Under a different thread on this board, I posted the below video, of Dan Barker of Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) fame, who speaks about why the biblical god is an impossibility as my response to a Christian's comment, which I paraphrase here, that everything one needed to know about living a good life could be found in the bible and that I should obtain one and read it. Since I received no reply from this person whom I directed it to, nor did I receive a reply from anyone else for that matter, I'm hoping that by now making it the subject of a thread some other bible believer will 'step up to the plate', so to speak, and tell us all where Barker errs in his belief that there is no God because of the many biblical contradictions that he cites. If no one can do it, why isn't everyone an Atheist like me? Thank you. ~ Susan
I tend to prefer people ask their own questions and make their own arguments, because I cannot ask a link or a video for clarification. My discussion is with you. But like the video, let's say you have a concern that something contradictory cannot exist. The video offers an example of an unmarried bachelor.
If one person sees a man about town with a different woman on his arm whenever they bump into each other, the perception would be that the man is a bachelor. However, the person who lives next door and sees him with wife and children perceives him as married. They both write of their experiences. One claims the man is a bachelor; the other claims he is married.
The contradictions found it the Bible are from different people in different situations.
One example offered is that God says He never changes, and then this appears to be refuted with God changing His mind. But...does changing one's mind change one's character or who they are? I was going to have tuna for dinner, but then I changed my mind and I am making chicken. Does this change of mind change who I am? Tonight I think, if offered, I will substitute teach tomorrow. If I change my mind tomorrow and elect not to teach, does it change who I am?
The next examples warns that the iniquity of the father will be visited upon the child--for many generations. I can see this being played out in the lives of a family member. The (bad) choices he made have affected his children, and in turn has had a great affect on his grandchildren as well.
On the other hand, any
punishment my family member may receive for his sin either from God or governmental authority, will not be visited upon his children and grandchildren.
As you see, there is a different connotation in what each passage is saying.
The third "contradiction" involves God tempting. Closer examination shows us that God does not tempt us to do evil. However, God does test our will.
The commandment is to not murder (not 'kill'.) We have to be careful to read correct context and connotation.
And so on and so forth throughout the video, but I think I have made my point. I see the video as someone who has come up with a clever idea--contradictions cannot exist. Therefore, let's label this, that, and the other a contradiction and declare God does not exist.
However, what's the answer when something is incorrectly labeled a contradiction? Does a label shown to be incorrect prove God's existence?
