Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Jayhawker Soule · 04-24-2003, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CJD
Good, now explain how we have come to such radically different conclusions (avoiding ad hominem, of course).

I haven't a clue how one might conclude the supernatural from the historical elements of the Torah. Perhaps I misunderstand your question.

Let me ask you a question. If the Tanach were, in truth, the accreted/conflated mythology, folklore, history, political propaganda, and civil code of a people, how might it be different than one suggestive of a supernatural?

Butters · 04-24-2003, 02:59 PM

Quote:

As far as the supremacy of the Scriptures is concerned, I can only reiterate Calvin: " . . . this power which is peculiar to Scripture is clear from the fact that of human writings, however artfully polished, there is none capable of affecting us at all comparably. Read Demosthenes or Cicero; read Plato, Aristotle and others of that tribe. They will, I admit, allure you, delight you, move you, enrapture you in wonderful measure. But betake yourself from them to this sacred reading. Then, in spite of yourself, so deeply will it affect you, so penetrate your heart, so fix itself in your very marrow, that, compared with its deep impression, such vigor as the orators and philosophers have will nearly vanish." Note that Calvin's first published work was a commentary on Seneca.

How much have you studied other holy books? Which ones? In what ways do you find the Bible superior? I find that the Bible is a confused, tortured, read, and even it's poetry is poor. Calvin, I'm sure loved it, but he was by any defination, insane.

WinAce · 04-27-2003, 12:34 PM

The inefficient nature of evolution as a design algorithm, and in particular the paths it took on earth, is a powerful argument against us being the intentional end goal and hence most theistic gods.

The Christian god, of course, could easily create the Big Bang in such a manner that all the correct mutations and environmental factors were pre-loaded to create humans in only a few million years. Instead, we see billions of years before we appear, 99% of species going extinct, and around 50 gazillion types of horse, only one of which survived. Oh, and a great many beetles.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

04-27-2003, 12:34 PM	#73
WinAce Beloved Deceased Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Carrboro, NC Posts: 1,539	The inefficient nature of evolution as a design algorithm, and in particular the paths it took on earth, is a powerful argument against us being the intentional end goal and hence most theistic gods. The Christian god, of course, could easily create the Big Bang in such a manner that all the correct mutations and environmental factors were pre-loaded to create humans in only a few million years. Instead, we see billions of years before we appear, 99% of species going extinct, and around 50 gazillion types of horse, only one of which survived. Oh, and a great many beetles.

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.