The Reasons why "Just Following Jesus" Doesn't work

[Minimalist]

Jesus doesn't know where he's going. I trust my GPS.

[AFTT47]

Actually, what they're doing works just fine for them. They don't deny the OT, they just rationalize away any need to follow it. The fantastical stories were metaphors, the laws only applied to a specific group of people, Yaweh was such a prick because that's all the people of that era would respect, etc.

[ReptilianPeon]

The Bible Belt/Republican Party is full of hypocrites. Can you imagine if Jesus behaved like a private health insurance provider? He would constantly be saying to people that he can't heal them because they haven't given him enough money...

[abentwookie]

I'm sure that you have met some of those Christians that say they aren't like the "bad Christians" they throw out the old testament and just follow the words of nice cuddly Jesus, well that doesn't work either.

You made some good points but I do have to disagree on a couple of them. One thing I want to say is that I wish Atheists would tone down the "You're just a stupid creatard!" type of comments. I agree with what Matt Dillahunty said about that subject. It is okay to say an argument is stupid as long as you can show WHY that is the case but we shouldn't say religious people are stupid. I think it reflects negatively on atheists. I understand it can be frustrating but it is important to remain civil when discussing these issues because we need to be the ones who appear to be rational and calm. When I debate people, I often have the urge to ask if the other person is an idiot and it can be difficult to resist saying it. However, it is better to let your opponent be the one who does the name-calling if your goal is to try to convince people who are either on the fence or already question their views.

It also isn't accurate to say they are stupid or at least it doesn't appear to be the case from my point of view. Many have just been manipulated into believing something ridiculous. I have debated a lot of religious people and most of them were not stupid. Naive? Sure. Ignorant about certain topics? Usually. However, I will point out that we're all ignorant about certain things so this isn't just something that is exclusive to religious people. I could point out several quotes from Atheists that sound exactly like something a religious fundamentalist would say.

I think Dillahunty summed it up perfectly when he said that he didn't get smarter when he became an atheist, he just became more informed about certain subjects.

[Joods]

Funny because on other boards I've been on, christians are the first ones to incite name calling as soon as you challenge their beliefs or refuse to convert to their twisted, brain-washed way of thinking. Happens every time. Then when you say, "well, that wasn't very christian of you.", they go all bat crap crazy.
More christians need to learn to take the high road they claim to walk on.

[abentwookie]

Funny because on other boards I've been on, christians are the first ones to incite name calling as soon as you challenge their beliefs or refuse to convert to their twisted, brain-washed way of thinking. Happens every time. Then when you say, "well, that wasn't very christian of you.", they go all bat crap crazy.
More christians need to learn to take the high road they claim to walk on.

Oh sure, I have had a lot of religious people react with hostility and name-calling during discussions. My point is that we need to be better than that. When I debate someone my goal is never to change that person's opinion because we all know it is highly unlikely to happen. My main goal is to possibly shift the views of people who are on the fence about a topic. With that in mind, I think it is important for me to be the one who appears calm and rational while my opponent is being overly hostile and ranting incoherently.

I'm not perfect and I will occasionally say things I shouldn't say but I do try to avoid those situations. It basically comes down to the old idiom, "you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar."

[Whateverist]

Gotta call bullshit. Of course you can open a book wherever you like and just take what you get from it. That is the way it works even if you read a book straight through.

You were right at the start when you expressed relief/happiness that at least they aren't creationist/fundamentalists. From there, like it or lump it, they are adult human beings who are going to form their own takes on reality and values without regard to what you or I think. Personally, I'm in favor of that. Even if they are making a mistake by your or my standards, it is better in my opinion that they act coherently for what they believe and feel. That is the only way to take the next step as an individual. Anyone who becomes persuaded that they have to please you or me in order to be okay is lost. Lets leave proselytizing to the people who invented it. I'm fine without god but I'm not knocking on doors to get followers.

[abentwookie]

Jesus doesn't know where he's going. I trust my GPS.

Yeah, he must have a really horrible sense of direction, considering that people have been saying he would be back soon throughout history. I think it is time to send out a search party.

[Minimalist]

Funny because on other boards I've been on, christians are the first ones to incite name calling as soon as you challenge their beliefs or refuse to convert to their twisted, brain-washed way of thinking. Happens every time. Then when you say, "well, that wasn't very christian of you.", they go all bat crap crazy.
More christians need to learn to take the high road they claim to walk on.

Yes...at the end of the day the fact is that most xtians are simply full of shit.

[robvalue]

Excellent video, I enjoyed it very much. Had me cracking up as well

I think it would have been good to say why christians can't pick and choose without being hypocrites, that reason being their ridiculous claim that the bible is divinely inspired and cannot be wrong about anything. Only by admitting that it is at least partially wrong can their position become consistent. Sorry if you did say that and I missed it! You did mention the other reason to not ignore the Optional Testament, which is good.