At the Oxford festival - me on drums.
(Published in Faith and Philosophy 2011. Volume 28, Issue 2, April 2011. Stephen Law. Pages 129-151) EVIDENCE, MIRACLES AND THE EXISTENCE OF JESUS Stephen Law Abstract The vast majority of Biblical historians believe there is evidence sufficient to place Jesus’ existence beyond reasonable doubt. Many believe the New Testament documents alone suffice firmly to establish Jesus as an actual, historical figure. I question these views. In particular, I argue (i) that the three most popular criteria by which various non-miraculous New Testament claims made about Jesus are supposedly corroborated are not sufficient, either singly or jointly, to place his existence beyond reasonable doubt, and (ii) that a prima facie plausible principle concerning how evidence should be assessed – a principle I call the contamination principle – entails that, given the large proportion of uncorroborated miracle claims made about Jesus in the New Testament documents, we should, in the absence of indepen
Comments
As an aside, was just wondering about the thinking behind the title 'Believing Bullshit'?
Was singing the book's praises to a mate last night, and how the arguments are laid out in a clear, non-pretentious and non-directive way; but we both accepted we couldn't recommend it to some of our more ardent believer friends, as we'd offend them almost immediately. It seems a shame, as the mood and implication of the title isn't necessarily extended into the rest of the text (though I'm only halfway). Was just wonderring whether you have any other feedback that the title might be a bit of a barrier in reaching the very people who might benefit from it?
Ta.
Adzcliff
P.S. We conceded we couldn't come up with an equally engaging and impactful title, and suspect this was a balance you and/or your publishers had to consider?
Kriss
(Btw, on that second tune, tell your perc to use bells instead of bongos on that opening ... would be awesome!)
Alexander - It's not v good recording I'm afraid. That kit was DW collectors with Brady jarrah ply snare (with wood hoops).
Hopefully they'll get far enough before they realise we're talking about them...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiEVkDdmIF8&feature=related