Why Should Someone Be an Atheist?

[savedwheat]

So why aren't the writings of the NT multiply corroborated sources like multiply corroborated sources for other specific events?

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

A delusion can't account for their eyewitness testimony, because group hallucinations are medically impossible.

You grasp the difference between delusion and hallucinations, correct?

If they lied and colluded that doesn't fit the profile that people don't willingly die for what they know is a lie.

Who says they lied? Who says collusion has to involve dishonesty?

If Jesus didn't actually die he wouldn't have convinced anyone he was a risen Messiah, unable to walk, scourged down to the bone, all blooded, tattered, torn, a hole in his chest, feet and hands.

'Rising from the dead' isn't unique to the Jesus story. I can easily imagine someone being beaten, lapsing into a coma, and then waking up a few days later to the wonderment of all.

Moreover, Jesus would be a liar since he didn't really resurrect Himself.

A 'lie' is an intentionally dishonest statement. Jesus could have been a nutcase who actually, sincerely believed he rose from the dead.

If you don't think anything would convince you then nothing would convince you. And if nothing can convince you, as you have decided, then if the evidence does exist, you will reject it anyway.

*chuckle* I must not be explaining this properly. I'll have another go. One of the reasons I'm an atheist is that I'm unaware of any phenomena which can ONLY be explained by the actions of a god (any god). I've already said that I'm open to the possibility that such a phenomenon exists. However, I'm not making a positive claim of the non-existence of gods, so it isn't up to me to hunting this phenomenon. If you have one, trot it out and I'll happily consider it.

Boru

[savedwheat]

The eyewitnesses involved their eyes, so a delusion couldn't apply here.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

The eyewitnesses involved their eyes, so a delusion couldn't apply here.

So, your answer is 'no', you DON'T understand the difference between delusion and hallucination. Got it.

Boru

[savedwheat]

I do. I thought I just explained it.

[Cinjin]

So why aren't the writings of the NT multiply corroborated sources like multiply corroborated sources for other specific events?

Just because you consider the NT multiple books doesn't me the rest of us do. It's ONE source with lots of tiny little books in them by authors that cannot be verified, telling unbelievable stories that no other legitimate historical document can back up.

[Esquilax]

Tell him what he wins Esq!

A delusion can't account for their eyewitness testimony, because group hallucinations are medically impossible.

Why do you think group hallucinations are the only possible source of delusions? I can produce people for you today who have people convinced they can perform miracles; people can be tricked quite easily, if they want to believe something is true. And these aren't exactly scientifically literate people we're talking about; back in those days everything they didn't understand was some form of magic.

If they lied and colluded that doesn't fit the profile that people don't willingly die for what they know is a lie.

Except if the accounts of them dying for those beliefs are, itself, a part of the lie.

If Jesus didn't actually die he wouldn't have convinced anyone he was a risen Messiah, unable to walk, scourged down to the bone, all blooded, tattered, torn, a hole in his chest, feet and hands.

What makes you say that? That's just a bare assertion.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

I do. I thought I just explained it.

You don't and you didn't. If they used their eyes, why would a delusion not apply? Lots of people say Hitler with their own eyes, yet were deluded into the whole 'master race' nonsense.

Boru

[savedwheat]

So you're saying Jesus tricked the Apostles in being alive from the dead?

[Esquilax]

So you're saying Jesus tricked the Apostles in being alive from the dead?

It's possible.

Of course, since we can't even tell if the guy really existed, I'd say you have more work to do before we can get to that question.