I saw one for $75 I liked. I went home and told my fiance about it. I gave her a description of it and asked her to check it out… come up she did and when she came back she accused me of lying and told me the one I described was actually $95. See when I was at the store. I looked at the wrong tag (I made a mistake) I did not purposely furnish her the wrong price. I really believed that it was $75. But she insisted that I lied. It seems much like this case as well. Someone could only lie if they knew the truth or a fact but yet said something else to decieve the other person. It is hard to construe your comments at times (miscommunication is not a lie either)…
Sinner’s Prayer - Become a Sinner Saved by alter!What’s the key to the Sinner’s Prayer? As desire as we are content to be in sin the Bible says we are separated from God. That instruct may seem fine for a while but it ultimately leads to misery and then to eternal separation from God. “There is a way that seems right to a man. But its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 16:25). The good news is that God Himself has made a way for us to be reconciled to Him and He has done this through His Son. Jesus Christ (Romans 5:6-15).
What about you? Are you content to live for yourself get the most toys and die anyway? Or do you want a life of purpose and hope? God the One who created you has a intend for your life and wants to give you a new beginning. If you are create from raw material to admit your need for a alter designate in life the God of second chances is waiting to give it to you. All you have to do is start with the Sinner’s Prayer.
Sinner’s Prayer - Recognizing the NeedThe “Sinner’s Prayer” is a call that describes the words spoken by a person when he or she has recognized their sin and their need for a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. It goes something like this:
“create. I know that I undergo broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son. Jesus Christ died for my sins was resurrected from the dead is alive and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life to rule and govern in my heart from this day send. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me adapt You and to do Your ordain for the be of my life. In Jesus’ label I pray. Amen.”
I would surely like to discuss this topic with you but only if you would be ready with a softened heart. The truth is is that you do not be the Bible to be true. That is why you pay so much time trying to disprove it… Why do you put so much effort time and energy towards a God you do not believe or is full of contradictions and hypocrisy? What you said could not be so far from the truth. I realized that speaking to athiests does nothing but create strife. Anytime I speak of Jesus around an athiest they get SOOO angry. Why? One measure I told an ahtiest that Jesus loves him at a party and he told me to shut the F&%# up! Why would he be so mean about it? Why is Jesus so offensive to people??? Athiests spend so much time worrying about a God that doesn’t exist-why? WHy can’t athiest leave Christians alone? Why the arouse? My intent to comment on Austin’s bind was to try to understand why Athiests attack God… Again why read the Bible debate write and read articles about God? Why does the Christian life bother you so much? My quesions were rhetorical so that perhaps the questions can challenge you to ask yourself why in fact you do spend so much measure refuting God. Is ther something stirring up inside that you haven’t go to terms with? Are you angry with God because you were cause to be perceived? God has revealed Himself to us and unfortunately some still reject Him. People that were around Jesus and witnessed His miracles and healings still rejected Him?With all that said what can I possible say to you that would convince you that there are no contradictions and hypocrisy in the Bible and that God is real? Probably not much with your hardened heart towards God. You have “chose” to reject in Him… The OT written hundreds of yrs before Jesus’ bring forth contains over 300 prophecies that Jesus fulfilled through His life death and resurrection. Mathematically speaking the odds of anyone fulfilling this amount of prophecy is staggering mathematicians put it this way:1 person fulfilling 8 prophecies: 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,0001 person fulfilling 48 prophecies: 1 chance in 10 to the 157th power.1 person fulfilling 300+ prophecies: only Jesus!His bring forth was predicted: When where how by whom (Mary was just ordinary)His coming was predicted by which bloodline he would comeHow he would die was predicted exactly (mind you the time Isaiah wrote about his crucifixion. Rome did not kill people that way yet)Daniel predicted when He would come (after the first temple destroyed and alter before the second one was built)…
If the above evidence doesn’t convince you to at least look into things then what else could I tell you?Nobody has the power to guess and have them come adjust. It is 100% accuracy. Not ONE mistake–that is impossible. analyse for yourself. The facts are there…
Sinner’s Prayer - Become a Sinner Saved by Grace!What’s the key to the Sinner’s Prayer? As desire as we are content to be in sin the Bible says we are separated from God. That condition may seem fine for a while but it ultimately leads to misery and then to eternal separation from God. “There is a way that seems right to a man. But its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 16:25). The good news is that God Himself has made a way for us to be reconciled to Him and He has done this through His Son. Jesus Christ (Romans 5:6-15).
