Why are other civilizations ignored in the Bible?

[Minimalist]

Argument from Ignorance.

That he has in abundance, D-P.

[Rahul]

David Copperfield to my knowledge has never claimed to be The Son of God. Nor has He ever, to my knowledge caused people who were blind from birth to see. The lame from birth to walk. Or the dead to be raised to life. Nor has He done anything that I am aware of that is the fulfillment of a prophecy written about Him hundreds of years prior to His birth.

The same is true for David Blaine or any other magician.

So why would I believe them if they claimed to be The Son of God?

What proof do you have that Jesus did any of those things?

[Cyberman]

Is that what it takes to be a son of a god now? Dodgy references to magical healing and resurrection taken from a collection of stories that already speak of talking animals and magic fruit? Dear me, the standards for divinity certainly have slipped, haven't they?

[DeistPaladin]

What proof do you have that Jesus did any of those things?

The Holy Spirit told him so.

[DeistPaladin]

Ok. We can debate that. I believe the exact opposite.

My only reservation is it may be too broad a topic, since I'd be covering its history, ranging in subtopics from the fall of Rome to the rise of the Third Reich, from Divine Right to modern Dominionism, from sex to science, from the implications of the basic beliefs of Christianity to is applications for the future.

Maybe we can narrow down to one area where you feel Christianity has been a great benefit to society and it may be that I also have the opposite view.

[discipulus]

Ok. We can debate that. I believe the exact opposite.

My only reservation is it may be too broad a topic, since I'd be covering its history, ranging in subtopics from the fall of Rome to the rise of the Third Reich, from Divine Right to modern Dominionism, from sex to science, from the implications of the basic beliefs of Christianity to is applications for the future.

Maybe we can narrow down to one area where you feel Christianity has been a great benefit to society and it may be that I also have the opposite view.

I have no reservations about talking about the effects of those people's actions who followed Christ's teachings has had on the world.

In fact, since we are not to judge a worldview by its abuse, but rather, by what it teaches, I am confident that when we look at those who have lived according to the precepts of Christ and the effects they have had on the world, we will find that the people of the world have benefited more from these teachings than any other teachings or precepts from any other worldview.

I am more than eager to give you hard cold facts and statistics to back this up.

If you want, let us begin with the children of the world. Since you minced no words when you said:

"Christianity is a dangerous, destructive belief system that has been the greatest disaster to befall humanity and is wholly maladaptive to the survival of human civilization in the future."

And since children are a part of humanity, let us just focus on what the followers of Christ have done for the little ones of the world. And let us compare what atheists and muslims and hindus and buddhists have done for them.

If you are willing, we can start a new thread entitled: "The little ones.....what the followers of Christ's teachings have done for them."

And please do not try to bring up the actions of those who have abused Christianity or used Christianity to accomplish their own selfish ends for we know many have done so and that they were not acting in accordance with what Christ taught.

So if you are able, let us do it.

[DeistPaladin]

muslims

Islam is Christianity on steroids.

[DeistPaladin]

In fact, since we are not to judge a worldview by its abuse, but rather, by what it teaches, I am confident that when we look at those who have lived according to the precepts of Christ and the effects they have had on the world, we will find that the people of the world have benefited more from these teachings than any other teachings or precepts from any other worldview.

My perceptions of Islam aside, I think this is a good way to narrow down the debate. Let's focus on what Christ taught and whether or not these are good moral lessons.

I envision this debate topic:
"Christ's Teachings: Good or Bad"

[Minimalist]

You've got him now, D-P.

[discipulus]

In fact, since we are not to judge a worldview by its abuse, but rather, by what it teaches, I am confident that when we look at those who have lived according to the precepts of Christ and the effects they have had on the world, we will find that the people of the world have benefited more from these teachings than any other teachings or precepts from any other worldview.

My perceptions of Islam aside, I think this is a good way to narrow down the debate. Let's focus on what Christ taught and whether or not these are good moral lessons.

I envision this debate topic:
"Christ's Teachings: Good or Bad"

Nope. I said lets talk about what followers of Christ have done for the children of the world. You said that Christianity is destructive and dangerous and the greatest disaster to befall humanity and is WHOLLY MALADAPTIVE to the the survival of human civilization in the future.

So lets hear you defend that with the specific area being how it has been destructive for children specifically.

I hope you are not trying to wiggle out of this now.

I have cold hard facts and statistics at the ready. I am ready to defend my position. If Christianity is so bankrupt then you should be ready too.

In fact, let us just focus on what atheists have done and what the followers of Christ's teachings have done. Let us compare the two side by side. Let us finally put all this petty bickering to rest. I have evidence, I have proof. That which you all have been asking for. So lets roll.

The children....what have atheists done for the children of the world. You defend that while I defend mine.

---

You've got him now, D-P.

I do not think D-P is up to what I have challenged him on. I hope he is. Not that it will mean much to you. But I do so hope that you follow our debate.