Tribute Thread For the Recently Raptured Faith

I dont believe your information. What are your sources?

Im more interested in the sources of such information both pro and con and on what led you to conclude much of what you conclude. The apologists have many of the pro sources, and some of them appear quite credible. Of course I recall the "experts" that the apologist cited (Parson) in the videos I showed on ICANTS Great Debate Thread. I also heard the "experts" that Lee Strobel cited in his Case For Christ and case For Faith books...which were refuted by Internet Infidels counter-apologist arguments. So I hear two basic argument/counter-argument narratives from two sides of the issue regarding Biblical Accuracy, Authorship, and Motive for such.What I have not concluded, which you obviously have, is why one set of arguments is more accurate and persuasive than the other set of arguments.I will allow that there are basic disagreements between the gospels. I am not so naive as to believe that the Bible is divinely perfect. There is some room for personal belief and bias to sway a researcher one way or the other.So far nobody has convinced me that the stories were contrived or presented with the human intention of selling a message or persuading a population to believe in a movement. Especially if such a figure as a resurrected Messiah or human actually occurred. What specifically leads you to conclude that Jesus never rose from the dead? What specifically led you to conclude that God is fiction in all human literature generally and in the bible specifically? In other words, why are you an atheist? And why do you like to talk about these topics in an attempt to "set the record straight" with naive believers?

Fair enough. I appreciate your honest answer.

Well then you are simply wrong about reality. Your conclusions are premature.

I went to those posts and started reading the debate. It was indeed well done and well supported through arguments, but it was not necessarily conclusive. The fact that you remembered it shows that it had an impact on your own beliefs and reasoning. I read the entire topic ... The Existence of Jesus Christ and followed the arguments. (One thing stands out...the members then were more articulate and thorough than we members now ) But this argument hardly settles any issue. I will say that the debate within that topic was a delight to revisit. Thanks for the links. I see that you were schooling GDR even way back in 2010 so you have been down this road before. I suppose that I can concede the argument regarding evidence. What I also see, however, is scholars investing an enormous amount of time and research into this subject. But even if we treat it as a myth, it certainly has some debatable issues regarding ideas and early philosophical beliefs, trends, and worldviews. Sometimes I think that if God existed, He either surely would have given us an infallible roadmap...proof...of His existence and plan. The reason that none has been provided does not lead me not to doubt my beliefs as myth but rather to question the entire concept of why I seek to hold onto these beliefs, why others expend so much energy into debunking them, and dare i say judging the soul and intent of the various participants.What I mean is...what is the character of who I am listening to at the moment?Let's take ringo. He is a likable poster. He mentions his early involvement in churches for 1/3 of his life before he "grew up" and embraced evidence and critical thought. The fact that I accept and approve of his online character goes a long way towards my embracing his worldview.
Consider Faith. Faith exposes a similar worldview as the one which captured and indoctrinated me. One would think, then, that I normally would agree with many of her conclusions. The reason that I do *not* is because I find so many objections to her character. If what she preaches and believes is right, one would expect to see fruit in her life. All I see is an older lady with health problems who is staunchly conservative and who continually listens to only speakers and authors and pundits and Pastors who support her own beliefs. It feeds upon itself. To her credit, she too expends a lot of verbal and written energy into defending her worldview. That speaks volumes. Granted she is bad at producing any evidence.The more energy that one puts into an argument, coupled with efforts at presenting a case, counts something with me. Not that they are correct. Evidence also counts quite a bit, obviously...but evidence (or a well-presented argument) does not by itself draw me towards any conclusions.Kapyong seems to have been quite a character. Too bad I never got to have discussions with him. And finally...you and I, Theodoric. We have had some arguments. You mentioned at times how little you respected my argument and at other times commended me for being honest. Apart from any arguments involving evidence...of which I have none...I can usually expect an honest reaction from you, be it pro or con. And that too counts a lot with me.Edited by Phat, : added explanatory jabberwocky

Here at EvC we are all too punchdrunk to do any real damage. Seems we are now merely regurgitating old arguments that we never either settle or concede.Which reminds me...I had to work yesterday so I need to go to YouTube and view the 2019 super bowl commercials. Shows me the ideology of corporate America writ large.