Does anyone think this statement is true???

Question

Penn and Teller, the 2 famous magicians, claimed that there would be more atheists if more people actually read the Bible.

Answer 1

Yes, I know this is true. I am an example of it's veracity. I have read the bible through (several times) and the more I read, the more I cannot believe it.

Answer 2

If they read and absorbed the entire thing, yes.

The problem is that most people read it with the 'pastor' filter on. All the bits that make no sense for the Christian definition of God just get ignored and filtered out.

For example, why in Exodus do the Jews have to daub lamb's blood over their doorways to protect their first born? Shouldn't an all knowing God be able to tell a Hebrew from an Egyptian?

Why are there two creations in Genesis? If they describe the same thing why do things happen in a different order between the two?


When you realise that the Bible is a load of books that have been cobbled together by men after other men wrote down the oral histories of stone age and bronze age nomads, and that it is as valid a document as Homer's Odyssey and Iliad - it starts making more sense.

Answer 3

I think that people are turned off from the bible because they chose to look at the violence.

But, ironically enought, these same people claim ancient civilizations as being great and advanced. Commonly you will hear people who have discarded the bible as violent and intolerant praising a lot of Pagan societies, including Greek and Roman societies for all their advancements. Amazingly enough they overlook the extreme violence, torture and death that was rampant throughout these cultures and instead look at the few things these cultures gave future generations.

I believe that people chose to deny things that they are uncomfortable with. Regardless of what you think of G-d, recent findings have supported the historical events throughout the Old Testament.

A lot of people claim they deny the Old Testament because it is violent. This is foolish and merely a reasoning to try and reject history through a rejection of a faith.

If one is merely an atheist because violence exists, then they would also have be an atheist in regards of all of history. War and conqueroring land has happened throughout history. Why is one culture put down for it and others praised. Let's face it, many are looking for an excuse and hide behind one that reveals how paradoxal their views really are.

Answer 4

I don't think this statement is true. With some of the remarks these two make about Christianity I question if they ever read the entire Bible for themselves.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Answer 5

Yes, the majority of atheists were once religious, a lot of those studied their relative religious texts/bible further than the average religious person.

Answer 6

Yes, I think that is a very accurate statement. I'll bet your average American couldn't name four of the ten commandments if they had a gun to their head.

Answer 7

I think they assumed that people would have to have the minimum amount of gray matter necessary to see it for what it really is.

Answer 8

ive read it a couple times too, and i agree. the only good part is revalations. anytime fire and brimstone rain from the sky and the water turns to blood is a good time in my book.

Answer 9

and studied religious history and comparative religion as well

Answer 10

So you value the opinion of a Las vegas night club act??