We all have had this argument to face at least once: how to prove that what the Bible says isn't true. In my last few conversations with theists i have used a path of questions that often leaves them without clear answers or with no answer at all (no response to an argument, on the Internet, often being an admission of defeat).
However it is far from perfect and i will need the help of my fellow atheists to plug the holes
This is only usable against reasonable people, who at least partially accept evolution and have normal moral values.
Here is the present one, simplified, because most of the answers are usually "yes, but..."
Me-Do you agree that some things in the Bible are not true, like Adam and Eve ?
Them - Yes
Me- If the Bible is the word of God, is God a liar ?
Them - No
Me- So this means the Old Testament was written by humans ?
Them - Yes
Me- Then, since Jesus says the Old Testament is true, and in the Gospels appears with figures from the Old Testament (Elie and Moses i believe ?), does this mean that not everything in the Gospels is true ?
Them - well, it has to be interpreted, it cannot be taken literally.
Me- Then, who interprets it ?
Them - The Church
Me- Since the Church has done countless horrible acts in the past, do you agree that it is not always holy ?
Them - Yes
Me- So how can you trust an organization that has been corrupted for two millenia to interpret the sayings of a God that you claim is so above us that we cannot comprehend his intentions anyways ?
That is usually where i lose them, often in the "this is my faith, i cannot prove to you it is real" argument or in inconsistent phrases full of catch-words.
it is a rough draft and probably will not hold against people with high education who really looked into the subject, how can i improve it ?
However it is far from perfect and i will need the help of my fellow atheists to plug the holes
This is only usable against reasonable people, who at least partially accept evolution and have normal moral values.
Here is the present one, simplified, because most of the answers are usually "yes, but..."
Me-Do you agree that some things in the Bible are not true, like Adam and Eve ?
Them - Yes
Me- If the Bible is the word of God, is God a liar ?
Them - No
Me- So this means the Old Testament was written by humans ?
Them - Yes
Me- Then, since Jesus says the Old Testament is true, and in the Gospels appears with figures from the Old Testament (Elie and Moses i believe ?), does this mean that not everything in the Gospels is true ?
Them - well, it has to be interpreted, it cannot be taken literally.
Me- Then, who interprets it ?
Them - The Church
Me- Since the Church has done countless horrible acts in the past, do you agree that it is not always holy ?
Them - Yes
Me- So how can you trust an organization that has been corrupted for two millenia to interpret the sayings of a God that you claim is so above us that we cannot comprehend his intentions anyways ?
That is usually where i lose them, often in the "this is my faith, i cannot prove to you it is real" argument or in inconsistent phrases full of catch-words.
it is a rough draft and probably will not hold against people with high education who really looked into the subject, how can i improve it ?
