PrimeNumbers

Beautiful!
Karen

No wonder everyone is up in arms whether the world was created in 7 actual days or 7 God days. 7 God days could mean anything!
Cafeeine

On a similar vein (and from a youtuber that deserves as many viewers as he gets)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdFTUxKmNYs
Hugh Kramer

Artistically speaking, I think nonstampcollector’s video is a bit overlong and he has trouble sustaining the comic pace at points because of it. I guess he wanted to get every contradiction he knew of in there. Still pretty funny though.
Athena Holter-Mehren

Make sure to watch his conversation between god and the devil, too. Hilarious!

http://www.youtube.com/user/NonStampCollector#p/u/11/4_G9awnDCmg
doogyrev

Excellent! It amazes me that people think they can live a good life by following this book.Trying to make sense with that amount of contradiction must be why xian brains turn to mush whenever reason and fact enter the room
Houndies

i like that they included the verses with it. funny vid.!
muggle

LOL! I thought it was great! The “prize” was the best part! But the bits about death and the clips of the preachers were funny as hell too!

Cafeeine, that clip was funny but so dead on ignorant! I just wanted to make that guy open his eyes — literally and figuratively.
Elisabeth

Love!!
edwords

Did Jesus spare Mary Magdalene’s life
after she gave him a “freebie”?

Or is this a scurrilous rumor?

“Yes”

“That is correct!”

(Acts 26:13) (Ecstacy 10:16)
fluxious

This guy is nonstampcollector on Youtube. He has the ability to make a paint video engaging and humorous! Plus it’s all the stuff I want to say anyways.
Lola

Hilarious. I think I would have thought this was brilliant even when I was still religious. Historically speaking this is awesome.
Charlie

I do wish the maker and viewers of this video knew how to read the Bible in its context. This video is proof-texting–taking certain quotes out of context to support a particular view. If you took the time to read the verses that flash on the screen, you would easily see how terribly mistaken the maker of this video was.
Debbie

That was fabulous. Loved every second.
Ben

Charlie, I would like to see you defend your position, not merely claim the video is false and not support your accusation. Clearly the creator of this video did his/her research, therefore it is fair you do yours as well.
Garrett

@Ben

Charlie is correct. Not understanding how to read the word of God in context is the pillar of any atheist or “non-believer’s” belief, if you will. I’ll try to defend a point made in this video.

Try to understand that I believe that arguing on the internet is useless, and usually I don’t do this, but trolling around on this site for long enough has pushed me to say something to defend my creator.

What is the most blatantly obvious “picking-and-choosing” of verses out of context is at 1:22 in the video. It references James 2:24:

“You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” -ESV

What the video does not show is the full context of the scripture:

19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. 24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.

In Matt. 7:15-20 it uses an analogy to differentiate Christ followers from those of the world.

15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit.18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire.20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.

Now, to bear fruit, you must become a new creation as referenced in 2 Corinthians 5:17:

17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

To bring it full circle, your faith is justified (meaning that it is proven, or you are set apart from those without faith) by producing fruit. You are a new creation in Christ, and you don’t live of the world. You find joy in God, and the grace that you have experienced through Him. The “works” aren’t worldly works like, eat a certain food, or wear certain clothes, or pray a certain way. They are the fruits referenced above, or “fruits of the spirit.” “Spirit,” meaning the Holy Spirit; i.e. God.

Galatians 5:22-23

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

That is the “fruit” that the world will know a true Christian by.

tl;dr version

If you haven’t experienced God’s grace in your life, you really have no ground to stand on in defending your “lack of faith.”

I definitely hope that this helps someones understanding of how to read and interpret the word of God. I’ll check back on this page to answer any legitimate comments or questions.

God bless!
SipSop

You are all so silly. More obsessed with the Bible than the 75% of Americans who say they are Christians. Not that most of them study the Bible in detail but still…if you guys don’t believe in it, why do you care so much? A dumbdowned question for a philosophical argument I admit, yet I still have to wonder who is more concerned with spreading their “word” here you or them…
Gabe

SipSop,
We care because we believe the world will be better off without religion. As futile as the effort may be to reason with people that are unreasonable in this one area of their life, content like this is posted in part in the hopes that someone will see it and think for themselves rather than just blindly accept what their parents or community has told them to be true without any proof. Of course, I can’t know for sure the intent of the video’s creator, but that’s my feeling.

Garrett,
I do agree that context matters and if it does nullify certain topics that the video touches on, then the author should have taken more care with the work. Can you explain all the contradictions pointed out in the video? I’m just curious, and not trying to challenge you. If you do explain them all, I won’t spend the time to read it for the same reason that I didn’t watch beyond the first minute of the video. I don’t really care if there are inconsistencies in the bible or not, I just don’t believe it and have never been given a good reason to give it more thought.

