If you are among the approximately 32 percent of the world population that considers themselves Christian, you were probably raised to believe that the Bible was written in some sort of historical vacuum—the various authors being inspired by God alone and having no outside influences whatsoever. However, the many books that make up the Bible […]
Christianity
Virtually All of the Stories in the Torah are Ahistorical
(Sarah Lazarovic) “Virtually all of the stories in the Torah are ahistorical,” declares a manifesto posted in July on TheTorah.com. “Given the data to which modern historians have access,” the essay explains, “it is impossible to regard the accounts of mass Exodus from Egypt, the wilderness experience or the coordinated, swift, and complete conquest of the entire land […]
Why I am no longer a Pentecostal – William (Bill) Davies
There were no miracles, no power, no gifts, no healings, nothing but the theatrical antics and delusions of men. What was claimed for the great power of God was nothing more than musical hype and psychologically induced emotionalism. I would like to begin by giving some background information concerning my roots in Pentecostalism. I believe […]
The Pro and Con of Supernatural Religion –
The Dark Bible …
Atrocities (only a few) Back To Table Of Contents Babylon is fallen David slaughters them Decapitate them! Gideon slaughters God buries them alive God kills the firstborns! God sends pestilence God slaughters blacks God’s threat to kill Godly head wounds Godly mass murder Kill all unbelievers Kill man, woman, infant King David’s holocaust Moses’ mass […]
The Outsider Test for Faith And How to Take It – Chris Hallquist
The Catholic Church’s contemptuous attitude towards its “flock” » What follows is an excerpt from the draft book chapter I posted yesterday In chapter 1, I wrote: “If a child, say one who’d just watched Disney’s Hercules, asked me if the Greek gods are real, I’d say ‘no’ rather than hedge my bets by saying […]
Can Bacteria Help Us Understand Religion? – Valerie Tarico
BY VALERIE TARICO • 18 APRIL 2017 18754 RELIGION IS one of the most powerful forces in human society. Before the rise of the Christian Right in the United States and before Islamists turned planes into bombs and started beheading people on social media, many Americans thought of religion as a relatively benign institution or, […]
The Crazy-Making in Christianity – Marlene Winell and Valerie Tarico*
The Crazy-Making in Christianity: A look at real psychological harm Excerpted from “Christianity Is Not Great: How Faith Fails,” edited by John W. Loftus. Prometheus Books, 2014 I am 30 years old and I am struggling to find sanity. Between the Christian schools, homeschooling, the Christian group home (indoctrinating work camp) and different churches in different cities, I am […]