Table of Contents

|| Preface || One || Two || Three || Four || Five || Six || Seven || Eight || Nine || Ten ||

|| Eleven || Twelve || Thirteen || Fourteen || Fifteen || Webliography || Bibliography ||

Below is a brief description of each chapter with linked title text that will open each chapter. Below each description you will see sectional links that will take you to specific content within each chapter.

Alternatively, you may use the links above and below to go directly to the chapter of your choice.

Preface: Author's Notes for the Reader

This preface offers the reader some understanding of the decisions that went into the making of "God vs. the Bible". To be thorough, there were two different translations used in the research of scripture: the classic King James Version (KJV) and the most modern New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). Any morally or logically flawed verses in the KJV that were fixed in the NRSV were omitted from this book. The Christian will not have the comfort of claiming that the biblical passages cited in this book are translation errors unique to the KJV. This preface also explains my motivations in writing this book. This part of the preface offers a quick overview of the terrible cost of the Christian and Islamic faiths and how they stifle the human mind and spirit. Finally, the preface includes a list of acknowledgements. This book would not be possible without the people who have shaped my life and other freethinking authors who have blazed the trail before me. I would like to humbly thank all those who have contributed their insight and/or assisted me in my own ongoing search for the truth.

Part I: The Seven Fatal Flaws of the Bible

Chapter 1: A Self-Evident Truth

Whoever Wrote the Bible, It Wasn't God.

If there is a uniform definition of God, it is the Creator. Different religions have their own ideas about what else they attribute to this being but its fair to say that this basic definition, First Cause of the universe, would be one point of agreement. If we are to believe that the Creator also wrote a book (such as the Bible) shouldn't we expect this book to contain an accurate understanding of how Creation operates?

This chapter introduces the seven fatal flaws of the Bible and debunks some of the common Christian excuses for biblical errors. It also argues for the standard of "zero defects" with regard to any book said to be the Word of our Creator. The proper respect for God demands nothing less.

Chapter I Sections: Introduction | The Zero Defects Standard | The Seven Fatal Flaws of the Bible | Addressing Defenders of the Faith | Conclusion

Chapter 2: Inherent Problems

Fatal Flaw #1: By Definition, the Bible Can't Be "Revelation"

Before we even read the first word of the Bible, there are already serious problems that call into question just how reliable it is as a source of divine revelation. This chapter explores the definition of revelation and how it can only be a first-hand experience (the matchless honor of speaking to God directly). It's not something that can be packaged or reliably related through hearsay testimony.

Additionally, why does God need prophets? Wouldn't speaking to the entire planet at once be a better plan? Why does God need missionaries? If identical copies of this book had appeared in many different cultures across the world long before they had any contact with each other, it would lend credibility to the idea that the tome is indeed from God. Instead, it was written by the people of one culture and only spread to the rest of the world through human hands.

Chapter 3: The "Heavens" vs. the Bible

Fatal Flaw #2: How Can the Bible Be the Word of Our Creator When It Has Such a Poor Understanding of the Cosmos?

Forget about evolution. The Bible makes many ridiculous assertions about the nature of the cosmos that can be debunked by the most remedial of scientific knowledge. You don't need a doctorate in astronomy to understand how scripture is wrong about the universe. This chapter lists the seven ways that the Bible is wrong about Creation, from its assertion that the sun revolves around the earth to its idea that you can get to heaven by building a really tall tower.

Chapter III Sections: Introduction | The Bible Says the Sun Revolves Around the Earth | The Bible Says the Moon is a Source of Light | The Bible Says the Sky is a Dome | The Bible Says the Stars are Little Lights Fixed in the Sky-Dome | The Bible Says the Earth is Small, Flat and Supported by Pillars | The Bible Says the Universe was Created in Six Days | The Bible Says You Can Get to Heaven by Building a Really Tall Tower | Conclusion

Chapter 4: Nature vs. the Bible

Fatal Flaw #3: How Can the Bible Be the Word of Our Creator When It Has Such a Poor Understanding of Life?

The Bible was obviously written by primitive humans who had little understanding of the nature of the world they lived in. This chapter catalogs seven of their most serious errors, from their belief that illness is caused by demonic possession to their accounts of the nearly thousand-year life spans of some of the early biblical characters.

