Avandris Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 I'm not sure if this is the right sub-forum to be writing this in (and if it isn't then I apologise and ask that a mod move it somewhere more suitable), but since I'm here I'd like to say hello and ask for your advice. It has only been a week or so since I found this forum and have been reading, with a great deal of interest, as much of the Lion's Den conversations and testimonies as I can get my head around. You all seem knowledgeable and reasonably patient with those that are still struggling with doubts in regards to their religion. Without giving you my life story, I have recently begun to seriously start looking into this faith in the God of the Bible that I have been surrounded by my entire life. I have already bought a number of books, including the God Delusion, but I was wondering if any of you have any recommendations - considering that many of you have already been down the path that I'm beginning on. Thanks in advance and sorry again if this is in the wrong place! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roz Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 Welcome to ex-c Avandris! If you've been enjoying the Den's conversations... you're one sadistic person Just joking Watch some of Lawrence Krauss' lectures, particularly "universe from nothing" or Neil Degrasse Tyson's lectures on youtube. Jerry Dewitt, former pastor, is also good, as is Seth Andrews (aka the thinking atheist). A mod might move this to another section, but glad to have you aboard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator TrueFreedom Posted June 26, 2014 Moderator Share Posted June 26, 2014 Welcome, Avandris! John Loftus is awesome. http://www.amazon.com/Why-Became-Atheist-Preacher-Christianity/dp/1616145773/ref=dp_ob_image_bk Bart Ehrman is great for biblical higher criticism. BBC nature documentaries are awesome for seeing the big picture. The gods in the bible are so small and petty! http://infidels.org/ has lots of great stuff. Robert Ingersoll is a favorite of many of us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avandris Posted June 26, 2014 Author Share Posted June 26, 2014 If you've been enjoying the Den's conversations... you're one sadistic person I suppose I meant that I enjoy the debate, not so much the circular arguments and dodging of questions - unfortunately usually by the believes on this forum. Bart Ehrman is great for biblical higher criticism. I was debating getting Bart Ehrman's book 'Jesus Interrupted', think I'll take the plunge on that recommendation. Thank you both, I'll be sure to look into the people that you mentioned! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator TrueFreedom Posted June 26, 2014 Moderator Share Posted June 26, 2014 Jesus, Interrupted is a great introduction to textual criticism of the gospel accounts.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Moderator TheRedneckProfessor Posted June 27, 2014 Super Moderator Share Posted June 27, 2014 I've been wondering when you would speak up. Welcome to the forums. Read "The god Virus" by Darrel W. Ray; in my opinion, it's the best skeptical book out there, at present. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avandris Posted June 27, 2014 Author Share Posted June 27, 2014 Thank you for the welcome Prof! I'll look into that book, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdelsolray Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 I would suggest absorbing and understanding the content of the basic college level Logic 101 class. Rational thinking will be the tool you use, and it helps if that tool is sharp. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanderinstar Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 Welcome! Great to have you with us Avandris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Margee Posted June 27, 2014 Moderator Share Posted June 27, 2014 We'll get this moved for you hon to the 'Testimonies'. You're in the fightin' battlegrounds section!! Lol I don't think you're ready for that just yet!! Welcome to EX-c Avandris! I'm so glad you are here with us!! Keep posting all your concerns. We here at Ex-c know what you are going through!! Hug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avandris Posted June 27, 2014 Author Share Posted June 27, 2014 Thank you all for the welcome and cheers Margee, just plonk this wherever it belongs. Now that I think about it that subforum makes more sense, definitely don't feel prepared to jump into the debating just yet! Looking forward to some great discussions with you all! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironhorse Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 Welcome to the Lion's Den Avandris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Moderator florduh Posted June 27, 2014 Super Moderator Share Posted June 27, 2014 Topic moved to Testimonies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avandris Posted June 27, 2014 Author Share Posted June 27, 2014 Ta for the welcome ironhorse & thanks florduh for the relocation :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellinas Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 A tad late (been away) but welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreeThinkerNZ Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Welcome, Avandris! I agree with the recommendation of The God Virus by Darrel Ray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neverlandrut Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 I'll have to look into the God Virus myself. If you are interested in old school philosophy and debate about God's existence, I recommend Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion by David Hume. Hume is taught in pretty much every philosophy curriculum there is. Dialogues is a fictional debate between two characters regarding logical arguments for and against God's existence, with a neutral third party chiming in once in a while. It gives a pretty thorough lay out of the cosmological and teleological arguments as well as very thorough refutations of them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