Also, when I hear things like this it kinda creeps me out: “If you haven’t experienced God’s grace in your life, you really have no ground to stand on in defending your “lack of faith.”” How does that even make sense? Only those who have experienced God’s grace can choose to not have faith? And what is God’s grace? Is it when something really good happens in your life? What do you call it when something bad happens?
theismWTFatheismFTW

@Ben
I totally agree with you.
@SipSop
Pointing out a few of the Bible’s many contradictions, and displaying Yawheh’s kinder side, is hardly spreading the word of the “good” book.
@ Charlie & Garrett
If you had read what NSC had to say about the video, you would know of the research that went into it. Quoted directly from the video’s YouTube info (sorry about the length, I wanted you to see it all, to make sure you could see that I took nothing out of context. :P):
“This is a video response to all those people who claim that the bible is free of contradictions. Ummm – it isn’t. I’ve looked.

How NOT to respond to this movie:
a) By assuming that I have not looked into these contradictions with any level of depth and accusing me of not having tried to understand any kind of “deeper meaning”. Wherever possible, I consulted christians’ explanations of what they like to refer to as “so-called contradictions” and errors. I’ve looked at the explanations. I’ve given them a good go. They’re just shit.

b) By saying that these aren’t errors at all, rather, that they are simply copyist’s errors. Uh- derr. A copyist’s error is an error. I don’t care what kind of error it is, just don’t make the claim that the bible is completely free of errors, except for the cases in which there are errors, which are only copyist’s errors only, which aren’t really errors. Knock it off. I’m talking about the actual words on the actual page of the bible. When they don’t add up, – that’s called a contradiction or an error.

c) If you agree with me that English translations of the bible contain errors, but you think that the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts are pure and therefore true – DON’T tell me this and then go on to criticise me and other skeptics for pointing out that the English translations contain errors! You’ve just said that you agree with me, that there are errors on the pages of the bibles that your god saw fit to let get corrupted in the first place, just in time for the arrival on the planet of more people than ever before – who all apparently need to be saved by coming to trust the bible and heeding the message contained within it!

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. That which can be asserted without evidence can be discarded without evidence.

I know, and actually find to have some weight, the New Testament apologists’ conundrum – namely that if all of the gospel accounts really did match exactly, then critics of the bible would instantly accuse the authors of having conspired together. So, if there are inconsistencies it counts against the bible, and if there were no inconsistencies, it would still count against the bible.
Well – tough. The creator of the universe could have done a lot better. The only reasonable conclusion to come to is that the creative force that arranged the constants of the universe, gave birth to galaxy clusters, quantum physics and DNA, invented love, knowledge and truth, and is capable of any miracle he could ever come up with- had fuck all to do with this raggedy old contradictory book of bullshit.

Whenever I make a movie about what the bible says, I’m talking about the actual words that are printed on the pages of the bible. Funny how I always get criticised for doing so, by people who agree that modern translations or English translations are inadequate and erroneous.
________________________________________

I was very selective when deciding whether to include each contradiction in the script. Many that were listed on the lists and websites appeared to me to be either non-contradictory, easily explained, or simply too petty to really count significantly against the claim of biblical inerrancy. I drew heavily on skepticsannotatedbible.com , which actually has links to christian responses to each of the contradictions it lists, where one has been put forward. I read almost all of them and if the explanation sounded like a bunch of bollocks to me, then I dismissed the explanation and included the contradiction in the script. One of the criteria I used to ascertain whether I thought the explanation was good enough, was whether I thought a christian would accept a similar explanation for a contradiction in any other religions holy book, such as the Qaran or Book of Mormon.

For example:
LookingUntoJesus.net has this pathetic explanation for one of the contradictions:

“The text which is called into question is Luke 2:2. If Jesus was born in the days of Herod (who presumably died in 4 BC), then how could Quirinius be governing Syria (who presumably began his reign in 6 AD)?
The trouble is in the English translation of the text, not in the text itself. Keep in mind that the New Testament was written in Greek, not English. Since the translators were not inspired, there is the potential for erroneous translations”. (LookingUntoJesus.net)

I was inspired to make this movie when I read the first few chapters of Mark Tier’s book “When God Speaks For Himself – The Words of God You’ll NEVER hear in Church or Sunday School”, which he generously gave me a copy of at the Global Atheist Convention in Melbourne. Thanks Mark!

