The Atheist Book Club discussion

Do any of you guys know much about the accuracy of the so called prophecies in the Bible that supposedly predicted events later in history? I really know nothing on this subject and I feel like I need to learn more about it.
Lately more and more religious dudes seem to be popping up at my local mall and town functions. Of course they always seem to come up to me and we end up getting into discussions about religion. They always seem to say that the Bible has predicted many events in history very accurately, and if God isn't real then how could this be possible? Whenever they bring it up I really don't know how to respond, because admittedly I'm ignorant on the topic. Anything you guys know about this and would like to share would be great.
Also as a side note, I'm looking for a good, unbiased book that takes a look at the life of Jesus in a strictly historical light. Whether he was a real person or not, what exactly happened to him in his lifetime (if he was real), how much of what the Bible says how about him is true and how much is exaggerated, things of the nature. Any recommendations would be awesome.

Great questions.

Here's one article to look at on prophecies:

http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Failed_b...

Most of these so-called prophecies pertained to political events of the time. Others have been twisted by modern interpreters to fit some current event. The claims have no foundation at all.

One example that I point out most often is where in the New Testament, the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem appears to have been "foreseen" or predicted.

This is where knowing facts and understanding the use of rhetoric and propaganda are necessary. All of the finished NT texts were written AFTER the year 70 CE ("Common Era", used by scholars instead of 'A.D.').

However, the stories, people and events in them were "backdated" to an earlier time (the time of Augustus Caesar, King Herod, etc.). This was to fool the reader/believer. In actual fact, the "prophecy" that the Temple "will be" destroyed had already happened by the time that the gospel makes that statement.

Do you understand now how such things were inserted into religious texts to create the illusion that mysterious, unexplainable, miracles and prophecy were/are real. When in fact, they were only using tricks to fool people with.

Below is something I just wrote that I think should help you and other to better understand how various devices were used to fool people with and to get them to "believe" things that they would not otherwise believe.

The True Story Of Christianity: The One They Kept From You (Roman Piso, 01-09-2015)

Hello, if you don't already know who I am, I am the author/researcher/educator Roman Piso. Since I've been posting information online, beginning with my posts on DelphiForums, I have been educating and informing people to the work that has been done, our discoveries and ongoing research by posting articles & essays, providing links and information in the form of lists and images with info.

The result is that many people have learned of the work and findings in the area of the Roman creation of Christianity. But more people are learning about this all the time; even though there are those out there who are trying to prevent people finding out, usually by posting negative comments and giving misinformation.

Early on, another part of this that I was educating people to was how rhetoric & propaganda work; so that they would be able to spot it and tell when it is being used against them. That way, they would not be susceptible to it and understand just who was really playing with their mind and trying to fool them. I urge everyone to learn that they can about the methods and means used to trick people and to dumb them down.

Remember, propaganda and other means of deception are only effective on those who are generally not very intelligent and who do not know what it is, how to spot it, or understand how it works. And that includes delusional, irrational, and/or religious people.

These links (below) will help you to learn more about our research and our conclusions. I will always to my best to help you and others understand the true nature of religion, ancient history and how so many people have been mentally tricked for so long.

The True Story Of Christianity
http://pisochrist.webs.com/truestoryo...

The Creation Of Christianity: A Piso Family Chronology
http://thecreationofchristianity.yola...

http://arriuspisocreatedchristianity....

http://pisochristthebook.webs.com

http://thebiblicaldynastysite.webs.com

I prophesise that religion will end, though I might be wrong.

To my thinking the worst prophecy in the entire liturgy is "The meek shall inherit the Earth." Rubbish.

I get mad just thinking about it. Throughout history that's just what the meek got: Dirt. Maybe that's what he meant.

I'm certainly not sitting around waiting for any of them happening.

I wrote a book 'The Objective Perspective: a look at God, Religion & Reality (amazon.com kindle)
It is amazing how Christians react to facts. To them faith is fact