tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post114666660621017974..comments2024-03-25T17:35:02.238-04:00Comments on Debunking Christianity: The Bible Itself Tells Us Ancient People Were Very Superstitious!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-1146833327525857452006-05-05T08:48:00.000-04:002006-05-05T08:48:00.000-04:00John,"is this an intelligence contest?" bingo.One ...John,<BR/>"is this an intelligence contest?" <BR/>bingo.<BR/>One of the things I look for in christians is evidence that they are different from the rest of us. but what i see is the same attitudes, methods that are common to all people. the point becomes 'winning' the argument, saying the most clever thing as opposed to discerning the truth. i went around and around with a christian on another post here, on this topic, and he never got it. i hold christians to a higher standard because thier doctrine does, i.e. "we'll know they are christians by their love", etc. or how about being a "fool for Christ?" (all i see is a desperate effort to seem intelligent) if Jesus lives inside of them, where is the evidence? to me debunking is simply exposing what is false, not beating up on someone (though a fair amount of that happens here to). what we often see here is sparring to 'win' a contest of words, which to me is very revealing, that we're all playing at the same game.paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04437206493901034134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-1146787668218305722006-05-04T20:07:00.000-04:002006-05-04T20:07:00.000-04:00Mike, is this an intelligence contest or something...Mike, is this an intelligence contest or something? I do not believe, and the reason I don't believe is because I see things differently. I use my education and intelligence to help others see what I see. But if what I say is doesn't do this then it might not be because I don't have the needed intelligence or the eductational background, because I do. It might be because you are blinded by your faith and want to hear what they are saying. And who's to judge which is true here?<BR/><BR/>Apparently you think they are winning something here. Bully for you. For me it's not a contest. I do not believe, and the reasons I offer are sufficient for me...that's all I can do, and that's all you can do too.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for reading. Comment all you like.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-1146758745694993462006-05-04T12:05:00.000-04:002006-05-04T12:05:00.000-04:00For those interested, the Triabloguers have writte...For those interested, the Triabloguers have written three posts and some comments over at their site about this thread.nsflhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04129382545589470620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-1146754430119574902006-05-04T10:53:00.000-04:002006-05-04T10:53:00.000-04:00Mike,Thanks for your honesty. If I may ask, of wh...Mike,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your honesty. If I may ask, of what theological/philosophical persuasion are you? Reformed?<BR/><BR/>Also, what arguments do you feel the Christian religion has better answers for? Our origins? Our morality? The problem of evil?<BR/><BR/>Keep reading, and commenting, if you please.<BR/><BR/>Best regards,<BR/>Danielnsflhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04129382545589470620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-1146752686421053902006-05-04T10:24:00.000-04:002006-05-04T10:24:00.000-04:00I have been doubting Christianity for a while now....I have been doubting Christianity for a while now. I am a minister and have been educated at a prestigious seminary.<BR/><BR/>As I searched the internet for reasons for/against wht I believed, someone referrd me over here.<BR/><BR/>At first I read many posts here nad was stimulated by the content. As I searched through previous posts and saw links to triablogue I started readem them as well. I figured I should keep an open mind.<BR/><BR/>I must say that the guys at triablogue have seriously dismantled the folks over here. I can't tell you what a blessing and encouragment it has been for me to see no-nonsense Christians defending their beliefs. With all due respect, John, you have been completely taken apart.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-1146725240780128642006-05-04T02:47:00.000-04:002006-05-04T02:47:00.000-04:00another post bites the dust for Johnonly in the my...