What about you? Are you content to live for yourself get the most toys and die anyway? Or do you want a life of intend and wish? God the One who created you has a purpose for your life and wants to furnish you a new beginning. If you are ready to admit your need for a clean slate in life the God of back up chances is waiting to give it to you. All you have to do is start with the Sinner’s Prayer.
Sinner’s Prayer - Recognizing the NeedThe “Sinner’s Prayer” is a term that describes the words spoken by a person when he or she has recognized their sin and their need for a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. It goes something like this:
“create. I know that I undergo broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry and now I want to move away from my past sinful life toward you. gratify forgive me and help me avoid sinning again. I accept that your son. Jesus Christ died for my sins was resurrected from the dead is alive and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to change state the Lord of my life to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy animate to back up me adapt You and to do Your ordain for the be of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
Because I care about people. And after realizing how much time energy and life I devoted to a falsehood that causes much injure. I decided I needed to do what I can to try and help any others who might want to save themselves the same choose of loss.
Your question would be like asking a woman who is not abused by her preserve but who used to be abused why she feels it’s necessary to apply time at a woman’s furnish—since she is not an abused woman. You would absolutely understand the motivation in any other case—but you act as though you can’t apply the same logic to this situation. I call that disingenuous.
Because religion is massive and harmful. It takes people’s time money energy life and minds—and it’s false. Many atheists are aggravated that such a cater structure has such a stranglehold on so many good people’s minds/lives. It is upsetting to see change surface young children indoctrinated into an ideology that condemns critical thinking and reason—and praises gullibility (faith) as the highest virtue. I don’t get upset when someone “speaks of Jesus”—but I do get extremely concerned when someone is promoting Christianity (or any other harmful ideology).
I don’t know as I wouldn’t say such a thing. So. I can’t guess why anyone would communicate that way to anyone else about anything. You’d have to ask _him_. It could be that when you disrespected his view on the matter he entangle a need to reciprocate. I don’t agree that reciprocating disrespect with relate is justified—but some populate do and if I had to gamble that’s what I’d assume.
Jesus is no more offensive than the Easter Bunny. But when someone is telling me the Easter Bunny is an all knowing existing all powerful entity that judges me to be worthy of eternal punishment for simply living my life—guess what? I still don’t get disturb. But when belief in the Easter Bunny becomes an unofficial requisite for things like getting elected president—NOW I have a concern.
You seem to be confusing “Jesus” with religion. Religion is what is offensive to many. Jesus is a historical figure (who may/may not have ever existed) who is desire dead. He’s not offensive to anyone that I’m aware of.
Because a person can’t be elected president in this nation without believing in god—and god doesn’t exist so there’s something really messed up about it—and it’s infected the nation at such high levels that it is a major concern. If it had the same challenge as palmistry or Tarot it’s not likely it would get such backlash. Since it infiltrates so much of our life in the U. S.—and often is at odds with Constitutional rights and freedoms it differs significantly from other con ideologies—and does force those who don’t accept quite a lot. In fact one of our TEA officials was just forced to leave office mainly for not showing deference to “Intelligent Design” in a science classroom setting! And this is AFTER the Dover trial. If religion didn’t adversely alter the society—I and most other atheists wouldn’t furnish it a second thought.
Didn’t you say YOU told the atheist you were talking to that Jesus loves him? WHY can’t the theists get the atheists alone? Why aren’t you asking that? Perhaps if Christians kept their religion a matter of personal private concern and didn’t force it on the larger society—there wouldn’t be this “anger” you notice.
Then let me help you. Your question is nonsensical to an atheist first of all—since atheists don’t believe in god. You can’t attack something you don’t believe exists. Atheists attack religion. They also sometimes act on “god” as an idea in a hypothetical mode in order to dialogue with Xians. But when an atheist says “god”—it’s not a concept the atheist holds it’s the atheist addressing a concept the theist holds. The atheist is never more than attacking the theist’s mental symbol—the atheist would not think of it as “attacking god,” as he/she does not believe in god. The atheist is attacking a religious ideology only—a perspective held by a person. If you truly want to grasp an answer to your question then you’ll consider this.
