Stupid is As Stupid Does: Defending the Faith Makes a Person Stupid
When it comes to defending the faith even PhD's show they are ignorant. I'm not joking either and it should be obvious to see. I previously endorsed Richard Dawkins' column on Pat Robertson's comments about the Haitian disaster. Then comes Glenn Peoples who said of me:
Glenn said: “The idea that whenever something bad happens to a person or to a group it is the result of a wicked thing previously done by that person or group is not one that you can find in the work of any major Christian theologian in history, as far as I am aware.”
John Calvin? Reformed theologians? Come on now. Become informed.
Glenn said: “For that matter, it is not taught in the Bible either.”
Luke chapter 13 verses 1-5 merely has Jesus saying that everyone deserves what happens to them, it’s just some people don’t get what they deserve.
Glenn, exegete Isaiah 45:7 for us (NIV):
I find defenders of the faith to be dishonest with the facts or ignorant, or both.
At best a fair exposition of the history of Christian theology and the Bible would produce a mixed bag because theology and the Bible are a mixed bag of ideas.
Besides, all Glenn has to do is answer one question: "According to Christian theology and the Bible did the Haitians deserve what has happened to them?" Yes or no? Gerrymander around this question all you want to Glenn, but until you address it forthrightly and honestly I cannot consider you to be honest with the facts of theology. Ignorant or dishonest? You choose.
Christians like Peoples want it both ways. On the one hand when disaster strikes God is not in control, chance is. But then they turn right around and claim God is sovereign over the events in their lives. Which is it? Well, it depends on what is most convenient, doesn't it? Why the double standard? Because they have a faith to defend, that's why! And this makes them stupid.
Oh, and by the way, do not dare to call me stupid again.
What’s amazing is that even some people who actually know better because they have a theological education behind them – are willing to give Dawkins’ claims here the thumbs up. It’s not coincidence, I’m sure, that the person who does this (John Loftus) also holds Dawkins’ prejudices against Christianity. The message that Dawkins (and Loftus) is sending is very simple: If Christianity is the target, then it doesn’t matter how stupid my arguments are, because the cause is a just one. Link.Glenn is purposely being ignorant here. My claim is that defending the Christian faith makes a person stupid much like what Cole said earlier: "I'm tired of looking stupid by trying to defend the Bible.".
Glenn said: “The idea that whenever something bad happens to a person or to a group it is the result of a wicked thing previously done by that person or group is not one that you can find in the work of any major Christian theologian in history, as far as I am aware.”
John Calvin? Reformed theologians? Come on now. Become informed.
Glenn said: “For that matter, it is not taught in the Bible either.”
Luke chapter 13 verses 1-5 merely has Jesus saying that everyone deserves what happens to them, it’s just some people don’t get what they deserve.
Glenn, exegete Isaiah 45:7 for us (NIV):
I form the light and create darkness,Does your God do this or is (2nd) Isaiah mistaken?
I bring prosperity and create disaster;
I, the LORD, do all these things.
I find defenders of the faith to be dishonest with the facts or ignorant, or both.
At best a fair exposition of the history of Christian theology and the Bible would produce a mixed bag because theology and the Bible are a mixed bag of ideas.
Besides, all Glenn has to do is answer one question: "According to Christian theology and the Bible did the Haitians deserve what has happened to them?" Yes or no? Gerrymander around this question all you want to Glenn, but until you address it forthrightly and honestly I cannot consider you to be honest with the facts of theology. Ignorant or dishonest? You choose.
Christians like Peoples want it both ways. On the one hand when disaster strikes God is not in control, chance is. But then they turn right around and claim God is sovereign over the events in their lives. Which is it? Well, it depends on what is most convenient, doesn't it? Why the double standard? Because they have a faith to defend, that's why! And this makes them stupid.
Oh, and by the way, do not dare to call me stupid again.