Fellow atheists, I need your help, fast!??

Question

I am arguing with this extremist theist and I pointed out several horrible things in the bible but I don't remember the verses off the top of my head.

I need:
(in the book of judges) there is some verse where God orders two children to be killed for making fun of a prophet. Can anyone cite that for me?

Feel free to add any more quotes, I will use them!

Oh thanks Zero, can you guys find other good quotes?

Thanks

Answer 1

Ooo the one with the bears? Why waste your time arguing? Do you think it's going to change their belief in God?

Answer 2

Instead of mindlessly quoting the Scriptures, why not try to understand them in their literary, cultural and historical contexts? Isn't that what most atheists complain that Christians do in the first place - mindlessly quote Scripture?

For example, in the 2 Kings passage, what makes you think they were children? "Youths" were generally anybody under the age of 30. It very well could have been a gang of 25 year olds that were threatening a prophet of the Lord, and not just some kids poking fun at a bald guy. Apart from that, what is really the point in sharing this story? Maybe it is that a prophet of Lord should be treated with respect. Maybe it was an authority of God issue.

So instead of attacking the "extremist theist," why not try to understand the things that you are using? After all, it is a little hypocritical of you to quote something that you don't even believe to be true, and with which you are clearly unfamiliar.
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magix151, 30 was the age at which one could become a religious teacher, it was not old. Yes, there was a shorter life expectancy, but I would not necessarily consider somebody who just hit their 50's to be old today. Trust me on this one. I know what I'm talking about.

Answer 3

I'm a Christian, but I have found things in the Bible that are uncomfortable. There is a place, dont know where, that mentions killing your child for being disobedient. That's pretty bad, but you probably have that one. There are so many preachers who quote the old testament to make a point, when they should live by the new testament teachings which are simple-----Love everyone regardless of who they are or what they believe.
Swish---30 years was considered old at the time of the Bible. So 25 wouldn't be "youths".
Oh, there is incest in the old testament that seems to be sanctioned by God---that won't go over very well with your preacher friend.

Answer 4

This story, like the one about Elijah and the captains (2 Kings 1), is preserved for us in Scripture to convey a popular understanding of the dignity of the prophet. Told in popular vein, it becomes a caricature, in which neither Elisha nor the bears behave in character.

The above is a note I found in my bible. So all you're doing is taking some bible verses out of context. If this guy you're talking to knows what he's doing he'll call you on it.

Answer 5

The prinicipal of Christianity is that Jesus came and took away sins and recieved our fate. Thats why the new testament is very different, so that quote doesnt work as "ammo" against it. Besides, dont use "ammo" in an argument have a debate, I'll debate my religion happily, but I don't have it slagged off, same as I wouldn't do anyone elses. But if you're arguing with an extremist you're most likely wasting your breath.

Answer 6

Elisha did not curse "little children," as the KJV translates the phrase (2 Kings 2:23). The Hebrew expression frequently connotes young, unmarried men of any age up to about thirty. This was evidently a gang of young hoodlums, instigated by the heathen priests of Baal to ridicule Elijah's successor. The jeering exhortation to "go up, thou baldhead," (2 Kings 2:23) was both a sarcastic reference to Elijah's supposed ascension (which they disbelieved) and a personal insult to God's chosen prophet. This challenge to Jehovah and the authority of His prophet could not be excused, so God made good on a warning issued long before: "And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me;...I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children" (Leviticus 26:21,22).

Answer 7

If they are an extreme theist, any bad thing which you point to in the Bible, they will just respond with "You can't take that out of context - you have to consider it as part of the whole Bible".


Of course they will have no problem with taking something out of context which they think condemns homosexuality or public radio or something like that.

Answer 8

That's not from Judges. It's from 2 Kings. The verses you're looking for are 2 Kings 2:23-24.

Also, it wasn't 2 children. It was 2 bears sent to kill *42* children... or "young adults", depending on what interpretation you accept.

For more "ammo", visit this site: http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/cruelty/short.html

And that link sends you to the SHORT list of Biblical atrocities. If you want to see the LONG list, you can click on the link above, then on the webpage click on the "long list" link.

Answer 9

I wonder what ever happened to the two bears? Are they in heaven? Maybe they are, and to reward them for serving god they are fed a bus load of children every week?

Answer 10

I like the one where after winning about wandering in the desert so long (GOD) sends out fiery snakes and kills a bunch of his flock, when they cry for him to stop they are told to worship a snake idle on a T cross and they wont get bit. There is all kinds of angry god stuff, you know repent.

Answer 11

Arguing with a theist is like mud wrestling with a pig.

You won't win;
he plays dirty;
you won't accomplish anything;
and after a while you realize the pig actually enjoys it.