Index to Creationist Claims,  edited by Mark Isaak,    Copyright © 2006

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Claim CH100:

Source:

Response:

1. This claim is dogmatism. It suggests no reason for its conclusion. The views of others, that the Bible is not God's word or is not an ultimate authority, have just as much validity.
   
   
2. The Bible says different things to different people. Beliefs that creationists take as gospel today, such as the fixity of "kinds" and the impossibility of life from nonlife, would have seemed absurd to creationists of centuries past, and those past creationists would have cited the Bible to support their views (such as Moses's staff changing to a snake and the plagues of Egypt appearing from nowhere), just as today's creationists quote the Bible to support their own views (Brewster 1927).
   
   
3. In practice, this claim really means, "My view of the Bible is the ultimate authority." (Since there are so very many different interpretations of the Bible, not to mention other religions, the claim would be meaningless otherwise.) In practice, then, this claim displays a great deal of arrogance, hubris, and closed-mindedness. It says that the final word on how the universe operates depends on one's personal decision of what to believe.
   
   
4. This belief, when applied as a standard for others, is religious bigotry in its purest form. It shows contempt to others who believe that God's influence may be seen elsewhere than the Bible and the select few who are defined to interpret it correctly. This claim has started wars.
   
   
5. The Bible says several things that you probably do not believe:
   • Slavery is acceptable. (Skeptic's Annotated Bible, n.d.).
   • You should kill your child if he strikes you (Exod. 21:15).
   • If you work on the Sabbath, you should be put to death (Exod. 35:2-3).
   • If you curse, you should be stoned to death (Lev. 24:14-15).
   • Happiness is smashing children upon the rocks (Psalms 137:9).
   • Women should be subjugated by their husbands (1 Pet. 3:1-7).

References: