If you are atheist, how come you know so much about the bible? i mean, if you dont believe, why bother to read and question it? i just find it weird and a waste of time if you dont believe.
2006-07-06 03:22:05 · 22 answers · asked by BeAuTiFuL 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm christian, but not because I was raised one. I've read the bible cover to cover, not to debate, but to learn. The thing is, when one is reading the bible, they need to use a little bit of common sense, which most people can't seem to do. I don't abide by an particular religion, because after actually reading the bible, I haven't found any that feel right, so I do it my own way. I don't need a "religion", because I have faith.
The one guy said he read the bible to debate people, I just can't imagine that. Read the bible just to go to yahoo answer to debate people! Well, whatever floats your boat I guess. Can't imagine a life so empty that I'd actually read a book I don't even believe in simply to debate. Beyond logic.
2006-07-06 03:54:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
"A thorough reading and understanding of the Bible is the surest path to atheism” ~ Donald Morgan
Atheists are, for the most part, rational people. Also, intelligence implies an ability to employ critical thought. So, when a really intelligent, rational person becomes familiar with the tenents and dogma of Christianity, and with the bible, the absolute absurdity of it becomes apparent.
Also, you should take note that atheists generally know a lot more about the ACTUAL history of Christianity, and its origins, than do most Christians... and more about OTHER religions, as well.
Belief in the god of the bible makes no more sense to a rational person than does belief in Appollo, Odin, Ra, Santa Claus or the tooth fairy.
"I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours." ~ Stephen Roberts
Religious 'belief' is a delusional certainty that one knows the 'truth' about some aspects of existence and reality. The result is a sort of complacenty which leads to the mistaken notion that nothing else needs to be explained, because you 'know' that "God did it." It is exactly this kind of thinking (or LACK of thinking) that led to the Dark Ages, and set back the intellectual and spiritual growth of mankind for over 1,000 years.
2006-07-06 11:21:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Atheist here.
I was indoctrinated into religion before becoming atheists (like a good portion of atheists). I was raised as catholic, later moved to christian protestants, I believed there was a god until this point, later became agnostic and studied a bit about other religions and christian/catholicism history, dismissed christianity, later decided it wasn't worth spending my time doubting if it was possible for a being like god(s) to exists and became atheist, this is just a pragmatic position, not exactly a result of a cognitive process, but being practical. So, considering my background, what's so surprising about me knowing the bible if I already had read it twice from cover to cover and used to attend to mass? Today, I even heard a lot of religious (christianity) stuff, since the majority of my best friends are catholics/christians. What's so surprising? Nothing, I'd say.
The more I learn about the world's religion, the harder it is for me to even consider a probability for the existence of a personal god. I'm over it already. Deism, now that's a different story, but atheism denies theism. And I've heard a lot of misconceptions about atheists, that I feel like spending some time in places like this to state my opinions, I'm sure some believers have changed their views about atheists (some have stated it).
"Properly read, the bible is the most potent force for atheism ever conceived." - Attributed to Isaac Asimov
2006-07-06 10:32:37 · answer #3 · answered by Oedipus Schmoedipus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pagan here.
I've read the Bible for a number of reasons.
1. I was raised a Christian and actually went to seminary. Have an old MDiv.
2. You really can't understand modern history or literature without reading the Bible.
3. The Bible has a lot of good wisdom.
4. It beats watching reruns of Baywatch.
pax
2006-07-06 10:38:02 · answer #4 · answered by Pablito 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. If you want to know about something you have read and understand. Then you make up your mind whether you want to believe in it or not. Blind disbelief is ignorance. I am an agnostic, I have many friends who are atheists. They seem to know more about the meaning of the Bible or the Koran or the Gita or any of the religious texts than many believers. The main reason is they are not attached to one religion and are not afraid to question even their own beliefs. Some atheists believe in the substance of these texts but not in the idea of God and the mythology.
It is like anything else. Only if you know, you can decide whether you want to like it or accept it.
2006-07-06 10:30:55 · answer #5 · answered by crazyhumans2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I studied the bible and religion while I prayed and worshiped in hopes of finding God and becoming close to him. After many years of this I had to admit there was no reason for it. The only logical conclusion to draw from my experiences is that there is no God. Now only the knowledge remians. Yes it was probably a huge waste of time but I was full of hope and didn't know that then. Maybe that is why I feel so compelled to do something with this knowledge - to justify the time I spent acquiring it.
2006-07-06 10:36:46 · answer #6 · answered by tenaciousd 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I'm agnostic, but I think you'll find that a lot of non-believers started out in Christian homes, and that the disbelief actually comes from reading the Bible, and it helps to know what you are talking about when crazy fundamentalists start throwing Bible verses at you.
2006-07-06 10:27:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well some people just want to waste their time and post all kind of inappropriate questions which are of no use at all.
the question of reading the Bible is that ppl who don't believe they read it as any other book....................and I guess everybody has little bout Lord Jesus Christ
2006-07-06 10:28:19 · answer #8 · answered by Mellesa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I studied the bible to attempt to disprove atheism. I did this in my youth, as I was raised Baptist, and didn't want to lose my faith. Unfortunately, the more I read of the Bible, the more ridiculous it became.
I think the majority of Christians out there haven't actually read their bible. They just read what their pastor tells them to. If you actually read it, cover to cover... hehehe... you'll become an atheist too. :)
2006-07-06 10:29:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anthropologists don't intend to become Maoris, but an expert understanding of that Pacific culture is an appropriate undertaking for an anthropologist.
I hope I never get cancer, but I have a great interest in oncological research.
In short, any general human endeavor is a legitimate area of study and research, and it doesn't mean we have to "become" what we study.
2006-07-06 11:43:50 · answer #10 · answered by JAT 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