Ted Hoffman

Hi,
I would like to compile Questions for Christians based on B. C. & H.
Are there certain questions you believe would really stump Christians? Both garden variety Christians and mealy mouthed apologists like the ones we have here.

Post me some if any readily springs to your mind.

Thanks

freigeister

Toto

The discussion seems to be Elsewhere: Split

Vorkosigan

Yes, I moved almost everything as it became a sniping match. But when I got back here to look at the one post I left, Ted's thread had disappeared.

Intelligitimate

I'm assuming your want hard questions that have to do with BC&A like topics.

On the fly, I find it very difficult to do much besides bring up Hume's position on miracles. You're not gonna be able to argue the intricacies of the Jesus Myth theory with a Christian apologist (unless they like waiting their turn for longs periods of time), so that is out of the question. You could also bring up contradictions, but then you have to bring up criticism of the methods they use to reconcile them. Your best bet will be pointing out how Mormons and Muslims use the exact same methods to explain away contradictions in their holy books.

For the OT, bringing up the fact that Genesis borrows heavily from the Epic of Gilgamesh is a great stumper. I recently used this one myself to great effect, with the person even telling me weeks later that I made her think a lot. You might also try bringing up God killing David's baby. Watching internet apologists deal with that one is quite fun, but when you’re talking to average Christians on the street, it’s a gas!

Depending on how sophisticated the Christians in question are, you could razzle them by doing some name dropping of dead German guys and talking about stuff way over their head. They'll just assume you know what the hell you're talking about and it will let them know that smart people do seriously study the issue and come away rejecting religion. It's actually rather funny how many Christians suddenly get very quiet when you do this.

That's all the good advice I can give you for holding your own in a conversation about the truth of the Bible to a Christian apologist. I find these things are most effective in staying with the believer for awhile and making them actually think about the truth or falsity of their religion. And since you made them think, now they think of you as an intelligent person, and will much more open to things you have to say in the future.

Edit: And above all, remain calm, and pay attention to what they have to say, and be thoughtful in your replies. It amazes me how hostile atheists can be sometimes to this kinda crap, and how bad that comes off to Christians. I just smile, put on a big goofy grin when they say something stupid, and reply.

Intelligitimate

Regarding Hume and miracles, you'll have to give examples to illustrate your point. I personally like to use testimony of people claiming Godzilla is attacking Washington or something bizarre like that. I mean, even if you seen fairies carrying Dick Cheney off into the clouds on CNN, would you really believe it? Most Christian would agree with you, and it will make them think about the miraculous claims of their own religion.