Chapter 5: Reality vs. the Bible

Fatal Flaw #4: The Bible is Filled With Magic, Mythical Creatures, and Other Elements of Fantasy

Do you believe dragons are real? Do you believe that mortal humans can cast magical spells? Would you believe that God once made a public speech to the entire nation of Judea? The people who wrote the Bible did.

The Bible is filled with examples of fantastic creatures, sorcery and mysticism. Yet, when we survey God's Creation, we see a predictable universe, devoid of supernatural upheaval. Even the things that remain a mystery to modern science carry the promise to one day be discovered. So how could the author of the Bible be our Creator when the book has such an outdated, superstitious view? .

Chapter 6: The Flip-Flopping Bible

Fatal Flaw #5: If the Bible Has One Author, Allegedly God, Then Why Can't It Keep Its Own Story Straight?

A joke commonly told about the Bible is that you can use it to justify any opinion as long as you know which verse to cite and how to interpret it. This cynical observation is all too reflective of this muddled, contrary tome. For the sake of brevity, we will focus on the seven most divisive or glaring self-contradictions of the Bible and how they have led to so many different factions of Christianity. After finishing this chapter, the reader may come to understand how all of these denominations manage to consider themselves the true version of Christianity. It's all a matter of which passages of the Bible people care to read.

Chapter 7: The Not-So-Good Book

Fatal Flaw #6: Seven Ways the Bible is Morally Bankrupt by Modern Standards

Be careful what you call, "The Word of God". People might believe it.

This chapter is not for the faint of heart. It catalogs the seven greatest horrors and injustices of the Bible, from rape and genocide by the Biblegod's orders to bigotry in many forms. Christians are asked to reflect on each carefully before investing any credibility in this book as the ultimate moral authority in life.

To moderate Christians: can you read this chapter and still claim the Bible is "God's Word"? If you call for religious tolerance and non-violence but still say the Bible has divine authority, you are sending out a confusing mixed message. You say this is the Word of God but you don't always agree with it?

Chapter 8: He Had to Sacrifice Himself to Himself?

Fatal Flaw #7: The Jesus Story Makes No Sense

This chapter thoroughly analyzes the claims about Jesus and his alleged life. It asks a number of common sense questions (such as "Why does human sacrifice make everything better?" and "What force could compel God to require such a bloody ritual just to be persuaded to forgive us?"). It also delves into Old Testament writings to show that the Jesus sacrifice is completely inconsistent with Jewish teachings. In the section, "Jesus-Come-Lately", the reader will learn about many similar myths that predated the alleged life of Jesus. Christianity didn't offer much that was new. This chapter analyzes the four canonical Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) to show how they can't possibly be reliable accounts of history. Finally, it reviews the many versions of Christianity that existed in the first few centuries. The wild variety of early "Christian" beliefs fly in the face of the myth that a uniform belief based on Jesus' teachings "got off the ground quickly and spread rapidly despite persecution". It seems reasonable to ask, "Did Jesus even exist at all?" The honest answer is "God only knows."

Chapter 9: False Prophecies About Jesus

How "Biblical Prophecy" Fails to Support the Jesus Story

Many Christian apologists will point to the Old Testament prophecies that Jesus allegedly fulfilled and the prophecies that Jesus made as proof that Christianity holds the true understanding of God. This is classic circular reasoning, using the Bible to prove the Bible. Essentially, these defenders of the faith are saying, "The Bible says that Jesus is the Son of God. We know that this claim is true because Jesus fulfilled many of the Bibles prophecies. We know he fulfilled these prophecies because the Bible tells us he did."

The circular nature of this reasoning is obvious but let that go. This chapter plays in the court of the Christian apologist to show that seven of the claimed "fulfillments of prophecy" are either false prophecies or misquotes of Old Testament scripture. In particular, Matthew (or whoever wrote the Book of Matthew) is proven to be a liar by his own words.

This chapter also details the greatest false prophecy made about Jesus: that he would return "soon", within the lifetimes of the disciples. 2,000 years later, we're still waiting.

Part II: The Culture War

Chapter 10: What's NOT in the Bible?

