(June 14, 2015 at 6:26 pm)Parkers Tan Wrote:

(June 14, 2015 at 1:21 pm)CapnAwesome Wrote: There are a constant series of threads that nitpick various bible quotes where it contradicts with itself in some way or another. Of course this isn't surprising because the bible was written by dozens of people over the course of a millennia+. As an Atheist it comes as no surprise that there are contradictions. There is a far bigger problem with the bible then it contradicting with itself. It contradicts with the fundamental nature of the universe. I think to even point on contradictions with itself is to give the bible too much validity to start with. Both the old testament and new are so full of nonsense and fables that we know are false that it doesn't matter to me what else it says. The constant references to witches, demons, magic, angels, people living to be hundreds of years old, talking animals are enough for me to dismiss it's validity without having to nitpick small passages against each other.

Internal contradictions remove the argument from metaphor.

How much can the argument from metaphor be stretched though? In the New Testament they talk about a pool of water where angels would literally decend and heal people. There was a crippled man who couldn't reach it and Jesus came along and healed him. It's written like a clear account of events. I think they people who can finagle their way into saying things are a metaphor can use the same twisted logic to say that the bible contradictions aren't really contradictions.

(June 15, 2015 at 12:44 am)CapnAwesome Wrote:

(June 14, 2015 at 6:26 pm)Parkers Tan Wrote: Internal contradictions remove the argument from metaphor.

How much can the argument from metaphor be stretched though? In the New Testament they talk about a pool of water where angels would literally decend and heal people. There was a crippled man who couldn't reach it and Jesus came along and healed him. It's written like a clear account of events. I think they people who can finagle their way into saying things are a metaphor can use the same twisted logic to say that the bible contradictions aren't really contradictions.

Of course; pretzel logic is a requirement for parsing the Bible without retching.

However, for those Christians, and they are many, who believe without having read much or any of the Bible, its internal contradictions can be just as powerful a demotivator as its conflicts with science.

There are many paths up the mountain. Let the climbers choose the one best for them -- but they can only do that when they have information about the different routes.

(June 14, 2015 at 1:21 pm)CapnAwesome Wrote: There are a constant series of threads that nitpick various bible quotes where it contradicts with itself in some way or another. Of course this isn't surprising because the bible was written by dozens of people over the course of a millennia+. As an Atheist it comes as no surprise that there are contradictions. There is a far bigger problem with the bible then it contradicting with itself. It contradicts with the fundamental nature of the universe. I think to even point on contradictions with itself is to give the bible too much validity to start with. Both the old testament and new are so full of nonsense and fables that we know are false that it doesn't matter to me what else it says. The constant references to witches, demons, magic, angels, people living to be hundreds of years old, talking animals are enough for me to dismiss it's validity without having to nitpick small passages against each other.

Bold statement with no discernible facts to support it... Is anyone supprised that a man supposedly representing logic and reason checked it at the door, or does everyone who kudoed you just strong in their faith?

Practically 99% of the time, it is a waste of time. I share the same experience, with some others that posted on this thread, where the contradictions played a small role in my de-conversion. So, it's hard to stop trying, because there are people out there that will listen. I was one of the open-minded people, but the people on here that are unshakeable in their beliefs; I'm starting to see how much of a waste of time it is. I think if someone came on here, and introduced themselves as a christian, and said they were open-minded to hear what atheists had to say, then there's hope there, but I am starting to see how narrow-minded christians are on here. However, it is hard to stop, because you got the dishonest, goofs who love to say contradictions don't exist in the bible, when they clearly do.

(June 15, 2015 at 9:17 am)Drich Wrote:

(June 14, 2015 at 1:21 pm)CapnAwesome Wrote: There are a constant series of threads that nitpick various bible quotes where it contradicts with itself in some way or another. Of course this isn't surprising because the bible was written by dozens of people over the course of a millennia+. As an Atheist it comes as no surprise that there are contradictions. There is a far bigger problem with the bible then it contradicting with itself. It contradicts with the fundamental nature of the universe. I think to even point on contradictions with itself is to give the bible too much validity to start with. Both the old testament and new are so full of nonsense and fables that we know are false that it doesn't matter to me what else it says. The constant references to witches, demons, magic, angels, people living to be hundreds of years old, talking animals are enough for me to dismiss it's validity without having to nitpick small passages against each other.

Bold statement with no discernible facts to support it... Is anyone supprised that a man supposedly representing logic and reason checked it at the door, or does everyone who kudoed you just strong in their faith?

Does that mean that you're going to provide evidence for the allegedly discernible facts of witches, demons, magic, angels, people living to be hundreds of years old, and talking animals?

(June 15, 2015 at 9:17 am)Drich Wrote:

(June 14, 2015 at 1:21 pm)CapnAwesome Wrote: There are a constant series of threads that nitpick various bible quotes where it contradicts with itself in some way or another. Of course this isn't surprising because the bible was written by dozens of people over the course of a millennia+. As an Atheist it comes as no surprise that there are contradictions. There is a far bigger problem with the bible then it contradicting with itself. It contradicts with the fundamental nature of the universe. I think to even point on contradictions with itself is to give the bible too much validity to start with. Both the old testament and new are so full of nonsense and fables that we know are false that it doesn't matter to me what else it says. The constant references to witches, demons, magic, angels, people living to be hundreds of years old, talking animals are enough for me to dismiss it's validity without having to nitpick small passages against each other.

Bold statement with no discernible facts to support it... Is anyone supprised that a man supposedly representing logic and reason checked it at the door, or does everyone who kudoed you just strong in their faith?

Do you believe in witches and magic? I don't. Nor do I believe epilepsy is caused by demonic possesion. The bible sure does. Not to mention the talking animals, flood that killed everything after only 40 days of rain, ark, etc etc etc. It's all nonsense. The bible contradicts with reality.