Atheist Asks Tough Question (Epic Response!)

Join the debate between Dr. Frank Turek and an atheist on the nature of morality. Is morality objective or subjective? Can it come from God or is it a human construct? Watch as they tackle the tough questions and explore the implications of their answers.

[JonGreen]

The atheist moral framework is derived from Christian standards.
The primary difference is Christ is the foundation that atheists want to uproot.

[dagwould]

I like this guy: he tells us the morality that applies. I wonder where he gets this from. I'd also question his ability to read ancient texts and his understanding of the Bible. It is an anthology of documents that trace the unfolding of God's preparation for the Messiah against a background of an entirely corrupt humanity. God works through history and people, and only rarely to obliterate them and start again (the flood is case in point, as are the actions to staunch extremes of evil amongst the Canaanites).

The Bible is not a book of rules, except when it is the covenant rules to ancient Israel, called out of the evil context and constrained by the economic and social constraints of the time (another factor the boy genius ignores). Moreover, the Bible reports lots of things, but endorses very few of them. It is a warts and all history of God working through the corrupted and decaying world to bring his creatures-in-his-image into harmony with him; if they want.

[piijay]

Notice how the student agreed with Dr Turek when he asked " You can say the Bibles immoral only if you have a God that says it's immoral. " student answers 'Yes!

[toniterrell]

He is not dodging the issue he is attempting to give atheist understanding that he has not the platform to make such statements because God sets moral standards. God does not endorse those behaviors but does know that the people have and do those behaviors.

[AtaraxiA]

The strategy of every apologetic when confronted with an indefensible question, evade, dodge and deflect. And counter with a question without answer the original question.

Mislead, divert and misdirection with a dash verbal gymnastics

[seantaylor]

There are as many perspectives on morality as there are humans on this planet, because it is subjective. We agree morality standards by consensus, not because we have some divine knowledge of objectivity, but because evolution has embedded within us an instinct for what we understand to be 'good' and 'bad' moral decisions that aid our survive and thrive instincts as a species. If morality was objective, then how come religions have altered their position on slavery, homophobia, misogyny, etc over the years? Answer: because they are a reflection of their time and place.

[imkluu]

The Bible doesn't endorse any of those things and clearly teaches that they are sin. When those sins happened, having punishments, fines or compensation for them does not endorse them.
The law says that you can purchase slaves from among the people that live with you, but it also says that it is a death penalty to actually enslave another person. Those being purchased are already enslaved and already there. Secondly, in the bible when the word slave is used it means a servant that is working for board and not compensation in most instances.
The Word slave was not even a word back when the bible was written it is translated into a word that came into being much later. In the same area it says that those that are slaves or servants are to be freed on their 7th year of service, unless they wish to remain servants of that person. also those servants could work for others or do work in which they were compensated and buy their freedom earlier. Most were like indentured servitude not chattel slavery.
The context of the statements in the bible, and the times in which the lived, must be looked at, not a single line alone, to understand what is being said.

[andrewwright]

Morality has both subjective and objective components. The objective component is provided by the laws of Game Theory. The subjective element is the strategy selected by a player attempting to maximise their personal reward

The god of the bible has nothing to do with morality

[seantaylor]

If you take Frank Turek's argument as he presents it, then you cannot form a view on anything being right or wrong without reference back to the bible. I have a couple of honest questions for all Christians out there.

1) If the bible never existed, would you still believe stealing, lying, murder, rape etc. would be wrong? Or would you simply have no idea?
2) If the bible encouraged stealing, lying, murder, rape etc. would you consider them to be morally right or wrong?

[pablopastor]

Hit... never said it was OK to enslave, murder and rape.

[michelangelope]

You say atheism is a logical fallacy and God is necessary and people don't care. If God exists it is not going to stop existing because reality is ignored. The universe was created by an intelligent entity. Intelligence comes from intelligence. God created life, God created who everyone is. God is the origin and the destination. I need time to persuade you that you are deceived because we are accountable for all our life to God. When we die we would respond to the question "what have you done for me?" from God. God is all reality, all people past, present and future, all animals, all trees, God's Life and also Death. Life was designed and also death. I think when we die the mind is transformed to know all and keep living being Time and Space, keep living being the present in the past of God. Regardless of when the universe was created God existed always before. God is Time and Space transforming. God is necessary for God's sake. No more discussions, no more debates, no more arguments, no more violence. God exists and the universe is not eternal. I stand by my truth against humanity. Emergency! Trust me. Thank you.

[criticalthinker]

Where is Franks Turek justification than you need something to be objective in order to have a standard without it being an opinion of someone or something..

[cowboyssawmillandwoodlot]

Im so sick and tired of atheists saying things that are just plain untrue. I will bet everything i own on the fact that NONE of them have ever read the Bible. They spout off innuendos like this where there is absolutely no basis for. I like Frank BUT he isnt near tough enough on those people asking these types of questions. I would put them in their place because NONE of them can back up what they say. NONE

[andrewwright]

The god of the bible is not the creator . God of the bible is just a man made doctrine..

[amac]

Spoiler alert... No tureks apologetics don't hold up.... He dodges the atheist accusation of the Bible endorsing slavery and genocide... Even if God sets the standard for morality it's still not objective... It's just God's opinion... And it's the apologists opinion that we should listen.... The objective morality argument is one of the weakest apologetics...