Having written posts on answering Bible contradictions for some years now (see my Collection of Posts Responding to Bible Contradictions) I have noticed a phenomenon online: Online skeptics who claim to be free thinkers have a serious copy-and-paste problem.
Specifically they often get their sources in attacking the Bible from the Skeptic Annotated Bible.
On the one hand when someone usually got their information from somewhere they should give a source; we’re in a time that there’s a lot of talk about the problem of plagiarism online.
Then on the other hand guys who often identify themselves as free thinkers, as independent thinkers and self-professing evidence driven “fact checkers” have horrifically copy and paste things online without discernment and wisdom. Ironic if you ask me.
Here’s some examples of this copy-and-paste from the Skeptic Annotated Bible.
Last week someone messaged a picture of an atheist page on Facebook:
I went to the Skeptic Annotated Bible and did a search and found that this atheist page apparently have nearly everything word for word from the Skeptic Annotated Bible (SAB) plus the same word order, the same order of listing of the options and passages mentioned. See my How did Saul die? where I respond to the SAB and you see the questions and answers are clearly copy and paste.
It made me think about this copy and paste phenomenon so much I made a meme for the blog’s Facebook page a few days ago:
Another example of skeptics copy-and-paste without proper references on Facebook is a meme that I’ve written about as a post here: A Meme Confirming Why I’m doing Apologetics on Veritas Domain.
We also see the same phenomenon on Twitter. Check out this tweet:
See how the question is word-for-word and also verses with SAB which I quoted here in my refutation: Bible Contradiction? How was Zedekiah related to Nebuchadnezzar?
I typed up “Did Herod think Jesus was John the Baptist?” for Twitter search which is one of the Skeptics Annotated Bible’s alleged contradiction we answered and saw that there’s a whole bunch of copy-and-paste going one too; check out the Twitter results by clicking here.
So many of these trolls state the Bible is so easy to refute. Yet I wonder why they have to consult a faulty unscholarly source and didn’t find them on their own. I also think its ironic how gullible many of these online trolls can be, despite saying they are “skeptical of writings of man.”
I leave you with Romans 1:21-22=
For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools,
The Domain for Truth 
[…] Online Skeptics have a serious copy-and-paste problem […]
You nailed it brother! “Claiming to be wise, they became fools”
I see it on Twitter all the time.
Blessings. Thanks for speaking the truth.
That is the nature of trolls. There is no difference from political trolls in my country. Perhaps their heart tells them that the SAB is gold/infallible and probably the author/Skeptic has no qualms in intellectual dishonesty as long as it gets spread. Blessings to you and your family!
Well said, brother.
Thank you Mandylorian! Blessings to you and Nathan!
Good point about the nature of trolls, even political ones. The low bar of some of these trolls are incredible. Steve Wells and his copy cats need the Gospel: They need to see their sins as sinful and need for Jesus as their Savior as the one they put their trust in, believing that Jesus is God becoming fully a man who lived a perfect life to die on the cross for our sins. Good play on words Kent with Mandy’s name! Did you also get to talk to the other slim Jim, I hope he isn’t a troll?
Nope, not that one, just a gamer and there is no chat in the game.
Plagiarism and contextless society is reigning supreme instead of context and freethinking being king. God uses those who are foolish to shame those who think they are wise. Better to be a fool for Christ than a somebody to the world. Love and blessings to you, Nancy and kiddos. PS: I did not have time to read this week, I am so sorry. Will do my best to skim the book before youth!!!
Aww thanks for skimming it and desiring to join the youth. That’s a blessing to our church Mandy! I probably don’t say it enough, thanks! Hope you are feeling better???
I’m doing a little better thank you for your prayers and allowing me to join today!!! I 🧡youth time so much!!!
Anyone should cite their sources if they cut and paste something and present it to others. I suspect that most people who criticize the Bible haven’t read much of it nor understood what they have read. There are also people who are simply dishonest and will say anything.