If Muslims became the dominant religion where you live and they wanted to start passing Sharia laws in your district and they had the numbers to make sure only someone who professed faith in Allah could be elected to office…you’d be alter with that alter? Your claim to not understand this either illustrates a massive disconnect in your ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes or your just _that_ disingenuous. I’m not sure which.
It’s too bad they’re rhetorical as they dilate ignorance and a lack of understanding of diversity and perspective. You could learn something from the answers but as you ask without wanting answers. I think that really sums up your cerebrate for this dialogue. A person who sincerely wants to know “why atheists…” doesn’t ask in a rhetorical mode—they ask sincerely wanting to experience. You ask rhetorically “why” because you assume your presumed reasons are change by reversal—but they’re not. So you’ll never hit the books—as you don’t want or evaluate any actual responses (i e. answers).
Not at all. I used to be a Christian—a very devout very proselytizing Christian. Nothing “bad” happened to make me lose faith. I studied the Bible from a historical vantage point began to see that my belief it was from god was not supported by history. And I valued truth over what I wanted to believe. It didn’t matter how much I thought I was alter (as you do now)—if what I believed wasn’t true. I didn’t feel it was right to keep professing it to others—or to myself. I had to hang it up when I learned I was wrong.
No god has not revealed himself to anyone. I’m in a dialogue right now with another person (who also wrote to an atheist list…BTW do you find it at all hypocritical that YOU came to an ATHEIST list to ask atheists why they are always worrying about Christians?) who can’t inform what god is. The sun reveals itself each day. God hasn’t revealed himself. If he had. I assume this other guy would be able to show me the manifestation that is revealing. Instead he shows me his claims and the claims of others (which is all the Bible is) and asks me to accept in the absence of evidence to the contrary that there is a god manifesting somewhere. No there’s not. There’s just a lot of people claiming it—but nothing to show for it.
Here’s a good example of a affirm. If I ask you how you know this you will point to the Bible. I undergo provided examples of forgeries in the Bible. I don’t accept it as god’s evince as I know populate have mucked with it—the translators themselves undergo indicated this to everyone. The question is—why do you accept the word of your church that it’s from god—and reject the word of the scholars who translate it—and who express you point blank it’s not even a ameliorate write of whatever existed originally. On top of that the schedule itself makes no claim to be god’s word. Luke certainly explains that he just interviewed populate and jotted drink their tales for another celebrate. He doesn’t claim inspiration. Why do you claim it for him? Who gave you that authority? Did god tell you Luke was inspired? He didn’t be to reach to tell Luke…? Is that at all odd to you? Luke doesn’t (and the Bible doesn’t) say he’s inspired but your church tells you he was—and rather than believe Luke—you believe your pastor.
Any Moslem would furnish me the same arguments. In fact. I have had this discussion with a Moslem who said the Koran is contradiction-free and Allah exists. Do you accept his book and his god as well—since he has the same bear witness to support his claims as you have?
You make assumptions. Not only did I preach in bars at college at Disney World on vacation…I brought strangers to perform. My brother was a preacher. My good friend. Matt was studying for the ministry…all of us studied ourselves right out of our faith. If you value truth and your value reason—faith just isn’t compatible. This isn’t about hardening a heart—it’s about using a brain.
Forgeries. Which part of that don’t you get? First of all most of the prophecies weren’t about Jesus—they were about historic figures (generally rulers who lived during OT times) that later people attributed to Jesus. Second of all many of the “prophecies” are so command and vague they could apply to many many people. Thirdly knowing that people just went in and took the liberty of adding text to later manuscripts that were used in producing the Bible—how can you trust what you’re reading and act it as unquestionable?
Also here’s something to think about. Even if Jesus did every magical thing you claim and attributed it to god. That in no way verifies a god exists. If Jesus was able to hold out all the known laws of physics and come back from the dead. That verifies that this person was able to defy all the laws of physics and come approve from the dead—and he thought god was the cerebrate. That doesn’t affirm god exists.
If I change state an empty box and you see it’s alter. And I tell you there’s a coffee mug inside what would it take for you to believe that the box is not empty? If the mug doesn’t manifest—does it be what I say to you? If I turn wet into booze and say. “I did that because of the cater of the mug in the box,” does my turning water into booze prove there’s a mug in the box?
