Fifty Questions That Christians Can't Answer

[Alex]

1 - If God is omnipotent (all-powerful), why did he take six days to create everything? Why not speak everything into existence all at once?

I'm not a Biblical literalist, so this doesn't really apply

If it doesn't apply, why did you bother? It's addressed to Christians.

I'm not a biblical literalist, neither are most Christians.

The author did not suggest that such a world would make him happy, though I am sure it would be fun. The author was pointing out the fact that if god were perfect than he wouldn't have created such things as childhood leukemia, pedophilia, genocide, etc.

Ah, okay. That's not quite what he said, but whatever.

You've never heard of people being "healed" temporarily?

No, actually, I haven't. Is this a "faith-healing" thing?

I must have missed the passage that says the earth is 6000 years old...

Come on. Like you don't know about Creationist claims that the bible alludes to a "young Earth."

My point still stands. The Bible itself never says "Oh by the way, this is how old the earth is."

*snip*

In Judaism there is no Hell. Once again I'll just skip the rest that don't apply to me for this reason.

*sigh*

Oh gee, sorry for giving a different point of view. I'll make a point of never doing that again.

I'm not Christian either, but I don't think that Christians believe in Hades, at least by that name.

Actually, they do.

(Crap, apparently I can't post links until I reach ten posts. That's kind of lame. Anyway, search "Hades" on Wikipedia, and there's a section called "Hades in Christianity".)

However, I'm not sure of the specifics. Not really a big deal since it doesn't concern me.

Or why don't we take it down a notch and say "What good is free will if we don't get to have premarital sex?"

Funnily enough, the Hebrew Bible never actually says "no premarital sex". Maybe the NT does, I'm not sure.

And god is an evil entity that will turn you into seasoning, if you dare look over your shoulder. I'd make a Hitler reference here, but it would be overkill.

Again, trying to over-simplify it. She directly disobeyed God, knowing full well she shouldn't.

While you're at it, point me to a Christian that doesn't argue against evolution. I haven't seen one of them in a while.

Damn, do you live in the Bible belt or something? I've never met a Christian who's been seriously anti-evolution (though I know a Muslim who is). For example, Catholicism is accepting of evolution.

So, you can have sex whenever you want in Judaism?

Pretty much. Therefore, Judaism = best religion

28 - If God's word is supposed to be the accurate word of God himself, how are we supposed to trust it enough to model our lives after it 100% when hundreds of books were excluded from the original text throughout so many translations and revisions in history?

The Tanakh has existed in more or less in the same form for a very long time.

I'm sorry, what was your point?

That was probably another I should have skipped. The Tanakh hasn't been revised in a damn long time, but the NT probably has.

29 - Why is there no evidence of any of the miracles performed by God? None whatsoever.

Free will. Also most miracles described in the Bible could have come about by natural means.

I laughed at the first part and agreed with the second.

What's funny about free-will? Jew-God goes out of His way to make sure we keep it.

31 - If you believe that your eternal life is more important than your physical life and you believe that all children are innocent in the eyes of God, why not kill your children so they are guaranteed to go to heaven? You can't tell me that it is because killing is a sin. First of all, you could repent thereafter and be forgiven. Secondly, if you would sacrifice your life for your child who is about to be hit by a train, and you believe your eternal life is more important than this life, then it would stand to reason that you should kill your children to ensure their entrance into heaven before they are old enough to be held accountable for being a creature of sin, right?

This is stupid. We're supposed to live this life as well as we can, why would we throw that away?

Why wouldn't we?

Because we're supposed to live this life as well as we can, I already addressed that.

I'll give you that. But, if you start denying that a shitload of wars have been perpetrated by believers in the name of god, I'm just going to have to bow out of this discussion.

True as that may be, I'm of the opinion most of those wars would have happened anyway. Religion just serves as the justification - even if it didn't exist, assholes would find reasons to kill each other.

