jim rosinski wrote:

Of course not. But I've never fully understood why bible-thumpers
expect non-believers to be persuaded by an argument that essentially
boils down to "It's true because I say it's true" (e.g. the lead
article in this thread), or "It's true because it says so in the
bible".

Part of the explanation why such poor argumentation technique can
nevertheless lead to converts, I think, lies in promises made by
Evangelical Christianity. The slate of a wasted life of immorality
and corruption can be wiped clean and eternal salvation guaranteed by
doing nothing more than accepting Jesus Christ as your savior. What a
deal!

Not all religions believe it is just a simple matter of accepting Jesus Christ.
Also, while many try and use the poor argument you described to "convert"
people, I think anyone that really understands scripture, knows that no argument
made by anyone can truly convert, if a person is to be converted, that is
something that must happen between them and God. All proselyting is for is to
introduce others to a believe, the conversion is then completely out of the
hands of the proselyter.


--
Chris Woodhouse
3147 SW 127th St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73170
405-691-5206
N35° 20.492'
W97° 34.342'

"They that can give up essential liberty
to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety."
-- Benjamin Franklin, 1759 Historical Review of Pennsylvania