Great meme, Jimmy. The unwary target of these trolls must be new converts or apostates: new converts, because their faith is still young, their knowledge of Scripture sketchy enough to shake their trust in God’s word; also to solidify apostasy among their own kind as if they have “investigative truth” and “reason” on their side. But it’s all of the father of lies from beginning to end.
Dora I agree with you that those two groups seem to be the most likely to have these alleged contradictions effect them. You correctly identified the spiritual source of these attacks. I pray that God uses what I write on this blog to discourage those attacking the faith (and that God work in them to come to Christ and be saved) and also for vulnerable young Christians to be equipped by these posts. I was encouraged in researching for this posts I typed up some of the questions from the Skeptic Annotated Bible to see some of our posts are on the first page on Google, and hope that God uses it in some way. If you can would you be able to pray about that Dora? Thanks for your love and support as always!
Praying for you and your ministry’s outreach on the web, brother. May our Lord Jesus continue to equip you in every way to safeguard new converts and advance the gospel kerygma against the very gates of hell in Jesus’ name. May it be to to his glory and by the Spirit’s power strengthen his church here on earth
pax,
dora
The skeptics are better off quoting a 12-year-old atheist than the SAB! Good meme!
Indeed! It’s quite juvenile some of these alleged Bible contradictions. I still can’t believe people buy his books and use his site as sources when the exegesis is horrible. Seems we both have a big project on WordPress to respond to major false movements and meticulously refuting them, you with Roman Catholic apologists and myself with these Bible contradictions. Tom I’m glad you are on here on WordPress both as a friend and fellow warrior for Christ and the truth of the Bible! How are your audits going?
Thanks, brother! Yes, we both have our big and necessary projects. Lord help us to continue!
Thank you! It’s trite to say but I echo your sentiments exactly! I’m glad you’re here as a friend and a fellow warrior for Christ!
Twelve hours of audits makes for a very long day BUT it’s better than scrambling try to push out an overload of orders. Another day of audits today. Have a good Sunday at the church service and with your family!
Even preachers on line are doing it.:*(
Indeed even pastors are engage in plagarism which is a shame and a travesty. Bonnie if ever my family is in Louisiana we will have to see you Maw Maw! Blessings to you this lovely Saturday!
And these preachers cover it up by calling Ghost writers “Docents”
Yeppers.
I’ve had students cut and paste internet information and hand their work in as their own original thought. It’s always a dead give-away when key terms are highlighted–also when the font size and style changes between paragraphs. If college students are trying to get away with it, it comes as no surprise that others are following the same path. J.
Good point; these days what are the punishment when students get caught plagiarizing? Been away from school for 10 years now
The school wants them flunked from the class and threatened with expulsion. I generally warned them I was wise to their tricks but gave them another chance. J.
I don’t any more but I had talked to skeptics online for many years and they have no new material. The Skeptics Annotated Bible is a go to source for many of them.
Good work, as always, Jim.
Such funny memes
I guess I better get a copy of this!
I try not to spend money with authors attacking the faith so usually I borrow from the library; The skeptic Annotated Bible is available online at: skepticsannotatedbible. Com.
Hope you are doing well brother, any new church?
Yes, I saw it online, thanks. Sadly, we are still seeking a sound church, and have to start looking outside our local community. Hope you are well.
[…] Online Skeptics have a serious copy-and-paste problem […]
[…] 4.) Online Skeptics have a serious copy-and-paste problem […]
Sadly, some atheist trolls are clever enough to stump a lot of Christians.
I knew one years ago who was just well-versed enough to raise alleged contradictions which most hadn’t heard of. She obviously got her materials from atheist forums etc. Whenever someone responded well, she’d shamelessly drop that particular issue and move to another one.
I rather think she enjoyed the trolling. Perhaps she felt satisfied in stumping Christians as a means to justify her own world view.
There’s so many atheist trolls like the one you described. I just made a quick prayer right now for her salvation! Thanks Alf for also sharing this on FB just now
[…] Online Skeptics have a serious copy-and-paste problem […]
Those memes cracked me up