My change to Atheism from Christianity (I'm 14)

[Statler Waldorf]

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OK, I can see that, Statler. I suppose what I wonder is, if each one is prone to a certain set of errors, and if you must set each against the other in order to arrive at what is at best an approximation, would you not feel better reading it yourself in Greek? Science may not be "based" on consensus, but when, as is the case, the majority of credentialed scientists agree that the Earth is 4.5 billion years old, it feels no less genuine to me to cite this as a string leaning and a good place to stand on the shoulders of giants, as it were.

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Sure I wish I understood Greek, but I don't, however I trust that I can still gain an extremely good understanding of scripture just from our English translations. Like I said, the errors we know about are very minimal and do not change the overall meaning of any of the Bible. I think there is two verses in Matthew that are believed to be additions that appear in some translations and one small passage in the KJV that I believe is also an addition. They don't say anything super controversial though, so don't get too excited :-)

As for the consensus point, sure if it makes you feel better to go with the consensus opinion then go for it. However, you really shouldn't try and use this opinion to argue against others who believe the consensus is wrong on these matters. Don't forget, if we were living a couple hundred years ago I could very well argue that the consensus opinion believed the earth is 6,000 years old and therefore you should too :-) I would not be surprised that within the next decade they will be saying the earth is over 5 billion years old, so I really don't put too much stock in the majority opinion, it's a pretty corrupt system these days.

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The damage that skeptics have done over these many many years is exactly why you're here attempting to argue for the existence of your version of god instead of simply demanding that I believe with a scourge in your hand.

That's an absurd analogy. I am a Reformed Christian, I don't believe any amount of persuading can force you to believe apart from saving grace. Those skeptics look like brilliant men until they meet an apologist in debate and their dishonesty is brought to light. Bart Ehrman for example is one of the most dishonest men writing on such matters alive today. He refuses to even debate any Biblical scholars because he knows they will bring to light his dishonesty.