As the subject title suggests, I am directing this question to the sceptics here, and I do NOT want to start an argument. I am curious as to why sceptics come to this discussion board to talk about the Bible. What is your own personal reason for this?

Here is why I ask (and yes, I can only speak from personal experience):

When I was an agnostic, I didn't care enough about God or the Bible to ask anyone anything about it, nor did I discuss it in any depth. He, and it, just didn't matter in my life. Needless to say, I was also a lot younger then, and if you had asked me, I would have told you that I had a lot better things to do than read the Bible, go to church, or do anything even remotely connected to religion or God.

Now, since I have been coming to the internet, I have met a lot of people that are obviously not believers, yet they spend a lot of time talking about the Bible, about God, and about Christianity in particular, and a number of these sceptics are even very well read on the subject. This is especially true of the sceptics on this particular discussion board.

Therefore, my question, in all seriousness, is what do you think motivates you to come here and to discuss and argue about the Christian and Hebrew Bible?

I would like as much feedback as possible from as many sceptics as care to respond. I will restate that I do not want this thread to be argumentative. I simply would like to better understand what brings you here, and why you post.

Thank you.

Brian (Nomad)

Lance

Brian: A good question...

My personal reason is to help others avoid my mistake. By blowing holes in Christian "spin" (and history has been HEAVILY spun), maybe those teetering on the edge of reason will open their eyes. (I would guess there are large numbers of lurkers who never post.)

And its also to let others know that this has happened. For example, I did the web site re-design for Emmett Field's Bank of Wisdom (who has contributed a lot of files to SecWeb) that publishes rare books on CD-ROM. These books are books that contain histories (inquisition and so on) and arguments against Christianity that have fallen from the common view. Overt censorship? Now. But definately by ommission.

I have very little belief that I would influence a hard-core apologist either. Debating you, Bede, Layman is like fencing with a cloud. Regardless of the evidence or arguments we bring, they will not be believed.

And lastly, if nothing else, it helps sharpen our wits for dealing with those individuals that are in a crisis of faith, it allows us to reach those in a reasonable way that will hear us.

My .02 on it anyway. FWIW.

If we skeptics were in another country, we'd be talking about the Koran, etc. Here the culture is permeated by Christianity and the Bible. It is important to help people escape from the madness of religion. To believe that a neighbor or relative is going to fry in Hell forever is very detrimental to society and the individual. The sin concept and the worthlessness of people that are taught as human conditions, do harm to people.

For myself I would say there are several reasons why I come to this site.

1. I enjoy talking about philosophical type subjects. Historical discussions are often an offshoot of certain philosophical discussions like: Does God(s) exist? Is there any evidence for a spiritual realm at all? What is the nature of existence? How do I discern truth from nontruth? Little things like that.

2. As a former Christian of 15 years who is now an atheist, I come here to witness the views of fellow atheists. Its not like there are many atheist churches around where people can mix and mingle or share ideas.

3. Where I live I am surrounded by believers, typically of the Christian variety. Many of my family members are still devoutly christian. They don't waste any chance to try to convert me back to Christianity. This site helps me to understand their arguments and point out the flaws in them - to defend my worldview as it were.

4. Even though I am a pretty committed atheist, I do not consider myself close minded. This is all about the search for truth for me, a search that never ceases. Perhaps I'll find an argument or piece of evidence that'll change my view. I consider it a challenge and a good idea to at least listen to opposing points of view. Being afraid of other views or even ignorant of them is not a desirable state for me.

5. I don't consider myself to a "militant" atheist. By that I mean possessing a hatred of all that is religious (Christian or otherwise). I even see some positive aspects of belief. However I think there are negative ones as well. So even though I won't be standing up on a soap box anytime soon, making speaches about the "evils" of religious belief,(Cute Little Baby where are you?) I do find it pertinent to point out the problems as I see them when the opportunity arises.

Toto

I like engaging in a discussion where one side is so clearly wrong and misguided (that's you.)

But seriously, I think that religious belief is one of the most pernicious political forces in the world today (fundamentalist Islam, abortion clinic bombers, the whole religious right in the U.S.) I think that part of the power of this faction is that religion has been given a free ride in the U.S. - it has long been considered bad taste to criticize other's religious belief. This leaves untrained people vulnerable to the bad arguments that the Christians spout - that the Bible is some sort of moral guide, or has some astounding historical value, or that relgious people are superior. If you can't show that these arguments are bogus, you hand political power to the people who use them.

I'm studying mental illness.

Amen-Moses

1) I find the history of scripture interesting.

2) I am trying to get other versions of said history. When I was in fundyland, I only got one version.

3) In general--the Secular Web is my only access to like minds. (in *most* cases) Granted, not all Christians are bad but I can't go 2 blocks from my house without being greeted with a HUGE road sign that has a big freak'n heart with the word GOD in the middle of it!

-T

Over the years, while playing Christian, I couldn't help but be a critical thinker and
notice lots of problems with the bible. I
developed (on my own) suspicions about the
whole deal.

Having found a lot of websites posting similar concerns seemed to validate conclusions I had already drawn. However,
realizing that you should always be leary
of hearing just one side of the story,
I find this site interesting because we
have both sides being presented, and it gives
me a better way to evaluate what the TRUTH
is.

Also, I too am fascinated by ancient history
(although not enough to be serious about it).
These days I find myself scanning only
the PBS, DSC, HIST channels to watch shows.
This site provides excellent information about the history of how Christianity formed
etc.

But so far, the thiests have been totally
unconvincing... ;-)

Lance

Brian: I really forgot two other reasons:

1. I enjoy talking about the subject and looking at many of the various views. I may not agree with 'em, but the subject is certainly fascinating.

2. I love history and this kind of intersects with that.

1) I was a Christian for 20 years and deconverted once I stumbled across biblical scholarship and keep reading it because I find it intellectually challenging.

2) Having some knowledge of biblical scholarship gives my views on Christianity more credibility amongst my Christian family, wife(!) and friends. Because I see Christianity on balance as being harmful and divisive, I'm hoping that by discussing some of what I know I can "save" them.

James.