38 - Building upon the previous question, if it is almost impossible for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven, then why would God create heaven as having pearly gates, streets of gold and many mansions? It sounds like he wants us to be poor in life so that we will want to be rich in the afterlife, maybe? Is God using the sinful value of greed to attract humans to believe in him? Does that make any sense whatsoever?

What? This guy's making shit up and he knows it. No where in the Tanakh or "New Testament" is heaven ever described as such.

Tell me where he mentioned the Tanakh (sounds like a sneeze) or the New Testament.

This is addressed to Christians. The Tanakh ("old testament") and NT are their only holy books, and nowhere is heaven so described, meaning that such descriptions are unbiblical and are no more Christian doctrine than Dante's description of Hell.

[Shell B]

If it doesn't apply, why did you bother? It's addressed to Christians.

I'm not a biblical literalist, neither are most Christians.

Yes, I got that, but you also are not a Christian, which, again, this article is addressed to. That is not to say that you shouldn't attempt to answer the questions. However, I would say you are taking it rather hard for a person who should not be insulted by it at all.

The author did not suggest that such a world would make him happy, though I am sure it would be fun. The author was pointing out the fact that if god were perfect than he wouldn't have created such things as childhood leukemia, pedophilia, genocide, etc.

Ah, okay. That's not quite what he said, but whatever.

Not not quite, not at all.

You've never heard of people being "healed" temporarily?

No, actually, I haven't. Is this a "faith-healing" thing?

Yes, it is.

Come on. Like you don't know about Creationist claims that the bible alludes to a "young Earth."

My point still stands. The Bible itself never says "Oh by the way, this is how old the earth is."

The point is that claims have been made that the Earth is that old, judging by bible passages. I am the last person to agree with that claim. However, the claims have been made nonetheless. The author is obviously directing that at people who believe that, not Jews and atheists.

*sigh*

Oh gee, sorry for giving a different point of view. I'll make a point of never doing that again.

Are you a teenager? Don't get offended, please. I am just asking.

I'm not Christian either, but I don't think that Christians believe in Hades, at least by that name.

Actually, they do.

(Crap, apparently I can't post links until I reach ten posts. That's kind of lame. Anyway, search "Hades" on Wikipedia, and there's a section called "Hades in Christianity".)

However, I'm not sure of the specifics. Not really a big deal since it doesn't concern me.

Sorry, I don't rely on Wikipedia for information. It's rarely reliable. It doesn't concern me either, anyway.

Or why don't we take it down a notch and say "What good is free will if we don't get to have premarital sex?"

Funnily enough, the Hebrew Bible never actually says "no premarital sex". Maybe the NT does, I'm not sure.

Funnily enough, I didn't mention the bible at all.

While you're at it, point me to a Christian that doesn't argue against evolution. I haven't seen one of them in a while. Wink

Damn, do you live in the Bible belt or something? I've never met a Christian who's been seriously anti-evolution (though I know a Muslim who is). For example, Catholicism is accepting of evolution.

No, I most assuredly do not live in the bible belt. Seeing that I have the internet, it wouldn't be difficult to meet many people that are anti-evolution.

So, you can have sex whenever you want in Judaism?

Pretty much. Therefore, Judaism = best religion

That's not my understanding of it.

I laughed at the first part and agreed with the second.

What's funny about free-will? Jew-God goes out of His way to make sure we keep it.

Free will granted by the sky wizard is funny, not free will in itself.

Why wouldn't we?

Because we're supposed to live this life as well as we can, I already addressed that.

And I already personally discounted it.

I'll give you that. But, if you start denying that a shitload of wars have been perpetrated by believers in the name of god, I'm just going to have to bow out of this discussion.

True as that may be, I'm of the opinion most of those wars would have happened anyway. Religion just serves as the justification - even if it didn't exist, assholes would find reasons to kill each other.

I am of the belief that they would have been less evil, if they hadn't been operating under the false assumption that they had god's permission.

Tell me where he mentioned the Tanakh (sounds like a sneeze) or the New Testament.

This is addressed to Christians. The Tanakh ("old testament") and NT are their only holy books, and nowhere is heaven so described, meaning that such descriptions are unbiblical and are no more Christian doctrine than Dante's description of Hell.

