Belief in God is irrational

Should make for some interesting thoughts. First off, what is an irrational thought? " In this case, a belief is irrational if it is "based on evidence (or lack thereof) /reasoning that does not adequately justify the belief" or "characterized by lack of logic; senseless or unreasonable" If my opponent would like to add or change the definition of irrational, I'd be more than open to that. Let's try and not get too caught up on semantics in this, like so many debates do. Also, let's try and keep the epistemological aspect in this debate to a minimum. I am by know means a philosopher trying to prove what is truth, knowledge, reasonable vs unreasonable, etc,etc. The debate: a belief in the Christian God is irrational. Opening statements: The belief in the Christian God, like most Gods, requires a certain suspension of disbelief in order to maintain optimistic consistency within. There are certain elements in this being's character that a believer either has to A: choose to ignore and live in blissful ignorance, or B: find a way to justify these flaws and irrationalities to uphold one's belief and faith. Examples: "God has our best interests at heart/ it's all part of God's plan" or submit to the notion that the human mind in incapable of grasping God's greatness, as depicted in Milton's Paradise Lost. My arguments will be based on what is known of this being, not what potentially is unknown. The majority of what we know about this being is predicated upon the Bible and its subsequent teachings. I contend that any rational human being will be able to read such a works, take into account the given time period, the multiple translations (from Koine Greek and so on), and conclude that these are merely a collection of stories with no real historical or metaphysical value. Given the lack of evidence in establishing any sort of validity in the Bible, one can conclude that believing biblical stories is irrational. Furthermore, subsequently believing in the Christian God as an irrational thought, precedes the former assertion that all that is known of this God is predicated upon the Bible and nothing else. Assertion #1. The Bible is the word of God Assertion #2. The Bible is a fallacious work of fiction by man, for man. Conclusion: Believing that the Christian God exists is an irrational thought because of the lack of sound evidence supporting it due to the assertions above. I contend that assertion #1 is preposterous for a couple of reasons: #1. Multiple inconsistencies and contradictions throughout the Bible: an omniscient being would not either change his mind, or act in such a way as to contradict himself this much leaving so much room for scrutiny. Also, his omniscience would allow him to fully know what his creation (us humans), would have learned in the centuries to come and could then in turn disallow for such inconsistencies and contradictions. I'll provide examples later. Logical explanation: human error in the writings based on personal belief of what this God is. Short list of contradictions: . http://www.infidels.org... #2. Belief in this specific God (the Christian God) is dependent upon the environment in which you are raised. Although a priori argument, such that belief is deemed true without any proof or experience. Without the indoctrination (by most parents/caregivers), their faith remains either non-existent, for they do not know such a thing exists, while arguing in the posteriori. Paraphrased: if it weren't for your parents or first experience with the notion of the Christian God, no such thing would or could exist in one's mind. It's not as though prior to this celestial epiphany we already felt a connection to a higher power without knowing what it is. If you were born in Afghanistan chances are you would believe in Allah; Jerusalem, Yahweh; the numerous Gods one would believe if born in India, etc. etc. Again, I content that belief if this one specific Christian God, and the rejection all others, is irrational. No evidence adequately justifies belief in the Christian God as being true, and all others Gods being false. Hypothetical situation: we live in a country where everyone believes in a flying unicorn as their God. We are now debating on debate. org, and I contend that the belief in the Christian God is irrational. Believers of the flying unicorn would whole-heartedly agree based on some of the evidence put forth here. This is the same, just interchange which God one believes in. Conclusion: belief in a specific God, as the one true God, is irrational. #3. The stories themselves that contradict evidence known to us today. For example, the belief that the God created the earth, and then humans thereafter a mere 6,000 years ago (as depicted in Genesis), contradicts what is empirically known to us today. We now know that the earth in roughly 4.5 billion years old, with multiple species coming before us. And of course, our evolutionary process, which contradicts that of Adam and Eve. Additionally, God's punishment of Jonah in making him live in the whale. I again, contend that no rational human being can lower themselves to such beliefs as deemed true in the Bible, as the word and actions of God (and as we know, there are MANY stories, much more ridiculous than this in the Bible). Likewise, why would a perfect being create such an imperfect world. Poorly designed earth and poorly designed species. Either this God is incredibly lazy, capricious, clumsy, wasteful, cruel, callous, or a mix of each OR such a being does not exist. Even the theists that believe the earth is approximately 100,000 years old (Francis Collins for example), it makes no difference. If anything it further gives strength to the argument of irrationality. One would have to believe that that for 98,000 years, as men were killing each other over land, raping each other, essentially living lives of despair, sacrifice, pain and misery, largely due to believing in the "wrong" God as proposed in the times, the Christian God (the true God), was standing there watching with complete and utter indifference. "Oh look at that, there go those humans I created killing each other over false belief. Should I intervene? Nah. " For he has the power to intervene, but chose not to. And then, in the most deserted land, to the most illiterate, barbaric, superstitious people in the world, God decides to show himself by sending his only son…only to be killed sometime thereafter. This is what all theists of Christianity have to believe, for which I argue is irrational. The reasons for this belief in their God is not adequately justified, or reasonable. Until a time comes wherein real, logical, and justified evidence is brought forth, my original contention will remain truthful. I'll close like I started: this suspension of disbelief is like a movie gone wrong. The only different between a theist who believes in a God and myself is that I am able to separate reality from fantasy. At some point we've all got to hit stop and eject. Sources: . http://bridavis.chickenfactory.net... . http://www.talkorigins.org... . http://www.mediacollege.com... . http://christianity.about.com...