Michael Shermer with Bart Ehrman

[_DoubtingThomas]

"Michael Shermer with Bart Ehrman: How a Forbidden Religion Swept the World (Science Salon # 18)"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qKfH8YCW_8

[_Xenophon]

Any particular part of this that you liked? What did you take away from it? Why are you recommending this to the members of the board?

You posted an hour+ video with nothing to help us make a determination of what we could hope to gain from viewing it.

[_Dr. Shades]

Good points, Xenophon.

Also: Does this video have anything to do with Mormonism?

[_Fence Sitter]

Good points, Xenophon.

I agree.

Also: Does this video have anything to do with Mormonism?

Bart Ehrman=having to do with Mormonism.

If you are LDS you should at least know who he is and maybe even have read a book or two of his.

[_Craig Paxton]

Ehrman is on a national promotional tour promoting his new book. I listened to his interview on NPR's Fresh Air. Unlike his previous books, which tend to expose the man made human flaws in biblical scripture, helping to undermine the inerrancy belief in the Bible. This new book seems to almost be a celebration of Christianity. A study of how it went from a small Jewish cult to becoming the largest religion in the world.

[_huckelberry]

To report what it is about, it is a meandering pleasant conversation somewhat about Bart's new book about the growth of the early Christian church. It does include a comparison to growth for Mormonism. Bart thinks that growth results more from neighbor to neighbor influence than big missionary effort.

Other things touched on which could be discussed.

Bart reports being criticized by both Christians and atheists and is puzzled that the hostility level is much higher from atheists.

The past few decades have seen growth in hostile confrontation between atheism and believers.

Christian growth was early on facilitated by the fact that the basic ideas of god and miracles were shared in common with most everybody else though people had some different ideas about god and which god names were the most powerful. Everybody expected miracles.

Christian growth was a fairly steady expansion and Constantine's conversion did not increase that rate. Constantine did not make Christianity the state religion, he made an edict of toleration of all religions.

Expression of some puzzlement and sense of irony about conservative American Christianity's drift toward more extreme political conservatism, guns and abortion.Bart could not remember Jesus having that sort of focus.

[_Philo Sofee]

Bart is wrong, Jesus hid a 44 magnum under his tunic at all times.

Ehrman has convinced me he is just out to sell books now. His last few really haven't been up to snuff, but when ya blow yer wad in so many of them, what's left to discuss? Poor guy. He ought to try translating some more early Christian stuff out of the Greek or something useful like that instead.

[_Kishkumen]

He ought to try translating some more early Christian stuff out of the Greek or something useful like that instead.

Mega dittos good buddy.