The Incredibly Stupid Things (Few, Hopefully) Atheists Say

[Exian]

I disagree here.
It makes lots of sense if you see it in context as a useful and effective survival strategy for the religion (via its adherents.)

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And if stuck to, unassailable.
The apostles lost their meal ticket.  They had to do something to eat with their guru gone.
Things not going the way you want them to? Make up a (fictional) narrative that says, it was all planned that way.
Similar argument as a frustrated child in error, "I meant to do that!"
All they had to do to carry on the scam was stick to the talking points.


The Jews have spent thousands of years profiting from a similar strategy.

1. We are God's chosen people (so we deserve all the good stuff and can rationalize any nastiness we exhibit.)
   
2. Objection: you got trashed by the (fill in the blank with: Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans.)
   
3. We had a king that didn't (pick one) honor/tithe/sacrifice to God properly and were "chastised."
   
4. We're still God's chosen people.
   

It's a stubborn kind of trick, but a good one.  It works.

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I think he's saying it wouldn't make sense as an original plan, and only makes sense as a track covering tactic, like you said.