This movie took weeks and weeks and weeks of train trips to complete. I have a 30 minute train ride each way – that’s my excuse, anyway! Some days I wish I had an hour each way. or two. This was a very very fun one to make.”
Kevin

Why are people so defensive and offensive about religion anyway? I mean if I’m not going to heaven then why would it bother you? It’s such a controversial topic when it exists in every ones lives, kind of like Sex, Drugs, Abortion, and even as simple of a topic as music. Every one will believe what ever they want and there is a good chance that their minds wont be changed. If people would be more open about their views on religion and not so defensive about it then there would be no issue here.
Libertarian Skeptic

The absurdity of all the contradictions is great and very well done. Bravo!

This would be perfect if it stuck just with skewering religion only. However it had to go and become an apologist for that piece of human filth, religious nut-job 0bama.

This libertarian skeptic who agrees with the smaller government message of the Tea Party Movement has a problem with the prejudiced, bigoted and homophobic slur against the Tea Party Movement which has nothing to do with religion. Oh, I know you may THINK it does, but that is only your confirmation bias seeing what you want to see due to your hatred of them blinding you. You are committing the EXACT same error in critical thinking that religious folks make when they disparage atheists.

This disgusting 0bama apologetics blindly engaged in by far too many skeptics is sickening and can only insure to harm the skeptical movement in the long run.

Too bad the maker of the video doesn’t address the fact that 0bama has invoked religion more than Bush (despited being in office for less time); or 0bama’s 20 year attendance at his disgusting racist church which sold a creationist book; or 0bama’s insistence that religion and politics can be mingled; of 0bama’s flirting with the woo of vaccines causing autism. Of course the cognitive dissonance associated with being an 0bama apologist is probably already so overwhelming, that bringing up these uncomfortable facts could send a person over the edge.

Stick with pointing out the faults of religion. Because when you venture into becoming an apologist for 0bama, you are just substituting the god of the bible for the filthy gutter god of 0bama. Both are worshiped by too many unthinking people. Both are wrong. Both harm people. Both should be vigorously opposed.

And perhaps you should apologize to the gay community and the Tea Party Movement for your prejudiced, bigoted and homophobic insult.

But again, your showing the absurdity of the different bible quotes was spot on!
Jeff

Despite what the video maker believes, and despite being inspired by such an authoritative source work, each and every point of the video is relying on some misinterpretation and/or a misunderstanding of the different circumstances under which God is acting/ruling/governing and the reason His rulings and disposition is different in those circumstances.

To be sure, because of the nature of ancient Hebrew, and really all ancient Semitic writing, the closest thing to a valid point is about the seeming (and often real) confusion over numbers. Those are valid contradictions, but, unfortunately for the poster, not of any consequence, as (when in question) they are never central to the theological point, or doctrine being presented.

Numbers survive the copyists hand less reliably than the rest of the writing because they have no further context within which to discern their meaning.

A number of examples of this type of copyists error could be pointed to, but, as with all transmission errors, they change nothing of the spiritual and/or moral lesson being taught by the text.

The video was well-done as a propaganda piece, but not truly informative, or truthful in any sense. Like all propaganda it presents a one-sided mis-characterization of the material it purports to represent truthfully.

The video’s maker writes:

“One of the criteria I used to ascertain whether I thought the explanation was good enough, was whether I thought a christian would accept a similar explanation for a contradiction in any other religions holy book, such as the Qaran or Book of Mormon.”

I would have to reply that this seems reasonable and sound, not just on the surface, and (minus the miraculous) also completely fair to the material.

For many reasons though, it is not.

1. Just on a purely philosophical front: Whether Christians would accept the same explanation from someone else does nothing to alter truth or reality. If the passage in question does not actually violate the “law of non-contradiction” (I’ll offer further explanation if called for) as many of these do not, then whether you call “BS”, Christians would accept it from other faiths regarding their (other) texts, or whether it sounds right to the Pope, etc. is immaterial.

2. If something CAN be harmonized the “benefit of the doubt” is given to the text, not the critic. It’s simply not a contradiction to write, for example, that Judas went and hung himself and then to further illuminate by writing that “he fell headlong and burst asunder.” Even a fairly basic knowledge of the geography of the area can lead one to the conclusion that one text more fully illuminates the process of the other.

3. The gang that says, “The Bible is full of contradictions.” is usually closely aligned with the one that says, “it’s been changed by corrupt scribes and numerous crony Popes and officials over the years.” They cannot have it both ways and be considered, in any sense, rationalists. Changes would have sought to remove any hint of incongruity in the text.

There are literally scores of other equally valid reasons the video is erroneous in it’s thesis, however it is illuminating as to the mindset of many, very well done and highly entertaining.

I don’t even think it’s necessarily sacrilege, as I don’t worship a book, regardless of how wonderful and instructional I find it to be.
Zar

This is proof that “THe Freidnly Atheist” name is wrong.

