Fundie Claim #4: Dying for Christianity proves that it is true

2/16/2008 | 1:56 PM | Evolved Rationalist

Fundie: The apostles were persecuted for being Christians. Nero killed the early Christians for their faith. Why would they want to die for something that is a lie? Christianity must be true!

In the first place, dying for your imaginary god wouldn't be a big deal if you fervently believe that you'll be in heaven, a place of eternal god-licking paradise, after you die. If someone believes that to be a fact, trading this life for a fairy-tale one hardly counts as a sacrifice.

When theistards try this argument, my first response would be "So?". Millions of people throughout history have died for things that they believe in. Does the fact that the 9/11 terrorists were willing to die for their faith automatically make Islam true?

In order to claim that a particular religion is true, independent evidence of its' claims are required. As I've stated time and time again, theistards haven't provided any. It has been over 2000 years, and it's time for theistards to put up or shut up.

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10 Comments

  1. lapsedlawyer |

    Well, then, the Xtians must all convert to bin Laden's brand of Islam, eh?

     
  2. Sinbad |

    The smell of straw is overwhelming.

    I'm aware of no would-be apologist who claims that because the Apostles died for their faith Christianity must be true. The argument is that the Apostles would not have died for something they knew to be false. Therefore, the claim is that since the Apostles were in a position to know that (for example) the resurrection was a hoax, their willingness to die for their faith is evidence of its truth.

     
  3. sciencefreak |

    The apostles could have been simply mistaken.

     
  4. Anonymous |

    Simply believing in something, no matter how fervently, does not make it true.

     
  5. Anonymous |

    The stories of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are myths. No one knows who wrote them, and they were written long after the mythological Jesus was supposed to have lived. Even Paul lived at least 75 years, perhaps longer, after the alleged crucifixion.

     
  6. bill |

    don't call them theistards, it's stupid, it makes you look like an idiot, and it makes the rest of us look bad. name calling gets you nowhere.

     
  7. Anonymous |

    Sinbad is right, I don't think anyone would try to make that argument. I'm atheist but this is still a great big straw man.

     
  8. jmil |

    Just stumbled across this blog (and normally I don't comment). I just wanted to mention that i HAVE heard this apologetic from believers both in person and on a podcast or two (Infidel Guy I think). Thanks!

     
  9. Sparrowhawk |

    If anything, I'd say people tend to use this to argue for the power of religion/faith, etc, not necessarily proof that their god is real. If anyone were to use it on me I don't even think I'd bother to dignify it with a response. I agree with Sinbad...I'm really sorry but I think you're kind of ranting at a straw man here.

     
  10. Zabimaru |

    I have also heard this argument used. Never by any really intelligent or informed person, but there are those who say it.
    I just recently made a post in my own blog about some of the stupid/offensive things people say when they try to convert me. Check it out if you like.
    How to convert me to your religion

     

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