@Jason
I struggled to get through your post because it was full of so much off topic rambling.

Read my testimony before you assert that I would need to look up what a theory is.

I'd rather not turn this into a contest to see who is "smarter (or who can cite more wikipedia second hand sources)" I'm pretty sure that won't accomplish much.

Very true. Lets just agree that neither of us know everything and that we have both done stupid things in the name of our beliefs such as citing wikipedia. I shouldnt've done that but for something like finding a definition of scientific theory its kinda hard Both of us have claimed knowledge in things we don't know and my whole point is that you don't know everything about science and evolution and that we all have near equal levels of schooling or else we wouldn't be wasting our time on religious debate forums. I know that I am right about some of the things I have claimed as it is stuff I've been taught for the past 6 years. You're obviously better at english than me (as shown by your better phrased/structured arguments) christian theology, history, philosophy, classics and probably a dozen other fields, so this was never a contest of who was smarter. I was just curious as to whether you had read anything in the fields you claim to be an expert in.

<< Was a Nuclear Propulsion Engineer and Nuclear Power School Instructor for the US Navy

Our textbook set I've read cover to cover is much bigger (probably 5 times bigger or more) than the Encyclopedia Britannica. I love reading especially theological commentary and science textbooks.

But I don't think that makes my arguments stronger or weaker. The actual content of my argument should concern you more.

"But I don't think that makes my arguments stronger or weaker. The actual content of my argument should concern you more"
But most of the time it does not. Except that I struggle to keep my sanity in the face of seemingly illogical arguments.

"Was a Nuclear Propulsion Engineer and Nuclear Power School Instructor for the US Navy"
Wow! As a New Zealander I instantly think Nuclear Power = Devils technology, but this is actually really impressive. I don't read alot of theology so maybe that is why some of the things I say are not valid in your mind, whereas to my mainly scientifically focused brain (apart from art, music etc) they seem totally reasonable.

@Jason
I don't want you to think that because I read more books that somehow your arguments aren't valid that seems like an appeal to my own authority. So you are free to say what you want but if it doesn't follow what I understand in theology or science I'll share my disagreement and if you aren't familiar with it look it up and then come back if you still disagree. I don't know more than all the information on Wikipedia (but if you have time read the sources listed), think of that as your external brain. That's how we learn.

I don't know that nuclear power = devil's technology coal power probably pollutes more. Maybe you could attack the fact that I served a combatant force and follow a doctrine of peace... but I came to faith after I got out.

"I don't know that nuclear power = devil's technology coal power probably pollutes more. Maybe you could attack the fact that I served a combatant force and follow a doctrine of peace... but I came to faith after I got out. "
Its just a New Zealand joke Since Ernest Rutherford ( a New Zealander) created the basic model of the atom and as a country we have been active in protesting against nuclear power (even though I personally don't hate it, how can you hate something which is just technology/doesn't exist?) like stopping US nuclear subs/ships from entering our waters.

But I wouldn't attack you serving then being a christian . . . there's nothing wrong with this. Serving your country and protecting the ideals you believe in is important when its against real threats (but for things like abortion clinics I can never accept this). Being in the Navy/Army is a good way of becoming qualified, without having the massive debt that I will have at the end of my study, and contributing to society.

Why Should we trust what the bible says? It is a book of stories of what they percieved to be true. The knowledge we have today is far superior to the knowledge that societies had during that day and age. Chistainity believed that people with mental retardation and mental illnesses were possessed by the devil and therefore they put to death. They didnt know what a person who had an disability such as down syndrome was a disease. They believed that that was an issue that needed to be dealt with because of the society they were involved in at the time. Why should we trust and believe in a religion, who couldnt even identify that a person with a disability isnt possessed. To base the reason for existance on a society and culture that did practices like that and in general just lacked knowledge, does not seem plausable or reliable.

There is also the possibility of a meaning being lost in translation.

@John
People were pretty familiar with this concept. Your assumption that they thought mental illness was possession is pure assumption. For all you know we consider possession schizophrenia today.
As far as down syndrome goes early misdiagnoses were that the fetus was traumatized they were not considered possessed by any account I've ever found. It was also less common because women gave birth much earlier. Please do some research don't just assume things.
You should read some historical documents from the era because they coincide wit the bible a great deal so its not a book of stories. Its full of specific predictions that happened exactly as foretold. The book has even shown itself to be well preserved through the ages stories tend to change a great deal over time.

Actually there exist many Christians who still believe in demonic possession, and who even make attempts to try to find possible differentials between those with demonic possession and those who suffer from mental illness, schizophrenia.

@Matt
The problem is the claim of spiritual possession isn't falsifiable because we have no scientific method of spirit detection. So there isn't much point in such investigation at this time. There are distinct physical changes that occur with Dissociative identity disorder such as heart rate change, dialect change, strength, preferred language change. I do see a distinct difference though. DID doesn't grant knowledge that wasn't available before it is also often triggered or a response to trauma. Also possession doesn't always involve 100% take over of a person its been seen as an attack or inhibitor.

Matt wrote: Not if scripture is divinely preserved.