This guy disagrees.

[fr0d0]

Point me to the part where he said all Christians. While you're at it, point me to a Christian that doesn't argue against evolution. I haven't seen one of them in a while.

*waves*

The vast majority of Christians on this forum (past and present) aren't anti evolution Shell. We're also, the vast majority of us, anti biblical literalist. Those are some crazy American fundamentalist nutjob notions. None intellectually viable.

[Shell B]

The vast majority of Christians on this forum (past and present) aren't anti evolution Shell.

Thank god for that.

[fr0d0]

Come on. Like you don't know about Creationist claims that the bible alludes to a "young Earth."

My point still stands. The Bible itself never says "Oh by the way, this is how old the earth is."

The point is that claims have been made that the Earth is that old, judging by bible passages. I am the last person to agree with that claim. However, the claims have been made nonetheless. The author is obviously directing that at people who believe that, not Jews and atheists.

Or Christians, if we're generalising. Some deluded monk made up ages for everyone in the bloodlines and hilariously came up with an exact date and time of creation. Even to cite such nonsense makes you insane by association in my book.

This guy disagrees.

Yep... line up the crazies!

[Shell B]

That's the point, Frodo.

[fr0d0]

Sorry I didn't realise you were addressing irrationally held belief in Christianity... I thought you were addressing all of us

[Alex]

Sorry, I don't rely on Wikipedia for information. It's rarely reliable.

I find it decently reliable. Anyway, if you're not going to trust Wikipedia, just google 'Hades in Christianity' and you'll find some decent sources.

Funnily enough, the Hebrew Bible never actually says "no premarital sex". Maybe the NT does, I'm not sure.

Funnily enough, I didn't mention the bible at all.

You were obviously referring to religious (specifically Abrahamic) views on pre-marital sex, don't backpedal.

So, you can have sex whenever you want in Judaism?

Pretty much. Therefore, Judaism = best religion

That's not my understanding of it. *link that I can't quote*

As shown by the , I wasn't being entirely serious. But yes, Judaism is pretty pro-sex.

Free will granted by the sky wizard is funny, not free will in itself.

That's a bit childish.

I am of the belief that they would have been less evil, if they hadn't been operating under the false assumption that they had god's permission.

Maybe.

[Shell B]

I am addressing the people who believe the things that are outlined in the article. Makes sense given that is what we are discussing. I tend to steer clear of blanket statements, as did the author of the article.

---

Sorry, I don't rely on Wikipedia for information. It's rarely reliable.

I find it decently reliable. Anyway, if you're not going to trust Wikipedia, just google 'Hades in Christianity' and you'll find some decent sources.

I'll do that.

Funnily enough, I didn't mention the bible at all.

You were obviously referring to religious (specifically Abrahamic) views on pre-marital sex, don't backpedal.

Backpedal? No, you don't understand my meaning. I am talking about religious views on pre-marital sex, not the bible. Nonetheless, you continue to bring up the bible as if I'll find all of the answers for stupid religious rules there. You don't deny that pre-marital sex is taboo in certain religions, so why argue it?

That's not my understanding of it. *link that I can't quote*

As shown by the Big Grin , I wasn't being entirely serious. But yes, Judaism is pretty pro-sex.

Oh yes, so long as it's done by the rules.

ree will granted by the sky wizard is funny, not free will in itself.

That's a bit childish.

I don't think it is. I think it sums up god rather well.

[Alex]

Backpedal? No, you don't understand my meaning. I am talking about religious views on pre-marital sex, not the bible.

Meaning it doesn't exactly apply to this conversation, so why even bring it up?

Oh yes, so long as it's done by the rules.

Well yeah, but it's not like the rules are that demanding. I can live with no incest or bestiality.

I don't think it is. I think it sums up god rather well.

I'm not sure where the 'sky' part comes from, and perhaps 'first-cause' would be a politer term than 'wizard'.

Or you could just call Him 'God', saves a lot of trouble.