# Response to David Cross's Quote Re: the Bible **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 23, 2015, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/response-to-david-crosss-quote-re-the-bible/735501 "2015-10-23T02:34:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/response-to-david-crosss-quote-re-the-bible/735501/1 "2015-10-23T02:34:58Z")
“Because you know, when the bible was written, and then rewritten, and then edited, and then re-edi -ted, then translated from dead languages and then re-retranslated and re-edited again, then re-re-re-edited, and then re-translated, and then given to kings for them to take their favorite parts out, and then re-edited and re-translated and given to the pope for him to approve, and then re-edited and re-written— all based on stories that were told orally 30 to 90 years after they had happened to people who didn’t know how to write… I guess what I’m trying to say is, the bible is literally the world’s oldest game of telephone.”-David Cross I posted this quote on FaceBook and a friend responded: I’m amazed at how much time atheists like to comment on God and religion. They sure do spend a lot of time on something they absolutely do not believe in. Her comment makes me squint really hard. How would you respond to her response. Sorry if this is in the wrong forum. I haven’t been here in awhile. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/response-to-david-crosss-quote-re-the-bible/735501/2 "2015-10-23T02:38:21Z")
Bottom line: Cross doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He should just sit quietly until the next Chipmunks movie. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/response-to-david-crosss-quote-re-the-bible/735501/3 "2015-10-23T02:47:52Z")
My answer is if God designed the whole system God knew all they and has built it into the design - so exactly how God wants it for our time. Perfect example, the parable of the talents. Back then a coin, today it has a different meaning, equally if not more so meaningful, or to put it another way God knows what ‘He’ is doing. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/response-to-david-crosss-quote-re-the-bible/735501/4 "2015-10-23T02:50:37Z")
Are you an atheist? The answer to that might have some bearing on your response. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/response-to-david-crosss-quote-re-the-bible/735501/5 "2015-10-23T03:02:55Z")
As an atheist, here’s how I’d answer – “Because religion is fascinating and hugely important in the world. It’s had huge impacts on human history and continues to do so. It’s a big influence in most people’s lives. It’s almost an endlessly fascinating topic.” ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/response-to-david-crosss-quote-re-the-bible/735501/6 "2015-10-23T03:11:51Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Perfect example, the parable of the talents. Back then a coin, today it has a different meaning, equally if not more so meaningful, or to put it another way God knows what ‘He’ is doing. You know you have it backward, right? The modern meaning of the word “talent” came about because of the parable, not the other way around. ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/response-to-david-crosss-quote-re-the-bible/735501/7 "2015-10-23T03:14:08Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > As an atheist, here’s how I’d answer – “Because religion is fascinating and hugely important in the world. It’s had huge impacts on human history and continues to do so. It’s a big influence in most people’s lives. It’s almost an endlessly fascinating topic.” Men could say the same about women’s bodies but mansplaing is looked down on. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/response-to-david-crosss-quote-re-the-bible/735501/8 "2015-10-23T03:29:32Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > As an atheist, here’s how I’d answer – “Because religion is fascinating and hugely important in the world. It’s had huge impacts on human history and continues to do so. It’s a big influence in most people’s lives. It’s almost an endlessly fascinating topic.” Agreed in all respects. It’s also worth noting that Cross, in the opening quote, overstates the facts dramatically. It didn’t quite come about that way. There are lots and lots of excellent books about the origin of the Bible, and the facts are fascinating. The various manuscripts that were assembled into the Torah – why we have two different tellings of creation, Adam and Eve, the Flood, etc. – is, in itself, one of the great mysteries of history. The fact that a Kingdom of David existed (although not as great a Kingdom as the Bible claims) is wonderful and fascinating. It doesn’t tell us any more about God than the discovery of Troy tells us about Aphrodite…but it is well worth the attention of any educated American. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/response-to-david-crosss-quote-re-the-bible/735501/9 "2015-10-23T07:44:10Z")
> [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](#): > > I posted this quote on FaceBook and a friend responded: > I’m amazed at how much time atheists like to comment on God and religion. They sure do spend a lot of time on something they absolutely do not believe in. > > Her comment makes me squint really hard. How would you respond to her response. Sorry if this is in the wrong forum. I haven’t been here in awhile. Thank you. The question isn’t whether or not a commenter accepts the literal truth of what they’re commenting on. It is that others do, and do so with the belief that that justifies them in expecting intellectual and moral privilege for their opinions, not only on that topic, but also on anything to which they believe their belief applies. If you argue for any proposition on the basis of nonsense, you must expect to have the nonsense pointed out. ---
