The Bible's Creation

[panta-rei]

Not long ago, I heard someone say something along the lines of, "How did some idiot manage to fool half the world with a stupid book?" in reference to the Bible. I thought about this statement for a while, and this is what I came up with. If someone takes into the idea that the Bible was written by some random guy a long time ago, then he would have to be very intelligent, not some idiot. This man would have to have a great knowledge of science, geography, Greek, Hebrew, kings, laws, mathematics, slavery, and Jewish tradition and culture. How can anyone believe that the Bible was written by one man? And even worse at one time?

[Dreamworld]

Not long ago, I heard someone say something along the lines of, "How did some idiot manage to fool half the world with a stupid book?" in reference to the Bible. I thought about this statement for a while, and this is what I came up with. If someone takes into the idea that the Bible was written by some random guy a long time ago, then he would have to be very intelligent, not some idiot. This man would have to have a great knowledge of science, geography, Greek, Hebrew, kings, laws, mathematics, slavery, and Jewish tradition and culture. How can anyone believe that the Bible was written by one man? And even worse at one time? The OT was put together by many prophets. The NT by Jesus's disciples.

[panta-rei]

Right, I know, but many atheists think it was just a trick made by some fool.

[Needcatscan]

Seriously? I've never heard that from an atheist.

[Sisyphus50]

Right, I know, but many atheists think it was just a trick made by some fool. To put this as succinctly as possible without sounding inflammatory, I think you're pulling that out of your ass. Or you hang around with inarticulate, stick-it-to-the-man teenage atheists. The Bible is a collection of allegorical and metaphorical stories written by Jewish and Christian authors (old and new testament respectively). A lot of material was discarded by the Council of Nicea in an attempt to unify all the different sects of Christianity into one back in the early days of the church. Much of that material was rejected for being inconsistent with the rest, or just plain ridiculous (more so than what was actually left in the final edition). This man would have to have a great knowledge of science, geography, Greek, Hebrew, kings, laws, mathematics, slavery, and Jewish tradition and culture. If I had the energy to do so I'd tear this statement to shreds, but I'll just settle for saying that interpretations of this book held back science for over 800 years, in what is now called the Dark Ages (lack of electric lighting is not what gives it this name...). It has nothing of relevance to say on science or mathematics (claiming that Pi is equal to exactly 3, or that the Earth is the Centre of the solar system/universe, for example). As for geography, I don't see Australia, Antarctica, or either of the Americas mentioned in it. You'd think someone inspired by God would have knowledge that no one else of his own day and age would. Most of Asia and the southern part of Africa weren't even explored when this book was written. It's just an old book written by men who wrote about the times in which they lived. In which slavery and rape were common, women were abused and treated like property, gays were killed in the most gruesome ways, and tribes of men would slaughter one another if they saw a favourable omen to do so.

[Serkat]

The bible isn't a specifically good work of either art or science. It's average for being 2000 years old and easily outclassed by any magazine of Science or Nature in kiosks today.

[Dreamworld]

To put this as succinctly as possible without sounding inflammatory, I think you're pulling that out of your ass. Or you hang around with inarticulate, stick-it-to-the-man teenage atheists. The Bible is a collection of allegorical and metaphorical stories written by Jewish and Christian authors (old and new testament respectively). A lot of material was discarded by the Council of Nicea in an attempt to unify all the different sects of Christianity into one back in the early days of the church. Much of that material was rejected for being inconsistent with the rest, or just plain ridiculous (more so than what was actually left in the final edition). If I had the energy to do so I'd tear this statement to shreds, but I'll just settle for saying that interpretations of this book held back science for over 800 years, in what is now called the Dark Ages (lack of electric lighting is not what gives it this name...). It has nothing of relevance to say on science or mathematics (claiming that Pi is equal to exactly 3, or that the Earth is the Centre of the solar system/universe, for example). As for geography, I don't see Australia, Antarctica, or either of the Americas mentioned in it. You'd think someone inspired by God would have knowledge that no one else of his own day and age would. Most of Asia and the southern part of Africa weren't even explored when this book was written. It's just an old book written by men who wrote about the times in which they lived. In which slavery and rape were common, women were abused and treated like property, gays were killed in the most gruesome ways, and tribes of men would slaughter one another if they saw a favourable omen to do so. Thats funny because the two most bloddies events in history were WWI, and WWII. In fact a larger percantage of lives have been lost for murder, then in any other century.

[skysaw]

Thats funny because the two most bloddies events in history were WWI, and WWII. In fact a larger percantage of lives have been lost for murder, then in any other century. I'm assuming you meant this as a challenge to Alextanium's post, which is implied by "That's funny because..." But unless "bloddies" has some deep and complicated meaning that I'm missing, you responded to his post by presenting something that had absolutely nothing to do with it.

[Sisyphus50]

I think he's trying to downplay the violence and persecution in 'the good book' by saying the worlds greatest atrocities have been committed in this century. It's a lot easier to wrack up a higher body count with the same technology that caused the exponential growth in population in the first place. On a barely related note, I just found this chart. I call that gap a bigger atrocity than either or both world wars. I can't even imagine where we'd be if that gap had never existed.

[skysaw]

I think he's trying to downplay the violence and persecution in 'the good book' by saying the worlds greatest atrocities have been committed in this century. Thanks, yes I did get his point. I'm just questioning why that popped up where it did. Seemed a non-sequitur to me.

[Dizko]

I think he's trying to downplay the violence and persecution in 'the good book' by saying the worlds greatest atrocities have been committed in this century. It's a lot easier to wrack up a higher body count with the same technology that caused the exponential growth in population in the first place. On a barely related note, I just found this chart. I call that gap a bigger atrocity than either or both world wars. I can't even imagine where we'd be if that gap had never existed. What are the units that 'scientific advancement' is measured in?

[skysaw]

What are the units that 'scientific advancement' is measured in? I'm pretty sure it was just a conceptual drawing.

[Xaqaria]

You should let your friend know that if you could pin the whole thing on one man it would have to have been Constantine; one of the most powerful Emperors of Rome.

[Dreamworld]

You should let your friend know that if you could pin the whole thing on one man it would have to have been Constantine; one of the most powerful Emperors of Rome. Also Charles the Great.

[Sornaensis]

Right, I know, but many atheists think it was just a trick made by some fool. lolwut Back that up good sir I ask.

[Sandform]

It was put together by the one and only God!

[Sornaensis]

...And which one are we talking about here?

[Xaqaria]

Also Charles the Great. I don't see how, the Catholic church was already well established and the Franks were already christianized before Charlemagne was even born.