(September 5, 2013 at 4:45 pm)John V Wrote: False dichotomy and/or slippery slope fallacies, with a dash of appeal to emotion.

Absolutely incorrect. You implied that the reason the punishment has to be so disproportionately harsh is because that's what makes it effective as a deterrent. It is therefore a valid question to ask, why stop there? Not even really a slippery slope, as God handed down death sentences for transgressions far less serious than gripping the testicles, such as working on the sabbath.

Dodging the issue is all you seem capable of.

Quote:A big family can do a whole lot more than a single hand.

Making the punishment against men pointless unless they haven't started that family yet.

Quote:Sure he can. God is perfect. See?

So, when he does things that aren't perfect and could easily be done better by non-gods, that's what, by choice?

Derp again, GC.

(September 5, 2013 at 4:56 pm)Ryantology Wrote: Absolutely incorrect. You implied that the reason the punishment has to be so disproportionately harsh

First, I have maintained that the punishment can be either harsher or lighter than the offense, depending on what damage was done.

Quote:is because that's what makes it effective as a deterrent.

A slap on the wrist isn't much of a deterrent.

Quote:It is therefore a valid question to ask, why stop there?

Which is the slippery slope fallacy.

Quote:Not even really a slippery slope, as God handed down death sentences for transgressions far less serious than gripping the testicles, such as working on the sabbath.

Why do you think a bunch of bronze age goatherder slave owners made a law prohibiting their servants and slaves from working every seventh day?

Quote:So, when he does things that aren't perfect and could easily be done better by non-gods, that's what, by choice?

You haven't demonstrated that non-gods could easily do better. You have an opinion. That's it. You can't objectively prove that your opinion is correct.

Men were punished for harm to a pregnant woman, and it was eye for an eye type of punishment. Exodus 21:22-25.

(September 5, 2013 at 5:11 pm)Godschild Wrote: Men were punished for harm to a pregnant woman, and it was eye for an eye type of punishment. Exodus 21:22-25.

But what's being discussed here is not exactly eye for an eye.

(September 5, 2013 at 5:02 pm)John V Wrote: First, I have maintained that the punishment can be either harsher or lighter than the offense, depending on what damage was done.

If a lighter sentence can be handed down for failing to cause significant damage, what's the deterrence value of the maximum punishment?

Quote:A slap on the wrist isn't much of a deterrent.

Neither is the death penalty in practice. Punishments, regardless of severity, only have a limited deterrence value.

Quote:Which is the slippery slope fallacy.

Dear jesus. It's pointing out the slippery slope fallacy inherent in promoting deterrence (if we aren't hard on criminals, more people will become criminals). If cutting off hands is acceptable because of the alleged deterrence value of savage punishment, why not apply the most savage punishment for any crime to maximize deterrent value?

Quote:Why do you think a bunch of bronze age goatherder slave owners made a law prohibiting their servants and slaves from working every seventh day?

Gotta set aside a day for the Yahweh brainwashing.

Quote:You haven't demonstrated that non-gods could easily do better. You have an opinion. That's it. You can't objectively prove that your opinion is correct.

I don't need to because that was never the point. Non-gods are fallible and imperfect. Perfect gods must meet perfect standards. The slightest flaw of any kind ruins perfection. A god who compromises or regrets a decision he made is a God acknowledging his own mistakes. A god who makes mistakes is, by definition, not perfect.

(September 5, 2013 at 7:47 pm)Ryantology Wrote: [quote='John V' pid='502802' dateline='1378414943']

Quote:A slap on the wrist isn't much of a deterrent.

Neither is the death penalty in practice. Punishments, regardless of severity, only have a limited deterrence value.

Very true, but god is way too stupid to understand this, sometimes it seems he has the intellect of an itinerant goat herder from some very primitive time.

I look at your question

"why does god want to cut off women's hands" and think ....

Why do men want to cut of women's hands. What are they afraid of? Do they think women are better than they? do they think they are worthless? Only those of insecure attitudes would want to limit the ONE person who could help them.

(September 5, 2013 at 5:11 pm)Godschild Wrote: Men were punished for harm to a pregnant woman, and it was eye for an eye type of punishment. Exodus 21:22-25.

Unless of course his intention was to rape her and force her to submit to his whims for her entire life.

Deuteronomy 22:28-29 (NIV)

28 If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, 29 he shall pay her father fifty shekels[a] of silver. He must marry the young woman, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives.

I love watching religious theists defend their scripture's sexism with that same sexist scripture as if it changes anything.