If you’ve ever debated creationists, you’ve probably heard a version of this argument:
Scientists say evolution is true and the Earth is old, but they’re only human and fallible. Between them and God’s word (the Bible), I’d trust God any day.
But how do they know the Bible is God’s word?
An incredible large number of believers will say something like, “well, it says so right in there! Would God lie?”. Sorry to say this, but that is such a ridiculously stupid argument that I can have no respect for you as an human being afterwards. Do realize how idiotic it is to say that something must be true simply because it says so? Would you believe a murder suspect with a lot of evidence against him to be innocent, as long as he said “I didn’t do it, and I’m telling the truth“? If you believe that, then, well, (inspiring music) know henceforth that this blog is the very word of the High God, the more-supreme-than-supreme being who created all human gods, including yours (after all, nothing can exist without being created, so someone must have created Yahweh and so on, right? The High God did it. Ignore the obvious implication.). Therefore, you must believe everything written here, since these are not just my words, but the words of the High God himself. The High God wants you to send me a billion dollars. You doubt it? Are you calling the High God himself a liar?
A slightly smaller number of believers will reply with something much like “I feel in my heart that this is the word of God. When I read it, it touches my soul in a way that no mortal words ever could.”
Well, what if you’re mistaken?
What, you believe you can’t be? Do you consider yourself infallible? Perfect? Incapable of error about something like this? Are you claiming that, just because you “feel” something, those feelings must be true, with no possibility of your being just mistaken or deluded?
Then what about all the other people out there who feel things completely different than you? How do you know you’re right and they’re wrong? How can you be sure your feelings are 100% trustworthy, but those of other people are not?
Most people would agree that claiming “I can’t possibly be wrong; I am incapable of error” is the epitome of arrogance. Then why is it that nobody is called on it when the subject is the belief that a book (written thousands of years ago) must be the word of a god? Or that the feelings in your heart must be justified (even though that is not valid for other people’s feelings)?
Admit it: there’s no way to be sure that the Bible is divinely inspired, other than one of the two: dumb circular logic you wouldn’t accept for anything else, or the belief that you’re infallible about something.
More on this: The Aura of Infallibility, on Daylight Atheism
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This is, I think, one of the most coherently written and effective arguments I’ve read on this topic. You just squashed the bug that I only manage to dance around in my writing. Excellent work, my friend!
“Admit it: there’s no way to be sure that the Bible is divinely inspired, other than one of the two: dumb circular logic you wouldn’t accept for anything else, or the belief that you’re infallible about something.”
Are you sure? What if you are mistaken? Could there not be another way? What if “knowledge” as you understand it is not the only way to “know” something?
alright well the Bible can be proven as fact
the Bible was not written in one setting but over thousands of years and different pelpe wrote diffrent parts. These people came from different times and backrounds and yet somehow agreed on th same thing, same truths and story about Jesus. There stories of Jesus matched up. Also the bible is considered as accurate history. How do we know Jesus wasnt just another prophet, well Jesus fulfilled many prophesies and for someone to fulfill just eight would be impossible.
Scientists discovering Evolution is a talented gift from God. How does it affect the bible if you believe that Evolution is true but never happend. God created the universe with a certain age. EVOLUTION is true, Dinasuars where here! But also God didnt create Adam and Eve as bacteria. Nor did he create them as babies that grew up. NO, they were created at a certain age and so is all of existance. HOW CAN PEOPLE NOT UNDERSTAND THIS VIEW.
evolution is a theory started by one man. Take time to consider life in detail (that is taken for granted). And think do you really think this all fell together without intelliegence? Consider the true motivation of your convictions.