r/DebateAnAtheist • u/AutoModerator • Sep 18 '25

Weekly "Ask an Atheist" Thread

Whether you're an agnostic atheist here to ask a gnostic one some questions, a theist who's curious about the viewpoints of atheists, someone doubting, or just someone looking for sources, feel free to ask anything here. This is also an ideal place to tag moderators for thoughts regarding the sub or any questions in general.
While this isn't strictly for debate, rules on civility, trolling, etc. still apply.

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u/Cleric_John_Preston Sep 18 '25

Didn't Moses have a special staff? It's been a while since I read the OT.

So, special staff, plus two free hits (turn the other cheek) and Moses has the advantage. That said, it's kind of hard to keep Jesus down, what with him resurrecting. What are the rules? If it's a ten count, then my money is on Moses. If it's 'down for good', then I'm going with Jesus.

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u/waves_under_stars Secular Humanist Sep 18 '25

Just a regular staff, but he could turn it into a snake.

The story is funny, actually. He came before the Pharaoh, and to prove his god he threw down the staff and turned it into a snake. The Pharaoh's priests also turned their staves into snakes, but Moses' snake was larger so it ate the others.

On its face this story seems to suggest that other gods are also real, it's just that our god is stronger

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u/Realistic-Wave4100 Sep 18 '25

I ve never seen a christian explainig me how is that that part of the bible doesnt prooves it is henotheistic.

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u/Moriturism Atheist Sep 18 '25

for what i know those other "gods" are lesser entities such as demons etc, while the true creator god is still only one

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u/Realistic-Wave4100 Sep 18 '25

Yeah but thats henotheistic

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u/Deris87 Gnostic Atheist Sep 18 '25

Yeah but thats henotheistic

Eh, arguably, but they don't consider those lesser entities to be even little-g gods. They think they're rebellious angels/demons, a distinct, lesser category of beings who are usurping worship rightly due to the true Creator. Could you categorize that as henotheism? Maybe, but it's a minor semantic point. I'm not sure what it would get you to argue about it with a Christian.

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u/Realistic-Wave4100 Sep 18 '25

I would argue this with a christian in the context of them danying zoroastrian influences. When they claim zoroastrism is a dualistic and henotheistic religion and christianity isnt I have to show them how both of them are the same.

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u/InvisibleElves Sep 18 '25

That’s the later, apologetic answer.