Things Christians say: part 10. You should read this.

A weekly series of responses to the things Christians say to atheists, based on the video reproduced here on 30th January 2012.  The aim is to tackle one every weekend, to give both a moderate, polite response to each question ('Piano'), followed by a more forceful rebuttal of the same question ('Forte'). 


You really need to read 'this' (substitute any book or web site)

Piano

I have read quite a lot of Christian writings and so far I find all of the arguments unconvincing.  If you would like to convince me why I should read another version then I would respectfully request that you tell me why this particular work is different.  I would like to hope that it will be more convincing than everything else that I have ever read.

Now don't bother to tell me that I am not being open-minded.  All I ask is a little more than a reference to a book or web site.  If your explanation is good enough, then I will read it.  If not, I doubt I will bother.  I don't promise to be easily convinced.  I don't promise not to explain why I disagree with it - which almost inevitably I will - but I would at least think about it.

***

Forte

So, you are giving me a reference to another work of apologetic fiction?  OK, I might read it, quickly, as long as I don't have to pay for it.  I am long past the point of being prepared to part with good money to read the nonsensical outpourings of yet another theologian or apologist, who hopes to make a profit in a futile attempt to make sense of christian doctrine.  Each and every one seems to me to be a work of desperation, starting off from the unprovable position that the bible is true.

Let us look instead at your bible itself, apparently the inspired word of God, to many Christians infallible and uncontestably true.  Since it is Easter eve, it would be appropriate to look at the Easter story itself.

Dan Barker of the Freedom From Religion Foundation long ago offered a challenge to anyone who would take it up.  Write a version of the Easter myth that is fully consistent with all four of the gospels.  As far as I know, nobody has even attempted it, and indeed it would seem a waste of time to do so.  The gospels can't even agree which day the crucifixion took place or the order of events thereafter.

Starting off from such shaky ground, it is tempting to wonder how christianity became so widespread.

Oh yes - I nearly forgot - it became widespread because of the Roman Empire, and because it became the official religion of it after Constantine 'fell out' with Mithraism.  After that it spread because it was profitable to the priests, kept the poor poor and it promised eternal life to those who suffered faithfully and obediently in this world.

I being a little cynical here?  I think not.
 

Last week: Worshipping Satan indeed!
Next week: If there's no god I don't know how anybody would get up in the morning.