Rhea

I have encountered this "argument" (again) lately, and have a desire to show the author how many other (more likely) possibilities exist.

I'm sure this is an old and well-travelled argument, so I was hoping to get a quick list to supplement the ones I can think of off hand.

Some that come to mind are:
- He was Schizophrenic
- The gospel writers were fed bad accounts
- The gospel writers had an agenda

Thanks! AS people post them, I'll edit this message to create one cohesive list. It doesn't have to be difinitive, I'm only looking to make a list to show the nature of the False Dichotomy, not to convert her.

Lord Asriel

This is essentially a form of the Trilemma argument (Lord, Liar or Lunatic). This cropped up quite recently, and someone (I forget who - my apologies) pointed us to <a href="http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/jim_perry/trilemma.shtml" target="_blank">this</a> essay, which should give you plenty of ideas.

Rhea

Perfect. Many thanks!

CX

I point of fact C.S. Lewis' trilemma is a great tool for helping those who already believe strengthen their faith (until it is confronted), but it is not a very good rational argument. My objection is that it overlooks the most likely case entirely. Namely that we cannot know with any degree of certainty based on the available evidence what Jesus actually did and said. The trilemma eliminates this possibility a priori by assuming the gospel record is historically faithful, accurate and well supported. This is really just another one of those rather shallow throwaway evangelical grenades, like Pascal's wager and others, that only impress people with little or no critical knowledge of Xian texts and early Xian history. This should not in any way be seen as a disparagement of Lewis himself who was quite a good writer and apologist. Ultimately even the best apologist is at a disadvantage in rational debate with nonbelievers because fundamentally relgious belief is based on faith and not reason.

[ September 30, 2002: Message edited by: CX ]</p>

joedad

Yes indeed. The appeal of the Jesus character in the gospels is likely best described as an abandonment of the search for truth, and settling instead for a good fantasy. Can't recall who first said that.

joe

Toto

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0912800909/internetinfidelsA" target="_blank">Ashleigh Brilliant</a>

frostymama

If this debate is occuring where I think that it is... it is pretty pointless to argue with them. If it isn't happening over there... just ignore the rest of this post.

There isn't a single theist on that entire site that understands the differnce between faith and logic/reason. If you try to explain (as I am sure you know) you will just end up with people telling you that you are attacking all Christians. You will be lucky if you don't end up with half a dozen posters smugly hurling nothing but Bible verses at you as refutations to your arguments.

Dang, Rhea. You really must enjoy banging your head against that wall.