I was having a discussion with a friend of mine the other day, and it started me on a certain train of thought about two topics in particular. I think they’re often points of misunderstanding between those who are religious and those who aren’t. I have my own thoughts about these two issues, but I’d really like to hear from the other nonbelievers who read this blog. As always, Christian commentary is welcome too.
- If the Bible’s claims about God, Jesus, miracles, etc are untrue, what were the motives of the people who wrote it?
- Many nonbelievers view Christians’ efforts at teaching their children and others as indoctrination. Is that a fair term? Why do we view it as indoctrination? And if that’s what it is, what is the point of it? Furthermore, are we indoctrinating our own children against religion? If we’re striving for open-mindedness, should we try to teach our children about religious perspectives as well?
Again, I have my own thoughts regarding these questions. I think they’re often asked (or unasked) in a way that carries some assumptions, and I’ve tried to leave those intact. So if you feel that the questions aren’t phrased correctly, feel free to address that in your response as well.
I almost never directly ask for comments, yet my posts usually get quite a few. It will be just my luck that no one comments now that I’m asking. 🙂
Finding Truth 
We’re not playing, he’s really bad. Ask around —
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Ha! The way he seems to get uninvited to parties seems to speak for itself.
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Well, Sha-zayum! Surprise, surprise, surprise!
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Don’t tell him I said so, but he’s really OK – a little rough around the edges, but otherwise —
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Secret’s safe with me.
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Shhh! 😉
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Oy! I lurk, you know?
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Oy? No wonder you knew how to spell kvetch.
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Oy Vay? I’m kosher on account of an honorary circumcision and an aversion to bacon sandwiches.
Honest.
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“Fetch me the 12-gauge, Mabel, it’s wun a’ them gol durn Christ-killers, tryin’ ta fool sumbuddy by dressin’ up like a E-gypshun!”
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This began as another of Nate’s rather excellent posts. It was quite serious in a sensible, academic way and just look how you, with your 12 gauge and hill-billy antics have lowered the tone of the whole thread!
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Look at ME?! Who started a multi-comment-long mini-thread over a missing “e“?! Nothing like THAT to raise the bar!
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There just IS no substitute, Ark, for taking those meds on a regular basis – you skip a few days, and see what happens –?
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Stop nitpicking and take your medicine like the backwater hick you are…y’all. You owe Nate an apology. Time to man up, Arch.
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Amazing, it only took you 15 minutes to come up with that! You’re improving!
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I had to go to the loo. I am house-trained you know?
Shall we call it a day and move on to annoy the natives on another fine post? 😉
You can bring your 12 gauge…
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Clearly, that’s your story and you’re sticking to it – can’t say I blame you, as a defense, it’s nearly unassailable.
Sure, why not? Being a multi-tasker, I’m already over on Mak’s thread, but there’s really no one to argue with over there, but I will agree, we’ve had enough fun here at Nate’s expense. I’d say, we’ll have to do this again sometime, but I suspect that goes without saying.
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Probably. So, will you say sorry to Nate or will you say sorry?
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Best I can do: “Sorry, Nate, that you allowed Ark to ramble on like this –!”
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I REALLY thought we were done for the day – I mean, I had clocked out and was reaching for a Miller, when here you go again!
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There y’go. I knew I could count on you to come up with something 😉
Next!
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If the Bible’s claims about God, Jesus, miracles, etc are untrue, what were the motives of the people who wrote it?
As for the specific reasons why…I don’t know, but what we do know is that there are countless examples of people forging, imitating, interposing religion in one way or another. Just look at the bible as one example. There are more false and agnostic gospels written than there are book in the bible. Maybe the people who wrote the false gospels did it for political influence, maybe social influence, or perhaps culture influence. Maybe they did for power or money. Maybe when the people who wrote the false gospel did it because they actually believe they were lying on behalf of god. (Eusebius did)They wouldn’t be the first nor the last to do something like that. Maybe they were crazy. (Just look at the countless cases of a people impersonating Jesus.) Maybe they simply had a message they believed in and wanted others to believe the same message. (They who wrote III Corinthians did.) There are countless reasons and past examples for why the writers of the bible did and wrote what they did.
But this part is true, all the examples of above are ten times more plausible then God wrote the bible.
Many nonbelievers view Christians’ efforts at teaching their children and others as indoctrination. Is that a fair term? Why do we view it as indoctrination? And if that’s what it is, what is the point of it? Furthermore, are we indoctrinating our own children against religion? If we’re striving for open-mindedness, should we try to teach our children about religious perspectives as well?
I agree…..”Teach a child one religion, and you indoctrinate them. Teach them many, and you inoculate them.”— Unknown
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The reason Rev. Weems invented the lie about little George Washington chopping down his father’s cherry tree with his little hatchet, was to teach his Sunday School class of little children, the value of being honest.
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Funny. The irony.
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And I strongly suspect the Bible is full of it – irony, that is —
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