Let’s see if we can help both Bill O’ Reilly and Bill Maher get a handle on the topics they are trying to answer. This is where you come in as a “person of faith.” Simply cite a statement made during the video clip (one statement at a time, please) that is posted below and then add a correct way to approach/think about it.
Bonus: Do this exercise as a family!
The bottom line is that these are the questions and statements that people make regarding faith, religion, and what is truth.
Wow, there’s so much here, where do you start?! And I’m not sure who was worse. Please O’Reilly, stop “helping” us!
However, I thought this quote by Bill Maher was key:
“Faith is the purposeful suspension of critical thinking.”
The Bible nowhere defines faith that way. Paul tells us in I Corinthians if Christ has not been raised our faith is futile (I Cor. 5:17). Faith is not a stand alone concept. Faith must be IN something or someone and for Christians that someone is Jesus Christ. We have faith in Him because His claims about Himself were verified by His resurrection – a well documented historical event.
Ugh. Where to begin with either of them?
Based on THIS discussion I’m inclined to say both are “dunder-heads” and not practicing critical thinking.
Ohhhh, there is nothing more frustrating than watching people who don’t know the Bible well, discuss it. The very reason why I try as hard as I can to avoid talking about the depths of politics, because I would end up looking like a dunder-head as well. It does propel me to want to know more though.
I do admire Bill O’Reilly for trying. I’ve found myself many a times taken off guard by someone quoting the Bible as a means to defend a point against God only to find out later they were totally out of context or wrong. Perhaps they will both be drawn to the Bible again and inspired to know it better.