**Author:** ![Razncain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@Razncain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Razncain)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/response-to-david-crosss-quote-re-the-bible/735501/10 "2015-10-23T10:11:11Z")
Never heard of David Cross before, but thought the comparison to the telephone game was amusing and a good way of putting it. Some religious people are not capable of hearing anything less than glowing reviews of their religion, and if they hear anything less, they prefer to shoot the messenger, and/or pretend to be offended. There are some delicate flowers out there, and this evidently is one of them. > [@Trinopus](#): > > The fact that a Kingdom of David existed (although not as great a Kingdom as the Bible claims) is wonderful and fascinating. It doesn’t tell us any more about God than the discovery of Troy tells us about Aphrodite…but it is well worth the attention of any educated American. Haven’t kept up with the latest, so did some quick search engines, and got mixed reviews, with one putting it succinctly, “depends which archaeologist you are asking.” How concrete is this? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/response-to-david-crosss-quote-re-the-bible/735501/11 "2015-10-23T11:08:34Z")
> [@Aquadementia](#): > > Men could say the same about women’s bodies but mansplaing is looked down on. Plus women are not generally putting vast amounts of effort into turning men physically into women, whereas Christians spend a lot of time trying to convert atheists. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/response-to-david-crosss-quote-re-the-bible/735501/12 "2015-10-23T11:37:54Z")
> [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](#): > > I’m amazed at how much time atheists like to comment on God and religion. They sure do spend a lot of time on something they absolutely do not believe in. > > Her comment makes me squint really hard. How would you respond to her response. Sorry if this is in the wrong forum. I haven’t been here in awhile. Thank you. I can think of a few responses: Firstly, she’s being sly, implying something without wanting to say it, so my standard response in that case is “Your point being?” Make her come into the open. Secondly, you could go more directly to the heart of the matter; “Christians sure do spend a lot of time forcing their religion and religious mores on those who absolutely do not believe in them” Thirdly you could comment on her obvious _ad hom_: “Why is it a problem for you that atheists comment? Is Cross’s analysis wrong or far too close to the truth?” ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/response-to-david-crosss-quote-re-the-bible/735501/13 "2015-10-23T11:49:07Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > It’s also worth noting that Cross, in the opening quote, overstates the facts dramatically. No, he overstates the facts comically. He’s a stand up comedian. That is basically the definition of stand up comedy. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/response-to-david-crosss-quote-re-the-bible/735501/14 "2015-10-23T11:57:58Z")
I’m amazed at how often people who aren’t comedians like to laugh at jokes. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/response-to-david-crosss-quote-re-the-bible/735501/15 "2015-10-23T12:19:35Z")
> [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](#): > > How would you respond to her response. “Aww, fuck off, Betty!” Unless her name isn’t Betty. In that case I’d be lost. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/response-to-david-crosss-quote-re-the-bible/735501/16 "2015-10-23T12:25:40Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > You know you have it backward, right? The modern meaning of the word “talent” came about because of the parable, not the other way around. I did not know that, would ask for a cite but really immaterial, as still God designed everything for our modern meaning, so my point still stands. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/response-to-david-crosss-quote-re-the-bible/735501/17 "2015-10-23T12:33:10Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > No, he overstates the facts comically. He’s a stand up comedian. That is basically the definition of stand up comedy. I’ll always remember him for _Sailing_ and _Arthur’s Theme_. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/response-to-david-crosss-quote-re-the-bible/735501/18 "2015-10-23T12:34:27Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > I did not know that, would ask for a cite but really immaterial, as still God designed everything for our modern meaning, so my point still stands. Or it just means you can shoehorn everything into inshallah. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/response-to-david-crosss-quote-re-the-bible/735501/19 "2015-10-23T12:35:52Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I’ll always remember him for _Sailing_ and _Arthur’s Theme_. No that was Kriss Kross. Remember, he wore his pants backwards. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/response-to-david-crosss-quote-re-the-bible/735501/20 "2015-10-23T12:48:29Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > No that was Kriss Kross. Remember, he wore his pants backwards. Right, but I’ll still always remember David Cross for _Sailing_ and _Arthur’s Theme_. ☹ [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/response-to-david-crosss-quote-re-the-bible/735501.md?page=2)