Conservative Christian Beliefs in Conflict with Biblical Teachings

Conservative Christians often like to speak of creating a society more in line with the values that are found in the Bible. Yet, when we examine where they stand on social issues, we find that they aren't even supported by their vaunted scriptures. They want to steer America closer to a theocracy but feel free to violate their own sacred text as it pleases them to do so. This is not to say that adhering to a Bronze-Age tome and its backward laws is a good idea for a modern society but if Americans are to trade in our secular republic for a theocracy, it would be nice for us to know that we can at least expect our new masters to play by their own rulebook.

Chapter 11: Founding Fathers

America's Most Famous Deists

America was founded as a Christian nation? Don't believe a word of it!

In this chapter, the reader will learn about America's most famous deists, her founding fathers, and some of their anti-Christian sentiments. It's no accident that the Constitution is godless or that the Declaration of Independence invokes Nature's God instead of Jesus. Their letters to one another and the records of their discussions prove that their intention was to establish a secular republic and build a wall that separates government from religion. .

Chapter 12: The Demonization of Sex

How Scripture Vilifies Both Straight and Gay Sex While Sanctifying Celibacy, A Paradigm that Works Against Nature and Nature's God.

Humans are sexual beings. This is a simple fact not to be disputed. Sex is not simply essential for procreation; our desire for sexual gratification is hardwired into our being and is quite easily one of the most powerful motives of human nature. Coming to terms with our sexuality in a healthy way is arguably an essential component to our spiritual wellbeing. Unfortunately, the New Testament fails to deal with the topic of human sexuality in a positive way. This Word of God, which ought to be expected to provide guidance in all aspects of our lives, is handicapped in this critical field.

This chapter is divided into two parts. The first discusses how Christianity vilifies heterosexual sex, focusing on the irresponsibility and poor ethics behind "abstinence-only sex education" (a certain way to increase teen pregnancy). The second analyzes Christianity's perplexing taboo against love between people with similar body parts.

Chapter 13: Hell

Who Knew a Garbage Dump Outside Jerusalem Could Be Made into Such a Useful Device With Which to Control People?

The fear of Hell has been a powerful tool used by Christian leaders over the years both to gain converts among unbelievers and as a method to control those who had already converted. Even the most liberal denominations support the idea that such a place exists and thereby carry the implicit threat. More conservative denominations make Hell a central theme to many of their sermons.

Is Hell real as they claim? Not only is there no evidence for the existence of such a place, there's plenty to the contrary. The ancient Jews, who wrote the Old Testament, didn't believe in Hell. The Christian concept of this infernal region got started with a garbage dump outside of Jerusalem.

This chapter explores the history of Hell, tears apart Pascal's Wager and provides proof that this place of eternal torment couldn't possibly exist.

Part III: God's Gift of Reason

Chapter 14: Deism

Reason-Based Spirituality

It's been said that you shouldn't criticize without presenting a better idea. This chapter offers to the reader a healthier spiritual alternative to Christianity called, "deism". This philosophy is more compatible with modernity and celebrates (rather than stifles) our natural gift of reason.

Reason and spirituality are not opposites. Quite to the contrary, there is great spiritual depth in being a freethinker. Our minds are unfettered by the shackles of religious faith, at liberty to explore the wonder of human consciousness and the majesty of God's Creation.

Chapter 15: As the Dust Settles...

The Battle Between God and the Bible is Over but the War Rages On

At the end of this book, the sacred tome of Christianity stands in ruins, having been cut to shreds by the twin blades of observation and reason. It would be of great benefit if this victory were sufficient to open minds and close churches. Unfortunately, there are many emotional roadblocks which hinder the Christian's journey to freedom.

The reality is that the struggle between God and the Bible is not one that can be completely documented in any book. It is fought in the mind of every Christian. In each one, buried beneath fear, denial and social programming is God's Gift of Reason, struggling to break free.

This chapter touches on some of the emotional chains which keep the faithful tied down. Deconversion is often a difficult and painful transition but the wavering Christians should know that they aren't alone. The best thing for them to do is seek out a supportive community of those who've been through it.

Chapter 15 isn't divided into sections. It's fairly short, designed to be the conclusion to the whole book.

Webliography

Reference Library Online

This section is an annotated list of websites accessed during the research of this book. It includes a number of links of interest to freethinkers of all kinds.

Webliography Sections: Christian and Other Faith Websites | Freethinking and Skeptic Websites | News, Government and Information Websites | Socio-Political Websites

Bibliography

Reference Library Traditional Media

This section is an annotated list of books and materials referenced during the research of this book.