Modern theologians explain that this is because Satan and the wicked ways of mankind are out to get us. We must protect ourselves from evil things like temptation, false belief and Teletubbies. However, just considering this brings up another question: Why do Christians get so defensive when you question their faith?
"Gods are fragile things; they may be killed by a whiff of science or a dose of common sense."
-- Chapman Cohen
This quote really sums it up. Christians have to become apologists with even more vigor than skeptics or Atheists, because their beliefs are harder to defend. I say they are impossible to defend.
The typical tactic for a Christian who has had his or her religion challenged is to try to calmly explain that the questioner just doesn't understand. When the questioner invalidates that statement, the apologist has a series of arguments in their arsenal, all of which are equally worthless, but together form a confusing brier patch that not every Atheist is willing to trudge through. For instance, when the power of prayer was offered as a subject of debate, one reader responded:
"The problem is your just taking snipits out of the Bible without understanding the whole context."
Really? I thought that is what Christians do all day long? They preach that the Bible is a whole and complete book. They claim that the Bible is factual, including historical events (which will be discussed in a later blog post). They also claim that each individual part is as truthful as the whole... until you show them three verses, which all say the same thing, but question their faith.
Here's another quote from the apologist:
"As far as moving mountains go. Is it likely to happen-no. Is it possible yes."
The Bible says that if you have the faith the size of a tiny, little mustard seed, you can move a mountain. You will tell the mountain to move from here to there and it will - period. There are no caveats listed at all. The apologist admits that the Bible is true, by saying it could happen, but also admits that it's not likely to ever happen.
That's exactly the point. Christians say they believe it, but admit that it is false - yet they keep believing it it! They defend a faith which I'm sure at least most of them, deep down inside, know to be completely wrong.
