(March 24, 2016 at 2:13 am)robvalue Wrote: I think you might be starting from the conclusion that what Jesus says must make sense, or must be generally "good advice".
The fact that you're throwing up very real and logical objections shows that this isn't the case, and I think you're trying to let Jesus off the hook rather than say his words are not always very good.
Just my opinion. I've seen similar thinking from almost every religious theist, that the bible must make sense, so any concession or excuse is automatically justified.
But are you dismissing the point that every statement doesn't necessarily need to be read as absolute? Is not the atheist starting from the conclusion that it would not make sense and have a confirmation bias that a contradiction would make more sense than a rational explanation? I don't believe its been demonstrated that Jesus made an absolute rule that salvation requires giving away all your possessions to the needy.
And I personally have come to the conclusion that the bible doesn't make sense in a lot of areas. That being said, its in my personal nature to require satisfactory explanation when I don't view a claim as being clearly explained and logical. Have you found me saying the typical theist lines? Like, just gotta have faith! Or, God works in mysterious ways? I don't believe I have appealed to those weak arguments.
