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written by Joe Sommer 

A Brief Summary of Why the Bible Is Unreliable
Fundamentalist Christians believe that the Bible is the inspired and inerrant word of God. Modern analysis of the Bible, however, provides many reasons why the book cannot be considered reliable.

Warning: Billy Graham's Teachings May Be Hazardous to Your Health
The mainstream media tend to idolize Billy Graham and treat him with kid gloves. By doing so, they ignore the harms caused by his teachings.

Humanist Ethics vs. Biblical Ethics
Fundamentalist Christians often accuse
Humanism of causing a decline in ethical
standards. But an examination of the
biblical God's behavior reveals that the 
Humanist system of ethics, which is based 
on reason and compassion, is far superior
to ethical standards contained in the Bible.

A Humanistic Damning of the Doctrine of Hell
Humanists strongly oppose the idea that there's a God who will send people to eternal torture in hell. They believe it's one of the most absurd and harmful doctrines ever propounded.

Some Violent and Heartless Results of Believing in Hell
Many churches still teach that God will send nonbelievers to eternal punishment in hell.
History exposes the evils caused by this teaching.

The Fraud of Faith Healing
Faith healers defend the practice of withholding medical treatment and relying solely on spiritual means to treat children's illnesses. Their arguments contain extremely dangerous and harmful misinformation.

Hitler's Christianity
Some people blame Hitler's philosophy on atheism. According to the historical record, though, Hitler believed in God and was convinced he was carrying out the divine will.

Violence and the Biblical God
Although many Americans are rightfully concerned about cultural messages that encourage violence, few are troubled by the widespread promotion of violent Bible teachings. Violent religious ideas often influence people to behave violently.

Many Nonbelievers Support Bible 
Reading

Although an Ohio mayor acted improperly by issuing a proclamation to encourage Bible reading, many nonbelievers agree with him that people should read the book.

Terrorism and Other Harms of Believing in an Afterlife
In view of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the question should be asked whether religions do more harm than good by telling people a life after death awaits them. In all probability, the terrorist attacks and innumerable other tragedies wouldn't have occurred but for that belief.

Biblical Opposition to Knowledge  
Modern societies recognize the importance of science and education, but many Bible teachings are opposed to both. As a result, the Bible leads some people to oppose or be unconcerned about the increase and dissemination of scientific knowledge.

The End Is Not Near
Many Christians think the Bible teaches that the world will soon end. Throughout the entire history of Christianity, however, many have held similar views and were wrong. So how reliable are the same claims being made by Christians today?

Christianity's Social Harms
Christian doctrines have harmed society in a variety of ways. And the doctrines continue to impede efforts to solve social problems.

Morality Without Religion
The claim is often heard that morality cannot exist without belief in God. But most nonbelievers have strong reasons for behaving ethically.

Posting the Ten Commandments 
on Public Buildings

In arguing to have the Ten Commandments posted on public buildings, a national group claims that the Commandments "transcend religious differences." They apparently are unaware of the strong disagreements many religious people have over the Commandments.

Christianity and Women
Promise Keepers, a fundamentalist Christian men's group, considers the Bible to be the inerrant word of God. Not surprisingly, the group uses Bible verses to support the subjugation of women.

Religion, Nontheism and Unethical Behavior
In arguing that atheism leads to immorality, some religionists quote Voltaire. But they leave out a great deal of scientific knowledge acquired since Voltaire's time. And they omit Voltaire's opinion about Christianity.

Jesse Ventura's Humanistic Comments on Religion
By attacking Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura for his widely publicized criticisms of religion, politicians and members of the media applied a double standard and treated him unfairly.

Dark Side of the Puritan Ethic
Some Christians give unreserved praise to America's Puritan ethic. They overlook the harms caused by the Puritans' opposition to pleasure.

Don't Do What Jesus Would Do!
As a guide for choosing attitudes and behavior, many Christians encourage people to ask, "What would Jesus do?"  But Jesus' teachings can harm individuals and communities.  (This article first appeared in the January/February 2001 issue of Freethought Today, which is published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation.)

Some Reasons Why Humanists Reject the Bible
Humanists are convinced the Bible was written solely by humans in an ignorant, superstitious, and cruel age. This article gives some of the arguments supporting their position.

Promise Keepers: The Religious Right's Trojan Horse
Although Promise Keepers claims to be merely a men's support group having no ulterior political motives, a look behind its facade reveals strong ties to the Religious Right.

Science Classes Should Not Teach Creationism
A bill introduced in the Ohio General Assembly would require public schools to teach competing "theories" about the origin of life. This bill is a thinly veiled attempt to put biblical creationism into science classes.

Pat Robertson's Defective Hotline 
to God
On his television program "The 700 Club," TV preacher Pat Robertson said God has preordained a big victory for George W. Bush in the 2004 presidential election. But in view of some previous messages that Robertson claimed to receive from God, his statement can be taken with a grain of salt.


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Copyright © 2000 Joseph C. Sommer
Last modified: January 13, 2007