I need everyone's assistance

[achilles12604]

I was thinking of compiling my thoughts and I have settled on writing a book. Nothing grand mind you and no I don't intend to publish or anything but I wanted to write down some of what I have learned before it flys out of my head.

I was thinking of having this book be a very balanced overview of the facts surrounding the many various questions we battle over here. It would list out all attributing facts and then give a brief analysis for the evidence. Actually it would provide brief analyses (plural I think?) in that I would attempt to provide not only my view of the evidence but opposing views as well and I would then let the evidence speak for itself to whomever was reading.

I would call the book something like, "Just the Fact's Ma'am" or something corny like that as a pun for my police investigating.

Anyway, what I need from everyone is a list of topics to be covered. There are literally thousands of possible topics and I think I'll be writing for a while. I need you guys to give me a list of good topics to cover.

For example:

The plausibility of an eclipse during Jesus death
The contradiction between Luke and Matthew concerning governor.
The plausibility of a Historical Jesus
The possibility of Christianity being borrowed from Mithra (etc).




Give me topics to investigate and then write about. Thanks all.

[Furrowed Brow]

Hi Achilles

Good luck with book.

How about the physical plausibility of the various miracles described. Walking on water, resurrection etc.

FB

[achilles12604]

Hi Achilles

Good luck with book.

How about the physical plausibility of the various miracles described. Walking on water, resurrection etc.

FB

Good. Thanks.

[McCulloch]

Give me topics to investigate and then write about. Thanks all.

The problem of evil.
The Euthyphro dilemma.

[Goat]

The contradiction between Luke and Matthew when it comes to the date of the nativity.
How credible are the various attempts to resolve the contradiction in the genealogies between Matthew and Luke.

Josephus , antiquities 18.
Josephus , Antiquities 20.

The prophecies in the "old testament'.. Jewish interpretation vs Christian interpretation.

[Talisman]

One that I would like to see discussed in more detail (I cover it in limited detail in my own book) is whether the reference to blood and water pouring from Jesus' said was a true indicator of death.

Sounds like it would be an interesting book though!

June

[sledheavy]

I think the best way to write a book concerning the issues we cover or relating them to ideas is to start with topics outside the same trivial topics we tend to go over. And it looks like you won't have a problem with that.

The question is do people want to read another book on evidencial faith?

Regardless of which,

Start chapters with possibly irrational statements or personal stories, introduce with conversations related to the topic, and clarify using at least a couple abstract views based on the evidence. That's just the way I'd do it.

Just emphasize the idea of a plausable truth before getting into the religious belief system.

Take the idea of that historical jesus and go with it because enough people are tollerant enough to believe jesus existed, but he wasn't a savior. Illustrate in wording the earth becoming black during an eclipse.

Obviously put some of the ideas into actual context.

The hardest part I see here is actually formulating the evidence and dumbing it down so that it's not assumed the reader has heard it before. This forum has posts alone with countless amounts of evidence. But you really don't have to take it far enough that you're pointing out so much at a time. The authors I like reading from usually just make a point and defend it rather than lead up to it and spend pages making up for it.

There are literally many ideas to go off of for this literature concerning the topics so you're bound to have some fun.

My book I'm hoping to title 'Notion of the Self: Conceived' before or after I'm working as a free lance writer for review magazines or writing for vertigo or dark horse comics and living off top ramen. lol.

I've been told by countless peoples that if you're planning on doing it right, make a series, and SELF PUBLISH. There's too much beauracy otherwise.

Either way, this is just my input. Take what is there, or nothing at all. Write it, publish it, and I'll buy a copy.

[Talisman]

Although I am self published, and it was defianately the right choice for me, I would never advise anyone to go down this route without first investigating other options. You have at least try the traditional route and not dismiss it out of hand without doing your own research into the market. Yeah sure, it is difficult for first time authors to get a good deal and even more difficult to get good publicity, but there are some real success stories, and you might just turn out to be one of them .... Good luck anyway, I get the feeling that if this does get written, it might take some time anyway ....

June

[Furrowed Brow]

I suggest if you write as if you are writing for an audience made up of McCulloch, Goat, Lotan, QED etc., and have a mind for the kinds of criticisms and counter arguments these guys would put up you will end up with a far stronger book.

[achilles12604]

I suggest if you write as if you are writing for an audience made up of McCulloch, Goat, Lotan, QED etc., and have a mind for the kinds of criticisms and counter arguments these guys would put up you will end up with a far stronger book.

Actually, I was thinking just that. McC had already volunteered to read each chapter and point out any strawmen, inconsistancies, etc that I may fall prey to while writing.

And remember folks, I am not really intending on publishing at this point. It is more for my own reference and ammusment, however if it takes off and people really like it, THEN I would consider publishing. (Giving McC royalties for his assistance of course. What do ya say McC? Feel like becoming filthy rich? )