I occasionally (ha!) get drawn into rather ridiculous (often interesting) Facebook discussions. Unfortunately these Facebook discussions are stuck on another person’s page when they really should be open for wider discussion. I won’t identify who made the statement that started this, but use it as the start of a blog post.

Sorry Alain, but the Bible is the inerrant word of God filled with circular logic that honestly takes little faith to comprehend, just the ability to read, comprehend and search for truth. Both historical and archeological evidence exist to prove it. Many don’t want to see and understand, and I accept that. But your not believing in it doesn’t make it so. But soon, very soon perhaps, you’ll figure it out.

Sadly then it may be too late.

How can I not respond to something like that?

Inerrant word of God? It’s precisely this type of arrogance that turns people off of religion. Again, you have faith that it is. As is typical of so many in Christianity (and many other religions for that matter), what others have to say is irrelevant. The stand is: believe or be damned. No room for tough questions, wondering about inconsistencies or outright contradictions. It is either accept all at face value, or nothing. And whose interpretation of the Bible should be considered “inerrant fact?”

There is archeological and historical evidence that supports some of what is said in the Bible, but not all of it. It also does not prove conclusively in the existence of God. That is an inerrant fact. There is not one shred of proof we’ve found that God exists. If anyone has proof, please show me. We’d all love to see it.

Then there’s the contention that if you simply read and comprehend, you will believe and see the truth, with the implication that if you don’t read, or maybe do read but don’t agree or see the same “truth” others see, you are somehow ignorant. That, of course, is a matter of opinion.

What I do see is a condescending, smug, arrogant, self-righteous and paternalistic attitude exhibited by many people who have “found God.” I think this is unfortunate because it seems to contradict the Christian ideal of being humble.

I always enjoy it when those who’ve apparently found God make assumptions about me and what I think about God and religion. It’s funny how they are so presumptuous, but never ask. I don’t think they really want to know. They think they know what I believe and don’t believe. Yet another manifestation of arrogance and a paternalistic attitude.

So, what’s the point of all this? All I am saying is that we don’t really have actual, solid proof God exists. What we have are religious texts, written by men, professing to be the word of God. That’s it. It’s all we’ve got.

Am I saying God doesn’t exist? No. Am I saying God does exist? No. I will say that I don’t know. Nobody has proof either way. We will all find out in the end though, I agree.

What we’re left with are a myriad of religious groups causing a lot of problems on Earth, all professing to be acting according to God’s will. They all “know” the true path. Yes indeed, and they’re all building towards a self-fulfilling prophecy of Armageddon.

I don’t necessarily take all of these crazy world events as signs that God exists. I would take them as signs that many people are acting in individual and collective ways, consciously and unconsciously, leading towards these self-fulfilling prophecies.

It’s a shame really, because what so many fail to realize is the real power human beings have to act collectively to solve problems but instead fail to act, effectively giving up control to a small segment of the population who really aren’t acting in the best interests of the wider population.

And of this, there is plenty of historical evidence.

Some interesting reading:

Christians & government authority

Arrogance of Christianity


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