(January 7, 2013 at 11:38 pm)DeistPaladin Wrote:(January 7, 2013 at 8:25 pm)mr.atheist Wrote: How about the ones that when you use a quote from the bible to show how horrible it is,they always say you are taking it out of context? But they do the same.Or the ones that say that people who do bad things because of religion say those people aren't true christians and been a true christian means following christ?
I dont even know if you could them as apologists but they are arguments I have heard for religion.Just thought I would bring them up.
...this sounds like...
The Liberal Apologist
Demeanor: Jesus is love to these Christians and somehow mainstream Christianity has managed to get it all wrong for 2000 years. Apparently, the greatest Christian minds just aren't as smart as these people. How unfortunate for Christianity's victims since then.
Possible Nature: These people aren't necessarily liberals in the political, social or economic sense. They may be Republicans or Democrats. What they all have in common is their desire to make Jesus in their own image. The Bible says whatever they want it to say and no interpretation is too obtuse.
Favorite Fallacies: "Quote mining", "special pleading", "ad hoc hypothesis" and most of all, "moving the goal posts"
Suggested Strategy: While debating a fundamentalist may seem like assaulting a fortress, debating the liberal apologist is more like guerrilla warfare. They are nowhere and everywhere. Pinning them down on anything may be neigh impossible as they shamelessly shift positions on a dime. Focus on the most important question: Is the Bible the Word of God or is it Not the Word of God? Expect them to offer and try to justify a "sort of" answer where parts were "inspired" and other parts not so much. At this point, ask them to explain how they know which is which. Since we are not God or angels, how should we be able to tell the difference. When they offer nothing more than "you just know", they've revealed that they're making up their own religion and their own Holy Book and can dispense with the pretense of calling themselves "Christian".
Thanks for the lowdown.