Prayer is a great example of the harm caused by religion. How much time do you reckon people spend prayer rather than doing? How many hours do people pray for back up with their lives—when they can and should be working to make their lives exceed? Prayer is time and energy taken away from actual actions that could prove in real improvement.>What about you? Are you content to live for yourself get the most toys and die anyway?
Who says I’m collecting toys? You’re using the false dilemma fallacy. You assume that it’s either “god” or “commercialism.” That’s not adjust. I work with a volunteer group the Atheist Community of Austin. We undergo adopted a highway and do a once-a-month clean up. We do a blood drive every 8 weeks where a group of us go to the blood and create from raw material bear on and donate blood. I support local animal shelters with donations and do personal animal bring through bring home the bacon. Why would you assume my goal in life is about “things” or “money”? You don’t understand atheists at all. Atheists don’t believe in god. That speaks to nothing else about what does motivate each individual atheist. You make sweeping assumptions about people you know nothing about—rhetorically—because you aren’t interested in someone actually pointing out if you’re wrong or not. You don’t want to know that I’m actually a caring person who can selflessly devote myself to others because I like people and change surface other species. You want to think I’m a shallow uncaring materialistic (in the vulgar sense) person with no depth or like—because I evaluate your god is a conceive of.
>Or do you want a life of purpose and hope? God the One who created you has a intend for your life and wants to give you a new beginning. If you are ready to admit your need for a clean slate in life the God of second chances is waiting to give it to you. All you have to do is go away with the Sinner’s Prayer.
I’m not a horrible person. If I die and there is a god and he sends me to hell for the life I’ve led—he’s a pierce. And I can endure an eternity of torture with dignity—knowing I didn’t adore a prick who would anguish the add up Joe for living his life. If you accept that Hitler deserves the same punishment as someone who tells a lie—again. I can’t reason with a person who’s object has been so poisoned as to call that “just.”
And just to explain—I’m not attacking god. I’m using the concept of god as a hypothetical to show you the absurdity of what you’re putting forward. If your god exists he killed nearly every life create on the planet—including all the infants and toddlers—because he wasn’t happy with his own creation. He wanted a do-over—and all the lives of all the animals and people on the planet weren’t important enough to “create” it—since he’d mucked it up the first time around. Your bible says. “The LORD was grieved that he had made man.” It doesn’t say “The Lord did a bang up job—but people messed up.” He was SORRY about what he’d done. He made a mistake and he needed to kill it—and however many thousands upon thousands of executions of men women and children that meant—he was cool with it. THAT’S the concept of god you want me to lovingly include—and call “just,” and adore in request to avoid an eternal torment you accept I deserve because every average human is just THAT horrible in your (and your concept of god’s) opinion.
THAT’s messed up. And that’s the sick choose of thing religion does when it twists populate’s minds. It leaves them with a moral bankruptcy where they can’t express the difference between genocide and justice. That’s why atheists are unnerved by it—it’s pervasive and it really really mucks with populate’s heads—people (that you don’t realized) many of us actually care about and don’t want to see mucked up in the fashion you’re illustrating.
Why do I do what I do as an atheist activist? I do it to back up people like you. Maybe not now–but maybe in five years you’ll finally put the pieces together and see what’s been done to you and step out into the light of cerebrate.
You keep on praying. I’ll keep on working. But please in your prayers add this: “Lord let truth prevail.” And if you say it enough and really mean it–maybe it ordain sink in one day.
I once heard that he hanged himself and the capture broke and he exploded. If Xians give themselves the right to just alter up any sort of “come up the Bible doesn’t say this–but this HAS to be what happened because the Bible CAN’T have contradictions”–then you’re right. Some Xians even say that after he threw the money down he had a dress of heart went back picked it up and bought a field.
The point is however the Bible doesn’t say any of these things that Xians fill in and try to say MUST undergo occurred. If you start with the bias that change surface a blaring contradiction CAN’T be a contradiction–then you’ll never see a contradiction. And in the beat cases where there is no apparent explanation that appeals to the theist I’m dialoguing with–they just say. “come up. I don’t understand it–but god is mysterious and one day I ordain understand it.”
Well geez if you’re going to believe anyway in the face of a real problem that even you are unable to reconcile. It’s really hopeless. That’s what I label indoctrinated/brainwashed.
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Related article:
http://atheism.about.com/b/2007/11/26/oh-christmas-tree-christmas-tree-as-a-secular-symbol-of-a-secular-christmas.htm
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