Reply #218: Ok, here we go...

[More Than A Feeling]

Because Christianity Teaches the Correct Worldview

Argument from cause fails because assuming that there is a "first cause" and that the first cause is the God described by the Bible, is an unjustified leap. We just don't know, and as of yet, have no way of finding out. Far better to admit that, and wait for more certainty, than leap to conclusions.

Argument from design fails because creationists have yet to find life that can be demonstrated to have arisen other than via the process of evolution.

Argument from morality fails because supernatural causes are not required to explain the rules that preserve communities. Simply put, any society that didn't have rules against murder and thievery would collapse in short order.

Because the Bible is God's Word

Archaelogical evidence suggests that the Old Testament began to be written and compiled in the 8th Century B.C.E. Why? Because some of the places listed as being inhabited weren't until that time period. It's also inaccurate in suggesting that Israel had always worshipped Jehovah, and that the periods of falling away that God is supposed to have punished were outside the norm. In fact, it was the other way around. Israel was polytheistic until, again, the 8th century, when the monotheistic priests triumphed politically.

Why the eighth century? At the time, the ruler of Judah, King Josiah was attempting to pick up the pieces of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, left over from the defeat of the Assyrians. At the same time, Egypt was attempting to extend its influence by moving North. Josiah had the Old Testament compiled and written in order to create a common history between the Northern Kingdom and Judah to justify Judah taking over, and, at the same time, inspire the people against Egypt. Thereafter, it was used to keep the Hebrews together during the Babylonian captivity.

These and other interesting archaeological conclusions can be found in the book UNEARTHING THE BIBLE by Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman. The summary is that the Old Testament (which I remind you is the fundamental source of the prophecies used by the Gospel writers to "prove" Jesus was the messiah), was actually a political document used to try to unify a nation and inspire conquest, and then as comfort during exile.

Because Jesus Confirmed His Claims

I could write a book in which I perform miracles, and it would have exactly the same credentials as the Bible's accounts of Jesus's miracles.
As for the impact of Christ on mankind, it's true, the story of Jesus has had a tremendous impact on humanity. How does that prove supernatural origins?
As for the prophecies that Jesus supposedly fulfilled ,read CONSTANTINE's SWORD by James Carroll to discover that in all likelihood, the claims that Jesus fulfilled prophecies grew up as the disciples remembered Jesus using the traditional understandings of the Jewish messiah, which they thought he was, but symbolically, not literally. Then the next generation of Christians took the claims of fulfilled prophecies literally. That was the start of anti-semitism.

Because of the Resurrection

I could write a book...see where this is going?

Because I Have Experienced It

I dealt with this already. Personal experiences are subjective unless, at the very least you can demonstrate them to others. Remember, we are talking about objective reality here.

I'd go on to the second link, but I think the point has been adequately made.