Comments on: Atheists and biblical literalism http://www.nullifidian.net/2007/04/29/atheists-and-biblical-literalism/ Not praying for (or on) you Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:43:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: The Barefoot Bum http://www.nullifidian.net/2007/04/29/atheists-and-biblical-literalism/comment-page-1/#comment-406 The Barefoot Bum Tue, 01 May 2007 15:02:07 +0000 http://www.nullifidian.net/2007/04/29/atheists-and-biblical-literalism/#comment-406 The argument from literal interpretation is best employed as a refutation of the intrinsic authority and veracity of any scripture: If a desired moral interpretation contradicts or invalidates the literal text of scripture, one must abandon either the desired interpretation or the authority of the scripture; likewise for truth claims. If intrinsic authority or veracity is not asserted, then an argument from literal meaning loses force, but so what? The rub is that many scriptural theists will deny the authority of their scripture while still covertly relying on it. This is usually not intentional, though, and they will express genuine outrage when one points out that they are in fact relying on the authority of their scripture when such reliance is favorable to their position. The argument from literal interpretation is best employed as a refutation of the intrinsic authority and veracity of any scripture: If a desired moral interpretation contradicts or invalidates the literal text of scripture, one must abandon either the desired interpretation or the authority of the scripture; likewise for truth claims.

If intrinsic authority or veracity is not asserted, then an argument from literal meaning loses force, but so what? The rub is that many scriptural theists will deny the authority of their scripture while still covertly relying on it. This is usually not intentional, though, and they will express genuine outrage when one points out that they are in fact relying on the authority of their scripture when such reliance is favorable to their position.

]]> By: TW http://www.nullifidian.net/2007/04/29/atheists-and-biblical-literalism/comment-page-1/#comment-397 TW Sun, 29 Apr 2007 13:04:49 +0000 http://www.nullifidian.net/2007/04/29/atheists-and-biblical-literalism/#comment-397 Well said. The bible (or any other, similar, holy book) is supposed to be the word of God. If we, mere mortals, can pick and chose which bits God really meant and which he didn't, doesn't that pretty much undermine the nature of the Sky Pixie? This argument about "literalism" is normally trotted out when some theist is presented with the contradictions and nonsense of the bible. They must think a moving target it harder to hit... Well said. The bible (or any other, similar, holy book) is supposed to be the word of God. If we, mere mortals, can pick and chose which bits God really meant and which he didn’t, doesn’t that pretty much undermine the nature of the Sky Pixie?

This argument about “literalism” is normally trotted out when some theist is presented with the contradictions and nonsense of the bible. They must think a moving target it harder to hit…

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