The Skeptic's Annotated Bible
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The Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB) is a website providing skeptical analysis of the Bible, edited by Steve Wells.[1] It consists of annotations presented alongside the text of the King James Version of the Bible pointing out internal inconsistencies and contradictions with science and history, and suggesting that the Bible advocates reprehensible ethics. Since its initial inception, The Skeptic's Annotated Bible has been expanded by Wells, with the addition of a discussion board, an annotated Qur'an, an annotated Book of Mormon, and various links to external sites such as The Brick Testament.[1]
Contents |
[edit] About
The Skeptic's Annotated Bible uses tags to highlight issues including injustice, absurdity, cruelty and violence, intolerance, contradictions, family values, women, science and history, prophecy, sex, language, interpretation, homosexuality, and "good stuff". Each tag offers negative, critical commentary with the exception of the "Good Stuff" section, which usually refers to positive ethical teachings in the Bible. However, overall the sections that deal with impossibilities, contradictions, and negative teachings are to provide evidence that, as Wells explained, "it is time for us all to stop believing in, or pretending to believe in, a book that is so unworthy of belief".[2]
Wells' formal training is in botany and mathematics. He has said that he has "a B.S. in Botany and a more than 50 semester hours of graduate credit in Chemistry and Mathematics, with 15 years [sic] experience as an industrial statistician."[1]
[edit] Fundamentalist response
Holding, of Tektonics.org, points out that Wells has no education in the fields of apologetics, theology, ancient civilizations, or the ancient Greek and Hebrew languages and insist that these are required to do Bible exegesis, and that Wells does not cite scholarly or secondary works.[3]
Wells responds by saying education is crucial to seeing the flaws in the Bible, and that he has spent many years studying the Bible. He does not claim any training in exegesis. His criticism targets the King James version of the Bible partly because: "It is still the most familiar version and some Christians consider it to be the only "authentic" version."[1]
The SAB provides links to responses by apologists at the bottom of chapter and contradiction pages, as well as a list of rebuttal sites.[4]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d "Skeptic's Annotated Bible: Frequently Asked Questions", Skeptic's Annotated Bible, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-04-01.
- ^ Skeptics Annotated Bible- Preface
- ^ Holding, James Patrick. Connect the Dots With Us!: Commentary on the Skeptics' Annotated Bible. Retrieved on 2007-10-14.
- ^ "Apologist Responses to the SAB", Skeptic's Annotated Bible, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-04-01.

