Here's an interesting idea I heard about that you can use next time you're debating with a Christian as to whether or not the Bible is infallible:

When engaged in this sort of debate, I'm sure many of you would usually take the position that while the Bible may have some historical value and even a few good ideas, it certainly contains plenty of myths, errors, and contradictions.

Next time, try this: insist that the Bible not only contains errors, but is totally erroneous. Take the position that not a single, solitary statement in the Bible can be taken as fact. When your opponent points out something obvious that everybody agrees on (for example, there is a city called Jerusalem), reply that you have faith that no such place ever existed. Keep this going for as long as you have to.

Your goal here, of course, is to exasperate your opponent. You want him to complain that you're not being reasonable or debating in good faith. You're ignoring obvious facts and being closed-minded.

At this point, you've won.

While you may have to point out to your opponent that the way he's feeling now is the way that his equally stubborn and closed-minded argument makes others feel, hopefully it won't be necessary.

Buck Swope, your post not only contains errors, but is totally erroneous!

Ish

[This message has been edited by Ish (edited February 17, 2001).]

OOOh, that's good!

I can't wait till the next time a christian starts talking about the bible, to try this!

Thanks for the tip Buck!

offa;

The bible is an historical document. Jesus and his disciples did exist. Heaven was on
earth and known as the "holy of holies."
Debating Christians in nonsensical arguments plays right into their hands. What a Christian does not want to hear is that the bible is truth (which it is) and that Jesus was human (which he was). The miracles were no big deal. Raising from the dead was converting someone to your faith. The five thousand was feeding one person (who represented 5,000 followers) so that feeding him was no big deal. Turning water into wine was allowing Gentiles (water) the rights formerly held by Hebrew (wine) priests.

Um, I have faith that everything I say here is correct...