<B> another post bites the dust for John</B><BR/>only in the myopic mind of Paul Manureta <BR/><BR/>John, John-Boy, thanks for exposing the claptrap of the sadistic religion called Christianity. I for one appreciate every time I can come here and have my own thinking challenged beyond the myths Christianity peddle as the “truth” and “revelation” of a god. This blog has helped me to realize their imaginary deity is no less “incredible” or “supernatural” than the Pagan gods, and it bolster my rejection of all that Christianity stands for. My sincere appreciation to all the contributors here. <BR/><BR/>Beyond that, I wasn’t sure if I should get your book, but if it contains material such as this, then I am definitely ordering. I didn’t want to own yet another book that addresses the same apologetics, so I am ordering …Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-1146712301605042702006-05-03T23:11:00.000-04:002006-05-03T23:11:00.000-04:00another post bites the dust for John: http://tria...another post bites the dust for John: http://triablogue.blogspot.com/2006/05/debunking-reading-comprehension.htmlErrorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10615233201833238198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-1146686645953395022006-05-03T16:04:00.000-04:002006-05-03T16:04:00.000-04:00What is interesting about this tale is a common re...What is interesting about this tale is a common reaction to a different religion that we still see predominantly today. It is human tendency not to debunk the other position, but rather to bolster their own. <BR/><BR/>As you point out, the crowd does not question Paul, or point out the problems they view in his religion. Rather they figure whoever shouts the loudest wins.<BR/><BR/>How many Christians have read the Qur’an? Or the Book of Mormon? Or studied Islam or Christian Science? Relatively vary few. The way in which most Christians “debunk” competing religions, is to immerse themselves in their own.<BR/><BR/>In the same way, how many people would have even cared to respond, let alone refute early Christianity? There were at least 20 different sects of Judaism that we know of. They have enough in-fighting among themselves, let alone with the Romans to worry about some new upstart religion. Such Messianic claims came and went.<BR/><BR/>And which Christianity to even be skeptical of? Paul’s claims to the gentiles? James’ hold on the church in Jerusalem? The Galilean church? The Johannine Church? The Nazarenes, or The Way, or Peterine, or Judaizers, or Gnostics, or Apollos’ followers?<BR/><BR/>And then we have the Roman Gods of each town and city, all competing for their piece of the action. We have the mystic cults, the druidic cults, and the Mithra cults.<BR/><BR/>People believed in crying statutes, healing pools, howling at the moon, earthquakes at great events, and virgin births with gods. Even Josephus, who we rely upon as an intelligible historian succumbs to recording the occasional miracle. <BR/><BR/>And now some guy comes to our city and tells of this new religion (sounding similar to another resurrected savior cult) about events that happened years ago in another land? Easiest way to set this straight—“Artemis! Artemis! Artemis!”DagoodShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04557451438888314932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-1146682637266029852006-05-03T14:57:00.000-04:002006-05-03T14:57:00.000-04:00My point, Calvin, because you missed it, is that t...My point, Calvin, because you missed it, is that these people believed in religious stories without needing evidence, and that to me is superstitious thinking. I know it's true that what one considers superstition may not be considered so by another. But surely you yourself would see how superstitious these people were to whom Paul told some tall tales.<BR/><BR/>And I said no wonder Paul's story won the day--because it was a bigger tale. And so the question for me is why should I consider Paul's story with any more evidential support than their stories?<BR/><BR/>Paul, I know I know. I've documented most all of them. Consider also the fact that these ancient people were quick to think that the gods can take up human form (Acts 14:11 & Acts 28:6). How many people do you know who would conclude this in today's modern educated world?<BR/><BR/>And we today are supposed to believe that Christians had a different (skeptical?) mindset from their contemporaries? It's a legitimate question which I and the bloggers here have answered with a resounding "NO!"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-1146677474431734152006-05-03T13:31:00.000-04:002006-05-03T13:31:00.000-04:00John,Here's a bit more. Acts 17:23, Paul makes the...John,<BR/>Here's a bit more. Acts 17:23, Paul makes the point outright: "...men of Athens! I see in every way you are very religious." That would be NIV, KJV uses the word "superstitious" instead of "religious." Paul also has a very odd definiton of superstitious.paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04437206493901034134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219785.post-1146672725512166632006-05-03T12:12:00.000-04:002006-05-03T12:12:00.000-04:00I think you have a very odd definition of supersti...I think you have a very odd definition of superstitious. What you've described from Acts is religious belief, yes. But if you're equating religious belief with superstition then your argument that the Bible shows people are superstitious is lacking a point. The Bible <I>does</I> state that people have religious beliefs. My question is: so what? What difference does it make? What does it prove to say that?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com