Bad atheist arguments?

Question

Here's another bad one I've heard from them:

"Why did it use to be okay to kill gay people according to the Bible (Leviticus 20:13)? I know Christians no longer believe it is okay to do that, but I have almost NEVER heard a Christian say it was did not USED to be okay thousands of years ago in the time of Moses. Why would God base such an extreme on when you happened to be born? So, did it USE to be okay to kill gays at one time? Yes or no?"

Here is my rebuttal. Yes, death was justified at one time for homosexuals, BUT it ONLY applied to Jews and ONLY to those who actually had sex. Also, the penalty for ALL sin back then used to be death. It wasn't just for gays.

God requires a sacrifice. Blood must be spilled. This is why animal sacrifices were offered in the Old Testament. When Jesus came, he changed things, so animal sacrifices were no longer necessary and executions for sexual sins were no longer necessary. He wiped those those sins clean for those that repent.

Agree?

For those that accept the sacrifice of Jesus, their sins will be washed clean. It is wrong to compare one time period to another. The Old Testament was a different time.

Answer 1

The point being is that you are silly enough to believe in a God that did have that kind of punishment applied to his people at one point in time.

Liesel.

Answer 2

I agree 100%, and the counter-arguments here accusing you of making generalized statements about the OT being inapplicable, and reading incredible and baseless and emotionally charged arguments into what you were saying about the issue, are clearly just smoke screens in an attempt to disqualify your position; else they will have to face the fact that they must give account for their own to the One Who will hold them accountable, unless they too surender their lives to the Savior. No, of course, I know you believe the OT is totally inspired by God, and is at least indirectly, applicable and edifying for today, if not directly, because Jesus Paul and Peter said so in the NT (Luke 24:44; John 5:39-40; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21). Your explanation about what Leviticus means for us today is clear in your last paragraph, and is clearly an allusion to Hebrews chapters 8 and 9, as well as giving us your inferred Biblical view of human sexuality, not just about those who are same sex attracted, as I am, but now happily live as an "ex-gay" Christian.

Answer 3

Sorry, can't get by the whole loving, all-knowing God capable of creating the universe yet requires blood sacrifices. It all sounds so primitive bronze age tribal man to me. I do understand the whole when God killed his son that satisfied the need for animal sacrifices and human death for sins so I never made that argument myself.

Answer 4

This is a letter written to Dr. Laura...
stating some good arguments that atheists will use to critise God, the Bible and Jesus....myself included


'Dear Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can.
When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. ... End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Law and how to follow them.

1. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord -- Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness -- Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2. The passage clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there "degrees" of abomination?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev.19:27. How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? -- Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your adoring fan,

James M. Kauffman, Ed.D. Professor Emeritus Dept. of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education University of Virginia'

Answer 5

Some atheist have very weak arguments and i agree. New atheist especially.

it is just like you Christians when you try to use biology to stump us...

we do not evangelize, we are defending our home. if you trap a snake will it not bite you in defense? we our having knowledge trampled on by christian ignorance and a lot of us will not stand for it.

you say your religion is about brotherly love and kindness. But all you have to do is look at people like Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist church to see this so called compassion that you talk about. These people are reading the same book... if they can get these opinions then many more people can have these opinions.

Answer 6

See... this -----> "God requires a sacrifice. Blood must be spilled"<--------Is where I'm out. It's just impossible for me to move beyond that...No matter what may have happend after doesn't take away the fact that God is cruel and horrible in the OT.

Have a good day

Answer 7

Eek, ok first of all, you need to learn to study you're Bible, not just read a few passages here and there and then adhere meaning to them.

It was not ok to kill gays in the OT. The passage you are referring to is discussing the 10 Commandments of God.
If you read all of the chapter before that and then the chapter after, you will realize that they also said to kill adulterers, liars, thieves, etc...

If they did that literally, they would have been killing everyone!

The passages was referring to the judgment upon these people from God. These people were breaking God's commandments and the punishment for doing so would be eternal death. These people would not be allowed to live with God in Heaven, which meant death.

This passage was not saying to kill homosexuals!
It simply meant that they would be judged and sent to hell for their sins against God.

Answer 8

So the OT only applies to Jews. This is supposed to be the word of God according to Christians. I thought the word of God applied to all Christians too!!!!

Answer 9

Things do change in the bible. Can't eat the livestock, then can etc.. Maybe Jesus will come back again and set up a whole new bunch of rules. Perhaps: Thou can now eat the flesh of humanity and drink of humanity's blood also? But only if you are a Christian.

Answer 10

So you are admitting that using Leviticus as "proof" that God disapproves of homosexuality is invalid and dishonest.

That's a good start. I hope more of you co-religionists catch on soon.