I mean, the Atheists on this aite are no different from the Atheistss elsewhere on the net that do nothing with their time but attack CHristianity. No I dont mean Religion, I mean Christianity. DOes anyone think that Atheistss liek this hate all Religion equelly? Heck, their beelifs ARE Religious themselves. Relgiion is not the asame thing as THeism, its just a set of beleifs about our existance.

That said, the only Relgiion they seem to bash consistantly is CHristianity.

And they, including those here, tend to be too eager to beleive any “Bible contradiction” claim or other Anti-Christian argument.

The maker of this video did NOT do his Research. He likely just went to SB and got a bunch of “Killer’ Bible contradictions, and failed to read the text to see what the passages are actually saying.

By the way, I know some Athiestss offline, or even a few online, tHat DONT waste their time with this nonsense. This is not about logic and reaosn and Ahtiesm, its Hatred of Christianity.

Before Im critisised, I am Dyslexic. Yes my spelling is bad. Lets see how Friendly you are and if you mock my intellegence for it.
Fox

This is proof that “THe Freidnly Atheist” name is wrong.

I mean, the Atheists on this aite are no different from the Atheistss elsewhere on the net that do nothing with their time but attack CHristianity. No I dont mean Religion, I mean Christianity. DOes anyone think that Atheistss liek this hate all Religion equelly? Heck, their beelifs ARE Religious themselves. Relgiion is not the asame thing as THeism, its just a set of beleifs about our existance.

That said, the only Relgiion they seem to bash consistantly is CHristianity.

And they, including those here, tend to be too eager to beleive any “Bible contradiction” claim or other Anti-Christian argument.

The maker of this video did NOT do his Research. He likely just went to SB and got a bunch of “Killer’ Bible contradictions, and failed to read the text to see what the passages are actually saying.

By the way, I know some Athiestss offline, or even a few online, tHat DONT waste their time with this nonsense. This is not about logic and reaosn and Ahtiesm, its Hatred of Christianity.

Before Im critisised, I am Dyslexic. Yes my spelling is bad. Lets see how Friendly you are and if you mock my intellegence for it.

Zar, I can’t speak for the others here, but when I am arguing with theists, I don’t bring up specifically anti-Christian arguments because I am anti-Christian, in particular; I do it because Christianity is by far the most popular religion in North America, and thus the most likely thing the one I’m arguing with will a) know and b) care about.

Suppose I’m arguing with a Christian: which will be most likely to make him or her question their faith, a huge list of contradictions in the bible, or a huge list of contradictions in the koran? Since I do most of my arguing with Christians, it makes more sense to learn the former.

I am willing to believe that certain clerical errors have popped up in the thousands of years and multiple languages the various portions of the bible have gone through. However, this is ten straight minutes worth of contradictions; can ALL of them be explained away by context and typos? (@Jeff: “each and every point of the video is relying on some misinterpretation and/or a misunderstanding of the different circumstances under which God is acting/ruling/governing and the reason His rulings and disposition is different in those circumstances.” – Wait, if God is perfect and eternal, how can he be disposed or rule differently at different times?)

Oh yes, and @Garrett:

“If you haven’t experienced God’s grace in your life, you really have no ground to stand on in defending your “lack of faith.””

Let me get this straight: if we haven’t experienced “god’s grace,” we are unjustified in defending our nonbelief. Yet, you want us to believe in God based on faith alone, i.e. without proof. How are we supposed to believe in God without first feeling his grace? In fact, isn’t the very fact that we haven’t felt “god’s grace” a good reason to not believe in god?

Why would god give us logic, thus setting us apart from animals, then expect us to completely ignore it and worship him? If he wanted logical beings to worship him, shouldn’t praying have a scientifically measurable effect?

@Kevin:

Why are people so defensive and offensive about religion anyway? I mean if I’m not going to heaven then why would it bother you? It’s such a controversial topic when it exists in every ones lives, kind of like Sex, Drugs, Abortion, and even as simple of a topic as music. Every one will believe what ever they want and there is a good chance that their minds wont be changed. If people would be more open about their views on religion and not so defensive about it then there would be no issue here.

Imagine there are two groups: one likes chocolate, one likes vanilla. Who cares? Eat your favorite ice cream. The problem is when the chocolate group insinuates itself into the government and begins enforcing its opinions, views, and restrictions on the vanilla, strawberry, and rocky road groups. We don’t care who you pray to on Sunday mornings, even if we think it’s a waste of time; we care when stem cell research and women’s rights get set back years because of a book written by people who thought the Earth was flat.

error: Content is protected !!