I have had so many bible-armed christians trying to convert me whilst vigorously shaking the book at me. They waste my time by shouting(!) to me that in the pages of that volume are all the answers to my life's problems. Once I tried fending such an evangelist off by telling him I didn't think his book could be trusted as a valid reference. I claimed that it contained too many errors and contradictions. But when I was met with the response, "Exactly what errors and contradictions?" I was forced to reveal my ignorance and to display a distinct lack of knowing exactly what the hell I was talking about.
- Man, I hate it when that happens! I went home to try to find some errors for my own peace of mind. I have to admit that I had drawn a conclusion from an unproved (at least to myself) premise. Well, it turns out I was right after all - the thing is infested with gross errors as you can see just by paging through a couple of these chapters. If you look like I did, you'll find hundreds of such items in the bible. I listed more than 200 of the most offensive ones that I and others have found. Nearly any one of these can be used to show the absurdity of following the dogmatic bible without questioning it. Personally, I think it's absurd to follow the bible after questioning it, because I have found it can't withstand serious scrutiny. However, that is not a decision which I presume to make for you nor anyone other than myself. For those of you who own a Newton, you can tote along the NewtonBook version of this document and have it handy to discuss with theists and atheists alike. (Look for this to be posted in my works section very soon!) If you like, you can print these pages too...or not. Whatever. When confronting folks who cling to this dogma, those of us who choose to examine and suspend belief until we discover compelling reasons to do otherwise, will have to live with the fact that no amount of evidence will sway some from their cherished beliefs.
But the practice of superstition is so congenial to the multitude that, if they are forcibly awakened, they still regret the loss of their pleasing vision.
But take heart, you seekers of truth, in the words of Rinzai, a 9th century zen master who recounts this wisdom:
When you meet a master swordsman, show him your sword. When you meet a man who is not a poet, do not show him your poem.Never stop seeking wisdom and amassing knowledge for yourself.
Please mail me and let me know what you thought of my work. Peace
