Philosoft

What's even more odd is that some people who do believe in the God of the Bible find many of the same contradictions atheists do. It seems it takes more than just "being a Christian" to master this biblical inerrancy thing.

Satan Oscillate My Metallic Sonatas

Mark,


Out of curiosity...what were the main 'deal clincher' contradictions for you? I think all unbelievers have a few main points of contention that lead them to where they are. I know I did.




Satan Oscillate My Metallic Sonatas

Jinto

mark9950 - I'm glad to see that you have rejected an illogical belief system. I am however, rather disapoointed to learn that you appear to be doing so from a position of ignorance - not to doubt your word, but you almost sound like a theist plant setting up a deliberately weak position in order to be soundly refuted later. A strawman by proxy, if you will. If this is not the case, then I suggest that you pick up a science textbook PRONTO, and find a more reliable source of biblical contradictions than SAB (oddly enough, this is one of the few instances where Magus55 is right about something - many (but hardly all) of the items listed are misinterpretations).

I'm sorry to come down on you like this, but I value thought and education more than atheism, and your position sounds like it was based on "Oh, look at the website with so many contradictions," not on a logical evaluation of the evidence.

Magus55

I don't know whether to be happy that someone actually agrees with me, or insulted.

braces_for_impact

I also agree with Magus about SAB, though I dissagree with some of his other statements, and look forward to seeing him in some future threads.

Mark9950,

I also suggest you thoroughly study both sides of the issue to help you figure out what your willling to believe. I think the single most important thing is to attempt to remove all of your own personal bias and preconceptions. Be acutley aware of what you're thinking and why you're thinking that way when evaluating data. Virtually everyone speaks from a certain kind of bias, no matter the topic, and the trick is to learn to recognize this bias in order to determine the authenticity of any evidence you find. Also recognize what role your emotions play in evaluating evidence and realize that emotion can cloud your judgement. This will lead to much greater confidence in any decision you make about your personal beliefs, no matter what they may turn out to be.

Perusing this forum and watching the exchanges people make when debating a topic (such as biblical contradictions) can teach you an incredible amount of information, and let you deside what sounds more reasonable to you. Above all things be honest with yourself!

Good Luck!

Ron

emotional

Who said the Bible was a sound source of theology to begin with? The Bible says people who don't believe will be tortured in fire forever, for example. THAT in itself should ring a warning bell. The Bible, in being a book of hate and murder and obscenity and lies, shows itself to the work of a demon rather than of God -- no contradictions needed.

If you really want to learn something worthwhile, read the works of mystics worldwide, such as the Hindu Upanishads and the Christian Cloud of Unknowing, and follow their practices until you gain your own experience. Personal experience, not hearsay like the Bible or Qur'an, is the only valid divine revelation.

HelenM

The problem with personal experience is - it's hard to know how to interpret it sometimes.

I mean, if one has a mental illness...

I'm just saying, thinking of myself...not accusing anyone else of anything.

Helen

emotional

Experiences derived from disciplines such as meditation and musical trances are described fairly uniformly. They are very much like NDEs. No pink elephants here...

Experiences derived from drugs such as LSD are different. Drugs are dangerous. The NT book of Revelations was probably a drug-induced experience, judging by its abnormal descriptions.



Mental illness is like drugs in producing abnormal hallucinations. Mental illness and drugs deform the brain (the receiving set); disciplinary trances don't.

diana

I also concur with Magus on this point: the Skeptic's Annotated Bible is little more than a starting point. It is highly simplistic and over-the-top. I disagree with many of their "contradictions" as I think common sense explains them.

But not all. The mistake comes in assuming that a few poor points destroys the whole argument. There are many many many anamolies, anachronisms and contradictions in the bible that cannot be explained within the bounds of reason. (The clue, I think, is when you find yourself saying, "Because God wouldn't say that!" or somesuch to explain away something.)

And the theology itself is full of inherent impossibilities.

I also think that this thread isn't about the EoG. It's about contradictions, so I'm moving it to BC&A, so y'all can pull out your favorites and go to town without further ado.

d

Marduk

Diana and others are quite right, the SAB is meant as more of a humor piece than serious theological dissection .
Also be wary of websites and books that try the same, they are very often written by people who are way out of the field of actual Biblical criticism. Always good to check credentials.
If someone says "Jesus was a mushroom" or "Jesus was an alien" check the guys qualifications carefully.