★ Citsonga ★ Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Greetings! If you're looking for book recommendations, here are a few: Why I Believed: Reflections of a Former Missionary by Kenneth Daniels Godless: How an Evangelical Preacher Became One of America's Leading Atheists by Dan Barker God vs. the Bible: How God's Creation Discredits Christian Scripture by John Armstrong (a deist) Also, feel free to read the letter I wrote to my parents, mostly detailing problems with the Bible and Christian belief. At 49 pages, it's almost a book. Anyway, it's available in post #13 in the link in my signature. Good luck, and enjoy the journey ahead of you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castiel233 Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Charles Templeton's Farewell to God Robert Green Ingersoll's Some mistakes of Moses Joseph McCabe's The Myth of the resurrection Welcome to the forums Not a Dawkin's fan myself, Carl Sagan is much more my cup of tea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdelsolray Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 I'm not sure if this is the right sub-forum to be writing this in (and if it isn't then I apologise and ask that a mod move it somewhere more suitable), but since I'm here I'd like to say hello and ask for your advice. It has only been a week or so since I found this forum and have been reading, with a great deal of interest, as much of the Lion's Den conversations and testimonies as I can get my head around. You all seem knowledgeable and reasonably patient with those that are still struggling with doubts in regards to their religion. Without giving you my life story, I have recently begun to seriously start looking into this faith in the God of the Bible that I have been surrounded by my entire life. I have already bought a number of books, including the God Delusion, but I was wondering if any of you have any recommendations - considering that many of you have already been down the path that I'm beginning on. Thanks in advance and sorry again if this is in the wrong place! Study a college level textbook used in a Logic 101 Class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RipVanWinkle Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 "THE AGE OF REASON" by Thomas Paine, one of the founding fathers of the US, is an early version, but still very pertinent today. It's really good. bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophrosyne Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Welcome. =) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mymistake Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 I'm not sure if this is the right sub-forum to be writing this in (and if it isn't then I apologise and ask that a mod move it somewhere more suitable), but since I'm here I'd like to say hello and ask for your advice. It has only been a week or so since I found this forum and have been reading, with a great deal of interest, as much of the Lion's Den conversations and testimonies as I can get my head around. You all seem knowledgeable and reasonably patient with those that are still struggling with doubts in regards to their religion. Without giving you my life story, I have recently begun to seriously start looking into this faith in the God of the Bible that I have been surrounded by my entire life. I have already bought a number of books, including the God Delusion, but I was wondering if any of you have any recommendations - considering that many of you have already been down the path that I'm beginning on. Thanks in advance and sorry again if this is in the wrong place! Welcome. This is the right place. As for the advise I have a good general rule. Follow the money. Look at how much money goes to buying the preacher's lifestyle or a bigger building for the preacher's business. Churches like to pretend they are charities but how much money actually makes it to the less fortunate? Ask yourself it it is significant or a token effort. A Ask yourself what happens to the money when people leave the church. $$$ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avandris Posted August 19, 2014 Author Share Posted August 19, 2014 Study a college level textbook used in a Logic 101 Class. Can you suggest/recommend such a textbook? ~~~~~~ Thank you all for your warm welcomes and book suggestions. I am working my way through them and will be sure to come back and ask for more once I'm done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdelsolray Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Study a college level textbook used in a Logic 101 Class. Can you suggest/recommend such a textbook? ~~~~~~ Thank you all for your warm welcomes and book suggestions. I am working my way through them and will be sure to come back and ask for more once I'm done! No. That would take me the same amount of time it would take you to find one, or two or three. I'd rather you do the work than me. All curmudgeonry aside, I took two undergraduate level logic classes, Logic 101 and 102, at an American University many years ago. Each had a different textbook, neither of which I have. What I can say is that what I learned in those classes has stayed with me and has been used much. It's good stuff, formal and informal logic. Check with any (US) state university book store. They'll have them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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