"Laughing At Religion" Meme Thread

[Belacqua]

I was talking about Tolkien, the author of the book you seem to like best. I'm surprised to hear that you find him unreasonable, intellectually dishonest, and unintelligent.

I don't give a hoot what Tolkien thought about the Bible. Neither did I say, or suggest, that those who take the Bible seriously are unreasonable, intellectually dishonest or unintelligent.

Here is what you said:

But in the actual analysis, that is exactly what the Bible turns out to be---a load of rubbish! It is a book of nonsensical, fantastic stories about talking animals, talking bushes, mythical creatures, people rising from the dead, magic and pseudo-history. It is the creation of ignorant, fallible men, reflecting the prejudices, superstitions, bad theology and fears of the times in which it was written. It promotes slavery, ethnic cleansing, race prejudice, wars of conquest, the subjugation of women, child abuse and genital mutilation. It promotes the worship and celebration of a god who is little more than an egotistical, homicidal, fear-mongering tyrant. It is a book which any reasonable, intellectually honest, and intelligent person should heartily dismiss as bad fiction.

emphasis added

But of course Tolkien didn't dismiss the Bible as bad fiction. Therefore he is, by your measure, not reasonable, not intellectually honest, and not intelligent.