A long time ago, I was browsing my Facebook page when I came across a post that ridiculed Kirk Cameron’s efforts to sell an “Atheist” Bible.
A friend (who it turns out to be an atheist) seemed to think that Kirk was “uninformed”
Well I thought, lets discuss this issue, and what follows is a record of our discussion.
I really looked forward to his responses and enjoyed considering and responding to his concerns.
Some of my friends comments are a bit lengthy, and as I read them I found echoes of myself, seeking to defend a position simply by supplying a massive quantity of words, knowing inside that he quality of the argument was weak.
If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus, you may find encouragement, and some understanding of an atheist’s worldview.
If you are an atheist, I would encourage you to read and consider my responses. I seek to understand your position, and if you see a fallacy in my thinking, please comment. I only ask that you focus your position to one point at a time, in order that I may respond (if I can) without unnecessary confusion.
My comments and responses are in red.
Music is a bit corny, and it seems he is reading some prepared text. And selling the Bible may be giving fuel to the implication of profiteering. He may even be an idiot. I don’t know.
The issue is whether or not the Bible’s message – that of the resurrection of Jesus Christ – is accurate.
If it is, then the implications are enormous.
If it isn’t, then Kirk Cameron (and all believers in the message of His resurrection) can be ignored.
Before you condemn it, read the Bible for yourself.
It is very surprising!!!
I’ve read enough of the passages to know they are stories that do not reflect an accurate amount of information. It’s like telling a story today and writing about it years later but not by you….the first passages were not written until approximately 50 years after a death of someone who was creating a cult (small amount of people) that would later grow to a religion. Just other religions before it starts with a few and if the message is enticing enough then more join and grow.
Unfortunately or fortunately as we understand more about biological, psychological, genetic, etc. influences it seems very unlikely for such a being to exist. I am biased toward the facts that are presented by repeated measures and not a single anomaly that only a select few can observe…and it’s a bit ludicrous to think that only a few countries in the world can pray and have a miracle happen…is it 5500/day in Africa that die from aids? And a majority of the population had been introduced to Christianity….but alas they still suffer everyday, why such selection? It just makes absolutely no sense if you look at the whole of things instead of such a concentric view of life.
Did Jesus rise from the dead?
The recording of the histories, the probability of a certain thing happening, (or person existing), and the suffering of untold innocents are merely sidebars to the issue.
By the way, what are YOU doing to alleviate the suffering of the dying?
It is easy to be an armchair critic, esp if your search for truth relies on “reading enough passages”
BTW, most of your arguments are very common distractions to the core issue of YOUR responsibility to search out truth. In the end, if you are satisfied with the above arguments, be content.
Otherwise, continue to search.
Be blessed, Friend!
BTW, as I reread your msg, I seemed to “hear” you link Christianity with a health and wealth prosperity gospel (ie 5500 die in Africa and yet introduced to Christianity)
I suppose the passages you read in the Bible didn’t include the many passages about believers suffering sickness, poverty, sadness and persecution. (BTW the Bible is rife with these passages!)
This apparent link doesn’t exist, and might hint at the implication that the passages you “read” might be select popular passages from a sunday school, or common discussion texts that are discussed in a group that heard about these texts.
Read the Bible. It may surprise you what you are fighting against.
Be blessed Friend
Hey thanks for dropping by and reading my post, especially if you are an atheist friend. I hope to hear from you and would appreciate a comment to begin a discussion.
Have a great day.
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Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion.
Considering the Bible 
A bit late in getting back to you.
I suppose one can have faith about many things, but my previous point is the requirement of faith for nonrepeatable occurrences.
Neither you nor I were present during the big bang, so both you and I have faith in “a message” about this nonrepeatable occurrence. I was hoping to focus on this aspect of faith in our discussion.
I agree faith is an abused term, and much foolishness is associated with it – like your example of the stripper slot.
(Golly we do have trouble with spellcheck!)
Anyway, I would disagree with your statement “faith is not a reliable path to the truth” in one way.
I would suggest that faith is the only path to truth for those things that are not repeatable.
The message becomes the issue. Faith is the vehicle to appropriate the message into your worlview.
Looking forward to your thoughts.
Thanks and have a great day, eh?!
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I listened yesterday, to a ‘Good Christian’ demanding that Atheists not post insulting, inaccurate memes. I feel the same way about that little graphic at the top. It makes a lot of incorrect, strawman claims. 👿
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I appreciate the comment.
Can you elaborate on one of the claims that you feel is a “strawman”
I hope we can discuss. I would be happy to replace the graphic as I understand your points.
Thank again.
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Almost every word in that meme image is incorrect, inaccurate, a direct lie and/or a strawman claim. To begin with, Atheism is not a religion. If you don’t believe me, see what the IRS has to say about it. https://archonsden.wordpress.com/2019/08/28/is-atheism-a-religion/
Unlike most religious blocs, Atheists are more likely to hold a wide variety of opinions on any matter. It pleases Christian Apologists to make such claims, but scientific, statistical studies have proved that a large majority of Atheists don’t believe that existence is spontaneous, causeless, sourceless, purposeless, or meaningless. They merely do not believe that there is an external supply force that is your (or anyone’s) definition of God.
This meme is as fallacious and insulting as ones that Atheists put up, saying ”Christianity Is Insanity” or “God Is The Square Root Of Minus One.” 😯
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Archon – Thanks for getting back to me.
I suppose the govt might not define atheism as a religion, but I always figgered a life based on faith to be some sort of religion. Be that right or wrong, that was my thinking.
I see the diversity of atheism to be similar to the diversity of Christian groups, so I can relate to your reluctance of being lumped in with those you dont see eye to eye with.
By the way, for those who do not believe Jesus rose from the dead according to the scriptures, Christianity surely is insanity.
I get the square root of minus one, i.e. imaginary number. Kinda “imaginative” slur on the existence of God, if your a math geek!!!
I will gladly remove the meme, but ask that you discuss issues with me through this series. May we both exercise reasoned debate as opposed to emotional argument.
Looking forward to more discussion. Thanks again, eh?!
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Please explain how you decided that Atheism is some kind of faith. It is a position about ONE thing – the existence, or non-existence, of (a) God or gods. Everything else is something else.
Faith is the reason that people give, when they don’t have good reasons to believe! If they had good reasons, they would give those.
You are at least polite and open-minded enough to consider further debate, but I am unsure whether my schedule will allow it. 😀
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I am somewhat confused with your statement about the reason people give for faith, since faith is a synonym for belief.
If my worldview includes a repeatable happening, such as any chemistry experiment, I would consider that to be a scientific basis for my worldview. If it is non repeatable, and I rely on the message from another, or imagine what happened, I consider that to be faith based.
I hope your schedule allows further discussion friend. Have a great day.
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While faith and belief are similar, your example points out the difference. Belief usually involves evidence, while faith is often based on the lack of it. Faith does not mirror observed reality. One can have faith about a lot of things.
You can have faith that the white race is somehow intrinsically better than humans with other skin tones. You can have faith that the Earth is flat. You can have faith that children should not be vaccinated, because some researcher falsified data for a research grant, and a slipper slut, too dumb to read an eye chart, backs him up to two million internet followers.
Faith is not a reliable path to the truth. I want to believe as many true things, and as few false things as I can. I reject “Faith,” and I wish a lot more people did! 😥
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BTW: That should read “stripper” slut. 😯
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