Atheists, how would you explain these Christian testimonies?

[LostLocke]

Besides the 'testimonial only' evidence, there's a few problems with the story.

First off, like others said, the Bible and the Quran share a lot of overlap. If you start quoting OT verses and/or Quran verses, you're probably going to get more hits than misses for a match.
And, he didn't know the Bible? The Bible isn't some obscure holy book from some remote part of the planet. It is, for better or worse, almost completely ubiquitous.
And if he knew nothing about Jesus he wasn't a very well versed Muslim. Jesus is in the Quran, and Muslims just like Jews, believe Jesus was real, just that he was one of the great prophets instead of the Son of God like the Christians believe.

Then we can get into all the other people who a sincere and emotional response to non-Christian religions. That makes them all true also, right?

[Esquilax]

I totally understand what you are saying, how would you explain someone being fed bible versus when they have no knowledge of the bible?

How could you possibly determine that he had no knowledge of the bible?

Before you get to the argument from ignorance, "how do you explain that?" stuff, perhaps you'd like to figure out how your claims can be substantiated enough to require an explanation first?

[PETE_ROSE]

A lot I would say has already been stated. Saying this man had no knowledge of Jesus is most likely erroneous as the historical Jesus is found in the Quran.

Also, religious claims, testimony, or anything for that matter is not to be judged on the sincerity or voracity of its proponents or followers. Many people are sincere about things they hold to be true or authentic, but are proven to be false. This occurs in religion, science, football....

This happens every year with Notre Dame football. Millions of fans and pollsters think ND will return to their former glory and start the season ranked high in the polls. This farce continues right up until they play someone of mediocre talent and get beat by 5 touchdowns.

Instead the content is what should be examined, tested and pondered upon.

[LostLocke]

This happens every year with Notre Dame football.  Millions of fans and pollsters  think ND will return to their former glory and start the season ranked high in the polls.  This farce continues right up until they play someone of mediocre talent and get beat by 5 touchdowns.

As a Chicagoan all I have to say is.... Cubs.
You're preaching to the choir brother.

[PETE_ROSE]

Saw Bonds hit two over at Wrigley a few years back. Great atmosphere there. We had little trouble finding the field, not being familiar with Chicago; just followed the crowd.
This could be the year though, they have spent some serious cash on the team and are playing well.
Chicago has the best Italian food outside of Sicily that I have ever had. I really need to visit there again.

[Ben Davis]

I'm always curious about these 'appearances'. What did Jesus look like? Did he just happen to resemble a figure in a Renaissance painting? Did he look Palestinian? Was there a vague resemblance to a scorch pattern on a piece of toast? And what makes them so sure it's Jesus?

^^^THIS!!!!1!

The 'Jesus' (or whichever holy figure is in question) that appears is typically the type of 'Jesus' that the person would have expected to appear or is trying to sell you (dependent on religious denomination). I can't think of a clearer example of the 'god is you' argument.

[KevinM1]

This is really just the same bullshit as NDEs.  "I was a prick, died*, then came back with Jesus!  Can I get an amen-ah?"

*Did not actually die.

[Mister Agenda]

An example of a famous testimony is a former Muslim by the name of Afshin Javid. He claims he was a former Muslim extremist who was in a jail cell in Malaysia. While he was meditating, Jesus appeared to him and quoted bible versus. 

This is all over youtube. There are many videos where Muslims have some sort of "supernatural" intervention where they meet Jesus, and then they convert to Christianity. I am sceptical about these claims but I want to know your perspective on how these could be explained? In the videos many of the people cry and look very sincere so I have a hard time thinking they are just making everything up on purpose. I feel that they believe these interventions took place, whether they did in actual fact or not. How would someone with no knowledge of Jesus see Jesus if it was not real?

Muslims believe Jesus was a great prophet who will return on Judgment Day. It's no more surprising that they have visions of Jesus than it would be surprising that Catholics have visions of Mary.

[Minimalist]

I totally understand what you are saying, how would you explain someone being fed bible versus when they have no knowledge of the bible?

How could you possibly determine that he had no knowledge of the bible?

Before you get to the argument from ignorance, "how do you explain that?" stuff, perhaps you'd like to figure out how your claims can be substantiated enough to require an explanation first?

You're taking all the fun out of it for him, Esq!

[Jackalope]

I wouldn't feel a need to explain them any more than I feel a need to explain claims of Elvis sightings or alien abductions.