The Bible Is Just A Book

May 8, 2009

At a recent atheist meetup the discussion turned to inconsistencies in the bible.  The ex-christians got into the minutia of various passages and had a great time debating and pointing out problems.

As typically happens my eyes glaze over.  To me such discussions sound like:

Here it claims the fish are red, but then says they are blue.

Yes, but do the fish have stars or cars?

No, no, there is only one fish not two!

OK, maybe not exactly like that but close.  Since I have never been a believer, to me the bible is just a collection of fables. Very few people would discuss other books in such a way.  It is a collection of stories written by different anonymous authors so  it is unsurprising that there are inconsistencies.

I react the same way to front door proselytizers who quote bible verses to defend their position.  They could be quoting from little red riding hood for all I care.  The book may be meaningful for them but not at all for me.

Perhaps I will have to try reading a bit of the bible again.  You never know, maybe next time we will be discussing whether the ham is green or just the eggs.


Life Without Religion

May 8, 2009

I really wish I wasn’t an atheist.  It would be totally necessary if we lived in a culture like the Piraha.

Tell me again why misionary work is good!

[via GrrlMeetsWorld]


The Old Testament

February 24, 2009

The Jewish people gave the Christians the old testament. Unfortunately, some Christians never got the joke.


List of Christian Evangelist Scandals

January 31, 2009

I Love Wikipedia!

List of Christian evangelist scandals.


Ted Haggard Sucks

January 31, 2009

Ted Haddard is unfortunately trying to rehabilitate his image.  It is not working well.

Recently, it was revealed that Pastor Ted had a sexual relationship with a  church volunteer who was in his 20s.  The church subsequently reached a legal settlement with the man and paid for counseling and his college tuition.

Now there is this wonderful video.  I hope it helps.

I want to call him a fucking hypocrite but that is slandering sex.

I think it is really great that his ex-megachurch, where he preached the evils of homosexuality, is now supporting gay men.

via Pharyngula


Christopher Hitchens – Religion Illustrated

January 17, 2009

Christopher Hitchens, always fun.


God Bless You

January 5, 2009

How does an atheist respond to someone who blesses them.  This happens to me occasionally, one of the first and most memorable happened when I was returning a cell phone I had found.  After several calls back and forth, I ended up driving into Georgetown in Washington DC to connect with the phone’s owner who was leaving DC that day.   He managed to spot my car in the traffic and I just handed the phone to him through the window.  To thank me he said “God Bless You” and was off.  At the time I was driving and did not have time to think of a response other than you are welcome.

After reflection I think a better response would be “Thank you for your kind thoughts, but I am an atheist”.  Would someone who routinely bless someone be shocked that an evil atheist went out of their way to help them?  I wish not but think so.

Is there a better way to handle this situation?


Five Biggest Lies About Christianity

December 29, 2008

Edward Current is always fun.


Science Proves Nothing the Video

December 16, 2008

Found this wonderful video on Unreasonable Faith.

The power of spitty-slurpy.


Same Sex Marriage

December 14, 2008

I don’t understand the big deal about gay marriage.  Canada and a few other countries have allowed same-sex marriage for some time.  The overall effect is a few more people are married and not much else.

When people rant about not allowing gays to marry and that it is an abomination, what I hear in my head is that interracial marriage is wrong, or that the bible justifies slavery.  Most people no longer believe that these are wrong.  Those that are against same-sex marriage should look closely at their prejudices beliefs.


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