(October 27, 2009 at 12:26 am)chatpilot Wrote: Reading the bible is essential to all atheists for one reason and one reason only. If you are going to refute a religion you have to know what it is that you are refuting and going to the source, in this case the bible, is the best way to go about it.I wholeheartedly disagree. I could see this possibly holding water if you're speaking only to atheists who wish to debate christians, but even then it's shaky.
I grew up non-religious and became an atheist on my own without ever reading the Bible. There are hundreds of theistic religions that I do not beleive in, and I feel it is unneccesary to become an expert in each of them to justify my position.
I find your statement to be borderline offensive, to be honest.
- Meatball