Prove that God exists

[sapphi_snake]

padib said:

Points 1-3: The fact that the manuscripts haven't changed much since the 1st century (I corrected here) is that it proves their closeness to the events described and historically known from external sources. The closer the date written, the more reliable the described events. Next, you have the authenticity argument. One could claim they changed over time. However if we have the earliest versions, that claim goes to water. Again, it's only supporting evidence. I know you understand what I mean. For point 2 see my reply to Sapphi. Again, none of these in and of themselves prove anything. They are only substance to a greater claim so as to provide robustness against other counter arguments (I've provided a few examples here and in my post to sapphi).

Point 4: I'm really glad you get this one.

Point 5: I'd rather leave this out of the debate, but if it helps clarify take a look at my post on doubt and the importance given to facts. Sadly alot of it is bound to human bias and there's not that can be done about it. That's why it's important to get external sources alot of the times so as to provide explanations that are clear of doubt. To be frank I'm ready to retract this point if needed. I just wanted to mention that what is an important argument for one person may not have value to another and that's due to many things. For instance, point 4 above you get, but another person might not. The reasonable nature of a person is very subjective sadly. What one person considers reasonable may not be what I consider reasonable. I consider reasonable that you understood point 4 above and are waiting for facts. Another person may not have found that reasonable. What can cause that I don't know denial or bias, but sadly we encounter it. Anyway I feel I'm in shaky water here so I'll drop point 5 for the sake of progression. 

Regarding points 1-3, the earlies surviving copies of the gospels are from the 4th century, so no one really knows how the original gospels looked like, and if they changed over time. So this argument falls.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel#Dating