First off, I would like to say that while I haven't posted here much, I do maintain a healthy interest in the topics addressed on the EvC forum and I read through many of the posts. I have been meaning to post something and this seemed as good a time as any.
I officially enter McBirnie's "Search for the Twelve Apostles" into evidence.
Willowtree, I have not read McBirnie's book, but I have found reviews and summaries online. One site in particular:
The Skeptical Review » Internet Infidels
told how McBirnie himself admitted he could find no evidence. All he had were conflicting stories and traditions. This did not swerve his belief, but it also cannot be called evidence. Oral traditions and stories (especially ones that tell different things) aren't evidence. Many societies have traditions and stories, and we have also been able to show many of them wrong based on evidence. Therefore, traditions alone are not enough. If McBirnie has anything else referenced in his book, I would like to see that posted.
Brian offers "evidence" against Matthew (finally), which means he also knows of the evidence that claims Matthew was martyred. If he accepts one scrap to rise and be evidence against checkmate, then how does it cancel out the mountain of sources that say otherwise ?
Brian posted a site that offered two conflicting stories. Once again, I do not call this "evidence" for or against, but it was just what you asked for. He offered another story that contradicted your claim.
I had to wait for someone to post something against, by doing this they cannot now say the evidence for martyrdom to not be evidence/invalid.
Someone offering a differing viewpoint does not validate yours. No one has said the apostles WERE NOT martyred for their beliefs, but no one has shown evidence on either side. This does not make one side more likely than another.
"Of course...we all create god in our own image" - Willard Decker, Star Trek: The Motion Picture
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