Intelligent people who have a small understanding of a topic, but do not grasp meaning and intent are most dangerous to any argument. Intelligent people can make good points, even if they are off base.
The bible is both the most simple and the most complicated book ever written.
A simple man can pick up the bible and glean wisdom, hope and eternal life.
An intelligent man can pick up the same book and glean wisdom, hope and eternal life or he can justify his own pious life by mocking what he does not grasp.
Letter to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris is an excellent example of the intelligent man. The book is well written, however simple minded his point of view. He takes no account for the distinction between the Old and the New Testament and he makes no distinction between the human element and Godly authority. His reference points are taken out of the textual and social contexts.
The fact that biblical champions are flawed and sin is not a testament to the fallibility of God, to the contrary shows us that we are able to overcome our own flawed and broken lives with Gods direction.
He does make some great points. Some Christians shove the word of God down the throat of everyone in their path. The hypocrisy in churches is astounding from the top to the bottom. Christians are some of the narrowest minded people on the planet. But, he does not look at the intent of Christians. Most Christians are like our biblical examples, flawed and broken but trying to make a difference. People who share their beliefs live public lives, so when they fall, when they stumble it is a public stumble.
Sam, I say to you, if you truly want to make an argument against anything, you should try to live it to understand it.
No comments:
Post a Comment