Atheists: If God doesn't exist then how can the Bible make 2 opposing claims and both be true?

Question

II SAMUEL 24: And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Isreal and Judah.

I CHRONICLES 21: And SATAN stood up against Isreal, and provoked David to number Israel.

And God can make a square circle too.

Answer 1

You know it would have to be a very powerful to make two opposing facts true. Just shows how powerful she is.

Answer 2

Alas there is much lost in Bible translation and frequently things added. Remember that in the original there is no punctuation, so using a literal translation we have two phrases in 2 Samuel:

"And the anger of Jehovah addeth to burn against Israel"

"And moveth David about them, saying, `Go, number Israel and Judah"

The phrases are co-equal, "And the anger..", "And moveth.." The "And" is more of "It came to pass..." so it does not mean that the moving was caused by Gods wrath. There is also no linking pronoun in the second phrase, so who or what moved David to number is not stated (as opposed to in Chronicles where "the adversary" is stated).

So the translator created a allusion that God's anger cause God to move David which is not in the original.

There are some contradictions in the Bible, but they are very minor points.

Answer 3

I'm not sure why you're directing this question at atheists. I'd be more interested to see Christians justify it.

It looks like one translator caught this. In the
21st Century King James Version:
And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he [Satan] moved David against them to say, "Go, number Israel and Judah."

Answer 4

I myself think that a group of ppl made the Bible to try to make ppl think that dying is not such a big deal. I mean I cant say that I am atheist or a believer b/c sometimes I do have my doubts. I am an agnostic with the hope that I wont just lie and rot after I die but also I think that even if the Bible was a written testament of God that men have changed it over time to fit their own wants

Answer 5

Depends how you translate it. It's all metaphors which can be translated any way you like.

The two texts don't actually say anything. If it had said 'and Lebanon stood up against Israel and provoked Iran to number Israel' then it would have a meaning, as it it there's no meaning to it.

Sory but as I see it, religion is open to far too much interpretation to be taken as the truth.

Answer 6

Come on, the book is God's word and everything in the book is real and accurate, because God wrote it. Did that sound sincere? I almost said that without laughing, I am thinking academy award for that one. Ha......ha.....ha......in all reality the Bible is the most contradictory piece of fiction on the planet. But somehow Christians will twist things so that the contradiction is justified. Like "God is amazing isn't he to be able to do this", which means nothing but helps them mentally.

Answer 7

Honestly im atheists i dont believe in the bible I honestly think it was made up by a group of men who decided the world was too out of control and they thought it would calm it down for a while little did they know everyone would take so well to the idea!

Answer 8

whilst/Why: Freshman 12 months of highschool; it in basic terms did no longer sound top to me. have been you raised as an atheist? No. Did you reject spirituality as a newborn? No. Did it would do with religious practices? My disbelief in faith and my disbelief in God, nonetheless suitable, are distinctive. Did it would do with the common interpretation of god is? extremely, nonetheless it ties into what I reported above. grow to be it the bible: Above, yet yet back. yet enable me in basic terms say, if I ever do start up believing in God back, by no potential am I changing to Christianity. it extremely is led to too lots discomfort and hatred, sorry. Did something ensue on your existence? No, greater in basic terms a serial progression of serious questioning. I went by distinctive own theories of the assumption of "god" till now I reported, "Y'comprehend what? No. It isn't clever no rely how i attempt to place it." grow to be it to avert conformity? i'm already gay, i've got have been provided that lined besides the undeniable fact that it wasn't by selection. :P Is it because of fact the religious theory of god and technological information "contradict"? particular. Why did you brush aside the assumption of god yada yada: in case you desire me to respond to my reasons for no longer believing in God (no longer faith), PM me. it would probable be too huge for this answer.

Answer 9

God was the ultimate source behind the action. Satan was an agent that he worked through on that occasion.

Like in the book of Job, God permitted satan to move against Job. When the varies tragedies happened to Job, it was satan actually doing the deeds. But God was the one in control.

So in this cause, satan was the one who whispered the idea into David's ears to count the people (in preparation for raising a army when he was not suppose to). but God was one in control.

Answer 10

Why? Why, do you people continue to try to convince atheists that God exists with the Bible?! They don't believe in the Bible except as some explanation of why things happen for ancient people who asked questions. What do you think is going to happen? Atheists on here are going to "see the light" and convert?

Answer 11

2 diferent books and 2 diferent veiws and it never said that god couldn"t use satan as a means to an end ill test your mind now the bible never said that adam and eave were the only ones.when there son cane killed able god banished him and marked him so that others would not kill him for what he did . who were these other people?